2015 16 CCl Caribbean POC Region 3 by Onboard Media

FUN ASHORE 2015 –16 CARIBBEAN SAILING SEASON REGION 3

FUN ASHORE GETTING THERE WITH CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

THE VIEW FROM Carnival Vista

Clear Sailing to The Future of Fun

AMBER COVE A Gem of a Port In Paradise

WHAT’S IN STORE

2015 -16 CARIBBE AN SAILING SE ASON

KEVIN HART

A Laughing Matter

Jewelry, Fashions, Gifts for All

STARRING . . . THE CARIBBEAN Movies With a Tropical Take

ISLAND EATS

Savoring Flavors Of the Destinations

GUIDE TO THE PORTS

Explore, Relax, Repeat starting on page

PLEASE READ, ENJOY AND LEAVE IN STATEROOM AT CRUISE’S END

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Deep Water Swim For ages 6 and up.

Sea Lion Interaction Perfect for all ages.

Stingray Experience

Snorkel the Ruins of Atlantis

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Discover

the water, the wonder, the world of Atlantis. A day at Atlantis holds a lifetime of memories. Explore the Caribbean’s largest dolphin habitat, Dolphin Cay, where you can go nose to bo lenose with our dolphins during our Shallow Water Interaction. Or swim alongside them with mask and snorkel, then feel the rush of a “foot push” across the water in our Deep Water Swim. Of course, our sea lions are always happy to make new friends and have some fun at our Sea Lion Interaction. Share an unforge able encounter with over one hundred live stingrays in our Stingray Experience, as you hand-feed these amazing animals. And enjoy a thrilling opportunity to Snorkel the Ruins of Atlantis with thousands of tropical fish, sleek sharks and magnificent rays. There’s no end to all you can do. Even if you only have a day, you’ll remember the experience for a lifetime. To book one of these once-in-a-lifetime excursions, visit your Shore Excursions Desk.

Shallow Water Interaction Free for kids 3 and under; if accompanied by a paying adult. Proof of age required.

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"The Current" River Ride

"Challenger" Slides

"Splashers" Kids Pool

Atlantis Beach Day

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One of the world's largest and most amazing

water park s.

AQUAVENTURE DOLPHIN CAY MARINE HABITATS

Only in Atlantis will you find Aquaventure, where twenty million gallons of excitement await you. Visit the Mayan Temple and take the Leap of Faith into shark-infested waters. Then embark on a mile-long river ride through rolling waves and rapids. Next, take an unforge able tour of ancient Atlantean ruins filled with stunning marine life on the Discover Atlantis Tour. Or book an Atlantis Beach Day to take in our white sandy shores and explore our glorious aquariums. You’ll never fit Atlantis into just one day, but you can always start planning your next trip. Atlantis. There’s no such thing as too much amazing.

Mayan Temple "Leap of Faith"

The Dig

To book one of these once-in-a-lifetime excursions, visit your Shore Excursions Desk.

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CONTENTS 2015–2016 Sailing Season

Welcome Aboard!

A message from Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line

Fun Takes | Keeping Up With Carnival Cruise Line

Enhanced shore excursions, Journeys to paradise and more news from the fleet

PRETO PEROLA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The View From Carnival Vista A few of our favorite things about the innovative ship that’s the future of fun By Kelly Liszt

Amber Cove Cruise guests get a gem of a destination on the sparkling Dominican Republic coast By Cele and Lynn Seldon

A Laughing Matter Kevin Hart’s meteoric rise to comedic superstar By Lauren Comander

You are here (or will be soon). 6

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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CONTENTS 2015–2016 Sailing Season

Camera Ready | Starring: The Caribbean The tropics have been an irresistible setting for many a Hollywood blockbuster By Dorothy Cascerceri

Island Eats A guide to eating (and drinking) your way through the Caribbean

Fun Day in Port

What to see, where to go, how to save — it’s all at your fingertips with the Fun Finds Map

PRETO PEROLA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

By Cele and Lynn Seldon

Objects of Desire

Jewelry and watches from the top names in design are sparkling keepsakes of the perfect cruise vacation

Guide to Ports

History, culture and attractions in the ports of call, including the top shore excursions

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 600, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Tel: (305) 673-. 0400, Fax: (305) 674.9396 www.onboardmedia.com Robin Rosenbaum-Andras Senior Vice President, Marketing Carrie Julier Vice President & General Manager Editorial & Design Virginia C. Valls Publishing Director Virginia Gil Senior Editor Kate McClare Project Editor Beth Wood Senior Art Director Dayana Ramirez Associate Art Director Christian Rosario Project Graphic Designer Raquel Figueroa Project Graphic Designer Jose Cuevas Graphic Designer Kat Williams Graphic Designer James Perdomo Production Coordinator Gail Abrams Ad Services Director Violeta Manco-Rojas Ad Services Manager Contributing Writers/Editors John Anderson, John Bigley, Christine Blank, Richard Carroll, Dorothy Cascerceri, Sara Churchville, Lauren Comander, Lisa Constantino, Toni Crane, Michelle da Silva Richmond, Ginger Dingus, Joanna Hall, Brandon Hardin, Jen Karetnick, Marjorie Klein, Marty Leshner, Kelly Liszt, Linda Marx, Kate McClare, Janette McIntyre, Raymond Niedowski, Paris Permenter, Jacquelynn Powers, Patti Roth, Claudia Sánchez-Bustamante, Cele Seldon, Lynn Seldon, Jonathan Siskin, Gary Steckles, Jim Thompsom, Richard Varr, Chelle Koster Walton, Deborah Williams Advertising Sales Tasha Riekstins Director of Cruise Shopping Anna Riekstins Director of International Sales & Brand Marketing Rod Musum Executive Director of Sales Tyler Condon Sales Manager Lèmar Scott International Sales Coordinator Video/Film Production Todd Hedge Executive Producer Dan Shaw Director of Operations Juan Carlos Peña Director of Photography Caroline Keith Associate Producer Kevin Maschke Senior Editor Enrico Caschetta Assistant Editor Alexa Caravia Videographer/Editor Port Shopping Revenue Jimmy Marks Retail Program Manager Robert Yonskie Regional Marketing Manager Port Shopping Rachel Castro Director of Operations Rina Alvarado Operations Coordinator Anaias Gonzalez Operations Sales Coordinator Nadine Winter Customer Relations Manager

©2015 Onboard Media. No claim to original works of CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE or advertisers. Ships’ registry: PANAMA AND THE BAHAMAS All rights reserved. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Printed in CANADA. All articles, descriptions and suggestions concerning activities, tourist attractions and other vacation opportunities described in this publication are merely expressions of opinions by contributing writers, do not constitute the opinions of Onboard Media Inc. or CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE, and under no circumstances constitute assurances or guarantees concerning the quality or safety of any such attraction or activity. Onboard Media Inc. and CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE specifically disclaim any liability for damages incurred due to the attendance or participation by readers of this publication in any such activity or attraction, and the attendance or participation in any such activity or attraction shall be made solely at the reader’s own risk. We and our content providers (“we”) have tried to make the information in this publication as accurate as possible, but it is provided “as is” and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. Cover image by: Mary Ellen Matthews/Corbis Outline

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Eli Manning Two-Time MVP, Two-Time Champion Quarterback

World Chronograph Aâ&#x20AC;˘T

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MESSAGE

MT ID S E HE PR

Welcome aboard! On behalf of all of us at Carnival Cruise Line, thank you for allowing us the privilege of creating fun, unforgettable vacation experiences for you and making memories that we hope will last a lifetime! Today, it’s all about Carnival Vista! While I am equally proud of all the ships in our fleet (including the vessel you are on!), I can’t wait to share with you some of the exciting features you can find on our newest, largest, most innovative ship yet. When I joined Carnival Cruise Line in February 2015, this was one of the things I was most excited about — a truly groundbreaking ship, which I’ve been very proud to be a part of as we get it ready for all of our guests to enjoy it starting in May 2016. Carnival Vista takes its name to heart, offering incredible top-deck spaces and indoor/ outdoor venues that provide guests with amazing views of the sea from virtually every angle onboard. She features a number of exciting, one-of-a-kind innovations, such as the SkyRide suspended cycling experience; the first IMAX Theatre on a cruise ship; Kaleid-o-Slide (our first tube slide); and our first onboard brewery in the RedFrog Pub! Not to mention our popular Fun Ship 2.0 activity, entertainment and dining choices such as Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri; and the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar. We have added some truly unique and exciting options to create what we believe is the ultimate vacation experience. The ship also offers the widest variety of stateroom choices in the Carnival fleet, from Havana Cabanas to Family Harbor accommodations and Cloud 9 Spa staterooms, as well as our wide variety of standard accommodations — you will have so many options to choose from. I’m getting excited just thinking about it . . . We can’t wait for you to experience all that this fantastic ship has to offer! Now, I don’t want to give everything away. So I invite you to read all about the ship in this edition of Fun Ashore! You can also learn about the other exciting activities we have going on in this issue. Of course, the talented team members onboard your ship are always there if you need anything. Once again, thank you for choosing Carnival Cruise Line for your vacation! Bon voyage!

Christine Duffy President Carnival Cruise Line 12

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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FUN TAKES: Keeping Up With Carnival Cruise Line

ONBOARD

ACTIVITIES

Jump in — the fun is fine! Day or night, there’s always something fun to do on a Carnival cruise, including lots of interactive activities. So, jump right in — it’s fun!

Youth Programs: Simply put, Carnival makes it fun for kids, and the line’s newest program, Camp Ocean, features more than 20 0 new marine-themed activities. Good Sports: Activities include ongoing pool and lido deck games, shuffleboard, ping pong, volleyball, basketball, miniature golf, a jogging track, varied fitness classes and even soccer, dodgeball, and a ropes course on a few ships. In Good Taste: Those who consider eating a contact sport will want to head to one or more of the cooking classes offered onboard, where chefs might teach you how to cook a steakhouse-style steak — and then give you a bite. Mix It Up: Mixology classes at the appropriately named Alchemy get you into the mixing action, while mixology competitions let you create and mix your own custom drink — with the winning cocktail featured onboard for the rest of the cruise. Groove for St. Jude: This fun dance activity is held once each cruise to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where seriously ill children and their families get world-class care. Participants receive a “Care to Play” T-shirt and wristband, with 100 percent of donations going directly to St. Jude, Carnival’s primary charitable partner. Showcase of Stars: Guests are the showstoppers during this talent show.

Hasbro, The Game Show: This rollicking participatory show puts guests right in the middle of their favorite Hasbro games, with larger-than-life adaptations of Yahtzee Bowling, Operation, Connect 4 Basketball and other classics. Playlist Productions: Talented performers and stunning stage effects interact in this high-tech show. Guests are invited to sing along and dance in — and out of — their seats. FROM TOP: Groove for St. Jude participants have a great time for a great cause; a family plays Hasbro, The Game Show. 18

Keep up with all the good times by checking your daily Fun Times.

PHOTOS BY: (SPA) WAVEBREAKMEDIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Superstar Live Karaoke: Singing live with a rockin’ four-piece band while the crowd goes wild? ’Nuf said — or, maybe make that ’nuf sung.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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SPA

SERVICES

Rest, relax and rejuvenate. You can only play so hard, after all.

Sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation. All that lounging in the tropical sun. The constant strain of lifting cocktails. The exhausting ordeal of dancing all night. When will it end? Seriously? You actually want all this to end? Of course not. But you do need to show some love to your skin and hair, and your feet and back will thank you for the pick-me-up massage between nightclub sessions. Which brings us — and you — to the onboard spa and salon, where, for a fee, you can literally get head-to-toe pampering to prepare yourself for another round of fun. Hair & Beauty Salon The Caribbean sun can be harsh on skin and hair, so treat them to one of the many indulgent services at the salon. You might even want to slip in here before your first outing, to prep your skin to do a slow brown instead of a fast burn. Cloud 9 Spa Select ships offer pampering treatments at Cloud 9 Spa, which includes a thalassotherapy pool. Soaking in this seawater bath imparts special benefits from vitamins and trace minerals, and water jets offer an extra dose of “aaaahhhh!” But wait, there’s more. Medi-Spa “In addition to our sophisticated menu of soothing spa treatment and therapies in the spectacular Cloud 9 Spa, we have a variety of offerings as part of our popular Medi-Spa program,” says Daniel Materassi, vice president of spa operations. “These non-surgical procedures include both the use of Botox and Dysport for the elimination of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as Restylane, which leaves skin beautiful and younger looking. Combining a Medi-Spa treatment with our vast array of massages and facials makes for a perfect way to spend the day at our luxurious spa.” Body Care Soothing, energizing back and foot rubs are just the beginning. Now’s the time to add something new from the massage menu. Start your cruise with a seaweed detox, go for an energy-rebuilding herbal poultice in the middle and come back any time for a hot-stone massage. Have you been contemplating acupuncture for lingering discomfort or pain? Licensed acupuncturists are standing by.

PHOTOS BY: (SPA) WAVEBREAKMEDIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Guy Things In addition to the regular menu of spa, men get some cool extras: classic barbershop shaves, facials that soothe the skin and even a little touch-up to erase the gray. Oh boy! Teen Treats Ditch mom, dad and the sibs and go for spa services created with you in mind. Massages, mani-pedi services, hair styling and specialized fitness classes are just what you need — just what we all need, really, but you don’t have to deal with the rest of us here. Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Fun Takes | Keeping Up With Carnival Cruise Line

MY FAVORITE MARTINI Try something new at Alchemy Bar.

Ivan M. Jankovic, beverage operations manager on Carnival Glory, shared this refresher from Alchemy Bar, the vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” where expert mixologists prescribe the perfect antidote to the same-old same-old. You can create your own custom concoctions with their help, or do some serious studying at martini tastings and other events.

Sweet Deals and Sweeter Memories at the Fun Shops Now that you’ve relaxed and refreshed yourself on this cruise, we think you’re ready for a little retail therapy. Start your rejuvenation at the Fun Shops. These onboard boutiques offer an incredible variety of treats and treasures. You’ll find the latest styles from some of the world’s most sought-after brands, and with tax and duty free prices, you’ll never have a better opportunity to make them your own — or to make a big impression on the people on your gift list. Here’s where you can take home the top names in cosmetics, fragrance (for men and women), fashion, jewelry and watches, including many choices you’ll find only onboard. Got a whiskey or scotch connoisseur on your gift list? Our premium brands will hit the spot. Looking for a cute outfit for lunch with a friend, a fine timepiece to keep you on track or a brilliant diamond or gemstone necklace to glam things up in the club tonight? It’s all here. But it’s not really about the things you buy — it’s about the memories they capture. The Fun Shops’ expert associates love nothing more than helping you commemorate the cruise by guiding you to the perfect purchase. They’re even more thrilled to help you create unique memories by orchestrating an unforgettable wedding proposal, graduation celebration or other special happening. Here onboard, shopping really is an event. You never know when a party’s going to pop up and give you a chance to design your own jewelry, taste delicious cocktails or discover new designers. The prices are even more irresistible, with lots of bonus buys and one-of-a-kind deals. Many are one-time-only, so be sure to check your Fun Times for the latest news on shopping events and promotions. “We’re proud of the selection and the unbeatable prices at the Fun Shops, but that’s really just the beginning,” says William Butler, vice president of retail services. “From exciting events to caring, expert associates, it’s all about creating special moments and putting the guest at the center of it all.” The Fun Shops are open on sea days and in the evening when the ship has left port. Stop by and let us help you find something fun and fabulous!

Revved Up Mojito Martini Ingredients 2 ounces Bombay Sapphire Gin 1 ounce fresh lime juice 1 ounce simple syrup ½ ounce dry vermouth 5 mint leaves Method Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker, pour over ice and add mint leaves. PHOTOBY: (COUPLE) DOTSHOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DRINK) HANS GEEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

WHAT’S IN STORE

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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™ and A Diamond is Forever™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies. ™, © Forevermark Limited 2015. Forevermark™,

I T ’ S A LO N G J O U R N E Y TO B E CO M E T H E O N E . In our constant pursuit of absolute beauty, every Forevermark® diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection. This is why less than one percent of the world’s diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark® inscription our promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing.

1-800-51-JEWEL • www.DiamondsInternational.com

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Fun Takes | Keeping Up With Carnival Cruise Line

SHORE

EXCURSIONS Enhanced port tours create unforgettable experiences. Whiling the afternoon away in a luxury villa with your own personal chef and wait staff. Dining with friends at a world-famous restaurant. Hunting for buried treasure with the kids. This is how the other half goes on vacation, right? Nope. It’s how you go on vacation, when you take one of Carnival’s enhanced shore excursions.

The enhanced options give Carnival cruisers nearly 1,200 unique landside experiences in more than 50 ports of call throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Canada, New England, and Central and South America. “Shore excursions are an important part of the Carnival vacation experience, and we’ve gone to great lengths to provide our guests with even more choices and offer families unique value-added services and pricing options that are exclusive to Carnival,” says Amilcar Cascais, vice president of tour operations.

HERE’S JUST A TASTE:

Exclusive “Only-On-Carnival” Tour Options

• Cozumel: La Casa en la Playa — Five hours of luxury and authentic Mexican cuisine for up to 30 people at a beach house with a personal chef and wait staff. • Ocho Rios: Eat, Drink & Dance — Includes a delicious meal at Miss T’s Kitchen, featured on Guy Fieri’s Family Cruise on Food Network.

Family-Friendly Services and Tours

• Freeport: Family Beach Escape — Sandcastle building competitions, treasure hunts and face painting for the kids; relaxation and tropical drinks for the grown-ups. With lunch and water-craft rentals for all. • Nassau: Family Treasure Hunt with Lunch at Blue Lagoon — Discover hidden treasures, collect clues and answer trivia questions to win the Pirate’s Bounty! Then soak up the sun and enjoy lunch at Blue Lagoon Island.

Unique Valued-Added Options

You have lots more choices if you’re looking for a more authentic landside experience, with exclusive private tours tailored to your personal preferences. Experienced local guides take you beyond mere sightseeing for a truly up-close-and-personal view of the destination. Finally, there’s the Shore Excursion Best Price Guarantee — the only one of its kind in the cruise industry, providing a 110 percent refund (as a shipboard credit) in the unlikely event that you find a better price on a similar tour.

FROM TOP: Splashing it up on one beach; relaxing by another. 22

Visit the onboard shore-excursion desk for full details or to book one of these enhanced tours. You’ll find even more treks listed in the Destinations section of Fun Ashore.

PHOTOS BY: (KAYAK) BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (COCKTAIL) WAVEBREAKMEDIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Carnival has dramatically expanded its shore excursion offerings, adding exclusive experiences, customized private tours and family-friendly enhancements such as complimentary beachside activities, value pricing and free tours in select ports for children under age 5.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Fun Takes | Keeping Up With Carnival Cruise Line

SEEKING

NEW HORIZONS

Carnival Journeys takes you farther.

Ever wish you could get to know a little more about the spectacular destination you’re visiting with Carnival? Well, this one’s for you. Carnival Journeys, a limited series of special sailings, takes cruisers on amazing voyages that fully immerse them in the culture and adventure of the destination. Launched in late 2015 and continuing through 2016, Carnival Journeys sails to destinations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii, Mexico and the Bahamas. The collection also offers special onboard experiences in dining, entertainment and enrichment.

INTRIGUING ITINERARIES

On unique, longer journeys of 9 to 15 days, you’ll get to explore less traveled, more exotic locations, such as Tobago, Grenada, La Paz, Martinique, Bonaire and Ixtapa.

AMAZING ACTIVITIES

On these cruises, getting there really is a big part of the fun. Carnival Journeys voyages include shipboard experiences tailored to each itinerary, with the intent of presenting authentic local experiences: • Authentic Eats: Chefs from each destination present onboard cooking demonstrations and, for a fee, bring guests to their restaurants and to local markets in search of delectable regional specialties. • Local Entertainment: Participants get a close-up look at their destination through performances of music, dance and other folkloric shows onboard or in port. • Throwback Sea Day: Step back to 1987 and have a retro day at sea with all the trimmings of 1980s cruising: pool and deck games; old-school dining options (save room for the midnight buffet!), a white-glove Captain’s Celebration and more.

• Crew Connections: The ship’s captain, cruise director, hotel director and other crew members host informative question-and-answer sessions about shipboard life — and then perform in a special show you do not want to miss! Christine Duffy, Carnival president, says the cruise line created Carnival Journeys “to offer our existing customers even more options while helping us to attract those guests who have not had the opportunity to sail with Carnival and may be enticed by these longer, more exotic itineraries.” To learn more, visit carnival.com/journeys. Martinique is one of Carnival Journeys’ featured destinations.

PHOTO BY: DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

• Academy of Fun: Enroll in the Academy of Fun (full scholarships for all!) and you’ll get a lively education. Learn celestial navigation from a ship officer, get schooled in social media, improve your photography skills — with these and other onboard courses you’ll discover that learning can be the most fun of all.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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The View From

CARNIVAL VISTA By Kelly Liszt

It’s clear sailing ahead for the innovative ship that’s the future of fun.

Behold Carnival Vista, the biggest ship Carnival Cruise Line has ever built. The 133,500-ton vessel will be Carnival’s most innovative ship yet, bringing fun to nearly 4,000 guests on exciting itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. “As our largest and most innovative ship, Carnival Vista is the result of years of planning and the efforts of thousands of workers who designed and constructed this magnificent vessel,” says Ben Clement, the cruise line’s vice president of newbuilds. “Nearly two years under construction, Carnival Vista takes the Carnival cruise experience to unprecedented heights with a number of unique innovations not found on any other ship. It is truly the ‘future of fun.’ ” 28

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Carnival Vista, the cruise line’s biggest and most innovative ship yet; the Kaleid-o-Slide; Havana Bar & Pool; high-tech treatments in the atrium.

Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, says the ship “builds on our position as the number one cruise line for families. We’ve created some truly exciting spaces aboard Carnival Vista that families will simply love. From nautical-themed Family Harbor staterooms and the first IMAX Theatre at sea to massive outdoor spaces featuring our largest water slide ever and the one-of-a-kind Sky Ride suspended cycling experience, both the young and the young at heart will have a vacation of a lifetime on Carnival Vista.” The ship also offers unforgettable dining experiences, says Gus Antorcha, executive vice president of guest shipboard operations. “Dining is a highlight of any vacation and on Carnival Vista, we’re offering the widest variety of culinary options at sea,” Antorcha says. “Whether it’s a delicious hand-crafted burger created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri at Guy’s Burger Joint, lobster rolls and other New Englandinspired fare at the new Seafood Shack, a craft beer at our first-ever onboard brewery at the RedFrog Pub or an intimate meal at the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, there’s something for every mood or taste aboard Carnival Vista. And don’t forget 24-hour ice cream and pizza!” As if anyone could forget 24-hour ice cream and pizza. So, whether you’re reading this before or after Carnival Vista’s May 2016 debut, get ready to be thrilled. Bigger Ship, Even Better Guest Experience SkyRide is a thrilling suspended cycling experience on the upper deck — an industry first. Step inside one of the capsules and put the pedal to the air, powering your way around an 800-foot-long track encircling the ship’s rope course and enjoying the view 150 feet above the ocean. Ready to cool off? Head to WaterWorks and hop inside the grooviest waterslide ever. The Kaleid-o-Slide is a 455-foot-long twister, the cruise line’s longest slide and its first raft-riding tube ever. Brilliant light effects inside

simulate the feeling of sliding through a kaleidoscope, making for an exciting, colorful whoosh downward, ending with a brisk, refreshing splash. For a more refined way of cooling off, the Havana Bar and Pool at the stern of the shop on the Promenade Deck is just the place. It’s an exclusive tropical paradise by day and a lively, fun-for-everyone music and dancing hotspot by night. Enjoy the ocean view and old-time Cuban resort atmosphere while taking a dip in the pool, relaxing in the spa or lazing on a sun lounger. Find a seat at the nearby Havana Bar and sample complimentary Cuban-style snacks. Sip a Cuban cocktail such as a classic mojito with muddled fresh mint, or try a traditional daiquiri while taking in the gorgeous seascape. If beer is more your thing, the next-generation RedFrog Pub has something extra special: its own microbrewery right on board. The RedFrog Pub features live music, games, great bar snacks — everything there is to love about Carnival’s popular RedFrog Pubs, only with a selection of signature microbrews handcrafted in vats nearby. The ship also boasts the first IMAX Theatre at sea, part of the Carnival Multiplex that also includes the multi-dimensional Thrill Theater. The massive screen stands a towering three-decks high. Grab some popcorn (from the nearby concession stand), settle in your seat and enjoy first-run movies as you sail along the ocean. A World of Dining Options Fasten your taste buds and get them ready for a culinary adventure. Sushi and Asian favorites, Italian dishes and made-to-order pizza, sizzling steaks, lobster rolls, juicy burgers, tasty tacos, tried-and-true comfort food and more — they’re all available on board. And on Carnival Vista, many of these dining venues feature al fresco seating on the Promenade Deck, so you can enjoy your meal with an extra helping of breathtaking ocean view. Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Family Harbor stateroom; Cherry On Top; RedFrog Pub.

Fun Finds in the Fun Shops The ship takes shopping to the next level — literally. Already an irresistible destination for those in search of fine jewelry, watches, fashion and more, the Fun Shops on Carnival Vista need a second deck to fit all that style. And the sweet life gets even sweeter at Cherry On Top, the candy-and-more store, where you’ll find a special counter serving premium ice cream and all the luscious toppings you could ask for. Innovative Accommodations It looks like Carnival has gone the extra mile — or rather, the extra square foot — with exclusive accommodations, starting with the Havana staterooms and suites. Step inside one of these and feel like you’ve come home to your own island resort. Conveniently located near the Havana Bar, pool and club, each room features unique, tropical décor. Havana Cabanas kick it up a notch with extralarge outdoor lounging space. And Havana Cabana suites include a luxurious rain shower inside as well as a welcoming hammock waiting outside. Family Harbor staterooms and suites, also a Carnival Vista exclusive, feature fun, nautical décor and are spacious enough for the whole family to spread out and relax in comfort. Their strategic location near the Family

Harbor Lounge helps, too. This 24-hour spot serves breakfast in the morning and yummy snacks during the day. (Cookies and milk, anyone?) Families can also take advantage of the lounge’s concierge service, great for making specialty dining reservations, shore excursion plans and more. Here’s what’s even better: Families staying in Family Harbor staterooms and suites enjoy other benefits too, like kids under 12 eating free in most specialty onboard restaurants. Parents get a night off with a free evening of Night Owls late-night activities. All the Fun Ship 2.0 Bells and Whistles There’s plenty of fun for all, not just families. The ship includes all the elements of Fun Ship 2.0, a collection of entertainment, dining and recreation initiatives the cruise line rolled out in 2011 and has featured on all its new ships. Guest favorites include Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Pub, Havana Bar, Punchliner Comedy Club and Hasbro, The Game Show, a live version of several popular Hasbro board games. The Future of Fun So immense and so innovative, Carnival’s latest is, for now, in a class all its own. But that will soon change. Be on the lookout for a yet-to-be-named Vista-class vessel, making its debut in 2018.

VITAL STATISTICS LAUNCH

May 2016

GUESTS 3,954

ONBOARD CREW 1,450

WEIGHT

133,500 tons

LENGTH

1,055 feet

ITINERARIES

Summer 2016 in Europe, with year-round Caribbean voyages starting in November 2016

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AMBER COVE Carnival creates a gem of a destination on the sparkling Dominican Republic coast. Amber Cove is one of the hottest cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean — and it’s not just because of the great weather. It’s in the heart of the breathtaking Amber Coast in the northern region of the Dominican Republic, and is just five miles from the bustling historic beach town of Puerto Plata. When Amber Cove welcomed its first Carnival Victory guests in the fall of 2015, a cruise ship hadn’t called at Puerto Plata since the 1980s. The $85 million cruise center is now able to introduce 8,000 visitors daily to this very special part of the Dominican Republic, with two berths and facilities covering 30 acres. “ This is a ver y exciting development,” says Francisco Javier, tourism director of the Dominican Republic. “The new port gives cruise passengers an opportunity to see another part of the Dominican Republic, our Amber Coast, which hasn’t been available as part of cruise itineraries in nearly thirty years.” The use of “amber” in the name of the new port is appropriate, since the region’s amber mines are among the richest in the world. Dominican Republic amber is 90 percent clearer than other amber and contains 10 times more insects than the Baltic variety. Amber is fossilized tree resin, and insects are often caught in it when it’s secreted; the more insects in the amber, the more valuable the gem. The hit 1993 movie Jurassic Park, the original tale of modern-day dinosaurs created from ancient DNA found in amber-trapped insects, was partially filmed in the Dominican Republic.

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By Cele & Lynn Seldon

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Plenty to Do at This Port Situated in a stunning coastal inlet, with a lush tropical landscape, towering mountains and more than two dozen waterfalls as a backdrop, the port proper features dramatic architecture and design elements that echo the region’s colonial past. Cobblestone streets and plazas lead to everything an arriving guest could want, including a welcome center, a shore excursions pier and transportation hub. Its convenient recreation areas include a large pool with slides and other water features, a selection of water sports and three different cabana rental options. A vibrant marketplace offers locally sourced crafts and souvenirs — plus amber sales, of course — and visitors can enjoy lively themed restaurants and bars. “We are constantly looking for new ways for our guests to enjoy their cruise experience, and it is always exciting to add new destinations to our itineraries — especially in the Caribbean, where many of our passengers have been before,” says Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation. “Because Amber Cove is easily accessible, it gives our guests a convenient gateway to the Puerto Plata region.” Shore excursions out of Amber Cove are ranked as some of the best in the Caribbean. Dozens of options include dolphin tours; snorkeling; swimming in a natural river pool; horseback riding on the beach; cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies; coffee plantation visits featuring traditional Dominican dishes and local fruit and rum; and speedboat trips to appropriately named Paradise Island, one of the area’s top snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. Nearby Ocean World, one of the region’s largest marine adventure parks, also offers a range of opportunities to experience and interact with marine life, including dolphin and stingray encounters, a sea lion show and snorkeling with sharks. Touring nearby Puerto Plata also has been very popular with Amber Cove visitors. The historic city was founded as the village of La Isabella in the late 1490s by Christopher Columbus and his brother, Bartolomé, and is the site of Fort San Felipe, the first fort built by European settlers in the New World. Puerto Plata is home to many artist studios, rum and cigar factories, the Amber Museum and the Malecón, a three-mile-long beachfront boardwalk with even more restaurants, bars and shopping. Many cruise memories have already been made in and near Amber Cove. To start making some of your own, contact your onboard shore-excursion specialist. FROM TOP: Carnival Victory, which began visiting Amber Cove in fall 2015; amber gemstones, plentiful in this part of the Dominican Republic; view from Fort San Felipe in nearby Puerto Plata. 34

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A Laughing Matter | Kevin Hart

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ÂŠ MARY ELLEN MATTHEWS/CORBIS OUTLINE

A Laughing Matter | Kevin Hart

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A MATTER By Lauren Comander

Philadelphia phenomenon Kevin Hart’s meteoric rise from Buffalo wing target to history-making headliner.

Back when Kevin Hart was known as Lil’ Kev the Bastard and trying out his stand-up routines across the City of Brotherly Love, the young comedian wasn’t feeling much love. The comedy scene was a small one, where hopefuls stood in small rooms before unruly crowds who thrived on seeing wannabes flop. Still, when he took the mic on a seemingly promising night and launched into a series of jokes, Lil’ Kev didn’t see it coming. But he certainly felt it. A Buffalo wing — minus a bite — nailed him in the face. “Simply because the person wasn’t happy with my style of comedy!” he recalls incredulously. So what did Lil’ Kev do, other than maybe wipe the sauce from his cheek? “I politely got off the stage, but I came back the following week. It’s not about how you get knocked down. It’s about how you get up. I’ve always gotten back up. Always.” Nearly two decades later, he got back up on a Philadelphia stage, this time with a gold mic stand and as Kevin Hart. With some impressive titles after his name: Comedy Superstar (Rolling Stone). Comedic Genius (MTV Movie Awards). And that night in August 2015, a new one: First Comedian to Sell Out an NFL Stadium (Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, in front of 53,000 people). You can be sure there were no Buffalo wings hurled on stage. He scored a touchdown with his hometown performance, garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike — and it’s all captured on film for Kevin Hart: What Now?, released by Universal Pictures. “Being the first comedian to ever sell out a football stadium is unreal, and having the opportunity to make history in the city I’m from is amazing!” he says. “It’s a dream come true.”

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A MATTER By Lauren Comander

Philadelphia phenomenon Kevin Hart’s meteoric rise from Buffalo wing target to history-making headliner.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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A Laughing Matter | Kevin Hart

No dream seems too big for Hart. He has completed three wildly successful comedy tours, hosted Saturday Night Live twice and starred in blockbusters such as The Wedding Ringer and Ride Along — not to mention his role for the small screen, a fictionalized version of himself on Real Husbands of Hollywood. He has four major Hollywood films (at last count) scheduled for release in 2016. The 36-year-old with a net worth, according to Forbes, of $28.5 million says that despite his rocky start, he never doubted success would follow. Still, he’s brutally honest about his early days. “I sucked in the beginning!” he says. “[My jokes were] black-white/these are the things/don’t you hate it when . . . It wasn’t personal.” Along came mentor Keith Robinson, who convinced Hart to open up about life’s challenges so his audience could relate and laugh along with him. “I became a person that has emotion,” he says. “That’s something I had to learn, and it became the key to success: not being afraid to open up and be myself on stage.” For better or worse, Hart had the material to draw on from his rough-and-tumble upbringing in 40

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FINDING HIS VOICE

Philadelphia. His parents divorced when he was around 4 years old. His mother, Nancy, raised him and his older brother in a studio apartment while his father chased a drug habit and drifted between lockup and rehab. He gives her credit for his success because she taught him to stay the course. “She said I could have whatever I wanted as long as I put my mind to it,” he says. So when Hart told her he’d be pursuing a career as a comedian, she didn’t laugh. She gave him a year, agreeing to pay his rent while he worked the circuit. “So I put my all into it and worked my hardest to obtain my goal,” he says. As his star rose, he heeded the advice of his predecessors. Jerry Seinfeld advised him not to be afraid of talking about things others aren’t talking about and to never fear creativity. Chris Rock told him to travel the world and be funny everywhere.

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FAMILY MATTERS

When he’s not crisscrossing continents on tours and movie sets, Hart prefers to kick back in his opulent suburban Los Angeles mansion with his family, especially the children he shares custody of with ex-wife Torrei Hart: daughter Heaven, 10, and son Hendrix, 7. “My kids think I’m the coolest thing walking the earth – If they didn’t, that would be a problem!” Hart says. “I’m a fun dad!” He’s also a taskmaster determined to hand down a strong work ethic and an appreciation for their privileged lifestyle. “I believe in rules,” he says. “Do your work. Succeed in school. Treat others with respect.” That said, the funnyman routinely draws chuckles by spotlighting his own family’s warts, something they don’t take personally “because it’s never done with an intent to hurt,” he explains. But there are some topics Hart won’t broach: “I certainly won’t touch political humor or homophobia. You don’t want to be a person that seems degrading or attacking. I’m a positive person who motivates people to do better.”

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A Laughing Matter | Kevin Hart

HART HEALTH

Kevin Hart at Spike TV’s 2013 Guys Choice awards.

Hart, a self-described fitness freak who visits the gym daily and regularly posts pictures of his workouts online, is determined to get his fans moving too. During his What Now tour, he teamed up with Rally Health and Nike to organize 5K runs with his fans on show days. “Mental health and physical success go together, and it’s all about giving people that little push,” says Hart, who sometimes makes his workout a family affair by sweating alongside his kids. The comedian has always enjoyed an active lifestyle and is a favorite of the NBA All-Star Celebrity game, winning MVP four times. Fitness, he says, is no joke. “I’m just a guy trying to take care of myself. You get one body and if you don’t take care of it, you lose your life. Exercise and eat right.” His favorite food to splurge on? Believe it or not — Buffalo wings.

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A Laughing Matter | Kevin Hart

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2016 Ride Along 2

Hart says he remains grounded and relatable, but also has to keep up with his self-proclaimed identity as a “comedic rock star.” “I have my fair share of jewelry!” says the confessed watch fanatic with a penchant for bling. “It’s about putting on a show. I can’t have the title of ‘Comedic Rock Star’ if I’m not going to fit the identity of a rock star, so I get all the bells and whistles to ring true to the title. I enjoy my stuff — I have no complaints at all!” The What Now tour, which traveled on eight tractor-trailers, reportedly cost $7 million to $8 million to produce. “I want to woo people the minute I walk onto the stage, and I want my fans to walk away with an experience,” he says. Hart, known for getting very little sleep, shows no signs of slowing down. “Stand-up comedy is something that I will always do!” he vows. “I’m a comedian first. I love it!” But he continues to look for ways to expand his brand and says offers for roles and projects continue to pour in, bigger and better than ever. “My goals are simply to become a mogul. I have my hand in a lot of pots, and I want the pots to continue to cook.”

2016 Central Intelligence 2016 The Secret Life of Pets 2015 Get Hard 2015 The Wedding Ringer 2014 Ride Along 2014 Think Like a Man Too 2013- Real Husbands PRESENT of Hollywood (TV series) 2013 Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain 2012 Think Like a Man 2011 Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain 2010 Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny 2010 Little Fockers 2009 Kevin Hart: I’m a Grown Little Man 2004 Soul Plane

HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN BOY

2016 Kevin Hart: What Now?

2003 Scary Movie 3

FROM TOP: Will Ferrell as James and Kevin Hart as Darnell in Get Hard, a Warner Bros. Pictures release; Hart as Cedric, gambling at Planet Hollywood in Screen Gems’ Think Like a Man Too.

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CAMERA READY

By Dorothy Cascerceri

The tropics have been an irresistible setting for many a Hollywood blockbuster. So cue the romantic sunset and the balmy breezes, bring out the historic attractions and get ready to be entranced. They may represent completely different genres, but the movies Cocktail and Pirates of the Caribbean have one thing in common: their Caribbean setting. In fact, this alluring region has been the backdrop for many Hollywood blockbusters. Its crystal-clear blue seas, towering palm trees and white-sand beaches have taken center stage in many famous films starring big names such as Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp and Sandra Bullock. Their breathtaking settings transport viewers from dark popcorn-scented theaters to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, St. Thomas and other tropical paradises. And the best part? Many of the most memorable scenes were shot outdoors, which means you may be able to stand on the very beach where Edward and Bella celebrated their romance, or put yourself in some other dramatic or romantic scene. Jamaica The 1988 film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the most famous films shot in Jamaica. It captures the love story between an ambitious New Yorker turned island bartender, played by Tom Cruise, and his paramour, played by Elisabeth Shue. The movie, known for its hit song, The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo,” was shot mainly on Jamaica’s North Shore and features breathtaking resorts in Ocho Rios. Remember the steamy, sultry waterfall scene where Cruise and Shue made out to the reggae sounds of Jimmy Cliff playing in the background? That was filmed at Dunn’s River Falls, while most of Cruise’s Negroni slinging happened at Dragon Bay Beach. More recently, the romantic aura of Montego Bay was essential

to How Stella Got Her Groove Back, a 1998 romantic comedy starring Angela Bassett and Taye Diggs in an adaptation of Terry McMillan’s best-selling novel. Another Cruise film, Knight and Day, co-starring Cameron Diaz, was filmed at Frenchman’s Cove Beach in Port Antonio, arguably one of the most picturesque beaches on the island; it once attracted Hollywood royalty Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In this action-packed thriller from 2010, Diaz’s character, June, awakes on the beach with no recollection of how she got there. One cell-phone call results in an enemy bombardment of the area, which forces her and Cruise to run for their lives. You can reenact their frantic exit, but you’ll probably prefer to merely lounge on the sand, crack open a coconut and enjoy the view. St. Thomas People don’t usually associate vampires with the sunny Caribbean, but Magens Bay in St. Thomas was a filming location for Breaking Dawn: Part 1, part of the highly popular Twilight series. The 2011 film starred Kristen Stewart and teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson. The St. Thomas scene shows them as newlyweds Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, relaxing and enjoying their honeymoon. According to reports, film equipment was brought in on a barge, nearly 60 residents were employed on the shoot, and the crew spent close to $1 million at area businesses during the week they were there. St. Thomas was also the setting for a few scenes in the 2008 Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, even though most of the film was shot in New Orleans. Parts of the film, which tells the story of a man who ages backwards, were staged at Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, which has a population of only 200 people.

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Puerto Rico It’s no surprise that Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed in the Caribbean, given the title, and that the fourth installment in the franchise, On Stranger Tides, used Puerto Rico for much of its scenery. Castillo San Cristóbal, part of San Juan’s National Historic Site in Old San Juan, stands in for the Cadiz Fort, located in Cadiz, Spain, according to the film. Do you remember when Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow rowed Angelica, played by Penelope Cruz, out to sea in a small wooden boat? The island he dumped her on is Palominito Island, a private island near the El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. St. Martin Speed 2: Cruise Control, the action thriller starring Sandra Bullock, is probably best known for its dramatic ending, in which a cruise ship crashes into an oil tanker. The scene was shot in Marigot, St. Martin, which of course was not destroyed by the explosion in the film. What actually blew up was a façade constructed by the crew that extended the real town into the harbor. Ironically, the director chose St. Martin for filming because it’s not generally prone to tropical storms — but during set construction, Marigot was hit by a hurricane, which forced the crew to rebuild much of the set they had already worked on. Grand Cayman The portrayal of the Cayman Islands as a tax haven in the 1993 Tom Cruise movie The Firm, based on the eponymous John Grisham novel, had the financial-services industry up in arms, but Grand Cayman tourism officials no doubt loved the breathtaking natural landscape it showcased. Seven Mile Beach on the island’s west shore was a predominant filming location. The tiny capital of George Town, another site where scenes were filmed, offers a historic walking tour that highlights memorable moments from the film.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Puerto Rico, which provided scenery for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, starring Johnny Depp.

Bit Parts Various Caribbean destinations have made only brief appearances in major films — and not always as themselves. The Godfather: Part II (1974) has Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, stand in for Havana, Cuba. (That’s the El Embajador Hotel where Michael and Fredo are having their last good brotherly moment together.) In the ending of The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Morgan Freeman’s character walks across a beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, but the scene was actually shot in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Croix gets to play itself in Trading Places (1983), where newly rich Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd and friends relax in style on the beach. The ending is decidedly less happy in Silence of the Lambs (1991), when unspeakably evil serial killer Hannibal Lecter shows up Bimini, Bahamas. The film hints that he has followed his former psychiatrist there in order to kill him. But the actual resolution is left on the cutting-room floor.

Top-Grossing

MOVIES FILMED OR SET IN THE CARIBBEAN Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest $1.06 billion Tenth-highest-grossing movie worldwide Filmed in St. Vincent, the Bahamas and Dominica Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides $1.04 billion 16th-highest-grossing movie worldwide Filmed in Puerto Rico

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End $963.4 million Filmed in Dominica The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1 $283.5 million worldwide Filmed in St. Thomas

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Island

EATS Here’s how to eat (and drink) your way through the Caribbean.

Cruising through the Caribbean means getting to taste lots of island cuisine — a unique and flavorful experience that’s an essential part of your travels. Caribbean fare is generally considered to be a fusion of native Amerindian, African, European, Asian, East Indian and even Arab ingredients and flavors. Individual islands and groups of islands have also developed their own styles and dishes over the centuries, so each port of call on your Caribbean cruise may lead to a new dish you’ve never tried. Carnival offers many shore excursions with a culinary focus, where you can not only eat like a local but sometimes even learn to cook like one, too. Fresh lobster in Antigua, Jamaican jerk in Ocho Rios, mofongo in San Juan, pumpkin soup in St. Thomas — check out the “Fun Treks” listing in each port section of Fun Ashore, and consult your onboard shore-excursion specialist. If you’re cruising the islands over the holidays or during religious events, the annual Carnival or other festivals and celebrations (like the local “independence day ”), you might also enjoy cer tain traditional dishes highlighted during those times. Of course, Caribbean fare can also sometimes be quite spicy, so it’s always best to inquire about the seasoning of a dish before taking that first bite. Either way, just be sure to have an ice-cold Caribbean beer close at hand!

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By Cele & Lynn Seldon

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Here’s a mouthwatering list of some possibilities you’ll find in the islands once you’re docked.

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Ackee: This unusual scrambled eggs-like tropical fruit is frequently served with saltfish, onions, hot peppers and more. Asado: A general term for roast pork, asado is particularly popular on islands with a strong Spanish heritage — such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Asopao (ah-so-pow): A famed soup served throughout Puerto Rico, with ingredients including chicken, ham, rice, tomatoes, peppers, onions, olives and capers. Beer: Almost every island seems to have a brewery these days. Some cold ones to look for include Jamaica’s Red Stripe; Kalik and Sands in the Bahamas; Carib from Trinidad and Tobago; Banks and 10 Saints (aged in Mount Gay Rum barrels) in Barbados; Aruba’s Balashi; the Dominican Republic’s Presidente; and Puerto Rico’s Medalla Light.

Conch: The national dish of the Bahamas, conch is a sea mollusk that can be served as ceviche (raw, with lime juice), fried (think conch fritters), steamed and in soups and stews or atop a salad.

Mango: Th is color f u l tropical fr uit is often featured in spiced chutney for curries and other uses.

Fungi (foon-gee): This is a popular side dish in the U.S. Virgin Islands that is made of boiled cornmeal with okra.

Mofongo: The national dish of Puerto Rico, it’s made with unripe fried plantain or other root vegetables mashed with garlic, olive oil, fried pork, broth and other ingredients.

Ginger beer: This carbonated sweet drink made with ginger is often mixed with beer or rum for varied adult beverages.

Papaya: This island-staple fruit is often served for breakfast or used in stews, sauces and island rum drinks.

Goat: Often served in goat stew t h r oughout t he i s l a nd s , t h i s flavorful meat is combined with dumplings, tomatoes, green papaya, breadfruit and seasonings for a hearty stew. Curried goat is quite popular in Jamaica and other islands with a histor y of Indian immigrants.

Pasteles: Beloved in Puerto Rico and elsewhere (especially during Christmas), pasteles are banana leaves stuffed with savor y or sweet fillings and then boiled.

Bread pudding: Prepared with varied sweets and spices — and even the occasional splash of rum — bread pudding is one of the Caribbean’s most famous desserts.

Jamaican patties: Seemingly found on every corner (and beach) of Jamaica and elsewhere in the islands, these famed fried pastries are typically stuffed with varied meats, vegetables and spices.

Callaloo: This island side dish of greens is traditionally made with taro or amaranth (spinach is sometimes substituted), plus okra, meat and other foods.

Jerk: This fiery style of cooking meat and seafood is famous in Jamaica, thanks to a tasty blend of herbs and peppers. Wash it down with a Red Stripe, mon!

Pepperpot: A varied stew served throughout the Caribbean (often called “souse” in the Bahamas), pepperpot can include lots of different meats, vegetables, fungi (see above) and herbs and spices. Plantains: Fried, boiled or even made into potato chip-like chips, plantains are island staples not to be missed. Rice & beans: This is a popular side dish on many menus in the Caribbean; you may see them referred to as “rice and peas.”

Rum: They love their rum in the islands. Notable rum-loving islands include Puerto Rico (which exports thousands of gallons of rum to the U.S.), Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Barbados. Saltfish: Typically prepared with meaty white fish like cod, saltfish was originally salt-cured and –dried fish prepared to endure long voyages between the Caribbean and Europe. It’s now a popular breakfast dish in the islands as well as an ingredient for pelau, a dish often made of beef, chicken, saltfish, rice, pigeon peas, vegetables and spices. Yams: These sweet-potato-like vegetables are popular side dishes throughout the islands. A similar island root vegetable, boniato, also is popular. Yuca: Sometimes listed as cassava, yuca is a starchy vegetable often served boiled, baked or fried. Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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FUN DAY IN PORT

Bring your Fun Finds Map into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket and put the port at your fingertips.

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The Fun Finds Map is available from your onboard Shopping Expert at any of their live events or scheduled desk hours. Check your Fun Times for more information.

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OBJECTS

DESIRE

Perfect your look with one of these little luxuries: a dramatic pendant, a sparkling ring, a shimmering bracelet or timepiece. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a vacation memory of the best kind. Le Vian Ocean Wave Gladiator Ring

Crown of Light Orchid Ring Gucci G-Timeless Collection

Kabana Alhambra Collection Earrings

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Grande

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OLD SAN JUAN: 151 Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico • 787 723 8420 COZUMEL: Puerta Maya Pier & Downtown on Rafael E. Melgar Ave • 213 291 8164

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OBJECTS OBJECTS

DESIRE DESIRE

Jewelry to rock your world: diamonds top the must-have list, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not the only way to attract a crowd. The looks that matter? Whatever matters to you.

Marahlago Surf Necklace

Mark Henry Royale Collection Ring

Safi Kilima Kilehe Trillion Tanzanite Bangle

TrueLove Diamonds Infinity Bracelet

Forevermark Halo Ring

Fendi Selleria

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Guide to

PORTS Amber Cove Belize Bermuda Charleston Costa Maya Cozumel Fort Lauderdale Freeport Grand Cayman Grand Turk Half Moon Cay Key West La Romana Mahogany Bay Miami Nassau Ocho Rios Port Canaveral San Juan St. Thomas

CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Tampa

OF THE

See our guide to the distinctive creations that make the Caribbean so exceptional, in select ports.

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Ensenada

New Or Galveston

Cabo San Lucas

Mazatlรกn

MEXICO

GULF OF MEXICO

Progreso

Puerto Vallarta

Costa Maya Belize City CENTRAL AMERICA

BELIZE

GUATEMALA

PACIFIC OCEAN

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Charleston

Bermuda

Jacksonville

New Orleans

PORTS of Call

Port Canaveral

Tampa

FLORIDA Freeport Fort Lauderdale Miami THE BAHAMAS

Key West

Nassau

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Half Moon Cay

CUBA TURKS AND CAICOS

greso

Grand Turk

Cozumel

Amber Cove

Grand Cayman

Montego Bay

DOMINICAN St. Thomas San Juan HAITI REPUBLIC PUERTO La Romana RICO

Falmouth Ocho Rios JAMAICA

St. John St. Maarten/ St. Martin

St. Kitts

Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatรกn

Antigua

Dominica

CARIBBEAN SEA HONDURAS

St. Lucia Barbados

Aruba Curaรงao COSTA RICA

Bonaire

Cartagena COLOMBIA

VENEZUELA

PANAMA SOUTH AMERICA Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Ports of call | Amber Cove

Colorful cottages welcome you to Amber Cove, a multi-faceted destination on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.

AMBER COVE

This idyllic spot in the Dominican Republic offers all you could ask for in a Caribbean vacation: a little history (including pirate lore), a little culture (fine and folk art, delicious food) and a lot of fun with the many recreational opportunities at Carnival Corporation's private destination. Does your idea of fun involve relaxing on a beach with a tropical drink in hand? Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of that, too.

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FUNTREKS

TOP SHORE EXCURSIONS Here are just a few of the many tours you can experience during your visit. See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book today. Please ask about age requirements, physical considerations, proper dress and other details.

VIP Catamaran to Cayo Arena with Lunch

Enjoy a unique coral island in the Dominican Republic. Prepare to be served as royalty onboard a VIP catamaran equipped with bar, comfortable seating and restrooms. You’ll cruise to the amazing Ensenada beach and then to Cayo Arena for a guided snorkeling tour, swimming or just relaxing.

Deluxe Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

Relax on one of the island’s finest luxury catamarans during a fun-filled adventure on the high seas. Soak up the scenery on the way to Sosua for a guided snorkeling tour that brings you among Sosua’s living corals and a myriad of tropical fish in every color of the rainbow.

Outback Dominican Adventure with Lunch

Experience a way of life that has remained unchanged for over a century. You’ll see how coffee and chocolate are locally grown, harvested and processed, then meet a local family in their countryside home and visit a local school (subject to local school holidays). The last stop of the day is at a beautiful secluded beach.

Dolphin Swim & Ocean World Day Pass

You’ll interact with two playful dolphins on a 20-minute swim in deep water. After a brief orientation, you’ll get to hug, kiss, dance with and feed the dolphins. A dorsal pull by two dolphins, foot push and swimming with dolphins is sure to be the highlight of your visit to Amber Cove Puerto Plata.

All Inclusive Coconut Cove Beach Break

Quick Guide Famed for: Endless fun at pools and beaches; shopping and dining along the Malecón; swimming with dolphins, stingrays and even sharks at Ocean World. It’s a Fact: The nearby town of Puerto Plata was the first European settlement in the Americas, established in the late 1400s by Christopher Columbus.

Have it all when you visit our private Coconut Cove Beach. An open-air truck takes you on rugged outback roads for a peek into rural life. Then enjoy our white-sand oasis at your leisure. Experience the many water sports, take a short trek on local trails or just lounge on the beach with an island cocktail. The day includes a buffet-style lunch of sumptuous Dominican cuisine and locally grown fruits.

Signature Souvenirs: Jewelry made from top-quality amber, found in great abundance here; art and handicrafts from local galleries and markets.

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Ports of call | Belize

Belize’s barrier reef is one of the longest in the world, making it a popular spot for divers.

BELIZE

For a country of its tiny size, Belize is blessed with an incredible share of natural treasures — including the world’s only jaguar preserve and the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. Belize also boasts numerous historical and cultural artifacts, especially in the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization that called Belize home. 70

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FUNTREKS

Altun Ha Mayan Site & River Wallace

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The important Mayan ruin of Altun Ha and Belize’s tropical rainforest are the stars of this tour, which begins with an exhilarating ride along Belize City’s scenic coast. The boat then enters the Belize River, called Rio Wallace (“River Wallace”) by the Spaniards during the conquistadores’ rule of the New World. Finally, an airconditioned motor coach heads to Altun Ha, an ancient Mayan ceremonial center.

Snorkeling Wonders of the Barrier Reef

Enjoy a scenic boat ride to this hemisphere’s largest barrier reef and a beautiful private tropical island that lies on top of the reef and provides the finest snorkeling in Belizean waters.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Guests explore this famous Mayan archaeological site and then have a Belizean lunch in San Ignacio Town. Next they take a relaxing scenic journey to the Mopan River and then a five-minute ferry ride across the river to the remote ruins. The tour includes lunch in the San Ignacio area.

Barrier Reef Snorkel & Starfish Island Getaway

Enjoy some truly fantastic snorkeling along the Belize Barrier Reef, considered one of the most fascinating living reef systems in the world.

Jaguar Cave Zip Line & Tubing Combo with Lunch

Quick Guide Famed for: Diving, nature preserves and beaches. It’s a Fact: The Garifuna people of Belize are descendants of the original Caribbean residents, the Caribs and Arawaks.

Experience the best of both worlds: Belize’s cave tubing and jungle zip lining! Jaguar Cave Zip Line & Tubing Combo tour starts with zip lining through Jaguar Cave and finishes with cave tubing through Darknight Cave offering guests the only zip line through a cave plus a cave tubing experience in the World.

Signature Souvenirs: Mayan astrological charts and pendants, tropical fruit preserves and nance liqueur, made with cherries grown in the Yucatán. How to Get to Town: Cruise guests take a tender from the ship to Belize’s Tourism Village, a 15-minute ride from the ship. Taxis into the city are available at the village.

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Ports of call | Belize

PORT VIEW

The ruins at Tikal present fascinating Mayan history.

Things We Love About Belize Belize is a country with a rich natural and cultural mix — from jungle animals and colorful fauna to Mayan ruins and artifacts to its watery landscape of more than 200 tropical island cays making up the nearly 200-milelong Belizean Barrier Reef. The largest one, Ambergris Caye, can be reached on a shore excursion where manatee-watching is a must, and where a dazzling variety of colorful marine life awaits scuba divers and snorkelers. Caye Caulker, just south of Ambergris, has quiet beaches for a relaxing day trip. A short walk along Albert Street, on Belize City’s waterfront, leads visitors to the Fort George Lighthouse and to the nearby House of Culture Museum, which was 72

once the governor’s residence. The Marine Terminal houses the Coastal Zone Museum, which showcases the barrier reef’s marine life. Mayan history, through artifacts and pottery, awaits visitors at the Museum of Belize. Many shoppers also snap up hand-carved treasures made from local wood at Market Square. Outside the city limits, visitors flock to the Belize Zoo, with its native ocelots and jaguars, or to the Community Baboon Sanctuary, where Black Howler monkeys frolic. The si x th-centur y Temple of the Green Tomb and the Temple of Masonr y Altar dominate Altun Ha, Belize’s most extensively excavated Mayan ruin. — Richard Varr

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Come visit

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Freeles Samp

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Ports of call | Bermuda

Sun-and-fun seekers on a Bermuda beach.

BERMUDA

A little tea with your tan? Bermuda adds a British accent to just about everything except — thankfully — the weather. You’ll see businessmen in Bermuda shorts, policemen called “bobbies,” and afternoon tea taken as seriously as anywhere else where they speak the Queen’s English.

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FUNTREKS

Best of Bermuda Island Tour

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See the entire length of the island of Bermuda and its highlights, including the famous pink-sand beaches along the Southern Shore. Your journey begins as you board your air-conditioned transportation and head out into Somerset Village. Pass over the smallest drawbridge in the world, and make a photo stop at the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.

Ultimate Catamaran: Sail, Snorkel, Swim Enjoy the beautiful waters of Bermuda aboard its newest and largest sailing catamaran, Rising Son II. Lounge about the roomy shaded cockpit or lie on one of the huge trampolines and sip complimentary beverages as you cruise by the centuries-old remains of Bermuda’s forts. Swim to a nearby beach, lounge on a rafts, float on a noodle, paddle a kayak, or explore below the surface with your snorkel gear. Come back aboard for island music and unlimited complimentary rum swizzles and sodas.

Aquarium, Caves & Attractions

Quick Guide Famed For: Pink-sand beaches, Bermuda shorts and charming cottage architecture.

This scenic, fully narrated coach tour of beautiful Bermuda offers the very best of the island's highlights. Your tour bus will depart shipside for a picturesque drive through the Western end of the island of Bermuda. En route we will pass over Somerset Drawbridge, said to be the smallest drawbridge in the world. Our first picture stop will be at the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. We will next drive by Bermuda’s famous pink-sand beaches; Crystal Caves is one of Bermuda’s most intriguing attractions.

It’s A Fact: Because of Bermuda’s small size, resident families may own only one car and often ride scooters instead. Signature Souvenirs: Rum cakes, hand-blown glass and locally made perfume.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) DAVE ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK (BOTTOM) CLIMBERJAK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Ports of call | Charleston

A Charleston plantation.

CHARLESTON Southern hospitality is in fine form throughout South Carolina, which welcomes visitors with an array of recreational and cultural activities. Its coast is lined with miles of pristine beaches, while inland towns and cities offer fascinating heritage.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) DAVE ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK (BOTTOM) CLIMBERJAK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Charleston's waterfront at sunrise.

Quick Guide Famed for: Plantation gardens, mansions and other remnants of the antebellum South. It’s a Fact: Fort Sumter, scene of the battle that began the U.S. Civil War, is located in Charleston’s harbor. Signature Souvenirs: The city’s special rice spoon, a sweetgrass basket and benne wafers.

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Ports of call | Costa Maya

The Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, about 45 miles west of Costa Maya.

COSTA MAYA Situated on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula near Mexico’s border with Belize, Costa Maya leads to the peninsula’s lush interior and stirring Mayan ruins. It also boasts the world’s second-largest coral reef system, home to more than 60 types of coral and some 500 species of fish.

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FUNTREKS

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

Explore the virtually unexcavated Chacchoben Mayan Ruins situated in a secluded jungle setting near the border of Belize.

Family Beach Getaway

Enjoy a tropical beach break at Uvero Beach, one of Costa Maya's newest and most popular beaches with activities that are perfect for the whole family!

Dune Buggy & Beach Safari

Sandy beach paths, the Caribbean Sea and a dune buggy — what could be more fun?

Catamaran Sail and Snorkel

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Feel the wind at your back as you sail the crystal-clear waters off Costa Maya’s coastline en route to your snorkeling adventure.

Dolphin Swim Adventure

Speed and adventure await only steps away from your ship as you swim with dolphins and get pulled along by their pectoral fins!

Quick Guide Famed for: Mayan archaeological sites, ceviche and diving. It’s a Fact: Many historians believe that the winners of the Mayan precursor to soccer, pok-ta-pok, were beheaded to honor the gods. Signature Souvenirs: Hammocks, replicated Mayan masks and blue agave tequila. How to Get to Town: Majahual is about five minutes from the pier. A limited number of taxis are available at the tourist village exit.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Ruins of a Mayan temple face the sea.

COZUMEL

This lovely stop on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known for its amazing dive sites and for wellpreserved archaeological remnants of the Maya. It was once a sacred destination for that ancient civilization, making it a top attraction for history lovers.

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FUNTREKS

Passion Island by Power Catamaran

Travel by motorized catamaran along Cozumel coast to Isla Pasion, a beautiful picture perfect private island where white sandy beaches are surrounded by crystalclear turquoise waters. Children 5 and under are free!

Mayan Ruins of Tulum & Playa Del Carmen Experience

Experience the ancient Mayan paradise kingdom rising high above the magnificent crystal blue Caribbean Sea.

Dolphin Swim & Ride, With Unlimited Food & Drink

RANTON_IVANOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

This is the optimum dolphin adventure that offers couples and families the opportunity to swim with dolphins for 40 minutes in calm, protected ocean coves. Children 5 and under are free!

Adventure Jeep & Snorkel At Punta Sur

Explore Punta Sur Park, Cozumel’s famous Ecological Reserve. Travel through the beautiful landscape in an offroad Jeep Wrangler, then jump in for an amazing snorkel excursion at Cozumel's marine park.

All Inclusive Chankanaab Beach Day & Sea Lion Show

The original natural aquarium of the island, this is paradise found. If you love nature, it's the perfect place to enjoy a day with family, friends and an array of natural and cultural activities.

Quick Guide Famed for: Beaches, diving and eco-parks. It’s a Fact: At the Parque Punta Sur eco-park on the south end of the island, whistling can cause crocodiles in the lagoon to rise to the surface. Signature Souvenirs: Silver jewelry, serapes and embroidered Mayan blouses. How to Get to Town: The Punta Langosta pier is right in the downtown area. From the International Pier or the Puerto Maya terminal, you’ll want to take a taxi.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

PORT VIEW

Sea sponges and colorful fish surround a striking brain coral.

Things We Love About Cozumel Cozumel neatly balances its cultural experiences with its more playful reputation for shopping. In San Miguel, a charming town that hugs the waterfront, tourists can find locally made treasures of silver, turquoise and leather goods, as well as pottery, stone carvings and wooden masks by Cozumel artisans. The port also claims its share of duty-free shops offering diamonds, watches and designer jewelry. The avenidas (avenues) and calles (streets) of the town’s center are easy to explore by foot. Pleasant encounters are likely with some of the Caribbean’s friendliest people, the Maya, who first settled in Cozumel some 1,700 years ago.

Many still live in the thatch-roofed homes originally designed by their ancestors. Lunch in town should always begin with guacamole; Cozumel’s restaurants are said to serve some of Mexico’s best versions of this classic avocado dip. Many visitors, especially families, head south from San Miguel to visit the dolphins and sea lions at Chankanaab Park. Other attractions include the landmark Punta Sur Ecological Park and Lighthouse, home to a Mayan-ruin site, and the Celerain Lighthouse, as well as a navigation museum. The road to ruins leads many visitors to the archaeological site of San Gervasio, near San Miguel. — Richard Varr

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Introducing the

Angelika Ring The

Infinity Ring

Commemorate your cruise with our signature TrueBlue速, Vivid Brown & Vogue Black Diamond collections, renowned for using only the most sought-after colored diamonds.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Island Highlights Diving Paradise Teetering on the shelf of a 3,280-foot drop teeming with brilliantly colored marine life, Palancar Reef is the second-largest natural coral formation in the world and is considered one of the world’s outstanding diving destinations. Cochinita Pibil This traditional Yucatán Mayan dish is still one of the most popular foods served in Cozumel and throughout the region. Originally the dish was made with wild boar covered with achiote, or annatto seeds, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in a coal-fired stone pit. Today achiote paste and banana leaves are still a mandatory part of the preparation, although the boar has been replaced by pork and an oven is the preferred cooking method. Bitter-orange juice and various local spices are added to the achiote marinade, and the banana leaves give a distinctive flavor. Mexican Flag You’ll see the distinctive green, white and red colors of the bandera mexicana, or Mexican flag, celebrated everywhere from cocktails to quilts. Green symbolizes the hope of the independence movement that ended in 1821; white, the purity of the Catholic faith; and red, the union of Mexico after its rebellion against Spain. The eagle on the crest symbolizes its Aztec heritage. Mezcal It looks exactly like tequila, but this spirit has a few important distinctions. For one, it’s made from agave plants other than the blue agaves of Jalisco that are used in true tequila. For another, the agave piñas — pineappleshaped, pulpy bulbs from which the fermentable juice is extracted — are baked in underground wood-charcoalfired ovens rather than in steam ovens, giving them a smoky flavor that’s even more enhanced in mezcal añejo, which is aged in oak barrels for at least one year.

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By Sara Churchville

FROM TOP: A scuba diver explores a coral reef; a plate of cochinita pibil; the Mexican flag; an agave plant.

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BOUTIQUE

E X P E R I E N C E A N E N T I R E B O U T I Q U E D E D I C AT E D TO N AT U R E S ’ R A R E S T G E M S A N D L U X U RY B R A N D S . MARK HENRY BOUTIQUE | PUERTA MAYA PIER, COZUMEL markhenryjewelry.com

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Visitors flock to ruins of the Mayan temple at Tulum.

A TALE OF TULUM Set against a backdrop of aquamarine Caribbean waters, Tulum’s awe-inspiring temple remains a striking sight.

PATRYK KOSMIDER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Perched high on the cliffs of the Yucatán Peninsula is the ancient city of Tulum, the only Mayan city known to have been built on the coast. Following the paths, visitors can visualize the indigenous religious ceremonies that took place here, and appreciate the magnificent beauty of this sacred locale. Today there is little to fear from the sacrificial pit, and the only ritual that must be followed is paying a fee to use your video camera. Generally coupled with a trip to Tulum is a visit to Xel-Há Lagoon. An oasis on a hot day, this soothing inland sea contains a natural underwater park and provides a wonderful respite after exploring.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Shopping in

Cozumel Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it!

Hublot Classic Fusion Dwayne Wade

A cenote near Tulum

Crown of Light Unity Ring with Champagne Diamond

John Hardy Classic Chain Collection reversible bracelet in sterling silver and 18k gold

FIDEICOMISO PARA LA PROMOCIÓN TURÍSTICA DE LA RIVIERA MAYA

Kabana Rose Collection Pendant

UNDERGROUND WONDERS Cozumel has no surface lakes or freshwater rivers, but it does have many underground ponds and sinkholes known as cenotes (seh-NOH-tays). Some reach a depth of 210 feet — and to add to their mystery, they have openings that build from the bottom up. A cenote forms when a combination of water and carbon dioxide dissolves underground limestone. This process cuts fissures in the rocks and creates upward-reaching caverns resembling reverse holes. Their vertical walls continue to erode, filling the bottom of the pits with debris and causing the “holes” to rise. The early Maya people believed cenotes were inhabited by gods and provided an underground gateway to heaven. In gratitude to Chac, the god of water, they would drop gifts into the caves. — Eleanor Wilson

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Ports of call | Cozumel

The Remarkable

MAYA

The Maya were one of the most advanced cultures of the Western Hemisphere for hundreds of years, with an empire that reached its peak from A.D. 200 to 900. They flourished throughout the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico — including today’s Cozumel Island — and erected huge, imposing pyramids and temples with striking stone sculptures. They achieved remarkable proficiency in mathematics and astronomy before mysteriously falling into decline. The Maya believed Cozumel was sacred and built shrines to honor their gods. Ixchel, jaguar goddess of childbirth, fertility and healing, was said to control the tides and all water on Earth. She was often portrayed as a wise crone who wore a skirt decorated with crossbones and a crown of serpents

and carried a jug of water. She is said to protect those who make the sacred pilgrimage to her shrines in Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, a trip Mayans aspired to make at least once in their lifetime. When feeling particularly nasty, Ixchel unleashed calamitous rainstorms and floods from her large water jug. No wonder common folk were eager to appease the goddess. However, she also had a bright side. They called her Lady Rainbow and worshiped her as the protector of weavers and women in childbirth. Ixchel’s mate was Itzamná, a mellow moon god who balanced out his spouse’s temper tantrums. — Raymond Niedowski

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port

Mayan ruins in Cozumel 90

SCOTTEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

La Casa del Habano

Experience delicious, authentic Cuban food, a full humidor and stunning views of Cozumel. Located on the corner of Av. Rafael E. Melgar and Av. Juarez.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

SCOUTING SAN GERVASIO Once a pilgrimage site for the ancient Maya, the tiny island of Cozumel now hosts a number of fascinating ruins.

BCAMPBELL65/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

San Gervasio, the largest site on the island, is incredibly well preserved. The structures at San Gervasio were used by the Maya people primarily as altars and shrines, and for gatherings of government officials. The site is divided into four historic districts, ranging from the early Classic Era (A.D. 200 to 1000) to the late Postclassical Era (A.D. 1000 to 1500). Plaques with a brief description of the ruinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history identify individual ruins. In addition to tourist services, the site offers a snack bar and several gift shops. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Suzanne L. Carmel Mayan arch at San Gervasio

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

Ports of call | Cozumel

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NATURE REIGNS AT COZUMEL’S SMALL SEA

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

Not far from the busy shops, restaurants and bars of San Miguel, Chankanaab Park provides nature lovers with 450,000 square feet of pristine space to revel in.

Though the name means “small sea,” the park is really a little slice of paradise, with botanical gardens, a lagoon, a beach and a replicated Mayan village. The sparkling Chankanaab Lagoon is home to colorful coral, fish and turtles, as well as a Dolphin Discovery facility. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available from the beach. Pleasant pathways wind through botanical gardens where several hundred species of tropical plants thrive. The archaeological park contains reproductions of stone carvings from well-known ruins around Mexico and is staffed by guides to explain their significance. —Suzanne L. Carmel Turtles make their home in the park.

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Ports of call | Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE With more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, a waterfront park in the middle of downtown, miles of spiffy beaches and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, it’s no wonder Fort Lauderdale has a reputation for loving all things aquatic.

Quick Guide Famed for: Beautiful beaches to the east, unspoiled Everglades to the west.

PHOTO BY: IVAN CHOLAKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

It’s a Fact: The city became the No. 1 spot for college kids on spring break after the 1960 movie Where the Boys Are was filmed here. Signature Souvenirs: Seashells, alligator trinkets and juicy oranges.

FUNTREKS

TOP SHORE EXCURSIONS Here is one of the many tours you can experience during your visit. See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book today. Please ask about age requirements, physical considerations, proper dress and other details.

The Everglades Experience with Airport Transfer

Discover fun on the sand and in the sky on the city’s beaches.

Take time before your flight home for an adventure through South Florida’s unique ecosystem. Board an airboat and glide across the Everglades at speeds of up to 50 mph. View alligators, birds and other native wildlife as your captain explains a little bit about this unique ecosystem and the effect it has on South Florida. The park features a restaurant where you may purchase lunch or a light snack. Transportation to the airport is included in the price of this excursion.

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place where the shopping is sublime, the fashions exquisite, and the attitude pure Fort lauderdale.

among our three world-class department stores, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s you’ll find an expansive array of the most sought after names. Over one-hundred luxurious stores are available for your shopping pleasure that include Apple, Brighton, J.Crew, Michael Kors, and Williams-Sonoma, to name a few. sophisticated, in every sense. The moment you enter our Palm court you know you’re about to experience exceptional cuisine. Dine Florida style at an inviting array of enticing restaurants including The Capital Grille, Truluck’s, Seasons 52, PF Chang’s and Blue Martini. enjoy!

Located just steps from the beach on Sunrise Boulevard.

NeimaN marcus

macy’s

DillarD’s

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RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Freeport

The endless stretch of Taino Beach.

FREEPORT At first sight, you’ll love Freeport for its Lucaya resort scene. Then you’ll discover the natural side of 96-milelong Grand Bahama Island and realize that this is much more than just another pretty tourist magnet.

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FUNTREKS

All Inclusive Beach Getaway

A package for those who want it all! Air-conditioned transport to your day in paradise: swim in the crystal Caribbean waters; participate in activities based both on land or water. Play volleyball or challenge a friend to a spirited game of chess. Take in the stunning views from our beach bar with friendly staff onsite ensuring your visit is highly enjoyable. Our all inclusive package offers round transportation, entrance to beach facilities, open bar and our delicious Bahamian buffet.

Freeport Kayak & Nature Experience

Explore Freeport's Lucayan National Park as you paddle through the inland creeks of the mangroves and walk on the pathways through the forest.

Dolphin Close Encounter

RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

This educational and interactive encounter begins with a short bus ride to the UNEXSO facility in Port Lucaya. Then, take a 20-minute boat ride through the canal systems of Grand Bahama Island to arrive at Sanctuary Bay, a natural 9-acre lagoon and home to fourteen Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Learn about these dolphins while they splash and jump around you, and then step onto a 3-foot-deep submerged platform where you will pet, kiss and hug a dolphin.

Freeport Power Catamaran Snorkel

Discover the colorful marine life while you snorkel in Grand Bahamas' crystal blue waters.

Quick Guide Famed for: Diving with dolphins and sharks, quiet beaches and old fishing settlements.

All Inclusive Reef Snorkel, Beach Break & Shopping Have it all! The best snorkeling and beach adventure on the island â&#x20AC;&#x201D; complete with all inclusive food and drinks

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Fact: For the scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean filmed in the Bahamas, moviemakers built a special, maneuverable, seaside platform to give the pirate-ship set the illusion of pitching and yawing. Signature Souvenirs: Make-your-own perfume, junkanoo music CDs and batik-fabric clothing. How to Get to Town: Lucayan Harbour lies 10 minutes west of Freeport. Taxis and limos line up to meet the cruise ships.

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ALBO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Freeport

PORT VIEW

Find your patch of shade on the beach at Freeport.

Things We Love About Freeport Grand Bahama, the most diverse island in the Bahamas, flexes its vacation muscle well beyond the Freeport-Lucaya resort scene. The ultimate island-swimming experience involves dolphins at UNEXSO (Underwater Explorers Society). The Lucaya-based operation also offers scuba-diving excursions. A number of other tour operators take you underwater for snorkeling at lovely Peterson Cay National Park or on brilliant offshore reefs, where tropical fish and spiny lobsters hang out. At Paradise Cove resort, west of the port, you can snorkel to Deadman’s Reef from the beach. Nature lovers can head east to the lush and historic Garden of the Groves for a serene tour of nature's finest 100

and lunch at the café. More active sorts can kayak and hike through Lucayan National Park, where ecosystems range from bat caves to remote beaches. Lively activities at Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort include water sports and a waterslide, and a variety of restaurants and bars lay footsteps away. For more seclusion, find soft, white beaches that beg for bare feet and splashing in marbled blue-green waters at Taino Beach just east of Lucaya. The beach is also a short walk from the authentic Bahamian settlement of Smith’s Point. For those seeking local culture, outlying beachfront settlements and funky conch shacks make an intriguing introduction. — Chelle Koster Walton

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See the Shore Excursion Desk for details.

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Ports of call | Freeport

Island Highlights By Sara Churchville

Androsia Batik Cloth One of the artisanal prides of the Bahamas, Androsia is made on the small island of Andros and sold all over Freeport. The fabric is waxed, hand-dyed, cut and sewn at the island factory. The brightly colored fabric is decorated with stenciled shapes of shells, birds, fish and flowers. Conch The sweet meat of this mollusk, similar to clam, is used in various dishes in the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean. Conch chowder may remind you of Manhattan-style clam chowder, but there's nothing else like batter-fried conch fritters. Guava If you like jelly rolls, you’ll love the Bahamas’ signature dessert: guava pulp, flour, butter, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, all topped with a hard sauce of butter, eggs, sugar, vanilla and rum. If you can find guava pulp, you can make this at home.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bright batik fabric; queen conch shell; guava, the start of something sweet; the local brew.

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PHOTOS BY: R. GINO SANTA MARIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; ROBERT FREEMAN

Kalik Beer Locals take this Bahamas-brewed beer as seriously as any other culinary treasure of the islands. The name itself is mimicry of the sound of cowbells, an instrument in junkanoo bands. Though Heineken is a major investor in the firm, the beer — in original, light and higher-proof gold — is most popular on the islands.

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with Dancing Diamonds, Hersheyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kisses and much more! The finest gemstones like Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires and Diamonds. Wide selection of Swiss & Fashion Watches Cigars, Ray-Ban and other fashion sunglasses

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SWIM WITH DOLPHINS At our facility or in the open ocean or participate in our close encounter

SHOP â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIL YOU DROP Largest selection of swimwear, resort wear and souvenirs in Freeport 4063L-R.indd 2

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DIVE INTO THE BLUE With our world renowned dive crew; explore wrecks, reefs and marine life

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GOT IT ALL AT UNEXSO! Freeport, Grand Bahama

Next to Port Lucaya Marketplace find us on See your Shore Excursion Desk for Details

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

Grand Bahama

NATURE TOURS E

xperience the natural beauty, history and culture of Freeport, Bahamas, through a variety of tours and attractions.

A leisurely 12-mile bike ride takes you along the shoreline, through a historic settlement and to a tropical garden for lunch. You will have time for a dip in the ocean at Junkanoo Beach Club and even a shopping stop at Port Lucaya Marketplace. Would you like to experience a pristine mangrove creek by kayak, swim and enjoy a picnic lunch on Gold Rock Beach — one of the Bahamas’ most spectacular beaches — and then follow your guide into the forest to observe native vegetation and birds? The Kayak, Nature and Beach Excursion will be the perfect choice for you. How about an adventurous ATV ride through forested terrain and along the Grand Lucayan Waterway, with breathtaking vistas over the turquoise ocean? This excursion allows you to spend time at Garden of the Groves and at Junkanoo Beach Club as well. Another exciting way to see the island is by driving your own Jeep in a convoy led by an experienced island guide. There will be many interesting stops of historic interest and natural beauty as well as time for lunch, a stroll in a tropical garden and a dip in the ocean. The Garden of the Groves is a lush tropical garden, dedicated in 1973 to Freeport’s founder, Wallace Groves. It is an informal garden with ponds, waterfalls and wildlife. Visit the historic chapel on the hill or walk the only spiritual Labyrinth in the Bahamas. Browse and buy authentic Bahamian souvenirs at the quaint shops. Relax for lunch or sip a cool Bahamian drink on the deck of the Garden Café overlooking the ponds and waterfalls. For a great snorkel experience on a spectacular reef, the Shore Snorkel and Beach Pass is your best choice. This is a guided snorkel excursion and your professional guide will show you the wonders of the sea. After snorkeling, relax in your beach chair or grab a bite at the Red Bar and enjoy the beach. Check with your Shore Excursion Desk for the popular Western Heritage Sightseeing and Snorkel Excursion as well as the Brewery, Perfume Factory and Sightseeing Tour.

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FREEPORT - BAHAMAS

The Junkanoo Beach Club

Jeep, Beach and Garden Excursion

Biking, Beach and Shopping Tour

ATV, Tropical Garden and Beach Adventure

Kayak, Nature and Beach Experience

The Tropical Garden of the Groves

SEE YOUR SHORE EXCURSION DESK FOR DETAILS

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Ports of call | Freeport

SHACKING UP AND CHOWING DOWN By Chelle Koster Walton

A refreshing conch salad 108

BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

More than a dozen open-air, no-need-for-shoes shacks populate Grand Bahama’s sandy shores. Here, local cooks chop up fresh conch, fry up the day’s catch and dispense cold Kalik beer and Bahama Mama rum cocktails like there’s no real world beyond their beaches. You can start your beach shack-hopping just west of Lucayan Harbour, in the settlement of Eight Mile Rock, where a strip of lollipop-colored shacks known as Sunset Village specializes in fried chicken, stewed conch and the catch of the day. Billy Joe’s, an old favorite in Lucaya, specializes in grilled conch. Roasted conch and Gully Wash cocktails star at Tony Macaroni’s on silkysanded Taino Beach. Next door, in Smith’s Point, Outrigger Beach Club is the place to nosh and sip. In William’s Town, check out barefoot places with names like Bikini Bottom and Toad’s on the Bay. If you’re headed to the island’s East End, stop at Bishop’s Beach Club in High Rock for authentic cracked conch, barbecued ribs, broiled lobster, burgers and a superlative get-outta-town beach.

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Big selection of 10kt and 14kt gold earrings, anklets, chains and more

TANZANITE EMERALDS RUBIES SAPPHIRES

All precious gemstones and large selection of silver jewelry

Goldylocks Jewelry

#1 Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport Bahamas * #1 International Bazar, Freeport Bahamas Tel: 242.351.6145 Circle One Mall / 242.373.5920 Port Lucaya CSR * International Guarantee * US Service Centre

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE KIND!

BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Experience an Educational and Interactive encounter thats fun for the whole family!

find us

Next to Port Lucaya Marketplace

See your Shore Excursion Desk for Details Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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PHOTOS BY: TREE OF LIFE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; GRIGORY KUBATYAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; MICHAEL J. THOMPSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; IDESIGN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Freeport

BATS TO BEACHES

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Kayaking through the mangroves; bats in a cave; belted kingfisher; a hummingbird hovers.

By Chelle Koster Walton

Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island contains the entire range of Bahamian ecology, from limestone caves where bats nest to mangrove tidal creeks and beautiful, secluded beaches. Twenty miles east of Freeport, along a lonely road lined with Caribbean yellow pines, the park encompasses 40 acres of land and three hiking trails. On the north side of the road, the trail leads to two caves you can climb down into — doorways to one of the longest mapped underground cave systems in the world. Archaeologists once discovered the remains of ancient Lucaya people in the Burial Mound Cave. Ben’s Cave is where you’ll find the bats, and it closes in June and July for nesting season. But they’re not the only unusual creatures here. A rare species of the crustacean class Remipedia, with no eyes or pigmentation, was discovered and exists only in Ben’s Cave. Across the road, one trail crosses a tidal creek popular 110

with kayakers. Birds are the most gregarious wildlife in this part of the park; look for great blue herons, green herons, hummingbirds, belted kingfishers and the Bahama yellowthroat. Winter is the best season for sightings, because birds are migrating and most plentiful. Mornings and low tide are the best time to catch them actively feeding. The Creek Trail boardwalk snakes through the mangroves to Gold Rock Beach — a good place for a swim and a picnic. The return Mangrove Swamp Trail is older and sometimes wetter, but reveals an entirely different environment of orchids and native shrubs. All in all, Lucayan National Park is the easiest way to access the “bush,” as locals call it, without the assistance of a native guide.

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Ports of call | Freeport

THE JEWELLERY BOX

Port Lucaya, Freeport, Grand Bahamas â&#x20AC;˘ 242.373.8319 112

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JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

Limestone forms the craggy edge of Smith Cove in Grand Cayman.

GRAND CAYMAN Once a sanctuary for plundering pirates and shipwrecked sailors, Grand Cayman is now a haven for nature lovers, scuba divers and pleasure-seeking visitors from around the world. The diving is especially good in the turquoise waters that surround this former British colony. Back on land, visitors busy themselves with shopping, dining or explorations of local history and nature.

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FUNTREKS

Stingray Encounter & Turtle Swim

This tour consists of the island’s two most famous attractions where you snorkel with the stingrays and swim with the turtles.

All Inclusive Tiki Beach — Seven Mile Beach Getaway

An enjoyable and relaxing way in which to spend your day in Grand Cayman with family and friends, on world famous Seven Mile Beach! Children 5 and under are free and special child rates are available.

Dolphin Swim & Stingray City

Experience the fun of swimming with bottlenose dolphins and interacting with stingrays in this combination tour.

JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Coral Gardens & Stingray Sandbar

Snorkel over the Coral Gardens Reef formation. Afterward, stop at the famous stingray sandbar and get up close and personal with the stingrays as you swim around.

Explore Cayman By Land & Sea

Experience the best that Grand Cayman has to offer, both above ground and beneath the sea.

Quick Guide Famed for: Seven Mile Beach, considered by expert sunseekers to be one of the Caribbean’s best and least-crowded stretches of sand. It’s a Fact: The Cayman Islands are home to people of more than 120 nationalities. Signature Souvenirs: Replicas of pirates, blue iguanas and the Caymans’ mascot, Sir Turtle. How to Get to Town: Take the ship’s tender to Royal Watler Pier, a 15-minute ride. Turn right from the pier to explore downtown.

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PORT VIEW

Yes, you can swim with stingrays in the waters of Grand Cayman.

Things We Love About Grand Cayman Grand Cayman is well-known as a hub of international banking and finance, but more visitors are lured here by its extensive natural and man-made attractions. It’s a favorite getaway for many Hollywood celebrities who are drawn by its serene beauty and the variety of things it offers to see and do. The centerpiece of the island is the magnificent Seven Mile Beach, a vast expanse of powdery-white sand. Famed for diving, the island offers more than 200 named sites. Other natural attractions include the Mastic Trail, a restored 200-year-old footpath that meanders through a 2-million-year-old forest and mangrove swamp in the heart of the island; Pedro St. James National Historic Site,

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a restored great house dating from 1780; and the 59-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. You will take a tender into port, where you’ll have plenty of time to explore. At lunchtime, save room for dessert: a slice (or more) of Grand Cayman’s world-famous rum cake. Shopping is especially rewarding in the capital of George Town, home to some of the Caribbean’s best duty-free shopping — at attractive discounts. Great finds include black-coral jewelry, luxury watches, fine perfumes and gracious dinnerware. Seekers of unique souvenirs choose caymanite — a hard stone with striations ranging in color from pale pinkish beige to deep russet — found only in the Caymans. — Jim Thompson

PHOTOS BY: (STINGRAY) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CORAL) CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; (FLAG) GARY YIM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (IGUANA) FRONTPAGE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, (PARROT) ELLIOTTE RUSTY HAROLD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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Island Highlights By Sara Churchville

Black Coral Carvings Divers are thrilled to come across expanses of black coral at sites off Grand Cayman, and jewelry carved from the coral is one of the island’s most popular gift items. Cayman Islands Flag The islands’ flag is a pairing of Britain’s Union Jack with the Cayman Islands’ crest against a dark-blue background. At the top of the crest is a pineapple, representing the islands’ one-time dependence on Jamaica. Under it, a turtle, the national symbol of the Caymans, stands on a thatch rope — the manufacture of which was once a thriving industry on the islands. The Lion of England signifies the obvious ties to Britain, while the three green-and-gold stars on blue-and-white waves represent the three Cayman Islands and the sea.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Like the Grand Cayman parrot, the blue Grand Cayman iguana (Cyclura nubila lewisi) is only found on the island. With its blue coloring, it should be easy to spot, but because it’s endangered and not very social, it may take some searching to locate one. A subspecies of the Cuban rock iguana, the blue iguana can grow to be as long as 5 feet. Grand Cayman Parrot Grand Caymanians once took in these loudly squawking birds as pets, but this practice is now illegal. About 4,000 Grand Cayman parrots, so-called because they are found nowhere else in the world, are still on the island. This green, red and white subspecies of the Cuban parrot is the island’s national bird.

FROM TOP: Black coral growing underwater; Cayman Islands flag; a rare blue iguana, also known as a Grand Cayman iguana; a Grand Cayman parrot.

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Special Advertising Feature

ust a one minute walk from the port lies one of the Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shopping Meccas. The level of glamour, sophistication and service provided in the George Town shopping district are rivaled only by world centers such as London, Paris and New York. One of the main reasons that George Town has developed such a reputation is largely due to the Kirk Freeport network of retail stores. If you are taking advantage of the duty free prices and the absence of sales tax, and treating yourself (or someone else) to something special, you will want to make a stop at one of the Kirk Freeport stores. Kirk Freeport Plaza Ltd. is celebrating over 40 years as Caymanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier retailer of duty free jewelry, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal, china and accessories. In 2003 Kirk Freeport expanded into the Bayshore mall with the largest jewelry store

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in the Caribbean, and has become the center piece of downtown George Town. Kirk Freeport has become a must see for any watch connoisseur, with over 40 watch brands in one location and one of the largest selections of Rolex watches in the world. Some of the premier houses that are represented are: Rolex, Patek Philippe, A.Lange and Sonne, Jaeger-leCoultre, IWC, Breguet, Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Panerai, Chopard, Bvlgari and Chanel. These are complimented by an even broader range of fashion and designer brands. Bayshore Mall Offers everything you need for a wonderful day in port. After browsing the largest selection of luxury goods in the Caribbean, have a healthy bite at La Creperie or take a break from the gorgeous Cayman sun with a delicious ice cream cone from Haagen-Dazs.

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PHOTOS.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

FROM PRIVATEERS TO MASTER FISHERMEN

Seagoing adventurers have long been drawn to the Caymans.

By Marjorie Klein

The wide beaches and cool caves of Grand Cayman echo with the rich history of its early inhabitants: turtles, crocodiles, pirates, sailors, soldiers, settlers and slaves. Beginnings Christopher Columbus first spotted the islands he called “Las Tortugas” on May 10, 1503, when his ship was blown off course from Panama to Hispaniola on his final trip to the New World. The three islands, so populated with tortoises that they looked like rock piles, became a way station for sailors to replenish their freshwater supply and stock up on turtle meat. Perhaps the presence of turtle on the menu resulted in the animals’ decline; by 1586, crocodiles had become so dominant that Sir Francis Drake, the first recorded English visitor, renamed the islands Caiman (the Carib word for “crocodile”), from which their present name Cayman is derived. The Cayman Islands’ population stayed the same — comprising primarily sailors and pirates — until Oliver

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Cromwell’s British army defeated Spain in 1655. The Treaty of Madrid brought both the Caymans and Jamaica under British rule and made Grand Cayman a destination for settlers. Rule, Britannia! The first influx of settlers arrived: immigrants from England, Holland, Spain and France, plus refugees from the Spanish Inquisition and deserters from Cromwell’s army. Privateers, the genteel name for pirates such as Sir Henry Morgan who had their governments’ permission to plunder ships — ostensibly to retrieve wealth stolen from their country — discouraged these early settlers, many of whom hightailed it back home. Blackbeard, as well as other pirates, found the caves, nooks and crannies of Grand Cayman to be the perfect

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Discover the

adventure

Visit the Cayman Islands’ #1 land-based attraction. Meet the turtles, enjoy the wildlife, snorkel in our lagoon and splash down our water slide. It’s a full day of fun and adventure. Opening hours: Mon – Sat 8:00am – 4:30pm | Inquire about Sunday hours Book with your Shore Excursion Desk today! 786 Northwest Point Road, West Bay, Grand Cayman

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

hideout. Some pirates never made it to land, their ships having been lured onto the reefs by the beacon fires of the Caymanians, who strenuously resisted these invaders. By 1700, the first royal land grant in Grand Cayman signaled permanent settlement, followed by others throughout the island. The first recorded inhabitant was Isaac Bodden, grandson of the original settler, a soldier from Cromwell’s army for whom Bodden Town was named. Other districts can be traced back to that period of settlement as well; among them is Hog Stys, once the site of a pigpen the name of which — thankfully — was changed to George Town in the early 18th century in honor of King George III. In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht officially ended privateering (although freelance pirates continued to attack ships regardless), encouraging settlers to set up camp permanently and call Grand Cayman home. Many of these early settlers brought slaves with them to help farm crops such as cotton, which they exported, and corn, yams, plantains, melons, citrus fruit and sugarcane grown for their own consumption. An 1802 census shows 933 people, 545 of whom were slaves. Democracy Is Born Self-rule for the Caymans began on December 5, 1831, when a historic meeting of residents took place to form the first representative government, and elections were held. The Emancipation Act of 1833 brought an end to slavery on an island where slaves outnumbered whites 5 to 1. A Tourist Mecca Tourism and banking became Grand Cayman’s primary economic sources in the 20th century. On February 22, 1937, the Atlantic, the first cruise ship to bring tourists to the island’s shores, deposited 450 wealthy, mostly elderly passengers ashore for the day. During World War II, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard operated bases on the island. When Bob Soto opened the first dive shop in 1957, Grand Cayman became the birthplace of recreational scuba diving. In 1962, the Caymans chose to remain a British Crown Colony, a decision that helped lead to the introduction of major banking legislation in 1966. The face of Grand Cayman has changed dramatically from that first sighting by Columbus; those turtles and caimans that once roamed the island now smile at us from a respectful distance on T-shirts.

Grand Cayman

Timeline

1503

Columbus spots islands he names “Las Tortugas.”

1655

The islands come under British rule.

1700

Permanent settlement begins with the first royal land grant.

1713-14 Piracy officially ends with the Treaty of Utrecht.

1831-33 1962

Caymanians opt to remain a colony of Britain.

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DUDAREV MIKHAIL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

First elections are held; slaves are emancipated.

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While in Grand Cayman, visit the Guy Harvey Gallery & Shoppe Shop from the largest collection of Guy Harvey products under one roof. Complete selection of classic t-shirts, ladies clothing, original artwork, gifts and much more. And possibly meet Guy!

49 Church Street, Grand Cayman tel. 345.943.4891

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

special advertising feature

A Treasure for the Sea Master watchmaker Rolex makes waves with the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Rolesor, available at its Grand Cayman retail partner, Kirk Freeport. The Submariner Date Rolesor is the absolute reference in divers’ watches. The case features a unidirectional rotatable bezel in 18 -karat yellow gold with blue Cerachrom disc. It is waterproof to a depth of 1,000 feet. The movement is equipped with a Parachrom hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields, ensuring superlative chronometric precision and remarkable reliability. For more information on this and other timepieces, visit www.rolex.com.

CARIBBEAN VIEWS

A Tradition of Service

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Rolesor

By Jim Thompson

KIRK FREEPORT

The Kirkconnell family built Kirk Freeport into an island legacy.

Shipwrecked in the Caribbean as a young British naval ensign in 1840, William Kirkconnell set out on an adventure that took him from ruin to riches and forged a bond between his descendants and the Cayman Islands that would endure for generations. The Kirk Shipping empire was begun by Kirkconnell’s son, Walter. Kirk Shipping’s vessels once numbered more than 40 and plied the waters from the Caymans to Haiti, Jamaica and the United States for more than a century. The glory days of Kirk’s tall ships are today immortalized in the image of the Kirkconnell schooner, Kirk B, on the Cayman 25-cent coin. “My grandfather, who started the company in 1896, would have been proud,” says Gerry Kirkconnell, a fourth-generation descendent of William Kirkconnell who now runs the family’s Kirk Freeport group of duty-free shops. As times changed, the Kirkconnells moved from shipping and built on their many other enterprises. Real estate, farming, the Kirk Home Centre, the Kirk Supermarket and even a Coca-Cola distributorship are some of their ventures. Kirk Freeport grew from a small general store, which was founded in the 1800s and later became a supermarket. Jewelr y, perfumes, cr ystal and watches from

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such esteemed brand names as Cartier, Rolex, Lalique, Baccarat and Mikimoto grace the company’s 23 locations in Grand Cayman. “It’s a big operation, but, for us, it’s just a family business,” says Gerry Kirkconnell, who oversees the shops from a modest office in the Kirk Freeport building in central George Town. “Anyway, I’m just Gerry to everyone.” For generations, the Kirkconnells have served the Caymans through government service and countless charitable works. Since 1962, every general election except one has seen at least one member of the family chosen for the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands. “People come here for the beautiful beaches, the clear waters and perfect weather, but the real beauty of the Caymans — and the reason we love it here — is the friendliness and warmth of the people” Kirkconnell says with a smile. “It is a true slice of paradise.”

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CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

FREEDOM’S HOME

The Pedro St. James historic site has cultural artifacts on the grounds and throughout its rooms.

Known as “the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands,” the Pedro St. James National Historic Site has been likened to the United States’ Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Caymanians met here on December 5, 1831, and voted to form their first elected parliament. They gathered at “the Castle” on May 3, 1833, to hear the proclamation ending slavery in the British Empire. The mansion was originally the private home of planter William Eden. The three-story landmark was built from quarried native rock in about 1780. It was the only survivor of a 1785 hurricane, making it the Caymans’ oldest stone structure. The family abandoned it in 1877, and it was put to

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various uses until the Cayman government purchased it in 1991. Restoration work on Pedro St. James took seven years. Guests enter through the Visitors Center, which perches on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and surrounds a landscaped courtyard. The featured attractions include a 20minute multimedia theater presentation of Cayman history and a self-guided tour of the imposing great house.

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

SNORKELING THE CAYMANS

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Swimming with fish in the sea always seems to be reserved for elite divers like Jacques Cousteau and his companions, or for island water babies who learned to swim before they could walk. But the Cayman Islands, long a mecca for divers and marine ecologists, welcomes snorkeling aficionados to swim with sea creatures in a crystal-clear aquamarine sea. Filled with miles of healthy coral reefs, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect home for a dazzling array of sea life. Slipping away from the constraining bonds of land, snorkelers on a soft ecotourism adventure will see the flower-like beauty of the sea anemone, revel in splendid displays of fan-shaped coral and be awed by reefs splashed with such vivid hues of orange, pink, violet, red and blazing yellow that might have been created by Picasso. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Richard Carroll

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

A diver faces a bluespotted stingray.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

One of Grand Cayman’s most popular city visits isn’t to a city at all — at least not in the usual sense of the word. Meet the inhabitants of Stingray City and its neighbor, Stingray Sandbar. People are merely drop-in visitors who dive down to discover what makes this stretch of real estate so attractive to the rays. Fortunately, the area’s southern stingrays seem to relish all the attention. They certainly like being fed the handfuls of squid offered by cruise guests and other visitors. And they know the ropes. As soon as a tour-boat motor stops, a flotilla of rays gracefully glides onto the scene. From the deck of the boat, the saucer-shaped rays, which may reach 132

up to 6 feet across, can be seen approaching. Visitors have the choice of watching them from above the surface or jumping in the waist-high water and swimming beside the fierce-looking but gentle creatures. Before it became a popular tourist attraction, Stingray Sandbar served as a protected area where fishermen cleaned their catch en route to shore. The chance for a free lunch attracted the rays then, just as it does now.

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Shopping in Grand Cayman Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it!

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port Coastal Colours

TAG Heuer Calibre 8 watch

In a class all its own, Coastal Colours offers original local artwork, hand-painted glassware, fragrant soaps and lotions, along with a fine selection of resort wear and quality gift items. Coastal Colours is a lovely must-see store. Located across the street from the cruise terminal, on the left.

The Waterfront Centre | 345-945-7500

Jingle Shells THE CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS STORE

Kabana Eden Collection Butterfly Pendant

Visit Cayman’s year -round Caribbean Christmas store, where you’ll find an outstanding array of handmade tropical ornaments, along with a fabulous selection of souvenirs and wind chimes made from beautiful sea shells. Jingle Shells is Santa’s favorite store!

Royal Watler Cruise Ship Terminal

Sterling & Stone

This small boutique sells duty-free jewelry specializing in Caymanite and sterling silver. Also selling a range of gemstones, charm bracelets and stainless-steel styles. Caymanite jewelry fashioned by local artists. At the corner of Harbour Drive in the heart of Cayman duty-free shopping.

Crown of Light Galaxy Bracelet

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Cayside Courtyard, Shedden Road, George Town 345-925-8955

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PROUD PALM The silver thatch palm is a tall tree with fanlike fronds. To fully appreciate its name, one has to observe this indigenous tree by moonlight, when the undersides of the fronds beam in silvery splendor atop trunks that often grow 30 feet tall.

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Silver thatch palm.

The fronds’ qualities provide an excellent roof thatch — they’re rainproof, unusually tough and resistant to heat absorption. Once the fronds are picked, thatchers must work quickly. If the leaves dry out before you use them, the ends curl and the roof will leak. At one time, the palm was the principal component of the islands’ main industry: rope making. While the men went out to sea to fish, women and children hiked inland to gather the fronds. After hanging the leaves to dry for a few days, they split them into strands and wove them into long cords. Today, this kind of rope is found in local craft shops in the form of attractive woven hats, baskets, fans and mats. — Eleanor Wilson

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Ports of call | Grand Turk

The waters off Grand Turk promise incredible diving.

GRAND TURK

Turks and Caicos is an idyllic archipelago of islands and cays with 230 miles of white, sandy beaches and some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most preferred dive sites. The main island is Grand Turk, where the capital, Cockburn Town, boasts pretty frame houses with gingerbread verandas.

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FUNTREKS

Catamaran Sailaway, Beach & Snorkel

Experience a great combination of sailing aboard one of the most beautiful catamarans in the Caribbean, a white sand beach and extraordinary snorkeling. You'll have a magical experience sailing along the crystal clear, turquoise waters aboard the spacious catamaran.

Horseback Ride & Swim

Spend an afternoon embracing your outdoor spirit on this fun-filled horseback adventure!

All Inclusive Private Beach Break PHOTO BY: (VIEW) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

A special day at the beach – enjoy a white sand beach, turquoise water, an island lunch at Grand Turk’s premier beach location. This all inclusive package includes: Unlimited local beer and rum punch, fruit punch and sodas, a local lunch and a beach lounge chair and umbrella. Plus one hour use of snorkel gear.

A Taste of Grand Turk & Beach Getaway

A Taste of Grand Turk will showcase the quality and diversity of the island's food, culture, and historic past with this fully comprehensive guided tour and taste of this unique island.

Reef & Rays

Snorkel the pristine coral reef off Grand Turk and see stingrays at play on this combination excursion.

Quick Guide Famed for: Pristine beaches, thrilling scuba diving and pretty pink flamingos. It’s a Fact: After orbiting the Earth in 1962, astronaut John Glenn’s Friendship 7 space capsule splashed down off Grand Turk. Signature Souvenirs: Natural sea salt, seashell art and colorful postage stamps.

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Ports of call | Grand Turk

PORT VIEW

Relaxing spots abound in Grand Turk.

Things We Love About Grand Turk It’s not very hard to find your slice of Caribbean paradise in sun-soaked Grand Turk. Snorkeling clear turquoise waters, kayaking gentle surf, riding horseback and watching birds are just some of the activities on this flat island, only 6 miles long and a mile wide. Beyond its shoreline, humpbacks frolic to the delight of whale-watchers, and coral reefs with dramatic 7,000foot wall drops attract bold divers to one of the world’s best diving sites. Located in easternmost Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory, Grand Turk is home to the archipelago’s capital of Cockburn Town. Stroll down Front Street and see limestone buildings emblazoned with vibrant pastel colors highlighting Bermudan-style architecture — a testament to the island’s Bermudan salt rakers’ settlement in the late 17th century. The Turks and Caicos National Museum houses artifacts from the Molasses Reef Wreck dating back to 1513: brine-worn cannons, olive jars and pottery pieces from the earliest European shipwreck excavated in the Americas. 138

The island’s historic past also includes visits from Fountain of Youth explorer Ponce de Leon and, in recent memory, from US astronaut John Glenn, whose Friendship 7 Mercury space capsule splashed down nearby in 1962. Debate still lingers as to whether Christopher Columbus’ first New World landing was actually in the Bahamas or, as the explorer’s writings may suggest, within what’s now Grand Turk’s Columbus Landfall Marine National Park, which includes a protected reef zone. Other excursions include trolley train tours, glass-bottom kayaking, dune buggy adventures, bicycle riding on roadways skirting the island’s many salt ponds and snorkeling with stingrays to get you up close and personal with the sea creatures. If you’re not sure what to do, you can always think about it while looking out at stunning ocean vistas from Governor’s Beach or choose another stretch of pure sand along Grand Turk’s inviting shoreline. — Richard Varr

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BOUTIQUE

E X P E R I E N C E A N E N T I R E B O U T I Q U E D E D I C AT E D TO N AT U R E S ’ R A R E S T G E M S A N D L U X U RY B R A N D S . MARK HENRY BOUTIQUE | CRUISE SHIP PIER, GRAND TURK markhenryjewelry.com

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CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Ports of call | Half Moon Cay

Horseback riding is one of many activities on the island.

HALF MOON CAY Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of fun to be had at this island getaway in the Bahamas. Splash it up at the water park, enjoy a cocktail at the open-air Bahamian bar or shop at the craft market. Want more? Book a shore excursion to explore the island and the surrounding waters.

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FUNTREKS

Half Moon Cay Snorkel by Boat

Put on your snorkeling gear and bring your sense of adventure. Travel by boat to a site off the coast of Half Moon Cay. Get an up-close view into the crystal-clear waters of the sparkling Caribbean. Snorkel from the boat in waters teeming with gloriously colored fish, anemones and coral.

Horseback Riding by Land & Sea

Saddle up for the horseback riding experience of a lifetime! Enjoy a great photo opportunity and panoramic view of Half Moon Cay and the surrounding Bahamian islands. Continue along the bay en route back to the corral where you will enjoy a refreshment while your horse is "dressed" for swimming in specially designed pad and rope halter (no saddle).

Stingray Adventure

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Enjoy an educational encounter with the southern stingrays that make Half Moon Cay their home.

Island Adventure, Sightseeing & Snorkel Tour

Enjoy a relaxing boat ride to several amazing snorkeling spots including Elkhorn Reef. Then jump in to explore the beautiful underwater world.

Aqua Trax Watercraft Adventure

Experience Half Moon Cay from the seat of your own Aqua Trax watercraft.

Quick Guide Famed for: Recreation and relaxation in this private paradise, also known as Little San Salvador Island. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Fact: Half Moon Cay is 17 miles from the nearest island neighbor. Signature Souvenirs: Bahamian arts and crafts sold by local vendors.

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Ports of call | Key West

Key West is the center of the universe for those who fall under its spell.

KEY WEST

Located at the southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West — with its balmy weather and Bohemian atmosphere — is a free spirit that holds a special place in our hearts. How can you not love a place that has a party every day to celebrate the sunset?

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FUNTREKS

Key West Parasailing

This ride combines the thrills of offshore power boating with parachuting, ballooning and gliding. Guests ride in pairs and launch directly from the onboard flight deck, enjoying fantastic views of Key West and its beachfront while soaring hundreds of feet above the Atlantic Ocean.

Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

The 60-foot catamaran Fury takes guests to a coral reef in the waters off Key West, which teem with dolphins and flying fish. Instruction and snorkel equipment are provided, and refreshments are served on the way back to the ship.

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Ultimate Key West Water Adventure

If you love action, this Ultimate Adventure tour delivers you 3.5 hours of excitement. Enjoy parasailing, jet skis, swimming, and water toys for a fun day on the water.

Nature Kayak Tour

Explore the amazing ecosystem of Key West from the seat of a kayak.

Quick Guide Famed for: Sunsets, the green flash (a special glint of light in the water at sunset) and Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts. It’s a Fact: President Harry S. Truman loved Key West so much, he chose the island to build his winter White House there. Signature Souvenirs: Key lime juice, conch shells and sunkentreasure replicas. How to Get to Town: Key West’s historic Old Town, with its many charming shops and attractions, is only a few blocks from the dock. It’s easy to reach on foot, which also happens to be the best way to explore. Old Town is split approximately in half by Duval Street, which leads to Mallory Square. Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Ports of call | Key West

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

Mel Fisher

TREASURES Key West has an incredibly rich maritime heritage, including the most famous shipwreck-treasure find in history. The ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha was the Almirante, or admiral, of Spain’s Tierra Firme fleet. On Sept. 4, 1622, the fleet set sail from Havana, Cuba, heading back to Spain with an unprecedented amount of copper, silver, gold and priceless jewelry. Just days into the voyage, the fleet was struck by a massive hurricane and sank 35 miles off the coast of Key West. The Spanish attempted to salvage the Atocha for 70 years without success. Hundreds of years later, Mel Fisher’s search for the famed Atocha made international headlines as he uncovered the richest treasure find in history. So far the haul is valued at over $500 million, with hundreds of millions in treasure still to be found. Although it takes dedicated professionals to be successful in

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the salvage business, Mel Fisher’s Expeditions welcomes you to discover firsthand the fun, romance and adventure of treasure hunting, with no scuba-diving experience needed. To find and hold an artifact after it’s been on the ocean floor nearly 400 years sends tingles from the tips of your toes to the top of your head; the feeling is indescribable. You are encouraged to experience it for yourself. While in Key West, you can visit 200 Greene St. to learn more about joining the hunt for the Atocha and experiencing the adventure of a lifetime. Hold authentic shipwreck treasure in the palm of your hand and go home with your very own piece of history. As Mel Fisher always believed, today’s the day!

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Ports of call | Key West

PORT VIEW

Key West beckons.

Things We Love About Key West This picturesque enclave offers delights of many kinds, from its pastel-toned homes and shops to its offbeat sunset celebration, where colorful characters enliven the day in Mallory Square. Many visitors devote a good bit of their day to shopping on Duval Street and the network of charming routes that connect with it. Best buys include dazzling local art, tropical home accessories and hand-rolled Dominican cigars. Collectors of the unique are drawn to beautiful treasure-coin jewelry, made from authentic pieces recovered from old shipwrecks near the island. Key West has many historic stops, most notably the landmark home of writer Ernest Hemingway; the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, honoring naturalist John 146

James Audubon; museums devoted to the shipwrecks and lore of the island’s past; and the Truman Annex, site of the winter White House during the presidency of Harry S. Truman. Families can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. One of the most popular mementos is a photograph snapped at the Southernmost Point, which notes Key West’s unique geographic status in the continental United States. For food and refreshment, the Historic Seaport is filled with colorful waterfront restaurants. The island’s signature Key lime pie stars on almost every menu, and souvenir bottles of tart Key lime juice are available for sale almost anywhere.

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Two Friends Patio Restaurant & Bar... a Key West Summer Sensation since 1967 THE BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN KEY WEST: CW Colt, Woody Jenkins, Din Allen, Ericson Holt, Joel Nelson, Rick Fusco, Jonathan Williams, Eric Levy, Alphonse, and Marshall Morlock. PLUS OUR FAMOUS KARAOKE: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:30pm.

2015 Key West People’s Choice Awards nominated for 10 categories: Best Overall Restaurant, Best Bar, Best Customer Service, Best Key Lime Pie, Best Lunch, Best Breakfast, Best Mojito, Best Happy Hour, Best Bartender and Best Live Music Venue. Happy Hour drink & food specials every day from 4-7pm

Happy Hour Mango Mojito

Breakfast

Crab Cake Benedict

Lunch

Mahi-Mahi sandwich

Dinner

Lobster combo

512 Front Street • twofriendspatio.com • 305-296-3124

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Ports of call | Key West

Island Highlights

Famous Writers Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway lived here, and Key West still manages to lure many writers who are charmed by the city’s eccentricity. The written word is celebrated each winter with the Key West Literary Festival. Grand Entrance This is how you know you’ve arrived. Cross the Seven Mile Bridge, linking Marathon in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. Key West is about 40 miles farther on. First built in 1912, the bridge was replaced by the current span in 1982. Saloons Sloppy Joe’s, the infamous Hemingway hangout, is the quintessential saloon in a city where friendly spots for enjoying a cold beer on a warm night, often outdoors, are almost the raison d’être. The saloon names — Hog’s Breath, Green Parrot, Lazy Gecko — still evoke the area’s history of piracy, rum running and general Margaritaville-style lazing.

PHOTOS BY: (PIE) ANJELIKAGR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; FLORIDA KEYS TOURISM BOARD; (BRIDGE) PICTURIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SALOON) DANIEL KORZENIEWSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Key Lime Pie This cool, creamy, sweet and tart mixture of condensed milk, Key lime juice and egg yolks is folded into a graham cracker crust, baked, refrigerated until firm and served with a meringue topping or a dollop of whipped cream. Not to be confused with the green fruit you find in most parts of the country, the Key lime is small, yellow and very tart.

FROM TOP: Key lime pie; the Tennessee Williams House; the historic Seven Mile Bridge; Sloppy Joe’s, a popular gathering place.

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Ports of call | Key West

LOST AND FOUND

Row of cannons in Fort Zachary Taylor.

Many have come to Key West to start lost lives over and find their fortunes.

By John Anderson

This southernmost point on the map was the last stop for many a castaway and dreamer, and few ever looked back. Beginnings Spanish explorers first arrived on Key West in 1521 and dubbed the place Cayo Hueso, or Bone Island, due to the discovery of human bones supposedly found in mangrove clumps. But for centuries after, the area was largely left to its own devices. Eventually, settlers were drawn there for a number of reasons. Among the new residents were Bahamians known as conchs, who harvested the hardwood trees; Cuban fishermen; salty New Englanders; and marauding pirates who had been plundering ships in the Caribbean for years. Ceded to the United States in 1819, Cayo Hueso became anglicized and was soon known simply as Key West. In 1821, US businessman John W. Simonton bought the island for $2,000 and divided it into 150

four parts; he sold three to fellow businessmen John Fleming, John Whitehead and P.C. Greene — you’ll find streets named after them today — and kept one for himself. Simonton next convinced the US Navy that Key West would be an ideal base of operations for the northern Caribbean region. Thus, in 1823, following Lt. Matthew Perry’s assessment that desperados were a bigger problem than malaria and mosquitoes, the Navy sent in Capt. David Porter and his West Indies Anti-Piracy Squadron. However, after dispatching the pirates, the islanders found themselves under Porter’s military dictatorship until a court-martial finally rid the residents of both the pirates and Porter himself. The Richest Town in America In the 1800s, Key West was an industrious place, with fishing and sea turtle canneries as mainstays of the economy for decades. From 1830 until the Civil War, salt

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Ports of call | Key West

production was a huge industry as well; the island supplied much of the country’s salt. But by 1860, it was the fortunes made from shipwrecks on the coral reefs just 7 miles offshore that made Key West the richest US town per capita. People came from all over to bid on the salvaged bounty at the newly established customhouse. Millions of dollars’ worth of wreckage was being adjudicated on the island, supplying the fine furnishings and chandeliers found in local homes and the formal clothes people wore around town. With the building of the reef lighthouses in the late 1800s, the profitable wrecking business began to wane. Fortunately, two other businesses picked up the slack and kept Key West in the money: sponging and cigar production. Hundreds of skiffs patrolled the surrounding waters, harvesting millions of sponges from shallow seabeds; the sale of the sponges accounted for 90 percent of all sponges sold in the United States. At the same time, the cigar industry began to flourish when Cubans came to the island to escape their country’s revolution from Spain. By 1890, 129 cigar factories were in operation in Key West. The 20th Century and Beyond Key West was an isolated island accessible only by boat until Henry Flagler built his Overseas Railway in the early 1900s. Completed in 1912, the massive undertaking included one of the world’s longest bridges, which connected Key West to the mainland. While the rail business Flagler foresaw never materialized, another industry began to flourish in the 1920s with the passing of Prohibition: bootlegging. Newly rich smugglers from Key West supplied beer and rum from Cuba and whiskey from Nassau. This devil-may-care environment attracted the many writers who helped make Key West famous. Ernest Hemingway, Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams and a long list of Pulitzer Prize winners have called the island home at one time or another.

Key West

Timeline

1521

Spanish explorers arrive and name the island Cayo Hueso (Bone Island).

1819

Florida and the Keys are ceded to the United States.

1821

John Simonton buys Key West for $2,000.

1860

Key West becomes known as the wealthiest town in America.

1912

1982

In a humorous protest, Key West “secedes” from the United States and becomes the Conch Republic.

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Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railway is completed.

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THE LEGENDARY® BURGER

AMERICAN CLASSIC EATS WITH A TWIST. UNIQUE MUSIC EXPERIENCES. JAW-DROPPING MEMORABILIA. KEY WEST | 313 DUVAL ST. | +1-305-293-0230 HARDROCK.COM JOIN HARDROCKREWARDS.COM

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Ports of call | Key West

Key West’s

CUBAN CONNECTION

Key West is closer to Cuba than any other US city — both geographically, at less than 100 miles, and culturally.

A New Home Cubans began emigrating to Key West in the early 1830s, establishing a strong presence and bringing with them their culture, their traditions and a thriving cigar industry. They continued through two revolutions: in 1868, when thousands came to work in Key West’s thenflourishing cigar factories, and in 1959, when millions began fleeing political oppression by the Communist dictator Fidel Castro. Cuba’s proximity became a sobering reality during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev narrowly averted what may have been the closest the world has come to nuclear war since World War II. Memories Remain Key West has several tangible reminders of its Cuban past. The San Carlos Institute, on Duval Street, was founded in 1872 to preserve Cuban culture and promote freedom. Revolutionary leader José Martí ignited passion in 1892 with a stirring speech from the institute’s balcony. Still revered today, Martí is honored with a memorial in Bayview Park. A monument to the USS Maine, located at the historic cemetery in the center of Old Town, is another important link with Cuba. The monument is dedicated to the more than 260 men who lost their lives when the battleship, which sailed from Key West, exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, touching off the Spanish-American War. — Jim Thompson CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Salsa and merengue dancers; a Latin bongo drummer; arroz con pollo. 154

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The rhythms of Cuban music in Key West night spots pulsate with a beat born in Africa and influenced by jazz, Big Band, reggae, salsa and hip-hop. Cuban food — fusing Spanish, African, Caribbean and even Chinese cuisine — is also easy to find. Stop for a cup of Cuban coffee or café con leche. Dine on sweet fried plantains, black beans, arroz con pollo or a Cuban sandwich. In Key West, you don’t have to look far for Cuban music, cuisine and culture.

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Ports of call | Key West

A marker notes Key West’s status as the southernmost point in the continental United States.

Conch If You

LOVE KEY WEST

The Florida Keys are home to two distinctly different varieties of conch (pronounced “konk”).

Rebellion and Reunion Residents of the Keys still call themselves citizens of the Conch Republic, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in April 2012. Spurred by a Border Patrol checkpoint on the main road in and out of the Keys, which caused traffic jams and headaches for islanders and residents alike, Keys residents “seceded” from the Union and founded the Conch Republic in 1982. They elected a Cabinet and declared war on the United States — and immediately surrendered and requested $1 billion in foreign aid. The Conchs returned to the Union with no ill will, of course, and those who celebrate the annual Conch Republic Independence Day do so with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks.

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There’s the conch, a mollusk with sweettasting meat similar to that of a clam. It’s batter-fried in fritters, stewed in chowder or steamed and eaten in salad. The queen conch is the largest occupant of the pretty pink-and-white shell and a popular collectors’ item. However, keep in mind that it’s illegal to take queen conch without a license in most US waters. Then there’s the Conch, proud human inhabitants of the Keys archipelago. You could look it up: This definition is even listed in the dictionary.

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103 Fitzpatrick St. | Key West, FL 33040 | Phone & Fax 305.292.3010

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Ports of call | Key West

A band plays during the sunset celebration.

NO EXCUSES

NEEDED Not that it needs one, but Key West has plenty of reasons to celebrate. Sunsets, for one. Late in the afternoon, visitors and locals flock to Mallory Square to be entertained by jugglers, mimes, animal trainers and musicians while applauding the sun as it sinks into the Gulf of Mexico. Around Halloween time, the costume party is raised to high art in Key West’s very own Fantasy Fest, when lavish floats and outrageously dressed (or undressed) revelers parade down the streets until the wee hours of the morning. Most visitors don’t resist the urge to stop at one of Duval Street’s famous bars. Key West was a favorite watering hole of Ernest

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“Papa” Hemingway, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Key West honors its Papa each July with Hemingway Days. Literary tours, theatrical events and a fishing tournament pay tribute to Hemingway, as does the Running of the Bulls, a simulation of the event in Pamplona, Spain, which Hemingway helped make famous. The centerpiece of the week is the Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Fun and games are not limited to dry land. The waters surrounding Key West teem with world-class game fish pursued by anglers in fierce tournaments throughout the year.

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Every Day’s a Party

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MR. TOBIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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Ports of call | Key West

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

Flowers

OF THE SKY Excite your senses and expand your mind at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

The waters off Key West became safer for sea turtles after a ban on fishing them was enacted.

the incredible Monarch migration. Guests also get a rare close-up view of a variety of caterpillars feeding and developing on their host plants. The conser vator y offers a journey through a collection of flowering plants, colorful birds, cascading waterfalls and trees that set the stage for the magnificent “flowers of the sky.” View 50 to 60 varieties of butterflies, over 25 bird species and some 3,500 plants that share the tropical, climate-controlled environment of the greenhouse.

The final point of interest is the specially designed display nursery, offering a unique look at the miracle of metamorphosis. Witness butterflies and moths develop, emerge in their adult form and get released into their idyllic environment. Wings of Imagination, the conservatory's art gallery, offers the works of artist and founder Sam Trophia. The gift shop also offers a wide assortment of butterfly and nature-related items.

OFF THE

Green-turtle soup was once a delicacy found on gourmet menus from Manhattan to New Orleans. From 1849 to the early 1970s, marine turtles also accounted for one of Key West’s primary industries: the fishing of these stately creatures and their processing into steaks and soups. As old-time fishermen tell it, the Caribbean Sea was once filled with abundant herds of sea turtles, enough to keep several competing Key West canneries going strong. But after years of declining populations, many species, including the green turtle, the leatherback, the hawksbill, the loggerhead and the ridley, became protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This, of course, put an end to the cannery business in Key West.

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PHOTOS BY: (TURTLE) BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BUTTERFLIES) KEY WEST BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY.

The 13,000-square-foot pavilion houses a glass-enclosed greenhouse, which is home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies and exotic, colorful birds. The conservatory is a top-rated attraction in Key West, ranking No. 2 on Trip Advisor and winning the People’s Choice Award four times. Visitors can examine the butterfly world with a wall-size map that identifies butterflies by country of origin, provides illustrated information on butterfly anatomy and physiology and offers a detailed look at

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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PHOTOS BY: (TURTLE) BLUEORANGE STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BUTTERFLIES) KEY WEST BUTTERFLY AND NATURE CONSERVATORY.

JAMEY EKINS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Ports of call | La Romana

Swaying palms and water as blue as the sky make La Romana an idyllic destination.

LA ROMANA Pampering spa services, exciting water sports and several challenging golf courses are yours to sample at this stop in the Dominican Republic. Art and history lovers enjoy visiting nearby Altos de Chav贸n, a cultural village where artistic traditions are brought to life.

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FUNTREKS

Bayahibe Beach Break With Lunch and Drinks

Relax on a sun bed, have a drink or work in a gorgeous sun tan on one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.

La Romana Zipline Adventure

Take to the air and zip-line through this beautiful forested area of the Dominican Republic countryside

Altos De Chavon & River Boat Cruise

Go back to a slower-moving era with a walking tour through a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, followed by a scenic cruise along the Chavon River.

JAMEY EKINS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Speedboat to Saona Island

Get ready for a thrilling speed boat ride along the Dominican coast, with a break at the beach.

Dolphin Swim & Sea Lion Show

Are you ready for the adventure? Prepare yourself to hold hands with the dolphin, which take you for a journey that was once every kidÂ´s dream.

Quick Guide Famed for: Golf, beaches and other pleasures. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Fact: The legendary Oscar de la Renta, a native of the Dominican Republic, designed the interiors of the original Casa de Campo resort. Signature Souvenirs: Ceramics, local crafts and handrolled Dominican cigars.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Ports of call | Mahogany Bay

MAHOGANY BAY

Mahogany Bay, on the serene isle of Roatán, is famed for its splendid diving. Some 95 percent of the Caribbean’s known corals are found here. It’s also a delight for those who prefer to stay dry, offering butterfly and iguana reserves and colorful botanical gardens.

Quick Guide Famed for: Housing part of the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, with easily accessible dive sites offering visibility from 50 to 100 feet. It’s a Fact: Local wildlife includes the basilisk, which is often called the Jesus lizard because it can run across water.

A perfect beach awaits in Mahogany Bay.

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PHOTOS BY: TONY MORAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (UNDERWATER) JOHN A. ANDERSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Signature Souvenirs: Carved wooden designs and ceramics hand-painted by Lenca natives.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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FUNTREKS

Maya Key Private Island Snorkeling With Lunch

Escape to your private island for the day. Maya Key is your 11+ acre oasis of fun and relaxation. Your adventure begins with a 10-minute bus ride to meet the ferry, where you'll take a short scenic boat ride across the bay to Maya Key. Enjoy the natural setting of pristine beaches, lush gardens, tropical waters and the Meso-American coral reef. Other experiences include our animal rehabilitation and rescue facility.

Barefoot Catamaran Sail & Snorkel with Lunch

Board your catamaran & sail the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. Enjoy the Caribbean breeze as you sail along Roatán’s National Park protected reef & coastline. After snorkeling, relax on board your catamaran with complimentary beverages of soft drinks, water & rum drinks from our open bar. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of rotisserie chicken, pasta salad, island style rice, cabbage salad and fresh fruit salad.

Best of Roatán Island Tour

PHOTOS BY: TONY MORAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (UNDERWATER) JOHN A. ANDERSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

This is the only tour that delivers Roatán’s Top 10 attractions!

Mayan Princess All Inclusive Resort With Open Bar

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a perfect beach getaway! Mayan Princess is located on a stretch of Roatán’s finest beach where you will treat yourself to a day in paradise.

Canopy Tour & Tabyana Beach

Glide from the ridge of the mountain into beautiful Gumbalimba Park, followed by some beach time.

PORT VIEW Things We Love About Mahogany Bay Home to West Bay — considered by many to be the finest beach in all of Honduras and one of the top shores in the Caribbean — Roatán offers diverse environmental and recreational attractions. Lush forests and spectacular beaches, sensational diving and excellent shopping can all be found here. With more than 130 underwater sites, divers can experience everything from coral reefs to canyons, tunnels and wrecks in a single day. Many of the best dive and snorkeling sites — like the El Águila, a sunken cargo ship more than 200 feet long, where green moray eels mingle with giant gag groupers and blue parrotfish — are just off the dock or within five minutes by boat. For a spectacular aerial view of all the luxuriant colors of the coral reef, head up to Carambola Botanical Gardens in nearby Sandy Bay, where jungle trails through wild orchids and exotic fruit and spice trees are perfect for a day of hiking, bird watching and photography. Never seen an iguana? Stop at Arch's Iguana and Marine Park, where you will see them everywhere. More than 3,000 iguanas live in, on or near this house. It’s best to visit at midday, which is feeding time for the spiny, prehistoric lizards. All shops in Roatán are on Main Street in the West End, so shopping is easy. Look for colorful baskets hand-woven from pine needles or try Lenca pottery, Garifuna art or one of the preColumbian artifacts known in local slang as “yaba ding dings.”

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ALEXANDER DEMYANENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Miami

A colorful lifeguard tower on the sands of Miami Beach.

MIAMI

History, culture and entertainment converge with unsurpassed synergy in Miami, a city that has remade itself time and again. It began as an Old South outpost and in latter days has been a magnet for fashion models and business moguls. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a hot spot for beautiful people, but you neednâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be wealthy or famous to find a warm welcome here. 166

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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FUNTREKS

Everglades Tour with Airport Transfer (MIA & FLL)

ALEXANDER DEMYANENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

For guests leaving from Miami International Airport, a tour of the Everglades is a memorable final look at South Florida. The adventure includes an airboat ride across the water, with likely sightings of alligators, exotic fish and tropical birds.

South Beach Experience with Airport Transfer (MIA & FLL) Guests waiting to fly home via Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport can spend their time exploring world-famous South Beach, including the historic Art Deco District. After a guided bus tour, participants can explore the area on foot, shopping at the designer boutiques along Collins Avenue or relishing lunch and a cocktail at one of the many outdoor cafés on beachfront Ocean Drive.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Miami City Tour with Airport Transfer (MIA & FLL) Enjoy sightseeing, shopping, beaches, restaurants and bars as this fully narrated tour allows you to hop-on or hop-off at over 33 locations throughout the city of Miami.

Quick Guide Famed for: Neighborhoods such as Little Havana, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. It’s a Fact: Many hit TV shows have been filmed or set here, from The Jackie Gleason Show and Flipper in the 1960s to Miami Vice in the 1980s and, more recently, Dexter and CSI: Miami. Signature Souvenirs: Postcards from an Art Deco hotel, a pink plastic flamingo or a jersey from the Miami HEAT. How to Get to Town: It takes about 10 minutes to drive to downtown Miami and a few more minutes to get across Biscayne Bay to Miami Beach. The best mode is by taxi; you’ll find cabs readily available at the port.

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PAM BLIZZARD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Nassau

A lighthouse overlooks the entrance to Nassau Harbor.

NASSAU The focal point of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, has always been the harbor, which has lured gangs of buccaneers, bootleggers and various other wily adventurers over the years. Beyond the harbor are many more delights: brightly painted buildings, intriguing history and alluring shopping, for starters.

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FUNTREKS

Private Island Beach Day

This all inclusive five star resort is located in the northeast of the island surrounded by white sand beaches where they offer a wide range of services.

Atlantis Aquaventure Full Day with Lunch

Carnival guests may explore the Caribbean’s largest water-themed attraction. The 141-acre waterscape of pools, water coasters, body slides and rivers holds over 20 million gallons of freshwater and seawater and is home to more than 50,000 sea creatures. Shopping and casino gaming are also available, and the tour includes lunch.

Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

PAM BLIZZARD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

A sleek catamaran takes guests to lush coral gardens filled with colorful tropical fish. Upon arrival at the snorkel spot, participants get an orientation and may then explore the reef, with time to lounge on the deck and take in the serene view. The return trip includes complimentary lemonade.

Private Island Dolphin Swim & Beach Day

An incredible dolphin experience you will cherish for a lifetime! A unique opportunity to free-swim with dolphins on a beautiful private island.

Sea & See Tour

This excursion combines the Seaworld Explorer tour with a one-hour island tour of Nassau.

Quick Guide Famed for: Pink-hued buildings, Junkanoo revelers and pirate lore. It’s a Fact: American rebels briefly occupied the British port after the two-day Battle of Nassau in 1776. Signature Souvenirs: Local crafts from the Straw Market. How to Get to Town: It takes almost no time to reach the center of Nassau and its many shops and attractions — it’s all just a short walk from the pier.

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CARLOS ARGUELLES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Nassau

PORT VIEW

Colorful homes line Nassau’s waterfront.

Things We Love About Nassau Slip on your walking shoes if you plan to get to know the spirit and culture of the Bahamas in one day. If you’d rather save your feet, or want to add an element of romance to your visit, hire a horse-drawn surrey ride from the dock. Near the dock, you’ll pass all of Nassau’s most important and impressive government buildings, churches and monuments. Some of downtown’s historic buildings house specialty museums, such as the thought-provoking Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation at the old slave marketplace, and The Balcony House Museum,

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believed to be the Bahamas’ oldest wooden structure. Families will want to stop at the interactive Pirates of Nassau Museum. Downtown’s Bay Street shopping area offers everything from duty-free jewelry and perfume, to the vibrant work of local artists. For the wares at the Straw Market, you’ll need cash if you want to bargain. Among the islanders’ favorite local secrets found on West Bay Street is Arawak Cay, a collection of casual and colorful eateries and shops where fresh conch salad prepared ceviche-style is the specialty and made to order before your very eyes. — Chelle Koster Walton

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Ports of call | Nassau

Shopping in

Nassau

Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it!

MARCHING FLAMINGOS

Korite Column set

You can see them yourself every day at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre, a cool retreat amid the bustle of Nassau. Audiences wait in eager expectation of the arrival of the more than a dozen flamingos trained to spread their wings and march on command, responding to the voice of their trainer. All spectators are invited to enter the show arena after the performance for a close-up encounter with the amazing pink birds. Animal lovers can also see a meerkat family as well as parrots, iguanas, lemurs, monkeys, sloths and even kinkajous. — Deborah Williams

PHOTO BY: ILYA AKINSHIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Almost everyone has seen marching horses and marching elephants. But marching flamingos?

Bulova Precisionist Chronograph

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port. Safi Kilima Tanzanite oval ring

The Bearded Clam

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A hidden gem close to cruise terminal, The Bearded Clam serves great Bahamian and American cuisine, including conch fritters, conch salad, whole snapper and lobster sliders. Enjoy your favorite sporting event and good soca music while enjoying our famous rum punch, mojitos and cold local beers. Check out our Happy Hours and daily specials.

Greek Islands Bar and Restaurant This is the spot for incredible local island cuisine, Greek favorites, live music and delicious drinks. Located directly across from Diamonds International.

Located in the International Arcade

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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experience like nowhere else.

Atlantis holds a lifetime of spectacular memories. Only at Dolphin Cay can you get up close to playful dolphins and interact with friendly sea lions. Enjoy a thrilling opportunity to Snorkel the Ruins of Atlantis, or glide alongside over 100 sleek stingrays in our Stingray Experience. Don’t miss the Discover Atlantis Tour, an exciting journey through iconic a ractions and amazing ocean life. At Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest and most amazing water parks, every day is filled with non-stop fun, thrills and adventure. Atlantis. There’s no such thing as too much amazing.

AQUAVENTURE DOLPHIN CAY MARINE HABITATS

To book one of these once-in-a-lifetime excursions, visit your Shore Excursions Desk.

Shallow Water Interaction Free for kids 3 and under; if accompanied by a paying adult. Proof of age required.

“Splashers” Kids Pool

“The Current” River Ride

Mayan Temple “Leap of Faith”

Deep Water Swim For ages 6 and up.

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PARADISE ISLAND STRAW MARKET

FORT CHARLOTTE STRAW MARKET FORT CHARLOTTE PLEASE VISIT ONE OF OUR LOCATIONS:

Downtown Straw Market - Woodes Rogers Wharf/Bay Street Paradise Island Straw Market - Paradise Island Fort Fincastle Straw Market - Fort Fincastle Fort Charlotte Straw Market - Fort Charlotte Pompey Straw Market - Cable Beach

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R. GINO SANTA MARIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios beckons visitors to its verdant shore.

OCHO RIOS Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural beauty is evident at every turn in the road. In Ocho Rios, rivers rush down mountains covered in thick foliage, the sea laps golden shores and tropical flowers accent every view.

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FUNTREKS

Tranopy Adventure

The Sky Explorer chairlift, the Jamaica Bobsled ride and a zip-line adventure are combined in this triple-threat outing to Mystic Mountain. The chairlift takes riders up 700 feet to the top of the mountain, where they get in the bobsled and plunge down 3,280 feet of twisting track. Back at the top, they get a safety orientation and fly through the jungle canopy on a series of cables and pulleys.

Horseback Ride & Swim with Dunn’s River Falls

Guests saddle up for a ride along the coastline overlooking the ocean. At Chukka Beach, they unsaddle for a bareback horse ride along the Caribbean Sea. After visiting the gift shop, they climb up 600-foot-high Dunn’s River Falls.

Canopy Adventure & Dunn’s River Falls with Lunch R. GINO SANTA MARIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

A series of high platforms and rope pulleys takes guests across the jungle canopy of Cranbrook Flower Forest. Participants swing along traverses from 105 to 600 feet long, with views of the valley and mountains carved from ancient waters. Participants then enjoy a Jamaican lunch and climb 600-foot Dunn’s River Falls.

Dolphin Swim & Dunn’s River Falls

After climbing the 600-foot-high Dunn’s River Falls, guests travel to Dolphin Cove for a brief presentation and swimming session with the marine mammals. The tour includes time for shopping.

Bamboo Beach Club VIP Package

Quick Guide Famed for: Soulful reggae music, gorgeous beaches and breathtaking waterfalls like the one at Dunn’s River. It’s a Fact: Ian Fleming named his James Bond 007 character while living in Jamaica.

Enjoy all the services and amenities offered at Bamboo Beach Club but receive extra special VIP treatment Jamaican style! As a VIP guest, you will be taken to a gorgeous section of the beach, which has been sectioned off for your exclusive use. You'll have unlimited access to the regular Bamboo Beach Club, but you can also relax and enjoy the tranquility of this beautiful area.

Signature Souvenirs: Red Stripe beer, Rastafarian knit caps and all things Bob Marley. How to Get to Town: Your ship docks just a few steps from the heart of Ocho Rios’ shopping and dining area. Taxis are readily available at the pier.

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FOODIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

PORT VIEW

Traditional jerk cuisine

Things We Love About Ocho Rios Ocho Rios may not have the eight rivers its name implies, but you wouldn’t know that standing in the powerful cascade of Dunn’s River Falls. The island’s most recognized site offers one of the Caribbean’s most unusual experiences: climbing through 600 feet of rushing mountain water, holding hands in daisy-chain formation with other adventurers. The climb ends in one of the island’s busiest craft markets, where vendors sell wood carvings and straw goods, but most travelers prefer to

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head to the numerous duty-free malls for more relaxed shopping. Popular purchases at Soni’s Plaza, Harbor Shops, Taj Mahal and Island Village are fine jewelry, watches, Jamaican rum and cigars. Spices are highly sought to bring home a taste of the island’s signature jerk cuisine. Ocho’s elegant side is revealed in such attractions as Firefly, the serene estate where famed British playwright Noël Coward often came to find ‘‘room to write.’’ — John Bigley and Paris Permenter

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Island Highlights

By Sara Churchville Paper Heroes Jamaica’s currency bears the portraits of several men revered as national heroes. On the $100 bill is Sir Donald Sangster, for whom Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is named. Activist leaders Sam Sharpe and George William Gordon are on the $50 and $10 bills, respectively. On the $20 bill is Noel N. Nethersole, the revered former finance minister whose work on Jamaica monetary policy earned him the title “father of the Central Bank.”

Swallowtail Butterfly The world’s largest swallowtail butterfly, the Papilio homerus, is found only in Jamaica, where it’s called a bat — as are all butterflies and moths. The black-andyellow butterfly has a wingspan of 6 inches, making it the largest butterfly in the Americas. It’s also larger than the 3-inch-winged Jamaican fruit bat, a “rat-bat” as the nocturnal creatures are called. The endangered P. homerus is commemorated on Jamaica’s $1,000 note.

Jamaican Tody This red-throated, upwardly staring Jamaican bird is said to have gotten its color from a drop of blood from the Crucifixion. Unlike other birds, it makes its nest underground. It appears topside often enough, however, and is a common sight for birders.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jamaica’s $20 note bearing the likeness of Noel N. Nethersole; a swallowtail butterfly; lush tropical ferns are long-lived; the tiny Jamaican tody.

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PHOTOS BY: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; KAREN GIVENS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

Tropical Ferns Ferns aren’t exactly rare in tropical climates, but Ocho Rios, with its nearby rain forest, has more than the norm. In fact, a deep ravine with some 500 species of ferns is located from the Ocho Rios beaches to about 4 miles inland up the mountains. The area is called, with unceremonious accuracy, Fern Gully.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMONDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BRILLIANCE.

Shoppes at Rose Hall, Montego Bay | Island Village Plaza, Ocho Rios Historic Port of Falmouth, Falmouth 876.953.4600 | jewelsandtime.com

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G H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M

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ANTONIO ABRIGNANI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

THE VIBE KEEPS HOLDING STEADY

Artist’s depiction of St. Ann’s Bay

By Marjorie Klein

Ocho Rios has attracted visitors since Christopher Columbus made landfall in 1494. The area has evolved through rollercoaster times: England’s triumph over the Spanish, the huge influence of wealthy plantation owners, the subsequent slave revolution, international industrialization and the tourism of today. Beginnings The advanced culture of the original settlers in Jamaica, the pre-Columbian Taíno people, is reflected in what remains of their Arawak language — still spoken today — in the ruins of ceremonial ballparks and in their complex religion, which is based on cosmology. Incredibly, the Taíno managed to survive for centuries. Columbus first anchored in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, in 1494. A few years later, on another voyage, problems with his ships caused him to be stranded in Maima, the first and largest Taíno settlement, located just a few miles west of Ocho Rios, and renamed Sevilla la Nueva. He remained there for a year, abandoning two ships that archaeologists are still seeking. Sevilla was later the site of the island’s first sugar mill, which fueled an industry that became central to Jamaica’s economic growth. The Taíno were expected to acknowledge the king of Spain, 184

pay a gold tribute, provide work and convert to Christianity. The demands went unmet, and between the retribution they suffered and the diseases they contracted from their conquerors, the Taíno disappeared from Jamaica only 80 years later. Soon the Spanish would be displaced as well. England Brings Prosperity and Slavery The British wrested control of Jamaica from the Spanish in 1658, although skirmishes continued sporadically. They ended 150 years of Spanish rule with a decisive victory at Rio Nuevo, a small river that also lends its name to a village outside Ocho Rios. Today a monument honoring the Jamaican people who fought alongside the Spanish marks the battlefield site. Sugar plantations spread across Jamaica, bringing great wealth to their owners, whose costs were cut by the free labor of slaves they brought from Africa. Runaway slaves called Maroons are said to have hidden in the Green Grotto caves near Ocho Rios, as well as in the mountainous interior. With Jamaica as the largest producer of sugar in the world, plantations formed the basis of the country’s economy until the emancipation of slaves in 1834. Then agriculture became more diversified and fishing became a major industry.

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

From Sleepy Village to Industrial Magnet Away from the bustling fishing piers, in the hills just north of Ocho Rios, one Sir Alfred d’Costa suspected that the strange red dirt on his ranch was responsible for the distressing condition of his cattle. Analysis revealed a high content of bauxite, a principal source of aluminum, which quickly attracted the attention of Reynolds Aluminum and accelerated the good fortune of Ocho Rios in the 1940s. Fishing piers evolved into deepwater shipping piers fed by conveyor belts that reached 6 miles to the mines. In 1984, Reynolds Jamaica Mines decided to leave the island altogether and pulled out of both the port and the mines. Today the Reynolds pier is used mainly as a cruise-ship port — an indication of Jamaica’s next economic phase. Tourism Thrives After gaining independence from Britain in 1962, Jamaica focused on celebrating its multiple virtues as a draw for vacationers, and the tourism industry boomed. In Ocho Rios, grand hotels and excellent restaurants sprouted along its beaches. Historic sites, with their explosive tropical beauty, became destinations unto themselves: Dunn’s River Falls; Shaw Park; Noël Coward’s home, Firefly; and, in Nine Mile, the Bob Marley Mausoleum honoring Jamaica’s father of reggae.

Jamaica’s beautiful countryside has inspired a thriving tourism industry.

Ocho Rios

Timeline

1494

Columbus anchors in St. Ann’s Bay.

1655

The British conquer Spanish occupants; Ocho Rios is named.

1940

Bauxite is discovered; Reynolds Aluminum begins mining operations.

1952

The first shipment of Jamaican bauxite leaves the port of Ocho Rios.

1962 Today Beautiful beaches are among the biggest draws in Ocho Rios.

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JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

Jamaica gains independence from Britain.

Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Executive Dual Time Self-winding. Patented time zone quick setting. Black ceramic bezel and 18 ct rose gold case. Water-resistant to 100 m. Rubber band. W W W . U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

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Taj Mahal Plaza • Ocho Rios • 974-2769 Port of Falmouth • Falmouth • 620-4141 Shoppes at Rose Hall • Montego Bay • 953-4611 colors@cwjamaica.com

10/3/14 10:58 AM

JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

BUILDING ON THE PAST

By Linda Marx

Ocho Rios has grown into a thriving resort town with a mix of eye-popping architecture — from gingerbread to Georgian, from plantation-style to mega-modern.

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With its popularity as a destination for the rich and famous, it is not unusual to see wellpreserved colonial buildings located next to glistening high-rises. The island boasts an abundance of 1880s plantation homes that are still in use long after their construction. The White River Valley, located high in the hills, has an especially vast array of classic homes. Here a visitor is transported into a world of Jamaica’s intriguing past, viewing the many styles of Georgian architecture that seem to tell the story of Ocho Rios itself. Another fascinating find is the Village of Flowers, where the beautifully colored buildings look like they could be framed inside a watercolor painting. Other parts of the property feature the ruins of an old plantation home and smaller houses re-created in their original design.

Harmony Hall, a mid1800s Methodist manse east of Ocho Rios, has been showcasing the finest Jamaican arts and crafts since 1981.

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

FLOWERS, FERNS AND WATERFALLS By Ginger Dingus

When Christopher Columbus first arrived in Jamaica, he called it the fairest isle of all. Landing in what is now St. Ann’s Parish, Columbus saw a lush, verdant landscape that would earn the nickname ‘‘the garden parish.’’ Today, some 500 years later, St. Ann’s natural beauty is in full bloom. Visitors can see, sniff, touch and photograph gorgeous flowers, ferns and waterfalls at tropical gardens tucked away in the countryside a short ride from the cruise pier. Coyaba Gardens A sparkling stream runs through this tranquil oasis set midway up the amazingly green hills behind town. The name coyaba says it all. It comes from the Arawak word for “paradise.” Pathways wind past pink ginger plants, lipstick-red heliconia, giant cedars and banyan trees. The waters of Mahoe Falls splash down rocky cliffs into a tempting plunge pool. In British colonial days, these grounds were part of a plantation. The few remaining buildings house a gift shop and small museum displaying artifacts from Jamaica’s pre-Columbian inhabitants, the Taíno.

Cranbrook Flower Forest The 130-acre haven welcomes visitors to discover its tropical flower forest, wander through a rain forest, wade in the Little River or simply enjoy the birds. Hundreds of orchids flourish in the greenhouse, and there’s a restored sugar mill to explore. FROM TOP: Shaw Park Gardens; Mahoe Falls at Coyaba Gardens. 190

PHOTOS BY: FOTOSEARCH.COM; COYABA GARDENS

Shaw Park Gardens This botanical garden, named after sugar plantation owner John Shaw, is considered one of Jamaica’s finest. The property was transformed into an exclusive resort in the mid-1900s, when Flora McKenzie Pringle Stuart applied her green thumb to the landscape. Her magic touch lives on in hundreds of flowering plants nurtured by a picturesque waterfall.

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EXPLORE A TROPICAL PARADISE

Sterling silver charms from $25

Duty-Free Jewelers

Taj Mahal Plaza & Harbour Shops Ocho Rios, Jamaica 876.795.2921 â&#x20AC;˘ houseofdiamonds@cwjamaica.com

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

GOING WITH THE FLOW IN OCHO Legend has it that Martha Brae, an Arawak girl, once used magic to divert the flow of a river to drown her Spanish captors. Some of that magic still remains on the river that bears her name.

Rafters set a leisurely pace on the Martha Brae River. 192

DIGITAL VISION PHOTOS

The Martha Brae River winds through a pristine forest full of bamboo, exotic fruits and many species of tropical birds. The best way to see all this is from the river itself. Travelers ride 30-foot bamboo rafts along the river’s gentle waters. Once used by plantation workers to haul bananas down the Rio Grande on the east coast, the rafts became tourist attractions back in the 1940s, when Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn used them to entertain his friends. Today, they come with cushioned seats for one or two passengers, and the guides, who navigate with long poles as they stand on deck, talk a bit about their homeland or even stop to grab a fruit or flower from the riverbank. This is not a whitewater experience; the stable rafts and tame currents won’t even get a traveler’s feet wet. Lasting an hour or more, the tours are a relaxing, up-close look at Jamaica’s Eden-like beauty.

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Light up

THE NIGHT.

Sterling silver charms from $25

Experience at: Ocho Rios: Island Village Shopping Centre Jamaica

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DUNN’S RIVER FALLS By Marty Leshner

Jamaica’s most celebrated site, without question, is Dunn’s River Falls — a location that’s been featured in numerous magazine advertisements and television commercials promoting this Caribbean hot spot. These often-photographed falls cascade down a rocky mountainside on the right, rush under the road and join the sea at the white-sand beach on the left — not only a sight to see but to tackle, as well. For those not afraid to get their feet wet, climbing 600 feet to the top of the cascades is a real high. But this get-wet experience (there’s no escaping the water) calls for old sneakers or scuba boots with reliable soles. Join a conga line of hand-holding tourists and pick your way gingerly up the slippery rocks and boulders. Guides will hold your cameras, take your picture under the falls and point out placid pools among the lively rapids. Traditionally, climbers top off their trip with a cold Red Stripe beer, one of Jamaica’s most famous exports.

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PHOTOS BY: (LEFT) NEWPHOTOSERVICE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) COL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls

The Name Game A common belief is that Ocho Rios takes its name from the Spanish words for ‘‘eight rivers,’’ which is the literal translation. That interpretation is faulty, for the town doesn’t have eight rivers. The name instead may have been a corruption of las chorreras — Spanish for ‘‘rapids,’’ as in the rushing waters of Dunn’s River Falls. Jamaica itself has had many names, as the English struggled to spell the word the way they heard it. According to VisitJamaica.com, in its early years, the nation was called Gemecoe, Gemegoe, Jamico, Jammaca, Xaymaca, even Mamecah. The younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Bartholomé, was the first to put Jamaica on a map — although he spelled it “Jamaicha.”

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PHOTOS BY: (LEFT) NEWPHOTOSERVICE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) COL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

A STATELY VIEW Compared to the massive Rose Hall and Greenwood great houses, the manor at Prospect Plantation is an unassuming structure. Though hardly small, it comprises just a few compact rooms in two stories, unlike the sprawling mansions of those better-known landmarks. Rising gracefully from the broad, manicured lawn leading from the road, it first seems less like a historic estate and more like the upscale vacation home of a modern family. Inside, however, the house’s history comes alive in rich wood wall accents and antiques that fill the smallish rooms. From the columned veranda on the rear of the house is a sumptuous view of colorful gardens leading down stone steps, with the Caribbean Sea seeming close enough to touch.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The great house’s veranda offers a majestic view of the Caribbean; the front entrance, set on a sweeping lawn; the home’s gardens; a flower-adorned stairway. 196

PHOTOS BY: KATE MCCLARE

Fertile History The great house was built in the early 1800s, but the plantation itself dates from 1721. After three ownership changes, it was purchased in 1936 by Sir Harold Mitchell of Scotland, an Oxford-educated scholar and former vice chairman of Britain’s Conservative Party. Mitchell later founded Prospect College, an all-boys school that still operates on the plantation grounds. The plantation is now owned by a sightseeing company, which offers tours by open-air jitney, horses and, surprisingly, camels. Views include White River Gorge and the spot where Christopher Columbus was shipwrecked for more than a year during one of his visits to the New World. The plantation is lush with plants, trees and agricultural crops that include bananas, cassava, sugarcane, coffee and allspice. Famous visitors, including Sir Winston Churchill, Henry Kissinger, Charlie Chaplin, Pierre Trudeau, Noël Coward and Drew Barrymore, planted many of the trees. — Kate McClare

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*If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required. *If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required.

A V A I L A B L E AT

ISLAND VILLAGE | OCHO RIOS JAMAICA

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Firefly affords a sumptuous view of the Blue Mountains.

AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART

Like an eagle’s nest overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Noël Coward’s beloved home, Firefly, is perched on a 1,000-foot hill some 20 miles east of Ocho Rios. From this vantage point, visitors can see the Blue Mountains to the south and the north-coast headlands surrounding Port María — an absolutely awe-inspiring vista. It was here that the famous British man-about-town, author, playwright, actor and composer found peace, happiness and “the time to write.” It was at this charming Jamaican dwelling that Coward wrote his only novel, Pomp and Circumstance. Firefly Hill also served as the site of countless parties and social gatherings, with Coward entertaining the likes of Sir Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II and celebrities including John Gielgud,

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Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, David Niven, Joan Sutherland and Errol Flynn. Coward even personally cooked for the Queen Mother at his Caribbean home. The house, which is open to the public, is much as Coward left it. Tour guides take visitors through the interior while painting such a vivid picture of his life that it is easy to imagine the owner will appear at any moment. Coward died suddenly in his big, mahogany fourposter bed on March 26, 1973, at the age of 74. His grave, marked by an engraved marble headstone, is on the property. Coward’s friends thought it only fitting that he should be buried here.

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Shopping in

Ocho Rios Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it!

Le Vian Chocolatier Sea Blue Aquamarine Earrings

Korite Solara Pendant

JAMAICAN JERK A highlight of any visit to Jamaica is a taste of jerk meat, prepared in a unique cooking style. This island nation has a particular way of barbecuing seasoned meats over a wood fire for a one-of-a-kind flavor. Jerk seasoning is a fiery mix of as many as 20 spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento (allspice) and scallions. Bite-size pieces of chicken, pork and beef are marinated, or “jerked,” and then thrown over slats of green pimento wood stretched across a pit in the ground or, sometimes, a garbage can or anything else that will do. The result is a spicy, savory meal that must be washed down with an ice-cold Red Stripe beer. If you want some of the best Jamaican jerk, try one of the ubiquitous roadside stands. Or buy a jar or two of prepared jerk marinade to enjoy at home — the price is right. — Lynn Seldon

PHOTOS BY: THEODOROS STAMATIADIS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; BONCHAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Mark Henry Alexandrite & Diamond Pave Band

Philip Stein Signature Chronograph

FROM TOP: Jerk chicken plate; a feast for roadside gourmets. 200

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Curry:

THE SPICE OF ISLAND LIFE By Jen Karetnick

KRZYSZTOF SLUSARCZYK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

In Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth, Jamaica native Clara, who lives in London, notes to her husband, “You said the Iqbals are comin’ to dinner. I was just thinkin’ … if they’re going to want me to cook dem some curry — I mean, I can cook curry — but it’s my type of curry.”

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Spices and herbs.

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L.F/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Clara is worried that the Iqbals, who are Bangladeshi, will find her Caribbean curry unfamiliar, a different species entirely from Southeast Asian curry. Curry is an ambiguous label for a fish or meat course stewed with a mixture of pungent spices. The Caribbean and Southeast Asian varieties are not in fact dissimilar, though each has a unique flavor. Christopher Columbus is almost directly responsible for the parallel: A little more than 500 years ago, when he stumbled on the islands of the West Indies as he looked for new trade routes to India, he discovered chili peppers, one of the prime components of curry. Columbus brought the native Caribbean chilies — which are referred to as Scotch bonnet, Congo, habanero or bird peppers, depending on the island culture or language — to India and China, which incorporated them into their cuisine. Ironically, about 200 years later, when Indian and Chinese immigrants settled on many Caribbean islands, they brought chili peppers with them. That’s when they introduced the islanders to curry, which in addition to chili peppers, occasionally contains ginger, a root that has taken so well to the Jamaican climate it might as well be an indigenous crop; you can find ginger in the marketplaces in its natural root form, crystallized or as a powder. The Indian method of preparing curry became common, so much so that in Jamaica, curry goat is practically a national dish. In the end, the only real difference between Jamaican and Indian curry is the inclusion of allspice, also known as pimento, a dried berry native to Jamaica that tastes like a combination of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Likewise, Scotch bonnet chilies and allspice berries are the main ingredients of Jamaica’s rightfully famous jerk seasoning, which is a combination of up to 20 different spices.

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colors@cwjamaica.com

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING FE AT U R E

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port

Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee has a strong heritage, dating back to the early 18th century. Today, JABLUM® Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee maintains its rank as one of the world’s most sought-after coffees. Vibrant, bright, smooth as silk — often described as the “best coffee in the world” — Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee is in great demand from coffee connoisseurs globally.

Café Express

We carry authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, soup, salads and sandwiches. Local pastries are available on the patio or inside, where dining is fully air-conditioned. Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

Kriso’s Wine Bar

Tajmahal’s most prestigious fully airconditioned bar and lounge is tucked away for your privacy and comfort. At Kriso’s we stock some excellent wine selections that will pop your taste buds. “Sophistication and style” describes Kriso’s Bar and Lounge. Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

Reggae Ally

We serve our famous in-house Reggae Ally Jerk Sauce with fresh lobster, chicken and pork. Try our Jamaican breakfast, ackee and saltfish, and our local rum cocktails. Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

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POIS MOI COLLECTION

Island Village Shopping Centre, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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ACROSS FROM THE CRUISE SHIP PIER

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THE EXCLUSIVE HOME OF

JAMAICA

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

MAGIC BEANS

Why is Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee the world’s most expensive and sought after? Biology and economy.

PHOTOS BY: TOMAS HAJEK/DREAMSTIME.COM; (COFFEE BEANS) ANDRII GORULKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Of the island’s 23,000 acres of coffee trees, only 10,000 produce Blue Mountain coffee, which legally must be planted above 2,000 feet. At this elevation, the daytime-nighttime extremes provide the perfect climate for a slow-ripening process that produces a unique bean, blue-green in color, with little resistance to pests and disease. Its frailty means small yields. Blue Mountain coffee cherries, furthermore, are hand-picked to ensure optimal ripeness. The other factor is supply and demand. Blue Mountain farmers can’t seem to grow enough coffee, so they can theoretically set their prices as high as they wish. Stateside, the beans go for $50 a pound; in Jamaica, you can buy them for about $15 a pound.

Coffee plants thrive at high elevations. 212

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

PICK A PEPPER

The Scotch bonnet pepper has a special kind of heat.

JOOP HOEK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Chili peppers are a trademark ingredient in Caribbean cuisine, dating to the time of the Arawak Amerindians. The most famous pepper of the islands, the Scotch bonnet, has 50 times the firepower of the (relatively) wimpy jalapeño. It goes by the name “bonney” in Jamaica, “habanero” in the Spanish islands and “goat pepper” or rocotillo in the Bahamas.

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PROGRESS: POWERED BY A STROKE OF GENIUS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER. NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Kinetic GMT

*If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required.

A V A I L A B L E AT

ISLAND VILLAGE | OCHO RIOS JAMAICA

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Ports of call | Port Canaveral

PORT CANAVERAL

The deep-water harbor of Port Canaveral leads visitors to the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral. Miles of sandy shoreline stretch along the cape, and the hugely popular theme parks are not far away.

Quick Guide Famed for: Kennedy Space Center. It’s a Fact: The nearby Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has more endangered species than any other natural haven in the country. Signature Souvenirs: A miniature Space Shuttle, freeze-dried ice cream and other artifacts of Space Age memorabilia.

FUNTREKS

• Kennedy Space Center Tour • Airboat Tour & Alligators

• Walt Disney World • Magic Kingdom®

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• Universal Studios® Theme Park

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Ports of call | San Juan

Colorful buildings abound in Old San Juan.

SAN JUAN

This vibrant city blends spectacular natural scenery with historic architecture and a lively culture. Fascinating galleries and museums mix with fashionable shops, thrilling nightlife and beautiful beaches.

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FUNTREKS

Canopy Adventure

La Marquesa Forestry Reserve is the setting for this soaring adventure on a series of ropes and pulleys connecting to platforms 10 to 70 feet high. The course includes an assisted rappel.

Puerto Rico’s Favorites

Both Old and New San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest are showcased on this tour, which features historical landmarks such as the Capitol Building and other 17thcentury architecture. It also highlights New San Juan’s Condado District, renowned for its beaches, hotels, casinos and restaurants. In El Yunque, stops include La Coca Falls and the Observation Tower. The tour includes time for shopping.

GERARDO BORBOLLA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Rainforest Drive

Guests see El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the United States territory. Sights include the Luquillo mountain range, featuring spectacular jungle vegetation. The tour stops at La Coca Falls, a natural pool and the Tourist Recreation Center, as well as at handicraft and local product stores.

Old San Juan Walk, Mojito & Mofongo Experience

Discover the magic of a cocina criolla by spicing up your day during this exciting historical walk and gastronomical experience, where you will learn about the historical facts of ancient old San Juan.

Quick Guide Famed for: The walled Old San Juan district, with 400 restored buildings dating to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Horseback Riding at La Hacienda

Mount up on our beautiful, gentle and well-trained but spirited Paso Fino horse and explore breathtaking countryside views just minutes from metropolitan San Juan on a 2,200-acre private ranch.

It’s a Fact: The piña colada, that creamy concoction of rum, pineapple and coconut, was invented here. Signature Souvenirs: Guayabera shirts and folk art found in local-designer clothing boutiques and art galleries. How to Get to Town: The ship will dock at one of three different piers in San Juan: Pier 1, Pier 4 or the Pan-American Pier. From Pier 1, it’s just a short walk to the Old San Juan historic district and shopping area. Pier 4 is a 10-to-15-minute walk or a short taxi ride to town. From the Pan-American Pier, you’ll want to take a taxi, as it’s not within walking distance. Fun Ashore Carnival Cruise Line

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Ports of call | San Juan

PORT VIEW

The ocean view from Old San Juan

Things We Love About San Juan The heart and soul of the island is Old San Juan, the historic district, which dates to the 1500s. Visitors explore historical and cultural attractions throughout the cobblestoned and walled city, strolling by the ramparts where Spanish soldiers once held watch. An energetic nightlife, including casinos and creative dining, draws visitors to different districts in San Juan. In SOFO, the “South of Fortaleza” Street neighborhood, fine restaurants double as bars for after-hours entertainment. A 10-minute drive leads to the beautiful beaches of the chic Condado, Isla Verde and Santurce areas, where sea kayaking, surfing and windsurfing are popular sports during the day,

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and lounges and nightclubs fire up at night. Across the lagoon from Condado, Santurce is a cultural center with attractions that include the Museum of Art, the Fine Arts Center, Central Park and La Placita de Santurce, an open-air plaza with diverse local cuisine that turns into an all-out street fest on weekend nights. Outside the city, the El Yunque rain forest is a must for those seeking Puerto Rico’s natural side. As the only rain forest in the US Forest System, it offers 28,000 acres of walking and hiking trails, bird-watching opportunities and idyllic waterfalls in which to take a refreshing dip, with rappelling and zip-lining for the more adventurous types.

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264 CALLE FORTALEZA • OLD SAN JUAN 787.977.7777

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Ashford Ave CONDADO 202 CALLE 1210 FORTALEZA • OLD SAN JUAN 202 Calle Fortaleza OLD SAN JUAN 787.977.5555 Open Daily 1 Hour Free Parking Tel. 787-977-5555

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Ports of call | San Juan

By Sara Churchville

Coqui Frog This tiny, indigenous frog — even the largest measures only about an inch — is the national symbol of Puerto Rico. The “ko-kee” song of the male, which begins at dusk and continues throughout the night, is one of the distinctive sounds of San Juan and the island. Cocina Criolla San Juan is teeming with restaurants and cafés specializing in cocina criolla, the local cuisine that reflects Puerto Rico’s centuries of varied cultural influences. Two of the most distinctive local foods are bacalaitos (codfish fritters) and mofongo. Made of tostones (deep-fried green plantains) mashed with olive oil and garlic, mofongo can come in any number of presentations, including stuffed with seafood, pork or chicken and sometimes topped with tomato and garlic sauce. Salsa Music Salsa may have been born in New York, but its roots are deep in the traditional rhythms of Puerto Rican folk music. The very first salsa bands were formed by Puerto Rican transplants making it big in the Big Apple by blending jazz, funk and Afro-Caribbean beats with the sounds they loved from back home. And salsa returned to its roots with a passion, where it has remained one of Puerto Rico’s most popular music styles.

PHOTOS BY: (COQUI) PANACHAI CHERDCHUCHEEP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BACARDI) JOSHUA RESNICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (MOFONGO) OTOKIMUS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Island Highlights

FROM TOP: A cute coqui frog; Bacardi 8 served over ice; mofongo, a classic island dish.

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Ports of call | San Juan

THE WALLED CITY By Gerald Zarr

If the explorers had their way, you would be visiting the city of Puerto Rico on the island of San Juan, rather than San Juan on the island of Puerto Rico.

CEDRIC WEBER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Christopher Columbus landed on the beautiful island in 1493 and named it San Juan Bautista. In 1511, Juan Ponce de Le贸n named the town Puerto R ico. An unknown mapmaker seems to have switched the names in the 16th century, however, and it has stayed that way ever since.

Ocean view from El Morro.

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Ports of call | San Juan

Beginnings One of the oldest European cities in the Americas, San Juan is known as The Walled City, because of its massive encircling stone wall anchored by the mighty forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal. The wall was started in 1539 and finished in 1782. Up until 1897, the city was accessible only through five enormous, heavily guarded wooden doors that closed at nightfall. Spain’s Neighbors Come Calling The wall was not merely for show. San Juan Bay soon became the central hub for the export of New World riches and a magnet for British, Dutch and French privateers, as well as pirates, who sought fame and fortune, while their motherlands lusted for the most lucrative piece of real estate in the Western Hemisphere. With all this attention, it’s surprising how infrequently the city was overrun. The British managed to seize and burn San Juan in 1598, but dysentery did them in. On their heels, the Dutch attacked in 1625, but were also overcome by disease and had to retreat. Irish Interlude As Spain’s prominence declined in the 18th century, Puerto Ricans became resentful of getting so little in return for their labor from the Spanish. Islanders were not allowed to participate in government, and Spain’s mercantilist practices did not allow them to trade with other nations. As a result, the Puerto Ricans took to trading sugar and rum illegally. Because of that, the Spanish Empire took decisive action and sent two Irishmen to take charge. The first was Tomas O’Daly, an experienced engineer, who fortified San Juan’s defenses. The second was his boss, Field Marshal Alejandro O’Reilly, an Irish mercenary who fought in the Spanish Army and quickly rose through the ranks. O’Reilly built schools and roads, dropped trade restrictions and lowered taxes; consequently, Puerto Rico’s economy boomed in the late 18th century. O’Reilly is also known as the father of the Puerto Rican militia, because he built up and reformed a local constabulary force. After leaving San Juan, O’Reilly went to New Orleans to become the governor of Spanish Louisiana. Under the American Flag Following the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico came under American rule. In 1917, Puerto Ricans became American citizens. They have since voted overwhelmingly to retain their commonwealth status, making San Juan the oldest city under the US flag today. Old San Juan’s Rescue After the city walls came down in 1897, the city expanded to include Miramar, Santurce, Condado, Hato Rey and Río Piedras, but Old San Juan remained its heart and soul. In 1973, Old San Juan gained the coveted title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once considered a dingy assemblage of colonial ruins that seemed to have crumbled in tandem with the empire that constructed them, the seven-block square comprising Old San Juan is now considered the best repository of Spanish colonial architecture in the Western Hemisphere. The charming blue cobblestones that pave the streets originally served as ballast on Spanish ships. La Fortaleza, one of the old city’s jewels, is the oldest executive mansion in the Western Hemisphere.

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San Juan

Timeline

1493 Columbus reaches Puerto Rico.

1511 1782

San Juan is settled.

The great encircling wall is completed.

1898 Puerto Rico comes under US rule.

1947 The governor becomes popularly elected.

1973 Old San Juan becomes a World Heritage Site.

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Fine Jewelry & Watches

Your Best Source For Fine Watches in Puerto Rico.

PHILIP STEIN Feel it

202 Forteleza Street, Old San Juan 787-721-0855 Open 7 days a week, 10am - 6pm

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Ports of call | San Juan

Shopping in

Colonial street to La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion

San Juan Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it! Mark Henry Alexandrite Pendant Pave' Collection

Marahlago Alexandria Necklace

Philip Stein Signature Chronograph with black alligator strap

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THE OLDEST MANSION

Old San Juan is filled with hundreds of preserved buildings that tell the history of the city and the island. La Fortaleza, the Western Hemisphere’s oldest executive mansion in continuous use, has been home to more than 200 Puerto Rican governors. Its original single tower and patio were built in 1540 to protect the Spanish population from the Carib tribe. Its more palatial elements were 19th-century additions, including the polished reception rooms, the stately mahogany staircase and the mosaic-lined chapel that was once used as a storeroom for gold bullion.

ANTIGUA TOURISM BOARD

Hearts on Fire Aerial Diamond Right Hand Ring

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Ports of call | San Juan

COLONIAL CHARM

in Old San Juan

Besides the area’s rich heritage, the district offers plenty of shopping, dining and nightlife opportunities in and around beautiful courtyards encircled with striking arches and ornamented with colorfully patterned tiles. Three stunning Spanish Colonial structures that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located within Old San Juan’s walls: La Fortaleza palace and the forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal. El Morro is the best place from which to set out. The fortress boasts walls 20 feet thick and 140 feet high on the western point of the peninsula. Built from 1539 to 1783, this massive edifice defended Puerto Rico from a slew of enemies over the years. Sir Francis Drake was one of the first to attack it in 1595, and it was last bombarded by US troops in 1898. One of the few buildings in the city older than El Morro is Casa Blanca, built in 1521 as the residence of the Ponce de León family. Casa Blanca remained in the explorer’s family for 250 years. In modern times, the structure has been restored as two museums, one of which features much of the original wood furniture. Back in the heart of Old San Juan, the buildings and historical sites are much more concentrated. Some of the best stops are the San Juan Museum of Art and History, the Pablo Casals Museum, the San Juan Cathedral, La Puerta de San Juan (the original port) and the Museum of the Americas. The district’s best photo spot is probably La Garita del Diablo, which is one of the oldest areas in the San Cristóbal fort and was built in 1634. With all of the incredible scenery in Puerto Rico, digital photographers will be glad they don’t have to worry about running out of film.

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PHOTOS BY: (GARITA) JOHN WOLLWERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (EL MORRO COURTYARD) ALBERTO LOYO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

If you are drawn to historic cities, the seven blocks that make up Old San Juan will enchant you.

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速ROBERTOCOIN

POIS MOI COLLECTION

202 Calle Fortaleza OLD SAN JUAN Sales@bluediamondgems.com * 787-977-5555 * Open Daily 10am-6pm

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PHOTOS BY: (CIGAR) VOLODYMYR KRASYUK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CIGAR MAKER) DOTSHOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | San Juan

Puerto Rican

LEFT: Rum and a cigar, the perfect pair. ABOVE: A cigar-maker at work.

DELIGHTS

Think of San Juan, and quite likely three little words come to mind: Coffee, rum and cigars. Once the mainstays of Puerto Rico’s economy, these locally made delights still have their place at the table. Coffee made its Caribbean debut in the 1700s, when plants imported from the Old World first arrived on the scene. The shiny green shrubs flourished on Puerto Rico’s mountain slopes. Plantation owners grew rich, and coffee mills soon dotted the landscape. Although production has decreased over the years, a few top estates still grow the island’s prized black gold. Rum and alcohol are nearly synonymous in Puerto Rico. Distilled from fermented molasses,

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a byproduct of sugarcane processing, this island spirit has a long history in the region. The best rum is aged in oak barrels, either charred to give the spirit color, or left uncharred for clear, white rum. Cigars, as the story goes, date back to the island’s pre-Columbian inhabitants, the Taíno. They cultivated tobacco and rolled the dried leaves into cigars, which the Europeans observed in their early encounters with the natives. Intrigued, the explorers took their newfound habit back to Europe — and the cigar craze began. More than 500 years later, hand-rolling remains the preferred method of making fine cigars. — Ginger Dingus

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Ports of call | San Juan

El Yunque rain forest

Hope for

THE FUTURE

KJERSTI JOERGENSEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

El Yunque rain forest is home to a great variety of vegetation and wildlife, including one species that almost disappeared: the Puerto Rican parrot.

According to the US Forest Service, the bright-green bird has lived in the forests of Puerto Rico for well over a thousand years, and once numbered in the millions. But the species (Amazona vittata) began dwindling soon after European colonization began in the 15th and 16th centuries. By the mid-1900s, its habitat was nearly eradicated by the conversion of forestland to farms and cities. The Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program was created in 1968, after the parrot population had diminished to a mere two dozen. The multi-agency group has helped bring the number of birds in the wild up to about 65 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; slow but steady progress that wildlife supporters are working hard to maintain.

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Ports of call | San Juan

A Gastronome’s

TOUR

Dining is an integral part of discovering Old San Juan, as much as sightseeing or shopping. The SOFO neighborhood — South of Fortaleza — is known for fine dining and outdoor food festivals that draw many a hungry crowd. In the chic Condado and Isla Verde areas, chefs combine modern Latin-fusion meals with traditional Creole cuisine, and diners enjoy mouthwatering blends of Latin, French, Asian and even Indian dishes. Traditional Tastes The lively town of Santurce is home to fashionable Spanish restaurants, a local farmers market and the delightful fondas: small eateries serving homestyle Puerto Rican cooking. You might enjoy asopao, a hardy chicken-and-rice gumbo. Your meal will likely come with a generous helping of arroz blanco (white rice) and habichuelas — beans stewed in sofrito, a blend of onions, peppers, cilantro, garlic and salt pork. And you’re sure to want a dessert of flan (baked custard topped with a caramel glaze) or tembleque, a bread pudding made with coconut milk and custard. Of course, no meal is complete without a cup of rich Puerto Rican coffee.

THE PUERTO RICO TOURISM COMPANY

¡Buen provecho!

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Come smoke a complimentary Puerto Rican Tobacco Cigar, and try our Hookah Lounge We have 100% local Tobacco Cigars made in Puerto Rico A fine selection of Premium and Gourmet Cigars in our walk-in Humidor Souvenirs and Jewelry

154 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00901 Tel: 787.390.9249 Store: 787.723.0729 email: sanjuanretailer@gmail.com

Pani Agua

INDO CARIBBEAN GASTRO & HOOKAH BAR

HOUSE OF 1000 MOJITOS COMPLIMENTARY CUP WITH PURCHASE

Established in 2014 152 Rafael Cordero, Plaza de Armas

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Ports of call | San Juan

Circles & SQUARES

Statue of Christopher Columbus in San Juan

By Ginger Dingus

In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He landed in Puerto Rico during his second voyage in 1493, only to sail right back home across the Atlantic. Now he has come full circle. The explorer has returned to San Juan in the form of a statue, an impressive figure that stands on a pedestal in the Plaza de Colón. A more recent homage to C o lu m b u s , Pl a z a d e l Q u i n t o Centenario was created to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the European voyage to the Americas. The multilevel square, located on the highest hill in the old

city, overlooks a busy harbor filled with cruise ships and a multitude of other vessels. Old San Juan’s colonial central square, the Plaza de Armas, was originally used for military drills — hence its name. Graced by a fountain and statues representing the four seasons, the plaza is a lively gathering spot for locals and a convenient place for visitors to take a break from the shopping circuit.

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port Visit our innovative gastronomic venue and experience chocolate as the main event. Enjoy a variety of food and drinks along with first-class service. We proudly exhibit the works of world-class Puerto Rican artists. We are open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are closed on Monday. Casa Cortes ChocoBar is located on the ground floor of Casa Cortes in Old San Juan.

210 Calle San Francisco | 787-722-0499 casacortespr.com

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KONSTANTIN L/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Casa Cortes ChocoBar

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a Passion for Chocolate!

Chocolicious Creations

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FARMACIA LUMA

KONSTANTIN L/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Drugstore & Souvenirs

T-Shirts • Atm • Drinks • Pharmacist • Drugs Lotto • Spanish Fans • Candies • Stamps Quixote Collection • Ceramics • Postcards Phillatellist and sport cards area

ADDRESS

OPENING HOURS

210 San Francisco St. Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

TUESDAY - SUNDAY 8:00am - 6:00pm MONDAY - Closed

info@casacortespr.com

Tel. 787.722.0499

www.casacortespr.com

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TURQUESA Custom-made jewelry by local designers Get a unique piece made for you. Semiprecious-stone rings, energy bracelets, healing stones. Jewelry design classes, beads, quartz, minerals, etc.

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HANK SHIFFMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie's harbor still attracts seafaring men and women.

ST. THOMAS

Once the home of notorious pirates such as Captain Kidd and Blackbeard, St. Thomas still offers plenty of treasure in its duty-free shops and remains the commercial capital of the Caribbean. It has a rich history and offers fascinating sightseeing opportunities.

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FUNTREKS

Turtle Cove Sail & Snorkel

Experience the thrill of sailing the crystal clear Caribbean waters on a 65-foot catamaran as well as snorkeling around world famous Buck Island.

St. John Trunk Bay Beach & Snorkel Trails

Guests sample the many pleasures of the beach at Trunk Bay, one of the world's most highly rated stretches of sand. After a ferry ride across Pillsbury Sound, visitors travel past Cruz Bay, Hawksnest Bay and well-known Caneel Bay, arriving at Trunk Bay for snorkeling in the crystalline waters.

St. John Champagne Catamaran Sailaway

HANK SHIFFMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

A custom-designed catamaran takes guests from Charlotte Amalie Harbor to the island of St. John. A brisk sail across Pillsbury Sound leads to a special anchoring destination for swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing and relaxation. Complimentary champagne and snacks are served before the return trip.

Top 10 Best of St. Thomas & Rum Tasting Join us for the Top 10 views and locations on St. Thomas!

St. Thomas Parasail Adventure

Fly like a bird more than 400 feet above the crystal blue Caribbean waters of St. Thomas on an exhilarating ride controlled by your certified crew!

Quick Guide Famed for: A swashbuckling past as the home of pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. It’s a Fact: Charlotte Amalie, the island’s capital, was originally called Taphus, from the Dutch word for “beer hall.” Signature Souvenirs: Diamonds, crystal, high-end fashions and perfumes. How to Get to Town: Historic downtown Charlotte Amalie is about 1½ miles from the ship’s dock. Taxis are plentiful.

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STEVE HEAP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Thomas

PORT VIEW

Charlotte Amalie sparkles at night.

Things We Love About St. Thomas One of the busiest cruise destinations in the world, Charlotte Amalie is a shopper’s delight. Waterfront Highway and Main Street are a maze of side alleys connected by shopping centers, most notably A. H. Riise. Main Street’s buildings are protected as historic structures, making them a cultural delight as well. Even closer to the docks, you will find Havensight Mall, Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay, where dozens of stores and boutiques feature goods of every price. St. Thomas’ historic attractions are well-known and much explored: Fort Christian, with its landmark clock tower dating to 1671; the nearby Government House and Legislature Building, with its bright Caribbean-green façade; and the 242

large mahogany altar inside Frederick Lutheran Church. Also worth a visit is Emancipation Garden, which commemorates the island’s end to slavery in 1848. Near the garden is Vendors Plaza, a source of African artwork, handbags and jewelry. You can take it all in at once on the Skyride to Paradise Point, which carries passengers to the top of Flag Hill. The seven-minute ride offers a fantastic view of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. Drake’s Seat is a similarly breathtaking vantage point from which the legendary English Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake supposedly watched the Spanish fleets sail through the harbor below. Today, the view belongs to sun worshippers enjoying the stunning white-sand beach on Magens Bay. — Richard Varr

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L I F E

I S

A B O U T

M O M E N T S

C E L E B R AT I N G E L E G A N C E S I N C E 1 8 3 0

CLASSIMA STEEL, 40MM AUTOMATIC www.baume-et-mercier.com

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Ports of call | St. Thomas

Island Highlights

Bananaquit The official bird of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this yellowbreasted chirper is 4 inches long and loves gardens. Like a hummingbird, the bananaquit, or sugarbird, can use its small, curved beak to extract nectar from certain flowers without having to bother pollinating them. Because of its sweet tooth, it’s called a sugar thief in some languages. Banana Daiquiri Where else to indulge in this sweet concoction of rum, bananas, lime juice and sugar than on the island where the flavorful cocktail was invented? The tropical classic was created in the 1950s by bartender Sonny Bernier, who left a legacy worth toasting. Ginger-Thomas As the official flower of the U.S. Virgin Islands, gingerthomas grows abundantly on St. Thomas. Not only do the lovely yellow blooms offer up the scent of Champagne, but its leaves are also said to cure a host of ailments.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Handmade brooms; A delicious banana daiquiri; Ginger-thomas flowers; A bananaquit resting on flowers.

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PHOTOS BY: (BROOM) WINAI TEPSUTTINUN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DRINK) PINKCANDY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FLOWER) YURIY CHERTOK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BIRD) STUBBLEFIELD PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Handmade Brooms Artists make decorative brooms from date palm and thatch palm fronds applied to birch wood. They’re used in local wedding ceremonies that follow the African custom of “jumping the broom.”

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MEGA PIXELS

ZOOM

WATERPROOF TO 100’ SHOCKPROOF FROM 7’ FREEZEPROOF TO 14ºF

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**NFC feature for Android™ v 4.0 or later smart devices only. The N Mark is a trademark or registered trademark of NFC Forum, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. †Wi-Fi® and the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. For compatibility and specifications regarding Wi-Fi capability, please visit www.nikonusa com/wificompatibility. 1For AW130 limitations, please visit: http://nikonusa.com/AW130info. Nikon® is a registered trademark of Nikon Corporation. ©2015 Nikon Inc.

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Ports of call | St. Thomas

The Quintessential

CARIBBEAN ISLE

As the most developed of the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas boasts the distinction of being the Caribbean’s shopping capital and busiest cruise-ship port, with as many as 10 ships docking each day during the thriving tourism season.

By Richard Varr

Beginnings Migrating Amerindian tribes from South America were the first settlers to see St. Thomas’ towering hills and landscapes framed by warm, aquamarine waters. They inhabited the island for 3,000 years before it was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Initially spotting St. Thomas and its surrounding islands during his second voyage to the New World, Columbus named the island group Las Once Mil Vírgenes, after the martyred St. Ursula and her companion virgins. The explorer and his crew, however, didn’t stay for very long. Upon dropping anchor to replenish their drinking-water supply, they were met by unfriendly tribes and instead set sail for Puerto Rico. Danish Colonization Although Spain immediately claimed the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas wasn’t highly colonized except by small groups of settlers. This left its shores and natural harbors unguarded, leading to struggles for domination among the Dutch, English and French. It wasn’t until 1671 — nearly two centuries after Christopher Columbus first set foot here — that Danish colonization began. The Danish West India Company had sailed two ships to the island, followed by other ships over the next several years. Although illness hampered population growth, more than 300 colonists and slaves were farming over 50 plantations within nine years. Scenic grassy fields on the smaller neighboring islands served as pastures for goats and sheep. By the turn of the 18th century, St. Thomas had become the base for the Caribbean’s legendary pirates, such as Blackbeard and Sir Francis Drake. The island was 246

eventually declared a free port, and as plantations continued to prosper, the slave trade flourished. At the same time, the streets along the shoreline of what is now Charlotte Amalie had become home to taverns, which attracted many seafarers. By the early 1700s, the population had swelled to more than 3,000. The Danish West India Company eventually established plantations on neighboring St. John in 1717, and later bought St. Croix from the French in 1733. With a booming slave trade, tensions and uprisings in the area increased. In 1792, Denmark proclaimed it would end the slave trade on its islands — a promise that didn’t become a reality until 1848. By the mid-18 0 0s, St. Thomas had become a refueling port for coal-fired steamships that journeyed between North and South America. But low demand for the staple sugar-beet crop thwarted the economic boom created just a few decades earlier. Most islanders today are descendants of the African slaves who brought with them their own culture — from music and crafts to language. Danish influences remain as well, as evidenced today in surnames, street names and architecture. In fact, the port city of Charlotte Amalie was named after a Danish queen. American Interest in the Region The United States first realized the strategic importance of the Virgin Islands during the Civil War when seeking to establish a naval base in the Caribbean. However, no deal was struck until World War I. Fearing Germany would attempt to capture the islands and the Panama Canal, the United States bought the Virgin Islands for $25 million. After more than three centuries of Danish rule, the American flag was hoisted above St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix for the first time in 1917. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, immigrants flooded St. Thomas and tourism helped revive the economy. Today, these idyllic islands remain a US territory and draw tourists and travelers from all over the world.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Beyond Charlotte Amalie’s bustling streets and alluring boutiques, scenic vistas from atop the island’s peaking hills are only a quick taxi ride away. And a closer look at the culture here reveals an intriguing past — a mix of native folklore, Spanish conquistadors and marauding pirates who brought their treasures and left behind a legacy of enchanting tales and superstitions for the generations that followed.

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Ports of call | St. Thomas

special advertising feature

Timeless Style Master watchmaker Rolex presents t he O y s te r Pe r p e t u a l D ate j u s t Rolesor, available at its St. Thomas retail partner, A.H. Riise. Resolutely feminine in white, this is a timeless companion for women. The bezel is set with 52 brilliantcut diamonds, and the dial has a floral motif and Arabic numerals — a dazzling yet elegant look. For more information on this and other timepieces, visit www.rolex.com.

A.H. Riise was founded by one of St. Thomas’ pioneer families.

A St. Thomas Legacy

LIVES ON

ROLEX

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolesor

By Jonathan Siskin

Filippo Casinelli Paiewonsky’s fondest memory of his grandmother, Charlotte Paiewonsky, is her passion for family. She often led sailing jaunts around the Virgin Islands in her chartered catamaran, carrying family and friends. The family shared her delight, gathering at their 200-year-old house overlooking Blackbeard’s Harbor when her husband, Isidor Paiewonsky, reached the age of 90 in 1999. The connection with St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands has always been strong among the Paiewonsky clan, who began making their mark when patriarch Isaac Paiewonsky purchased an apothecary on the island in 1928. The business later became A.H. Riise, which today is one of the Caribbean’s premier sources of fine watches, perfumes, skin-care products, crystal, liquor and art prints. Isaac Paiewonsky eventually passed ownership of the original store to his son, Isidor Paiewonsky, who became a naturalized American citizen in 1917 — the same year that St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John were acquired by the US government from Denmark and collectively became the US Virgin Islands. Isidor Paiewonsky was a Renaissance man whose talents

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extended far beyond the business world to horticulture, poetry and history. He was regarded as the most important historian of the Virgin Islands and also wrote a weekly newspaper column that appeared in the Virgin Islands Daily News. Filippo Paiewonsky notes that his grandfather’s passion for preservation was key to restoring the historic A.H. Riise buildings to feature their original brick and stonework facets. A.H. Riise took a big step forward in the early 1950s when Charlotte Paiewonsky founded the A.H. Riise Gift Shop. She stocked the store with luxury brands such as Patek Philippe watches and Lalique and Waterford crystal, which she had acquired on her frequent travels to Europe. “The gift shop established by my grandmother eventually led to the development of A.H. Riise into the duty-free company it is today,” says Filippo Paiewonsky, who, along with his brother Sebastiano, represents the fourth generation of Paiewonsky family members to own the business.

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STEVE HEAP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Thomas

Don’t be surprised if the 99 Steps take longer to climb than expected — there are actually more than 120.

Charlotte Amalie

WALKABOUT Perhaps no other city in the Caribbean is as well-known as Charlotte Amalie. Thousands of cruise ship guests and other seagoing visitors have made the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands the virtual capital of the Caribbean, at least when it comes to shopping.

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A walking tour that includes some shopping and a refreshment stop is the ideal way to experience the city. The best place to start is Emancipation Park. Walking from the harbor and heading up Fort Pladsen, you will hit Emancipation Park, the site of a historic episode that took place July 3, 1848. Governor-General Peter von Scholten freed the slaves of the Virgin Islands 17 years before emancipation in the United States. A replica of the American Liberty Bell and a sculpture of King Christian V of Denmark are on display. Nearby is the two-story, mint-green House of Legislature of the Virgin Islands. This 118-year-old Italian Renaissance structure was once used as a barracks for Danish police. From 1917, when the US acquired the Virgin Islands, to 1930, it was similarly used by the US Marines. Now the outside staircase leads up to the Senate chambers. Right across the street, you’ll encounter Fort Christian, the oldest building on the island and a landmark dating from 1671. Named after Danish King Christian V, the fort has served over the years as the governor’s house, a church, the police station and the local prison. Today, Fort Christian is a National Historic Landmark currently under renovation.

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exotic fire opal

brilliant blue diamonds

ST. THOMAS

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E-mail: info@kaysfinejewelry.com www.kaysfinejewelry.com Friend us on Facebook: Kfj Caribbean

9/5/14 9:43 AM

Ports of call | St. Thomas

Shopping in

St. Thomas CURAÇAO PHOTOS BY: (CHURCH) STEVE HEAP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOUTIQUES) RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town. See it? Like it? Buy it!

Marahlago Flora Filigree Necklace

Blue Heaven Blue Diamond Twist Ring

Day2Night Tanzanite Reversible Earrings

Movado Sapphire Watch

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TOP: An alley off Main Street, known for excellent duty-free shopping. RIGHT: The clock tower at historic Fort Christian.

Walk up Tolbod Gade to the intersection of Norre Gade, where the busy Central Post Office stands. While waiting to purchase your stamps, peruse the pretty murals painted by Stevan Dohanos, a former artist for The Saturday Evening Post. From the post office, walk east along Norre Gade and you will come upon the 18th-century Frederick Lutheran Church. The original, Georgian-style structure was rebuilt in 1825 after a fire and reconstructed once again in 1870, after it was damaged in a hurricane. Today, the historic church is still used for worship services. Continue east along Norre Gade to Lille Taarne Gade and turn left. As you climb to Kongens Gade, you’ll pass a handful of law firms before reaching Government House, the official residence and administrative offices of the island’s governor. This three-story building with wrought-iron balconies was built in 1867 for the Danish colonial council. The reception rooms on the first and second floors are open to the public. Several small paintings by former St. Thomas resident and French Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro are on display in the second-floor ballroom. As you climb

the famed 99 Steps to the top of the hill, do not be surprised if it feels like you are tackling more. Despite the name, there are at least 125 steps in all, comprising one of the city’s oldest “streets.” St. Thomas’ Haagensen House sits atop Government Hill. The restored 1820s town house is now a museum featuring authentic West Indian period furnishings and accessories. Adjacent to the museum is a landmark building — Hotel 1829. The original town house has been extended to enhance this hotel, which has accommodated many of the island’s mostfamous guests over the years. You’ll want to go back down the hill to Main Street for shopping. The old warehouses that were once used to store pirates’ booty now house many of Charlotte Amalie’s trendy boutiques and shopping arcades. — Lynn Seldon

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The #1 Linen Shop in the Caribbean

L E C B L A O T TH,IN . r

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St. John

TROPICAL PARADISE On a sailing trip in the early 1950s, American millionaire Laurance Rockefeller was so bewitched by the lovely, undeveloped isle of St. John that he bought thousands of acres and donated the land to the United States. Because of Rockefeller’s foresight, two thirds of St. John’s 21 square miles officially became the Virgin Islands National Park in 1956. Its tasteful, restrained development is owed to Rockefeller’s influence. The park also includes more than 5,000 acres offshore.

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Birds are abundant in and around the park. As many as 160 species have been recorded in the area. The hawksbill turtle nests on St. John’s beaches, and the green turtle inhabits the island’s waters, particularly at Francis Bay. The park is crisscrossed with clearly mapped hiking trails, some of which were once old Danish roads. Trunk Bay, named one of the world’s 10 best beaches, is famous for its underwater trail, which has markers to guide snorkelers along the reef just off the beach. — Deborah Wilson

This is just one of St. John’s glorious beaches.

PHOTOS BY: (ST. JOHN BEACH) IDREAMPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BENCH) LINDA BROCKMAN; (VIEW) NORM DIVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Ports of call | St. Thomas

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PHOTOS BY: (ST. JOHN BEACH) IDREAMPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BENCH) LINDA BROCKMAN; (VIEW) NORM DIVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

A Bench MARKS THE SPOT

The famous seat affords a magnificent view.

Drake’s Seat, a breathtaking vantage point that gets its name from the English Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake, is situated at the highest point on St. Thomas — 1,500 feet — and overlooks more than 100 of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. From here, you have a bird’s-eye view of where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Schools of fish may even be visible as dark formations swirling in the turquoise waters. According to legend, Drake sat on this “seat” — a bench marks the exact spot — while monitoring the movements of the Spanish fleets sailing through the passage that today bears his name (Drake’s Passage). The notorious buccaneer also kept watch on his fleet, anchored in nearby Magens Bay. One of the greatest navigators of the 16th century, Drake gained fame and fortune for his daring voyages around the globe. A fearless sea captain who was revered as a hero by his countrymen, Drake was reviled by the Spanish, who called him “El Dragón” for his frequent attacks on Spanish galleons. Many brutal encounters took place in the Caribbean, where Drake confronted the Spanish on land and at sea — often making off with piles of loot. One of his most famous exploits took place in the Isthmus of Panama, where he landed in 1573 with 73 men under his command and proceeded to seize the Spanish Silver Train that was laden with gold and silver from Peru. Drake eventually sailed back to England carrying over a ton of gold, which was more than enough to make every man in his company rich for life. Drake’s epic voyages lasted several years, during which he crossed vast expanses of uncharted oceans and seas. His most celebrated journey began in 1577, when he was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I of England to sail around the world aboard his flagship, the Golden Hind. This journey tested Drake to the limits of endurance as he weathered many vicious storms and survived a series of hard-fought battles, including raids on Spanish settlements on the coast of South America for five months. Despite every imaginable hardship, he returned home triumphant in the fall of 1580, nearly three years and 36,000 miles after beginning his journey. He was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. For this remarkable achievement, the queen knighted him the following year. Drake continued to sail far and wide for another 15 years, until his death in 1596. — Jonathan Siskin

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SACRED & CELEBRATED The synagogue reopened in 2002 after a major restoration and received the 2004 National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award, the highest national award for preservation. The site is also a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Opened in 1833 by Sephardic Jews on the site of an earlier synagogue dating from 1803, it is the second-oldest continuously used synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, after Curaçao’s, and it’s the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag. The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas was founded in 1796. The synagogue itself conforms to Sephardic design, with seats facing inward and a floor of sand. The four pillars that support the synagogue’s outside awning were handmade in Denmark from rounded bricks. The interior pillars symbolize the four matriarchs in Judaism. The dark mahogany benches, bimah (pulpit) and ark housing ancient Torah scrolls, as well as the brass chandeliers with Baccarat crystal hurricane shades — the central ones still lit by candles — make the interior a dramatic indoor sight. Located at 16 A&B Crystal Gade, called Synagogue Hill by local residents, the synagogue is a steep climb from Main Street.

FROM TOP: Inside the synagogue; antique lamp at the entrance.

PHOTOS BY: (LAMP) STEVE HEAP/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (INSIDE SYNAGOGUE) THE HEBREW CONGREGATION OF ST. THOMAS

The bustling streets of Charlotte Amalie belie the quiet of the St. Thomas Synagogue. This beautiful historic house of worship, the only synagogue in St. Thomas, is still used today.

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port Just Imagine

Capture your creativity! Choose custom designs from Just Imagine’s on-site artists and studio or ready-to-go creations in women’s and children’s clothing, glassware, tiles, silks, fabulous jewelry and an amazing range of handmade gifts. It’s your most uniquely memorable St. Thomas experience!

24 Dronegans Gade / 340-779-8522

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The Pearl Lady

This elegant shop offers Japanese akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater cultured pearls in both classic and contemporary styles. Collections include a unique pearl and leather line for men and women. Restringing, redesign and repair services are available. Located in The Professional Building next to Fort Christian, downtown Charlotte Amalie.

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St. Thomas

SHOPPING GUIDE

Almost anything you’re looking for, you’ll find in the ports of call. Not only will the selection amaze you, but the quality of the merchandise is second to none. The stores featured on these pages carry the finest in every product category. You’ll see the famous brand names you know from around the world and many others that you’ve only heard about. Just remember: If you see something you like, buy it!

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BOOLCHAND CROCS Come in to experience casual footwear at its most comfortable. You’ll find a wide variety of Crocs, from fun colors for kids to fashionable women’s sandals and sporty lace-up looks for men. The store is located in Havensight Mall, Building 2, Suite B, and is open Monday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call 340-776-0300 or crocs.stt@boolchand.com.

CARILOHA Come feel the difference of the softest fabric in the world, Cariloha Bamboo™. Cariloha is the premier retailer of products made from bamboo, including apparel, bedding, active wear, bath towels and handbags all made from irresistibly soft bamboo. When you think of bamboo, tall green shoots likely come to mind. But did you know that bamboo can actually be made into the world’s most comfortable fabric? Cariloha Bamboo clothing is crazy soft! It’s also 3 degrees cooler than cotton and naturally wicks moisture away from your body. Bamboo itself contains naturally occurring properties that are odor-resistant and hypoallergenic. It also provides full UVA/UVB protection, saves trees, regenerates naturally and is among the most ecofriendly, renewable resources on the planet. Visit any Cariloha store today to pick up a free bamboo lei and to feel the luscious softness of bamboo clothing for yourself. Cariloha — Stay Cool, Wear Bamboo™. Cariloha is located in the Grand Galleria shops at the end of Main Street.

BOOLCHAND PANDORA An unforgettable moment is something different to every woman, but it’s always special. That’s why an unforgettable moment is a story worth sharing. At Pandora, we believe that every woman in the world has her own unique style, with her own stories to be celebrated and shared. Pandora offers an exciting collection of jewelry with countless possibilities. Every piece in the collection is meticulously designed and crafted using the highestquality gold, sterling silver and gemstones. Combining centuries-old craftsmanship with modern thinking and beautiful design, Pandora offers a robust collection that is beyond compare. Pa ndora B outique ha s t h ree locations: 15 A Main Street, 340 -7 74-3672 , pandora . st t@boolchand .com ; 9 0 02 Havensight Mall (Building 2), 340-7768550, pandora.hs@boolchand.com; and Boolchand’s, 31 Main Street, 340-776-0794, jewelry.stt@boolchand.com. For more information about Pandora jewelry, visit Pandora.net.

DEL SOL Get the perfect gift at Del Sol, where you’ll find clothing and accessories that change colors with sunlight and then return to their original colors without sunlight. Don’t let your vacation end before seeing Del Sol’s world-famous color-changing products. Del Sol’s popular T-shirt designs, hair clips, jewelry, hats, shorts, shirts, tote bags, ladies’ tees and more all change color when exposed to sunlight. Even Del Sol’s 30+ different shades of nail polish change colors right on your fingers and toes. Experience Del Sol’s color-changing eyewear, Solize™ sunglasses, which feature polarized, polycarbonate lenses, color-changing frames and, best of all, a lifetime guarantee against theft, loss and damage. Del Sol is the world’s largest color-change retailer, and its products are guaranteed to change colors for life. You can get a T-shirt anywhere, but only Del Sol shirts and products burst into rainbows of color outside in the sun. Visit any store today for a free demonstration and a free color-changing gift (no purchase necessary). Del Sol — Just Add Sun!™ Del Sol is

located at the Grand Galleria shops at the end of Main Street.

DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL Diamonds International, the most recommended jeweler in the Caribbean, has more than a quarter-century expertise in acquiring luxury goods and jewelry for its discerning clientele. The retailer is celebrated for providing the finest jewels at exceptional prices. Shoppers to the Caribbean have come to expect the latest designer goods from around the world at values they cannot get at home. Diamonds International exceeds these expectations. Forevermark, a premium diamond from the De Beers group of companies, is laserinscribed with a promise of its beauty and rarity. Forevermark diamonds are carefully sourced from the world’s most ethically responsible mines. See these rare diamonds at Diamonds International; exclusively at A.H. Riise Mall on Main Street in St. Thomas, USVI. Diamonds International has other elegant showrooms on the island to serve its discerning shoppers. The exclusive luxury brands carried are some of the reasons why this retailer is the must-stop for world-class jewelry collectors. Exquisite collections like Safi Kilima designer tanzanite, Gift diamond jewelry, and Sara G jewelry designed by a woman for women are a few of the magnetic draws that create customer loyalty at Diamonds International. There is something for everyone, like the fiery 90-facet Crown of Light diamond and the amazing WonderStud diamond earrings available only at Diamonds International. Enjoy a personal preview to discover why these sparklers are so dazzling and comfortable to wear. Who doesn’t love blue diamonds? Blue Heaven’s breathtaking oceanblue diamonds will keep the memory of your Caribbean holiday alive for years to come. Diamonds International is located at A .H. Riise Mall on Main Street and at Havensight Mall, Crown Bay and Marriott Fr e nc h m a n ’s R e e f . V i s it Ta n z a n ite International at the Grand Galleria. Call 1-800-444-4025 or 1-340-776-5570 or shop www.DiamondsInternational.com.

1. Halo pendant by Forevermark; Diamonds International

ROLEX BOUTIQUE A.H. Riise is the US Virgin Islands’ authorized Rolex dealer, offering the Caribbean’s largest selections of Rolex watches as well as an After Sales Service Center. Every Rolex watch sold carries the Rolex International Warranty. Plus, A.H. Riise offers an additional one-year warranty — ensuring the highest standards of performance throughout the watch’s lifetime. The Rolex Boutique can be found in historic downtown Charlotte Amalie at the A.H. Riise Mall. There is a Rolex Service Center located inside the A.H. Riise Mall at 37 Main St. Call 340-777-6789 or visit www.ahriise.com.

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2. Classique Bangle Collection by Alor; Diamonds International 3. Crown of Creation Earrings by Crown of Light; Diamonds International, Diamonds International Watch & Design 4. Bulova watch; Diamonds International, Diamonds International Watch & Design 5. His and hers bamboo T-shirts; Cariloha

DUTY FREE ST. THOMAS Duty Free St. Thomas offers the world’s finest brand names in perfumes, skin care, cosmetics, liquor and tobacco. It is home to the island’s only boutiques for MAC, Chanel, Swarovski and Swatch. Duty Free St. Thomas also exclusively offers Sisley, La Prairie, Shiseido, L’Occitane, Creed and Bond No. 9, to name a few. Duty Free St. Thomas … island shopping at its finest. All purc h a s e s a r e g u a r a nte e d . D ut y Fr e e St. Thomas is located at Main Street, Waterfront, Havensight Mall and Crown Bay. Call 347-776-2303 or visit online at www.dfstthomas.com.

visiting Eden, bring home the Destination St. Thomas Sterling Silver Larimar beads, and make certain to see the one-of-a-kind Caribbean Sun necklace with blue and white diamonds. Remember to redeem your free pearl earrings just for trying on a piece of jewelry! Enjoy the sun, the sand, the island piña coladas and the amazing jewelry that the pristine Virgin Islands offer you. Take a detour and visit Eden… it will be a decision you will be glad to have made! Visit Eden Jewelers at 5134 Dronningens Gade, Suite 1. Call 340-777-3366 or 877-610-6866. Shop online at www.eden-jewelers.com.

EDEN JEWELERS A little store with a lot of treasures! Brimming with colored and white diamonds, natural gemstones and custom design jewelry, this little jewelry store has a lot more to offer than the large chain stores. Located in the quieter part of historic Main Street, Eden Jewelers specializes in loose diamonds and bridal sets. There’s a wide selection of stunning and very desirable colored diamond jewelry ranging from canary, pink and café to stunning blue, black and green diamonds. For those who prefer classic white diamonds and colored gemstones, Eden carries superb choices from the current market as well as custom designed jewelry crafted with rubies, emeralds, sapphires, morganites and even rare tanzanite and alexandrite. All gemstone jewelry is crafted with natural stones and comes with a certificate of authenticity. With over 150 jewelry stores to compete against, Eden offers aggressive pricing, great value and, most importantly, the personalized attention of the husband and wife owners. Sunil is a Gemological Institute of America graduate gemologist and his wife Kanchan both work hard to achieve their motto: to satisfy each customer’s jewelry want or need and be there for service beyond the sale. All purchases come with a G.I.A. Graduate Gemologist Graded Appraisal and a lifetime warranty. In addition, there are convenient US service centers for customers. While

GET CHARMED! Charm Factory Outlet Explore the beauty of a unique and original selection of fashion and semiprecious jewelry, featuring the genuine Sandals For Your Neck brand of sandal pendants, charms, bracelets and earrings — handenameled and accented with beautiful Swarovski crystals, with 14k yellow or white gold overlay. Try on handmade bracelets and necklaces of pure silk, which can be paired with the store’s exclusive Swarovski-crystal-studded Virgin Islands beads. Hundreds of sterling-silver pendants feature island-inspired themes, such as turtles, palm trees, stingrays, starfish, mermaids and so many more. Stop by and Get Charmed! It’s a must-find treasure — all the bling-bling without the cha-ching! Get Charmed! is at 2329 Commandant Gade (Garden Street, up the road from the Main Street Post Office), at Crown Bay Dock and in the St. Thomas Airport Lounge. Call 340-775-6381, email info@sandalsforyourneck.com or follow on Facebook at Sandals For Your Neck. JEWELS Over the past 20 years, Jewels St. Thomas has established itself as the preeminent authorized representative and retailer of fine watches and jewelry in the US Virgin Islands. Jewels has four stores on St. Thomas, with a prominent presence on Main Street in downtown Charlotte Amalie, the Havensight and Crown Bay cruise-ship terminals and The Ritz-Carlton

5 Resort & Spa. Jewels offers the most desired collections of designer watches and jewelry including Patek Philippe, Parmagiani, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Chopard, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Omega, David Yurman, John Hardy, Carrera y Carrera and Roberto Coin, to mention just a few. Jewels also is home to the customdesigned David Yurman Boutique on Main Street, featuring the largest selection and latest styles of David Yurman jewelry to be found anywhere in the world. Visiting Jewels is a must when in St. Thomas. Be sure to ask about Jewels’ no-interest preferred-financing offers, available on the spot for an effortless dutyfree shopping experience, as well as their extended watch warranty. KAY’S FINE JEWELRY As a family-owned business, Kay’s is proud to have instilled a strong culture of excellence in customer service and care in each and every one of its jewelry and watch boutiques across the Caribbean. We also place a strong emphasis on innovation in jewelry design, producing our own unique collections encompassing the most cutting-edge trends in gemstones and diamonds in the industry. The purchase of a fine timepiece or jewelry is a significant event in our customers’ lives and a highlight of their Caribbean vacation. We personally see to it that each of our guests is taken care of by our knowledgeable staff in a comfortable and relaxed shopping atmosphere. In each of our boutiques across the Caribbean, we have a large selection of diamonds, colored diamonds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanite, ammolite and emeralds. We also carry many exotic gemstones, such as alexandrite, paraiba, tourmaline and imperial topaz. We have bench jewelers in each of our locations to better serve our clientele. Like a stone, but don’t like its setting? No problem! We can customize each and every piece to your specifications. Be sure to stop in to experience “Luxury with a Family Touch.”

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LITTLE SWITZERLAND The world’s leading watch and jewelry companies have appointed Little Switzerland as their authorized and, in select destinations, exclusive representatives in Key West and throughout the Caribbean. Over the past 60 years, hundreds of thousands of discerning customers have placed their trust in Little Switzerland as well, allowing the store’s expert sales associates to help them select only the finest watches and jewelry. You are invited to visit and find out why. With 30 stores throughout the Caribbean region — in St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, Nassau, Puerto Rico and Key West — Little Switzerland offers the most desired collections of designer watches and jewelry at duty-free and tax-free values. Its portfolio includes TAG Heuer, David Yurman, Breitling, Roberto Coin, Omega, John Hardy, Movado, Chopard, Pandora, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and other top brands. Little Switzerland also features Avance, its exclusive collection of elegantly intriguing jewelry. Shopping at Little Switzerland is a must when visiting the Caribbean. Be sure to ask about on-the-spot preferred credit, with no-interest options available. MR . TABLECLOTH Nearly 40 years after opening its doors, Mr. Tablecloth is still providing customers with legendary personal service and an amazing array of tablecloths in modern designs. Don’t be misled — the original Mr. Tablecloth has only one location in downtown St. Thomas. Most of the tablecloths are available in microfiber — an easy-care fabric that is stain-resistant and requires no ironing. For the discriminating buyer, the store also sells exquisite Irish linen and organdy patterns. Also available are the hard-to-find sizes — including tablecloths up to 252 inches long and 90 inches wide, and many patterns in squares and ovals. Mr. Tablecloth in St. Thomas also has a large assortment of accessories for 260

9 your home: runners, placemats, aprons, bed sheets and shams, to name just a few items. In the store’s clothing section, you will find beautiful handmade infant wear and children’s clothing, day-to-night maxi dresses and super-soft pima cotton nightgowns. The store is also well-known for its beautiful selection of ladies evening jackets, available in a variety of colors. You can find all of these items at a tremendous savings compared to stateside prices. PRINCESS WORLD JEWELERS The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Princess World Jewelers, a favorite shop for frequent island visitors, welcomes you with the finest personalized service in St. Thomas. A family-owned and operated business since 1902, Princess World Jewelers shares the knowledge of diamonds, tanzanite, emeralds and all precious gemstones that ensures comfortable decision-making. Since the introduction of tanzanite, a radiant blue-purple gemstone discovered in East Africa in 1967, Princess World Jewelers has maintained one of the largest and most impressive selections of tanzanite in the world. This is made possible by frequent travel to Africa and by negotiating the finest “rough” for precision stonecutting in Germany. Once the gemstones are artfully cut, they are flown directly to St. Thomas and offered both set and unset. Harry Mirpuri promises once again this season to offer the finest quality available anywhere for the lowest direct pricing. In addition to tanzanite, the selection of unset diamonds in all sizes will impress the most experienced of diamond buyers. And if necessary, the staff will provide the time and information it takes to make you a diamond expert! Princess World Jewelers is open seven days a week. Visit early in the day to allow time for complimentary custom fitting and design work. The store is located in the heart of St. Thomas’ famous Main Street shopping area, at 9A Main Street . You may a lso v isit www.princessjewelers.com.

MONTBLANC BOUTIQUE AT ROYAL CARIBBEAN In 1906, three visionaries came together in Hamburg, Germany, to perfect the revolutionary invention of a fountain pen with an internal ink reservoir. Their vision: handmade writing instruments, produced in accordance with the highest demands of technology, design and finish. Today, this uncompromising quality and traditional European craftsmanship still form the unshakable foundation of Montblanc. The white Montblanc star, named after the highest mountain in the European Union, has long adorned not only fountain pens but also elegant leather goods, precious jewelry, fine accessories and fashionable eyewear. All belong to the Montblanc lifestyle world, as do exclusive watches produced in the Swiss factory of Montblanc Montre S.A. The crowning white star marks world-famous luxury goods that represent culture and a special way of life. Montblanc products are contemporary style icons, and as limited editions are coveted collectors’ pieces. All Montblanc products are available exclusively at Royal Caribbean. For more information, email info@royalcaribbeanvi. com or visit www.royalcaribbeanvi.com. ROYAL CARIBBEAN Come in and discover one of St. Thomas’ best kept secrets, Royal Caribbean. With over 45 years in business, Royal Caribbean is known for its brand-name watches and jewelry. Royal Caribbean offers a superb collection of Swiss, German and Italian handcrafted timepieces, featuring world-famous brands such as A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, Breguet, Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel, Corum, de Grisogono, Dior, Ebel, Giuliano Mazzuoli, Glashütte Original, Gucci, Hamilton, IWC, Longines, Montblanc, Movado, Panerai, Piaget, Rado, Raymond Weil, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin. For the fashion-conscious, trend-savvy shoppers can select from brands such as Bering, Bulova, Casio, Fruitz, Guess, Luminox, Michele, Nautica, Philip Stein, Seiko, Swatch, Shinola, TechnoMarine, Tissot and TW Steel.

6. Pretty Little Things cuff by Lauren G Adams; Diamonds International, Little Switzerland 7. John Hardy women’s Classic bracelet; Jewels, Little Switzerland 8. Flora filigree necklace by Marahlago; Diamonds International 9. Chameleon watch by Fendi; Diamonds International Watch & Design, Diamonds International 10. A variety of linens; Mr. Tablecloth

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ST. ROSE ARCADE • UNIT #35-02 • PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN • NETHERLANDS ANTILLES PHONE: & FAX: 599-542 8122 • E-MAIL: MIKEPWJ@YAHOO.COM 9A MAIN STREET • ST. THOMAS, USVI 00802 • E-MAIL: SALES@PRINCESSJEWELERS.COM WWW.PRINCESSJEWELERS.COM

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At Royal Caribbean, you will be captivated by the most exquisite collection of Hearts On Fire Diamonds, the world’s most perfectly cut diamond. Come in to see our rare collection of fancy yellow, pink, blue and white diamonds, the finest 14k- and 18k-gold and diamond jewelry and the largest selection of precious and semiprecious jewelry. The world-renowned Mikimoto cultured pearls are perfect for that special someone. Pamper yourself with designer brands such as Breuning, Nina Nguyen and Rebecca. Also available is a wide assortment of Montblanc merchandise such as leather goods, sunglasses and pens. We also offer pens by A.T. Cross. These are just a few among the many brands available at Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean also has the largest camera stores in the Virgin Islands. Come and get the latest in digital and video cameras, tablets, headphones and accessories. Capture your adventures with the popular GoPro cameras. An authorized dealer for top brand names such as Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, Steiner, Panasonic and all other major brands of cameras, binoculars and electronics, Royal Caribbean continues to offer huge savings in all categories. Royal Caribbean’s knowledgeable staff will assist you, making your selection more enjoyable. Customers receive a free five-function digital watch with a $50 purchase. In St. Thomas, Royal Caribbean has two locations on Main Street open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. We also have multiple locations at the Crown Bay Center, as per ship calls.

14 THE BELGIAN CHOCOLATE FACTORY Come experience delightful chocolates in America’s paradise, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands! Chocolate is a perfect way to bring a taste of paradise home to your friends and family. Our Belgian chocolates are made with the finest ingredients, free of preservatives or additives. They are filled with a variety of eight flavored buttercreams, such as banana, mango, passion fruit and raspberry, and eight flavored ganaches, such as coffee, Baileys and Cruzan Rum raisin. We have five different caramels, creamy whipped pralines, peanut butter, truffles, nut clusters and simply more chocolate. Over 50 varieties are available, including sweet, salty and spicy flavors. Each chocolate is handmade using traditional methods! Our chocolates are not the same as the sugary treats offered in American chocolate shops. We also have frozen treats like ice cream, chocolate-covered bananas, Key lime pie and cheesecake on a stick. Other items include ice-cold beverages, marshmallow sticks, chocolate bars, lollipops, s’mores, turtles and chocolate-dipped Oreos and pretzels, as well as spa products, coffee, tea, coolers, T-shirts, tanks and other souvenirs. Why Belgian chocolate? When it comes to chocolates , t here a re t he ever yday candy bars we consume and the more exotic chocolates found in coffee houses and specialty stores. Then there is Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolate is considered to be the gourmet standard by which all other chocolate confections are measured. What makes Belgian chocolate unique is

Available at Royal Caribbean:

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the quality of ingredients and an almost fanatical adherence to Old World manufacturing techniques. Do you crave only the finest-quality chocolate? We present some of the most exquisite top-quality chocolate you can hope to enjoy. You may choose from over 50 varieties of dark, white or milk chocolate and fill a box with whatever assortment you desire! Lollipops, hand-rolled truffles, sugar-free chocolate and other treats are also available. Indulge your senses with the rich decadent aroma of chocolate as you watch through the glass wall while the chocolatier prepares authentic homemade Belgian chocolates fresh each day. Chocolate is the perfect way to bring a “taste” of paradise home to your friends and family! A well-presented box of chocolates always makes a great gift. Expertly styled, well-presented boxes and hampers will never fail to impress. Also available are “peace, love & chocolate” T-shirts and seasonal specialties. Discover for yourself why customers keep coming back for our best-selling chocolates. Visit us at 5093 Dronningens Gade, Suite 3, call us at 340-777-5247 or visit www.thebelgianchocolatefactory.com.

11. Rado DiaMaster watch; Royal Caribbean 12. Lucky Clover pendant; Royal Jewelers 13. Mark Henry clover design pendant with four oval shape natural alexandrites; Royal Jewelers 14. Bamboo bracelet in 18kt yellow gold by Gucci Jewelry; Diamonds International 15. Philip Stein watch; Diamonds International Watch & Design, Royal Caribbean

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Ports of call | Tampa

The glittering Tampa skyline.

TAMPA The Gulf Coast city of Tampa embraces its past, while welcoming modern attractions such as trendy art galleries and the city aquarium. Gorgeous beaches and nearby theme parks add to the fun.

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The pier in nearby St. Petersburg.

Quick Guide Famed for: Ybor City, the historic neighborhood founded by Cuban, Italian and Spanish immigrants. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Fact: The magnificent Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay is 191 feet above the water. Signature Souvenirs: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap or a cigar from Ybor City.

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Shopping Made Easy

Find the FUN in Shopping. For only $25, this value package includes over $2,000 in deals from our guaranteed shops ashore. You’ll also find hundreds of dollars in free gifts — even diamond jewelry! Whether you’re looking for luxury items or souvenirs for family and friends, the Fun Finds Coupon Book brings the fun to shopping in our ports of call.

See your Shopping Expert to purchase your very own Fun Finds Coupon Book.

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Ask for the Korite Certificate of Authenticity as a guarantee of quality & craftsmanship.

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