Sail Away and Escape Winter
by Julie Bielenberg
If your idea of a true Caribbean vacation includes an overnight on the seas, then these two Cruise options might be the most accessible and ideal for those living in snowy states.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Want to get to the Caribbean quick and cheap? Why not fly into the Miami / Fort Lauderdale area and cruise to the closest island possible to the mainland? This is the only cruise line to offer daily departures to Grand Bahama Island from the Port of Palm Beach.
There are a variety of rooms in which to choose and price ranges. Multiple restaurants, in-room dinning, two pools, theatre, casino, lounge, conference center, card room, huge atrium, fitness center, salon, kids club, plaza for shopping—it’s got all the amenities of the massive ships and long voyages, yet it’s a quick trip and sampling, a different way to access Grand Bahama Island.
Windstar Cruises
You’re a true Coloradan adult. You want to ski in the morning, golf in the afternoon and dip your rod in the river come sunset. You can’t commit to one activity, or one island. Avoid the masses and opt for this adults-only cruise line that features Caribbean departures from ports in Puerto Rico, Barbados, Aruba, and St. Maarten that include several of the above island destinations. Their ships carry a maximum of 310 passengers, offer award-winning cuisine, and have been named “most romantic” by the experts at Cruise Critic. And there’s plenty of time to explore the appropriate island for your zip code because Windstar often stays late (or overnights) in port.
Consider their 7-day Classic Caribbean to visit Dominica. Choose their Jewels of the Windward Isles, Sweet Southern Caribbean, Windward Islands Surfs & Sunsets, Gems of the Leeward Islands, or Winter Antilles Escape itineraries to visit Grenada. Their Caribbean Legends voyage stops at both Grenada and Dominica; while the Best of the ABC Islands stops at both Grenada and Tobago. Ship perks include complimentary snorkel equipment for every guest as well as use of Windstar’s unique water sports platform, with water toys like stand up paddle boards and kayaks.
Low maintenance, high-yield! Julie Bielenberg is a Denver-based writer. She has three young children —Hank, Dora and Addy. Bielenberg and her family are on the road 80 to 90 nights a year in search of travel and leisure activity for outlets and assignments. Julie is known for being extremely low maintenance and a high-yielding journalist. She contributes over 75 travel stories per year to various outlets including: AAA, USA Today’s 10Best, 5280 Magazine, Mountain Town Magazine, Family Vacation Critic,Westword, Colorado Meetings + Events, Mile High Mamas, Mountain Town and Mountain Meetings Magazines, Real Food Traveler and many more. slowandgo.org
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