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Caribbean Cruises with Royal Caribbean. The Caribbean Sea, arm of the Atlantic Ocean,
partially enclosed on the north and east by the islands of the West
Indies, and bounded on the south by South America and Panama, and on the
west by Central America. The name of the sea is derived from the Carib
people, who inhabited the area when Spanish explorers arrived there in
the 15th century.
The Caribbean is 2,400 km (1,500 mi) long east and
west and 640 to 1,400 km (400 to 1,400 mi) wide. It has an area of
2,718,000 sq km (1,049,000 sq mi). At the northwestern extremity it is
connected with the Gulf of Mexico by the Yucatán Channel, a passage 190
km (120 mi) wide between Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. The Windward
Passage between Cuba and Haiti is a major shipping route between the
United States and the Panama Canal. Many gulfs and bays indent the
coastline of South America, notably the Gulf of Venezuela, which carries
tidal waters to Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.
With a few exceptions the entire Caribbean Basin is
more than 1,830 m (more than 6,000 ft) deep. Large areas of the sea
exceed 3,660 m (12,000 ft) in depth; the greatest depth measured thus
far is Cayman Trench (7,686 m/25,220 ft) between Jamaica and Cayman
Islands. Navigation is open and clear, making the Caribbean a major
trade route for Latin American countries. The main oceanic current in
the Caribbean Sea is an extension of the North Equatorial and South
Equatorial currents, which enter the sea at the southeastern extremity
and flow in a generally northwestern direction. A popular resort area,
the Caribbean Sea is noted for its mild tropical climate.
The Destinations of
Royal Caribbean.
There are many
DESTINATIONS making
stops in ports all over the world. See what
you can experiences on one of our Royal Caribbean Cruises.
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