Convenient flights, competitive airfares, and great vacation packages are some of the reasons why most travelers choose to fly Northwest airlines. Managing your reservations is just a click away with Northwest and all you have to do is visit their website for total assistance and guidance to plan your trip.

Reservations

Like most other airlines, Northwest airlines also offers you the convenience of booking your flights online. You can also request for online e-ticket refund on the airline’ website, nwa.com. However, you should be aware that only E-Tickets beginning with 012 can be refunded on the website. You should check up with the guidelines governing refund of Northwest tickets to know if you are eligible for a refund.

Fares

Northwest offers great travel deals through its “fare promotions” link on the website. Currently (April, 2007) on the platter are low airfares on nonstop one-way flights from Detroit to Düsseldorf, and Brussels. Fares are as low as $283* each-way, however, you need to plan your trip within a specific period to avail them. While a one-way airfare from Los Angeles to Düsseldorf will cost you about $283, your one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Brussels will be priced at $348.

You can also find exciting last minute packages to enjoy a great weekend at exotic destinations. You will find great deals that combine low airfares with discounted hotel rooms and rental cars offers to have the most refreshing vacation at your favorite destination. Other low fare options include Northwest airlines World Vacations Package Specials’ to enjoy a vacation in some of the best travel destinations around the world.

Schedules

Northwest understands how important it is to have an access to the Northwest schedule in order to plan your trip in advance. You have the option of viewing electronic timetables online. If you download a Northwest/KLM Timetable on your computer, you can view it even when you are you don’t have an Internet access.

These efficient interactive travel-planning tools enable you to check out the departures and plan your itinerary effectively.

Flights

In order to provide complete travel experience to their customers, Northwest provides you some of the best travel deals through its tie up with Frommers.com. Whether you are flying to Mexico, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, or within the United States, you can depend on Frommers.com to guide you through your journey and help you plan a great holiday.

Northwest offers convenient flights to business and tourist destinations across the globe that include Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, Hong Kong, Athens, Brussels, Shanghai, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Jamaica, San Juan, Paris, Rome, and London.

On the Northwest website, you will also find useful travel tips to enable you to have a memorable trip with Northwest.

Transcending the tourist blitz that conquered its Mayan Riviera counterpart, Playa del Carmen is a destination where the simple pleasures take center stage and relaxation is always the order of the day. Beaches, historical attractions, and local comforts are served up in abundant quantities, and everything you need for a memorable seaside getaway is at your fingertips for a Playa del Carmen getaway to remember.

The central part of Playa del Carmen, or Playa as it is commonly called, offers a wide beach that gradually narrows as it winds it way past the various vendors, beach bars, and restaurants. While you will find a sparkling white sands and gorgeous turquoise waters that are ripe for swimming, the beach can become narrow and rocky as the winds and current change. If this happens during your sunbathing hours, it is a good idea to move north and enjoy the gorgeous fine sands of Playa Tukan. As one of the best beaches in the area, be sure to rent a canopy bed and stake out a prime sunning spot early so you can experience this beautiful stretch of sand at your own leisure.

While strolling along the sands and soaking up the tropical breeze are ideal for forgetting your worries, more active pursuits are at your disposal along the banks of this stunning paradise. Scuba diving and snorkeling are available around reefs and caverns that can be accessed far offshore, but a better option lies around the island of Cozumel. Simply hop aboard the ferry and you are on your way towards underwater adventures beyond compare. If you are looking for boat and deep-sea fishing charters, your best bet is to try the nearby community of Puerto Aventuras.

Impossible to miss since it is the starting point for essentially every Playa del Carmen excursion, Quinta Avenida (or 5th Avenue) is a 14-block extravaganza where pedestrians can stroll the cobblestone-lined streets and soak up the distinct and lively atmosphere. Buzzing with bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, and vendors, you can pick up a few souvenirs, enjoy some tasty cuisine, or plan your seaworthy adventures along this bustling thoroughfare.

If you can pull yourself away from the refreshing waters, fine white sand, and excitement of Quinta Avenida, other towns along the coast offer some must-see historical attractions that are sure to leave you spellbound. The Coba and Tulum Ruins are easily within striking distance and offer stunning examples of Mayan settlements and civilization. Although the Coba Ruins have not been reconstructed or uncovered to the same degree as the Tulum Ruins, they are still worth the effort for the striking pyramid and mysterious aura. The Tulum Ruins, the most visited archaeological site in Mexico, feature a massive wall that surrounds the imposing civilization and is one of only a few in the Mayan culture.

Two other sights that certainly should not be missed are the nature parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Xcaret, located just south of Playa del Carmen, is a spectacular eco-park that features a gorgeous swimming beach, a butterfly pavilion, a museum with models of ancient Maya cities, and numerous other outdoor pursuits. Xel-Ha is a natural wonderland where waterways and paths wind their way through a tropical jungle and past crystal-clear lagoons and coves. When you aren’t soaking in the stunning scenery, snorkeling around schools of multicolored fish and swimming with the dolphins are all popular in this area.

Playa del Carmen is a land of endless opportunities, where you can swim, play, and explore to your heart’s content in a shockingly simple and diverse waterfront riviera. Always commanding attention for its stunning natural beauty and its exciting attractions, you can surround yourself with the best the Mayan Riviera has to offer in Playa del Carmen vacation rentals. Resting along the sparkling white sands and within sight of the clear Caribbean waters, the finest pleasures of a seaside vacation are just a short stroll away morning and night. Set our own agenda or follow the pace of the town, whatever you want out of your Mexico getaway, Playa del Carmen rentals are always an accommodating host.

You might be going to Cancun but are you going to the Cancun Palace? It’s not the seat of a royal family of Cancun, it is instead a leading five star resort which caters to all your whims and fancies during your stay in Cancun. The beauty of the Cancun Palace is surpassed only by that of Cancun itself, and when you finally arrive at your destination you’ll find that the Cancun Palace will outstrip even your wildest imagination.

There are definitely better places to stay in the world but right now, I’m hard pressed to think of any. The Cancun Palace is the perfect place to come and get away from all your troubles. The minute you walk in through the front doors you’ll feel your troubles begin to melt away into absolute nothingness. The trip into Cancun, the stresses leading up to your departure, the constant nagging worries that all occupy your mind will take a back seat during your stay in the Cancun Palace resort.

The Cancun Palace is filled with amenities that will make you feel like a king. Here are a few things that you can enjoy:

* Spa – sea fango wraps, foot baths, hydrating facials

* Golf – The Riviera Maya and Nuevo Vallarta will allow you to play the game you love

* Tours – Cozumel and Cancun

The resort is in the heart of many things for everyone to do. You can snorkel, go deep sea fish, go horseback riding and or be entertained by bull fighting.

All these activities can be purchased separately or through a package deal. The package deals can often times save you money so I would recommend looking into the packages if these things are what you might have in mind to experience.

Another great feature of the Cancun Palace resorts is that if you’re staying in one resort, you get access to all the other resorts owned by the same company. That makes for some luxurious living and there’s no better way to see Mexico than in the lap of luxury. Whether you want to explore the interior of Mexico, or just lounge around on the beaches, you’ll be able to enjoy everything when you’re staying at the Cancun Palace.

And if you don’t want to take a dip in the sea you always have the option of lounging by the poolside, or taking an afternoon siesta in your sumptuous room. You might even want to try out one of the many amenities available to the guests of the Cancun Palace, or you could just content yourself by going for a stroll through the magnificent building that is the Cancun Palace.

The staff is friendly and will go out of their way to accommodate you, and if you tried you couldn’t find better service in all of Cancun. So now you know where you should stay during your holiday in Cancun. The only small blot on an otherwise pristine sheet of paper is that the price might not be to everyone’s liking and you might have to save up quite a bit to take advantage of the Cancun Palace and its many amenities.

So the next time that you are asked where to stay for a holiday in Cancun you can safely recommend the Cancun Palace. After all with so much of luxury at your disposal why should you want to stay anywhere else?

Early this year, a pair of professional divers uncovered a new landmark beneath Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula. After years of searching and thousands of dives, Steve Bogaerts and his dive partner, Robbie Schmittner, were able to find a connection between two massive underwater cave systems. Bogaerts and Schmittner performed more than 500 dives of several hours over a course of four years to connect the world’s second-longest (Sistema Sac Actun) and third-longest underwater caves (Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich). Since then, the Sistema Sac Actun (White Cave System) has assumed the title of the world’s largest underwater cave. At over 95 miles in length, Sac Actun also stands as the ninth-largest cave in the world, including all dry cave systems.

As underground waterways of this size are certainly rare, the development of the cave system over thousands of years provides an equally interesting story. Several unique factors play a role in the creation of the area’s sinkholes and eventually the underground rivers. The stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula known as the Riviera Maya rests on a base of porous limestone, a stone that allows rainwater to easily enter the underground cave systems. Meanwhile, the rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula attract considerable precipitation, all of which drains toward the Caribbean Sea.

After the water seeps through the limestone and moves slowly east, the relatively flat ground near the coastline fosters the creation of sinkholes – known to divers and scientists as cenotes. Underground, the water becomes slightly acidic and dissolves rock as it moves, carving out these remarkable caves. In fact, these unique ecological elements were also responsible for the world’s previous longest underground cave system – the 91-mile Sistema Ox Bel Ha, also located in the Riviera Maya.

The cenotes, caves and rivers have played an important role in the cultural history of the region, as well. The Mayan culture depended on the fresh water found in these systems for centuries, while the underground rivers currently support the tourist industries of Cancun and Cozumel. At the same time, the rivers are important to scientists analyzing the human impact on the environment. In fact, Bogaerts states that the adventurous divers seeking out the connections of underground rivers serve as the “eyes and hands” of geologists, biologists, chemists and other environmental researchers.

Beyond the thrill of the dive, the cave system highlights important ecological issues regarding the area’s drainage patterns. Bogaerts says, “The point is that they’re so interconnected. There are so many cave systems that if there’s a point of pollution in any one particular area it can spread very extensively throughout the entire system.” According to the divers, “awareness is growing, but it must keep pace with the extremely rapid pace of development.”

For the tourist, the discovery of such underground systems has opened the door to some of the most incredible dive opportunities in the world. Thanks to the connection made early this year, divers can visit several popular cenotes while advanced divers can explore the dark depths of this unique system. Entering the system through one of the area’s numerous cenotes, divers will find over 500,000 feet of caves to explore. According to an online message posted by Bogaerts after the discovery, divers now have the opportunity to explore several popular cenotes as part of a single cave. He claims that “it is now possible to traverse from the Pabilany cenote – west of the Calimba cenote on the Coba Road – around the Grand Cenote (Sac Actun), Cenote Esqueleto (Temple of Doom), Cenote Naval, Cenote Abejas, Cenote Nohoch Kin, bypass Manati, press on to Balancanche, Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich, pass by the Dinner Hole Cenote and end up in the Dirty Dog or Pet Cemetery Cenotes.” If you are familiar with diving around Cancun or have begun researching your trip to the area, this new path is sure to excite.

Bogaerts and Schmitter will continue exploring the Riviera Maya’s underwater caves, searching for more connections. Some have speculated that Sistema Sac Actun could be connected to at least two additional cave systems, caves that would add an additional 125 miles in length. There is even a possibility that the Riviera Maya might surpass the world’s largest cave system – a title currently held by the 360-mile Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky.

Time will tell what else lies beneath Cancun and the Riviera Maya. In the meantime, visitors can explore some of the most important – and undeniably unique – caves in the world.

Gorgeous, quieter than the average resort area, sun-dappled and filled with all the beach activities a vacationer could ask for, Puerto Aventuras is a dreamy spot with much to offer. Not as tarnished by spring breakers and traditional tourist trappings as Yucatan Peninsula cities like Cancun, this diamond in the rough has the power to serve as an escape pod for all overwrought people out there.

Located on the Mayan Riviera, Puerto Aventuras is made up of three major bays covered with sugary white sand and sparse coastal developments. There is a build up of visitor-friendly operations, but unlike other towns in the Mexican Caribbean, the touch of civilization has been limited. Wide open swaths of lovely beach, clear blue water, and room to breathe all characterize this delicious region, and that’s just the beginning.

Moving past initial impressions of the landscape, Puerto Aventuras has the goods to back up the good looks, too. This is where you’ll find the only marina within several miles, so boaters and fishers thank their stars for the set-up here. A hundred yards from shore is a fabulous reef for diving, and a talented set of instructors make a living ensuring that visitors safely experience the wonders of these world-renowned underwater platforms. Boats can be rented for some sport fishing, sightseeing or wave riding, and when refreshments are needed a nearby restaurant will sate all appetites.

A golf course will allow those putting-obsessed people (you know who you are) to get their fix, but distractions like tennis, shopping, snorkeling and simply lounging on the peaceful beach will all compete for the chance to dominate your day in Puerto, as the locals call it. Fatima Bay will surely draw you to it like a magnet, so bring a good book, lots of sunscreen and the mindset of a true beach bum.

While you’re here, it would be worth it to take a little day trip to Tulum, the ancient Mayan city. In addition to the fascinating temples and other structures, there is also a market, stretches of stunning scenery, and an area where the famous pole flyers do their thing. Explore this area to feel like you’re in a whole other world, perhaps even another time. You can also head north to Playa del Carmen, a tourist-friendly area with a large shopping and entertainment district. From here there is a ferry service to Cozumel, so serious scuba divers will probably end up spending a little time here.

Back in Puerto Aventuras, be sure to visit the Shipwreck Museum, take a jungle hike, and participate in a session of swimming with the dolphins. Stroll around the town and relish the calm that pervades, making an effort to enjoy every lovely stress-free second. Remember, this trip won’t last forever so don’t let it be taken for granted.

All in all, this destination is perfect for those who want the cream of the vacation crop and substantially fewer crowds than many favorites tend to elicit. Peaceful, intimate and cozy are adjectives you’ll be using to describe Puerto during your trip, and fond memories are what you’ll have when you leave. This will be especially true if you take the step of renting a vacation property here instead of opting to stay in a regular hotel. Beach front villas with bonus amenities and condos that feel as if they were designed and decorated with your taste in mind are the best ways to truly relax into a holiday state of mind.

Going online to peruse the Puerto Aventuras Vacation Rental listings will get you in the mood for all that is to come. Read the descriptions, check out the maps and ogle the pretty pictures for a sneak peak of your future fabulous trip to the Mayan Riviera.

Some of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world are in Spanish-speaking countries: Cozumel, Barcelona, Buenos Aries, Cabo, Argentina and hundreds of other spots make a great destination. But your vacation will be much more enjoyable, and much less stressful, if you learn some Spanish phrases before you leave. When you are on vacation in your own country, it is easy to be polite with “please” and “thank you”. It is easy to learn the Spanish for these phrases. Everyone’s mother taught them to be polite – this includes mothers in other countries. Even if you pronounce it wrong, everyone will appreciate that you at least tried to speak their language. Remember, you are a guest and you need to be polite to your hosts. Furthermore, learning Spanish phrases for “pardon me” and other small apologies make people more inclined to help you. For example, yelling “waiter” in English is definitely rude. Instead learn a simple phrase for “excuse me sir”. No one likes being summoned in a rude way in a foreign language.

Experience the Country

Many tourists visit places but never leave their little tourist bubble; they stay on the bus, the designated restaurant, the tour. While this is a stress-free way to travel, it is also a bit disingenuous. Why travel to another country just to watch it like a TV show? Learning a few Spanish phrases can help to turn a TV experience into an interactive special experience.

For example, many people like to take public transportation in their vacation city. After all, especially if that is how the real locals live. And a fifty-cent bus ride is a tour in itself. However, it could be very difficult to navigate even a simple bus ride without learning Spanish phrases for direction, destination, distance, and fares.

Also, often the best restaurant is not the one on the tourist boardwalk with a photographic menu. It is out-of-the-way one the locals frequent anyway. Learning Spanish food phrases mean a culinary treat on vacation. As long as you know the words for what you do not like or are allergic to, try anything else on the menu. Even if you don’t understand everything the waiter says, pointing and smiling helps.

Country Specific

Spanish is a very diverse language, and there are as many nuances and dialects as there are Spanish-speaking countries. Be sure to pick up the local words and phrases. Get a guidebook specific to your destination area that has a glossary of phrases and language notes about these dialects.

One of the most popular destinations college students enjoy for spring break trips, Cancun, Mexico has only been a resort area since about 1970. Even with it’s newness, Cancun is the largest tourist destination in the country and has over 3 million visitors soaking up rays and enjoying the active nightlife each year.

Cancun, Mexico is divided into three very distinct areas, including the main tourist zone of Cancun Island, an ecological reserve, and the area known as Cancun City. Most students stay in Cancun Island, on the main tourist strip of Tulum Avenue. This is the area inundated with nightlife, tourist attractions and shopping venues. The hotel zone is only about six miles from the Cancun International Airport- which makes it an easy cab ride to your hotel or you might choose to rent a car so you can explore the Island on your own.

If you are looking to see as much as Mexico as possible during your trip, Cancun is a great starting point for many other places in the country. From Cancun, you can take day trips to cozumel, the Mayan Riviera, or the Playa Del Carmen. If archaeology is what you’re interested in, you can check out the sites at Tulum, Chichen Itza or Coba.

You can spend your days relaxing on the beautiful beaches that border the hotel zone or participating in any number of water activities with your friends. Try snorkeling, parasailing, fishing or beach volleyball if you’re not a water type! Whatever you enjoy, you’re going to find it in Cancun.

The nightlife of Cancun offers a little something for everyone! When the lights go out, that is when Cancun turns up the heat and energy! There are several dance clubs (known as “discos” in Cancun) located in the hotel zone, but if you grow tired of the same old scene or just prefer a different type of night entertainment- you could also enjoy reggae or salsa music, comedy, solo guitarists or spend an evening with offtrack betting.

Some of the most popular hot spots for college students include the Bulldog Cafe- many big name performers have been seen here, including Shakira, Naughty by Nature, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses. It’s located in the Krystal Hotel and can hold up to 2000 party goers at one time. The favorite of all spring break goers and college travelers is Dady’O- the party gets started about 10pm, and you can stop in any night of the week. There are 3D laser shows, theme parties, and if you get overheated the club will hose you down and cool you off!

There are some new requirements for US travelers into and out of Mexico. As of January 2007, if you are flying in or out of Mexico, you will need a passport due to increased border control. If you are close enough to drive, you can still visit without a passport. It’s always best to be prepared for your travels, so check for any other requirements before you head off on your Cancun, Mexico trip!

On October 21, 2005, Cancun was struck by Hurricane Wilma, the most intense Atlantic storm on record. However, after little more than a year, Cancun has remerged as an even more enticing destination. With over $1.5 billion committed to the citywide rebuilding effort, resorts have not only repaired their structures, but have improved upon pre-storm conditions. Nearly all of the city’s restaurants and bars have reopened, many with sparkling new additions and renovations. However, Cancun isn’t finished. Many more improvements will be completed early this season, guaranteeing that this could be the best year ever to visit beautiful Cancun.

Perhaps the best upgrades in Cancun were performed on the world-famous beaches. Known for their wide stretches of white powder sand, Cancun’s beaches were reduced to rocks by Wilma’s storm surge. Yet, because of eroding beachfronts throughout the world, the technology of beach reclamation has grown by leaps and bounds. Belgian firm, Jan de Nul, used their latest innovations to extract 96 million cubic feet of pristine sand from the waters off the Mexican coast. After the sand was transported by a pair of vessels back to shore, giant pipes succeeded in reforming up to a half mile of beach per week.

Yet, Cancun didn’t settle for a copy of the old beaches. According to Cancun’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, “The white beaches are what Cancun is all about. So we wanted to make sure we were getting that same silky sand that people love and a lot more of it than before.” In fact, the new beaches of Cancun average 140 feet in width, double the 70 foot width visitors were accustomed to not long ago. This sizable upgrade means not only will the beaches of Cancun look better than ever before, but visitors will have much more room to play or relax in the sun.

Cancun’s finest resorts certainly didn’t spare any expense during the reconstruction either. In addition to necessary repairs and upgrades required as a result of the storm, tourists will also recognize a number of notable improvements at their favorite resorts, from new recreational facilities to larger rooms. The streets of the Hotel Zone have even been lined with 6,000 fully-grown palm trees.

Furthermore, most of the major construction and renovation in the Hotel Zone was completed by the end of 2006, so current visitors won’t be bothered. Though a few resorts will be remodeling through 2007, very few tourists have been distracted. Through August 2006, Cancun had already returned to 79% hotel room capacity, just below annual averages for the summer off-season. In fact, many of these visitors were unaware of the rebuilding that took place as nearly all of the resorts and businesses were open during the 2006 holiday travel season.

The nearby island of Cozumel, a popular cruise ship port, also underwent extensive renovations. One of the island’s primary piers reopened to cruise ships at the end of 2006, while the other will reopen later this year. Inland from Cancun, millions of acres of Mexico’s famous jungles remain undamaged. Most importantly, the historic Mayan ruins near Cancun were unharmed and remain open for tours.

If you still had any doubts regarding the success of Cancun’s recovery, the leading travel publications have already returned the city to its lofty position. Conde Nast Traveler, Travelocity.com, 10best.com and many others have ranked Cancun as both a top beach destination and a leading choice for quick getaways. Furthermore, the American Express Travel Report, one of the most respected studies of upcoming travel trends, has rated Cancun as the fifth-most popular international destination for the coming year.

These accolades and the growing evidence of a successful rebuilding effort points not only to a miraculous resurgence for this luxurious resort city, but also highlights Cancun’s eternal allure.

1. You have children age 12 and under

Every child should experience the magic of Disney at some point during their childhood. It is a special trip they will never forget and will cherish forever. The only way they’ll ever experience Castaway Cay is aboard a Disney vessel. A Disney cruise is an excellent way to experience everything Disney has to offer.

2. You have teenagers

Disney cruises realized long ago that small children grow older and developed programs for teenagers also. If you go on a cruise without your teens, you’ll worry about what they’re doing while you are away. So bring them along on a Disney cruise – they’ll love it.

3. You are planning a cruise without your children

Why leave the kids with grandma when you can take the kids along on a Disney cruise? Disney cruises plan itineraries for your children (all the way to midnight) no matter the age group. So, each of you can enjoy yourselves separately, and come together for meals, ports-of-call, etc. When the children are with you, all the worrying about their well-being is eliminated.

4. Away time for the parents

With the kids safely onboard and their fun-filled itineraries planned, Mom and Dad can enjoy some time on their own with the peace-of-mind that their children are safe. Should the need arise; an onboard paging system can make contact with parents at any time. Whether you want to go to an onboard coffee shop, health spa, or a nightclub – Disney cruises understands and can accommodate you.

5. Excellent dining

Opulent dining choices are always at or near the top of all cruisers’ lists of what they want in a cruise. Disney understands this and offers excellent cuisine for all. There is even an adults-only formal restaurant, the Palo, which specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. The kids will like Animator’s Palate where Disney scenes decorate the walls and change from black-and-white to vivid color before dinner is done.

6. Onboard entertainment

Disney boats feature original productions at the Walt Disney Theatre. These area all live, Broadway-style productions with a cast of Disney characters the whole family is sure to recognize. Also, movies are featured in two locations onboard – at the state of the art Buena Vista Theatre, and under the night sky near the Goofy Pool on a jumbo LED screen. Plus, there’s more to the onboard entertainment than plays and movies – activities have been custom-tailored for all types of passengers. The Oceaneer Club is designed for the youngest sailors, ages 3-7 complete with a trained staff to help them enjoy the fun. For kids a little older, ages 8-12, there is the Oceaneer Lab with interactive games on a giant video wall. Also, kids can enjoy playing ship captain at Ocean Quest. Finally, for teens there are teen-only clubs designed to look like an apartment or dorm room where the tough-to-please can socialize with their age group. There are also activities designed for the whole family to enjoy together like the Studio Sea where Mom, Dad and the kids can participate in a live game show and sing karaoke together.

7. Locations visited by Disney Cruises

Disney Cruises feature a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. Other stops featured on the Caribbean cruises include Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Mexican Riviera cruise features a trip from Port Canaveral through the Panama Canal with stops at Castaway Cay, Aruba, Cartagena, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Capo San Lucas.

8. You want to do something different for Spring Break

It may be a little-known fact that Disney Cruises are a very popular choice for the college-age crowd during Spring Break, and it’s easy to understand why. A Disney cruise provides an alternative for those young adults not wishing to participate in the regular rites of debauchery in which so many other young adults partake.

9. You’ve never been to Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and it has features perfect for the whole family. Kids and teens can venture to Never Land and adults can go to Shangri-La. Of course, the whole family can relax together on the beach and take in some sun.

10. You’ve never been on a cruise

Disney Cruises is a great choice for those travelers who have never been on a cruise. Even if traveling without children the excursion will be a trip you will treasure forever. Disney cruises has many ship excursions planned no matter the season and there will surely be a trip that fits into your busy schedule.

Part One of “Caribbean Cruises – Paradise Awaits” covered the growing popularity of cruising and highlighted the Eastern Caribbean. Let’s move onto the two other areas of the Caribbean you might want to cruise to.

Western Caribbean A Diver’s Paradise

The Western Caribbean has a more tropical flavor than the Eastern Caribbean and is becoming increasingly popular with cruisers. Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel and Costa Maya are among the most popular destinations in the West. Most ships that depart from Texas and Louisiana ports usually travel to this part of the Caribbean because it is so close and you will probably find the departure ports less crowded than ports like Miami.

Beautiful weather abounds year round but be aware that hurricanes can occur around the end of October to early November.

Snorkeling and scuba diving is world renowned and is perfect for those looking to spend their time engaging in water activities. Unique to the Western Caribbean are magnificent ancient Mayan temple ruins that are well worth taking the time to visit.

The Grand Cayman islands are easily the most popular destination in the Western Caribbean and are made up of three islands; Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Brac. As it is a British Territory there should not be any language concerns and because of their Westerly location the Caymans are normally hurricane free making them ideal to visit any time in the winter.

Southern Caribbean Unwind In Lush Tropical Beauty

Lastly, we have the Southern Caribbean which is considered to be one of the last unspoiled tropical regions in the world. Antigua, Barbados, Aruba, Costa Rica, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands are the major tourist destinations in the area and they are all equally beautiful.

The dead of winter is the best time to cruise the Southern Caribbean and since this part of the Caribbean is not as popular yet it is less crowded and less expensive. The Southern Caribbean attracts the traveler that wants to get away from it all for some well deserved peace and quiet.

As temperatures in the Southern Caribbean remain pretty constant and tropical storms and hurricanes are unusual this is a perfect cruise destination for anyone wanting to see unspoiled natural tropical beauty. The Southern Caribbean is a perfect place to relax and unwind in some of the most beautiful settings in the world and the beaches will not disappoint.

With so many choices it can be hard to decide on which part of the Caribbean to sail to but rest assured you can expect a vacation you will always remember. Whether you plan to dive, shop, or just bum around on some secluded beach enjoying the sun you will find the Caribbean is just what the doctor ordered.