2018 PC Voyages Caribbean - Region 1

voyages Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises®

Caribbean — 2017/2018 Cruises

Caribbean 1

Please return magazine to stateroom at voyage end

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TABLE

OF CONTENTS

voyages Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises 2017 – 2018 Cruises

16 20 38 16

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Let Your Journey Begin

34

The Night Belongs to You

At Your Service

When the sun goes down, the curtain rises on a constellation of thrilling nighttime enticements.

2 0 Delicious Dilemma

Nighttime Activities

Freshly prepared cuisine

Dining options to match your tastes and mood — that’s dining on board your Princess ship.

2 2 Do It All or Nothing At All Daytime Activities

You’ll discover an incredible variety of activities, enrichment programs and other entertaining options each day on board.

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Lotus Spa ® & The Sanctuary

26

The Shops of Princess

28

Princess Photography

29

Enrichment Programs

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Fine Art Auctions

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Movies Under the Stars ®

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Youth & Teen Programs

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36 Casino 38

Shows & Entertainment

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Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle SM

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Guide to Ports

The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, including but not limited to transmission by any means, in any form — digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise — is forbidden without express, written permission from the publisher.

The magazine assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photography, artwork or other material. Electronic queries only will be acknowledged. E-mail to: editor@onboardmedia.com. Commentary and opinions expressed in Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises are not necessarily those of the cruise line. Princess Cruises is not responsible for any claims or offers made in advertisements appearing in Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises.

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Exclusively sold at Diamonds International SafiKilima.com amber cove antigua aruba barbados belize bermuda cabo san lucas costa maya cozumel curacao grand cayman grand turk jamaica key west orlando nassau playa del carmen puerto vallarta roatan san juan st. kitts st. lucia st. maarten st. thomas tortola

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get more from your cruise Princess Cruises® Rewards Visa® Card

Access the application for FREE on Princess@Sea or visit your Princess Cruises Captain Circle Host to find out more.

2x

points

on Princess purchases

+

50

$

Statement Credit after your first purchase or balance transfer*

Plus Other Great Benefits!

The points you earn on everyday purchases can be redeemed for experiences onboard. Earn 2 points for per $1 spent on all Princess purchases including onboard purchases with Princess Cruises and 1 point for per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit after your first purchase or balance transfer* *See Terms and Conditions for details

Princess Cruises Gift Card Treat your loved ones or that special someone to a gift they’re sure to love.

vv

Choose from a variety of gift card designs

WHAT YOU WHAT YOU and denominations WILL RECEIVE WON’T RECEIVE vv Easy and convenient redemption options ✓✓ 0% Introductory APR vv Flexibility use for an for first 15tomonths*

✕✕ Annual fees existing cruise booking ✕✕ Foreign or onboard service transaction fees ✓✓ 5,000 bonus points after vv Expedited available for plastic gift cards your first delivery purchase* ✕✕ Blackout dates For more information v✓ v ✓Send a digital gift card instantly online through e-mail Opportunity to redeem on travel rewards visit princess.com/giftcard points for onboard gifts At this time, Princess Cruises Gift Cards are only available for purchase byand residentsservices* of the United States and Canada. Please note that Princess Cruises Plastic Gift Cards cannot be mailed to Canada so Canadian residents wishing to purchase a Gift Card should select the Digital

Card option. Digital gift cards redeemed by Canadian residents can only be used towards cruise passage for bookings made in US Dollars or on board all Princess vessels at the passenger services desk. Princess Cruises Gift Cards cannot be applied towards cruise passage for bookings made in Canadian Dollars. Standard Gift Cards have no expiration date. Promotional Gift Cards may carry an expiration date which will be printed on the Promotional Gift Card. Gift Cards do not incur any dormancy fees for non-use. Gift Cards are not credit, debit, or charge cards, and have no implied warranties. Princess® does not accept responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen Gift Cards, or any unauthorized use of Gift Cards. Gift Cards have no value until activated at time of purchase, and Gift Cards will not be activated until payment is verified. Gift Cards will be activated when delivered, and will be active upon receipt by the customer. Gift Cards cannot be reloaded, meaning funds may not be added to Gift Cards after activation. Once activated, Gift Cards may not be resold; resale or attempted resale is grounds for seizure and cancellation of the Gift Card without compensation. Gift Cards are not refundable or redeemable for cash, except where required by law. Princess may refuse, cancel or hold for review Gift Cards and Gift Card orders in cases where it suspects fraud, mistake, alteration, issuance in an incorrect denomination, or violations of law, policies or these Terms and Conditions. Gift Cards are issued by Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Princess and the issuer reserve the right, and holders or purchasers of a Gift Card agree that, Princess and the issuer may at any time change these Terms and Conditions, as permitted by law.

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© KABANA. All designs protected by copyright laws. All rights reserved. Reproduction/Duplication prohibited.

CAPTURING YOUR HEART SINCE 1975

Diamonds International | Na Hoku | Mati Jewelers | R&I Patton St. John, USVI Made in the USA | kabana.com

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8400 NW 31st Street, Suite 520, Miami, FL 33166 Tel: (305) 673.0400, Fax: (786) 558.1063 www.onboardmedia.com

Robin Rosenbaum-Andras Carrie Julier Jennifer Zawadski

Senior Vice President, Marketing Senior Vice President Director of Operations

Editorial & Design

Virginia C. Valls Publishing Director

Kate McClare Editor

Ryan Slattery Managing Editor

Iliana Soto Associate Editor

Beth Wood Senior Art Director

Jose Cuevas Graphic Designer

Carlos Suarez-Murias Associate Art Director

James Perdomo Production Coordinator

Gail Abrams Ad Services Director

Violeta Manco-Rojas Ad Services Manager

Contributing Writers/Editors

John Anderson, John Bigley, Christine Blank, Suzanne L. Carmel, Richard Carroll, Sara Churchville, Michael De Freitas, Ginger Dingus, Jen Karetnick, Marjorie Klein, Marty Leshner, Linda Marx, JoAnn Milivojevic, Raymond Niedowski, Paris Permenter, Michelle da Silva Richmond, Cele Seldon, Lynn Seldon, Jonathan Siskin, Jim Thompson, Richard Varr, Chelle Koster Walton, Deborah Williams, Deborah Wilson, Eleanor Wilson, Gerald Zarr.

Advertising Sales

Rudi Riekstins Director of Sales and Cruise Revenue

Anna Riekstins Director of International Sales & Brand Marketing

Rod Musum Executive Director of Sales

Elyce Kolder International Sales Coordinator

Video/Film Production

Todd Hedge Director/Executive Producer

Juan Carlos Peña Director of Photography

Kevin Maschke Post-Production Supervisor

Caroline Keith Producer

Iris Cegarra Editor

Port Shopping Revenue

Vince Mikulus Regional Marketing Manager

Will Oldham Regional Marketing Manager

Andrew Vrzal Regional Marketing Manager

Jimmy Marks Retail Program Manager

Port Shopping

Rina Alvarado Operations Coordinator

Candice Ewing Operations Coordinator

Nadine Winter Customer Relations Manager

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©2017 Onboard Media. No claim to original works of Princess Cruises or advertisers.

Ships of Bermudan registry.

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 Princess Cruises and under no circumstances constitute assurances or guarantees concerning the quality or safety of any such attraction or activity. Onboard Media Inc. and Princess Cruises 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.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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© Forevermark 2017. Forevermark ®, ®

and

™

are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies.

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Enjoy Cariloha’s Softest Bedding on the Planet™, Made of Viscose from Bamboo.

CARIBBEAN • MEXICO • ALASKA • HAWAII • CONTINENTAL U.S. ...AND GROWING!

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Turquoise waters caressing soft, sandy beaches; verdant mountains rising from lush forests; delightful shopping choices from merchants who stock wares to fulfill your heart’s desire. These are just some of the pleasures that await you on your cruise.

We are happy to act as your guide with Voyages, which is both a directory of Princess® services and activities and an introduction to the ports of call you’ll be visiting.

Whether you prefer to stay busy with sports and other active pursuits, or your idea of keeping a hectic schedule is squeezing in an extra massage at the Lotus Spa®, you’ll find this journey to be a perfect fit. Read on for helpful listings and other information on the onboard experiences you’ll enjoy as a guest with Princess, from delicious dining to exclusive shopping. You’ll also find a calendar of the year’s cruises.

Finally, our Ports of Call guide offers a wealth of helpful and intriguing information on Princess destinations. You’ll find fascinating insights into the culture and traditions of ports you will visit, while also learning where to find the best deals when shopping.

You’ve begun a journey that we know you’ll never forget. Here’s to smooth seas, a fair wind and your most rewarding journey ever. Bon voyage!

The staff of Voyages

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PHOTOS BY: (BEACH) ORANGECRUSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (UNDERWATER) VILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

adventure await s

Princess Cruises Voyages

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ISLAND STYLE S T E R L I N G S I LV E R J E W E L R Y INSPIRED BY SUM M ER

T H E PA N D O R A S T O R E AT ARUBA Paseo Herencia Noord, Aruba 297.586.5625

ARUBA L.G. Smith Blvd 15 Oranjestad, Aruba 297.587.7060

THE MALL OF SAN JUAN 1000 San Juan Blvd.

Puerto Rico, 00924 787.302.0404

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BAHAMAS 329 Bay Street Nassau, Bahamas 242.698.0539

CURACAO Heerenstraat 4B, Punda Willemstad, Curacao 599.9.465.4774

BRICKELL CITY CENTRE 700 S. Miami Ave • 3rd Level Miami, FL 33131 786.220.1817

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL MALL 1455 NW 107th Ave Miami, FL 33172 305.471.4713

ST. MAARTEN 12-2 Front Street Philipsburg, St. Maarten 721.542.1109

ST. MAARTEN 5 Harbour Point Village Philipsburg, St. Maarten 721.542.9364

ST. THOMAS Main Street at Drake’s Passage 5124 Dronningens Gade St. Thomas VI, 00802 340.774.3672

ST. THOMAS Havensight Mall • Bldg. 2 St. Thomas VI, 00802 340.776.8550

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FINALLY, YOU’RE HERE. Now is the time to do as much or as little as you like. Get out on deck and experience the fresh air, explore your ship and all its amenities. Every aspect of this vacation was designed for you because we provide you with a variety of enriching ways to discover more about yourself and the world around you.

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On the following pages, you can learn a bit more about what you can expect in the coming days in our book: Voyages: Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises. We call it that for a reason — not only because of the wonderful ports you’ll be visiting, but also because of all the distinct pleasures you will find, one by one, on your Princess ship. What will be your favorite venue, activity, restaurant? Enjoy the freedom to spend your days your way.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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WELCOME

ABOARD

let your journey begin

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at your service Princess Cruises Moments that Matter

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MOMENTS THAT MATTER

SERVICE

On your Princess ship, gracious and attentive crew members are there to serve you and make your entire vacation memorable.

YOU FIRST NOTICED IT on the lapel of the officer who welcomed you aboard as you crossed the gangway: a blue-and-gold pin that read “Cruise.” Then you saw it again worn by the concierge, and your stateroom steward, and...What are these pins, and what does CRUISE stand for?

CRUISE began as a program to help keep the guest experience top-of-mind for all Princess staff and crew, and that is still one of its important goals. But CRUISE is also how we recognize and reward employees for great performance. CRUISE is how we educate our employees for career and personal growth. CRUISE is how we support our employees’ health and welfare so they can perform their jobs with excellence every day. CRUISE is the vehicle through which Princess delivers our core values — we serve, we respect our team, we innovate,

we are consistent, we are accountable and we do it right. We recognize crewmembers who exceed the expectations of our guests with the Moments that Matter award.

What does CRUISE mean to you? It’s the recognition that small gestures often make a big difference. You’ll see it in the bartender who remembers your favorite drink or the stateroom steward who always wears a smile. It means everyone on board is working together to make your vacation a relaxed rejuvenating retreat at sea. It means all of us know that your vacation memories are infinitely precious — and we want you to remember not only our spectacular ships sailing to fantastic destinations, but also how valued you felt while you were on board.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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DINING

FRESHLY PREPARED

delicious dilemma Your ship is a floating destination of culinary delights, with options to match every taste and mood.

ONE OF THE MOST ENTICING THINGS

FOR VARIETY, you can choose a specialty

about your spectacular Princess® ship is the wide variety of tempting onboard options to delight your palate. From specialty restaurants and gracious dining rooms, a warm, freshly cooked meal is never far away. You can have a burger grilled to order out on deck, or grab a slice of handmade pizza to eat by the pool. Or maybe all you need is some soft-serve ice cream to fend off the heat. From breakfast to dinner to late-night snacks, Princess raises the bar on dining at sea.

restaurant like SHARE by award-winning chef Curtis Stone; Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria,SM with fresh authentic pasta made daily; the elegant Crown Grill SM or Sterling Steakhouse SM for an aged prime steak; or the Bayou Café & Steakhouse for a more Southern ambience.

WE UNDERSTAND

how important dining is to the vacation experience, which is why we put such an emphasis on the quality and range of our dining options. We’ve designed the menus for our Traditional and Anytime Dining SM rooms to truly make sure the food is the star. From our signature pastas to our lighter selections, you’ll savor freshly prepared cuisine, utilizing ingredients with regional influences.

Ask about the Chef’s Table, yet another unique offering — you’ll be invited into the galley for champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and you'll later enjoy an exclusive multi-course dinner with a menu created by the Executive Chef on board.

Or if you happen to have a balcony stateroom, you can stay in one evening and we’ll bring the experience to you — with Ultimate Balcony Dining.

WE INVITE YOU to indulge in all this and more during your cruise.

Note: Please reference your Princess Patter or log on to Princess@Sea for information about the restaurants and dining venues onboard.

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do it all or nothing at all FREE TIME — something each of us has precious little of

these days. Of course, that’s why you take a vacation. And on your Princess ship, you’ll find you have plenty of time to enjoy the fabulous options your ship offers.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? Are you a fitness fanatic? Do you like

arts & crafts? Do you wish you simply had more hours in the day after work and family commitments to just sit down and read a book?

On a Princess voyage, we offer opportunities for every interest to be engaged, which is one of the reasons people often unexpectedly find that it is their time on the ship they remember most fondly.

So now that you’re here, we encourage you to follow your mood to whatever activities and entertainment most interest you. You’ll find a full schedule of what’s offered each day in your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea.* This is your time to do as much as or as little as you like. *Princess@Sea available on select ships.

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renew yourself body & soul

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

REJUVENATE

Rejuvenate with luxurious treatments in the Lotus Spa ® or on deck in The Sanctuary.

SITTING OUT ON DECK, you’ll be lulled into a

THE SANCTUARY – TRULY SPECIAL.

blissful state by the sound of waves, the fresh sea air and the knowledge that while you are out here with Princess, you don’t have a single care in the world.

And if you think that’s a good feeling, just imagine how you’ll feel after a massage or spa treatment!

Rejuvenate in the open air at the outdoor oasis reserved exclusively for adults, The Sanctuary, available on select ships.*

PAMPERING never felt as good as it does on a Princess ship. The onboard Lotus Spa® rivals most you’ll find on land — offering a sensational selection of services and treatments from facials, scrubs and massages to hot stone therapy, body therapy and body wraps, as well as a full-service salon should you choose to beautify after you unwind.

In this popular haven you can get a massage under a cabana to the sound of the sea lapping far beneath you. Or you can find yourself an empty chaise lounge in which to enjoy healthy smoothies, energy drinks and flavored waters. A menu exclusive to The Sanctuary highlights a variety of light snacks served by special Serenity Stewards. MP3 players are also available with themed playlists, so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of music.

The Lotus Spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp and TRX suspension training. The Lotus Spa Fitness Center also features world-class exercise equipment so you can tone on your own. * The Sanctuary is available on most ships. Covered cabanas and massages not available in The Sanctuary on all ships.

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discover the finer things and come back ne w ÂŽ

Visit The Shops of Princess onboard and discover tax and duty-free shopping. Enhance your shopping experience with exciting events like our Runway at Sea, trunk shows and our exclusive onboard outlet.

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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ENRICHMENT

EXPERIENCES

The Princess Photo & Video team captures

your memories at sea A PICTURE IS WORTH a thousand words — especially of your cruise with Princess. And we offer many ways for you to relive your vacation with both photos and video.

PLATINUM STUDIO

by Joe Craig

YOUR LIFE. OUR ART. YOUR LEGACY. Created by internationally recognized photographer Joe Craig, the Platinum Studio experience puts the focus on your inner spirit.

Using creative lighting techniques, our specially trained Platinum Artist creates a unique style of art with sessions taking place in a private studio, with no session fee and no obligation to purchase.

Call or visit the Photo & Video Gallery to book your appointment today!

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enrichment programs SET SAIL WITH PRINCESS, and you’re in for an adventure that’s more than just sightseeing. You will discover an array of engaging onboard offerings to expand your cultural horizons.

An adventure in the

cultural Engaging enrichment opportunities and exciting art auctions bring refinement to your cruise.

Among the wonderful offerings of our enrichment programs is an array of classes, from singing to culinary skills and art history. You can brush up on your cooking knowledge, expand your navigational awareness, or join the Zumba® Fitness dance party.* Get creative and have fun learning new craft activities and much more.

Destination experts, like park rangers and naturalists, offer insight into the culture and history of the region you are visiting through Encounters with Discovery at Sea™.

GET INTO THE AUCTION** Our live art auctions are fun, fastpaced and offer an exciting opportunity to collect exceptional works of art. You’ll find some of the art world’s biggest stars — from Picasso to Chagall to Rockwell to Max — all represented,with hundreds of works available from contemporary art’s most popular figures.

So immerse yourself, and experience our auctions, gallery events and enrichment lectures this voyage. And don’t worry about carrying your new collection off the ship, because most works are shipped to your door. * Zumba available on select voyages. ** N ot available on Pacific Princess.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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MOVIES

UNDER THE STARS®

t h e s k y ’s the limit

Princess pioneered the concept — guests enjoying a feature film ®

poolside on a giant screen — Movies Under the Stars. ®

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Princess Cruises Voyages

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ORDER A DRINK,

grab a bag of complimentary popcorn, get yourself a lounge chair by the pool — or even better, a coveted spot in the hot tub for the greatest show on the sea. Movies Under the Stars® is a real crowd-pleaser, with up to five movies shown poolside during the day, and two feature films at night. What a great way to take advantage of warm nights in the region. A high-tech 300-square-foot LED screen and 69,000watt stereo system assure clarity and quality of sound from wherever on the deck you might be sitting.

EVEN KIDS GET IN

on the fun.

Some of the most popular offerings on the Movies Under the Stars big screen are our special Playstation® or Nintendo® Wii TM tournaments. And teens will enjoy late-night screenings just for them, while younger cruisers can take in a colorful matinee with newfound friends!

TO KEEP THE ENTERTAINMENT FRESH, there are other showings besides movies. Major sporting events such as the NFL Playoffs, NBA Finals, MLB World Series and college bowl games are shown on the big screen. And you’ll often find yourself grooving to a concert video of one of the world’s most popular performers.

*Satellite coverage permitting.

Note: Movies Under the Stars is featured on most Princess ships.

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—introducing —

new reimagined youth & teen centers Young explorers are invited to play fun games and activities, discover new interests and learn more about the world when they sail with us! In partnership with Discovery Communications, Princess has developed engaging new youth programs and wonder-filled centers designed for cruisers ages 3 to 17 — rolling out fleet-wide through 2019. Visit princess.com/family for details by ship. Princess offers great times for the whole family!

The Treehouse – Just for younger kids (ages 3 – 7)

The Lodge – Just for bigger kids (ages 8 – 12)

At Camp Discovery, kids can make new friends and participate in activities specially designed to play, huddle, create and discover in two reimagined centers: the animal-themed Treehouse, designed for ages three to seven, and the outdoorinspired Lodge, built for ages eight to twelve. There are all sorts of indoor and outdoor activities, like arts & crafts, movies and theme nights.

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The Beach House – Just for teens (ages 13 – 17) There’s a place on board just for teens, too! The Beach House, a contemporary beach- themed lounge, is the place to socialize, with activities designed to help them meet new friends. Teens can take test their sports arcade skills with mini golf, air hockey and ping pong, play in game tournaments on popular gaming consoles, try to win in interactive scavenger hunts, enjoy movie nights, take dance classes and attend a red carpet VIP party just for them.

Parents’ Night Out Princess offers nighttime kid-sitting so the children can watch movies or play games with their friends while mom and dad enjoy some time alone. From bars and clubs to casinos and production shows, there are plenty of terrific choices for grown-ups who want to have a great night out while on board.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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the night belongs to you Step out for an evening of adventure and excitement on a ship of dreams.

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ACTIVITIES

NIGHTTIME

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME you could go out without a single worry — and have so much to choose from? It’s a rare luxury to be able to walk out of your stateroom any evening, and within a short stroll be able to take in a musical, roll the dice in a lively casino, settle into a piano bar for some cocktails and live music or dance the night away in a state-of-the-art nightclub.

From comedy and magic acts to movies by the pool to champagne in an intimate lounge, there’s always more to do than you could fit in an evening.

Fortunately, you’ve got many nights ahead to enjoy all the evenings Princess® holds in store for you.

Be sure to drop by the Atrium for the fabulous champagne waterfall, or get out on deck for a stroll beneath the stars amongst the crisp, clear sky Whether for a few hours in the lounge or an evening of dancing, don’t miss this chance to cut loose and be enchanted by the night.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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CASINO

GAMING

Princess® is your

lady luck

The onboard casinos offer a chance to play, watch the wheel spin, press the slot buttons and bring home the winnings.

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? An evening of gaming and good fortune is beckoning you to the casino, where you can try your luck at any of your favorite games of chance.

Our fabulous, contemporary casinos blend a bit of the excitement of Vegas with an elegant ambience to create a gaming experience unique to Princess. In these lively rooms, you can join other guests for blackjack, roulette and, of course, an array of slot machines. There may even be a poker tournament getting under way with a seat just for you.

Whether you’re an avid gamer or just an occasional enthusiast, you’ll love the Princess casinos. Those on our Grandclass ships are some of the largest at sea!

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SHOWS

ENTERTAINMENT

Music, dance & a little

magic LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, please take your seats. The lights are dimming, the curtain’s opening, and the show is about to begin.

OUR THRILLING PRODUCTION SHOWS are unforgettable — combining lavish stage sets and compelling scores with the song and dance of a troupe of professional singers and dancers.

On every voyage with Princess,® you’ll have the opportunity to attend several different musical productions, specially created just for our guests.

Check your Princess Patter or Princess@Sea each day to find out about that evening’s offerings. And we’ll see you at the show!

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PRINCESS CRUISES CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE

®

welcome to

the circle

Whether it’s your first cruise with Princess,® or you’ve sailed with us many times before, you’re sure to enjoy the benefits and rewards of the best loyalty program at sea.

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GOLD MEMBERS After your 1st completed cruise • Special Launch Savings • Reduced Deposit • Preferential pricing offers • Circle CenterSM Online - StandBy Program - Refer-a-Friend - Circle Savings AccountSM • Princess Cruises Circle Magazine • Access to a Circle Host on board • Members-only onboard events • Princess Passport • Gold Member Pin

RUBY MEMBERS Ruby Members get all Gold Member benefits plus the Ruby benefits.

From your 4th–5th cruise, or 31­–50 cruise days • Exclusive shoreside access to the Captain’s Circle Help Desk phone line • 10% discount off the purchase of our Reflections DVD on board • Ruby Member Pin

BY VOYAGE’S END, it’s likely

TO THE RIGHT YOU’LL FIND

you will have made a new circle of friends at dinner or perhaps in the fitness center, boutiques, bars and lounges of your Princess® ship. Like you, they’re all members of a very special group — those who’ve sailed with Princess, and those we hope will sail again.

a chart listing the benefits of the various levels of membership.

To learn more about the program, we encourage you to visit with the Circle Host on board, who can answer any questions you may have.

WELCOME to the best loyalty program at sea. The Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle® was created to thank those guests who cruise with us frequently — and to offer an incentive to our new guests joining us for the very first time. A range of rewards awaits you, from exclusive onboard events to access to a Circle Host on board every cruise who can answer any questions you might have about benefits. At higher levels, you’ll receive other perks like Preferred Check-In, complimentary wine tasting, complimentary Internet credit, priority disembarkation and more!

You’ll receive a special Member Number as a Captain’s Circle Member. Be sure to provide this number each time you make a booking so you can be certain to take advantage of all your benefits.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...

Our most traveled guests enjoy additional recognition each cruise, including an invitation to a special event hosted by senior officers. The top three for that sailing also receive a commemorative collectible gift!

NOTE: Captain’s Circle Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the Captain’s Circle Program. Please visit princess.com or your Captain’s Circle Host on board to review the full terms of the program and to obtain further details on Member benefits.

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PLATINUM MEMBERS Platinum Members get all Ruby Member benefits plus the Platinum benefits.

From your 6th-15th cruise, or 51-150 cruise days • Internet credit • Preferred check-in at Embarkation • Platinum Disembarkation Lounge • Complimentary Cruise Atlas • Platinum Member Pin

ELITE MEMBERS Elite Members get all Platinum Member benefits plus the Elite benefits.

From your 16th cruise on, or 151+ cruise days • Complimentary shoe polishing, laundry and professional cleaning services • Priority ship-to-shore tender embarkation • Priority disembarkation • 10% boutique discount • Complimentary Grapevine Wine Tasting • Complimentary mini-bar setup • Complimentary canapés on formal nights (upon request) • Advanced 24 hour access to preview and book new itineraries • Upgraded stateroom amenities • Traditional afternoon tea in stateroom (upon request) • Elite Member Pin

PRINCESS CRUISES VOYAGES Princess Cruises Voyages

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PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS@SEA

book your next cruise

on board

Future Cruise Consultants can help you plan your next vacation. You can

receive up to $300 in shipboard credits on your next cruise when you purchase a low refundable deposit, even if you don’t yet know where you want to sail.

Book a cruise or place a deposit while you’re on board and receive a special offer — up to $300 shipboard credit per stateroom. With a reduced refundable deposit of just $100 per person, you’ll get shipboard credits good on your next cruise with Princess.

If you’re unsure of your future travel plans, simply make a deposit and take up to two years to decide. This exclusive offer is available only to our onboard guests. See your Future Cruise Consultant for details.

Shipboard Credit*

Cruise Length

Stateroom Type

3-6 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$15 $25

7-10 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$25 $50

11-16 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$75 $100

17-44 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$125 $150

(U.S.)

C heck the Princess Patter or Princess@Sea daily for office hours and location.

Deposits and shipboard credits are per person per deposit per booking, based on double occupancy. Future Cruise Deposits will be automatically refunded if not applied to a new booking within two years from date of purchase.

Shipboard credit applies to the holder of the Future Cruise Deposit only, and is not applicable to upper berth passengers. Shipboard credits are non refundable and may only be used on a single voyage and expires at the end of that voyage. For cruises 45 days or more, the reduced deposit and onboard credits do not apply. The reduced deposit requirement for these bookings may vary based on booking dates, and a fare discount of 3% is provided.

Future Cruise Deposits are available in the same currency as your booking. See the Future Cruise Consultant for details.

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PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS@SEA

digital daily events with Princess@Sea! Princess@Sea is your FREE mobile-friendly connection to ship events, information, account details and access to purchase Internet plans on the majority of Princess ships*.

Connecting is easy as 1-2-3!

your device in 1 Put airplane mode WiFi on & connect 2 Turn to ship’s network Open your browser and 3 type onboard.princess.com in the address bar *OceanMedallion ships are enabled with OceanConcierge. See alternate instructions on board or a crew member for details.

*If Princess@Sea does not open as your default web page, type “login.com” into your browser. Internet access via satellite is significantly slower than high-speed connections on shore. Princess Cruises reserves the right to block or filter certain high bandwidth activities such as adult sites, file sharing, VPN, and video streaming. Internet and communications services are not guaranteed to be available at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to itinerary and possible disruption from weather and various obstructions.

Princess Cruises is not responsible for any content transmitted via the Internet, nor does it guarantee privacy or data security. Please note that plans support only one device at a time.

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have a p er f e c t day Bring your Shopping Spotlight newsletter into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket and put the port at your fingertips.

CKP1001/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Your Shopping Spotlight newsletter will be delivered to your stateroom each night.

Make sure to take it with you into port. You can also see your Princess Shopping Host for more specific information. The host’s desk hours are listed in your Princess Patter.

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Amber Cove ∙ Antigua ∙ Aruba ∙ Barbados ∙ Belize ∙ Bermuda ∙ Cabo San Lucas ∙ Costa Maya ∙ Cozumel ∙ Curacao ∙ Grand Cayman ∙ Grand Turk ∙ Jamaica ∙ Key West ∙ Orlando ∙ Nassau ∙ Playa Del Carmen ∙ Puerto Vallarta ∙ Roatan ∙ San Juan ∙ St. Kitts ∙ St. Lucia ∙ St. Maarten ∙ St. Thomas ∙ Tortola 1-800-51-JEWEL ∙ DiamondsInternational.com

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shopping made easy Become a Savvy Traveler.

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 Savvy Traveler is your must-have for shopping in our ports of call.

see your princess shopping host to purchase your very own savvy traveler.

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Amber Cove ∙ Antigua ∙ Aruba ∙ Barbados ∙ Belize ∙ Bermuda ∙ Cabo San Lucas ∙ Costa Maya ∙ Cozumel ∙ Curacao ∙ Grand Cayman ∙ Grand Turk ∙ Jamaica ∙ Key West ∙ Orlando ∙ Nassau ∙ Playa Del Carmen ∙ Puerto Vallarta ∙ Roatan ∙ San Juan ∙ St. Kitts ∙ St. Lucia ∙ St. Maarten ∙ St. Thomas ∙ Tortola 1-800-51-JEWEL ∙ DiamondsInternational.com

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for Him

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Gold • Blue Diamonds • Mexican Exotic Opals Tanzanite • Pearls • Tennis Bracelets • Men’s Rings • Watches Sapphire • Ruby • Emeralds & Diamond Jewelry

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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ARUBA • BARBADOS • BONAIRE • CABO SAN LUCAS • COZUMEL • CURACAO • GRAND CAYMAN • GRAND TURK • GRENADA JAMAICA • JUNEAU • KETCHIKAN • MAZATLAN • NASSAU • SAN JUAN • SKAGWAY • ST KITTS • ST MAARTEN • ST THOMAS

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DancingCollection The

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T HE

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Amber Cove ∙ Antigua ∙ Aruba ∙ Barbados ∙ Belize ∙ Bermuda ∙ Cabo San Lucas ∙ Costa Maya ∙ Cozumel ∙ Curacao ∙ Grand Cayman ∙ Grand Turk ∙ Jamaica ∙ Key West ∙ Orlando ∙ Nassau ∙ Playa Del Carmen ∙ Puerto Vallarta ∙ Roatan ∙ San Juan ∙ St. Kitts ∙ St. Lucia ∙ St. Maarten ∙ St. Thomas ∙ Tortola 1-800-51-JEWEL ∙ DiamondsInternational.com

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OBJECTS

DESIRE

Perfect your look with one of these little luxuries: a sparkling ring, a top-quality timepiece or a pair of shimmering earrings. It’s a vacation memory of the best kind.

Le Vian Ocean Wave Gladiator ring

Crown of Light Orchid ring

TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 watch

Kabana Alhambra Collection earrings

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Grande

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OBJECTS

DESIRE

Jewelry to rock your world: Diamonds top the must-have list, but they’re not the only way to attract a crowd. The looks that matter?

Whatever matters to you.

Marahlago Surf necklace

Danyal Paraiba Orion’s Belt ring

Safi Kilima Kilehe Trillion tanzanite bangle

TrueLove Diamonds Infinity bracelet

Forevermark Halo ring

Bremont Women’s watch

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MAKE VACATION A PIECE OF CAKE Available throughout the Caribbean.

We Ship Worldwide.

Proudly baked in Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Bahamas

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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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CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

OF THE

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

Princess Cruises Voyages

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guide to

ports

CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Amber Cove Antigua Aruba Barbados Belize Bermuda Bonaire Canada Cartagena Charleston Cozumel Curaรงao Dominica Falmouth Fort Lauderdale Grand Cayman Grand Turk Grenada Ocho Rios Princess Cays St. Kitts St. Maarten/St. Martin St. Thomas

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PHOTOS BY: (PUERTO PLATA BEACH) RYAN RICHTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

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. Does your idea of fun involve relaxing on a beach with a tropical drink in hand? There’s plenty of that, too.

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Beach in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port Coco Caña Lounge

Coco Caña Lounge offers a unique gastronomic experience mixed with the warmth and the party soul of the local people.

Come to enjoy the best Dominican cocktails while dancing with us!

Amber Cove Port, Maimon Bay; Buildings 18, 7 & 30 Instagram: @cococanaloungerd

El Cibao Coffee Shop

PHOTOS BY: (PUERTO PLATA BEACH) RYAN RICHTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

El Cibao is entirely dedicated to the ancient and noble drink of coffee.

In a friendly environment you can: • Enjoy the taste of espresso, cappuccino, different cold coffee drinks, smoothies and desserts • Learn about the process of coffee manufacturing • Buy high-quality Dominican organic coffee, packaged in different sizes

Amber Cove Port Building 2/B, Maimon, Puerto Plata 829-974-5996 or 809-895-6376 lscordari@naturabellasrl.com Facebook: Cafeteria "Café el Cibao"

Island Treasures and T-shirt Island

Your one-stop shopping emporium, Island Treasures offers gifts for everyone on your list. It is locally owned and operated, with friendly service and great prices. Island Treasures carries over 2,000 items, from local arts and crafts, souvenirs, Caribbean décor, chimes and apparel to table and wall art and a wide variety of T-shirts. Stop by and say hi to Ana — hers is the friendliest store in town!

Next to the Amber Cove sign at the dock 829-344-4613

TURQUESA GIFT SHOP

Turquesa Gift Shop

Check everyone off your gift list at your one-stop gift and souvenir shop in Amber Cove!

Amber Cove Port 787-721-7972 turquesapr@gmail.com

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: Fort San Felipe in nearby Puerto Plata is one of the oldest military colonial period fortresses in the region, dating back to 1577.

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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a n t ig u a Part of the two-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, this locale is even more focused on the waters surrounding it than you might expect. The most zealous beachgoers and sailors now favor its scalloped shores, but they were once beloved by colonial navies and smugglers.

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PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Antigua

Princess Cruises Voyages

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PHOTOS BY: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Antigua boasts 365 beaches.

Quick Guide Famed for: Beaches, sailing and rich maritime history.

It’s a Fact: Rock legend Eric Clapton owns a home on the island, and you can see it from the bluffs of Shirley Heights.

Signature Souvenirs: Rum, hot pepper sauce and toy steel drums.

How to Get to Town: The lively center of St. John’s is an easy walk from the pier. It takes only a minute or two, and you may not even lose sight of your ship.

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HOLGER WULSCHLAEGER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Antigua

T HINGS YOU C AN ’ T MIS S IN

Life in St. John’s is centered on the harbor.

antigua

Called “the Gateway to the Caribbean,” Antigua has been favored by sailors since Britain’s Adm. Lord Horatio Nelson sailed into port in 1784. Today, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is the world’s only remaining Georgian naval yard, a favorite with yachties and the site of one of the world’s top five regattas. Historic stone buildings house boutiques, restaurants and museums.

Antigua’s beaches offer everything from family fun and romantic relaxation to challenging watersports. And shoppers can dive into two special areas on the island.

Duty-free shopping reigns at Heritage Quay, where shops sell fine jewelry, perfumes, clothing and more. At the waterfront Redcliffe Quay, shops in colorful colonial

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buildings sell handicrafts and Caribbean artwork.

When it’s time for a break, restaurants tempt visitors’ palates with Antigua’s national dish: fungi and pepperpot, a thick vegetable stew made with yam, squash, okra, eggplant, dasheen leaves (similar to spinach), plantains and pumpkin, served with salted meat and fried cornmeal dumplings.

Dessert is an extra-sweet Antigua black pineapple.

Don’t be surprised to see familiar faces in Antigua’s restaurants. Through the years, Eric Clapton, Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman have owned homes on this island, named the best in the Caribbean for celebrity spotting. — John Bigley and Paris Permenter

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Ports of call | Antigua

har bor his t or y

By Deborah Williams

It was 1671 when Sir Charles Wheeler, governor of the Leeward Islands, first urged the British Crown to consider the deep, expansive bay called English Harbour, Antigua, as a seaport for the Royal Navy.

By 1704, the harbor was sheltering a large part of the British fleet, which set out from here on raids and forays over the next 100 years — a period of constant power struggles between British, Spanish, French and Dutch explorers, settlers and pirates.

The only remaining Georgian naval dockyard in the world achieved its greatest fame when Adm. Lord Horatio Nelson, the man who was to become Britain’s most celebrated naval hero, was headquartered there.

During Nelson’s days in Antigua, the Antillean islands ranked higher in importance than the North American

colonies, thanks to sugar. The crop was so lucrative that the British government spent a fortune on the dockyard to maintain the might of the Royal Navy and to discourage invaders who sought this precious natural resource.

The yard was officially abandoned by the Royal Navy in 1889, and soon fell into disrepair. It was restored and reopened in 1961 by a group of Antiguans and expatriates who formed an organization known as the Society of Friends of English Harbour. Now a national park, this area is a lively center for sailors, history buffs and anyone who enjoys a nautical atmosphere.

PHOTOS BY: JULES SWICKARD/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

LEFT: The dockyard where ships and sails were overhauled and repaired.

BELOW: Adm. Lord Horatio Nelson, commander of the dockyard for the Royal Navy’s West Indies Fleet during the late 18th century.

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Ports of call | Antigua

antigua and bar buda museum For a look back at Antigua’s colonial past, visit this historical museum, housed in the Old Court House.

Colonial artifacts, sugar-plantation displays and a life-size replica of an Arawak Indian dwelling can all be found here.

Shipping was important to Antigua’s past.

PHOTOS BY: (POTTERY) THANAPUNSHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SHIP ILLUSTRATION) ROBERT FREEMAN.

Ancient pottery

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PHOTOS BY: (POTTERY) THANAPUNSHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SHIP ILLUSTRATION) ROBERT FREEMAN.

aruba It has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and interesting inland landscapes. Aruba also draws visitors to its capital city, Oranjestad, where the island’s Dutch heritage is evident in colorful architecture and the wares in its shops.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) RUIDOBLANCO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Aruba

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) RUIDOBLANCO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

Colorful boats tie up at the dock on Palm Beach.

Famed for: Palm Beach, windsurfing and jeep rides into the countryside.

It’s a Fact: The unusual, sculptured-looking watapana (aka divi-divi), the national tree of Aruba, always points to the southwest. It’s shaped by the trade winds that constantly blow from the northeast.

Signature Souvenirs: Wheels of Gouda and Edam cheese, aloe products and Delftware porcelain.

How to Get to Town: To reach the colorful shops and attractions of Oranjestad, just walk through the cruise terminal and turn left onto L.G. Smith Boulevard.

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MEUNIERD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Aruba

T HINGS YOU C AN ’ T MIS S IN

Colorful architecture lines Aruba’s streets.

aruba Everything Dutch comes alive in Oranjestad — from gabled architecture to delicious cheeses and exquisite blue Delft china. But not all of its attractions are imported.

Oranjestad’s picturesque harbor boasts many tempting boutiques at the Renaissance Mall and Marketplace.

Treasures such as Mopa Mopa art await in the shops along Caya G.F. Betico Croes, a delightful setting with classic Dutch-gabled, pastel-hued store facades. The legacy at the Numismatic Museum is a rich one — literally. It contains some 40,000 historic coins and paper money from more than 400 countries. More heritage is on display at the Aruba Historical Museum. It can be reached with a walk down

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bustling L.G. Smith Boulevard to Fort Zoutman and the King Willem III Tower.

At lunchtime, try a bowl of tasty keshi yena, an island specialty made with minced tenderloin and chicken stewed with golden raisins, prunes and nuts, all stuffed into a round ball of Dutch Gouda cheese.

Adventurous types can explore the rugged, arid north side and famous natural bridges, or head to De Palm Island for snorkeling and swimming. It might be wise to first visit the Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory, where Aruba’s signature moisturizing miracle and sunburn remedy is extracted from the island’s bountiful aloe plants. — Richard Varr

Princess Cruises Voyages

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NO ONE COLORS YOUR WORLD LIKE LE VIAN™

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NEW LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN ARUBA DOWNTOWN WESTSTRAAT 8 • ORANJESTAD

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Ports of call | Aruba

Natural Bridges Aruba has several bridges formed naturally from coral limestone, but one was known above all: the Natural Bridge. Spanning 100 feet and rising 23 feet above sea level, it was a national treasure.

Unfortunately, it collapsed in 2005. The nearby Baby Natural is only 25 feet long and 3 feet high, but it has taken the original’s place as a favorite attraction for visitors and locals alike.

Sand Dunes and Lighthouses Explorers of the island’s desert topography on foot will find tumbleweed, aloe, cacti — and sand dunes. The California Lighthouse, named for a ship that sank offshore in 1910, stands amid the sweeping sand dunes of Hudishibana, on the northwest tip of Aruba. The area around the structure is a popular spot for picnics and beach strolling, and the waters off the beach offer excellent swimming and snorkeling.

Rock Formations Hikers can experience a bit of Stonehenge in the Caribbean thanks to Aruba’s as-yet-unexplained rock and boulder formations. Some of the formations are full of quartz-diorite, while others, like the ones at Ayo, are decorated with petroglyphs.

A few even seem to have been stacked atop each other, though apparently not by human hands. If you scale one, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the island.

Pastechis These pastries, served at any meal and filled with dried fruit, spices and meat or seafood, are one of the island’s best-loved specialties.

The Power of a Wish

PHOTOS BY: FERNANDO ARRONIZ/ARUBA TOURISM BOARD; PRASAD GONDI/WIKIPEDIA.COM; LIMEINTERACTIVE/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Pieces of Paradise

Wear Your Wish & Believe

Unique Bracelets for Men & Women Visit:

www.wishuponarock.com

Share:

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Available at: Oroubo Plaza - L.G. Smith Blvd., Weststraat #13 (Next to Main Bus Terminal) Oranjestad, Aruba TEL: (297) 588-9587 | togaruba@gmail.com

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a day of play under the sun or a night of romance under the stars, Coconuts’ extensive selection of swimsuits, sunglasses, beach toys, dresses, sandals and gifts will meet all your fashion and souvenir needs.

Special Advertising Feature

Treasure Coins of the Caribbean

Piece of Eight

By Bernard Reller, American Numismatic Association R-159127 Copyright 2014 Shortly after Christopher Columbus “discovered” the New World in 1492, Spanish conquistadores arrived to conquer and subjugate the indigenous peoples of present day Mexico, Central and South America and exploit the vast riches of silver and gold found there. They soon established mines and mints to refine metal and strike coins for trading in the colonies and to finance the ever expanding debt of the Spanish Monarchy in Europe. The wealth and produce of the New World was shipped to Spain via convoys of sailing ships guarded by heavily armed galleons which carried most of the silver and gold. Many of these convoys would fall victim to violent hurricanes and marauding pirates.

The units of currency of the Spanish colonies were the silver real and the gold escudo and valued at sixteen reales to one escudo. The coins of the New World were first produced under crude conditions. A thin slab of metal would be poured, then discs or “planchettes” would be cut from this bar. The planchettes were further clipped to a precise weight then hand struck between two hand carved dies.

Early coins carried on one side an image of pillars and waves. The other side carried a simple shield bearing lions and castles. Later, more elaborate shield designs were introduced to represent

various other lands under the control of Spain.

With the introduction of the screw press in 1732, these gradually gave way to round “milled” coins known as “Pillar Dollars” and the later “Bust Dollars” bearing a likeness of the monarch.

Minting in the colonies continued until 1825.

For 300 years, Spanish coins served as the currency for much of the world including the early North American Colonies. The Spanish eight real coin or famous “piece of eight” was based on the avoirdupois ounce of approximately 28 grams. The gold “doubloon” later came to apply to other denominations of gold coins. The Spanish “piece of eight” ultimately gave rise to the United States dollar.

Over the years, most of this crude Spanish coinage found its way into the melting pots of Europe and the world, but today treasure hunters and salvage divers, using modern equipment, are recovering long-lost caches of treasure, much of them in the waters of the Caribbean.

The most famous shipwreck treasure was found in the waters of the Florida Keys. The Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha struck a reef and sank on September 6, 1622. After 15 years of searching the waters, famed treasure hunter Mel Fisher, and his company Treasure Salvers

Reller Atocha Coin

Coins available at Touch of Gold Inc., discovered the main wreck site on July 20, 1985. They ultimately recovered over 160,000 Spanish Colonial coins and over 1,000 eighty pound silver ingots. The Atocha has the distinction of being the richest Spanish treasure galleon recovered to date.

Currently around the Caribbean, shipwreck treasure in the form of gold and silver jewelry is frequently worn by salvage divers, sailors, adventurers...and of course by their women. The trend harkens back to those swashbuckling days... when pirates roamed the Spanish Main...and life was lived on “the edge.”

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Oroubo Plaza - L.G. Smith Boulevard, Weststraat # 13 (Next to the Main Bus Terminal) - Oranjestad - Aruba Tel: (297) 588-9587 - Fax: (297) 588-5361 - E-mail: togaruba@gmail.com

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Ports of call | Aruba

A Diverse, Friendly

p o pula t io n

By Gerald Zarr

Aruba is home to a mixture of people from South America, Europe, the Far East and other islands throughout the Caribbean.

Beginnings Two thousand years ago, the Arawak people settled Aruba and were still there in 1499 when the Spanish conquistador Alonso de Ojeda came to claim the island for Queen Isabella of Spain.

The Spanish didn’t think highly of Aruba, finding it too arid for cultivation. Spain left Aruba alone for more than a century.

The Dutch Come to Stay The Spanish didn’t resist too fiercely when the Dutch came calling in 1636 to seize Aruba and the sister islands of Bonaire and Curaçao.

The Dutch left the Arawaks to graze livestock on the parched landscape. With the exception of a short period during the Napoleonic Wars, when the island fell to the British, Aruba has remained Dutch.

Nineteenth-Century Gold Rush In 1824 ,Aruba experienced its first economic boom when gold was discovered on its northern coast.

A flood of gold-hungry immigrants arrived from Europe and Venezuela, and the gold rush was on. A 86

smeltery at Bushiribana processed over 3 million tons of raw material until 1916, when the mines were shut down. After gold petered out, Aruba became the world’s top producer of aloe, just as the sunbathing craze was taking off in the United States. One can still visit the Aruba Aloe Balm Factory and see the production process from aloe leaf to finished lotions and creams.

Twentieth-Century Black Gold Rush Oil gave Aruba its next economic boom. In 1929, the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (now ExxonMobil) built what was then the world’s largest oil refinery in San Nicolas, on the southeastern coast. This refinery employed more than 8,000 people — 16 percent of Aruba’s population — making San Nicolas the island’s second-largest city. ExxonMobil closed the refinery in 1985 during a global oversupply, but the Coastal Oil Company of Houston, Texas, reopened it in 1991.

Modern Tourism Aruba now boasts more than 6,000 hotel rooms and over a million visitors each year.

Having surpassed oil as a source of revenue, tourism is now the mainstay of the island economy.

ZINA SELETSKAYA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Keen linguists, the people of Aruba use Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento with ease, often all in the same conversation.

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Shopping in

Aruba CURAÇAO

Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town.

See it? Like it? Buy it!

Safi Kilima Cushion tanzanite pendant

Korite Tennis bracelet

John Hardy Classic Chain Collection bracelet in sterling silver

ZINA SELETSKAYA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Bulova Precisionist Chronograph

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bar bados With manicured gardens, a centuries-old parliament and plenty of polo games and cricket matches, charming Barbados wears its British heritage like a comfortable tweed coat. But Barbadians have added their own twists to these traditions.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) GRAHAM TOMLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) JOHN WOLLWERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Barbados

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) GRAHAM TOMLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) JOHN WOLLWERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The marina in downtown Bridgetown.

Quick Guide

ABOVE: Palms sway at Bottom Bay. OPPOSITE PAGE: A piece of the harbor at Bridgetown.

Famed for: Sugarcane plantations, landscape paintings and cricket matches.

It’s a Fact: The island’s signature Crop Over Festival started, as its name suggests, as a celebration of the end of the sugarcane harvesting season.

Signature Souvenirs: Rum, flying fish (yes, they do fly — well, glide at least) and cricket paraphernalia.

How to Get to Town: The downtown area of Bridgetown is located about a mile from the cruise ship pier, about 10 minutes away by taxi. Shuttle buses also are available. The shuttle pick-up point is just to the right of the cruise terminal; drop-off and pick-up for the return trip to the terminal is at the head of Broad Street.

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Ports of call | Barbados

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

Bridgetown’s promenade is a scenic walkway.

bar bados Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is a favorite among travelers who want to see “the real Caribbean.”

A bustling metropolis in its own right, it doesn’t have the touristy feel some hot spots do. And the island’s panoramic landscape is among the most lush and majestic in the southern Caribbean.

Hiking and driving tours of seaside villages, plantations, gardens and 17th-century English country churches make Barbados a great place for adventure or relaxation.

Diving is the grand pursuit here: Underwater visibility usually exceeds 100 feet and provides

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stunning views of magnificent hawksbill turtles and more than 50 varieties of fish gliding through shallow reefs. Popular dive sites include Dottins Reef, Maycocks Bay, Shark Bank and others.

Duty-free shopping is as close as the cruise ship terminal at Bridgetown Harbor, where dozens of shops offer everything you would expect: collectible watches, big diamonds and other outrageously luxurious goods not found in any other port.

In Bridgetown, Broad Street is home to vendors specializing in fine local products such as watches, gold jewelry, crystal, perfumes and locally produced Barbados rum and liqueurs. — Jim Thompson

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Ports of call | Barbados

Pieces of Paradise Flying Fish Called “land of the flying fish,” Barbados has a special reverence for this unusual marine creature, which is depicted on currency, in sculptures and in the national tourism authority's logo. Using large pectoral fins like wings, the fish can leap from the water and “fly” for up to 45 seconds at speeds of over 40 mph.

Currency Vivid colors and a fixed rate of two Barbadian dollars to one US dollar make it simple to understand Barbados’ currency. The blue $2 bill and the seven-sided silver $1 coin with the image of a flying fish on the face are the most-used currency on the island.

Cou-Cou Tracing its roots to the island’s African ancestry, cou-cou — a Caribbean polenta — has been a staple in Barbados since the early colonial days. Made from cornmeal mixed with okra, pepper, butter and water, cou-cou is paired with flying fish to make the island’s national dish.

Rum “Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.” This liquid libation, distilled from molasses and sugarcane juice, was born in Barbados (Mount Gay Rum dates to the 1600s) and has refreshed thirsty rebels from pirates to America’s colonial revolutionaries. George Washington insisted on having a barrel of Barbados rum at his 1789 presidential inauguration.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Flying fish gliding above the water; Barbados flag atop the Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown; rum cocktail; cou-cou with vegetables; Barbados dollar notes.

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PHOTOS BY: (FLYING FISH) BARTUCHNA@YAHOO.PL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BARBADOS FLAG) V. J. MATTHEW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DOLLARS) KAREN HADLEY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (POLENTA) ALENAKOGOTKOVA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DRINK) DMITRY LOBANOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Barbados Flag Adopted on the island’s first Independence Day in 1966, the flag of Barbados incorporates two bands of blue to symbolize the ocean, a central band of yellow for the sand and a black trident. The three points of the trident represent a democratic government of, for and by the people.

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Royale by Belle Étoile ©2016 belleetoilejewelry.com

Ports of call | Barbados

cane & cricket

By John Anderson

Barbados had felt other cultural influences before the British arrived and left their indelible stamp. from the British Isles became the backbone of the labor force prior to the use of African slaves.

Contemporary Times Even as the economy started suffering in the 1800s, cane cultivation was still the dominant industry.

But since having gained independence from Britain in 1966, tourism has flourished.

Even as Barbados enjoys a healthy economy in its own right tofay, it continues to cherish one British tradition.

When Barbados hosts England in a cricket Test Match, English fans flock to the island to watch the national sport of both countries in a carnival-like setting. Some of Barbados’ most celebrated modern heroes are cricket players, including Clyde Walcott, Frank Worrell and Everton Weekes — the “Three Ws,” all knighted in the 1960s — as well as Garfield “Gary ” Sobers, considered to be the greatest cricketer of all time.

PHOTOS BY: (CRICKET MATCH) MAT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOWLER) AHMAD FAIZAL YAHYA/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BAT) RYAN JORGENSEN - JORGO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RED BALL) TEREKHOV IGOR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Beginnings As early as 1600 B.C., Amerindians canoed across dangerous currents to arrive first in Barbados, followed centuries later by tribes such as the Arawak and the Carib. But the Indians had abandoned the island by the time it was discovered by Europeans in the 1500s. It wasn’t until Portuguese sailors landed here on their way to Brazil in 1536 that Barbados finally got its name, meaning “bearded ones,” from the “bearded” aerial roots of the abundant fig trees on the island.

When the first British settlers landed here in 1627, Barbados was uninhabited and the settlers established Holetown on the island’s western coast. In 1639, together with the British governor and the Anglican Church, a local House of Assembly was elected to rule the island, an unusual amount of autonomy for a British colony.

Sugarcane was introduced in the 1650s, and as demand for sugar took off, local plantations struggled to find workers to harvest the labor-intensive crop. White indentured servants

Cricket remains a favorite pastime in Barbados.

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#BornToDare

BLACK BAY S&G

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SUNBURY PLANTATION HOUSE

Ports of call | Barbados

Sunbury Plantation House has been around for more than 350 years.

at home with the past

By Michelle da Silva Richmond

When gentleman farmer Matthew Chapman — one of Barbados’ original settlers — arrived from England and built his plantation house around 1660, he was unaware that it would reign as one of the island’s foremost tourist attractions some 350 years later.

The Chapman Plantation included a sugar plantation and a cattle mill by the time Chapman died in 1693, after which it changed hands — and names — several times. When brothers John and George Barrow purchased the estate in 1775, they renamed it Sunbury, after their childhood home in Kent, England.

Known today as Sunbury Plantation House, the property is owned by the Melville family, who opened it as a museum in January 1984. After a fire in July 1995 nearly destroyed the great house,

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a meticulous restoration returned it to its former glory, and it reopened the following year in its present incarnation.

The estate serves as a historical tribute to the genteel side of Barbados’ history, with antique furnishings, a unique collection of horse-drawn carriages and farm implements and both china and silver, attesting to its storied past. The grounds, gardens and small wooded area surrounding the house are also open to the public and offer a romantic venue for weddings and other special events.

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Special Advertising Feature

Calypso Rum Cake: Homestyle Taste That’s Island-Made

T

he Calypso Rum Cake is a local favorite enjoyed by the many tourists visiting the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados. These homestyle rum cakes bursting with delicious flavour are made with generous portions of premium rum.

Flavours include Vanilla, Lemon-Ginger, Coffee and Chocolate. Only sold in Barbados, you won’t want to leave the island without these tasty souvenirs to share with family and friends and of course, you cannot forget yourself! So stock up and savour the warm hospitality in every bite.

Come visit our store in the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal, Barbados

Free Samples & Specials Daily Available in-store only

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b e li z e 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.

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PHOTOS BY: (UNDERWATER) ERIC LEMAR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HOUSE IN THE OCEAN) BRANDON BOURDAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Belize

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PHOTOS BY: (UNDERWATER) ERIC LEMAR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HOUSE IN THE OCEAN) BRANDON BOURDAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

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

OPPOSITE PAGE: The ultimate waterfront property.

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.

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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CLIMBERJAK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Belize

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

The ruins at Tikal present fascinating Mayan history.

b e li z e

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-mile-long 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 once the governor’s residence.

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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 s i x t h- c e nt u r y Te mple of t he G r e e n Tomb and the Temple of Masonr y A ltar dominate A ltun Ha, Belize’s most extensively excavated Mayan ruin.

— Richard Varr

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Best Selection of Clothing T-shirts

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Ports of call | Belize

sacred center ROCKWORTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Thirty miles north of Belize City and a few miles in from the coast lie the remains of one of the most important centers in the Mayan world: Altun Ha (Water of the Rock), a major trading center for the Maya from a.d. 250 to 900, when, like the rest of the Mayan civilization, it fell into decline.

The site consists of 13 temples and structures grouped around two plazas. Among the artifacts that have been recovered here are numerous pieces of jade, a gemstone which was important in Mayan society but is not native to the region; thus its presence is proof that Altun Ha was a trade hub. One of the pieces found is Kinich Ahau, a 6-inch-high jade bust of the Mayan sun god, the largest piece of Mayan jade sculpture ever recovered. The image now adorns Belizean currency notes.

Temple of the Masonry Altars at Altun Ha

in the world, bested only by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Without the reef’s protection against erosion by strong ocean waves, Belize’s Ambergris Caye likely wouldn’t exist.

And that’s not the only credit due to this natural spectacle. Divers here immerse themselves in one of the world’s most complex and diverse underwater ecosystems, with over 500 species of fish and over 100 coral species. Sites like Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Cut, a few miles south of Ambergris Caye, show off some of the ocean’s most elusive creatures, including spotted eagle rays soaring along the sandy floor and nurse sharks weaving through its narrow coral channel. There’s no telling what you might discover lurking behind the reef’s undulating sea fans, or flitting through the electric-blue currents; schools of rainbow-hued tropical fish, gently coasting sea turtles and a barracuda showing off its sharp teeth are just a few thrilling possibilities.

d e e p - b lu e b e li z e A diverse coastal geography of cays (pronounced “keys”) and offshore atolls, as well as the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, create some of the most exciting underwater experiences in the world for beginner and seasoned scuba divers alike.

Descending into Belize’s electric-blue waters, divers encounter a vast and varied ecosystem. At the Great Blue Hole, a perfectly circular coral sinkhole set off the mainland, divers can descend as deep as 200 feet to witness fascinating stalactites and limestone formations, as well as shrimp and hundreds of

colorful tropical fish. Divers experienced enough for deeper waters may even spot a hammerhead or black-tip tiger shark.

But though the country boasts plenty of unique dive sites, its most famous is the Belize Barrier Reef — and for good reason.

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EDITORIAL CREDIT: PETE NIESEN / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Crystal-clear turquoise water. Abundant sea life. Temperate conditions year-round. Divers enjoy all this and more when they explore beneath Belize’s surrounding waters.

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SILVER MAYAN FACTORY 20% to 30% off Everything in the store!

Beautiful and Exquisite Silver Jewelry Come Experience our Color-Changing T-Shirts

8 Front Street Front Street Tourism Village Belize City, Belize

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Ports of call | Bonaire

b o n air e

TOP: Flamingos gather. LEFT: Boats tie up at Kralendijk, the capital.

Quick Guide Famed for: Coral reefs, sea turtles and flamingos.

It’s a Fact: Bonaire’s only significant export is salt, which is cultivated in shallow, man-made ponds and salt beds.

Signature Souvenirs: Dutch cheese, chocolate and miniature rustic cottages known as kunuku.

How to Get to Town: It doesn’t take long to reach Bonaire’s center; the ship docks right in town.

Downtown is just a two-minute walk away.

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PHOTOS BY: (KRALENDIJK) RENE SPUTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FLAMINGO) JOE STONE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Considered one of the best diving locales in the Caribbean, Bonaire remains largely unspoiled. You won’t find a single traffic light on the entire island.

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We invite you to

Explore, Enjoy and Experience all what Bonaire has to offer, both on land and in our marine park. Be a part of Bonaire by absorbing our nature, our culture and our cuisine.

WWW.TOURISMBONAIRE.COM @bonairetourism | #bonaire 6003.indd 1

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PAULO MIGUEL COSTA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Bonaire

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

View of Bonaire's capital, Kralendijk.

b o n a ir e

Only gently touched by development, Bonaire is a pristine paradise that abounds with life and color. The island is heaven for divers, but it’s not just surrounded by coral reefs — it is a reef, as it sits atop an underwater mountain.

Bonaire claims a population of more than 15,000 pink flamingos and more than 200 other bird species. Giving the island color, and often song, are parrots, terns, parakeets, herons, hummingbirds and big-billed pelicans.

Nestled in a bay on the west coast are the pink, orange

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and green buildings of the island’s capital, Kralendijk, where Kaya Grandi tempts shoppers with gemstone jewelry, wood carvings, leather goods, ceramics, liquors and tobacco.

One of the most beautiful stretches in the Antilles is the north road leading from Kralendijk. It winds past dazzling blue water on one side and soaring coral cliffs on the other.

The panoramic views from Seroe Largu make the scenic spot an excellent photo stop. — Jim Thompson

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WHOLESALE & RETAIL

BONAIRE’S LARGEST SELECTION OF FINE WINE, LIQUORS AND TOBACCO Fine Cigars from our Full-Size Humidor A wide variety of liquors and aperitifs from around the world, including: bourbon, champagne, cognac, gin, grappa, imported beers, port, rum, tequila, single malt, vodka, whiskey, wines Pre-order your stock online at: www.bonairegiftshop.com and we will have it ready for you before you arrive in Bonaire.

Kaya Grandi 13, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles Tel.: (599) 717-2201 E-mail: bonaire@gmail.com Website: www.bonairegiftshop.com

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Ports of call | Bonaire

nature at It s best For water-sports enthusiasts, the Dutch island of Bonaire is in the same league as Belize and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Because the pristine waters around Bonaire are protected as a national marine park, Bonaire has emerged as a major diving and snorkeling destination. The Bonaire Marine Park encompasses more than 6,600 acres, and its reef is home to a wide variety of coral and an assortment of colorful fish, including parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish. park, is one of the two places on the island to see the pink flamingos. The other is in the Pekelmeer Sanctuary to the south.

For nature at its unspoiled best, venture over to Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited island just a short boat ride from the main town, Kralendijk. No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire has made a name for itself as a favorite snorkeling spot.

Consistent conditions and shallow, calm waters make Lac Bay a windsurfer’s dream. Windsurfing is one of the more popular activities here, drawing people from all over the world.

FROM TOP: An iguana pauses for a snack; a pelican perches on the shore

In the center of Kralendijk awaits a new adventure!

Let Terramar Museum take you on a journey through time and experience history like you never have before! Our spectacular exhibition will guide you through 7,000 years of Caribbean and Bonairean history.

Enter a world of fascinating artifacts, listen to long forgotten tales, and discover the past from a different perspective.

Opening hours: Mon - Sat from 9am - 6pm Located at the Terramar building, just south of Karel’s Pier on Kralendijk’s boulevard.

PHOTOS BY:

www.terramarmuseum.com info@terramarmuseum.com Tel. (+599) 717 0423

(IGUANA) JACOB WHYMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PELICAN) GAIL JOHNSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

There’s a bounty of natural attractions both on land and in the air. In fact, the majestic sight of pink flamingos is the signature picturesque view of Bonaire.

The island is one of the few places in the world where Caribbean flamingos breed. In addition, two tropical birds found only on Bonaire are the Caribbean parakeet and the yellow-shouldered parrot. Besides numerous species of birds, iguanas and giant cactuses punctuate the island’s landscape.

The 13,500-acre Washington Slagbaai National Park is a wildlife sanctuary with birds, lizards and iguanas. Lake Gotomeer, in the northern part of the

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Ports of call | Bonaire

PHOTOS BY:

(IGUANA) JACOB WHYMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PELICAN) GAIL JOHNSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Kaya Grandi 14 www.JanArtBonaire.com

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PHOTOS BY: (LAKE) CAPPI THOMPSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GARDEN) V. J. MATTHEW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Ports of call | Canada

canada Home to quaint fishing villages and charming towns, Canada’s Maritime Provinces hold the treasures of both man and nature. This region’s special gems include Saint John in New Brunswick and Halifax in Nova Scotia.

ABOVE: Public garden in the center of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

LEFT: The Cains River flows through New Brunswick.

Your ship may reposition to Canada at the end of the Caribbean season.

For more information on experiencing these spectacular destinations, please see your onboard Future Cruise Sales Consultant or visit princess.com.

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PHOTOS BY: (LAKE) CAPPI THOMPSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GARDEN) V. J. MATTHEW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

new brunswick: s aint john

Quick Guide Famed for: The Bay of Fundy, the Reversing Rapids and whale watching.

It’s a Fact: New Brunswick is the only province in Canada that is constitutionally bilingual, with over 30 percent of the population speaking French.

Signature Souvenirs: Dulse, a local snack made from dried seaweed, and whale-themed crafts.

Low tide reveals why New Brunswick’s famous Hopewell Rocks are also known as Flower Pot Rocks

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Ports of call | Canada

no v a s c ot ia: h a li f a x

Quick Guide Famed for: Its enormous natural harbor and strong maritime heritage.

It’s a Fact: Home to seven universities, eight major hospitals and Canada’s second-largest scientific center, Halifax is one of Canada’s top five “smart cities.”

PHOTOS BY: V. J. MATTHEW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

A lighthouse overlooks Peggy’s Cove.

Signature Souvenirs: Smoked salmon, wine and handcrafted crystals.

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Ports of call | Cartagena

car t agena Formally known as Cartagena de Indias, this city on the Caribbean Sea offers a unique mix of military for tresses and Spanish colonia l architecture. Walls that were erected around the city and under the sea in the 17th century are still standing and can be visited today. Forts and strongholds transport visitors back to the days when the city often had to defend itself against pirates.

ABOVE: The Cathedral of Cartagena shines at night.

LEFT: The entrance to the walled Old City.

Quick Guide Famed for: The walled Old City, cool beaches and sizzling nightlife.

It’s a Fact: Cartagena’s historic buildings are a favorite setting for filmmakers.

Signature Souvenirs: Coffee, Colombian emeralds and handmade leatherwork.

The Old City glimmers at night.

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PROEXPORT COLOMBIA

How to Get to Town: Take the free shuttle bus from the ship to the end of the pier to get a taxi.

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Walled City - Cartagena #3-99 Calle San Juan de Dios U.S. Customer Service Center: (210) 858-9758 www.misteremerald.com

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Ports of call | Cartagena

Carnaval revelers in Cartagena.

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

car t agena It’s all here — colonial architecture, a 17th-century fort, fine beaches, a massive cathedral, excellent restaurants and a gold museum. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is a wonderful city for walking.

Cartagena’s walled Old City and fortress are the center of social life and shopping. If you are looking for a special gift, remember that Colombia is arguably the world’s finest source of emeralds: A dazzling 98 percent of the world’s emeralds are mined here.

The white-sand beach of Playa Blanca is nearby,

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but most visitors prefer to walk the battlements and stroll through underground passages in the fort or soak up the colonial style of the Old City, with its redtile roofs covering colorful, flower-filled courtyards and balconies.

The Museo del Oro y Arqueología has a wonderful collection of gold and pottery from the ancient Sinú culture. Nestled in the cliffs above the fortress, the flowered patios and buildings of the Convento de la Popa offer a perfect spot for photos of the city, especially at sunset. — Jim Thompson

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Located on the 1st floor, Main corner of the Pierino Gallo Mall, El Laguito, Cartagena, Colombia

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Ports of call | Cartagena

a vibrant spanish herit age

by Linda Marx The beautiful old seaport of Cartagena has been given many sobriquets, from Diplomatic City to perhaps the most important, Best-Fortified City.

A City Under Siege Although the Spanish built some strategic fortresses, the city by the sea was attacked repeatedly by English, French and Dutch pirates. During the 17th century, the Spanish royals decided that the only way to totally protect themselves from these attacks was to build the thick protective wall that still surrounds the Old City.

Cartagena declared its independence from Spain on November 11, 1811; it was the first city in the region to do so. In 1821, Spain surrendered to troops led by the noble South American patriot Simón Bolívar.

Shortly afterward, Cartagena was incorporated into the nation of Colombia.

Independence also led to the ouster of the Inquisition Holy Court Office, which the Roman Catholic monarchs had established in 1610 after a royal decree by Spain’s King Phillip II. Completed in 1770, the Inquisition Palace remains today with its original Spanish features intact.

Contemporary Days Although Cartagena spent centuries defending itself against European enemies, its modern-day residents welcome friendly international visitors who want to share their love of art, architecture, music and dance, all steeped in charm and tradition.

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PHOTOS BY: (TOP) ALICE NERR/SHUTTERSTOCK; (BOTTOM) ALEXMILLOS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Beginnings Cartagena, named after the port of Cartagena in Spain’s Murcia region, was founded in 1533 by Don Pedro de Heredia in a section where the Caribbean Calamari people lived.

The city was a major center of early Spanish settlement in the Americas, and was also a thriving slave port. It became the treasure city of the Spanish Main, from which shipments of precious gems were sent to Spain from the New World.

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J E W E L R Y

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Ports of call | Cartagena

Inside the walled city.

t h e o l d c i t y ’s ageless charm The charm and romance of El Centro in Cartagena make it one of the city’s most popular and beloved areas.

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The Cathedral in the background

A wall around El Centro encloses the Spanish Colonial buildings, many with facades in different colors. The area is jam-packed with elegant mansions, monasteries, churches, shops, sculptures, plazas and palaces.

With bustling crowds gathering both day and night, people watching is a popular pastime here.

Strolling along winding streets, visitors pass horse-drawn carriages, outdoor cafés, bistros, torchlit restaurants, overhanging balconies and shaded porches. Locals, tourists and international celebrities dine on rich pastries and sip Colombian coffee while enjoying the sights and sounds of the historic city.

Visitors are draw n to the Museo del Oro y Arqueología, which boasts a respected collection of gold and silver pottery from the Sinú culture; the Palacio de la Inquisición in Plaza Bolívar, a stellar example of colonial architecture; and the Muelle de los Pegasos, the old port of Cartagena on the Bahía de las Ánimas. — Linda Marx

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s t anding guard From atop a hill just outside Cartagena, the Spanish built Castillo de San Felipe to keep watch for invaders. It was the perfect location for a strategic lookout.

The greatest of the city’s old Spanish forts, it offered perfect views of the city below, especially the harbor. With all the pirates infesting the Caribbean, the location offered important protection for gold shipments making their way back to Europe.

The steeply angled battlements were designed so that if one part of the fortress were to fall into enemy hands, the fort’s defenders could fire on the intruders from another, still-secure section. Beneath the fort, a complex network of underground tunnels provided routes for internal communication and a secret means of escape.

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas dominates San LĂĄzaro Hill. Today visitors can explore the formidable stronghold and venture into its dimly lit passageways to create their own intrigue.

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The Church of St. Peter Claver.

a li f e o f d e v o t i o n the next 40 years, he ministered to the poor and the abused, regularly visiting hospitals and homes. He showed no favor to the wealthy and elite, who had to stand in line behind their “lesser” neighbors if they wanted Claver to hear their confessions.

Claver died in 1654, after coping for four years with a degenerative illness that confined him to his room for most of that time. He was canonized in 1888. Today the Cloister, where Claver lived and died, has become a shrine that is visited reverently and usually in silence. A museum on the grounds tells the story of Claver’s extraordinary life.

OF THE

Coffee and . . .

Colombian Specialty Coffee at its best. Here you may choose ground coffee or whole beans from different growing regions, each in a different roast, decaf and flavor. Besides coffee, you can find single-origin chocolate, chocolate-covered coffee beans, superb hot sauces, pre-Columbian reproductions, Panama hats, rums, iced coffee, soft drinks or “a cold one.”

Pierino Gallo Shopping Center (upstairs, second floor) coffeeandUSA.com | 575-665-4776 | luiscoffeeand@hotmail.com

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PHOTO BY: (LEFT) SORIN COLAC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (OPPOSITE PAGE) HOLGER METTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

One of Cartagena’s most beloved sites is the Church of San Pedro Claver, named for the Jesuit priest who became the first clergyman from the New World to achieve sainthood.

Devoting his life to the miserably treated Africans who were bought and sold in Cartagena, Claver called himself “a slave to the slaves.”

Pope Leo XIII wrote, “No life, except the life of Christ, has moved me so deeply as that of Peter Claver.”

Claver was born in Verdú, Spain, on June 26, 1580. He entered the Jesuit order of Roman Catholic priests in 1602 and later sailed to Cartagena, where he was ordained in 1616. For

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cozumel This lovely stop on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known for its amazing dive sites and for well-preserved 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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PHOTOS BY: (TEMPLE) RANTON_IVANOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FISH) VILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Cozumel

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PHOTOS BY: (TEMPLE) RANTON_IVANOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FISH) VILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

ABOVE: Ruins of a Mayan temple face the sea.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Cozumel’s reefs teem with life.

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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VILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Cozumel

T HING S YOU C A N ’ T MIS S IN

Sea sponges and colorful fish surround a striking brain coral.

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.

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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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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.

PHOTOS BY: (SCUBA) BRIAN LASENBY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PLATE) PETER KIM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FLAG) TRAPPY76/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PLANT) TINA_RENCELJ/ ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Pieces of Paradise

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

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Visitors flock to ruins of the Mayan temple at Tulum.

a t al e o f t ulu m 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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Introducing the

Angelika Ring The

Infinity Ring

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

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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 Dwyane Wade watch

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

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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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Cozumel - Los Cabos Cancun - Riviera Maya Puerto Vallarta

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the remarkable maya The Maya fashioned one of the most advanced cultures of the Western Hemisphere during the period A.D. 200 to 900.

A Mayan pyramid

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They flourished throughout the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico — including today’s Cozumel island — erecting huge, imposing pyramids and temples, creating striking stone sculptures, and achieving a remarkable proficiency in mathematics and astronomy before mysteriously falling into decline.

The Maya believed Cozumel to be sacred. A shrine to Ixchel, a moon goddess, invited visitation at least once in a lifetime. She could be a rather testy old crone and was often depicted with crossbones and a serpent.

When feeling particularly nasty, Ixchel unleashed calamitous rainstorms and floods on the earth from a large water jug. No wonder common folk were eager to appease the goddess by visiting her shrine. But she also had a bright side — they called her Lady Rainbow — and was worshiped as the protector of weavers and also of women in childbirth. Ixchel’s mate was Itzamná, a mellow moon god who balanced out his spouse’s temper tantrums. — Raymond Niedowski

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Beautiful Cozumel Charms

Special Cozumel Bangles

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natur e r eigns a t c o z u m e l ’s s m a ll s e a 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.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

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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curaçao Willemstad, Curaçao’s picturesque capital, is built around a well-formed natural harbor and glows in soft pastel shades. The Dutch influence pervades the port, with its manor houses, neatly kept streets and delicious varieties of cheese and chocolate.

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PHOTOS BY: HARRIS SHIFFMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOARDWALK) JACOB WHYMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Curaçao

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PHOTOS BY: HARRIS SHIFFMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOARDWALK) JACOB WHYMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide Famed for: Dutch architecture, plentiful shopping and Christoffel National Park.

ABOVE: Willemstad’s waterfront is lined with colorful buildings as pretty as dollhouses.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Step into the beautiful waters surrounding Curaçao.

It’s a Fact: The Amstel Brewery on the island is the only one in the world that uses seawater in its beer recipe — desalinated, of course.

Signature Souvenirs: Wooden shoes, painted porcelain windmills and Curaçao liqueur.

How to Get to Town: Willemstad’s shopping area, called Punda, is about a 15-minute walk from the pier. Some visitors prefer to take a taxi.

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LUCIA PITTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Curaçao

A building in Willemstad’s Old Town.n.

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

curaçao

Willemstad is a history museum within itself. One look at its classic waterfront reveals why this natural harbor and scenic city center are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The brilliant Caribbean hues of the Dutch-designed buildings along Santa Ana Bay, with their rows of gable-roofed townhouses gleaming with red tiles, make this one of the most photographed Caribbean waterfronts.

Just getting from the Punda district to Otrobanda is a treat: over Santa Ana Bay on the swinging 19th-century Queen Emma Bridge. Crossing into Otrobanda, you’ll find winding and narrow streets with gabled, Dutch-style houses that delight sightseers and locals alike.

Many visitors begin with a trolley tour from Fort Amsterdam, where a British cannonball remains embedded in the 1769 Dutch Reform Church. Popular destinations include the renowned Kurá Hulanda Museum of African history, which courageously highlights the past slave trade, and the Mikvé IsraelEmanuel Synagogue — the oldest one in the Western Hemisphere, dating from 1651 — which has a unique floor of beach sand.

Amid the kaleidoscope of colors in Otrobanda’s Floating Market is a vast selection of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, unloaded from Venezuelan schooners. More-lasting mementos are available in the Punda district, along Heerenstraat and Breedestraat, where bargains range from cameras to highend jewelry.

If you’re in the market for something to help you remember this colorful island, the famed Curaçao liqueur or a wheel of Edam or Gouda cheese is a wise choice. — Richard Varr

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OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port CARIBBEAN PARADISE

Caribbean Paradise

• Batik and exotic beach and resort wear • Ladies sarongs, beach cover-ups, short and long sets, dresses, caftans • Embroidered linen, Indian clothing, batik dresses, swimwear, beach towels, bags • Men’s Hawaiian shirts, color-change T-shirts, logo polos, shorts, children’s clothing • Souvenirs: banana-leaf photo albums, chess sets, ladies’ and men’s straw hats, caps • Authorized distributor for Rima Beach World beachwear

31 Heerenstraat | cp@jethani.com | 599-9-461-9822

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Floating market at Willemstad

deep dut ch root s

by Richard Varr

The ornate gables on Willemstad’s colorful waterfront buildings highlight some of the most intriguing architecture in the Caribbean.

They are a reminder of how Curaçao was governed and influenced by the Dutch, who claimed this arid island in 1634, and, since then, have helped to shape its history and culture. Similar to the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, Curaçao espoused racial tolerance through the years and opened its doors to many faiths. Today about 50 different nationalities call this beach-lined island home.

Beginnings Curaçao was one of the first inhabited Caribbean islands. Archaeological studies have revealed traces of native settlements some 4,500 years ago.

At the turn of the 16th century, the Spanish, under the leadership of Lt. Alonso de Ojeda, were the first Europeans to reach Curaçao; they arrived a mere seven years after Christopher Columbus initially landed in the New World.

According to legend, de Ojeda’s crew suffered from scurvy, and upon eating citrus fruit they were “miraculously” cured. The sailors named the island Corazón, or “heart.” In 150

1526, a small group of Spanish settlers and slaves arrived and set up small ranches and farms; they maintained control of Curaçao for just over a century.

Dutch control A dramatic shift occurred on the island in 1634. Tipped off that the Spanish colony was very small, a Dutch fleet of warships and soldiers sailed in and conquered Curaçao. The Dutch West India Company now ruled and appointed the one-legged Peter Stuyvesant, who would later become governor of New Amsterdam (New York), as governor of the island. In the decades that followed, Stuyvesant set up a slave depot that grew to be the largest in the Caribbean; close to half of all slaves who crossed the Atlantic passed through the port. It was also a hub for merchants trading goods along the South America-Caribbean-Europe trade routes.

During the height of the slave trade, Curaçao became the birthplace of the Papiamento language. A mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and different African dialects,

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Ports of call | Curaçao

Papiamento evolved as a means for slaves to communicate with Europeans. At the same time, Jews from Europe and South America fled to Curaçao to escape the Spanish Inquisition; these included the Sephardic Jews from Brazil, who became successful merchants. By the early 1700s, the island’s Jewish community topped 2,000. They built the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, which remains a house of worship today.

In the meantime, the importance of Curaçao along the trade routes captured the attention of England and France.

The island came under both English and French control for short durations, but Dutch rule prevailed once again in 1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

Emancipation and the 20th century Curaçao had several plantations, but was not a particularly active agricultural society. Nonetheless, slaves did revolt, unsuccessfully, in 1765 and 1795. Not until 1863 did the Netherlands’ King William III proclaim the abolition of slavery, and more than 6,000 slaves on the island finally gained their freedom.

Following emancipation, the island’s economy suffered until 1915, when the Dutch established a Shell oil refinery.

Subsequently, a large influx of workers took place as Shell became the island’s largest employer.

During World War II, the Allies established a military base on Curaçao for refueling aircraft; after the war, the island sought independence. However, in 1954, Curaçao instead settled for being part of the Netherlands Antilles, with the seat of government in Willemstad.

While tourism is thriving today, Curaçao is still a major trading hub with one of the largest and most active ports in the world.

Curaçao

Timeline

1499

Curaçao is discovered

by Alonso de Ojeda, a lieutenant of Christopher Columbus.

1634

The Dutch conquer Curaçao.

1642

Th e D u t c h We s t I nd i a Company appoints Peter Stuyvesant as governor.

1815

Dutch rule prevails with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

1863 1954 Kurá Hulanda Museum

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Curaçao becomes part of the self-governing Netherlands Antilles.

CURACAO TOURIST BOARD; MUSEUM KURA HULANDA.

Netherlands’ King William III proclaims the emancipation of slaves.

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BLACK BAY CHRONO

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AV A I L A B L E AT

39 (P) BREEDSTRATT PUNDA, WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO

VISIT US AT SHIPWRECK •

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Ports of call | Curaçao

lotions and potions: a ll a b o u t a l o e

Aloe vera field

Name the miracle plant used to soothe sunburns, moisturize dry skin and concoct a feel-good health drink. It helps treat insect bites, rashes and stings.

In ancient Egypt, it’s said Cleopatra applied it to make her skin glow. Today, it’s found in refreshing body wraps in upscale spas. In fact, there’s a good chance you’re already using extracts of this plant without even realizing it.

The answer is aloe vera, nature’s one-plant wonder.

Aloe is a common ingredient in hand creams and a must for cooling burns caused by too much fun in the hot Caribbean sun. The fleshy leaves produce both a gel and a juice.

Although the healing properties of aloe vera have been espoused for centuries, it wasn’t until the 1700s that the first plants arrived in Curaçao. They came from Africa via ships loaded with slaves. The sun-loving, drought-resistant plants adapted readily to the island’s desert-like climate and thrived on vast plantations overseen by Dutch entrepreneurs. In the beginning, the money-making crop was harvested for the bitter resin in the leaf’s outer layer, rather than for the soothing sap.

The resin was boiled, turned into a laxative and shipped to Europe and the United States.

Unlike early plantation owners, the Creole people took advantage of the healing benefits of aloe’s gooey sap.

The pure gel contains more than 50 nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. In the local Papiamento language, aloe vera is called sentebibu. Loosely translated, it means “live to be 100.”

Visitors of all ages can learn how aloe is cultivated by touring the Curaçao Aloe Vera Plantation. The farm, created in 1999, boasts 100,000 organically grown plants. Each plant takes three to five months to mature and can be harvested for up to 10 years, cutting a few leaves at a time. To obtain the purest gel, workers collect the succulent leaves at dawn. Once unloaded in the factory, the spiney leaves are washed by hand and fed into machines to extract the juice. The liquid is the prime ingredient in the plantation’s various lotions and potions. — Ginger Dingus

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Ports of call | Curaçao

Fort Beekenburg

Several forts were built to protect Curaçao from attack. They figured in key moments in the island’s history.

curaçao for t s The original center of Willemstad was Fort Amsterdam, built by the Dutch around 1675 and now serving as the seat of the government of the Netherlands Antilles.

Fort Amsterdam is also the official residence of the governor and is not open to the public.

Initially, Waterfort was the outer defense of Punda, one of the capital’s two districts. The original structure was built in 1634 and replaced two centuries later. An imposing building with 136 turrets, Waterfort played an important role during World War II. Riffort, erected in 1828, is the most recent fort. It was constructed across from Waterfort, complementing the earlier fort while defending the outer section of Otrobanda, the city’s other district. During World War II, a steel net was stretched across the bay between the two forts to keep alien ships out.

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Fort Nassau was named after the Royal House of Orange.

This massive structure dates back to 1797 and has been preserved almost in its original state. For years, it was the office from where the Queen Emma Bridge was opened and closed.

In 1804, Fort Waakzaamheid was besieged by the English captain William Bligh, who commanded the infamous Bounty. During World War II, Americans mounted guns here.

Fort Beekenburg was named after Director van Beek, who created the design for Willemstad. The fort fought off pirates as well as both the French and the English throughout the 18th century. The tower and the fort itself are in a well-preserved state. — Marty Leshner

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Willemstad’s bustling shopping areas, the Otrobanda and Punda districts, boast a few hundred shops and vendors offering an enticing grab bag of international items: Italian silks, French perfumes, Swiss watches, Lladró collectibles from Spain, Hummel figurines from Germany. But what about finding a gift that specifically reflects the island’s proud Dutch heritage?

Among the most popular mementos are blue Delft porcelain and ceramic, crafted into lovely pieces such as plates, tea sets, tiles, candleholders and decorative replicas of Dutch windmills and houses. Hand-embroidered linens from Holland add a cozy touch to home décor. Shoes, clogs and even tulips carved of wood are famed national symbols.

Other gifts satisfy the palate. Wheels of Dutch cheeses (aged Gouda, slightly salty Edam) are easy to transport home. Dutch chocolate can be of the dark variety, mintflavored or mixed with hazelnuts and raisins. Dutch cookies and jams make great welcoming gifts for those visiting Curaçao for the first time.

Curaçao’s artists combine both Dutch and island heritage in their work. An oil or watercolor painting with a scenic view of Willemstad’s timeless Dutch architecture is an unforgettable keepsake. — Richard Varr

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shopping spree

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f alm o u t h With a rich past as a major Caribbean trading center, Falmouth attracts history buffs to its grand estates and colorful architecture. Meanwhile, rain forests and pristine beaches beckon guests to the Jamaican countryside.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) PAOLO GIANTI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (LOWER) HANK SHIFFMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Falmouth

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Quick Guide

ABOVE: An aerial view of the port.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Falmouth’s deep-water cruise pier.

Famed for: Elegant architecture, Jamaican coffee and tasty jerk dishes.

It’s a Fact: Falmouth is the birthplace of Usain Bolt, winner of nine Olympic gold medals and widely regarded as the fastest person in history.

Signature Souvenirs: Original artwork, wood carvings and jerk seasonings.

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Ports of call | Falmouth

T HINGS YOU C AN ’ T MIS S IN

A boat rests on the beach at Falmouth.

f a lm o u t h Falmouth and its surroundings are steeped in sights that make this port the gateway to historic and natural attractions, from stately great houses and stirring rain forests to strong Jamaican coffee and tasty jerk dishes. The faded but reviving Georgian architecture, exemplified by the impressive Palladian design and Doric column façade of the central courthouse, makes Falmouth one of the Caribbean’s most notable Georgian towns — a reminder of a time when tall-masted ships crowded the harbor

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during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Step back into Jamaica’s rich history by exploring Falmouth on a walking tour. You will be guided leisurely through the town on streets laid down more than two centuries ago.

You’ll learn interesting facts about the town and its residents, and you’ll view examples of its famed Jamaican Georgian structures, such as the grand Courthouse, built between 1815 and 1817, and the Anglican church, built in 1796. — Richard Varr

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Ports of call | Falmouth

pieces of par adise Jamaican National Flag “The sun shineth, the land is green and the people are strong and creative” is the symbolic meaning of the flag. The black triangles on each side represent the strength of the people; the green triangles at the top and bottom, the lushness of the land; and the gold diagonal cross, sunlight and wealth. The flag was first hoisted in 1962, the year Jamaica declared independence from Britain.

“Lightning” Bolt Falmouth’s favorite son has to be Usain Bolt, the record-busting runner. Before his retirement in 2017, he had earned an astounding nine gold medals at the Olympic Games — three each in Beijing (2008), London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016), a feat known as “the triple triple.” Bolt won his first medal at a high school track meet, taking home a bronze in the 80-meter hurdles. Born in Trelawny Parish, he was also a promising cricket bowler in those days, according to his official bio.

PHOTOS BY: (FLAG) DAVID N MADDEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (USAIN BOLT) A.RICARDO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ABOVE: Jamaican flag.

LEFT: Usain “Lightning” Bolt.

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Island Village | Ocho Rios, Jamaica On the Pier | Falmouth, Jamaica Shoppes at Rose Hall | Montego Bay Jamaica jewelsandtime.com

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Ports of call | Falmouth

past glories, future hopes

By Danielle Cohen

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, thanks to the sugar industry, Falmouth thrived as one of Jamaica’s busiest ports and was one of the most lavish towns of its time.

Sweet Success Falmouth’s population boom occurred as a result of Jamaica’s emergence as the world’s leading sugar producer. Planters — with slaves — arrived on the North Coast in droves. By the late 1820s, close to 30,000 slaves worked Trelawny’s almost 100 plantations, amassing sugar and rum for export.

At the Central Wharf, imports such as food, iron, furniture and household wares were unloaded into the burgeoning town. Merchants, mariners, masons, carpenters, craftsmen, brothels, hotels and taverns set up shop in Falmouth, which rapidly developed into a wealthy and progressive place to live. In fact, Falmouth residents were the first in Jamaica to experience the luxury of running water, pumped from the Martha Brae River by the Falmouth Water Company at the beginning of the 19th century. By the mid-century, five newspapers circulated in town.

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The city sits on a thoughtfully planned grid of wide thoroughfares named for 18th- and 19th-century British royals and heroes, such as Victoria Street, named for Queen Victoria, and King Street, in honor of the monarchy. Falmouth is the capital of Jamaica’s Trelawny Parish, which itself was named after Sir William Trelawny, a British politician who eventually became governor of Jamaica. Falmouth is the namesake of his birthplace in Cornwall, UK Founded in 1769 by planter Thomas Reid, Falmouth was mostly developed from waterfront property owned by Edward Moulton Barrett, grandfather of celebrated English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He sold plots to planter friends, retained some seaside land for himself and bestowed the remainder for public use. Fewer than 20 homes stood in the early 1780s, but by the middle of the following decade, upward of 200 had been built.

Sugarcane plantations were a major economic force for Falmouth.

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Ports of call | Falmouth

Slavery — and Freedom As Jamaica’s biggest slave port, Falmouth was a hub of activity. Tens of thousands were forced to perform hard labor in sugar production, which enabled the area to flourish.

The size of Trelawny’s slave population also brought the attention of abolitionists, whose movement gained momentum in Falmouth thanks to British missionary William Knibb. The anti-slavery advocate traveled to Jamaica to help lead the cause. The UK finally moved to free the slaves in 1833.

Economic stagnation followed, but the loss of free labor was not the only cause. Also contributing were Falmouth’s shallow harbor, which kept steamships from entering, and the railroad’s skirting around Falmouth to nearby Montego Bay. Kingston surpassed Falmouth to become Jamaica’s shipping center. Sugar production decreased by more than 70 percent.

While many former slaves left after emancipation, others stayed. They built wooden cottages among Falmouth’s affluent Georgian-style brick mansions. This economically mixed area is officially designated today as Falmouth Historic District, where the assortment of intact Georgian buildings is unsurpassed in all the Caribbean.

The revitalized Historic Falmouth Port.

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Falmouth of the Future The town’s condition worsened after damage wrought by several hurricanes. But its fortunes have begun to rise. The Jamaican government recognized the entire town as a national monument in 1996. Its rich heritage has inspired groups such as the nonprofit Falmouth Heritage Renewal, which has spent the last decade restoring Falmouth one landmark at a time. The project got an emotional boost in March 2008 with a visit from Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Port Authority of Jamaica now welcomes cruise ships to a revitalized, multimillion-dollar cruise port terminal: Historic Falmouth Port, a 120,000-square-foot village in Georgian architectural style. Its streets connect to the existing town streetscape and feature themed restaurants, retail shops offering a variety of international and local branded merchandise, local handicrafts and other tours and attractions. Tour options include horse-and-buggy rides, a sightseeing tram to nearby Falmouth landmarks, walking tours and on-site attractions.

The selection of duty-free jewelry, resort clothing, accessories and souvenirs includes some of the best brands and retailers available in the Caribbean.

With its themed architecture, rich Falmouth history, stateof-the-art services, amenities and eclectic mix of product and services, Historic Falmouth Port is well-positioned to become one of the best cruise port destinations in the Caribbean. With enduring dedication and continued revitalization, the splendor that was Falmouth in the 1700s and 1800s will surely return.

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Snake Chain Bracelet System (U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507) • © 2017 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved

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Ports of call | Falmouth

It may look like beer, but this bubbly nonalcoholic drink has a flavor all its own — sweet and intense, with the sharp bite of ginger. Originating in England, ginger beer was imported by early colonists and quickly became an island favorite.

Whether it’s enjoyed straight from the bottle, blended with beer to make a shandy or mixed with rum in a Dark and Stormy for an extra kick, ginger beer is a delightful way to keep the heat at bay.

Refreshing ginger beer is an island favorite.

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PHOTOS BY: (BEER) BRENT HOFACKER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

cheers t o ginger beer!

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THE E TE RNAL MOVE ME NT Ulysse Nardin, from the movement of the sea to the perpetual innovation of Haute Horlogerie. For over 170 years, the powerful movement of the ocean has inspired Ulysse Nardin in its singular quest: to push back the limits of mechanical watchmaking, time and time again.

Marine Annual Calendar Chronograph Self-winding movement Silicium technology ulysse-nardin.com

TAJ MAHAL PLAZA, OCHO RIOS FALMOUTH CRUISE PORT, FALMOUTH

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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.

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.

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TOP:IVAN CHOLAKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / BOTTOM: RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

TOP: Ready for fun on the water in Fort Lauderdale.

LEFT: A view of the beach with the city in the background.

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grand cayman Turquoise waters, white-sand beaches and a rich history attract pleasure-seekers from all over the world to Grand Cayman. Scuba divers and nature-lovers are drawn to famed dive sites, while land-based attractions include a bustling shopping mecca, fascinating local history and catch-of-theday dining. The infamous pirates may be long gone, but this magnificent island remains a treasure.

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PHOTOS BY: (LIMESTONE ROCKS) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DOCK) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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PHOTOS BY: (LIMESTONE ROCKS) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DOCK) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

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

OPPOSITE PAGE: Grand Cayman’s Rum Point.

Famed for: Seven Mile Beach, considered by expert sun-seekers 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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GRAND CAYMAN

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Bayshore Mall offers everything you need for a wonderful day in port. After browsing Kirk Freeport’s premier house brands like Rolex, Breitling, Cartier, A. Lange and Söhne, Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe and Omega, head next door for a bite to eat at Lucky Slice or take a break from the sun with a delicious scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream.

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A world of glamour and sophistication awaits you just minutes away from the port. Rivaled only by world centers such as London and Paris, George Town shopping district offers luxury shopping in a tax and duty free paradise. George Town is able to hold such a reputation due, in large part, to the highly reputable Kirk Freeport network of stores. With over 40 years as Cayman’s premier retailer of duty free jewelry, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal, china and accessories, Kirk Freeport’s reputation precedes them.

In 2013, Kirk Freeport expanded into Bayshore Mall, becoming the largest jewelry store in the Caribbean and quickly became the centerpiece of downtown George Town.

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T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

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

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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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

Pieces of Paradise 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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GRAND CAYMAN HARBOUR DRIVE, GEORGE TOWN KIRKFREEPORT.COM

TWO STUNNING BOUTIQUES, NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER ON THE WATERFRONT OF GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN.

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PHOTOS.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

from privateers to master f ishermen

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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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.

Colorful coral reefs attract divers.

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First elections are held; slaves are emancipated.

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Thanks to the unmatched assortment of designer beauty products, La Parfumerie continues to be the top duty-free fragrance, skin care and cosmetics retailer in the Caribbean.

Brought to you by Kirk Freeport.

GRAND CAYMAN

BAYSHORE MALL & CARDINALL AVENUE, GEORGE TOWN +1 (345) 815 7492 • KIRKFREEPORT.COM

MAKING CAYMAN BEAUTIFUL FOR GENERATIONS

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CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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

f r e e d o m ’s home

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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GRAND CAYMAN BAYSHORE MALL, CARDINALL AVENUE, HARBOUR DRIVE GEORGE TOWN : KIRKFREEPORT.COM

WORLD EXCLUSIVE TO KIRK FREEPORT IN GRAND CAYMAN

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When you arrive in Cayman, turn right out of the cruise terminal and head to the traditional shopping district of George Town on Harbour Drive and Cardinall Avenue. Packed with malls, restaurants, bars, ocean activities and travel essentials like ATMs and free WiFi, the George Town Shopping District offers the finest in tax-free shopping and local dining in the Caribbean.

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GRAND CAYMAN

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Owned by the Kirkconnell family, local business and

IT ALL STARTED IN 1972

community leaders for six generations, Kirk Freeport has grown from just a few jewelry counters in the community grocery store in 1972 to a world-class marketplace of 22 stores.

The Official Rolex Retailer of the Cayman Islands is the Caribbean’s premier retailer of duty free jewellery, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal and china, and accessories.

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

s n o r k e li n g the caymans

A vibrant coral colony.

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FRANTISEKHOJDYSZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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, it’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. — Richard Carroll

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

close encounters

A diver faces a bluespotted stingray.

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

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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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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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

Breitling Avenger Hurricane Military

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.

Kabana Eden Collection butterfly pendant

Cayside Courtyard, 7 Shedden Road, George Town 345-925-8955

Crown of Light Galaxy bracelet

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ISLAND STYLE S T E R L I N G S I LV E R J E W E L R Y INSPIRED BY SUM M ER

T H E PA N D O R A S T O R E AT ARUBA Paseo Herencia Noord, Aruba 297.586.5625

ARUBA L.G. Smith Blvd 15 Oranjestad, Aruba 297.587.7060

THE MALL OF SAN JUAN 1000 San Juan Blvd.

Puerto Rico, 00924 787.302.0404

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BAHAMAS 329 Bay Street Nassau, Bahamas 242.698.0539

CURACAO Heerenstraat 4B, Punda Willemstad, Curacao 599.9.465.4774

BRICKELL CITY CENTRE 700 S. Miami Ave • 3rd Level Miami, FL 33131 786.220.1817

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL MALL 1455 NW 107th Ave Miami, FL 33172 305.471.4713

ST. MAARTEN 12-2 Front Street Philipsburg, St. Maarten 721.542.1109

ST. MAARTEN 5 Harbour Point Village Philipsburg, St. Maarten 721.542.9364

ST. THOMAS Main Street at Drake’s Passage 5124 Dronningens Gade St. Thomas VI, 00802 340.774.3672

ST. THOMAS Havensight Mall • Bldg. 2 St. Thomas VI, 00802 340.776.8550

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

one hell of a town If your cruise director tells you to go to Hell, don’t be insulted. He’s probably just recommending a tour that includes the town of Hell.

FROM TOP: Limestone formations inspired the town’s name; the devil’s gift shop.

Caymans’ One-Stop Store for all your Sterling Silver & Stainless Steel jewelry from silver ear studs and charms to steel money clips and chains. We invite you to come in and explore our large inventory of semiprecious stones set in sterling silver…the collection includes earrings, rings and pendants. Our friendly, helpful staff awaits your visit!

Located in the heart of Cayman duty-free shopping Cayside Courtyard 7 Shedden Road George Town, Cayman Islands Tel. 345-925-8955 208

PHOTOS BY: KATE MCCLARE; CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

That’s the town’s real name, inspired by the jagged limestone formations resembling menacing flames, which jut up from much of the ground in this small hamlet near George Town.

People do live here, but you’re more likely to meet one of the island’s ubiquitous green iguanas.

Hell’s chief export? Postcards, available at the gift shop and the post office, on which visitors scrawl such devilishly clever greetings as “Having a Hell of a time — wish you were here.”

Inside the gift shop, a staff member in a red devil suit demands with mock impatience, “What the Hell do you want?”

It’s a must-do for the first-time Grand Cayman visitor — if only so you can say you’ve been to Hell and back.

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

cayman q&a How long is Seven Mile Beach?

The beautiful, powdery white sands actually stretch along the waterfront for only about five and a half miles.

Why is the water surrounding the islands so clear?

There are no rivers or streams flowing from the islands into the sea, so there’s no runoff to spoil the renowned clarity of the water.

If Grand Cayman doesn’t have any mountains, why is it called “the Switzerland of the Caribbean”?

George Town alone has more than 500 banks, a financial community which reminds many of that in Zurich.

— Ginger Dingus Sun setting over Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Who is Sir Turtle?

The whimsical, peg-legged pirate/turtle serves as the mascot and logo of the Cayman Islands. He was designed in 1963 by Suzy Soto and later sold to the Department of Tourism for $1.

Sir Turtle commemorates the prime role played by both turtles and pirates in the islands’ history.

pr oud 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.

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

Silver thatch palm

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TORTUGA

®

DUTY-FREE LIQUORS The Finest Rums and Liquors at the BEST DUTY-FREE PRICES in the Caribbean!

Cruise ship Recommended and Guaranteed.

WE DELIVER TO YOUR SHIP!

Home of the world famous TORTUGA Rum and Rum Cake. Free samples at all our Grand Cayman locations.

Visit our three locations in the heart of George Town.

Visit our factory and bakery located on Tortuga Rum Avenue.

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PHOTO BY: (VIEW) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ ZORAN KARAPANCEV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grand Turk

g r and tur k Turks and Caicos is an idyllic archipelago of islands and cays with 230 miles of white, sandy beaches and some of the world’s most preferred dive sites. The main island is Grand Turk, where the capital, Cockburn Town, boasts pretty frame houses with gingerbread verandas.

TOP: The historic Grand Turk lighthouse, built in 1852.

LEFT: The waters off Grand Turk promise incredible diving.

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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grenada Exotic aromas waft through this lovely locale, where the merest breeze brings flavors on the wind reminiscent of the nation’s nickname — Isle of Spice. Visitors like to browse through the shops along the waterfront promenade and lounge at the beach.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) LASZLO HALASI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) STORMARN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grenada

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) LASZLO HALASI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) STORMARN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

ABOVE: Homes overlook the harbor.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Grenada is known for flavorful products such as cacao and nutmeg.

Famed for: Nutmeg and other spices, rainforests and waterfalls.

It’s a Fact: Islanders contribute to “community pots” that stew on fires alongside village roads, feeding hungry locals and visitors.

Signature Souvenirs: Spice baskets, nutmeg jelly and chocolate.

How to Get to Town: The ship docks in town. It takes only about seven minutes to walk along the picturesque waterfront to the center of all the shopping and attractions. Taxis are also available.

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Ports of call | Grenada

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

Perched high atop a hill at the tip of a peninsula sits Fort George, overlooking the narrow streets of a city that has maintained much of its colonial charm.

Built by the French in 1705, sturdywalled Fort George offers some of the island’s most commanding views. Visitors often enjoy strolling along the horseshoeshaped Carenage, past fishing boats and yachts moored in the harbor or relaxing on its pedestrian plaza and flocking to its many restaurants and shops.

A short walk into the town center leads to some of St. George’s historic buildings. The Gothic tower of St. George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is the city’s most v isible landmark . The pin k St .

George’s Anglican Church, with its foursided clock tower, dates back to 1825.

The York House, which was purchased in 1801 and houses the Parliament, and the nearby Government House, feature early Georgian architectural designs. A visit to the Grenada National Museum reveals the island’s cultural and historic past, from the pre-Columbian Carib Indians to the 1983 U.S. military intervention precipitated by the assassination of Grenada’s prime minister and other leaders. Further inland from the harbor, Fort Frederick, completed in 1791, sits atop Richmond Hill and offers yet another commanding view of St. George and Grenada.

A highlight of any visit to Grenada is a stop at Market Square, just one block from the cruise terminal, where bottles of nutmeg, cinnamon and other spices make excellent purchases for gifts. — Richard Varr

NIKITSIN.SMUGMUG.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

grenada

A cannon stands guard at Fort George.

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

Grenada and Its Grenadite Mor e t h a n 4 , 0 0 0 yea r s ago , Sout h American tribes migrated north from the Orinoco Delta in their small wooden boats to discover new places to settle and live in peace.

A northward Caribbean current brought them to Grenada.

Experts estimate that the first settlement was built in about 2000 B.C. These early Stone Age hunters were also called pre-ceramic people. The Arawaks and Kalinagos came later, building villages and establishing Grenada as a trading center: Some of them were highly skilled craftsmen and made wonderful pottery decorated with their mystic signs. The most important and powerful sign was the Sign of Life, a neverending circle that symbolizes the power of life and grants the bearer a fulfilled life of

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health and strength.

Recently unear thed ar tifacts show the beauty and craftsmanship that the Kalinagos were able to achieve, but these artifacts are in limited supply and it’s illegal to remove them from Grenada.

On the island of Grenada, the Kalinagos or Caribs discovered a green stone — as precious to them as diamonds — which they used to produce jewelry.

Through their expert knowledge of the culture and history of the Kalinagos, the owners of Lisa’s have been able to find the green stone. It has been aptly named grenadite — stone from Grenada — and is the backbone of a unique collection available only at Lisa’s.

The old mystic motifs combined with modern skills are the ingredients for Lisa’s wonderful, unique jewelry line, designed

and crafted in the atelier and workshop.

Lisa, the creator of each piece of jewelry, is also inspired by Grenada’s natural beauty and splendor, creating jewelry depicting the culture and people of Grenada both past and present. What’s more, the creator produces jewelry inspired by her own vision of the world; each piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind.

Lisa’s atelier and workshop is located in the Museums complex (Monckton Street), a two-minute walk from the cruise terminal through the Sendall Tunnel. For a unique and timeless treasure, you are invited to visit and take home a piece of Grenada’s finest. Meet Lisa and create with her your own “dream piece” and receive it on your return home — your unique “dream piece” made by Lisa’s.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA’S

The “Green Diamond” of the Kalinagos

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“...when words alone are not enough”

Palm Tree on Grenadite

Footprint on Grenada’s Beach

Lisa and her husband William The creative heads of Lisa’s Ltd.

Lisa is the creator of each piece of jewellery. She takes her inspiration from Grenada’s natural beauty and splendor and uses this to create ‘Jewellery Art’. These special pieces may incorporate old mystic signs and often depict the culture and the indigenous peoples of Grenada, both past and present.

Atelier & Workshop

Grenadite for Cat and Dog Lovers

Grenadite with Mystic Sign of Life

in The National Museum St. George’s Email: lisasgrenadite@gmail.com visit us online

www.lisasgrenadite.com

My cruise pendant " see the world, enjoy the...."

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Ports of call | Grenada

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

Home Cooking After a successful career cooking at one of London’s finest hotels and then running his own restaurant there, Brian Benjamin found himself yearning to work again at the source of Grenada’s fresh seafood and varied spices.

So when he heard the 2007 Cricket World Cup was to be held in Grenada, Benjamin packed up his recipes and came back home with his wife and their four children. “I wanted to be a part of the Cup,” he said at BB’s Crabback, the popular St. George’s restaurant that he and his wife, Anna Benjamin, have operated since 2006.

The 60-seat restaurant near the Carenage Market adds a classical flair to the island’s rich selection of seafood, meat and produce.

From familiar foundations of lobster, prawn and swordfish to some of his more adventurous selections — curried goat or barracuda, anyone? — Benjamin delivers authentic tastes of his homeland. The travel website TripAdvisor recognized his accomplishments with its Certificate of Excellence for May 2011.

He has a formal culinary degree and experience as a hotel sous chef, but it was his grandmother who taught him how to cook in the Grenadian way. “We’d be walking along through town, and she’d pick up a little of this and a little of that, and by the time you get home you’ve got a meal,” he says.

Keeping it fresh, Benjamin buys directly from a local fisherman rather than accept the hours-old yield from the local market. He serves no beef because he thinks the Caribbean variety is tough and he refuses to import anything.

He makes full use of Grenada’s rich selection of produce, from starchy roots such as callaloo and yams to richly flavored fruits such as pineapple, coconut and mango.

His favorite spices from the Isle of Spice include bourden leaf, which is similar to bay but sweeter, and seasoning pepper, which he says is a tamer variety of the red-hot Scotch bonnet. “A Scotch bonnet gone soft,” he says with a laugh.

Brian Benjamin, chef and co-owner of BB’s Crabback.

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Saint John’s S

t.

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ocho rios Jamaica’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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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) R. GINO SANTA MARIA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HANDICRAFTS) RITU MANOJ JETHANI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

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Quick Guide

ABOVE: Ocho Rios beckons visitors to its verdant shore.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Jamaican handicrafts are popular souvenirs.

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.

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

Traditional jerk cuisine.

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

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

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H E A R TS O N F IR E S TO R E S , A U TH O R IZ E D R E TA IL E R S , 8 7 7 -PE R F E CT

Island Village | Ocho Rios, Jamaica On the Pier | Falmouth, Jamaica Shoppes at Rose Hall | Montego Bay Jamaica jewelsandtime.com

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Pieces of Paradise 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.

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

t he vibe keeps holding s t e ad y

ANTONIO ABRIGNANI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

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, 232

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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THE E TE RNAL MOVE ME NT Ulysse Nardin, from the movement of the sea to the perpetual innovation of Haute Horlogerie. For over 170 years, the powerful movement of the ocean has inspired Ulysse Nardin in its singular quest: to push back the limits of mechanical watchmaking, time and time again.

Marine Chronometer 60 hours power reserve Self-winding manufacture Silicium technology ulysse-nardin.com

TAJ MAHAL PLAZA, OCHO RIOS FALMOUTH CRUISE PORT, FALMOUTH

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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.

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.

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d u n n ’s r i v e r f a ll s

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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Dunn’s River Falls

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

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

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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f lowers, ferns and w a t e r f a ll s

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.

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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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going with the f low 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.

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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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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.

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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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Firefly affords a sumptuous view of the Blue Mountains.

NORMAN POGSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

a n a f f a ir of the hear t 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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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.

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edible s t ars Irresistible Slices of Carambola

By Toni Crane

The exotic-tasting carambola fruit originated in China, where the tree is still grown as both an ornament and a fruit.

The Portuguese introduced the tree to Brazil, and from there it found its way to the Caribbean.

But some varieties are much tarter than others. Carambola contains ascorbic acid and oxalic acid: the more oxalic acid, the tarter the fruit. When using the tarter variety, the cook can trim away the ribs, where most of the oxalic acid lies, without spoiling the star shape. The crisp, juicy, yellow flesh, which has a lemony-apple flavor, can be eaten raw, but the fruit tends to be more delicious cooked and served with fish or made into jellies or desserts.

The carambola is difficult to produce commercially because it needs to ripen on the tree and spoils very quickly once picked.

However, carambola trees can be found in many backyard gardens in the Caribbean, and the fruit is now available in the produce markets of many cities in the United States. Try it — the pretty shape will add to the appeal of your dinner-party table.

PHOTOS BY: (CARAMBOLA) THEWADA1976/SHUTTERESTOCK.COM; SMIT/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SOCCER BALL) NATTANAN726/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The spreading carambola tree normally grows to a height of about 30 feet. Its light-green, feathery leaves close at night and open again in the morning; they also close up during high winds.

The small, pinkish flowers, which have a pleasant fragrance, usually grow directly out of the trunk or main branches. These are followed by the striking, bright-yellow-orange, waxy fruits, which give the carambola tree the appearance of a stumpy yellow cucumber.

Carambola is popular among chefs throughout the world for the unique star-shaped pieces obtained by cutting the fruit in slices. That’s why the fruit is also called star fruit. All varieties of carambola appear much the same, up to about 5 inches long with five distinctive ribs running the length of the fruit that turn brown as the fruit ripens.

The pretty carambola yields star-shaped fruit.

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st. kitt s Often regarded as the jewel of the Caribbean, this volcanic island offers some of the region’s most dramatic panoramas and dynamic photo opportunities. Formally named St. Christopher, St. Kitts is part of the two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis (pronounced NEE-vis).

PHOTOS BY: (RUINS) MBOE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PANORAMIC SHOT) ST. KITTS TOURISM BOARD

Ports of call | St. Kitts

Coming Back from the Storm The 2017 hurricanes did great damage in St. Kitts. While recovery is under way, some attractions featured here may still be undergoing cleanup and rebuilding. Consult the onboard shore excursions team for the latest conditions ashore.

We encourage you to support local businesses and help them return to prosperity.

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PHOTOS BY: (RUINS) MBOE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PANORAMIC SHOT) ST. KITTS TOURISM BOARD

Quick Guide Famed for: The romantic aura that makes this place a popular honeymoon destination.

ABOVE: Historic Brimstone Hill Fortress offers fascinating history and breathtaking views.

OPPOSITE PAGE: An aerial perspective of the island.

It’s a Fact: In 2007, St. Kitts and Nevis became the smallest nation to host the Cricket World Cup. Signature Souvenirs: Locally designed batik print clothing and sculptures created from dried coconut shells.

How to Get to Town: You can walk to the historical center at Basseterre in just a few minutes — no taxi needed.

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T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

St. Kitts is a colorful stop in the Caribbean.

DARRYL BROOKS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Kitts

st. kitt s

Through the centuries, changes in governments gave many Caribbean islands a mélange of influences seen in cuisines, languages and architectural styles.

St. Kitts’ British heritage is showcased at Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, where one needn’t be a military buff to enjoy the view of Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, St. Maarten and St. Barts on a clear day. An even loftier summit is found atop Mount Liamuiga, an allday challenge.

The easiest sightseeing experience is aboard the his-

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toric St. Kitts Scenic Railway, a 30-mile ride around the island aboard a narrow-gauge railway that once carried sugarcane from the plantations.

The train returns to the capital of Basseterre, the home of the island’s shopping scene, where batik and local artwork are especially popular buys. For serious shoppers of crystal, gold jewelry, watches, china and porcelain, shops along the Circus and in the Pelican and TDC malls offer a wide assortment of tempting, duty-free goods. — John Bigley and Paris Permenter

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Port Zante, St.Kitts

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Ports of call | St. Kitts

Pieces of Paradise National Flower The flamboyant, a flowering tree with vibrant red-andyellow blossoms and long black seedpods, blooms from May to August. It’s also known as the royal poinciana, after Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, the island’s first French governor. No matter what you call it, St. Kitts has chosen this beauty as its national flower.

Honored Heritage St. Kitts may be small, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have its own coat of arms. The main features include a barge in full sail, a red chevron, royal poinciana flowers and a Carib native’s head flanked by a fleur-de-lis and a rose.

These symbolize the island’s early inhabitants and its French and English influences.

National Bird St. Kitts also has a national bird — the brown pelican.

Graceful and swift, these large brown-and-white creatures with seemingly never-ending beaks patrol the sea for tasty morsels, soaring in lazy curves before plunging toward lunch or dinner. What better symbol of the island than these free spirits?

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The St. Kitts coat of arms; a royal poinciana flower; the flag waving on Brimstone Hill Fortress; a brown pelican.

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PHOTOS BY: (FLOWER) CASPER1774 STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SHIELD) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FLAG) ALLEN FURMANSKI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (PELICAN) MICHAEL D. SKELTON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

St. Kitts Flag The colors of St. Kitts’ national flag reflect the past and present — green for the land’s fertility, red for the struggle from colonial slavery to independence, black for the island’s African heritage and yellow for — what else? — the year-round sunshine. Its two white stars represent hope and liberty.

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Ports of call | St. Kitts

ST. KITTS TOURISM BOARD

St. Kitts offered European nations an important base in the Caribbean.

a f e r t il e la n d St. Kitts boasts some of the oldest settlements in the entire Caribbean.

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For centuries, the island of St. Kitts had been an attractive home to various tribes. Its rich, productive, volcanic soil earned it the name Liamuiga, or “fertile land,” by the Carib people who arrived around A.D. 1300. It was the northernmost island in the Caribbean that the tribe would settle.

St. Kitts’ central location made it an important base for trade throughout the Caribbean. On his second voyage to the New World in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the island and named it San Jorges. Inaccuracies in maps of the time made it difficult to distinguish between the islands, and San Jorges was misidentified and renamed San Cristobal after Columbus’ patron saint. The name was later anglicized to St. Christopher. Though widely known as St. Kitts, its formal name remains St. Christopher Island.

In 1623, hungry for a foothold in the Caribbean, Englishman Thomas Warner landed on St. Kitts and claimed it as the first British territory in the West Indies. He established a colony a year later.

A French ship badly in need of repair appeared in the harbor in 1625 after a run-in with the Spanish army. Warner took pity and allowed the French to settle on the island, which made St. Kitts the first French colony in the Caribbean.

St. Kitts changed hands numerous times between the French and English throughout its early history, until the 1783 Treaty of Versailles definitively recognized British rule. The island’s economic fortunes were bolstered when they began to harvest sugarcane in 1640, eventually becoming the leading sugar producer in the Caribbean. But from the late 1800s onward, sugar industry profits began a long, slow decline.

In 1967, St. Kitts, along with its sister island, Nevis, became an associated state of Britain, and attained full independence as a single nation in 1983.

With its intriguing coves, exhilarating hiking paths, dramatic panoramas and palm-lined beaches, St. Kitts is a classic Caribbean destination.

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Ports of call | St. Kitts

The Citadel at Brimstone Hill Fortress

Perched on a hill high above the northern coast of St. Kitts is a 38-acre stronghold aptly referred to as the Gibraltar of the West Indies, otherwise known as Brimstone Hill Fortress.

The massive fortress, which played a pivotal role in the battle for control of the Leewards, takes its name from the lingering odor of sulfur (brimstone) constantly being released from nearby volcanic vents.

In 1690, after dislodging the French from the island, the British decided to construct the behemoth. Over the following decades, some 2,000 slaves worked every day to build five bastions linked by walls of burnt-black stone 7 to 12 feet thick. Fifty cannons were positioned in strategic locations across the walls.

Its British builders believed that Brimstone’s vantage point at 800 feet above the Caribbean Sea made it impregnable, but it was stormed successfully by the French in 1782. After their surrender, as a tribute to their bravery, the British soldiers were permitted to march out in uniform with drums beating and colors flying. A year later, the British retook the fort and accorded the French the same honor.

Of the original five bastions, three have been fully restored, including the Prince of Wales Bastion, which was completed in 1973. The old barracks and officers’ quarters now contain interesting displays of artifacts and paintings related to the fort’s construction.

Etched into the inside walls of the barracks, the names of many of those who fought and died at the fortress are still visible, silent but powerful reminder of the island’s violent past. — Michael De Freitas and Deborah Wilson

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Ports of call | St. Kitts

the w hi s t le blo w s Since the first sugarcane was planted in St. Kitts’ fertile soil around 1650, sugar has been the mainstay of the island’s agriculture-based economy. In 1912, the small individually owned estate mills and boiling houses scattered throughout the island were replaced by one large sugar refinery capable of processing the island’s entire crop. During this time, a narrow-gauge railway was built between the pier in Basseterre Bay and a drop-off point about a mile north in order to haul cane and construction material for the new factory.

By 1925, the railway had been extended around the island in a single loop, and remains in operation today. In all, the railway covers 40 miles and 26 bridges. The original steam locomotive, Number 8, taken out of service many years ago, still sits in the sugar factory’s yard. During the peak harvest period, the new diesel engines haul over 2,700 tons (900 wagon loads) of cane each day.

Currently, the railway is one of only six operating systems in the Caribbean. It still remains a vital part of the island’s economy. So railway enthusiasts needn’t fret — the clatter of wheels and locomotive whistles will be heard for many years to come. — Michael De Freitas

PHOTO BY: JASON PATRICK ROSS/SHUTERSTOCK.COM

The railway cuts through the verdant St. Kitts countryside.

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THE E TE RNAL MOVE ME NT Ulysse Nardin, from the movement of the sea to the perpetual innovation of Haute Horlogerie. For over 170 years, the powerful movement of the ocean has inspired Ulysse Nardin in its singular quest: to push back the limits of mechanical watchmaking, time and time again.

Executive Skeleton Tourbillon Silicium technology 170-hour power reserve ulysse-nardin.com

PORT ZANTE, ST-KITTS

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Ports of call | St. Kitts

u n s p o il e d c ar ib b e a n s pl e n d o r

It takes only 20 minutes to completely circle the rounded island of Nevis, a lush, unspoiled tropical paradise.

Calm and quiet prevail: no crowds clamoring on beaches, hardly a traffic jam — not even a traffic light.

Plantations that once dotted the landscape are now home to quaint inns and bungalows, many with old water cisterns and towering stone-chipped sugar mills transformed into plush sleeping accommodations and fine dining rooms.

Often cloaked in puffy clouds, Nevis Peak is a landmark 3,232-foot mountain at the island’s center, flanked by nearby Saddle Hill, where British Adm. Horatio Nelson once watched for approaching French ships. Today, rainforests with mango, coconut and breadfruit trees shade hiking trails where sheep, goats and monkeys roam freely. Along the mountain’s base, locals grow oranges, papayas and guavas that thrive in the cooler tropical temperatures. Nearby, the Botanical Gardens of Nevis provide a shady retreat with rare plants and trees, including the spiny Burglar Palm and the aptly named Old Man Palm, with shaggy, beard-like fibers spread generously over its trunk.

The splendor continues at nightfall, when the mellifluous chatter of whistling frogs breaks the silence, and the skies above St. Kitts glow with deep orange and burgundy streaks of light — the hues of a dramatic sunset that islanders cherish and visitors will never forget. — Richard Varr

LEFT: Hiking through the rainforest. BELOW: The Botanical Gardens’ Tea House.

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FRESH PASTRIES

SANDWICHES & WRAPS SMOOTHIES

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UNIQUE STYLE. YOUR WAY. Port Zante • R.L.Brashaw Int’l Airport PO BOX 14 • Basseterre St.Kitts 869.466.5853 • ICJEWELS@SISTERISLES.KN

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s t . maar ten/ s t . m a r t in

Recovering from the Storms The 2017 hurricanes did great damage in St. Maarten. While recovery is under way, some attractions featured here may still be undergoing cleanup and rebuilding. Consult the onboard shore excursions team for the latest conditions ashore.

We encourage you to support local businesses and help them return to prosperity.

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PHOTOS BY: JOHN WOLLWERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ha lf D utch a nd ha lf French , t he t wo -nation isla nd of St. Maarten/St. Martin enjoys the best that its dual heritage has to offer — with a tropical twist. Like so many other Caribbean nations, this picturesque destination has stunning beaches, but with so many sporting facilities, shops and restaurants, it is a paradise on many other levels as well.

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PHOTOS BY: JOHN WOLLWERTH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; RUTH PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide Famed for: Shopping, yacht races and clothingoptional beaches.

ABOVE: Philipsburg lies on the Dutch side of the island.

OPPOSITE PAGE: An ocean view of St. Maarten.

It’s a Fact: The island is the world’s smallest territory shared by two sovereign states: the Netherlands and France.

Signature Souvenirs: Duty-free spirits, including the island’s own guavaberry liqueur, and French fashions.

How to Get to Town: Most ships dock at the A.C. Wathey Pier, and taxis can be hired at Wathey Square. Those docking at Great Bay can take the ship’s tender into port, or hop on a water taxi from the ship.

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Ports of call | St. Maarten/St. Martin

A colorful home in St. Maarten

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

st . maar ten Do you speak Dutch or French? It really doesn’t matter when you arrive at this Caribbean paradise of two sovereign nations living side-by-side and celebrating distinctive influences from their European roots. And St. Maarten is the only Caribbean stop where all attractions — restaurants, shops and beaches — are a stone’s throw away from the ship, making it one of the easiest island destinations to get around in.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on the Dutch side, is the more popular of the two stops. Live music wafts through the air and quaintly cobblestoned Front Street is lined with inviting duty-free shops, jewelry stores and boutiques,

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most of which offer a free drink to anyone entering to browse or buy.

Wathey Square, across from the white 1793 courthouse that is topped with a cupola, is a lovely spot to stroll in.

And both Philipsburg and French-side Marigot have history museums with exhibits going all the way back to the pre-Columbian days of the Arawaks.

Philipsburg has grown even lovelier since a revitalization added enhancements, including a boardwalk that meanders between shops and the beach. Not only is it a pretty place to walk on, it also offers a lovely photo opportunity of your cruise ship in the harbor. — Richard Varr

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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

46 Front Street | Philipsburg, St.Maarten Harbor Cruise Terminal | St.Maarten 721.542.2473 majestyjewelers.com facebook.com/majestyjewelers

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Pieces of Paradise St. Maarten Flag First flown in 1985 , the St. Maarten flag features the colors of the Netherlands flag — red, white and blue — arranged as the St. Maarten coat of arms within a white triangle intersecting a red color on the top and a blue one beneath. The coat of arms, with a courthouse, a sprig of sage, the sun and a pelican, represents elements of solidarity with the island’s French Antillean neighbors as well as with the Netherlands.

Zouk From the French Creole word for “party,” zouk may have originated in the French Antilles, but this style of dance music that combines African drumming with influences from reggae, salsa and 1980s pop music is equally popular in the clubs on the Dutch side of the island.

Saba Lace On a small island about 30 miles south of St. Maarten is Saba, where lace-making has been an artisanal tradition since the late 19th century. Mary Gertrude Johnson returned to the island from a Venezuelan convent after having learned the craft, which she then passed on to the local women. Today you don’t need to travel to Saba for the delicate lace. It’s available throughout St. Maarten.

FROM TOP: St. Maarten’s flag; always a party somewhere; delicate Saba lace; colorful blooms.

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PHOTOS BY: ST. MAARTEN TOURISM BOARD; PRESSMASTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; DOUG RAPHAEL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; AN NGUYEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Yellow Sage Lantana camara, or yellow sage, is the national flower of St. Maarten, depicted on the island’s coat of arms.

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#BornToDare

BLACK BAY BRONZE

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PHOTOS BY: ST. MAARTEN TOURISM BOARD; JON WILLIAMS

Ports of call | St. Maarten/St. Martin

Boats rest quietly in a serene harbor.

t wo nations, side by side in har mony

by John Anderson

The people of Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin offer proof that having the good fortune to inhabit one small island paradise is all anyone needs to coexist peacefully with folks of another nationality.

Beginnings The first settlers on the northeastern Caribbean island were the Arawak Indians, a tribe of Amerindians who migrated northward from the Orinoco river basin of South America, hopping from one island to the next along their journey. Finding an abundance of saltpans and brackish water on the future Franco-Dutch isle, they named it Soualiga, or Land of Salt. Due to the lack of freshwater sources, the island’s population remained small.

A relatively cultured and innovative people, the peaceful Arawaks introduced agriculture and pottery making. Their social structure was ruled by hereditary chieftains, which they believed possessed powers from ancestral deities known as zemis. The tribe established a network of fiefdoms throughout the Caribbean; archaeologists, however, believe the Arawaks on St. Maarten were an independent society and were free of such alliances.

In the century leading up to the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the Arawaks were supplanted by the Carib, a more aggressive tribe also from South America for whom the Caribbean is named. The Carib were skilled in the arts of boatbuilding, sailing and war, which explains their 274

dominance over the region. They also harbored large quantities of gold obtained through trade with the mainland, which made them the target of many expeditions.

Columbus Sights an Island On his second voyage to the New World in 1493, Columbus sighted the island on his way to the Spanish settlement on Hispaniola. The fortuitous day was November 11, the feast day of St. Maarten of Tours, in whose honor Columbus named the island. There is a dispute among historians as to whether the island Columbus sighted was indeed St. Maarten or the more southerly Nevis.

Regardless, the Spanish never took much interest in the 38-square-mile piece of property, and St. Maarten sat mostly uninhabited for 138 years.

In 1623, after the English colonized St. Kitts, their first stronghold in the Caribbean, both the French and Dutch followed suit in 1631 with their own settlements on St. Maarten. For their part, the Dutch were in search of an outpost between their colonies in Brazil and New Amsterdam (New York). Once settled, they began producing salt, a precious preservative in the New World. Two years later, upon realizing the commercial potential

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of the island, the Spanish returned to reclaim their land and ran the settlers off onto neighboring islands.

PHOTOS BY: ST. MAARTEN TOURISM BOARD; JON WILLIAMS

In 1644, the Dutch attempted to retake St. Maarten and attacked Spanish strongholds, including the fort at Pointe Blanche. Leading the charge was the famed Dutchman Peter Stuyvesant, director of the Dutch West India Company and, later, New Amsterdam’s governor. Stuyvesant lost a leg in the monthlong campaign, thus earning the nickname Peg Leg Pete.

Though the Spanish prevailed against the Dutch attack, just four years later, after reevaluating their interests in the Eastern Caribbean, they loaded their ships and sailed away.

A Land Divided With the Spaniards gone, the French and Dutch quickly reestablished themselves on the island. After a spate of skirmishes, both nations signed a 1648 treaty atop Mount Concordia that divided the island between them. But despite the treaty and the islanders’ reputation for peaceful coexistence, the border changed 16 times over the next 150 years.

Finally, in 1815, the Treaty of Paris established the boundary once and for all.

During the 19th century, the island became a busy trading center for the export of salt, cotton and tobacco. And after the introduction of sugarcane, the island’s economy flourished with the growth of plantations.

The Scene Today With the abolition of slavery in the mid-19th century, the plantations closed and the island’s prosperity came to an end, ushering in an economic malaise that continued for nearly 100 years.

In 1939, the trend was finally reversed when import and export taxes were lifted, paving the way for the economic boom of duty-free shopping.

In 1943, the Princess Juliana International Airport was opened, and four years later, the island’s first hotel was built.

With large-scale development projects, the Dutch side of the island rapidly became a favorite vacation destination for North Americans and Europeans. In the 1980s, the French side followed suit after new government policies encouraged investment.

Nowadays, St. Maarten boasts one of the most lively tourist scenes in the Caribbean.

St. Maarten

Timeline

1493

Christopher Columbus sights the island, naming it St. Martin.

1631 French and Dutch settlers arrive.

1633

The Spanish reclaim the island.

1648

The French and the Dutch sign a treaty that divides the island.

1815

The Treaty of Paris ends the border dispute.

1943 Princess Juliana International Airport opens.

A colorful shopping scene in Philipsburg.

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St. Maarten CURAÇAO Here’s the ultimate insider guide to what’s hot in town.

See it? Like it? Buy it!

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a t ale of t wo cities Philipsburg The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches across a narrow isthmus between the waters of Great Bay to the south and Great Salt Pond to the north. The bustling, contemporary town has two main downtown streets, Front Street and Back Street, spliced by narrow lanes (steegjes) supporting a slew of boutiques, eateries and shopping arcades.

It wasn’t so long ago that the city needed only two small streets. But St. Maarten’s boom as a vacation resort changed all that. Two thoroughfares, Cannegieter Street (formerly Pond Fill Road) and Walter Nisbett Road (formerly Ring Road), have been added — through landfill of Salt Pond — to relieve the downtown traffic congestion.

Philipsburg was founded in 1733 as a free port, a status it enjoys to this day; it’s known as “the shopping center of the Leewards.”

Front Street (Voorstraat) offers the public 16 blocks of every kind of store imaginable carrying duty-free bargains on everything from watches, cameras, liquor, clothing and linens to loose gems and exotic jewelry.

Also situated on Front Street is the St. Maarten Museum, where island archaeology and history are reflected in colonial maps, Spanish buttons and pipes, china plates and pottery shards. Back Street (Achterstraat) was once the site of warehouses that stored harvested salt in vast white sacks. Today most

of Philipsburg’s administrative buildings and churches are found along this road.

Marigot The capital of French St. Martin is unmistakably Gallic, from the international border sign that reads “Bienvenue en Partie Française” and the khaki-clad gendarme walking his beat to the inviting sidewalk bistros and baguette-laden locals on bicycles.

The original town was established in the 1680s, when the fear of raids, forcing the islanders inland to Orléans, had passed.

Now stretching from the harbor to Port La Royale on the lagoon, Marigot’s handful of streets have been restored to their original charm and still contain plenty of colonial buildings with wrought-iron balustrades scattered among the more-contemporary, pastel-colored shopping arcades. The old warehouses of the esplanade, Boulevard de France, now contain smart shops and cafés sporting street-front awnings and tables with umbrellas, encouraging folks to linger all day.

Visitors to Marigot can spend a leisurely afternoon browsing in chic boutiques and gourmet shops that offer the best of France, stopping in at the small museum devoted to local prehistory or strolling the yacht-filled marina, one of the best people-watching spots in town. — Raymond Niedowski

ST. MAARTEN TOURISM BOARD

Shopping in

Danyal Paraiba Orion's belt

The Dutch and French happily share the two-nation island.

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how to say it It never hurts to speak more than one language, but it’s especially helpful in Dutch/French St. Maarten/St. Martin.

So here’s a quick translation guide to get you through a day on either side of this bilingual island:

french • Hello: Bonjour (bone JHOOR) • Goodbye: Au revoir (oh-rev-WAHR) • How much is it?: C’est combien? (say cohm-bee-EN) • Please: S’il vous plaît (seel-voo-PLAY) • Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup (mare-SEE boh-KOO)

dutch • Hello: Hallo (HAH-low) • Goodbye: Dag (dahg) • How much is it?: Hoeveel is het? (who-feel es et?)

• Please: Alstublieft (ALST oo bleeft) • Thank you very much: Dank u zeer (DONK oo seer)

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beaut iful b u t t e r f li e s

By Marty Leshner

Some islanders spend their days sipping nectar under a tropical sky while splendidly hued birds fly by and the lilting sounds of exotic music play in the background. While that image may reflect the lifestyle of the jet-setters vacationing on the island, it’s also the life butterflies enjoy at the butterfly farm, La Ferme des Papillons in Marigot, on the island’s French side. La Ferme is located on St. Martin’s east Atlantic coast, on the road to Bayside Riding Club and Le Galion Beach, close to popular Orient Beach.

Since Coward and Slayter founded La Ferme, thousands of visitors have stopped by to see the exquisite butterflies and learn about their four-stage life cycle: from microscopic egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, to beautiful butterfly. Many species have been imported; others are homegrown in a specially created Butterfly Sphere.

A visit to La Ferme is a delightful, enriching outing.

The grounds contain landscaped gardens, waterfalls and ponds filled with Japanese fish. A refreshment stand and gift shop round out the sprawling complex.

Guided tours provide a variety of entertaining butterfly facts and unusual insight into the butterfly’s existence. Information is also available on butterfly gardening.

The lush setting offers an oasis of tranquility and harmony while providing an educational experience for people of all ages.

Visitors can learn how these breathtaking creatures came to be.

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La Ferme was created in 1994 when two self-described “eccentric” Englishmen, John Coward and William Slayter, chose to share their love of butterflies with the public.

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ST. MAARTEN HARBOR VILLAGE #7 Harbor Point Village At Cruiseship Terminal Tel: + 1 (721) 54 27247

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a t h o m e i n t h e w a t e r:

the st. maarten marine park

By John Anderson

Dive deep With water activities such as boating, fishing and snorkeling an essential part of the St. Maarten experience, the Marine Park is vital to supporting the island’s many attractions. For scuba enthusiasts, there are 28 dive sites within the park boundaries that stretch along St. Maarten’s shoreline, including natural and man-made reefs and ageold shipwrecks. Divers and boaters can explore around the

park’s islets, such as Guana Key, Molly Beday and Cow & Calf, each designated an Important Bird Area for local and migratory birds.

Sea-life sanctuary Also located within the park and just off the southernmost tip of the island is the 12-square-mile Man of War Shoal Marine Park. Established in 2010, it is the country’s first legally protected area, which includes a restricted conservation zone. The zone is home to some of the island’s last pristine reefs, as well as a sanctuary for a wide array of marine life. Whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and the rare queen conch flourish in the protected area, with sea life populations increasing by up to 20 percent in just two years since the park’s designation. Eight reefs are also found here, including Proselyte Reef, named for a Spanish warship that sank in 1801. Divers can see a number of period artifacts at the popular and important archaeological site, such as cannons, large anchors, barrel hoops and pottery.

Thanks to the Marine Park's protection, divers get to experience vibrant sea life like this.

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St. Maarten’s many bays and white-sand beaches are obvious draws for visitors to the island. But take a dip off Dawn Beach or in the crystal-blue tidewater of Simpson Bay, or anywhere along the Dutch island’s coastline, and you’re now swimming within the waters of the St. Maarten Marine Park.

Established in 1997 by the St. Maarten Nature Foundation to manage, conserve and restore the island’s marine natural and cultural resources, the expansive park extends out from the shoreline to a depth of 65 feet on the east coast and 100 feet in the south.

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wild times in the tropics:

the st. maarten zoological park & botanical garden

By John Anderson

Lions, tigers and bears? Not quite, but the largest zoo in the Caribbean does offer visitors an up-close and personal view of the flora and fauna of the region, with a colorful collection of more than 300 birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Located on the north shore of the Great Salt Pond opposite Philipsburg, the St. Maarten Zoological Park & Botanical Garden opened in 1991 and features a number of rare species indigenous to the neotropics, which also includes Central and South America. The zoo’s origins are said to have been inspired by a popular mini zoo in the backyard of a local policeman, who teamed up with a local veterinarian to build the St. Maarten zoo from the ground up.

Monkeys and more Visitors can join a guided tour starting at the main entrance and leading past an exhibit of the capybara, the world’s largest rodent, which can typically weigh up to 140

pounds (think guinea pig on steroids). The zoo has several varieties of monkeys, including the green vervet monkey, which is native to Africa but is now found wild on St. Kitts and St. Martin. The endangered cotton-top tamarin, with its signature mane of flowing white hair, comes from Colombia and is one of the smallest primates — you can catch a glimpse of Willie, who was born at the zoo in 2010.

And while you won’t find any tigers or other big predators at the zoo, you can visit Ziggy and Marley, two ocelots with beautiful spotted coats similar to those of jaguars.

A range of colorful parrots, macaws and toucans are found in the bird exhibit, along with the bright-red scarlet ibis, which grows redder as it ages. The zoo displays reptiles such as the spectacled caiman, a cousin of the crocodile; resident caimans include Indy, who was rescued from a local restaurant display. And for unwinding after the exciting animal encounters, kids can make like Jack Sparrow on the zoo’s pirate-themed playground and ship.

PHOTOS BY: (MONKEY) VERVET MONKEY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (MACAW) F9PHOTOS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

FROM LEFT: Vervet monkey; blue-and-yellow macaws.

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Visitors can experience the thrill of yacht racing.

PHOTOS BY: SUBBOTINA ANNA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; ANDREY BAYDA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Maarten/St. Martin

a day at the races Go ahead, admit it. You’ve always wanted to be a winch wench or a grinder. Or maybe being captain of a ship for a day is more your style. Well, you’re in the right place.

St. Maarten/St. Martin is the only island in the Caribbean where novice sailors get the chance to race an authentic America’s Cup yacht. Simply watching these sleek sailboats cut through the water is pretty awesome, too. You may even find a ringside seat right on the deck of your cruise ship.

For over 10 years, visitors to Philipsburg have been thrilled to attend the daily 12-meter regatta. The streamlined multimilliondollar sailboats transported to the Caribbean after the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle, Australia, race around a shortened America’s Cup course.

The fleet includes three Canadian contenders and Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes, the proud US vessel that won the cup after racing in nearly 350 individual matches. — Ginger Dingus

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cultural chronicles

st. maarten museum brings the i s l a n d ’s v a r i e d h i s t o r y t o l i f e

By John Anderson From its ancient pre-Columbian origins, through turbulent European settlement times and into the modern era, St. Maarten boasts of a rich and varied history. And while it may be difficult to image an Arawak village on the present-day site of a gleaming casino hotel, the St. Maarten Museum helps bring the island’s story to life with an array of artifacts, photographs and reference material.

Located down a tree-shaded side street in the capital city of Philipsburg and sandwiched between souvenir and gift shops, the unassuming museum was established in 1993 by the St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation and works closely with such organizations as the St. Maarten Archaeological Center and Musée de Saint-Martin (St. Martin Museum) in Marigot.

Forces of nature Nearly every aspect of St. Maarten is explored at the museum, starting roughly 15 million years ago with a fascinating geology that includes a piece of crystallized limestone taken from a rock formation at Port Blanche. A 3D map takes visitors back 1 million years, when St. Maarten was part of a single “super island” with what

is now Anguilla and St. Barts. A sea-level rise of 115 feet and volatile tectonic shits — with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity — eventually separated the one island into three. Another force of nature, hurricanes, are also chronicled at the museum and show the devastating and lasting effects these storms have had on the development of the island. Visitors can read about past hurricanes and watch a video of monster Hurricane Luis, which hit the island in 1995.

Natives and others People have lived on St. Maarten for several millennia, and the museum carefully highlights the many different cultures and eras of the island. An Arawak dugout canoe, or piroque, is on display along with tools and fishing nets employed by the early inhabitants from A.D. 600 to 1200. St. Maarten’s colonial period, beginning with the first Dutch settlement in 1631, is told with early maps and military relics from Fort Amsterdam. A memorable display is a model of the war frigate H.M.S Proselyte. The exhibit includes artifacts from the ship, which sank in full view of Philipsburg in 1801.

PHOTOS BY: (IRON) NATTAPOL SRITONGCOM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (LAMP) EKY STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

The museum shows artifacts like this charcoal iron and oil lamp, used by St. Maarten’s Dutch settlers.

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Jewelry Avenue Please come and collect a free pair of earrings

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Jewelry Avenue Front Street Kannal Steeg Unit 2 Bobby’s Marina Near Water Taxi Terminal and Green House Philipsburg, St. Maarten N.A. Tel: (721) 542-1237 | Fax (721) 542-1293 | USA (646) 415-7607 E-mail: jewelryavenueinc@hotmail.com

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secluded shores

The island’s world-famous beaches are extraordinary even by Caribbean standards.

Most are bustling, but there are stretches of sand still undiscovered by the masses.

With 36 beaches to choose from on the French side of the island, you’re sure to find one that suits your taste.

• Baie Longue (Long Bay) Rated by many as the best beach on the island, Baie Longue stretches for a mile on the western end of St. Martin.

• Orient This is one of the most popular clothing-optional beaches. Hordes of beachgoers come to shuck their clothes, catch some sun and gape.

Unlike the neighboring French shores, almost all beaches on the Dutch side discourage nude or topless sunbathing.

These beaches are relatively close to the pier in Philipsburg.

• Great Bay Smack in the middle of town, this strip of beach provides an oasis of peace.

• Simpson Bay This crescent-shaped sweep of sugar-white sand is a center for windsurfing activity. Set against a small fishing village, Simpson Bay offers a laid-back environment.

• Maho Bay This palm-shaded beach is strewn with lounge chairs belonging to the numerous beachfront resorts lining the shore.

The story of St. Maarten/St. Martin stretches back to the days when seafaring Amerindians first paddled their dugout canoes to its unspoiled shores. These early explorers, known as Arawaks, soon discovered a valuable commodity: salt.

The worth of their find was not immediately recognized. Even the early European settlers did not exploit the bountiful mineral, choosing to grow sugarcane instead. But when drought struck in the late 1700s, the sweet life was threatened, and at last salt had its day in the sun. On the island’s first salt-harvesting day in 1789, more than 7,000 people attempted to claim the crusty, crystallized jewels emerging from the dry seabed.

The St. Martin Salt Company was born out of the chaos, and during the next three years, an estimated three million barrels of salt were shipped to Europe and North America.

Salt production continued well into the 20th century. The practice finally ceased in the late 1940s, leaving a dozen salt ponds scattered around the island. — Ginger Dingus

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Salt mounds

BELOW: PHOTO BY: PATRICIA HOFMEESTER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM./ ABOVE: ST. MAARTEN TOURISM BOARD

old salts

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petal power Visitors to the Caribbean region can’t help but stare at the vivid splendor of the hibiscus flowers that blossom almost everywhere in the islands. Indeed, hibiscus rosa sinensis, as it is known to horticulturists, is an instantly recognizable island icon.

One of the easiest varieties of tropical flowers to cultivate, its colors range from the deepest scarlet to delicate shades of pink, peach, yellow and white. New shades appear every year as local enthusiasts compete to breed the fullest and most colorful blooms.

A little-known fact: The petals of the versatile hibiscus are dried, finely crushed and used all over the world in commercially produced herbal teas.

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Special Advertising Feature

The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit is a non-profit foundation built around Nick’s private collection of rare Hollywood relics. Encouraging kids to strive to be exceptional, there are incredible behind-the-scenes insights that no fan should miss, displays about ALIEN TERMINATOR & MEN IN BLACK and an incredible collection of lifecast faces, Hollywood stars and historical figures, like Johnny Depp & Angelina Jolie, Marlon Brando & Bogart, even Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin.

19a Front Street, Philipsburg, St. Maarten Tel: 542-4009 www.thatYodaGuy.com

The Museum Shop sells SIGNED movie relics, posters, behind-the-scenes photos and storyboards… unique autographed slices of STAR WARS history that become an heirloom to pass on through the family. There’s also Nick’s celebrated Caribbean artwork and his famed Caribbean Cruise Ship Map. This romantic map, inscribed with the route of your ship, is dedicated in gold (at no extra charge) for birthdays, honeymoons, anniversaries or special occasions. It’s the But, at the height of his career, Nick shocked perfect inexpensive cruise souvenir. his colleagues when he and his wife Gloria traded their Ferrari for a sailboat to pursue With a 20-40% ship discount, the Yoda Guy A MUST SEE for art and movie fans, the museum Nick’s passion for painting... in the Caribbean. Movie Exhibit provides entertainment for the is described by many as the most surprising enHis paintings reflect the serenity to be found whole family. There’s something for every budget terprise in the Caribbean, where rare STAR in simple living, have toured the world with the and if you are lucky enough to find Nick there, WARS production items can be purchased, UNITED NATIONS and hang in galleries he will dedicate purchases and do photos with hand signed, by the stars. customers. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opand museums in 18 countries. portunity to visit a STAR WARS celebrity.

Visitors to sunny St Maarten probably don’t expect to find Darth Vader and Michael Jackson nestled amidst the duty free jewelry stores. But the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, acclaimed by TripAdvisor as a popular attraction on the island, has that and much, much, more. The Museum is the brainchild of Hollywood creature effects wizard Nick Maley, known as “that Yoda Guy” for his contribution to the creation of Yoda for STAR WARS. Nick worked on over 50 movies, including the SUPERMAN and HIGHLANDER sagas.

Nick’s biography reads like a romantic novel.

He grew up in the midst of the entertainment industry, worked with Hollywood legends like Sean Connery, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Harrison Ford, was featured in CINEMAX and HBO specials, won a place in THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS and was nominated for an EMMY.

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Ports of call | 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.

An Island on the Way Back St. Thomas sustained heavy damage from the hurricanes that struck the Caribbean and southeastern United States in 2017, but recovery got under way soon after the storms passed. The rebuilding is likely still ongoing as you read this; attractions mentioned in the following pages may not be open. See the onboard excursions team for updates on tours and conditions in town.

We encourage you to support St. Thomas' businesses and help them return to prosperity.

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st. thomas

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Quick Guide

ABOVE: Boats fill Charlotte Amalie’s harbor.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The Ninety-Nine Steps.

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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Ports of call | St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie sparkles at night.

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

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

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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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Blue beyond words.

Take a look at the shallow ocean in the Caribbean and you will begin to know the colour of Paraiba Tourmaline, except Paraiba is this colour made doubly intense.

Described by experts as “neon” or “electric”, the blue of Paraiba Tourmaline is unlike anything you’ve likely seen before. Is there any point in trying to show this gemstone that is so unbelievably blue a camera can’t capture it’s intensity and a printing press can’t recreate it’s depth? A stone so remarkably blue that it can’t be shown on paper?

Well then, it looks like you’ll have to come and see it in person.

Available only at the Caribbean’s finest jewelers.

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Pieces of Paradise

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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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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It’s time for a challenge.

TISSOT PRS 516.

A VERY SPECIAL CHRONOGRAPH PIECE WITH A VINTAGE TOUCH THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO RACING CARS. THE SEMI-HOLES IN THE STRAP ILLUSTRATE THE HOLES IN THE OLD STEERING WHEELS.

TISSOT BOUTIQUE 40B FRONT STREET, PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN 721-543-7020 TISSOT SUPER CORNER WATERFRONT, AH RIISE MALL, 36A-2 & 37A DRONNINGENS GADE, ST. THOMAS USVI 00802 340-774-5699

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t he quint e s s ent ial

caribbean isle

As the most developed of the U.S. 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 Christopher Columbus first arrived 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 300

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

charlotte a m a li e w a lk a b o u t

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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Ports of call | St. Thomas

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.

Walk up Tolbod Gade to the intersection of Norre Gade, where the busy

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The #1 Linen Shop in the Caribbean

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Visit the largest linen store in North America. ee! R S ust IBE HS M A ROF OT L k C MIBLECn Loo IN e TA Lin STA N NOO IRO N

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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 TOP: An alley off Main Street, known for excellent duty-free shopping.

RIGHT: The clock tower at historic Fort Christian.

Day2Night Tanzanite reversible earrings

Bremont MB 2 watch

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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 most-famous 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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PHOTOS BY: (SEAFOOD PLATTER) VSL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

memorable meals

St. Thomas’ chefs create a mouthwatering assortment of culinary concoctions that add to the island’s tropical flair.

Many of their recipes have been passed down for generations.

Among the favorite local dishes are tangy stuffed crab, freshwater crayfish, conch fritters, plantains and johnnycakes. The ubiquitous conch, which thrives in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, is often served as a curry, like the better-known goat and lamb curries.

Fresh fish is a mainstay of most menus, and is typically poached or broiled with a light butter-and-onion sauce or pan-fried in a spicy Creole sauce. Creole cooking consists of a potpourri of ingredients ranging from curry powder, cumin and allspice to coconut, tamarind, lime, cinnamon bark and vanilla bean. Among these tasty concoctions is callaloo soup, a mix of callaloo or other leafy greens with okra and ham or crabmeat. (See recipe, right.)

Callaloo Soup 1 bunch callaloo or fresh spinach, chopped 2 oz. salt pork, chopped 8 oz. coconut milk 5 cups water 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 8 oz. chopped okra 8 oz. crabmeat Place first six ingredients in a large stew pot and simmer until the salt pork is tender. Then add the okra and crabmeat. Simmer for 5 minutes and season with salt and pepper.

Recipe printed with permission of globalgourmet.com, ©2007, The Global Gourmet®

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

St. Thomas

Shopping Guide

BOOLCHAND PANDORA World-renowned for its hand-finished jewelry, PANDORA is a paradise of affordable luxury! Designed to inspire women to embrace the self-creator within, PANDORA is a partner in helping to explore and craft a unique personal story to complement any style, every day. 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 highest-quality gold, sterling silver and gemstones including rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and charms.

Visit us at PANDORA Havensight Mall (9002 Havensight Mall, Building 2; call 340-776-8550) and PANDORA Main Street (5124 Dronningens Gade, at Drake’s Passage; call 340-774-3672). For style tips and event updates, follow PANDORA St. Thomas on Instagram @PANDORAStt and Facebook.com/PANDORAStThomas. For store inquiries or product orders, email mailorders@boolchand.com.

CARILOHA Come feel the difference of the softest fabric in the world, Cariloha Bamboo™. Cariloha is the premier retailer of luxuriously soft bedding, bath goods, active wear, and more, all made of eco-friendly viscose from 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’s viscose-from-bamboo fabrics are twice as soft as cotton and 3 degrees cooler, and naturally wick moisture away from your body. Bamboo itself contains organically occurring properties that are odor and allergy resistant. It also provides UVA/UVB protection, saves more trees, regenerates naturally and is among the most sustainable, renewable resources on the planet.

Visit any Cariloha store today to pick up a free bamboo lei and to feel the incredible softness of bamboo bedding, clothing and bath goods for yourself. Cariloha — Stay Cool, Wear Bamboo™. Cariloha is located in the Grand Galleria shops at the end of Main Street.

DEL SOL ST. THOMAS When you’re looking for unique gifts — exclusive to St. Thomas — the place you shop makes a big difference. You’ll definitely want to experience the exclusive Island Collection of Del Sol St. Thomas, where all clothing and accessories are not only custom to St. Thomas, but they also change colors when exposed to sunlight and then return to their original colors without sunlight. You’ll be reminded of your sunny vacation on the beach every time you step into sunlight and see the colors appear. Make this your one-stop destination for everything St. Thomas. With more than 100 unique-to-St. Thomas clothing options, along with sunglasses, nail polish, hair accessories, jewelry, beach towels, tote bags and beach toys, there’s something for every age, gender and interest in your family. If you’ve visited another Del Sol store along the cruise route, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised to find an entirely new island-specific collection when you visit St. Thomas. You can get a T-shirt anywhere, but only Del Sol St. Thomas’ T-shirts perfectly capture

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1. Cariloha 2. Safi Kilima Tanzanite and colored-stone earrings; Diamonds International 3. Danyal Paraiba rings; Kay's Fine Jewelry

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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your vacation memoires every time they change color outside in the sun. All Del Sol St. Thomas products are guaranteed to change colors for life. Visit today for a free demonstration and a free color-changing gift (no purchase necessary). Del Sol — Just Add Sun! Del Sol St. Thomas is located at the Grand Galleria shops at the end of Main Street

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 — hand-enameled 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 Swarovskicrystal-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.

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4. Crown of Creation earrings by Crown of Light; Diamonds International, DI Watch & Design 5. Bulova watch; Diamonds International, DI Watch & Design 6. Safi Kilima Tanzanite marquis-shaped ring; Diamonds International

DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL Diamonds International, the most recommended jeweler in the Caribbean, has more than a quarter century of expertise in acquiring luxury goods and jewelry for its discerning clientele. The retailer is celebrated for providing the finest jewels and exceptional variety. Shoppers in the Caribbean have come to appreciate the great value for the latest designer goods from around the world, with a wider selection than they can find at home.

Diamonds International exceeds expectations time after time.

The exclusive luxury brands carried are also some of the reasons why this retailer is the must-stop shop for world-class jewelry collectors. Visit any Diamonds International showroom and experience the sparkle of the exclusive, U.S.-patented Crown of Light™ diamond. To best appreciate how each Crown of Light diamond is crafted and measured to perfection, you can compare the Crown of Light to any diamond using the Diamond Light Performance scope.

Experience Forevermark, a premium diamond brand from The De Beers Group of Companies. Every Forevermark diamond is inscribed with a unique number and a threefold promise: that it is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced. Less than one percent of the world´s diamonds are eligible to become a Forevermark diamond.

In St. Thomas, it is available exclusively at Diamonds International, at the A.H. Riise Mall on Main Street and throughout the Eastern and Western Caribbean at many Diamonds International locations.

These are just a few of the irresistible draws that create customer loyalty at Diamonds International!

Visit Tanzanite International on Main Street, one of the largest tanzanite retailers for more than 20 years and home to the exclusive Safi Kilima™ tanzanite. With rich purple and blue hues, Safi Kilima has masterfully designed collections featuring tanzanite from the heart of Tanzania.

You can find other exquisite collections available only at Diamonds International such as Vena d´Amore diamond solitaires, Gift Collection, Sara G diamond jewelry, Day2Night convertible jewelry and the amazing WonderStud diamond earrings. There is something for everyone!

Who doesn’t love blue diamonds? Blue Heaven’s breathtaking ocean-blue diamonds will keep the memory of your Caribbean holiday alive for years to come.

Diamonds International has many elegant showrooms on the island to serve their devoted shoppers. Find locations at A.H. Riise Mall on Main Street, Havensight Mall, Crown Bay Marina and Marriott Frenchman’s Reef. Call 1-800-444-4025 or 1-340-776-5570 or shop www.DiamondsInternational.com.

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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.”

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 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.

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7. Crown of Light stackable rings; Diamonds International 8. Assorted linens; Mr. Tablecloth 9. Flora filigree necklace by Marahlago; Diamonds International 10. Kabana's Heart Collection; Diamonds International 11. Philip Stein Modern; Philip Stein Boutique

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THE SHOPS AT YACHT HAVEN GRANDE Voted Best Shopping in the USVI five years in a row by the Virgin Islands Daily News readership poll and home to St. Thomas’ only Louis Vuitton and Gucci boutiques, The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande is home to BCBGMaxAzria, Everything But Water, Orogold Cosmetics, Sunglass Hut, Perfumania and many more. Set in lush tropical grounds with views of our neighboring mega-yacht marina and adjacent cruise ship dock, The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande provides an escape from the bustling downtown scene. Here you can unwind and take your time browsing our exceptional retail offerings, grab a coffee or relax over a sumptuous meal.

Quench your thirst and whet your appetite at The Shops’ waterfront restaurants. Fat Turtle serves up casual fare and fresh island drinks in a fun atmosphere, while the casually elegant Grande Cru delivers innovative cuisine and hand crafted cocktails. Enjoy Mediterranean dishes with an island twist at Fresh Bistro or grab something to go from Urban Eats. Relax and pamper yourself at Prana Spa or treat yourself to a new look at Sugar and Spice Artistry Salon. Discover locally made jewelry, art, crafts and gifts to remember your stay — you can even bring something home for your pets!

The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande has an ever-changing calendar of entertainment, events and free activities for your healthy lifestyle.

Enjoy live music at one of our restaurants or at a concert event. Sample locally grown produce at the Farmers’ Market. Play games on the lawn or change up your vacation workout routine with a free Zumba, yoga or Tai Chi class. Don’t miss our family-friendly Halloween, Christmas and Easter festivities! Check our calendar posted on our website and throughout the property.

The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande — your island experience starts here.

Call 340-775-8200; visit www.shopsatyhg.com; like us on Facebook.com/YHGSt.Thomas.

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12. Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds pendant; Milano Diamond Gallery 13. Mark Henry Alexandrite rings; Milano Diamond Gallery 14. Bremont DH – 88; DI Watch & Design 15. Korite tennis bracelet; Diamonds International 16. Fendi I-Shine; DI Watch & Design

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

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Ports of call | St. Thomas

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 secondoldest 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.

TOP: Antique lamp at entrance to St. Thomas Synagogue.

RIGHT: Inside the synagogue.

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

The beautiful St. Thomas Synagogue was heavily damaged by the 2017 hurricanes, but services continued and at this writing a rebuilding effort was being planned. That's a relief to many in St. Thomas, where the historic synagogues is a beloved landmark.

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a n a r t i s t ’s journey

By Michael De Freitas

Camille Pissarro, one of the most influential artists of 19th-century French impressionism, was born in a small Spanish Sephardic Jewish community in Charlotte Amalie.

At the age of 12, Pissarro left the Caribbean for boarding school in Paris. Later, he returned to St. Thomas to help his merchant father run the family store on Main Street.

But his heart was not in the business, and he spent every minute of his spare time painting.

Pissarro returned to Paris in 1855 to study under a variety of masters. Four years later, the young artist held his first exhibition at the prestigious Paris Salon.

Pissarro died at the age of 73 at his home in Éragny,

just north of Paris, and his paintings still grace the walls of many of Europe’s major museums. Today, his boyhood home at 14 Main Street houses the Pissarro gallery, which contains numerous artworks.

A teacher as well as a painter, Pissarro taught several future masters of the art world. He was described as godlike by many of his students, including Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne.

PHOTO BY: MUSÉE D’ORSAY

Camille Pissarro’s The Road of Louveciennes, painted in 1872.

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