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S ometimes you just have to get away. You want to sip a daiquiri, lie on the beach and let the sun warm your skin. Or maybe you're looking for something a little more energetic -- kiteboarding or ziplining, perhaps? But just as you conjure up images of bathing suits and bongos, you remember your jam-packed schedule, tight budget quality inn maingate west or both. Before you let your dreams of a balmy island escape drift away, consider a cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean . Whether you're looking for a fun long weekend or a two-week jaunt to exotic surroundings, cruise vacations in these tempting regions are the answer. With destinations close enough for quick, budget-conscious tropical escapades or far enough to accommodate those looking for uncommon adventures, vacationers of all kinds can find a deal that suits their needs. Cruises have long been a vacation favorite for their unmatched value, wrapping quality inn maingate west meals, snacks, onboard activities and entertainment and transportation between ports into one fare. And by taking advantage of greatly reduced prices negotiated by cruise discounters such as Vacations To Go , a 26-year-old company based in Houston, you can get the best deals on that much-needed break. Sailing the Bahamas The proximity of the Bahamas' 700 islands to Florida makes for a convenient retreat for travelers looking to cure their tropic fever in less time. This former British colony supplies its guests with a sampling of island features: temperate climate, clear waters, a variety of wildlife and a strong cultural heritage. Ships usually depart on short trips of three to five nights from Florida cities like Jacksonville , Miami , Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral . Seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas leave from Baltimore , New York City and Galveston, TX . Charleston, SC , is the home port for the Carnival Fantasy , which embarks on five-night voyages. In addition to the smorgasbord of activities available on board, passengers can enjoy shore excursions in Bahamian ports, like the capital, Nassau . Georgian-style buildings and a pirate-filled past dominate this city's character, and bargains on jewelry, perfumes and local craft items make it a preferred stop for souvenirs. Several cruise lines also provide built-in beach time with stops at private island retreats. Exclusively reserved for cruise ship passengers, these secluded beaches offer lounge chairs, food and drink service and shaded hammocks, plus plenty of recreation such as snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding and hiking. While these beach escapes are similar in many ways, each has its own perks. On Princess Cays , Princess Cruises' piece of Eleuthera Island, guests can play in the turquoise sea with water toys (maybe sail a Hobie Cat or ride an aqua bicycle built for two), or grab a snorkel and some fins and check out the schools of colorful fish inhabiting the surrounding coral reef. CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's islet, where an aqua park and a sunken replica of one of Blackbeard's ships are popular attractions. In Disney fashion, quality inn maingate west Castaway Cay in the Abaco Islands is brimming with costumed characters like Mickey, Minnie and, of course, pirate Jack Sparrow to entertain the little ones. But a kids-free beach with a bar, massages and yoga makes it fun for adults, too. Bird lovers and naturalists will appreciate Half Moon Cay , a hideaway shared by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines that is situated on a 2,400-acre bird sanctuary on Little San Salvador. Horseback riding along the beach and bicycle tours with doses of local history are a couple of the things that make this a passenger favorite. Norwegian quality inn maingate west Cruise Line, the first to purchase a private island, has begun a renovation of its Great Stirrup Cay . On tap are an expanded beachfront, more dining options, private cabanas and a play area for kids. These changes -- and the addition of new shore excursions, like an eco-cruise and stingray encounter quality inn maingate west -- are scheduled to be in place by the end of 2011. A great deal: Trips start at three nights and are priced from less than $200 per person, providing an opportunity for first-time cruisers to test their sea legs without making a big commitment. At press time, for example, Vacations To Go featured three-night sailings from Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay aboard the 3.5-star Norwegian Sky starting at a discounted rate of $149 per person. Vacations quality inn maingate west To Go also offers three-night trips on Carnival Imagination from $159 per person. Another 3.5-star ship, it docks in Nassau quality inn maingate west for more than 20 hours, giving passengers time to experience the city day and night. Cruising the Caribbean The best thing about sailing the Caribbean -- besides the therapeutic nature of basking in the sunshine and cooling off in lapis seas -- is that just about anyone can find an itinerary that fits their personal picture of paradise and works within their budget quality inn maingate west and schedule. Consisting of three regions -- Western , Eastern and Southern -- the Caribbean has a great mix of locales, quality inn maingate west from well loved to off the beaten quality inn maingate west path. Ports for these tropical journeys often overlap, so you might stop at destinations in different regions on the same sailing. A few ships will be sailing the Caribbean for the first time this year. New arrivals from Holland America and Norwegian, the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Norwegian Epic , will traverse the Caribbean Sea from Florida ports. Silversea Cruises' Silver Spirit quality inn maingate west offers seven- to 14-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale and Barbados. And Royal Caribbean International's second 5,400-passenger ship, Allure of the Seas , launches island-bound trips from Fort Lauderdale in December. The Western Caribbean quality inn maingate west If you're looking for cruises that pack high value into a short span of time, this part of the tropics is ideal. Of the three defined regions, the Western Caribbean quality inn maingate west is the closest to the U.S. and the most popular. While you won't find many six-star luxury liners in these waters, there are plenty of options in state-of-the-art vessels. Trips last four to seven nights, and ships depart from Galveston, New Orleans quality inn maingate west and Florida ports. Passengers can venture to places quality inn maingate west in Mexico, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands , Costa Rica and Honduras , mostly well-traveled spots with broad appeal. Here are a few highlights. The largest of the three British-influenced Cayman Islands, located 450 miles south of Miami, quality inn maingate west Grand Cayman is brimming with restaurants, shops and luxury hotels. With some of the most translucent waters in the Caribbean (visibility is clear at depths quality inn maingate west up to 120 feet), it boasts optimal conditions for snorkeling and scuba diving. Sunken wrecks and ornate walls of coral draw underwater devotees, while wildlife enthusiasts can splash in the shallows with the friendly denizens of Stingray City or head to Cayman Turtle Farm, a conservation center for the area's green sea turtles. Browse for duty-free gifts in George Town, the Cayman capital, or grab a taxi to the island's western coast and explore Seven Mile Beach, famous for its long stretch of silky white sand and turquoise waters. Nestled on Jamaica's quality inn maingate west northwestern coast, friendly Montego Bay , or Mo' Bay, pulses quality inn maingate west with energy. This colorful town is popular among all kinds of tourists, making it less a peaceful Caribbean idyll and more a fun place to hang out. Cruise visitors can enjoy live music, sip rum cocktails and browse souvenir shops against a backdrop of beaches and colonial architecture. Away from the main "hip strip," lush greenery surrounds natural attractions like Dunn's River Falls, where 600 feet of cool water cascading over stone platforms offers visitors a memorable climb. Fans of local history will be intrigued by the spooky Rose Hall Great House, still haunted by the legend of Annie Palmer, said to have killed several husbands and plantation slaves in the early 19th century. Roughly 35 miles off the coast of Honduras in the Bay Islands, Roatan is one of the most serene nature-oriented stops on Western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Sea, land and sky are filled with life here. Colorful critters -- from purple and yellow fairy basslets to giant spotted whale sharks -- occupy reefs just offshore. Iguanas quality inn maingate west and monkeys wander quality inn maingate west the island, and vibrant parrots and hummingbirds fly the skies. Head to the west side of the island for low-key quality inn maingate west excursions, such as a relaxing morning on the unspoiled beaches of West Bay or a stroll through the charming fishing village of West End. A great deal: Vacations To Go offers weeklong sailings on the four-star Carnival Conquest from $389 per person, reduced by more than 75 percent from the brochure rate of $1,669. The ship leaves Galveston and heads to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. Eastern Caribbean The Eastern Caribbean is largely celebrated for its scenic ports, historic architecture and great shopping. Its quaint towns exude charm, and soft, sandy seashores quality inn maingate west sprinkled with hidden bays and coves provide serene quality inn maingate west escapes. Because ships must travel farther, cruises to this part of the Caribbean usually range from seven to nine nights. Most Eastern Caribbean cruises depart from sunny Florida ports, and a few leave from East Coast cities like New York City and Baltimore, although itineraries from these cities are seasonal and usually last longer. Ports commonly found on Eastern Caribbean itineraries include Puerto Rico , the U.S. Virgin Islands , the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos . The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix has a diverse landscape of rolling quality inn maingate west hills, verdant rain forest and sandy coastline. The remains of sugar plantations and 18th-century churches dot the landscape, while modern boutiques and eateries can be found in the two main towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted. There's much to explore here, from the Whim Plantation Museum to the protected waters of Buck Island Reef National Monument, but the vibe is more laid-back than some other popular cruise ports. Golf courses and the Cruzan Rum Distillery are other lures on St. Croix.