13-14 PC Discovery Caribbean & Mexico Region 2

Discovery Caribbean & Mexico

Caribbean & MexiCo — 2013/2014 Cruises

A tempting culinary selection A delightful array of shops on board Experience the best of the Caribbean

Please return Magazine to staterooM at voyage end

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My favorite way to unwind is to

.

Everyone has their own way of finding peace in life. Maybe you like to close your eyes, imagine you’re on a tropical vacation and escape for a little while. Or maybe your preferred escape is to shop, preferably for well-priced, exquisite jewelry. Either way, this is shaping up to be an EXCEPTIONAL week for you!

Come and discover the Royal Jewelers difference. A store created by a woman to deliver what every woman needs...to be treated like Royalty!

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Here it just feels right.

Skagway

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Juneau

Cabo San Lucas

ALASKA * MEXICAN RIVIERA * CARIBBEAN

Marina 8-6, Harbourside, Cabo San Lucas

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Table

of contents

Discovery 2013/2014 Cruises

40 22

26 28

18 20 22

Welcome Aboard

2234 40

Service Excellence

Nighttime Activities

Delicious Dilemma

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

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

26

The Night Belongs to You

42

Casino

44

Shows & Entertainment

Do It All or Nothing At All

46

Princess Cruises Captain’s CircleSM

Daytime Activities

48

Future Cruise Sales

56

Ports of Call

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

28

Lotus Spa ® & The Sanctuary

30

Boutiques Onboard

32

Princess Photography

part, including but not limited to transmission by any means, in any form — digital, electronic,

33

Enrichment Programs

from the publisher. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of

33

Fine Art Auctions

unsolicited manuscripts, photography, artwork, or other material. Electronic queries only will

34

Princess Cays

in Discovery are not necessarily those of the cruise line. Princess Cruises is not responsible for

36

Movies Under the Stars ®

38

Youth & Teen Programs

The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction, either in whole or in mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise — is forbidden without express, written permission

be acknowledged. E-mail to: editor@onboardmedia.com. Commentary and opinions expressed any claims or offers made in advertisements appearing in Discovery.

COVER PHOTO: Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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Earn rewards and relax more with the Princess Cruises Rewards Visa card! ®

®

Enjoy great benefits like these: • NO annual fee1 • Start with up to 5,000 BONUS points with your first Princess Visa purchase2 • Earn DOUBLE points on all Princess purchases — onboard and ashore3 • Princess Rewards includes FREE4 cruises (no blackout dates), cruise discounts, airfare discounts, Lotus Spa treatments & other onboard amenities4

See your Princess Captain’s Circle Host or Future Cruise Consultant and apply today!

1. Annual Fee: $0. For purchases and balance transfers, the variable APR is 13.99%, 16.99% or 20.99% depending upon our review of your application and your credit history at account opening. The variable APR for cash advances is 25.24%. Subject to applicable law, the APRs on your account will be increased to a variable Penalty APR which is up to 30.24% if we do not receive timely payments, if you exceed your credit line or if we receive a payment that is not honored by your bank. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. The minimum monthly finance charge will be $2.00. Balance Transfer Fee: 4% min. $10. Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%. The fee for the purchase of cash equivalent transactions (purchase of money orders, traveler’s checks, foreign currency, lottery tickets, gambling chips or wire transfer): 5% (min. $10). This information is accurate as of 05/01/2013 and is subject to change after this date.

Contact 1-866-504-8224 for updated information and for more information about the terms of this offer.

2. 5,000 Bonus Points will be awarded at the close of the first billing statement in which you make your first purchase or balance transfer and then will be credited to your Carnival World MasterCard account. There is a fee for Balance Transfers.

Bonus Points will be posted at the close of your first billing statement after an initial qualifying purchase or Balance Transfer is made. Qualifying Purchases do not include fees, finance charges, credit insurance premiums, or transactions posting as non-qualifying Balance Transfers or Cash Advances, whether received from financial institutions, automated teller machines, by use of Barclays convenience checks, or by any other means. See the Terms and Conditions for complete details about this offer.

3. Princess Rewards Visa cardmembers will earn two (2) points for every one dollar ($1) of net purchases of Princess purchases with the credit card account, and (1) point for every one dollar ($1) of net purchases made everywhere else the account is used. Restrictions apply.

4. The Princess Rewards Program offers cardmembers the opportunity to earn rewards towards discounted, reduced, and even free cruise redemptions. Taxes and fees may apply. Cardmembers will be responsible for all charges incurred in connection with their cruise (including travel to port of departure). Additional charges may include but are not limited to gratuities, onboard purchases, and other charges. Cruise redemptions start at 150,000 points. Other cruise related redemption options are available such as onboard spa experience and merchandise offers. Please visit the Captain’s Circle Host, Future Cruise Consultant or Visa Consultant for a copy of the terms and conditions of this offer and visit princessvisa.com to review full program Terms and Conditions. The Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware (“Barclaycard”). Offer subject to credit approval. Benefits will vary depending upon the card for which you are approved. Not everyone will qualify for the Princess Visa Signature Card and its benefits. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive a Platinum card which has fewer benefits. Please review the materials provided with the Cardmember Agreement you will receive after account opening for more information about the benefits that will apply if you are not approved for the Visa Signature credit card. This offer is available to new cardmembers only. For information about rates, fees, other costs, and the reward program rules (including points accrual rate, bonus points awards, etc.) and benefits associated with the use of this credit card program please see the Terms and Condition

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1691 Michigan avenue, Suite 600 MiaMi Beach, Florida 33139 tel (305) 673.0400 | FaX (305) 674.9396 www.onBoardMedia.coM

Sarah Beth Reno Robin Rosenbaum-Andras Carrie Julier Norma Vila Vikki Knudsen

President Senior Vice President Vice President, Cruise Revenue & Sales Vice President, Finance Associate Vice President, Operations

Editorial & Design Kate McClare Executive Editor MaryAnna Estomba Managing Editor Brigid Cotter Communications Specialist Virginia C. Valls Dayana Ramirez Christian Rosario Elizabeth Carlisle Beth Wood Raquel Figueroa

Director, Design & Production Project Graphic Designer Project Graphic Designer Art Director Art Director Graphic Designer

Contributing Writers: John Anderson, John Bigley, Kay Callahan, Suzanne L. Carmel, Richard Carroll, Sara Churchville, Toni Crane, Michael De Freitas, Ginger Dingus, Jen Karetnick, Marjorie Klein, Chelle Koster Walton, Ciara LaVelle, Marty Leshner, Linda Marx, Raymond Niedowski, Paris Permenter, Patti Roth, Heidi Sarna, Jonathan Siskin, Gerry Steckles, Jim Thompson, Richard Varr, Deborah Williams, Eleanor Wilson, Gerald Zarr

Melissa Rodriguez James Perdomo Gail Abrams Violeta Manco-Rojas

Jeffrey Meister Tyler Condon Tasha Riekstins Katherine Terc Cristina Viera Todd Hedge Dan Shaw Kevin Maschke Juan Carlos Peña Haley Struthers Kyle Ronellenfitch Jimmy Marks Victoria Rossi Anna Riekstins Leanne Ronellenfitch

Production Production Manager Production Coordinator Ad Services Director Ad Services Manager Advertising Sales Sales Manager Sales Manager Director, International Sales & Marketing Sales Coordinator Sales Coordinator Video/Film Production Producer/Director Director, Operations Senior Editor Senior Videographer Production Coordinator Port Shopping Revenue Director, Cruise Revenue Regional Marketing Manager Regional Marketing Manager Promotions Manager Coordinator, Cruise Revenue

©2013 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 the united states of america. 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.

Port Shopping Operations Rachel Castro Director Marina Castillo Assistant Manager Rina Alvarado Coordinator, Operations Nadine Winter Manager, Customer Relations Arelys Zaldivar Assistant Manager, Customer Relations

10

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Adventure awaits 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 Discovery, 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 passenger 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 Discovery

14

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Hello

from your

Princess Shopping Host!

Welcome aboard! I’m your Princess Shopping Host — your personal shopping consultant. I’m here to save you time and money both in the boutiques onboard and in our fabulous ports of call.

During this voyage, I’ll provide you with everything you’ll need to know about shopping. I’ll be hosting the live Shopping Spotlight Show and special events on watches and jewelry, and I’ll be available each evening at the Princess Shopping Desk. I’ll also provide you with maps, brochures, Passport to Value booklets and VIP cards upon request.

Few things are more thrilling on a cruise vacation than shopping for dazzling treasures such as watches, diamonds and jewelry — all at amazing duty-free prices. For inside information on how you can indulge your taste for the best, be sure to read Discover Style, our celebrity-packed magazine in your stateroom — and watch the Discover Style show on your stateroom television. You’ll find even more expert guidance on your television, with video replays of the Shopping Spotlight Show and special features about our boutiques on board.

With all this expert guidance, you’ll know exactly how to enjoy the unsurpassed savings and selection of shopping on vacation!

DISC OVE R

At your service, Your Princess Shopping Host

ST YLE THE BEST

OF FASHION

AND LIFE STYL

E 2014

D THINGS RINGS AN AND JEWELRY

ler

INSIDE AND BEAUTIFUL

WA DW YANE THE

Free

Worth of

16

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2014

More Than

SHOPPING SPREE

BUYS THE BEST ONBOARD

WORKING FUTURE BRIGHTER

Del Sol Bag

2,000

WARM KS COOL LOO

PHILIPPE AU COUSTEFOR A

Hear t Neck lace

Value With Exclu Offer s andsive Spec ial Disco unts

LA SH MAKE A SP WE ATHER,

HE’S GOT RLD WHOLE WO DS IN HIS HAN

Free

$

OUT

FOR ALL WATCHE S BUDGETS

WE ASKED, ERED: THEY ANSW

ST YLE AND LIFE

2014 Edition

N OF FA SHIO THE BES T

Savvy Trave

CHARLIZE THERON

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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rs

TORTUGA ®

A Taste of the Caribbean

C elebrating 30

Years

1984–2014

Award-Winning Rums & Authentic and Original Caribbean Rum Cake Baked in Grand Cayman, Barbados, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Available throughout the Caribbean.

We ship worldwide.

www.tortugarumcakes.com Visit us on 2656.indd 1

and 10/7/13 4:00 PM

Finally, you’re here.

Now is the time to relax and let us take care of everything else. Get out

on deck and experience the fresh sea air, explore your ship and all its amenities, or grab a bite to eat.

Every aspect of this vacation was designed for you to relax, refresh and rejuvenate.

On the following pages, you can learn a bit more about what you can expect in the coming days in this book of discovery. 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? Only the moments ahead will tell…

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Welcome

aboard

Let your

journey begin

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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19

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At your

service Princess Cruises — The Consummate Host

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®

10/4/13 9:49 AM

The Consummate Host

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 passenger 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 — to our staff, and motivates them to live out those values and be The Consummate Host.

What does CRUISE mean to you?

It means you can expect consistently warm, welcoming service — from courteous greetings in the dining room at dinner to friendly smiles by the stewards — on every ship in our fleet. It means everyone on board is working together to make your vacation a relaxed, rejuvenating retreat at sea. It means all of us know 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 DISCOVERY

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

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Dining

freshly prepared

Delicious

ilemma

One of the most enticing things 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. Maybe all you need is some soft-serve ice cream to fend off the heat. Or keep your eyes open for cookies & milk on deck in the afternoon. From breakfast to dinner to late-night snacks, Princess raises the bar on dining at sea

A chef in one of the galleys takes a tray of Princess breads from the oven. Each day, an assortment of baked goods are prepared for your enjoyment.

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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23

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Restaurants & dining venues on board Restaurants

Style

Traditional & Anytime

Main Dining rooms

Specialty Dining

(see Princess Patter)

Breakfast Hours

specialty

(sea Days) – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Port Days) – 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

SM

Lunch Hours

Lunch is available on turnaround days, sea 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM days and in select ports.

Style

Sabatini’s

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, island, Ocean, Pacific, royal, ruby, sapphire, star Princess

Breakfast Hours

Lunch Hours

Traditional Dining Hours

Anytime Dining

Charges

5:15 PM, 6 PM and 8:15 PM

5:30 PM - 10 PM

None

Dinner Hours

Charges

$25 per person

(adults & children over 12 years of age)

N/A

6:30 PM - 11 PM

$12.50 per person (children 3-12 years old)

No charge

(children 0 to 2 years old)

$25* per person

(adults & children over 12 years of age)

Crown Grill

Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Golden, Grand, royal, ruby, star Princess

specialty

N/A

N/A

6:30 PM - 11 PM

$12.50 per person (children 3-12 years old)

No charge (children 0 to 2 years old)

$20 per person

(adults & children over 12 years of age)

$10 per person (children 3-12 years old)

No charge

(children 0 to 2 years old)

Sterling Steakhouse

SM

Dawn, Diamond, Ocean, Pacific, sapphire, sea, sun Princess

specialty

N/A

N/A

6:30 PM - 11 PM

For Japan season only: $25* per person

(adults & children over 12 years of age)

$12.50 per person (children 3-12 years old)

No charge (children 0 to 2 years old) *Surcharges apply for select food items regardless of the age of the passenger.

$20 per person

(adults & children over 12 years of age)

Bayou Café & Steakhouse Coral, island Princess

$10 per person specialty

N/A

N/A

6:30 PM - 11 PM

(children 3-12 years old)

No charge

(children 0 to 2 years old) *Surcharges apply for select food items regardless of the age of the passenger.

Ultimate Balcony Dining All Princess ships*

specialty

7 AM - 11 AM

N/A

5:30 PM - 10 PM

specialty

N/A

N/A

Onboard reservations accepted only

$95 per person with wine and $80 per person without

specialty

N/A

N/A

Onboard reservations accepted only

$115 per person with wine and $100 per person without

Chef’s Table

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, island, Ocean, Pacific, ruby, sapphire, sea,** star Princess

Chef’s Table royal Princess

Breakfast usD$32 per couple or A$35 per couple.

Dinner usD$100 per couple or A$125 per couple

Note: Dining options, locations and venues vary by ship and actual meal times and charges are subject to change based on itinerary and season. While room service is complimentary, charges will apply to certain food and beverage items. Once on board and based on availability, you may switch to Anytime Dining from Traditional Dining with 24 hours notice to the Maître d’Hôtel. Anytime Dining is not available on Dawn, Ocean, Pacific, sea and sun Princess**. Corkage fee of $15 applies. The Chef’s Table program is limited to approximately 10-12 passengers per table and is offered on all vessels except on Dawn, sea and sun Princess. at: $95 per person with wine and $80 per person, except on royal Princess: $115 per person with wine and $100 per person without wine. * ultimate Balcony Dining available in select staterooms. ** Anytime Dining and Chef's Table do not apply to sea Princess while operating in Australia. ^Wine bar only. ©2013 Princess Cruises. ships of Bermudan registry

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Restaurants & dining venues on board (continued) Casual Dining

Style

Breakfast Hours

Lunch Hours

Dinner Hours

Charges

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM - Midnight

None

Pizzeria/trattoria

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 2:30 PM

7 PM onward

None

Burger & hot dog grill

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 6 PM

(Except on Ocean and Pacific Princess)

6 PM - onward

None

Casual

6 AM - 10 AM

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

5:30 PM - Midnight

None

Casual

6 AM - 11 AM

11 AM - 5:30 PM

(closed for dinner Caribbean, Crown, Emerald & ruby Princess)

None

Horizon Court Bistro

Casual

6 AM - 11 AM

11 AM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM - Midnight

None

Crab Shack and Fondues

Casual

N/A

N/A

6 PM - 9PM

$20 per person

The Pastry Shop

Casual

6 AM - 11 AM

11 AM - 6 PM

6 PM - Midnight

None

Panorama Buffet

Casual

6 AM - 11 AM

11 AM - 6 PM

6 PM onward

None

Room service

N/A

24 hours

24 hours

24 hours

$3.00/order charge applies for pizza delivery.

Afternoon tea

Casual

N/A

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

N/A

None

Royal Afternoon Tea

Casual

N/A

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

N/A

$20 per person with champagne and $10 per person without

Casual

7 AM onward

N/A

N/A

None

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM onward

None

Casual

24 hours

24 hours

24 hours

None

Casual

N/A

(4:30 PM port days)

11 AM onward

5 PM - 11 PM

Complimentary food with beverage purchase.

Pizzeria (poolside)

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, island, royal, ruby, sapphire, star Princess

Dawn, Ocean, Pacific, sea, sun Princess

All Princess ships

Café Caribe

Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, ruby Princess

(sea days only)

Horizon Court

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Dawn, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, island, ruby, sapphire, sea, star, sun Princess

royal Princess

royal Princess royal Princess

Ocean, Pacific Princess

All Princess ships

All Princess ships

royal Princess

Pâtisserie

Coral, Dawn, Diamond, island, Ocean, Pacific, sea, sun Princess

Ice cream bar

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Dawn, Diamond, Emerald, Golden, Grand, island, royal, ruby, sapphire, sea, star, sun Princess

International Café

Caribbean, Coral, Crown, Emerald, Golden, Grand, royal, ruby, sapphire, star Princess

Vines Wine Bar

Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Golden, Grand ^ royal, ruby, sapphire,^ star Princess

5:30 PM - Midnight

(on select ships)

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM onward

Gelato

Casual

N/A

11 AM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM onward

Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar

Casual

N/A

N/A

4 PM onward

Grand, royal, sapphire Princess

royal Princess

royal Princess

None Nominal a la carte pricing applies.

Nominal a la carte pricing applies.

Note: Dining options, locations and venues vary by ship and actual meal times and charges are subject to change based on itinerary and season. While room service is complimentary, charges will apply to certain food and beverage items. Once on board and based on availability, you may switch to Anytime Dining from Traditional Dining with 24 hours notice to the Maître d’Hôtel. Anytime Dining is not available on Dawn, Ocean, Pacific, sea and sun Princess**. Corkage fee of $15 applies. The Chef’s Table program is limited to approximately 10-12 passengers per table and is offered on all vessels except on Dawn, sea and sun Princess at: $95 per person with wine and $80 per person, except on royal Princess: $115 per person with wine and $100 per person without wine. * ultimate Balcony Dining available in select staterooms. ** Anytime Dining and Chef's Table do not apply to sea Princess while operating in Australia. ^Wine bar only. ©2013 Princess Cruises. ships of Bermudan registry

Attire Smart Casual Evenings: skirts/dresses, slacks and sweaters for ladies.

Pants and open-neck shirts for men.

Formal Evenings: Evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or elegant pant suits for women. Tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks for men.

Note: Dress code is subject to change with the ship’s itinerary.

The above is a general guide.

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Length of Cruise

# of Formal Evenings

3-6 days

1

# of Smart Casual Events 1-5

7-13 days

2

5-11

14-20 days

3

11-17

21-28 days

4

17-24

29+ days

5

24+

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26

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Activities

daytime

Unlimited opportunities to expand your horizons through culinary courses, wine tasting, classes in art history, navigation, art & crafts and more.

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 offered on board.

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

Each day, opportunities

to whatever activities and entertainment most interest you. You’ll find a full schedule of what’s offered each

unfold, from more active

day in your Princess Patter. And the ship’s pools,

options to the relaxed

and available whenever you feel like dropping in.

library, fitness centers and other venues are open

and cultural. *Available on select voyages.

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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27

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renew yourself

Body & Soul

28

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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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,

rejuvenate in the open air at the outdoor oasis

and the knowledge that while you are out here with

reserved exclusively for adults, The sanctuary,

Princess, you don’t have a single care in the world.

available on select ships.*

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

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.

The Lotus spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with

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 spa menu exclusive to The sanctuary highlights a variety of light snacks, such as lettuce-wrapped spring rolls, fruit skewers, and spicy tuna pâté with baked pita wedges, all served by special serenity stewards. MP3 players are also available with themed playlists, so you can escape completely to the soothing sounds of music.

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 a relaxing oasis on deck that’s perfect for an al fresco massage or a fruit smoothie and some relaxing music.

*The sanctuary is available on most ships. Covered cabanas not available in The sanctuary on all ships.

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" d ar ing Aw p op ice Sh zine ' Cho a rd rs oa Mag eade b On ole 2 – R t es rth 01 "B Po 11, 2

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Bring home the

Perfect Gift You’ll return home from your Princess ® vacation with experiences to last a lifetime. But why not remind yourself of the carefree time you had onboard as often as possible, with something special from our array of on board boutiques?

Browse through the fine jewelry, fashion apparel and accessories on board — you’ll discover a stellar selection of names like swarovski, Lancôme, Estée Lauder and TAG Heuer among the luxurious offerings, as well as a wide variety of signature Princess merchandise. All shops are tax- and duty-free, with savings up to 60% off u.s. retail. Plus, watch for additional savings with special promotions throughout your voyage. And in each of our boutiques, you’ll be greeted by gracious, knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the perfect gift to take home.

f o s s i l • c i t i z e n • tag h e u e r • t i s s ot • M i c h a e l Ko r s • lo n g i n e s • P h i l i P st e i n • r ay b a n • oa K l e y • c o lu M b i a g e M s • ta r a P e a r l s • D i a M o n D s o f r u s s i a • c r i s lu • s wa r o v s K i M a j o r i c a

• inch

b a i l e y ’ s • c r o w n r oya l • j o s e c u e r v o • b o M b ay s a P P h i r e • b e e f e at e r • c r u z a n r u M • sto l i • g l e n f i D D i c h • j ac K Da n i e l s • K a h lu a • s a M b u c a • r o M a n o s h e r i Da n • ta n q u e r ay

courv

est é e l au D e r • D o lc e & g a b b a n a • M a r c j ac o b s • M o n t b l a n c • l a n c ô M e • h e r M e s • t h i e r r y M u g l e r • l ac o st e • c l i n i q u e • l ' o c c i ta n e • st r i v e ct i n • c h a n e l • r a l P h l a u r e n

c a lv i n

FiOri DKny • versace • givenchy • nina ricci • christian Dior • gucci • hugo boss • Kenzo • guerl ain • eliz abeth arDen • carolina herrera • PraDa • escaDa • aurora AMMOLiTE

jean P

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jorica

• i n c h o f g o lD • a b s o lu t • to r t u g a r u M • g o D i va • b ac a r D i • j o h n n i e wa l K e r • g r e y g o o s e • s M i r n o f f

q u e r ay

c o u r v o i s i e r v s o P • r e M y M a r t i n x o • c h i va s r e g a l • M a r l b o r o • b e n s o n & h e D g e s • v i r g i n i a s l i M s

auren

c a lv i n K l e i n • g i o r g i o a r M a n i • i s s e y M i ya K e • e f f y • Dav i D o f f • c a r t i e r • M a r a h l ag o • b u r b e r r y • s o P h i a

MOLiTE

j e a n Pato u • y s l • j o s e P h r i b Ko f f • o s c a r D e l a r e n ta • a s h e r • to M M y b a h a M a • g u e s s • j e n n i f e r lo P e z

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10/4/13 9:49 AM

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 including:

• Formal & casual portraits with multiple backgrounds • Candid photos from gangways and ports to onboard events • Wall portraits turning your memories into works of art • souvenir and decorative frames, albums & scrapbooks

• reflections DvD featuring video highlights from your cruise • Digital cameras, binoculars & accessories • Prints from your digital camera

PlatinumStudio

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.

Among the wonderful offerings of our enrichment programs are 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. Enrichment programs also present intriguing lectures on select cruises, including those focusing on the history, culture and geography of the region you are visiting.

An adventure in the

Cultural

Engaging enrichment opportunities and

exciting art auctions bring refinement to your cruise.

Art auctions at sea*

are fun, fast-paced and offer a wonderful opportunity to bring home a great work of art at savings of up to 50% from estimated retail price. You’ll find some of the art world’s greatest stars — names like Picasso, Chagall, Rockwell and Miro — all represented, as well as a variety of works by contemporary art’s popular figures. There’s no registration necessary, and complimentary champagne and a festive atmosphere make these auctions an exciting highlight of your voyage.

Artwork is charged to your shipboard account, then insured, packaged and shipped to your home or office from a U.S. fulfillment center. * Not available on Ocean Princess or Pacific Princess **Zumba available on select voyages.

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Princess Cays

®

There is a cabana with your name on it — that is, should you choose to stay on shore versus plunging into the cool blue. Of course, on your own Bahaman island, you can do it all. game of beach volleyball or basketball.

You can paddle about the surf on an aqua bike, or relax on a towel to soak up the sun with your toes in the breakers. Local vendors offer handmade souvenirs at a straw market, while bartenders mix rum drinks at the Banana Beach Bar. And pastel bungalows may be reserved in which to relax and watch the hours go by.

Ahoy kids!

The infinite blues of Caribbean sea and sky just seem all that much more inviting when you’re enjoying them from a secluded beach in the Bahamas. So Princess ® has reserved just such a sparkling seaside retreat for our passengers.

Welcome to Princess Cays.®

Pelicans' Perch offers a fantastic play area where children can build sandcastles or swashbuckle on a replica pirate galleon. It’s all you could imagine of your own Bahamian playground!

What will a day at this private paradise look like? That all depends on your mood. The dress code is extremely casual — so put on your bathing suit, grab your flip flops and come ashore.

Once here, you’ll be able to select from an inviting menu of activities.

You can look for fish as you snorkel in the gentle waves, or join a pick-up

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Princess

Cays®

There’s always plenty for families to enjoy together on Princess Cays® — including fabulous snorkeling.

You can reserve one of our pastel-colored bungalows to enjoy food and drinks with your own private perspective of the island.

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Movies

under the stars

Princess pioneered the concept — passengers enjoying a feature film ®

poolside on a giant screen: Movies under the stars.

®

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The sky’s the limit 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-squarefoot LED screen and 69,000-watt 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 super Bowl,® NBA Finals, World series, NCAA Basketball ® tournament and NCAA Bowl Championship series™ are shown on the big screen, weather permitting.* And you’ll often find yourself grooving to a concert video of one of the world’s popular performers.

Viewed from high above, the Movies Under the Stars screen entertains passengers poolside.

Note: Movies under the stars is featured on most Princess ships.

*satellite coverage permitting.

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Youth

and teen

Kid-sized fun that’s simply

“SeaSational” Moms and dads,

Our youngest guests

be forewarned — aside from mealtimes, you may not see your kids much on this cruise. That’s because Princess ® has one of the best programs for children and teens from 3–17 of any cruise line. On days at sea and in port, the fun begins in the morning and continues throughout the day and into the evening in our supervised Youth Centers & Teen Lounges.

ages 3–7 will love our Princess Pelicans program. They can participate in a variety of programs, including art projects, sports and games, educational activities, and even pizza and ice cream parties. Plus, kids can take part in fun events such as talent shows, dance parties, pajama parties and special get-together dinners.

They’ll even paint their own T-shirts and create other custom souvenirs of their cruise.

’Tweens will revel in shockwaves — a special venue with activities just for them.

They can enjoy parties, join sports tournaments and scavenger hunts, watch movies, hone their culinary skills with our Jr. CHEF@sea program, or participate in talent shows, enjoy educational programs and other fun options.

Whatever their age, kids on a cruise with Princess will find fun-filled activities suited just for them.

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Parties • games • Dance Parties PLaYstatiOn® • nintenDO® WIITM sPOrts cOmPetitiOns • anD mOre

remix What’s a teen to do

on a Princess ship? Plenty — because

our remix teen program is the hottest thing on the ocean. Come make new friends and hang in your own dedicated Teen Lounge with music, games, dance parties, yoga and video games. There are hip hop classes, karaoke, mocktail parties, late night poolside movies, talent shows, and sports competitions.

if you haven’t checked it out, come to remix. it’s the place to be at sea!

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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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.

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Activities

nighttime

belongs to you step out for an evening of adventure and excitement on a ship of dreams

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 high impact show, 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.

Before retiring, you may want to drop by the Atrium for the fabulous Champagne Waterfall, or get out on deck for a stroll beneath the stars in the balmy tropical air.

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Casino

gaming

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 passengers 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 is your

Lady

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Princess casinos. Those on our grand ships are some of the largest at sea!

Luck

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Stunning sets, elaborate costumes and memorable music make our original Princess productions a highlight of your voyage.

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Shows

entertainment

Jazz

Music, dance & all that

Ladies and gentlemen,

please take your

seats. The lights are dimming, the curtain’s opening, and the show is about to begin.

Our original musical productions

are unforgettable — combining lavish stage sets and compelling scores with the song and dance of a troupe of professional singers and dancers. On every cruise with Princess, you’ll have the opportunity to attend several different musical productions, each custom created just for our passengers. Check your Princess Patter each day to find out about that evening’s offering. And we’ll see you at the show!

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Princess

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 - referral rewards - Circle savings AccountsM • Princess cruises captain’s circle Magazine • Princess cruises captain's circle enewsletter • free cruise Photo contest • access to a circle host on board • Members-only on board events • Princess Passport • gold Member Pin

ruby Members From your 4th-5th cruise, or 31-50 cruise days

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 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 passengers who cruise with us frequently — and to offer an incentive to our new passengers who may be joining us for the very first time.

A range of rewards awaits you, from exclusive onboard parties and 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 Circle Member. Be sure to have it handy whenever booking, so you can be certain to take advantage of all your benefits.

But wait, there’s more...

Complete 20 cruises and you’ll earn Loyalty Commends onboard credits from $25 to $100. Other benefits include a private luncheon for the top 20 Most Traveled Passengers or a commemorative gift and bottle of champagne for the top 3 Most Traveled Passengers on each cruise.

NOTE: Captain's Circle Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the Captain's Circle Program. Please visit princess.com/loyalty 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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• exclusive shoreside access to the Captain's Circle Help Desk phone line • upgrade to Princess Platinum vacation Protection - Double benefits for Accident & sickness Medical Expense and Baggage/Personal effects coverage - increases special Cancellation Credit Feature to 100% • 10% discount off the purchase of our reflections DvD on board • ruby Member Pin

Platinum Members From your 6th-15th cruise, or 51-150 cruise days • credit toward internet café packages Voyage

Minutes

7 days or less

150

8-20 days

250

21+ days

500

• Preferred check-in at embarkation • Platinum Disembarkation lounge • complimentary cruise atlas • Platinum Member Pin

Elite Members 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 • Deluxe canapés on formal nights (upon request) • upgraded stateroom amenities • traditional afternoon tea in stateroom (upon request) • elite Member Pin PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Plan

a future journey

Book your next cruise

on board

Let a Future Cruise sales Consultant help you plan a future getaway, and you’ll get a reduced deposit and up to $300 in shipboard credits, 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 just a reduced $100 refundable deposit per person, you’ll get a shipboard credit good on your next cruise with Princess. if you’re unsure of your future travel plans, simply make a deposit and take up to 2 years to decide. This exclusive offer is available only to our onboard passengers. 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+ days

interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/suites

$125 $150

(USD)

Check the Princess Patter daily for office hours and location. * shipboard credit is per person, for 1st and 2nd passenger only. On sun, Dawn & sea Princess shipboard credit converts to AuD while in Australia.

Note: Future Cruise Deposits are also available to international passengers. see Future Cruise Consultant for details.

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Royal Princess速 is the newest addition to the Princess Fleet, with an evolutionary design and exciting new innovations to go along with enhancements to our signature features.

A spectacular expanded Atrium, a Water Light show on the top deck, The Enclave experience in the Lotus Spa, and the new SeaWalk速 with views of the ocean like no other.

With sailings in Europe and the Caribbean Royal Princess is now in service and ready to help you escape completely.速

The Enclave

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The SeaWalk速

10/9/13 10:16 AM

How to Have

A Perfect Day in Port Here’s how to bring home the deals as you explore the ports of call during your vacation

1Meet

Meet your Princess Shopping Host. Visit one of our highly trained professionals during desk hours to get firsthand shopping information.

VIP

C A R D

3Get

Get your Savvy Traveler.

With your purchase, you’ll receive loads of free gifts and exclusive money-saving gift certificates.

2 Ask

Ask your Princess Shopping Host for a VIP Card. This is your ticket to the best deals of all. When you’re looking for something specific in port, the VIP Card will tell you which store to visit for the best selection and price — and often includes a special discount!

4 Bring

Bring your Shopping Spotlight newsletter into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket — so you’ll always be headed to great values.

5Shop

Shop at the stores listed in the Shopping Spotlight and discover your heart’s desire.

See it?

Like it?

Buy it!

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Objects Kabana

Desire Korite

Eye pendant

18k-gold Solara pendant

Perfect your look with one of these little luxuries: a dramatic pendant, a sparkling ring, a shimmering bracelet or timepiece. It’s a vacation memory of the best kind.

Sara G. Diamonds Diamond bracelet

Crown of Light White-gold diamond ring

Blue Heaven

Blue and white diamond bracelet

Philip Stein

Signature Collection watch

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Shopping Made Easy

Become a Savvy Traveler.

For only $25, this value package includes over $2,000 in deals from our guaranteed shops ashore.

Whether you’re looking for luxury items or souvenirs for family and friends, the Savvy Traveler is your must-have for shopping in our ports of call.

See your Princess Shopping Host to purchase your very own Savvy Traveler.

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Tune In To

On Your Stateroom Television

Learn the hottest jewelry and watch trends of the season with your host, Anna Riekstins. A veteran cruise traveler, Anna has several years of professional shopping experience.

In Discover Style, the TV companion to the fashion magazine in your stateroom, Anna gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Discover Style magazine and tells you how you can make today’s looks yours. Join her backstage at high-end photo shoots, and share the excitement as she mingles with designers at special events and talks to style makers and trendsetters.

13CAR DS_SFA Show AD.indd 1

what’s on

See all the latest collections from the top designers, and get Anna’s expert tips on buying watches and jewelry — from the affordable to the extraordinary.

10/8/13 6:09 PM

Handcrafted quality from 100% family-grown apples

From tree to bottle, quality takes time. available in the Princess boutiques onboard on select shiPs.

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Vilant/shutterstock.com

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A divi-divi tree graces a beach in Aruba.

Guide to Ports Aruba Cabo San Lucas Cartagena Catalina Island Col贸n Ensenada Fort Lauderdale Fuerte Amador Grand Cayman Los Angeles Ocho Rios Panama Canal Puerto Lim贸n Puerto Quetzal Puerto Vallarta Puntarenas San Diego San Francisco Santa Barbara

Vilant/shutterstock.com

58 90 96 102 104 106 112 116 118 142 144 192 194 196 198 208 210 212 214

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photos by: (Dock on palm beach, aruba) Jo ann snover/shutterstock.com; (panoramic shot of palm beach) ruiDoblanco/shutterstock.com

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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Dock on Palm Beach on a sunny spring afternoon

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

photos by: (Dock on palm beach, aruba) Jo ann snover/shutterstock.com; (panoramic shot of palm beach) ruiDoblanco/shutterstock.com

It’s a Fact: The unusual, sculptured-looking watapana (aka divi-divi), the national tree of Aruba, always points to the southwest — like nature’s compass.

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.

Another view of Palm Beach

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®

meunierD/shutterstock.com

A r u ba

Aruba's architecture

A perfect day in:

Aruba

Things We Love About 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 its classic Dutch gabled, pastel-hued store facades. The legacy at the Numismatic Museum is a rich one, literally: some 40,000 historic coins and paper money from more than 400 countries. More heritage is on display at the Aruba Historical Museum; it

60

can be reached with a walk down 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 topped with Dutch Gouda cheese.

Adventurous types 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 DISCOVERY

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A r u ba

®

Island Highlights

by Sara Churchville

Sand Dunes and Lighthouses

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.

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.

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.

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

Exploring the island’s desert topography on foot will net you tumbleweed, aloe, cacti — and sand dunes. At Hudishibana, on the northwesternmost part of Aruba, are the sweeping California Sand Dunes on which sits the California Lighthouse, which is not named for the U.S. state but for a ship that sank here in 1910. 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.

FROM TOP: A lighthouse stands guard on a sand dune; pastechis, a favorite island snack; Baby Natural Bridge; rock formations afford great views.

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A Diverse, Friendly

Population

by Gerald Zarr

Aruba is home to a mixture of people from South America, Europe, the Far East and other islands of the Caribbean, though most are descended from Arawak, Dutch and Spanish ancestors. No fullblooded Indians remain.

Aruba’s people are keen linguists, using Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento with ease, often all in the same conversation.

Underground caves at Arikok National Park

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the Dutch come to stay With their lukewarm attitude toward Aruba, 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. Once again, Aruba was saved from the slave trade and a plantation economy because of its poor soil and aridity. Instead, the Dutch left the Arawaks to graze livestock on the parched landscape, using the island to produce meat for other Dutch possessions in the area. With the exception of a short period during the Napoleonic Wars, when the island fell to the British, Aruba has remained Dutch.

zina seletskaya/shutterstock.com

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 — a bad judgment call, because they missed the gold that was right under their noses and didn’t foresee the economic boom in oil and high-rise hotels that the island would experience. This was a lucky break for the Arawaks, though, who were left alone by the Spanish for more than a century. Thus the Arawak heritage is stronger in Aruba than on most Caribbean islands, thanks to that laissezfaire approach.

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19th-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 smeltery at Bushiribana processed over three 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.

Underground caves

modern politics and tourism In the 1940s, Aruba began to resent playing second fiddle to Curaçao in the federation known as the Netherlands Antilles (then composed of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Suriname). By 1986, Aruba had enough and became an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with its own constitution and a high degree of self-government.

For a while, Aruba toyed with the idea of proceeding to full independence but then decided to stay Dutch.

In the capital of Oranjestad, or “orange city,” honoring Holland’s reigning House of Orange, a 21-member legislative assembly elected by popular vote meets regularly, and a prime minister heads an eight-member council of ministers.

The Netherlands is still responsible for defense and foreign affairs. Despite its separate status, Aruba still retains strong economic, cultural and political ties with the mother country and her sister islands.

Before the first luxury hotel was opened in 1959, cruise ships provided the main source of visitors to the island. Since then, both ship- and land-based tourism have grown phenomenally.

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

Having supplanted oil as a revenue earner, tourism is now the mainstay of the island economy.

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zina seletskaya/shutterstock.com

20th-century black-gold rush Oil gave Aruba its next economic boom. In 1929, the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (now Exxon) 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. Exxon closed the refinery in 1985 during a global oversupply, but the Coastal Oil Company of Houston, Texas, reopened it in 1991.

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Papiamento Spoken Here

The language, like the people, has evolved from a wonderful mix of cultures and reflects the friendly and open nature of the country and the people. Of course, most also speak English and Dutch, but Arubans have a natural aptitude and flair for language and it is not uncommon to hear four or five languages used in a single conversation.

Papiamento is basically a Creole language that was derived from African and Iberian Romance languages with influences from Native American languages, English and Dutch.

The language has two main dialects. Papiamento, which is spoken primarily in Aruba, and Papiamentu, heard in Bonaire and Curaçao.

The name of the language is derived from “papear,” which means “to jabber” in Portuguese or “to speak incoherently” in Spanish. The name also has the same meaning as the word “parliament,” which is derived from the French word “parler” (to speak).

Through the middle of the 19th century, Papiamento was the main language for written materials on the island, including hymnals and schoolbooks printed by the Catholic Church. The language thrived until Dutch was named as the language of instruction in schools.

Official or not, the locals continued to prefer their own locally grown language, with its lilting, rhythmic tones, for personal communication. Finally, in 2003, after being spoken since the 1500s, Papiamento joined Dutch as the official language of Aruba. — Jim Thompson

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Here are some words and phrases to help you communicate like a native while in Aruba.

Welcome Have a nice day!

How are you?

I am fine My name is...

What is your name?

Thank you very much You are welcome See you later Very good Congratulations Good-bye Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Good night

Bon bini Pasa bon dia!

Con ta bai?

Mi ta bon Mi nomber ta...

Con jamabo?

Masha danki Di nada Te aworo Hopi bon Masha pabien Ayo Bon dia Bon tardi Bon nochi Bon nochi

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If someone in Aruba says “Bon bini” to you, don’t think they are being forward. They are only saying “Welcome” in their native language of Papiamento.

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Aruba flags flutter in the breeze.

Flying High The four-pointed star, or sun (located in the upper corner, or the canton position, so it can be seen even in a slight breeze), symbolizes both the importance of the sun to Aruba’s way of life and the four points of the compass, representing the rich diversity and backgrounds of its citizens. It also represents the island’s four major languages: Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish.

The red color of the star (Union Jack red) is a symbol of love of the country and the island’s clay soil, while the white outline represents purity, a respect for justice and freedom, and the white sandy beaches of Aruba.

The blue background (United Nations blue) signifies

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the Aruban sky and the surrounding Caribbean Sea. The yellow stripes running along the bottom represent Aruba’s position of freedom and independence with respect to The Netherlands and other islands (it is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and its closeness to these same places.

In addition to the sun, gold and abundance, the bunting yellow color is said also to represent the native wanglo flower. One stripe represents the flow of tourists; the other stands for the industries of gold, aloe and oil.

Aruba celebrates National Flag Day and National Anthem Day on March 18. — Jim Thompson

REGISSERCOM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Officially adopted in 1976, Aruba’s flag symbolizes the best elements of this beautiful island nation. The flag incorporates a red star with a white outline and two parallel yellow stripes along the bottom, all floating on a sea of blue.

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Shopping in

Aruba Curaçao

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Aruba’s Gold Rush They came in search of gold. In the 1400s and 1500s, the Caribbean was teeming with Spanish speculators and other adventurers (and pirates!) hunting for the precious metal, lured to the region by the promise of riches, and the island of “Oro Ruba” or “red gold” — now known as Aruba.

But gold wasn’t discovered in Aruba until 1824 when 12-yearold Willem Rasmijn stumbled upon lumps of the pure stone while tending his father’s sheep near Rooi Fluit on the island’s north coast. Word soon got out, and a prospecting frenzy erupted on the island. But the fever was quelled several years later when the Dutch government stepped in and declared the gold off-limits while establishing a mining industry of its own.

For mining and processing the new bounty, the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company built the Bushiribana gold smelter, which included a stamp mill, furnaces, zinc tanks and trams. Aruba’s first pier and port, at Forti Abou, was built six miles away to ship the gold. The mine was eventually sold to the London-based Aruba Gold Concessions Ltd., which moved operations to the then-state-of-the-art Balashi gold mill smelter, built in 1899 in the southwest of the island. The new facility included several furnaces, tanks for cyanide refining, an ore crusher, an electrical plant and a system of three railway lines. Operations continued until 1916 when the onset of World War I made it difficult to acquire materials for processing.

In all, the mines in Aruba produced more than three million pounds of gold over nearly 100 years of production.

The mines have long been out of use, and today Bushiribana’s ruins offer visitors a glimpse into the island’s past.

Soaring exterior walls of granite — quarried from nearby boulders — are set along Aruba’s rugged and pristine eastern coastline, with the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea 100 feet away. The Balashi ruins are in a lush setting overlooking Spanish Lagoon and the rocky canyon of Frenchman’s Pass. The ruins can be reached via the most common transportation of the period: horseback, with several horse ranches on the island that offer riding tours. For more modern modes, Jeep tours are also available with stops at the ruins. — John Anderson

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

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Baseball:

The Great Aruban Pastime

Aruba has a surprising affinity for the American sport of baseball, all the more remarkable considering its connection to the soccer-crazed Netherlands. On average, more people watch baseball on TV in Aruba, and neighboring Curaçao, than anywhere else in the world.

Baseball in Aruba dates back decades. Its amateur baseball federation was established in 1950 and today has a number of teams from each of its four largest cities: Oranjestad, Noord, Santa Cruz and San Nicolas. Even before 1950, baseball was played on the sandlots and dirt fields of the island.

One theory says the sport was introduced by American oilmen based here in the 1920s and 1930s as they formed an informal league of several teams and passed the finer points of the game to curious locals.

However baseball got its start here, the results include an active Little League system that regularly competes internationally. Aruba represented the Caribbean region in the 2011 Little League Baseball World Series, and in 2010, a team from San Nicolas won the Senior League Baseball World Series for 13- to 16-year-olds. Some of these Little Leaguers have gone on to represent the Aruba national

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baseball team, which is now combined with Curaçao’s team. They also play for the Kingdom of the Netherlands during the annual World Baseball Classic, a tournament they nearly won in 2013.

A number of Arubans have signed with professional teams in the minor league system in the United States.

Xander Bogaerts, a rangy shortstop from San Nicolas, starred for the national team as a youngster and went on to become a top prospect for the Boston Red Sox in 2013, while his twin brother, Jair Bogaerts, was a minor leaguer with the Chicago Cubs in the same year. The list of past Aruban stars includes Sidney Ponson, a pitcher with a blazing fastball for the Baltimore Orioles and other teams until 2009. Calvin Maduro pitched for Baltimore until 2002, while Gene Kingsale was an outfielder for several big league teams until 2002. — John Anderson

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Elegance

in Design But they soon discovered the heat and humidity of the islands were too powerful for the wooden furniture to endure. So local craftsmen were given the task of duplicating imported furnishings using sturdier woods indigenous to the islands. The reproductions proved to be less identical and more interpretive as the years went by.

Thus were born the distinctive island design styles. Michael Connors, a distinguished scholar of West Indian decorative arts and furniture, explores this evolution in Caribbean Elegance (New York City: Henry N. Abrams, Inc., 2002).

Connors, founder of the art and antiques company Michael Connors International, is the author of several similar books on island design and has designed two lines of colonial-style furniture; he is often credited with establishing colonial West Indian furniture as an independent collecting field.

Elegant interior detail

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As the colonizing nations of Western Europe competed for control of the Caribbean, their planters and merchants brought with them their fine European furniture.

A favorite among design aficionados, his Caribbean Elegance presents the islands’ alignment of form and function, and focuses on the historical events and socioeconomic factors that contributed to the development of Caribbean furniture designs. Its 176 pages include the vivid color photography of Bruce Buck.

Connors reveals that although the region’s heritage dates back more than 3,000 years, the development of West Indian furniture did not begin until the 18th century. Over the succeeding 300 years, Spain, England, Holland, Denmark and France all influenced furniture design in the Caribbean. Add to that African and North American influences, as well as expressions from the Caribbean’s history of slavery, and the result is an international art form representing a melting pot of style.

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A divi-divi tree on Eagle Beach

Bowing In The Wind If you’re curious to know which way the wind is blowing on this breezy island, just take a look at the watapana, or divi-divi, trees.

These fragile trees have such a weak bark that they bend easily. As the divi-divi grow under the influence of the trade winds that caress Aruba, they maintain their bowed shape, sometimes running almost completely parallel to the parched land of the countryside.

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The world’s rarest gemstone

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Dutch Treats

The Dutch influence on the island of Aruba is pervasive, and it’s decidedly apparent in downtown Oranjestad’s charming shops.

MEDIAGRAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Alongside the typical array of luxury goods are some real Dutch treats, including Delftware, the familiar blueand-white porcelain.

Delftware dates to late-16th-century Netherlands and takes its name from the town of Delft, where potters and craftsmen created these works of art. The earliest Delftware style was shaped by the influence of products imported from Italy and Asia.

The value — and hence the price — of a piece of modern Delftware is determined by the intricacy of design and the amount of hand-painting involved. To ensure the highest quality, look for the artist’s initials on the bottom of a piece or get a certificate of authenticity to accompany your purchase. — Suzanne L. Carmel Delftware plates

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photos courtesy of aruba tourism boarD

46 Years in Aruba

A rocky beach

Shimmering Shores This area is known as the Turquoise Coast for good reason: The color of the sea is definitely the best of blues.

In Aruba since 1969 Fine Jewelry, Watches, Silver, Porcelain, Embroidered Tablecloth, Mats and Runners wi-fi available

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Bon bini — Welcome to Aruba. The island boasts some of the best beaches in all the Caribbean. All beaches on the island are public; the most popular are situated along the southern and protected western coasts.

Palm Beach, 30 yards deep with mounds of fine talc-white sand, is one of the most famous beaches in the West Indies.

This shore is lined with busy resorts and active windsurfers.

Closer to Oranjestad, Eagle Beach is another favorite choice.

This beach is generally less crowded than Palm Beach and offers a variety of water sports.

Other possibilities on the leeward coast include Druif Bay Beach, less frequented by tourists. Toward the northern tip lies Arashi Beach, boasting an excellent offshore dive site. The easternmost tip of the island cradles a charming cove called Baby Beach, perfect for quiet snoozing.

On the windward coast to the north, one happens upon hideaway strips and coves cut out of the limestone brittle of the coastline. Here the water tends to be rough — not advisable for swimming but ideally suited for the local windsurfers and kitesurfers, who especially favor Bachelor’s Beach and Boca Grandi. — Lynn Seldon

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Photos by: R. PeteRkin/shutteRstock.com; Diana halsteaD/shutteRstock.com.

Cabo San Lucas Over the vast terrain of Los Cabos, as this gem of a port is known, sunsets glow for hours. Its lovely beaches rival those in Brazil, and the waters offshore are home to playful seals, gray whales and a medley of other marine life.

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Sunset at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas

Quick Guide Famed for: The rock arch El Arco, whale watching and sport fishing.

It’s a Fact: Cabo claims to be the stripedmarlin capital of the world.

Signature Souvenirs: Tequila, pottery and dolphinswim photos.

Photos by: R. PeteRkin/shutteRstock.com; Diana halsteaD/shutteRstock.com.

How to Get to Town: The center of Cabo San Lucas is reached by tender from the cruise ship. After disembarking, it’s about a 15-minute walk to town. You may prefer to take a taxi.

Medano Beach

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Cabo

Marina in downtown Cabo San Lucas

A perfect day in:

Cabo San Lucas Things We Love About Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a vacationer’s paradise — done in style. This once-sleepy fishing village at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula now ranks as Mexico’s golfing capital and most high-end resort destination.

Here, visitors indulge — and relax — in abounding sunshine upon beaches where a day of fun could include sport fishing and kayaking excursions, whale watching and, for the boldest adventurers, parasailing and ATV treks.

For a taste of cultural sightseeing, a stroll along Calle Cabo San Lucas leads to San Lucas Church, completed by Spanish missionaries in 1746. It sits near

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the town’s main square, which is surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Shoppers find plenty to enjoy at the Puerto Paraíso Entertainment Plaza or within the many other shops and boutiques along nearby Marina Boulevard.

Still other adventures may include an expedition to an Indian pueblo, La Candelaria, in the nearby mountains.

Day trippers can rent a car and drive along the scenic 20-mile corridor connecting Cabo San Lucas with San José del Cabo, passing a string of remote beaches and the grassy golf courses that shout “world-class” in this corner of the Pacific coastline. — Richard Varr

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What Color is

Your Tequila?

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One trendy cocktail is made of red sangrita (a mix of tomato and orange juices spiced with chilies), tequila (white or light golden) and lime juice, each served in a separate glass and lined up side-by-side.

Yes, tequila comes in several shades. White tequila, or blanco, is colorless like water and is generally used to mix the classic margarita. The next step up in color, quality and taste involves aging in oak barrels. By law, the pale golden reposado must rest at least two months in the barrel, where it acquires a mellow, slightly woody taste. Añejo tequila is barrel-aged more than one year. It turns dark amber in color and is smooth and meant for sipping.

Mexican law requires genuine tequila to contain at least 51 percent blue agave. A plant with long, spiny leaves that make it resemble an enormous pineapple top, blue agave takes eight to 12 years to mature. Only then can the 40- to 70-pound core be harvested and boiled, and the sweet liquid mosto extracted to produce tequila.

What about the worm in the bottle that you’ve heard so much about?

Here’s a clue. If there’s a worm, it’s not tequila, but mescal. — Ginger Dingus.

A margarita, made with tequila

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Gold and Silver Jewelry Factory

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Boulevard Marina E/Madero y Vicente Guerrero S/N Los Cabos | La Paz | Mazatlán PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Photos by: (main) ProexPort colombia; (bottom) amra Pasic/shutterstock.com.

Cartagena Formally known as Cartagena de Indias, this city on the Caribbean Sea offers a unique mix of military and Spanish colonial 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.

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The Old City overlooks the more modern structures of Cartagena.

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

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

Signature Souvenirs: Coffee, Colombian emeralds and handmade leatherwork.

Photos by: (main) ProexPort colombia; (bottom) amra Pasic/shutterstock.com.

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

Traveling in (old-fashioned) style; a woman in traditional costume.

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Car t a g e n a

Carnaval revelers in Cartagena

A perfect day in:

Cartagena

Things We Love About Cartagena Colonial architecture, a 17th-century fort, fine beaches, a massive cathedral, excellent restaurants and a gold museum: It’s all here. 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, but

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

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

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Car t a g e n a

Inside the walled city

The Old City’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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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, torch-lit 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 drawn to the Museo del Oro y Arqueología, boasting a respected collection of gold and silver pottery from the Sinú culture; the Palacio de la Inquisición in the Plaza Bolívar, a stellar example of colonial architecture; and Muelle de los Pegasos, the old Port of Cartagena on the Bahia de las Animas. — Linda Marx

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Catalina Island Twenty miles and a world away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, Catalina Island charms visitors with its many delightful boutiques, shops and restaurants. The unhurried pace and friendly demeanor of Catalina’s residents also explain why this tranquil island is such a popular getaway.

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Boating is just one of the many pleasures of a visit to Catalina.

Quick Guide Famed for: Hollywood getaways, especially in the 1930s, when it lured such stars as Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford and Clark Gable.

It’s a Fact: A herd of North American bison has been roaming the Catalina hills since 1924, when it's believed they were brought to the island for a movie.

photos by: (main) Dale Gast/shutterstock.com; (Dock) Joseph auGust/shutterstock.com.

Signature Souvenirs: Art from one of the galleries in the Mediterranean-style downtown.

A dock on Catalina Island

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Colón Panama’s second-largest city stands on the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. Historic sites such as Fort San Lorenzo are close by, but the port’s history is worth exploring as well. And as the largest duty-free shopping zone in the Americas, it’s one of the great shopping experiences of any vacation.

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A view of Colón from the harbor

Quick Guide Famed for: Its location on the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal.

It’s a Fact: The city was founded in 1850 by Americans building the Panama Railroad, which created a faster route to California during the gold rush.

Photos by: (main) Don Fink/shutterstock.com

Signature Souvenirs: Orchid-themed gifts (the Holy Ghost Orchid is a national symbol) and Panama Canal memorabilia.

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Ensenada

A noted commercial fishing center, Ensenada attracts boaters, divers, snorkelers and serious anglers in search of the big one.

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Rolling hills overlook the port.

Quick Guide Famed for: Sport fishing, beaches and La Bufadora, one of the world’s largest water spouts.

Photos by: Jennifer King/shutterstocK.com; creative Jen Designs/shutterstocK.com.

It’s a Fact: The Guadalupe Valley region is home to 80 wineries, where most Mexican wines are produced.

Signature Souvenirs: Silver jewelry, serapes and baskets made by the Kumiai and Pai Pai Indians of Northern Baja.

How to Get to Town: It’s a short walk from the pier to town. Taxis and horse-drawn surreys are also available.

Fishing is one of Ensenada's main attractions.

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La Bufadora

A perfect day in:

Ensenada Things We Love About Ensenada

The downtown waterfront promenade and the active fish market are the essence of the city, as are the shops along Avenida Primera and the striking Riviera del Pacifico Convention Center with its sparkling chandeliers, murals, ballrooms and museum.

Two intriguing attractions are the Santa Tomas Winery, founded by the Dominicans in 1888, and Hussongs Cantina. The oldest bar in Baja, built around 1892, Hussongs is where the mariachis rattle the windows, and a smiling charro (cowboy) swings his lasso across the sawdust-covered floor.

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Twenty-one miles south, past Estero Beach, is Ensenada’s famous blowhole, La Bufadora, which is listed among the world’s largest natural water spouts. Here, the Pacific Ocean surges into a narrow crevice and spews water high into the sky.

Thirty-five miles inland is Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s one and only wine growing area, which welcomes wine aficionados and those with a sense of discovery. Approximately 70 wineries are scattered through the stunning valley, and many vineyards are choosing to grow organic grapes. — Richard Carroll

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A Toast To Baja Blessed with an excellent microclimate, the area benefits from the moderating effects of the Pacific Ocean and from rich soil conditions, allowing vines to produce a variety of fruit. The region boasts first-rate wine-growing valleys — San Vicente, Santo Tomas, San Antonio de las Minas and Guadalupe — which often are collectively referred to as the Guadalupe Valley.

In recent years, the region’s wines have edged into company with the respected California wine-making circles of Napa, Monterey, Temecula, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Sonoma. Mexico’s wines are now being distributed worldwide and have frequently been awarded celebrated wine-tasting ribbons by judges in France, Belgium and the United States.

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Ensenada’s Fiestas de la Vendimia salutes the annual harvest in August with winery tours and tastings, gourmet cuisine and live music. Year-round visitors can enjoy a selection of Guadalupe Valley wines.

Tastings could include the delightful red Vino de Piedra of Casa de Piedra.

La Casa de Dona Lupe was among the first to produce organic red wines, honey, olive oil and various salsas; of note are its best-selling cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo and merlot.

Monte Xanic, with its numerous awards, is credited with raising Mexican wines to the forefront of the industry.

Casa Pedro Domecq is well-known in Mexico and Latin America for its Presidente brandy, which has long been a top seller in the United States. — Richard Carroll

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Ensenada’s renowned wine-growing region, where the majority of all Mexican wines are made, is a glorious expanse of distinctive rolling vineyards.

Raise a glass (or two).

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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.

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Fun on the sand and in the sky

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.

Fort Lauderdale’s beaches seem to go on forever.

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place where the shopping is sublime, the fashions

exquisite, and the attitude pure Fort Lauderdale.

Among our three world-class department stores, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s you’ll find an expansive array of the most sought after names. Over one-hundred luxurious stores are available for your shopping pleasure that include Apple, Coach, Williams-Sonoma, and J.Crew, to name a few.

Sophisticated, in every sense.

The moment you enter our Palm Court you know you’re about to experience exceptional cuisine. Dine Florida style at an inviting array of enticing restaurants including The Capital Grille, Truluck’s, Seasons 52, PF Chang’s and Blue Martini. Enjoy!

Located just minutes north of Port Everglades and steps from the beach on Sunrise Boulevard.

2414 East Sunrise Boulevard | Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304 | 954.564.1015 | www.galleriamall-fl.com Monday-Saturday | 10 am to 9 pm | Sunday | Noon to 6 pm

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) MARIA MAARBES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SHIP) ALEXKOL PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Fuerte Amador Located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador is reached by tender from the ship. Passengers can take a shore excursion, browse the port's shops and restaurants, or simply enjoy the panoramic view of the canal.

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The Bridge of the Americas over the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal

Quick Guide Famed for: Perfect viewings of the Panama Canal, from its location at the Pacific entrance to the waterway.

It’s a Fact: Fuerte Amador was originally used as the harbor for the old city of Panama, which was destroyed in 1671.

Signature Souvenirs: Handmade Cuna Indian crafts.

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

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

Quick Guide Famed for: Seven Mile Beach, considered by expert sunseekers to be one of the Caribbean’s best and least crowded stretches of sand.

It’s a Fact: The Cayman Islands are home to people of more than 120 nationalities.

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

Replicas of pirates, blue iguanas or the Sir Turtle mascot.

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.

Rum Point

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A perfect day in:

Grand Cayman

George Town's small waterfront is reached by tender.

Things We Love About Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is well known as a hub of international banking and finance, but more visitors are lured here by its extensive natural and man-made attractions. It’s favored by many Hollywood stars, who are enticed by its serene beauty.

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 attractions include the Mastic Trail, passing through a two-million-year-old forest and mangrove swamp in the heart of the island; Pedro St. James National Historic Site, dating from 1780; and the 59-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.

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Tendering to the island and back to the cruise ship can take up a good portion of the day, so set aside several hours for exploring the port.

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, George Town, home to some of the Caribbean’s best duty-free deals. Great finds include blackcoral jewelry, luxury watches, fine perfumes and gracious dinnerware.

Seekers of unique souvenirs pick caymanite, a hard stone with striations ranging in color from pale pinkish beige to deep russet. It's found only in the Caymans. — Jim Thompson

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Island Highlights

by Sara Churchville

Black Coral Carvings Divers thrill 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.

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 blueand-white waves stand for the three Cayman islands and the sea.

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Like the Grand Cayman parrot, the Grand Cayman blue iguana, or Cyclura nubila lewisi, is found only on the island. With its blue coloring, it should be easy to spot, but because it’s endangered and not very social to boot, it may take some searching to locate one. A subspecies of the Cuban rock iguana, the Blue can grow to be as long as five 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, still remain on the island. Green, red and white, this subspecies of the Cuban parrot is the island’s national bird.

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

Cayman Islands Flag

FROM TOP: Black coral growing underwater; Cayman Islands flag; rare blue iguana, also known as Grand Cayman iguana; Cayman’s parrots are actually two subspecies of the Cuban parrot.

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EVERY SECOND IS SWEET makE TImE SWEETER EVERY DaY kirk Freeport welcomes you to a collection of the most luxurious shopping destinations in the Caribbean offering the world’s most prestigious brands. kirk Freeport is proud to be the official Rolex dealer of the Cayman Islands and in addition offers prestigious watch brands including Cartier, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Omega, Tag Heuer, Panerai and many others.

Visit us today at: kIRkFREEPORT.NET or on Facebook.

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From Privateers to Master Fishermen

Seagoing adventurers have long been drawn to the Caymans.

by Marjorie Klein

The wide beaches and cool caves of Grand Cayman echo with the rich history of its early inhabitants: turtles, crocodiles, pirates, sailors, soldiers, settlers and slaves.

Beginnings Christopher Columbus first spotted the islands he called Las Tortugas on May 10, 1503, when his ship was blown off course from Panama to Hispaniola on his final trip to the New World. The three islands, so populated with tortoises that they looked like rock piles, became a way station for sailors to replenish their freshwater supply and stock up on turtle meat. Perhaps the presence of turtle on the menu resulted in the animals’ decline; by 1586, crocodiles had become so dominant that Sir Francis Drake, the first recorded English visitor, renamed the islands caiman (the Carib word for “crocodile”), from which their present name Cayman is derived.

The Cayman Islands’ population stayed the same — comprising primarily sailors and pirates — until Oliver 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.

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Rule Britannia: the settlers settle in The first influx arrived: emigrants 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 high-tailed it back home.

Blackbeard, as well as other pirates, found the caves, nooks and crannies of Grand Cayman to be the perfect 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

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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 whose name — 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 the 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 then outnumbered whites five to one. 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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Discover the

adventure

Visit the Cayman Islands’ #1 land-based attraction. Meet the turtles, enjoy the wildlife, snorkel in our lagoon and splash down our water slide. It’s a full day of fun and adventure.

Opening hours: Mon – Sat 8:00am – 4:30pm | Inquire about Sunday hours Book with your Shore Excursion Desk today!

786 Northwest Point Road, West Bay, Grand Cayman | info@turtle.ky

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S P EC I A L ADV E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

A Treasure for the Sea Master watchmaker Rolex makes waves with the Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Rolesor, available at its Grand Cayman retail partner, Kirk Freeport.

The Submariner Date Rolesor is the absolute reference in divers’ watches.

The case features a unidirectional rotatable bezel in 18-karat yellow gold with blue Cerachrom disc. It is waterproof to a depth of 1,000 feet.

The movement is equipped with a Parachrom hairspring, highly resistant to shocks and magnetic fields, ensuring superlative chronometric precision and remarkable reliability.

For more information on this and other timepieces, visit www.rolex.com.

Caribbean Views

A Tradition of Service

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Rolesor

KIRK FREEPORT

The Kirkconnell family built Kirk Freeport into an island legacy.

by Jim Thompson

Shipwrecked in the Caribbean as a young British naval ensign in 1840, William Kirkconnell set out on an adventure that took him from ruin to riches, and forged a bond between his descendants and the Cayman Islands that would endure for generations.

The Kirk Shipping empire was begun by Kirkconnell’s son, Walter.

Kirk Shipping’s vessels once numbered more than 40, and plied the waters from the Caymans to Haiti, Jamaica and the United States for more than a century. The glory days of Kirk’s tall ships are today immortalized in the image of the Kirkconnell schooner, Kirk B, on the Cayman 25-cent coin.

“My grandfather, who started the company in 1896, would have been proud,” says Gerry Kirkconnell, a fourth-generation descendent of William Kirkconnell who now runs the family’s Kirk Freeport group of duty-free shops.

As times changed, the Kirkconnells moved from shipping and built on their many other enterprises. Real estate, farming, the Kirk Home Centre, the Kirk Supermarket and even a Coca-Cola distributorship are some of their ventures.

Kirk Freeport grew from a small general store, which was founded in the 1800s and later became a supermarket. Jewelry, perfumes,

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crystal and watches from such esteemed brand names as Cartier, Rolex, Lalique, Baccarat and Mikimoto grace the company’s 23 locations in Grand Cayman.

“It’s a big operation, but, for us, it’s just a family business,” says Gerry Kirkconnell, who oversees the shops from a modest office in the Kirk Freeport building in central George Town. “Anyway, I’m just Gerry to everyone.”

For generations, the Kirkconnells have served the Caymans through government service and countless charitable works. Since 1962, every general election except one has seen at least one member of the family chosen for the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands.

“People come here for the beautiful beaches, the clear waters and perfect weather, but the real beauty of the Caymans — and the reason we love it here — is the friendliness and warmth of the people.," Gerry Kirkconnell says with a smile. “It is a true slice of paradise.”

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

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Freedom’s Home

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

Known as “the birthplace of democracy in the Cayman Islands,” the Pedro St. James National Historic Site has been likened to the United States’ Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Caymanians met here on Dec. 5, 1831, and voted to form their first elected parliament. They gathered at “the Castle” on May 3, 1835, to hear the proclamation ending slavery in the British Empire.

The mansion originally was 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

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was put to 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 are a 20-minute multimedia theater presentation of Cayman history and a self-guided tour of the imposing great house.

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Regal Retreat During her visit to Grand Cayman in 1994, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the botanic park named in her honor.

A lush refuge

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Located on 65 acres in the North Side district, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is home to some 40 percent of the Caymans’ 600-plus native plant species.

Research into traditional gardens led to the addition of the Heritage Garden. Island settlers once relied heavily on their gardens, and homes boasted flowering shrubs, medicinal herbs, fruit trees and vegetable plots. The twoacre Heritage Garden showcases a restored Caymanian wooden cottage from the early-20th century. The house was relocated here and surrounded by classic flora to give visitors a better understanding of life in bygone times.

The Botanic Park is also home to the endangered blue iguana, found only on Grand Cayman. An estimated 150 mature blue iguanas remain in the wild. The park offers sanctuary in the Blue Iguana Habitat to others as part of a captive breeding program. — Ginger Dingus

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Snorkeling the Caymans

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Swimming with fish in the sea always seems to be reserved for elite divers like Jacques Cousteau and his companions, or for island water babies who learned to swim before they could walk. But the Cayman Islands, long a mecca for divers and marine ecologists, welcomes snorkeling aficionados to swim with sea creatures in a crystal-clear aquamarine sea. Filled with miles of healthy coral reefs, 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 they might have been created by Picasso. — Richard Carroll

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A diver with a bluespotted stingray

Close Encounters One of Grand Cayman’s most popular city visits isn’t to a city at all — at least not in the usual sense of the word. Meet the inhabitants of Stingray City and its neighbor, Stingray Sandbar.

People are merely drop-in visitors who dive down to discover what makes this stretch of real estate so attractive to the rays.

Fortunately, the area’s southern stingrays seem to relish all the attention. They certainly like being fed the handfuls of squid offered by cruise guests and other visitors. And they know the ropes. As soon as a tour-boat motor stops, a flotilla of rays gracefully glides onto the scene. From the deck of the boat, the saucer-shaped rays, which may

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reach up to six 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 fiercelooking 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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Book Now! Visit your shore excursions desk.

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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!

Hublot Bi g B a n g Fe r ra r i N ew C o ll e ct i o n

Proud Palm The silver thatch palm is a tall tree with fanlike fronds. To fully appreciate its name, one has to observe this indigenous tree by moonlight, when the underside 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 use, the ends curl and the roof will leak.

At one time, silver thatch was the principal component of the islands’ main industry: rope making. While the men went 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

Charles Krypell Ster li n g s i lver an d 14 kw b rac elet w i th b row n di am o n d s

Silver thatch palm detail

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Limestone formations inspired the town's name; the devil’s gift shop; welcome to . . . oh, you know.

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PHOTOS BY: KATE MCCLARE; CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; (SAND) ANATOLI STYF/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Who is Sir Turtle?

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Los Angeles A vibrant, glittering city favored with balmy weather and an endless stretch of beach, Los Angeles also boasts lavish boutiques, eclectic eateries and a celebrity seemingly at every turn.

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The world-famous sign of glitz and glamour

Quick Guide Famed for: The dream factory of Hollywood, ultra-luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive and a wide variety of ethnic cultures.

It’s a Fact: In the 1700s, the city was originally called El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de la Porciuncula, which means Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Small Portion.

PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) KONSTANTIN SUTYAGIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (SKYLINE) KONSTANTIN SUTYAGIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Signature Souvenirs: Surfer paraphernalia and a map of the stars.

Sunrise over Los Angeles

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Ocho Rios Jamaica’s natural beauty is evident at every turn in the road. In Ocho Rios, rivers rush down mountains covered in thick foliage, the sea laps golden shores, and tropical flowers accent every view.

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A bright day in Ocho Rios

Quick Guide

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

Famed for: Soulful reggae music, gorgeous beaches and breathtaking waterfalls like the one at Dunn’s River.

It’s a Fact: Ian Fleming named his James Bond 007 character while living in Jamaica.

Signature Souvenirs: Red Stripe beer, Rastafarian knit caps and all things Bob Marley.

How to Get to Town: Your ship docks just a few steps from the heart of Ocho Rios' shopping and dining area. Taxis are readily available at the pier.

Jamaican handicrafts

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Aerial view of Ocho Rios

A perfect day in:

Ocho Rios Things We Love About Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios may not have the eight rivers its name implies, but you wouldn’t know that standing in the powerful cascade of Dunn’s River Falls. The island’s most recognized site offers one of the Caribbean’s most unusual experiences: climbing through 600 feet of rushing mountain water, holding hands in daisy-chain formation with other adventurers.

The climb ends in one of the island’s busiest craft markets, where vendors sell wood carvings and straw goods, but most travelers prefer to head

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to the numerous duty-free malls for more relaxed shopping. At Soni’s Plaza, Harbor Shops, Taj Mahal and Island Village, fine jewelry, watches, Jamaican rum, and cigars are popular purchases. Also much sought are spices to bring home a taste of the island’s signature jerk cuisine.

Ocho’s elegant side is revealed in such attractions as Firefly, the serene estate where famed British playwright Noël Coward often came to find ‘‘room to write.’’ — John Bigley and Paris Permenter

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Island Highlights

by Sara Churchville

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

Swallowtail Butterfly The world’s largest swallowtail butterfly, the Papilio homerus, is found only in Jamaica, where it's called a bat — as are all butterflies and moths. The blackand-yellow butterfly has a wingspan of six inches, making it the largest butterfly in the Americas. It’s also larger than the three-inch winged Jamaican fruit bat, a rat-bat as the nocturnal creatures are called.

The endangered homerus is commemorated on Jamaica’s $1,000 note.

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

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

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

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

Jamaican Tody

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S P EC I A L ADV E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

Caribbean Views:

Love At First Sight

by Jim Thompson

In 1931, B. D. Dadlani thought Jamaica would be only a brief stop on his journey from India to Trinidad or America. But when he stepped off the boat and saw the lush green forests and soaring mountains beyond the island nation’s alabaster beaches, he knew this would be his new home.

“For him, like so many who come here, it was love at first sight,” says Dadlani’s son, Indru Dadlani.

B. D. Dadlani and his brother stayed and set up a small dry-goods store in Kingston. Over the years, with the help of his wife, his son Indru and other family members, he saw his simple shop grow, along with his love for the island and its people. Today, the Dadlani family owns Casa de Oro, a successful jewelry store with five locations in Jamaica: two in Ocho Rios, two in Montego Bay and one in Negril. Specializing in high-end watches and jewelry, Casa de Oro is the exclusive Jamaica distributor of Cartier and of specialty items from Tiffany, TAG Heuer and Mikimoto.

Indru Dadlani shares his father’s affection for Jamaica,

and he was awarded the National Honor of the Order of Distinction in 1994 for his community service. The feeling is reflected in the family’s philosophy of always putting the customer first and is echoed in their motto: “Always with the family tradition.”

Many things in Jamaica have changed since B. D. Dadlani first arrived. But Jamaica’s greatest resource — the open, friendly nature of the people —has always remained constant, notes Indru Dadlani.

“There is just nothing like the people of Jamaica,” he says with a smile in his voice. “If you add the great food and places in Ocho Rios like Dunn’s River Falls, the dolphins and Mystic Mountain, it’s a real slice of heaven.”

CASA DE ORO

Casa de Oro sells top brands from five locations in Jamaica.

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HABOUR SHOPS 4 Harbour Shops, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Tel: +1 (876)795-2921 houseofdiamonds@cwjamaica.com

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Artist's depiction of St. Ann's Bay

The Vibe Keeps

Holding Steady

by Marjorie Klein

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Ocho Rios has attracted visitors since Christopher Columbus made landfall in 1494. The area has evolved through roller-coaster times: England’s triumph over the Spanish; the huge influence of wealthy plantation owners; the subsequent slave revolution; international industrialization; and the tourism of today.

pay a gold tribute, provide work and convert to Christianity. The demands went unmet, and between the retribution they suffered and the diseases they contracted from their conquerors, the Taino disappeared from Jamaica only 80 years later. Soon the Spanish would be displaced as well.

Beginnings The advanced culture of the original settlers in Jamaica, the pre-Columbian Taino Indians, is reflected in what remains of their Arawak language, still spoken today; in the ruins of ceremonial ball parks; and in their complex religion, based on cosmology.

Incredibly, the Taino managed to survive for centuries.

Columbus first anchored in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, in 1494. A few years later, on another voyage, problems with his ships caused him to be stranded in Maima, which was renamed Sevilla la Nueva — the first and largest Taino settlement, located just a few miles west of Ocho Rios.

There he remained for a year, abandoning two ships that archaeologists are still seeking. Sevilla was later the site of the island’s first sugar mill, which fueled an industry that became central to Jamaica’s economic growth.

The Taino were expected to acknowledge the king of Spain,

England brings prosperity and slavery The British wrested control of Jamaica from the Spanish in 1658, although skirmishes continued sporadically. They ended 150 years of Spanish rule with a decisive victory at Rio Nuevo, a small river that also lends its name to a village outside Ocho Rios.

Today, the battlefield site is marked by a monument honoring the Jamaicans who fought there with the Spanish.

Sugar plantations spread across Jamaica, bringing great wealth to their owners, whose costs were cut by the free labor of slaves they brought from Africa. Runaway slaves called Maroons are said to have hidden in the Green Grotto caves near Ocho Rios, as well as in the mountainous interior. With Jamaica as the largest producer of sugar in the world, plantations formed the basis of the country’s economy until the emancipation of slaves in 1834. Agriculture became more diversified and fishing became a major industry.

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Book Now! Visit your shore excursions desk.

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From sleepy village to industrial magnet Away from the bustling fishing piers, off in the hills just north of Ocho Rios, one Sir Alfred d’Costa suspected that the distressing condition of his cattle was caused by the strange red dirt on his ranch.

Analysis revealed a high content of bauxite, a principal source of aluminum, which quickly attracted the attention of Reynolds Aluminum and accelerated the good fortune of Ocho Rios in the 1940s. Fishing piers evolved into deep-water shipping piers fed by conveyor belts that reached six miles to the mines. In 1984, Reynolds Jamaica Mines decided to leave the island altogether, and pulled out of both the port and the mines. Today the Reynolds pier is used mainly as a cruise ship port — an indication of Jamaica’s next economic phase. tourism thrives After gaining independence from Britain in 1962, Jamaica focused on celebrating its multiple virtues as a draw for vacationers, and the tourism industry boomed. In Ocho Rios, grand hotels and excellent restaurants sprouted along its beaches. Historic sites with their explosive tropical beauty became destinations unto themselves: Dunn’s River Falls; Shaw Park; Noël Coward’s home, Firefly; and, in Nine Mile, the Bob Marley Mausoleum honoring Jamaica’s father of reggae.

In these places, past tense became present perfect.

Ocho Rios

Timeline

1494

Columbus anchors in St. Ann’s Bay.

1655

The British conquer Spanish occupants; Ocho Rios is named.

1940

Bauxite is discovered; Reynolds Aluminum begins mining operations.

1952

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

1962 Jamaica gains independence from Britain.

Beautiful beaches are among the biggest draws in Ocho Rios.

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

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JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD.

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Harmony Hall, a mid-1800s Methodist manse east of Ocho Rios, has been showcasing the finest Jamaican arts and crafts since 1981.

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

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With its popularity as a destination for the rich and famous, it is not unusual to see wellpreserved colonial buildings located next to glistening high-rises. The island boasts an abundance of 1880s plantation homes that are still in use long after their construction.

The White River Valley, located high in the hills, has an especially vast array of classic homes.

Here a visitor is transported into a world of Jamaica’s intriguing past, viewing the many styles of Georgian architecture that seem to tell the story of Ocho Rios itself. Another fascinating find is the Village of Flowers, where the beautifully colored buildings look like they could be framed inside a watercolor painting. Other parts of the property feature the ruins of an old plantation home and smaller houses re-created in their original design. — Linda Marx

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TajMahal Plaza I Ocho Rios I Jamaica Ph: 876.974.7163 I E-mail: kotai@cwjamaica.com

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Photos by: (Left) newPhotoservice/shutterstock.com; (right) coL/shutterstock.com.

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Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica’s most celebrated site is, without question, Dunn’s River Falls — having starred in numerous magazine advertisements and television commercials promoting this Caribbean hot spot.

These often-photographed falls cascade down a rocky mountainside on the right, rush under the road and join the sea at the white-sand beach on the left — not only a sight to see but to tackle, as well. For those not afraid to get their feet wet, climbing 600 feet to the top of the cascades is a real high. But this get-wet experience (there’s no escaping the water) calls for old sneakers or scuba boots. Join a conga line of hand-holding tourists, and pick your way gingerly up the slippery rocks and boulders.

Guides will hold your cameras, take your picture under the falls, and point out placid pools among the lively rapids. Traditionally, climbers top off their trip with a cold Red Stripe beer, one of Jamaica’s most famous exports. — Marty Leshner

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The Name Game A common belief is that ocho rios takes its name from the spanish words for ‘‘eight rivers,’’ which is the literal translation. that interpretation is faulty, for the town doesn’t have eight rivers. the name instead may have been a corruption of las chorreras — spanish for ‘‘rapids,’’ as in the rushing waters of Dunn’s river falls.

Jamaica itself has had many names, as the english struggled to spell the word the way they heard it. According to visitJamaica.com, the nation in its early years was called gemecoe, gemegoe, Jamico, Jammaca, Xaymaca, even mamecah. the younger brother of christopher columbus, bartholome, was the first to put Jamaica on a map — although he spelled it "Jamaicha."

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Ascending the falls

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Flowers, Ferns and Waterfalls When Christopher Columbus first arrived in Jamaica, he called it the fairest isle of all. Landing in what is now St. Ann’s Parish, Columbus saw a lush, verdant landscape that would earn the nickname ‘‘the garden parish.’’

Today, some five hundred years later, St. Ann’s natural beauty is in full bloom. Visitors can see, sniff, touch and photograph gorgeous flowers, ferns and waterfalls at tropical gardens tucked away in the countryside a short ride from the cruise pier.

Coyaba Gardens A sparkling stream runs through this tranquil oasis set midway up the amazingly green hills behind town. The name coyaba says it all. It comes from the Arawak word for “paradise.” Pathways wind past pink ginger plants, lipstick-red heliconia, giant cedars and banyan trees. The waters of Mahoe Falls splash down rocky cliffs into a tempting plunge pool. In British colonial days, these grounds were part of a plantation. The few remaining buildings house a gift shop and small museum displaying artifacts from Jamaica’s pre-Columbian inhabitants, the Taino Indians.

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

FROM TOP: Shaw Park Gardens; Mahoe Falls at Coyaba Gardens.

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FOTOSEARCH.COM; COYABA GARDENS

Cranbrook Flower Forest The 130-acre haven welcomes visitors to discover its tropical flower forest, wander through a rainforest, wade in the Little River, or simply enjoy the birds. Hundreds of orchids flourish in the greenhouse, and there’s a restored sugar mill to explore. — Ginger Dingus

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Across from the cruise ship pier ocho rios, Jamaica

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Going with the Flow in Ocho Legend has it that Martha Brae, an Arawak girl, once used magic to divert the flow of a river to drown her Spanish captors. Some of that magic still remains on the river that bears her name.

The Martha Brae River winds through a pristine forest full of bamboo, exotic fruits and many species of tropical birds. The best way to see all this is from the river itself.

Travelers ride 30-foot bamboo rafts along the river’s gentle waters. Once used by plantation workers to haul bananas down the Rio Grande on the east coast, the rafts became tourist attractions back in the 1940s when Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn used them to entertain his friends. Today, they come with cushioned seats for one or two passengers, and the guides, who navigate with long poles as they stand on the deck, talk a bit about their homeland or even stop to grab a fruit or flower from the riverbank.

This is not a whitewater experience; the stable rafts and tame currents won’t even get a traveler’s feet wet. Lasting an hour or more, the tours are a relaxing up-close look at Jamaica’s Eden-like beauty.

DIGITAL VISION PHOTOS

Rafting on the Martha Brae River

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A Teeth-Tangling Time

by JoAnn Milivojevic

It’s a fruit that delights all the senses. When ripe, it mimics the setting sun, turning a scarlet-golden hue, and its sweet fragrance scents an entire room.

Its slippery-soft texture and honey-peachy flavor is heaven in your mouth. impossible. I managed to loosen a few, but seemingly hundreds were embedded. The effect was like a stubborn popcorn kernel stuck between each one of your teeth. Images of dental floss and toothpicks danced in my head. Ugh. Nigel caught my eye from across the boat. I grinned at him, careful not to reveal my pearly whites for fear of exposing the mango threads that dangled from my teeth like dreadlocks. In my hand dripped the culprit that stole my smile.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Nigel ambled across the deck. “Le’ me show you how to eat mango de island wey,” he whispered.

He picked one up and began to knead it slowly. “You roll it round and round,” he instructed, “mash it up good.” A mango the size of a grapefruit looked more like an orange in his large, calloused palms. He bit the thin skin, peeled back a sliver and sucked out the juice.

He handed me the fruit and I sipped the sweet nectar. Voilà!

Oh joy, oh rapture, oh sunset in my mouth. I could now have my mango and eat it too!

PHOTOS BY: ELXENEIZE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; MAKS NARODENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

It’s the mango. But beware! If you don’t know how to eat fresh mango, you could get tangled up in more than you bargained for.

My affair with the mango began during a gentle sailing excursion in the Caribbean. Though melt-in-your-mouth a mango may be, many varieties are riddled with long fibers that catch and cling between your teeth. Biting into a mango, the way you would a peach, is no way to eat this fruit. It’s like eating a peach filled with hair. But before I could turn my back on the scrumptious fruit, I was duly rescued by Nigel, a Caribbean-born able-bodied landscaper. He taught me how to eat mango “de island wey.”

Under a powder-blue sky, warm breezes propelled our sailboat from one small island to its nearby sister island. The crew had brought along a variety of island produce, including mangoes. I had just eaten my first one. The sweet juice stuck to my hands, the honey-peachy taste lingered on my lips, and the tangling fibers invaded my teeth.

My tongue pulled furiously at the threads. I tried to be ladylike and discreetly pick at the fibers with my fingernails. Mission

Juicy mangoes can be hard to eat.

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Marley was an emotional performer.

Natural Mystic

by Garry Steckles

Far be it from me to cross swords with Keith Richards when it comes to music — any kind of music. But when the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist and rock ’n’ roll survivor tells people “reggae music died with Bob Marley” — and I’ve heard him say it — I must beg to differ.

There have been some dry spells. But the fact is, as any serious reggae fan will attest, the music’s alive and kicking. And Bob Marley, reggae’s greatest singer, songwriter and performer, is more popular, more influential, and more esteemed today than he was when he died in 1981. Come to think of it, Marley, some three decades after his death at the age of 36, may well be the most popular, influential and esteemed artist of any music genre the world has ever known.

Marley’s global impact is often hard to comprehend to those of us who first heard his name in the early 1970s. Back then, the buzz from Jamaica was that a sensational young group called The Wailers were going to be the next big thing in reggae — a style of music that was already making an international impact with chart hits by Desmond Dekker and a hard-edged cult movie, The Harder They Come.

The buzz was right on the money. In less than a decade, Nesta Robert Marley (the name he was given at birth) rose from obscurity to become the Third World’s first superstar. He broke attendance records in Europe. He toured and recorded virtually nonstop. He made headlines everywhere — for his music, his outspoken views on marijuana, his fervent belief in the then-virtually-unheard-of Rastafarian religion, and the parade of beautiful women who came and went in his life.

Then, almost as swiftly as it began, it was all over. The news that

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Marley had cancer broke in 1980, and he died in May of the following year. And that is when the legend really started. In death, Marley has become even bigger than he was in life. His image, his message and his music, collectively, have taken on almost mythic proportions. A whole new generation has grown up listening to and revering Marley.

His image adorns everything from T-shirts to shoes, from purses to posters, from bumper stickers to designer jeans, and his albums continue to account for some 50 percent of reggae sales worldwide.

Marley’s music has received numerous accolades in recent years: Time magazine chose his classic mid-’70s Exodus as its album of the century; the BBC selected “One Love” from Exodus as its anthem of the century during its marathon millennium broadcast; and The New York Times put only one video, Marley’s 1977 performance at London’s Rainbow Theatre, into its millennium time capsule, which was placed under the Metropolitan Museum of Art to be opened on the first day of the year 3000. And Marley himself has received many posthumous tributes: He was featured on PBS’ prestigious American Masters biography series; he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame; and he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2001 Grammy® Awards ceremonies.

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‘‘If you know your history then you know where you’re coming from’’ —‘‘Buffalo Soldier’’

Impressive as they are, these achievements only hint at the impact Marley has had on the countless millions whose lives have been influenced by his timeless anthems. With the possible exceptions of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, no other songwriter in history has given the world so many songs that are entrenched in our collective memories. Reggae fans around the world, particularly in Africa, worship Marley as a god — an expression of veneration that would undoubtedly come as a surprise to a man who regarded himself as simply a musician with a message he wanted to share.

Marley’s story started in rural Jamaica on February 6, 1945. He was born in the small village of Nine Mile in the parish of St. Ann, and from infancy, it was obvious that he was special. But Marley never had it easy. His father had gone back to Kingston the day after marrying Bob’s mother, Cedella; she was already pregnant. Capt. Norval Marley, a member of a wealthy Jamaican family, had virtually nothing to do with the upbringing and support of the youngster until he “sent for” Bob to join him in the Jamaican capital. But when he reached the big city, Marley was put in the care of an elderly, infirm lady, and in fact ended up fending for both her and himself before he was even 10 years old. About a year later, his worried mother finally tracked him down and returned with him to Nine Mile, which is where he first struck up what would develop into a historic friendship with another youngster, Bunny Wailer.

Marley, this time accompanied by his mother, returned to Kingston at the age of 12 and spent the next few years in Trenchtown, the ghetto that he was to immortalize in song. The grim concrete jungle and the music that permeated it shaped Marley’s personality and, eventually, his destiny. It was on the streets of Trenchtown that the slight boy from “country” learned to handle himself, and he soon earned the street nickname Tuff Gong — rough translation, a tough customer not to be trifled with. And it was here that he started to apply himself seriously to a career in music.

Marley, Bunny Wailer — who had also moved to Trenchtown — and another ambitious Kingston teen, Peter Tosh, joined forces to form The Wailers. After honing their vocal and instrumental skills under the guidance of the late Joe Higgs, one of Jamaica’s most respected musicians, they cut their first records in the early sixties. Despite having hit after hit, they made practically no money and were still living in desperate conditions.

But The Wailers were special talents, even by standards of a nation that has produced more brilliant musicians per capita than any other on earth, and they came to the attention of a young Jamaican record label owner, Chris Blackwell. Against the advice of many, in 1972, he advanced them the money to cut what became the first authentic reggae album (as opposed to a collection of singles): the epochal Catch a Fire.

The album got rave reviews, sold well, and suddenly reggae music was an international phenomenon. The following year, The Wailers came out with Burnin’, which cemented their reputation as reggae’s first real international stars.

It was the last album they recorded as a trio. Tosh and Wailer, neither of them happy with Blackwell’s determination to make Marley the focal point of the group, each decided to go his own way. Marley immediately recruited three female backup singers: his wife, Rita; Judy Mowatt; and Marcia Griffiths — known as the I-Three — for his next album, 1974’s Natty Dread.

Again sales went well, but it wasn’t until 1975 that Marley went from star to superstar status. The album that sent his career into the stratosphere was Live, recorded at London’s Lyceum ballroom. While the album as a whole is somewhat uneven, it contains the song that is perhaps Marley’s most famous: a majestic, soaring version of “No Woman No Cry.” After that, with the brilliant publicist Charles B. Comer working on his behalf, you couldn’t pick up a paper or a magazine or turn on the television without encountering Marley.

ADRIAN BOOT

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Bob Marley’s roots in Jamaica influenced his powerful music.

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Reggae fans around the world eagerly awaited his annual album.

Rastaman Vibration was huge in 1976, and the following year brought Exodus, which was even bigger. Then in 1978 came Kaya and the lessthan-successful live double album Babylon by Bus; 1979’s Survival; and 1980’s Uprising.

By the late ’70s, Marley’s health had started to fail. A soccer injury to a toe turned cancerous, and in keeping with his Rastafarian beliefs, he refused to let doctors remove part of his foot — an operation that might have saved his life. The cancer spread and Marley made his final appearance onstage in Pittsburgh in September 1980. Members of The Wailers wept as he performed “Redemption Song,” arguably the greatest of his many memorable compositions, for the last time.

Marley died in a Miami hospital on May 11, 1981, and his body was flown home to Kingston. His funeral was the biggest and most emotional in Jamaican history, and his remains were taken across the island by motorcade to the village of Nine Mile, where he was laid to rest in a white mausoleum a few feet from the tiny house in which he was born.

After Marley’s death, reggae went through what undoubtedly will be remembered as the musical equivalent of the Dark Ages. Purposeful, uplifting “roots” reggae gave way to crude, repetitive dancehall, a reggae/rap hybrid often with openly sexist and/or violent lyrics. As the ’80s

dragged on, the great roots groups that had dominated the music were virtually driven out of Jamaica by the dancehall “posses.” They still spend most of their time on the road, touring in Europe, North America and Asia, where their music has found an adoring public.

But reggae’s nothing if not resilient, and as it continued to change, a new wave of social-minded dancehall artists emerged in the early and mid-’90s. Today, performers like Buju Banton, Anthony B, Capleton and the chart-topping Shaggy have taken dancehall to new levels and captivated new audiences.

Meanwhile, many of Bob’s children continue to spread his musical message: Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers have been international stars since the ’80s; sons Damian and Julian Marley have recorded with considerable success; and Bob’s youngest son, Kymani, a dynamite talent equally at home with roots reggae and driving hiphop, is the latest to burst on the scene. The legend lives on.

Garry Steckles is the author of Bob Marley (Signal Books, 2008). He has worked as a newspaper editor in England, Canada, Barbados and the United States, and has written about reggae and all aspects of Caribbean culture in major newspapers and magazines in North America and the Caribbean.

“Hit me with the music, hit me with music now’’ —‘‘Trenchtown Rock’’ Here are recommendations of 10 CDs for a basic reggae starter kit. The list includes everything from Bob Marley standards to classic roots and dancehall. All are readily available at Caribbean specialty stores and at major North American and European outlets with reggae sections.

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African Herbsman, The Wailers The collaboration between the eccentric Jamaican studio genius Lee “Scratch” Perry and The Wailers in the late ’60s resulted in music many reggae aficionados insist is the best the group ever made.

Hot Shot, Shaggy A huge international hit from the current king of reggae’s “lover men.” The hit single “It Wasn’t Me” propelled the charismatic Shaggy to superstar status — and it isn’t even the best track on this CD.

Blackheart Man, Bunny Wailer The first album from Bunny after his split with The Wailers, it’s still widely regarded as the singer’s masterpiece. Gorgeous melodies, incisive lyrics, not a single weak track. Roots reggae at its finest.

Inna Heights, Buju Banton Quality dancehall — terrific melodies, conscious lyrics — from the undisputed king of the genre.

Country Journey, Kymani Marley Is this what Bob would have sounded like if he’d been born in the ’80s? Quite likely. Kymani is a prodigious young man who’s got a knack for writing melodies that stay with you.

One Stone, Culture Joseph Hill, Culture’s lead singer, is regarded by many as reggae’s finest living vocalist. Culture has been making superb roots reggae since 1977 with “Two Sevens Clash,” and they’ve never sounded better than on One Stone.

Exodus, Bob Marley and The Wailers Time magazine’s editors chose it as the album of the 20th century, and they may just be right. The only contender, in my book, would be another Marley masterpiece, Survival.

Touting I-Self, I-Roy The early DJs — U-Roy, Big Youth, King Stitt and Co. — set the stage for today’s dancehall, rap, and hip-hop. Nobody does it better than the late Roy Reid, known professionally as I-Roy.

Honorary Citizen, Peter Tosh This three-CD set is virtually a history of one of reggae’s most accomplished and most controversial talents, the late Peter Tosh. It combines early Tosh singles with classic album tracks from the ’80s — including “Reggaemylitis” and “Equal Rights” — along with some outstanding live performances.

Universal Struggle, Anthony B Pure, undiluted dancehall from one of Jamaica’s most respected young artists. Anthony B’s lyrics are uncompromising and clichéfree, and like the best of the contemporary wave of dancehall stars, he can write a melody with staying power.

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The Blue Mountains seen from Firefly

An Affair of the Heart Like an eagle’s nest overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Noël Coward’s beloved home, Firefly, is perched on a 1,000-foot hill some 20 miles east of Ocho Rios.

From this vantage point, visitors can see the Blue Mountains to the south and the north-coast headlands surrounding Port Maria — an absolutely awe-inspiring vista. It was here that the famous British man-abouttown, author, playwright, actor and composer found peace, happiness and “the time to write.” At this charming Jamaican dwelling, Coward wrote his only novel, Pomp and Circumstance.

Firefly Hill also served as the site of countless parties and social gatherings, with Coward entertaining the likes of Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II and celebrities, including John Gielgud, Katharine Hepburn,

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Claudette Colbert, David Niven, Joan Sutherland and Errol Flynn. Coward even personally cooked for the Queen Mother at his Caribbean home. The house, which is open to the public, is much as Coward left it. Tour guides take visitors through the interior while painting such a vivid picture of his life that it is easy to imagine the owner will appear at any moment.

Coward died suddenly in his big mahogany fourposter on March 26, 1973, at the age of 74. His grave, marked by an engraved marble headstone, is on the property. Coward’s friends thought it only fitting that he should be buried here. — Deborah Williams

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Alexandrite

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Taj Mahal Plaza | OchO RiOs | 974.2769 colors@cwjamaica.com

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Shopping in

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

Philip Stein P res ti ge C o llecti o n watch

Jamaican Jerk A highlight of any visit to Jamaica is a taste of jerk meat, prepared in a unique cooking style.

This island nation has a particular way of barbecuing seasoned meats over a wood fire for a one-of-a-kind flavor.

Jerk seasoning is a fiery mix of as many as 20 spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento (allspice) and scallions. Bite-size pieces of chicken, pork and beef are marinated, or “jerked,” and then thrown over slats of green pimento wood stretched across a pit in the ground or, sometimes, a garbage can or anything else that will do. The result is a spicy, savory meal that must be washed down with an ice-cold Red Stripe beer. If you want some of the best Jamaican jerk, try one of the ubiquitous roadside stands. Or buy a jar or two of prepared jerk marinade to enjoy at home — the price is right. — Lynn Seldon

Mark Henry Alexandrite A lexan d r i te ring

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

Blue heaven

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TOP: Jerk chicken plate. ABOVE: For roadside gourmets.

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Making Scents of Rum Jamaican rum, once known as “kill devil,” has come a long way since the mid-1700s, when it was a rough, fiery, knockout concoction. like “chocolate” and “cigar box.” On the negative side, there are “wet dog,” “tar” and “diesel.” It’s the job of the blender to nose (and taste) various rums and to mix them into an appealing blend, one that can be duplicated by following a closely guarded formula.

Here’s a bit of rum trivia for your next cocktail party. Rum aged for 21 years in sunny Jamaica is equivalent to a 63-yearold brew from cooler climates. Rum ages best in oak barrels. Jamaica’s oldest sugar estate and distillery, Appleton, matures its rum in oak barrels once used for making Jack Daniels whiskey.

Note: That olive-green ring around the edge of your glass is a sign of a well-aged rum.

So while you’re on the island, order a snifter of fine Jamaican rum. See, sniff, sip. And enjoy! — Ginger Dingus

PHOTOS BY: (RUM GLASS) JOSHUA RESNICK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BARRELS) DIM DIMICH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

These days, no other Caribbean island boasts a wider variety of rums, ranging from crisp and crystal-clear to a smooth, golden-honey-colored sipping delight. You can mix the lighter varieties with fruit punch, or pack a punch by pouring a potent overproof — as in over 151 proof.

Aside from color, the nose distinguishes one blend of rum from another. To be precise, that nose would be the master blender’s nose. In blending rum, as in creating a superb wine or an exotic perfume, you’re either blessed with “the nose” or you’re not. According to Joy Spence, master blender at Appleton Estate, women have better noses than men.

What does a discerning nose know about rum? An aroma wheel offers a clue. Originally created for wine experts and later modified to describe the nuances of such spirits as brandy and rum, the aroma wheel identifies positive scents

FROM LEFT: Rum over ice; rum barrels.

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

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

Of the island’s 23,000 acres of coffee trees, only 10,000 produce Blue Mountain coffee, which legally must be planted above 2,000 feet. At this elevation, the daytime-nighttime extremes provide the perfect climate for a slow-ripening process that produces a unique bean, bluegreen in color, with little resistance to pests and disease. Its frailty means small yields. Blue Mountain coffee cherries, furthermore, are handpicked to ensure optimal ripeness.

The other factor is supply and demand. Blue Mountain farmers can’t seem to grow enough coffee, so they can theoretically set their prices as high as they wish. Stateside, the beans go for $50 a pound; in Jamaica, you can buy them for about $15 a pound. — Chelle Koster Walton

Coffee plants thrive at high elevation.

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

Chili peppers

Jablum Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

PHOTOS BY: (PEPPERS) JOOP HOEK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (COFFEE) IRYNA1/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee has a strong heritage, dating back to the early18th century. Today, JABLUM® Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee maintains its rank as one of the world’s most soughtafter coffees. Vibrant, bright, smooth as silk — often described as the “best coffee in the world” — Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee is in great demand from coffee connoisseurs globally.

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

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The Spices Of Island Life In Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth, native Jamaican Clara, who lives in London, notes to her husband, “You said the Iqbals are comin’ to dinner.

I was just thinkin’…if they’re going to want me to cook dem some curry — I mean, I can cook curry — but it’s my type of curry.” Clara is worried that the Iqbals, who are Bangladeshi, will find her Caribbean curry unfamiliar, a different species entirely from Southeast Asian curry.

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by Jen Karetnick

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Spices and herbs

Curry is an ambiguous label for a fish or meat course stewed with a mixture of pungent spices. The Caribbean and Southeast Asian varieties are not in fact dissimilar, though each has a unique flavor. Christopher Columbus is almost directly responsible for the parallel: A little more than 500 years ago, when he stumbled on the islands of the West Indies as he looked for new trade routes to India, he discovered chili peppers, one of the prime components of curry. Columbus brought the native Caribbean chilies — which are referred to as Scotch bonnet peppers, Congo, habanero or bird peppers, depending on the island culture or language — to India and China, which incorporated them into their cuisine.

Ironically, about 200 years later, when Indian and Chinese immigrants settled on many Caribbean islands, they brought chili peppers with them. That’s when they introduced the islanders to curry, which in addition to chili peppers occasionally contains ginger, a root that has taken so well to the Jamaican climate it might as well be an indigenous crop; you can find ginger in the marketplaces in its natural root form, crystallized or as a powder. The Indian method of preparing curry became common,

so much so that in Jamaica, curry goat is practically a national dish. In the end, the only real difference between Jamaican and Indian curry is the inclusion of allspice, also known as pimento, a dried berry native to Jamaica that tastes like a combination of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves.

Likewise, Scotch bonnet chilies and allspice berries are the main ingredients of Jamaica’s rightfully famous jerk seasoning, which is a combination of up to 21 different spices. Depending on who is doing the cooking, ginger may also be added to jerk recipes; every chef has his own culinary style and application. The blend, wet or dry depending on how much oil, lime juice and rum are mixed into the ground spices, is rubbed onto pork or chicken. The meat is then grilled over allspice branches often stretched across a pit in the open ground; this process adds a new piquancy to the meat.

While in Ocho Rios, head down to any of the bustling marketplaces and check out the incredible array of spices. Whether indigenous to the island or imported, the tangy peppers, aromatic mace, golden turmeric and other delectable ingredients add unparalleled gusto to Jamaica’s culinary life.

KRZYSZTOF SLUSARCZYK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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Panama Canal A transit of the Panama Canal is an extraordinary experience.

It’s a nine-hour journey through the massive system of locks that enables ships to shortcut through Panama instead of sailing around South America. Ships are lifted and lowered a total of 170 feet as they pass between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, crossing over the Isthmus of Panama and then to the Continental Divide.

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Entrance to Panama Canal

Quick Guide Famed for: One of the greatest engineering feats ever accomplished; the canal has been listed among the seven wonders of the modern world.

It’s a Fact: According to the Panama Canal Museum, workers building the canal dug enough dirt to bury the island of Manhattan 12 feet under.

Signature Souvenirs: A miniature steam shovel or other memorabilia from the museum store.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEACH) ANTONIO JORGE NUNES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Puerto Limón Originally a major export point for Costa Rican goods, Puerto Limón has emerged as an important gateway to the nation’s interior.

Ecotourism is now an important pursuit for visitors, whose many other choices include shopping and enjoying the beach.

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A panoramic view of Puerto Limón

Quick Guide Famed for: Rainforests, jungle wildlife and canal boats.

It’s a Fact: Bananas are Costa Rica's top export, but they were first planted to feed railroad workers.

Signature Souvenirs: Cigars, embroidered blouses and wooden bowls.

Gentle surf teases the sand.

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Puerto Quetzal Located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, Puerto Quetzal leads to many of the country’s best attractions, such as the enchanting colonial city of Antigua and numerous active volcanoes. Nearby beaches feature black volcanic sand, and the waters offer worldclass deep-sea fishing.

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Ruins of a Mayan temple in Guatemala

Quick Guide Famed for: Coffee plantations, coastal volcanoes and cozy beaches.

It’s a Fact: The port is named after the quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird, which also shares its name with the country’s unit of currency.

Photos by: (main) sfeichtner/shutterstock.com; (antigua) fraredavis /istockPhoto.com.

Signature Souvenirs: Handmade crafts and apparel from the market in Antigua.

Antigua retains many elements from colonial days.

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

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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The coast of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta

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

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

It’s a Fact: The city became a tourism hot spot after the Richard Burton-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 ship docks.

A beach view in Puerto Vallarta

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Puerto Vallarta perches on the Pacific Ocean.

A perfect day in:

Puerto Vallarta Things We Love About Puerto Vallarta

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 pedestrian, statue-studded boardwalk: the Malecón, with The Friendship Fountain by the California artist, James Bottoms, and the Roman-like Los Arcos Amphitheater. A short walk from the square, Plaza de Armas, leads to Our Lady of Guadalupe cathedral and its distinguishing crowned clock tower. A few blocks away, the Americansettled “Gringo Gulch” neighborhood still attracts Yankees who enjoy an exotic destination with the familiarity of home.

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Seafaring and adventurous types may opt for whale-watching, diving with mantas or even parasailing. Lovers of sand and surf should head to Playa de los Muertos at the downtown’s southern edge.

For the rest of us, however, shopping may be the best option. The Malecón is a dazzling center for diamonds, leather, watches, silver and other fine wares, with excellent restaurants as well.

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

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FINE SILVER COLLECTIONS

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In Full Flower

by John Anderson

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

rediscovery For the next 300 years, the valley remained free of any permanent settlement. At the beginning of the 1800s, silver mines in the nearby mountains were the predominant source of income for the region.

By 1880, the population of Puerto de las Peñas had reached 1,500, and

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in 1885, a Maritime Customs Office was established and the port opened for official business. But it wasn’t until 1918 that the settlement was finally promoted, by congressional decree, to the status of municipality; the act was capped off by a name change to Puerto Vallarta, in honor of Don Ignacio Vallarta, governor of the state of Jalisco and signer of the Mexican constitution.

After the Montgomery Fruit Company bought 70,000 acres of land in the area in 1925, the new town saw its fortunes rise even higher. With 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 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 oncetiny community of expatriated Americans and Canadians swelled to a large colony of year-round residents. These days, Puerto Vallarta has a population of over 255,000 — with an estimated three million visitors each year — but it still manages to retain its charm.

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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.

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Puerto Vallarta's seaside promenade glows at night.

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Vallar ta

速

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Pu e r to

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Centuries ago, the Spanish brought their

The Quiet Charm of

Yelapa and Las Caletas Located 45 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta by boat, the town of Yelapa has a certain otherworldly charm.

KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

Nestled in a natural cove, the fishing village, whose name 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.

Also 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. Deer-feeding and diving with sea lions are two fun activities, and visitors can also scuba dive or take diving lessons, kayak or snorkel.

Or you can simply drowse in one of the many hammocks that have been randomly situated in the area. — Sara Churchville

Old World skills and artistry in fine leather to the New World.

Today, México is famous for its leather products and craftsmanship.

One of the widest

selections of custommade leather can be found right here in Puerto Vallarta:

CUSTOM-MADE JACKETS & BOOTS Yelapa's inviting beach

• Guaranteed Delivery Worldwide • Tel. 011-52 (3) 223-1769 E-mail: cobrapv@usa.net PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Vallar ta

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Many sport-fishermen are lured to Puerto Vallarta. Here’s why!

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photos by: marvin perton; ingrid maasik/shutterstock.com.

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Hooked

on P.V.

The waters off Puerto Vallarta are home to a tempting variety of marine life that make this one of the world’s great sport-fishing destinations. In a region known for the pursuit of the sea’s riches, that’s really saying something.

photos by: marvin perton; ingrid maasik/shutterstock.com.

Many visitors are content to merely dive the reefs and ogle the small, colorful specimens that flit about.

Others are hooked on larger denizens of the deep.

For the game fisherman, there are bigger fish to fry in these waters: sawfish, snapper, tuna, marlin, dorado and sailfish, to name just a few. Alert divers can even grab lobster off the reefs.

Not feeling that ambitious? You can also reel in a satisfying catch at one of P.V.’s restaurants, where the claim of offering fresh seafood is no fish story.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) BRANDON HOLMES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (COFFEE) HAAK78/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Puntarenas A small country hosting a fantastic assortment of plants, wildlife and scenery, Costa Rica is truly rich in natural blessings.

Beyond the port of Puntarenas lie volcanoes, rainforests and the coffee for which Costa Rica is famed.

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Arenal Volcano on a clear day

Quick Guide Famed for: Locally grown coffee, ecoadventures and ziplining.

It’s a Fact: About 4 percent of the Earth’s plant and animal species can be found in Costa Rica, which has a higher density of biodiversity than any other country worldwide.

Signature Souvenirs: Bags of coffee and carvedwood crafts.

Maturing berries on a coffee tree PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) DANCESTROKES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (GASLAMP QUARTER) JORG HACKEMANN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

San Diego Stretching along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego’s attractions combine historic Spanish themes and a genteel Victorian quarter in a modern, fast-paced urban setting.

The 34-mile long waterfront is a scenic gateway boasting restaurants, shops, attractions, parks and marinas.

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Palm trees on the serene San Diego waterfront

Quick Guide Famed for: Beautiful weather, a deep-water harbor and a world-famous zoo.

It’s a Fact: Claimed for Spain in 1542, San Diego was the first European settlement of the U.S. West Coast.

Signature Souvenirs: A miniature replica of a trolley car or of the Point Loma lighthouse.

San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) ANDREW ZARIVNY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (HOUSES) KROPIC1/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (CABLE CAR) S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

San Francisco Romance and history are a cable-car ride away in "the city by the bay," a beauty known for stealing visitors' hearts. From Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown and other ethnic enclaves, San Francisco proudly displays the diverse heritage of the people who built the city..

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Golden Gate Bridge at sunset

Quick Guide Famed for: Cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge and historic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and Nob Hill.

It’s a Fact: Of the 47 formally named hills in and around the city, the highest is Mount Davidson, which rises 925 feet.

Signature Souvenirs: Miniature versions of cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.

FROM LEFT: Lovely houses at Alamo Square Park; riding on a cable car.

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One of the vineyards for which Santa Barbara is famed

Santa Barbara This lovely California city calls itself a perfect combination of big-city culture and small-town hospitality. Dubbed “the American Riviera,” Santa Barbara offers gorgeous beaches and delightful shopping, and lovers of the grape find paradise among its many wineries.

Quick Guide Famed for: An 18th-century Spanish mission and serious wine.

It’s a Fact: Hollywood has been making movies in and around Santa Barbara since 1910. Cecil B. DeMille used the sand dunes of nearby Guadalupe in his 1923 epic, The Ten Commandments.

(vineyard) david M. Schrader/ShutterStock.coM

Signature Souvenirs: Wine gadgets and other winethemed memorabilia.

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ART Gallery 113 ~ Original artworks

by S.B. Art Association Santa Barbara Arts ~ Original arts and crafts by local artists Waterhouse Gallery ~ Fine California paintings, sculpture DINING Andersen’s Danish Bakery & Restaurant ~ All day and night dining Cielito ~ Fine Mexican regional dining Jeannine’s American Bakery and Restaurant ~ “Come home to Jeannine’s” ~ where good food meets good company La Arcada Bistro ~ Indoor/ outdoor café Petit Valentien ~ Small plate tapas with a French twist State & Fig ~ Simple. Rustic.

California.

FASHION & STYLE Encanto ~ Santa Barbara style clothing, jewelry and home goods Renaissance ~ Designer and fine consignment apparel and jewelry Socorro ~ Casual clothing in natural fabrics for women INTERIORS & ACCESSORIES La Tavola Fine Linen ~ Specializing in thousands of fine linen rental options for all occasions Lewis & Clark ~ Antiques and fine things JEWELRY Oliver & Espig ~ “Architects of Fine Jewelry”

H I S T O R I C

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SPECIALTY The Barber Shop ~ Full service in an historic setting Chocolats du CaliBressan ~ Your local French handmade chocolate boutique Coast 2 Coast Collection ~ Luxury tabletop including Christofle fine silver, vintage and bridal jewelry, unique gifts and home decor

Hampstead Village ~ Specializing in fine British goods Isabella Gourmet Foods ~ A boutique artisan grocery Kathleen Cooper Fine Papers ~ Wedding invitations, personal and corporate stationery, letterpress and engraving

Peanuts Maternity & Kids ~ Clothing, essentials, gifts, party supplies, and parent/child workshops Urban Optics ~ Comprehensive eye exams, glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses

1100 Block of State Street at Figueroa, Santa Barbara www.LaArcadaSB.com

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Los Arcos, Cabo San Lucas

Spectacular scenery, spectacular gems.

When you are considering which sites to visit on your cruise this week, don’t forget the amazing stones you’ll see in Cabo.

And you can even see Los Arcos from our window!

So many ways to remember your cruise, all at Royal Jewelers!

ALASKA * MEXICAN RIVIERA * CARIBBEAN

Here it just feels right.

Skagway

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Juneau

Cabo San Lucas

In Cabo San Lucas at Marina 8-6 Darsena, Dock Side

9/11/13 9:05 AM