Visiting the islands:

Its surprising that some people do not do this, but TAKE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU when you leave the ship to visit the island. If the unthinkable happens and you are late to return, the ship will leave. Remember, you are in a foreign country, and it doesn't help you to be stranded on an island when your passport is in your stateroom on the ship.

If you book an excursion through the cruise line, either prior to departure or on-board, you can be assured you will return to the ship before it leaves port. On the rare occasion the excursion is a few minutes late in returning you, the ship should wait for you. But if you are on your own, you are on your own. If you are the adventurous type, by all means do so; but remember to be on board before the ship leaves.

We have visited several of the islands more than once. We typically like to take a whole-island tour on our first visit to any particular island, so that we can get the layout and flavor of the island, as well as where everything is. Then on subsequent visits, we will perhaps take a more specific excursion, or visit that beautiful beach we saw on our last trip. Some of the more popular excursions sell out quickly, so for those, booking on-line prior to departure is the recommendation. For other excursions, if they fill up, a second shift, later in the day might be added. And since you can cancel your excursion usually a day or so before you arrive, put yourself on a waiting list if the excursion is not available. Someone else might cancel, and you'll get their spot.

The mighty US dollar is accepted everywhere in the Caribbean - at least in the ports-of-call. However, many islands have their own currency, or the Caribbean dollar, and the exchange rate is constantly changing. When you see an advertised price in a shop, before purchasing the item, be sure what currency is being advertised. If an item is advertised as $10 in Caribbean dollars, you should be able to purchase it for fewer US dollars; but if you assume it is in US dollars and its not, don't expect any change back. Many islands have "straw markets" where local merchants hand-make items for sale and set up tents near the pier. They will usually bargain with you and take less money for something they made, but be aware that these people are usually poor to begin with, and this may be their only source of income. While I am not suggesting a hand out, just don't bargain so low that the person that labored many hours on an item receives less than a fair price for it.

Weather:

The Caribbean is Hot, Hot, Hot! For the most part, you will be in the tropics, and the weather will only vary a few degrees between the dead of winter, and the hot of summer. It is also quite humid, but it did seem that on our December cruise, the humidity was a bit lower. During certain times of the year - particularly on some islands - there tends to be a wet-season. Other islands, especially the Leeward and Winward islands have trade winds, and often an afternoon shower. Whether on board or in port, be sure you take adequate measures to protect yourself by using sunscreen or wearing a hat. If you are fair-skinned (i.e. you come from Minnesota and take a cruise in Feburary), you might easily get a sunburn before you know it.