The Iguana's Blog

Take the worry out of your Cruise with these tips

Cruise ship docked on a tropical beach; palm trees, blue water, and sky.

🌴 1. Start your vacation early

Flying in the day before your cruise protects your trip from unexpected delays and lets you begin your getaway relaxed, not rushed. We can arrange a pre‑cruise hotel that fits your style — beachfront, boutique, or budget‑friendly.


đź§ł 2. Keep a “Day One” carry‑on

Your checked luggage may take a few hours to reach your stateroom. Pack a small bag with:

  • Medications
  • Travel documents
  • Swimwear
  • Chargers
  • A change of clothes
    This lets you enjoy the ship immediately while everyone else waits for their bags.


📱 3. Download your cruise line’s app before you sail

Most cruise lines use their app for daily schedules, dining reservations, show times, and onboard communication. It becomes your digital compass at sea — and we can walk you through setup if you’d like.


🍽️ 4. Reserve dining and entertainment early

Specialty restaurants and popular shows fill quickly. Booking ahead ensures you get the experiences you’re most excited about. If you prefer, we can handle these reservations for you or guide you on the best choices for your itinerary.


🌊 5. Plan for onboard extras

Cruises offer incredible value, but extras like Wi‑Fi, drinks packages, gratuities, and excursions can add up. We can help you estimate these costs ahead of time so you can enjoy your vacation without surprises

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By Carey Ouzts February 21, 2026
If you're dreaming of warm beaches, turquoise water, and romantic sunsets—but want to stay on budget—this guide highlights the best cheap Caribbean vacations for couples. These destinations offer beautiful scenery, great value, and unforgettable experiences without the luxury‑level price tag. 1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Punta Cana is consistently one of the best cheap Caribbean destinations for couples thanks to its competitive all‑inclusive resort scene. The affordable adults‑only all‑inclusive resorts, m iles of white‑sand beaches and e asy flight access from the U.S make it a great affordable getaway for couples. Romantic highlight: Private beachfront dinner or a floating breakfast in your room’s plunge pool. 2. San Juan, Puerto Rico For U.S. travelers, no passport is required, making San Juan one of the most convenient and affordable Caribbean escapes for couples. Low‑cost flights from many U.S. cities and plenty of boutique hotels and walkable activities with n o currency exchange make it a budget‑friendly destination! Romantic highlight: A sunset walk through Old San Juan’s colorful historic streets. 3. Montego Bay, Jamaica Montego Bay blends adventure, relaxation, and value—perfect for couples seeking an affordable romantic escape. There are a wide range of budget‑friendly accommodations and local food is inexpensive. The many natural attractions that cost little or nothing make it a very affordable vacation. Romantic highlight: A peaceful bamboo raft ride on the Martha Brae River. 4. Curaçao Curaçao offers colorful charm, culture, and crystal‑clear waters—often with lower price tags than more famous Caribbean islands. The island's many b outique hotels and low‑cost local dining make this getaway a great value. Easy and inexpensive island exploration provide the opportunity for affordable adventures. Romantic highlight: Exploring the picture‑perfect streets of Willemstad together. 5. Cozumel, Mexico Located in the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel gives couples a tropical escape with excellent value and world‑class snorkeling. many a ffordable all‑inclusive resorts, i nexpensive street food and transportation and p lenty of low‑cost outdoor activities make Cozumel a budget friendly option for couples. Romantic highlight: Snorkeling hand‑in‑hand among colorful reefs and tropical fish. 6. Grenada Known as the “Spice Isle,” Grenada is peaceful, lush, and surprisingly affordable for couples wanting a quieter romantic retreat. The island is much l ess touristy than other islands with b eautiful beaches and fewer crowds. The properties on the island allow for r easonably priced boutique stays. Romantic highlight: Watching sunrise together on Grand Anse Beach. How to Save Even More on Caribbean Travel To stretch your travel dollars further, try these proven strategies: -Travel during shoulder seasons (late April–June, or September–early November) -Choose adults‑only all‑inclusive deals -Fly midweek for best airfare prices -Look for resort packages with free nights or resort credits -Compare prices on multiple islands before booking Conclusion: The Caribbean on a Budget Is Completely Doable You don’t need a luxury budget to enjoy a romantic Caribbean escape. These destinations offer the best cheap Caribbean vacations for couples, combining beauty, relaxation, and unforgettable moments—without the premium price tag. Contact Travel Iguana today for your free travel consultation and plan your next great vacation getaway!
By Carey Ouzts February 11, 2026
Planning a Caribbean getaway is exciting—sun-soaked beaches, turquoise water, and vibrant island culture await. But timing your trip can make all the difference between postcard perfect days and unpredictable weather. Here’s a clear guide to choosing the ideal season for your tropical escape. December to April: This is the Gold Standard for most travelers, the peak season from December through April is the best time to visit the Caribbean . Temperatures are warm but comfortable, humidity is lower, and rainfall is at its minimum. It’s perfect for beach lounging, sailing, snorkeling, and exploring lively island festivals. The only downside is you may find h igher prices and more crowds. If you're dreaming of holiday travel or a winter escape, book early . May to Early June: Sweet spot for good Weather and fewer crowds This period is often considered one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. You’ll enjoy warm weather and relatively low rainfall, with fewer tourists and more affordable accommodations. It’s a great time for romantic getaways and quiet beach retreats. June to November: Hurricane Season, but not a dealbreaker. Hurricane season sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t mean constant storms. Most days are still sunny, with showers that pass quickly. Prices drop significantly, making this the most budget-friendly time of year. If you’re flexible and comfortable watching the forecast, you can score amazing deals—especially in June, July, and November. Always consider travel insurance for peace of mind. We have found the benefit of the insurance in our own travel experiences. If you want to know the best time by activity, consider the following: • Diving & Snorkeling: March–June (best visibility and calm waters) • Sailing: December–April (steady winds and smooth seas) • Nature lovers: Rainforest hikes are lushest in the late summer and fall • Festival fans: Visit during Carnival season (varies by island, often Feb–Mar or July–Aug) Bottom Line, the Caribbean is a year-round destination, but your ideal travel window depends on your priorities. • For perfect weather: December–April • For value and good conditions: May–early June • For budget travel and fewer tourists: June–November Travel Iguana is available to find the perfect vacation at the perfect time, contact us today and let us help plan your perfect Caribbean escape!
By Carey Ouzts February 2, 2026
Whether you choose the beaches in Punta Cana or the mountains near Puerta Plata, the Dominican Republic (DR) consistently ranks as one of the top value destinations for all‑inclusive travel — especially compared to other Caribbean islands. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why. -Tourism infrastructure The DR has a large, well‑developed tourism infrastructure which reduces overall operating costs for resorts, allowing them to offer: l ower nightly rates, b etter room categories for the same price, and m ore inclusions you love like premium alcohol, activities, private beaches and off-site excursions. Compared to other Caribbean destinations like St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos, or Antigua, the DR’s prices for similar experiences are often 30–50% lower. -Huge Variety of All‑Inclusive Resorts The Dominican Republic has literally hundreds of all‑inclusive properties. Whether you are looking for a family vacation or an adult only luxury experience, the DR has both boutique properties and larger entertainment focused resorts. So many resorts create competition that keeps prices under control and often reward travelers with room upgrades, resort credits, free transfers and better dining packages. This competition creates a better value for the island's Caribbean travelers. -Affordable airfare Punta Cana (PUJ) is one of the most popular airports in the Caribbean, which means there are more direct flights on larger planes which allows the airlines to offer frequent deal on air travel to the island. The higher volume of flights creates lower fares making your Caribbean vacation even more affordable. **On a personal note, in the last year, Punta Cana has done an incredible job renovating their airport. The process through customs entering the country is one of the easiest we have experienced in our travels. -Strong Exchange Rate & Local Savings The Dominican peso provides favorable exchange rates for U.S. travelers which results in lower excursion costs and off-site dining prices. The exchange rate also makes transportation and souvenirs more affordable. This means y our overall spending money goes further than on islands that rely heavily on imported goods. - All‑Inclusive Resorts Offer More for the Money Many all‑inclusive resorts in the DR include perks that cost extra elsewhere, such as, u nlimited à la carte dining, p remium liquor, e ntertainment shows, w ater parks, p rivate beaches, and c omplimentary water sports. All these extras benefit you as the guest because you get more inclusions at a lower price. -Great Options for Every Budget Whether you're looking for b udget‑friendly affordable trips, m id‑range comfort or a ffordable luxury you’ll find strong value compared to other Caribbean destinations. -Consistent Weather & Long High Season Because the weather is warm year‑round, the DR has l ong seasons with b alanced tourism flow and f ewer drastic price spikes. This serves to keep pricing competitive almost all year. In short, t he Dominican Republic delivers more resort, more amenities, and more experience for less money, which is why it’s widely considered the best value in the Caribbean for all‑inclusive vacations. Contact Travel Iguana today to learn just how affordable an all-inclusive Dominican Republic vacation can be!
By Carey Ouzts January 19, 2026
Sandals has 17 adult only all-inclusive resorts on 8 islands across the Caribbean. There are currently 2 Beaches all-inclusive family resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos. Whether you are looking for an adult get away or a family adventure, Sandals & Beaches offer top rate inclusions along with some of the most recent innovations in the vacation industry. You will experience Global inspired dining along with top shelf liquors and wines at every resort. Land and water sports abound including pickleball, PADI certified scuba diving and Championship golf courses with complimentary green fees and transfers. Daily & nightly entertainment, roundtrip airport transfers and tips, taxes and gratuities are already included in your packages. Offshore islands, over the water villas and top-notch Red Lane spas will make your journey unforgettable. Bring the kids along and they can experience the beach and resort along with their favorite Sesame Street characters included. Activities include exploring the moon with Elmo, baking cookies with Cookie Monster and a hero's club with Super Grover. Kid's camp is open until 9pm every day and personal childcare is available for a separate charge. If you have a child with special needs, Sandals & Beaches were the first resort in the Caribbean to become Autism Certified Centers with IBCCES accreditation. Certified Beach Buddies are available to spend time with your child for a small fee. So, as you consider your next island escape, take a look at all that the Sandals & Beaches Resorts have to offer and drop us a line so we can help you effortlessly plan your next getaway!
Green iguana resting on a concrete surface, near a fence. Tail has black bands.
By Carey Ouzts January 18, 2026
Read how our first all-inclusive travel experience inspired the name for our business.