Cruising can be a great way to get a volunteer vacation since ships visit many ports where people need help right away. A number of cruise tours are good choices for cruising on a task, mainly those in the Western Caribbean and along Mexico's Pacific Coast. There are schools, orphanages, animal shelters, and other organizations that could use your aid in popular cruise ports.

The first step in planning a cruise volunteer vacation is to call your travel agent who can guide you on what is the best fit for your plans.  Your travel agent can help you decide your ports and organizations based on what is available for your time frame.  

Here is an one example of how you can volunteer in a preschool in Antigua:

* Assist teacher in all classrooms
* Sing and read books with the children
* Refurbish new donations
* General maintenance within the facility

Here are a few recommendations to consider:

* Make sure you can take the items off the ship on your own. A backpack, duffle bag or carriages generally works well. 
* If you are planning to donate items, stop at the purser’s office on the ship and let them know. The purser’s office can then notify Customs in the port of call if needed. In most cases, the purser’s office is very helpful. 
* Customs in each port may be different. Some ports will just let donations go while others may charge duty. 

The Tips for Traveling Abroad section of the U.S. State Department website is a good source of information on Customs laws and rules for Mexico and the nations in the Caribbean and Central America.  Customs laws are different for each country and knowing some of the nuances might be helpful. For example, in Mexico, customs laws dictate that a maximum of five toys can be brought into the country at one time.

Not into cruising but still would like to volunteer your time on an island?  The all-inclusive chain Sandals and Beaches resort’s philanthropic arm ‘Sandals Foundation’ offers an alternative to cruising with voluntourism on a land vacation.  They partner with Island Routes to offer an experience such as ‘Reading Road Trip’ to help boost literacy in a Caribbean school.

Interested in being rewarded by giving a few hours of yourself during your sea or land vacation? 

Dominique Barba
Bliss Travel Service - a travel agency specializing in cruises, all-inclusive vacations, honeymoons, weddings, group travel
[email protected]
480-725-8837
www.BlissTravelService.com
www.facebook.com/BlissTravelService

#Voluntourism #VolunteerOnVacation #BlissTravelService

One of the most favorite pastimes in the Caribbean islands is snorkeling. The region has been  blessed with enough terrific snorkeling destinations to go around. Here are some of the best Caribbean snorkeling islands for 2014.

Andros: The island of Andros is situated in the Bahamas offering underwater sports lovers with shallow reefs which make it to be a popular place for snorkeling.

Providenciales: It is situated in the Turks and Caicos is another island which provides the lovers of water sports great snorkeling right from the beach. You will be able to come across the best snorkeling in the north coast.

Jamaica: It is popular for its amazing wildlife and beautiful beaches. The tourists as well as the locals love to experience snorkeling, diving, and deep-sea fishing.

St.Lucia:  The best islands for snorkeling in St.Lucia are in front of the Anse Chastanet beach. They are popular as an excellent place for snorkeling.

Antigua: It is an island which is the place of every snorkeler's dream. The island has many rich types of different elk and brain coral which make snorkeling to be particularly rewarding.

Bonaire: Bonaire’s beauty lies in the fact that it will not be necessary for you pick just one site, you will be able to simply walk towards the water, jump in so as to land in the middle of an excellent snorkeling site. All of this has been possible due to the courtesy of Bonaire National Marine Park which surrounds the island. Bonaire is often known as the Caribbean’s unofficial snorkeling capital.

Southeastern Peninsula: It is an island which is located in, St Kitts. When you snorkel on this lovely island, you will be able to experience some of the Caribbean’s clearest waters and a cornucopia of sea life.

St. Martin: You will be able to enjoy the best snorkeling on French side. Here the calm waters are protected by the government and there is an abundant of brilliantly colored fish.

Museo Subacuático de Arte:  It is situated in Cancun and founded in 2009. It is an underwater Art Museum
which has more than 450 sculptures which includes those installed by Jason deCaires Taylor. It is one of the not-to-be-missed Caribbean snorkeling islands in the Mexican Caribbean.

North Sound, Virgin Gorda:  It is located in the British Virgin Islands and has many beautiful snorkeling spots. These spots include the Deep Bay in the northeast and Mosquito Island in the west.

Which of these islands would you like to try first?  Contact Bliss Travel Service to get on the next flight there!

Dominique Barba
Bliss Travel Service - a travel agency specializing in cruises, all-inclusive vacations, honeymoons, weddings, group travel
[email protected]
480-725-8837
www.BlissTravelService.com
www.facebook.com/BlissTravelService

#CaribbeanSnorkeling #IslandSnorkeling #BlissTravelService