Caribbean Ports of Call : Western Region

by Kay Showker

• ISBN13: 9780762705498
• ISBN10: 0762705493
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

The splendor of the Caribbean and the pleasures of cruising make an unbeatable combination. Accessibility, good prices, superb weather, and variety make cruising the Caribbean an ideal vacation choice. This guide, based on the author's personal experience, shows you how to plan a carefree vacation at sea. Book jacket.

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.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	p. vii
The Caribbean and The Bahamas: Ports of Call	p. ix
Cruising and the Caribbean
The Winning Combination	p. 1
How to Use This Guide	p. 2
The Delights of the Caribbean	p. 3
The Delights of Cruising	p. 8
Selecting a Cruise
Hints, Tips, and Advice	p. 13
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. 43
Distant Neighbors	p. 44
Fast Facts	p. 46
An Introduction to Nassau	p. 48
Port Profile: Nassau	p. 49
Budget Planning	p. 50
Drugs, Crime, and Today's Realities	p. 50
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 50
Nassau Shore Excursions	p. 50
People-to-People	p. 51
Nassau on Your Own	p. 52
A Walking Tour of Old Nassau	p. 52
Nassau and Its Environs	p. 58
Shopping	p. 61
Dining and Restaurants	p. 63
Sports	p. 64
Entertainment	p. 66
Festivals and Celebrations	p. 67
Grand Bahama Island	p. 68
In Brief	p. 69
A Drive around Grand Bahama Island	p. 73
The Out Islands	p. 74
Key West
At a Glance	p. 79
America's First Caribbean Island	p. 80
Fast Facts	p. 81
Budget Planning	p. 82
Port Profile: Key West	p. 82
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 83
Shore Excursions	p. 83
Key West on Your Own	p. 84
Mallory Square and Vicinity	p. 85
Duval Street	p. 89
Caroline Street and Beyond	p. 92
The Other Key West	p. 95
Sports	p. 95
Shopping	p. 96
Dining and Restaurants	p. 96
Entertainment	p. 97
Jamaica
At a Glance	p. 99
The Quintessence of the Tropics	p. 100
Fast Facts	p. 102
Budget Planning and Other Practical Tips	p. 104
Crafts and Duty-Free Shopping	p. 105
Cuisine and Dining	p. 107
Sports and Entertainment	p. 108
Nightlife, Cultural Events, and Festivals	p. 108
Introduction to Montego Bay	p. 109
Port Profile: Montego Bay	p. 110
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 111
Montego Bay Shore Excursions	p. 111
Montego Bay on Your Own	p. 112
A Walk around Montego Bay	p. 112
A Drive around Montego Bay	p. 113
A Drive East of Montego Bay	p. 113
A Drive West of Montego Bay	p. 115
Restaurants	p. 118
Sports	p. 118
Introduction to Ocho Rios	p. 120
Port Profile: Ocho Rios	p. 121
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 122
Ocho Rios Shore Excursions	p. 122
Ocho Rios on Your Own	p. 122
A Walk around Ocho Rios	p. 123
West of Ocho Rios	p. 123
East of Ocho Rios	p. 125
Restaurants	p. 127
Sports	p. 127
Port Antonio	p. 128
Touring Port Antonio	p. 130
Kingston	p. 131
The Cayman Islands
At a Glance	p. 133
The Diver's Mt. Everest	p. 134
Fast Facts	p. 135
Budget Planning	p. 136
Port Profile: Grand Cayman	p. 136
Author's Favorite Attractions	p. 139
Shore Excursions	p. 139
Grand Cayman on Your Own	p. 140
Driving Tour of Grand Cayman	p. 140
Shopping	p. 144
Dining and Restaurants	p. 146
Sports	p. 147
Entertainment/Nightlife	p. 150
Festivals and Celebrations	p. 150
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. 160
Dining and Restaurants	p. 162
Nightlife	p. 163
Sports	p. 163
Playa del Carmen/Calica (Cancun)	p. 165
North of Playa del Carmen	p. 166
South of Playa del Carmen	p. 170
West of Playa del Carmen	p. 173
Central America and the Panama Canal
Central America	p. 178
Belize	p. 179
Fast Facts	p. 182
Guatemala	p. 183
The Caribbean Coast	p. 183
Fast Facts	p. 186
Honduras	p. 186
The Bay Islands	p. 187
The North Coast	p. 188
The Mayan Antiquities of Copan	p. 190
The Mosquito Coast	p. 190
Fast Facts	p. 191
Nicaragua	p. 191
The Mosquito Coast	p. 192
Fast Facts	p. 193
Costa Rica	p. 194
The Caribbean Coast	p. 195
The Pacific Coast	p. 197
Cruises	p. 197
Fast Facts	p. 197
Panama	p. 198
The San Blas Islands	p. 198
Chart of Cruise Ships Sailing the Caribbean	p. 207
Index	p. 221
About the Author	p. 227
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