2018 PC Voyages Caribbean - Region 2

voyages Charting a New Course with Princess Cruises®

Caribbean — 2017/2018 Cruises

Caribbean 2

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

40

Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle SM

68

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.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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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Princess Cruises Voyages

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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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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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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

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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

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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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Princess Cruises Voyages

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MAKE VACATION A PIECE OF CAKE Available throughout the Caribbean.

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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 Aruba Cartagena Fort Lauderdale Grand Cayman Huatulco

CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Puerto Vallarta

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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

Princess Cruises Voyages

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

Another view of Palm Beach.

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.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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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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

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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 76

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.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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.

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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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ANDREY GONTAREV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

Princess Cruises Voyages

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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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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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Ports of call | Cartagena

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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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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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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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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Discover the Western Caribbean’s largest and latest collections from the stunning worlds of TAG Heuer and Breitling. Brought to you by Kirk Freeport.

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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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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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DUDAREV MIKHAIL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

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LOOSE DIAMONDS · JEWELRY · WATCHES · SOUVENIRS · CIGARS · LIQUOR · APPAREL AND ACCESSORIES · CRYSTAL AND CHINA · PERFUME AND COSMETICS · RUM CAKE AND SWEET TREATS · LOCAL FOOD AND BEER · WIFI · RESTAURANTS · BARS · SNORKELLING · DIVING · OCEAN TRAMPOLINE · ATM LOCATIONS · POST OFFICE · SHOPPING MALLS · AND MUCH MORE!

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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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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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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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 120

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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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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Ports of call | Huatulco

huatulco A decidedly modern por t bearing an ancient pedigree, Huatulco nestles amid 52,000 acres of tropical rainforest on a 20-mile stretch of Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Nine beautiful bays and 36 beaches are spread along the coast, and the reward of a visit to these usually secluded locales is crystal-clear water — ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving along the many coral reefs. This ecological marvel is a perfect place to appreciate Mexico’s natural wonders.

FROM TOP: One of Huatulco's nine beautiful bays; the beach of Cacaluta.

Quick Guide Famed for: Gorgeous beaches on the Pacific coast and sparkling waterfalls inland.

Signature Souvenirs: Locally grown coffee; folk art from the nearby artisanal town La Cruceita (especially alebrijes, brightly colored Oaxacan-Mexican sculptures of fantastical creatures.

How to Get to Town: La Crucecita is about a mile from port, reached quickly by taxi or in about 20 minutes by foot.

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HOLGER W./SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

It’s a Fact: The area was a popular target of 16th-century pirates, including English buccaneers Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish.

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Relaxed and welcoming, this former fishing village now lures visitors with whitewashed villas, cobblestone walkways and a backdrop of beautiful bougainvilleas. Puerto Vallarta’s intimate charm has survived the port’s discovery years ago by Hollywood celebrities and jet-setters — and then by the rest of us.

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PHOTOS BY: VIVID PIXELS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

pu e r t o v allar t a

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PHOTOS BY: VIVID PIXELS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

ABOVE: The coast of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A beach view in Puerto Vallarta.

Famed for: The mile-long Malecón, a seaside promenade featuring large sculptures by Sergio Bustamante, Alejandro Colunga and Ramiz Barquet.

It’s a Fact: The city became a tourism hot spot after the Richard Burton and Ava Gardner movie The Night of the Iguana was filmed here in 1963.

Signature Souvenirs: Huichol art, Raku pottery and Talavera tile and tableware.

How to Get to Town: Most visitors take a taxi into the center of Puerto Vallarta, which is about 3 miles from where the ships dock.

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

T H IN G S Y O U C A N ’ T M I S S IN

Puerto Vallarta perches on the Pacific Ocean.

p u e r t o v allar t a Puerto Vallarta is a colonial gem. Downtown is a crisscross of cobblestoned streets lined with traditional Mexican architecture.

But any stroll within one of Mexico’s most popular resort towns should begin along the Malecón, the pedestrian, statue-studded boardwalk featuring The Friendship Fountain by California artist James Bottoms and the Roman-like Los Arcos Amphitheater.

A short walk from the square, the Plaza de Armas leads visitors to the cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and its distinguishing crowned clock tower. A few blocks away, the “Gringo Gulch” neighborhood still attracts American expatriates who enjoy living

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in an exotic destination with all the comforts of home.

Seafar ing and adventurous t y pes may opt for whale watching, diving with manta rays and even parasailing.

Lovers of sand and surf should head to Playa de los Muertos at the downtown’s southern edge.

For the many, however, shopping may be the best option. The Malecón has a dazzling array of diamonds, leather, watches, silver and other fine wares, as well as excellent restaurants when it’s time for a break.

The best selections of Huichol Amerindian art and original cotton fashion designs are found just a block away, on Corona and Morelos Streets. — Richard Varr

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta remained a mostly forgotten paradise for centuries, even after Western explorers happened upon it. It wasn’t until Hollywood came calling a few decades ago that the village found its niche as a resort.

Beginnings In 1525, explorer Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, the nephew of the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés, made landfall in the region and was unexpectedly confronted by a large force of native warriors geared for battle.

With less than 100 men and facing over 18,000 warriors, Cortés tried to convince the natives to surrender but they refused his offer.

Before taking up arms, Cortés asked his men to pray to the Virgin Mary for help; among the Spanish was a monk carrying a flag of the Immaculate Conception. After they invoked their patroness, a brilliant ray of light suddenly illuminated the flag, leaving the warriors and Spaniards awestruck.

Believing it to be a miracle of divine grace, the two sides promptly withdrew from battle. In commemoration of the event, Cortés called the site Valle de Banderas, or Valley of the Flags, though nowadays the bay is known by the name Bahía de Banderas.

KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

In Full Flower

Rediscovery For the next 300 years, the valley remained free of any permanent settlement. By 1880, the population of Puerto de las Peñas had reached 1,500. In 1918, the settlement was promoted to the status of municipality. Its name was changed to Puerto Vallarta in honor of Don Ignacio Vallarta, governor of the state of Jalisco and signer of the Mexican constitution.

The Montgomery Fruit Company bought 70,000 acres of land in the area in 1925, bringing plentiful jobs at the new banana plantations. The port boomed with the exportation of the “green gold.”

A Burst of Growth Yet Puerto Vallarta remained relatively isolated and unknown until the 1960s. In 1964, the port was finally put on the map when director John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana — starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner — in the picturesque town. Tourists descended by the thousands, and in 1970, a new airport opened with direct flights to the United States and Europe. The once-tiny community of expatriated Americans and Canadians swelled to a large colony of year-round residents. These days, Puerto Vallarta has a population of more than 255,000 — with an estimated three million visitors each year — but it still manages to retain its charm.

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

The Quiet Charm of

yelapa and l a s c al e t a s Located 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by boat, the town of Yelapa has a certain otherworldly charm.

PHOTO BY: MARVIN PERTON

Its appeal derives from many things, including the complete absence of roads and cars, the thatched-roof structures on poles known as palapas that constitute most of the town’s buildings and simply the still beauty of this small village of 1,500 inhabitants.

Nestled in a natural cove, the fishing village of Yelapa, the name of which means “gathering place,” continues to appeal to travelers who want to commune with nature.

Fishing, swimming, hiking to one of the area’s numerous waterfalls and simply relaxing on the gorgeous beach are all popular ways to while away the time.

To the south of Puerto Vallarta, and accessible only by boat, is the town of Las Caletas, which means “the coves” in Spanish. Surrounded by jungle and tucked into the mountains, the town was director John Huston’s private getaway for many years.

Today, the area is a tropical sanctuary and nature lover’s paradise. Guided nature walks introduce visitors to the many charms of the island, including various Aztec plants, exotic orchids and an aviary complete with macaws.

Popular activities revolve around nature, such as feeding deer, swimming with sea lions, kayaking and snorkeling.

Visitors can also scuba dive or, if they’re still learning, take diving lessons.

Of course, not all activities are so energetic. Plenty of visitors to Las Caletas spend their time simply drowsing in one of the many hammocks randomly situated in the area.

— Sara Churchville

Yelapa’s inviting beach.

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