Getting To The Caribbean
If you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, you probably automatically started looking up flights to the area. However, you might not realize that you actually have several different options for traveling to the Caribbean. Of course, driving isn’t one of them! But the other two, flying and sailing, both have their advantages and disadvantages, and deciding which of the two to use to get to the Caribbean can greatly impact your travel budget.
Traveling by Air
Flying is the fastest way to get to the Caribbean, but it can be pricy. As gas prices continue to go up, fares and surcharges will continue to rise as well. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your budget in check. If you fly out on a weekend, your rates will be higher than if you fly out on a Wednesday afternoon or other off-peak time. Red eye flights, too, are often cheaper. Just don’t forget to budget for all the various expenses flying entails. For example, if you’re driving your own car to the airport, you’ll probably have to pay to park it for the time you’re gone.
Another thing to consider is that you’ll often fly on a large jet to a location near the Caribbean and then take a smaller plane or prop plane to your actual destination. These smaller planes react more to turbulence and storms, so if you have a fear of flying or are prone to motion sickness, you might not enjoy the trip. Packing is also more of an issue with flying. Be sure to leave enough space in your suitcase for souvenirs and be ready to pay extra if your bags weight over a specific amount. One last concern with flying is ground transportation. When you arrive at your destination by air, you won’t have a car to get around in. This won’t matter if you plan to lie on the beach all week, but you may need to rent a car if you plan to do a lot of traveling. You may also need to hire a taxi to get from the airport to your hotel and back, which is another small expense when you fly. These small expenses add up, so be sure to factor them all into your budget or look for ways to reduce them or cut them out completely.
Sail Away
Taking a ship to the Caribbean can be a surprisingly low cost option. Basically, you have two choices here – you can actually charter a boat to take you there or go on a cruise that visits one or more destinations in the Caribbean. Of course, hiring a private ship is going to be very expensive and probably won’t be in your budget. However, if you look around, you might be able to find a small passenger ship that visits the islands for less.
Taking a budget cruise to the Caribbean offers several advantages. You can find some great deals online if you’re flexible in your travel dates, plus your lodging, meals, and transportation are all rolled into one price that you can pay out in installments. Best of all, you’ll get to see several different islands, which is nice if you’re looking to tour the Caribbean. You’ll also have access to everything the ship has to offer, including shows, banquets, pools, games, and more.
No matter which Caribbean travel option you take, be sure to look around and see what kind of packages or discounts you can get. It’s not too hard to find a cheap travel option to the Caribbean if you do a bit of research.