Caribbean Ports of Call: Western Region, 6th; A Guide for Today's Cruise Passengers

by Kay Showker

• ISBN13: 9780762711789
• ISBN10: 0762711787
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Subtropical temperatures, gentle trade winds, vibrant colors, luscious foliage, exotic menus, smiling faces -- award-winning writer Kay Showker shares her considerable experience to show how to plan a carefree vacation at sea. Includes attractions, restaurants, sports, shopping, and walking tours, complete with maps of the main towns.

This guide to the Western region of the Caribbean shows you how to plan a carefree vacation at sea, based on the author's personal experience.

Author Biography

Kay Showker has won numerous awards for her coverage of the Caribbean. She was the first to receive the Caribbean Tourism Association Award for excellence in journalism. She writes for leading travel magazines and newspapers across the country

Table of Contents

List of Maps	p. v
The Caribbean and The Bahamas: Ports of Call	p. vii
Cruising and the Caribbean
The Winning Combination	p. 1
How to Use This Guide	p. 2
The Delights of the Caribbean	p. 3
Locating the Islands	p. 4
Enter Columbus	p. 4
Caribbean Culture	p. 5
New Cuisine	p. 6
A Wealth of Activity	p. 6
Diversity of Destinations	p. 7
The New Caribbean	p. 7
The Delights of Cruising	p. 8
Changing Lifestyles	p. 8
Onboard Activities	p. 9
A Movable Feast	p. 10
Cruising with Children	p. 10
Family Reunions	p. 12
Ideal Honeymoon	p. 12
Selecting a Cruise
Hints, Tips, and Advice	p. 13
Using a Travel Agent	p. 13
The Built-In Value of a Cruise Vacation	p. 13
Selecting a Ship	p. 14
Cruise Discounts	p. 15
Shore Excursions	p. 16
What You Should Know Before You Go	p. 17
Caribbean Cruise Lines and Their Ships
A Guide	p. 21
Ports of Call
The Bahamas
At a Glance	p. 39
Distant Neighbors	p. 40
Fast Facts	p. 42
An Introduction to Nassau	p. 44
Port Profile: Nassau	p. 45
Budget Planning	p. 46
Drugs, Crime, and Today's Realities	p. 46
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 46
Nassau Shore Excursions	p. 46
People-to-People	p. 47
Nassau on Your Own	p. 48
A Walking Tour of Old Nassau	p. 48
Nassau and Its Environs	p. 54
Shopping	p. 57
Dining and Restaurants	p. 59
Sports in Nassau	p. 60
Entertainment	p. 62
Festivals and Celebrations	p. 62
Grand Bahama Island	p. 64
In Brief	p. 64
A Drive around Grand Bahama Island	p. 69
The Out Islands	p. 70
Transportation Serving the Out Islands	p. 74
Key West
At a Glance	p. 75
America's First Caribbean Island	p. 76
Fast Facts	p. 77
Budget Planning	p. 78
Port Profile: Key West	p. 78
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 79
Shore Excursions	p. 79
Key West on Your Own	p. 80
Mallory Square and Vicinity	p. 81
Duval Street	p. 85
Caroline Street and Beyond	p. 89
The Other Key West	p. 91
Sports	p. 91
Shopping	p. 92
Dining and Restaurants	p. 93
Entertainment	p. 94
Jamaica
At a Glance	p. 97
The Quintessence of the Tropics	p. 98
Fast Facts	p. 100
Budget Planning and Other Practical Tips	p. 102
Crafts and Duty-Free Shopping	p. 102
Cuisine and Dining	p. 105
Sports and Entertainment	p. 106
Nightlife, Cultural Events, and Festivals	p. 106
Introduction to Montego Bay	p. 107
Port Profile: Montego Bay	p. 108
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 109
Montego Bay Shore Excursions	p. 109
Montego Bay on Your Own	p. 109
A Walk around Montego Bay	p. 109
A Drive around Montego Bay	p. 111
A Drive East of Montego Bay	p. 111
A Drive West of Montego Bay	p. 113
Restaurants	p. 115
Sports	p. 116
Introduction to Ocho Rios	p. 118
Port Profile: Ocho Rios	p. 118
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 119
Ocho Rios Shore Excursions	p. 119
Ocho Rios on Your Own	p. 120
A Walk around Ocho Rios	p. 121
West of Ocho Rios	p. 121
East of Ocho Rios	p. 123
Restaurants	p. 124
Sports	p. 125
Port Antonio	p. 126
Touring Port Antonio	p. 128
Kingston	p. 129
The Cayman Islands
At a Glance	p. 131
The Diver's Mt. Everest	p. 132
Fast Facts	p. 133
Budget Planning	p. 134
Port Profile: Grand Cayman	p. 134
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 137
Shore Excursions	p. 137
Grand Cayman on Your Own	p. 138
Driving Tour of Grand Cayman	p. 138
Shopping	p. 142
Dining and Restaurants	p. 144
Sports	p. 145
Entertainment and Nightlife	p. 149
Festivals and Celebrations	p. 149
The Mexican Caribbean
At a Glance	p. 151
Where the Past Meets the Present	p. 152
Fast Facts	p. 153
Budget Planning	p. 154
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 154
Shore Excursions	p. 154
Port Profile: Cozumel	p. 157
Cozumel	p. 158
Shopping	p. 161
Dining and Restaurants	p. 163
Nightlife	p. 163
Sports	p. 164
Riviera Maya	p. 166
Playa del Carmen/Calica	p. 166
North of Playa del Carmen/Cancun	p. 167
South of Playa del Carmen	p. 172
West of Playa del Carmen	p. 175
Costa Maya	p. 178
Port Profile: Costa Maya	p. 179
Exploring the Interior	p. 180
Chetumal	p. 181
Natural Attractions	p. 185
Central America and the Panama Canal
Central America	p. 188
Belize	p. 189
Fast Facts	p. 189
Guatemala	p. 193
Fast Facts	p. 193
The Caribbean Coast	p. 194
Honduras	p. 196
Fast Facts	p. 196
The Bay Islands	p. 198
The North Coast	p. 199
The Mayan Antiquities of Copan	p. 200
The Mosquito Coast	p. 201
Nicaragua	p. 201
Fast Facts	p. 201
The Mosquito Coast	p. 204
Costa Rica	p. 204
Fast Facts	p. 204
The Caribbean Coast	p. 206
The Pacific Coast	p. 207
Cruises	p. 208
Panama	p. 209
Fast Facts	p. 209
The San Blas Islands	p. 209
The Panama Canal	p. 210
Chart of Cruise Ships Sailing the Caribbean	p. 216
Index	p. 227
About the Author	p. 232
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