Caribbean cruises compared

How about a three-night stay in New York plus a 12-night cruise to the Caribbean? Well the ship that can offer this is Explorer of the Seas: a 138,000-ton, 3,114-guest cruise ship that has enhanced staterooms, expanded dining options and superb recreational facilities as well as science in the form of the University of Miami Ocean Lab. The whole package, including balcony cabin is £1,399 per person, including flights from Heathrow or Manchester. And the shore-side hotel stay is at the 4-star Marriott Eastside in mid-town Manhattan. The cruise visits Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; St. John's, Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico and sails on January 21st 2010.

Alternatively would you enjoy a two night pre-departure hotel stay in lively Miami, followed by a seven night cruise on Costa Atlantica, also exploring the Caribbean! In total it’s a ten night fly-stay-cruise, leaving on 5th November 2010, starting with flights from the UK to Miami, a stay in a four-star hotel, then a cruise to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, followed by San Juan in Puerto Rico, Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Costa Atlantica then sails back to Fort Lauderdale when passengers transfer to the airport and fly home.