2015-16 Princess Cruises Caribbean POC Region 2

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean — 2015/2016 Cruises

2

PLEASE RETURN MAGAZINE TO STATEROOM AT VOYAGE END

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AVAILABLE IN OUR TAG HEUER LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUES IN: CARIBBEAN: Aruba – Bahamas – Barbados Limegrove – Cozumel Grand Cayman – Playa del Carmen – St Maarten – St Thomas ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS AT SELECTED FINE JEWELRY STORES. For a list of authorized retailers, visit www.tagheuer.com

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TAG HEUER CARRERA AUTOMATIC DIAMONDS Cara Delevingne challenges rules. Being free-minded is her motto. Like TAG Heuer, she defies conventions and never cracks under pressure.

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TABLE

OF CONTENTS

DISCOVERY 2015 - 2016 Cruises

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26 24

20 22

Let Your Journey Begin

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Delicious Dilemma

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At Your Service

The Night Belongs to You Nighttime Activities

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.

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44

42 Casino 44

Shows & Entertainment

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Princess Cruises Captain’s Circle SM

Do It All or Nothing At All Daytime Activities

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

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Lotus Spa ® & The Sanctuary

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Boutiques Onboard

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Princess Photography

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Enrichment Programs

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Fine Art Auctions

photography, artwork or other material. Electronic queries only will be acknowledged. E-mail to:

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Princess Cays

those of the cruise line. Princess Cruises is not responsible for any claims or offers made in

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Movies Under the Stars ®

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Youth & Teen Programs

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®

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

The magazine assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, editor@onboardmedia.com. Commentary and opinions expressed in Discovery are not necessarily advertisements appearing in Discovery.

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

®

Enjoy great benefits like these: • NO annual fee1 • NO foreign transaction fees1 • Earn 5,000 BONUS points after your first Princess Visa purchase2 • Earn DOUBLE points on all Princess purchases – onboard and ashore3 • Redeem points toward Princess cruises with 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: $0.0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening is applicable for the first 15 billing cycles that immediately follow each balance transfer made within the first 45 days (the “Introductory Period”). For purchases, and for balance transfers after the Introductory Period, 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%. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. Balance Transfer Fee: 3% (min. $5). Cash Advance Fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%. 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 07/21/15 and is subject to change after this date. Contact 866-504- 8224 or visit Princessvisa.com for updated information and for more information about the terms of this offer.

Offer subject to credit approval. Not everyone will qualify for the Visa Signature credit 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. Benefits will vary depending upon the card for which you are approved. Please review the materials provided with the Cardmember Agreement you will receive after account opening for more information about the benefits that will apply. This offer is available to new Cardmembers only. For information about rates, fees, and other costs associated with the use of the credit card program, please see the Terms and Conditions.

2 Bonus Points: Five thousand (5,000) Bonus points will be awarded to your Princess Rewards Visa Account at the close of the first billing statement in which you make your first purchase or balance transfer. Balance Transfer Bonus Points: Earn one point per $1 in balances that post to your Princess Rewards Visa in the first 30 days after your new account is opened, up to a maximum of 5,000 points. There is a fee for Balance Transfers. Balance Transfer Checks and Convenience Checks do not qualify for balance transfer points. See the Terms and Conditions for complete details about this offer.

3 Earning Points: The Primary Cardmember will earn one (1) Princess Point for every one U.S. dollar ($1.00) of Net purchases made on the Account rounded to the nearest dollar and two (2) Princess Points for every one U.S. dollar ($1.00) of Net Purchases from Princess Cruise Lines including online and onboard purchases. Balance Transfers (after the first 30 days of account opening), Convenience Checks, and Cash Advances are not eligible to earn Points.

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. Other cruise related redemption options are available such as onboard spa experience and merchandise offers.

See the Terms and Conditions for complete details about this offer.

The Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card is issued by Barclaycard pursuant to a license by Visa USA Incorporated. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa USA Incorporated.

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Todd Hedge Executive Producer

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Caroline Keith Associate Producer ​

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Enrico Caschetta Assistant Editor

Alexa Caravia Videographer/Editor Port Shopping Revenue

Jimmy Marks Retail Program Manager

Robert Yonskie Regional Marketing Manager

Port Shopping

Rachel Castro Director of Operations

Rina Alvarado Operations Coordinator

Anaias Gonzalez Operations Sales Coordinator

Nadine Winter Customer Relations Manager

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©2015 Onboard Media. No claim to original works of Princess Cruises or advertisers.

Ships of Bermudan registry.

All rights reserved. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Printed in CANADA. All articles, descriptions and suggestions concerning activities, tourist attractions and other vacation opportunities described in this publication are merely expressions of opinions by contributing writers, do not constitute the opinions of Onboard Media Inc. or Princess Cruises and under no circumstances constitute assurances or guarantees concerning the quality or safety of any such attraction or activity. Onboard Media Inc. and Princess Cruises specifically disclaim any liability for damages incurred due to the attendance or participation by readers of this publication in any such activity or attraction, and the attendance or participation in any such activity or attraction shall be made solely at the reader’s own risk.

We and our content providers (“we”) have tried to make the information in this publication as accurate as possible, but it is provided “as is” and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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Kelly Clarkson Three-Time Grammy Award Winner

Citizen Circle of Time Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Dial

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

We are happy to act as your guide with 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

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

A DV EN T UR E AWAIT S

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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™ and A Diamond is Forever™ are Trade Marks used under license from The De Beers Group of Companies. ™, © Forevermark Limited 2015. Forevermark™,

I T ’ S A LO N G J O U R N E Y TO B E CO M E T H E O N E .

In our constant pursuit of absolute beauty, every Forevermark® diamond undergoes a journey of rigorous selection.

This is why less than one percent of the world’s diamonds are worthy of the Forevermark® inscription our promise of beauty, rarity and responsible sourcing.

1-800-51-JEWEL • www.DiamondsInternational.com

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HEL L O from your PRINCE S S SHOPPING HO S T

DISCOVER ST YLE

SAVV Y TR AV EL ER 2016 EDITION

FREE

LIFE ST YLE 2016 THE BE ST OF FA SHION AND

HEART NECKLACE

FREE

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TIME IS TICKING!

WATCHES TO CELEBRATE LIFE’S BIG MOMENTS +

IN HIS SHOES LIFE ST YLE THE BE ST OF FA SHION AND

AQUAZZURA DESIGNER EDGARDO OSORIO TALKS TRAVEL

MOLD BREAK THE LOOKS HEAD-TURNING FROM THE PRINCESS BOUTIQUES ON BOARD

$

KELLY CLARKSON

MOORE BEAUTIFUL AND BRAINY

More Than

2,000

Worth of Value

With Exclusive Special Offers and Discounts

LIFE JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER

Julianne 2016

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THE TIMEPIECE BRANDS BEHIND MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS

PLUS!

FASHION IN THE TROPICS VACATION HAIR FIXES RING SETTINGS 101

DAYTIME MAKEUP TIPS

A few of the resources available for your days on board and ashore.

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 so much knowledge at your fingertips, you can truly enjoy the unsurpassed savings and selection of shopping on vacation!

At your service, Your Princess Shopping Host

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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

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? Enjoy the freedom to spend your days your way.

On the following pages, you can learn a bit more about what you can expect in the coming days in

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PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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WELCOME

ABOARD

L E T YO U R JOURNEY BEGIN

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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AT YO U R SERVICE Princess Cruises — The Consummate Host

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®

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

we are consistent, we are accountable and we do it right — 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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DINING

FRESHLY PREPARED

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

ONE OF THE MOST ENTICING THINGS 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 on sea days. From breakfast to dinner to late-night snacks, Princess raises the bar on dining at sea.

WE UNDERSTAND

how important dining is to the vacation experience, which is why we put such an emphasis on the quality and range of our dining options. Our own Master Chef, Alfredo Marzi, designed the menus for our Traditional and Anytime Dining SM rooms to truly make sure the food

is the star. From our signature pastas to our lighter selections, you’ll savor freshly prepared cuisine, utilizing ingredients with regional influences.

FOR VARIETY, you can choose a specialty restaurant like Sabatini’s, SM with traditional Italian fare; the elegant Crown Grill SM or Sterling Steakhouse SM for an aged prime steak; or the Bayou Café & Steakhouse for a more Southern ambience.

Ask about the Chef’s Table, yet another unique offering — you’ll be invited into the galley for champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and you'll later dine on a special menu conceived by the Executive Chef himself. Or if you happen to have a balcony stateroom, you can stay in one evening and we’ll bring the experience to you — with Ultimate Balcony Dining.

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

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

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ACTIVITIES

DAYTIME

DO IT ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL FREE TIME — something each of us has precious little of these days. Of course, that’s why you take a vacation. And on your Princess ship, you’ll find you have plenty of time to enjoy the fabulous options your ship offers.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE? Are you a fitness fanatic? Do you like arts & crafts? Do you wish you simply had more hours in the day after work and family commitments to just sit down and read a book?

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

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

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PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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RENEW YO U R S E L F BODY & SOUL

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

REJUVENATE

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

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

THE SANCTUARY – TRULY SPECIAL.

blissful state by the sound of waves, the fresh sea air and the knowledge that while you are out here with Princess, you don’t have a single care in the world. And if you think that’s a good feeling, just imagine how you’ll feel after a massage or spa treatment!

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

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

In this popular haven you can get a massage under a cabana to the sound of the sea lapping far beneath you.

Or you can find yourself an empty chaise lounge in which to enjoy healthy smoothies, energy drinks and flavored waters. A menu exclusive to The Sanctuary highlights a variety of light snacks served by special Serenity Stewards. MP3 players are also available with themed playlists, so you can enjoy the soothing sounds of music.

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

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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DISCOVER THE FINER THINGS AND COME BACK NEW Visit the Boutiques onboard and discover tax and duty free shopping. Enhance your shopping experience with exciting events like our Runway at Sea, trunk shows and our exclusive onboard outlet.

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BEST ONBOARD SHOPPING MAGAZINE

7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS - READERS’ CHOICE AWARD

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ENRICHMENT

EXPERIENCES

THE PRINCESS PHOTO & VIDEO TEAM CAPTURES

YOUR MEMORIES AT SEA A PICTURE IS WORTH

a thousand words —

especially of your cruise with Princess. And we offer many ways for you to relive your vacation with both photos and video 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

• Reflections DVD, featuring video highlights from your cruise • Digital cameras, binoculars & accessories

• Souvenir and decorative frames, albums & scrapbooks

Best Onboard Photography - Portholes Magazine 2014 Readers Choice Award

PLATINUM STUDIO

by Joe Craig

YOUR LIFE. OUR ART. YOUR LEGACY. Created by internationally recognized photographer Joe Craig, the Platinum Studio experience puts the focus on your inner spirit. Using creative lighting techniques, our specially trained Platinum Artist creates a unique style of art with sessions taking place in a private studio, with no session fee and no obligation to purchase.

CALL OR VISIT THE PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

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

An adventure in the

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

Among the wonderful offerings of our enrichment programs is an array of classes, from singing to culinary skills and art history. You can brush up on your cooking knowledge, expand your navigational awareness, or join the Zumba® Fitness dance party.* Get creative and have fun learning new craft activities and much more. Enrichment programs also present intriguing lectures on select cruises, including those focusing on the history, culture and geography of the region you are visiting.

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

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

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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PRINCESS C AY S ®

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.

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.®

waves, or join a pick-up 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!

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 34

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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.*

*Charges apply

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MOVIES

UNDER THE STARS®

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Princess pioneered the concept — guests enjoying a ®

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

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PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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ORDER A DRINK,

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

EVEN KIDS GET IN

on the fun. Some of the most popular offerings on the Movies Under the Stars big screen are our special Playstation® or Nintendo® Wii TM tournaments. And teens will enjoy latenight 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 most popular performers.

*Satellite coverage permitting.

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

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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YOUTH

AND TEEN

Kid-sized fun that’s simply

“ S E A S AT I O N A L ”

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 gettogether 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, learn to cook with our Jr.CHEF@Sea program, participate in talent shows, or enjoy educational programs.

Whatever their age, kids on a cruise with Princess will find fun-filled activities suited just for them. *Ocean and Pacific Princess offer youth/teen programs only when 20 or more children, ages 3-17, are traveling on a given voyage.

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3

PARTIES • GAMES • DANCE PARTIES PLAYSTATION ® • NINTENDO ® WII TM 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 Playstation.® 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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THE NIGHT BELONGS T O YO U Step out for an evening of adventure and excitement on a ship of dreams.

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ACTIVITIES

NIGHTTIME

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

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

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

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.

Be sure 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

Princess is your

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

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

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

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

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PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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SHOWS

ENTERTAINMENT

Music, dance & all that

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

OUR ORIGINAL MUSICALS

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

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PRINCESS CRUISES

CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE

®

WELCOME TO

THE CIRCLE

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

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GOLD MEMBERS After your 1st completed cruise • Special Launch Savings • Reduced Deposit • Preferential pricing offers • Circle CenterSM Online - StandBy Program - 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 onboard events • Princess Passport • Gold Member Pin

BY VOYAGE’S END, it’s likely

TO THE RIGHT YOU’LL FIND

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

a chart listing the benefits of the various levels of membership. To learn more about the program, we encourage you to visit with the Circle Host on board, who can answer any questions you may have.

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

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

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...

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

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

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RUBY MEMBERS From your 4th–5th cruise, or 31­–50 cruise days • 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 Booking Duration

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

47

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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 a reduced refundable deposit of just $100 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 two years to decide. This exclusive offer is available only to our onboard guests. See your Future Cruise Consultant for details.

Shipboard Credit*

Cruise Length

Stateroom Type

3-6 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$15 $25

7-10 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$25 $50

11-16 days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$75 $100

17+ days

Interior/Oceanview Balcony/Mini/Suites

$125 $150

(U.S./CAN)

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

Shipboard credit is per person, for 1st and 2nd guest only.

On Sun, Dawn & Sea Princess shipboard credit converts to AUD while in Australia.

Note: Future Cruise deposits are available to international guests. See Future Cruise Sales Consultant for details.

*Princess@Sea available on select ships.

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THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING OUR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Discover a 50th Anniversary celebration unlike any other!

From a “Love Boat� disco deck party to a Golden Anniversary balloon drop, every sailing in 2015 offers exciting ways to celebrate onboard. Taste some of the best cuisine from the past five decades with our special 50th Anniversary Dinner. Try one of our unique 50th Anniversary pizzas reflecting some of the many regions we sail around the world. Enjoy special festive anniversary cocktails designed by expert mixologist, Spike Marchant. Plus, indulge in our new Chocolate JourneysSM program, featuring decadent chocolate desserts crafted

by Master Chocolatier Norman Love.

Welcome aboard Princess Cruises - Your home at sea since 1965!

Best Cruise Line - Cruise International

Golden Balloon Drop

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50th Anniversary Dessert

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Shopping Spotlight

Your daily guide to onboa

Cozumel

From The Desk Of Your Prince

rd and in port shopping.

S h o p p i n g Che ckli st

ss Shopping Host

Find this season’s must-h ave brands!

The “Island of the Swallow s” is steeped in Mayan history, renowned dive sites, and a wide variety of shoppin g experiences. Upon exiting the ship, you will find yourself in the oceanside town of San Miguel, which offers world class diamonds, tanzanite and watches in several upscale shops.

For a historic experience, Liz Wadden you can take in the sites at San Gervasio, which was home to Mayan altars and shrines dating back to A.D. 300, or travel south to explore the Celarain lighthouse Punta Sur. Just as Jacque at Cousteau showed the world the Palancar Reef, you too can discover one of the 100+ world class dive sites along the coast or head to Chankanaab Park to swim with dolphins.

Alex And Ani | A Touch

Blue Heaven | DI Crown of Light | DI / DI

Fendi | DI / DI Watch &

Gift Collection | DI Gucci Jewelry & Watches Hublot | DI / DI Watch

Kabana | DI / DI Watch

& Design

Korite | DI

PRINCESS SHOPPING HOST DESK HOURS:

Bring your Shopping Spotlight newsletter into port. Tuck it into your purse or pocket and put the port at your fingertips.

| DI

& Design

John Hardy | DI

Departure:

H AV E A PER FEC T DAY

& Design

Design

Forevermark | DI Fruitz | DI Watch & Design

Arrival:

Lauren G Adams | DI / Marahlago | DI

Gett ing arou nd is as easy as 1, 2, 3

1.

Watch & Design

Day 2 Night | DI / TI Ernst Benz | DI / DI Watch

F E AT U R E D P O R T E V E N TS

OFFICIAL PORT TIMES

of Gold

ALOR | DI

Colombian Emeralds Internatio nal

Mark Henry | Mark Henry

Visit your Fun Finds Shoppin g Expert on the gangwa to pick up your shoppin y g coupons and VIP cards.

2. If your ship is docked at Punta Langosta Pier, steps away—no taxis necessa downtow ry. If your ship is docked n shopping is just take a taxi downtown to at International Pier, the Punta Langosta Mall.

3. Your shopping fun starts at Diamonds Internat Walk along historic waterfro ional in downtown Cozume nt for the guaranteed stores l. restaurants for lunch and great

Boutique

Movado | DI Philip Stein | DI / DI Watch

& Design

Raymond Weil | DI Safi Kilima | TI Sara G Diamonds | DI Shinola | Touch of Gold TAG Heuer | DI / TAG

Heuer Boutique

TrueLoveDiamonds | Touch of Gold WonderStud | DI

Port Shopping Buyer’s

l Dow nto wn Coz ume

l

in downtown Cozume

Find these stores only

Calle 8 Norte

Melgar Avenida Rafael

4a

11a

10a

6

3

7

10b

5

Calle 1 Sur

Plaza

Juarez Avenida Benito

Calle 2 Norte Calle 4 Norte

Calle 6 Norte

Guarantee

This 60-day guarantee assures buyers that the stores listed on this map Buyer’s remorse, buyer’s stand behind the quality negligence, and lost or of their merchandise. stolen merchandise are stores will repair or replace excluded from this guarantee. any unsatisfactory item, Participating excluding watches and and some other branded some other branded merchandise. merchandise carry international Watches brand warrantees and will be repaired or replaced by the brand service centers. repaired or replaced, a refund When unsatisfactory items will be offered. For tracking cannot be purposes, all merchandise store or brand service center. shipments must be authorized Many stores in port, including by the stores that do not participate guarantees. Please inquire in the program, offer their about individual store return own policies before finalizing any purchase.

For purposes of determining quality and value of jewelry and branded merchandise: replacement value for insurance Only appraisals stating purposes will be accepted. retail The appraisal must come gemological laboratory from an internationally such as: EGL (USA) or recognized IGI. Valuation comparisons of watches and other branded merchandise

Tender Pier

14

Calle Dr. Adolfo Rosado Salas

must be based on retail prices offered by authorized brand retailers, and the appraisal. Internet pricing brand names must be offers and special clearance mentioned in the sales by authorized brand valuation claims. Claims retailers cannot be accepted are based on documentatio for n received at the time of receipts, appraisals, and/or the sales transaction, i.e. certificates. written or imprinted To initiate a claim: If a problem arises during this cruise regarding a please contact your Princess purchase from a store Shopping Host onboard listed on this map, for immediate assistance. the purchase date, file If a problem arises within a claim online at our 60 days of website: customerservice.onboardme Relations Department dia.com or contact the at Onboard Media: 1691 Customer Michigan Avenue, Suite 800-396-2999 Phone: 600, Miami Beach, FL 305-673-0400 Fax: 786.276.0434 33139. Toll Free: E-mail: shopping.issue Monday – Thursday, 9:00 s@onboardmedia.com a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday Hours (EST): 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Program Operator: The port shopping program is operated by Onboard relations claims relating Media, which stands behind to the buyer’s guarantee. all customer All merchants participating included in the shopping in this program have paid program. Onboard Media a fee to be pays a publishing and Onboard Media nor the promotional fee to the cruise line owns any of cruise line. Neither the retailers participating in this program.

4b 11b 10c

8

12

Official Taxi Drop Off

1a

Calle 7 Sur

Calle 5 Sur

Calle 3 Sur

Punta Langosta Mall

13

2

Inc. © Onboard Media, All Rights Reserved 06/23/15

9

1b

Museum Of Cozumel

Forum Shops

1c 3a

Only the stores listed

on this map provide

. the 60-day buyer's guarantee

1a 1b

L DIAMO NDS INTERN ATIONA tax- and duty-free over 20 years ago to offer

al was established blossomed into Diamonds Internation in St. Thomas has now What began as one store world. Throughout savings to Caribbean travelers. diamond retailers in the Today, it is one of the largest shopping atmosphere more than 125 locations. by providing a comfortable distinguished themselves timepieces, their history, they have of luxury jewelry and elegant service. With a vast assortment and outstanding customer value. d providing unsurpasse al pride themselves in Diamonds Internation

Start your day here

10a 10b 10c

Rock Bottom Pricing

diamonds savings on loose and set • Largest selection and Collection k, Hearts on Fire, Gift Crown of Light, Forevermar • Exclusive Diamond Brands: • Featuring Kabana jewelry diamond for a bigger and brighter Trade in your diamond • Lifetime Diamond Upgrades: staff and master jewelers on Graduate gemologists • Certified GIA/EGL Appraisals: the mounting your diamond, choose Piece of Jewelry: Select • Design Your Own Dream

ATIONA L TANZA NITE INTERN Tanzanite Caribbean for your ended Store in the 2

Most Recomm

prices from the source at incredible Since 1988: Buy direct • Tanzanite One Sightholder ima collection Shira and the newest—Ml Tanzanite: Kibo, Mawenzi, • Safi Kilima Designer 100 cts ranging from 1 to over Thousands of loose tanzanite, • Incredible Selection: a certificate of authenticity Every stone comes with • Authentic Tanzanite: collection Couture Kilima Safi to see their hottest • Don’t miss this opportunity

3 L WATCH & DESIGN DIAMO NDS INTERN ATIONA Caribbean for your Designer

Fire, John Hardy, Kabana, Collection, Hearts On of Light, Charriol, Gift • Designer Jewelry: Crown Forevermark Yvel, Lauren G Adams, Marahlago Larimar, Rebecca, Stein, Piaget, Raymond I.W.C., Movado, Philip Fendi, Fruitz, Gucci, Hublot, • Fine Timepieces: Dior, Weil, TAG Heuer, Breitling,

Bulova

A TOUCH OF GOLD

6

Where Everyth

Selectio Best Brands, Best vs. US Retail

goods apparel, bedding & bath • Feel the Difference: Bamboo cotton as soft and 3º cooler than • Why Bamboo? Twice hats Shirts, shorts, socks, polos, • Bamboo-Soft Apparel: free to your home Ultra-soft sheets; ship • Bamboo Bed & Bath: shorts & tees pants, cross tanks, • Bamboo Fitness: Yoga

DEL SOL

7

World’s Largest Color-C

12 , for Over 30 Years s Most Beautiful Artwork items Providing Turkey’ leather, wood and gift handmade oriental rugs,

MATIS

of • Outstanding variety jewelry fine jewelry and silver • Exclusive designs in exporters jewelry producers and • One of Turkey’s principle available • Door-to-door delivery

burgers, nachos on the Island: Amazing • Real American Cuisine water trampolines included • Waterpark with giant

and famous margaritas

Cariloha Del Sol

E

onal

F

s & Gifts

L

G

H

Mark Henry Boutique Viva Mexico

I

J K

Mayan Fiesta Rumcake

M

14

Puer ta Maya Pier

Free Samples; Try

else tequila not found anywhere • Great selection of premium tequila, mezcal and vanilla flavored • Silver, gold, aged and

C

F

Selection, Low Popular Brands, Wide

C

D1 D2

A Touch Of Gold

os Talleres de los Ballester

ATIONA L TEQUIL ERIA INTERN it Before You Buy it

Talavera ceramic Vanilla, coffee, tequila, Made-in-Mexico Products: glass 8gifts and souvenirs, onyx, pewter, hand-blown Wide selection of colorful at incredible discounts 100% cotton T-shirts all blanket, bag maraca, Mexican hat, Tequila, 2 shot glasses, Mexican Survival Kit:

DUFRY DUTY-F REE

B

Watch & Design Diamonds International

Dufry Duty-Free

LLE 13 T’S MARGA RITAVI JIMMY BUFFETExperie nce While on the Island Live the Whole

A1 A2

Tanzanite International

Colombian Emeralds Internati

rum cakes own Mayan 6-pack of flavors to customize your Free tastings • Choose from 11 tropical cake; Made in Cozumel; and Mexican vanilla rum herbs, spices and more • Must Try: Piña colada organic coffee, chocolates, spices • Authentic Mexican vanilla, of hot sauces, herbs and Cozumel’s largest selections • Wall of Fire: One of

n Gifts

Diamonds International

Silver Emporium

Great Value, Authen and Amazing Prices

hange Retailer

for Mexica #1 Destination Store

confections

11a 11b KES & GIFTS Great Service MAYAN FIESTA RUMCA tic Mexican Gifts,

with sunlight products change colors • Just Add Sun: Del Sol shorts, hats Shirts, beach dresses, • Color-Change Apparel: guarantee New, polarized, lifetime • Solize™ Sunglasses: more : New styles, colors and • Nail Polish & Hair Accessories accessories & nail polish Apparel, Pixar: • Disney, Marvel,

VIVA MEXICO

n, Best Prices

liquor, tobacco and • Savings up to 70% off for fragrances and cosmetics, • Recommended Retailer Products • Exclusive Duty Free

ing Is Made from Bamboo

Pier Stor es in Puer ta Maya

Price Guaranteed

9 vs. US retail • Savings up to 70% off confections for liquor, tobacco, fragrances, • Recommended retailer

I

B

L M

A2

Inc. © Onboard Media, All Rights Reserved

J

11/24/14

Photo Op

A1

H

Exit to Town

E

D2

G

F

D1 K

• Exclusive duty-free products

4a 4b

for your Guaranteed Value

CARILO HA

LOCA

the tradition STARL Silver Emporium that has always respected by by renowned local family to finding the most unique designs and trends Martha Vargas and silver, they are committed and designers such as and exceptional famous Mexican silversmiths to find extraordinary service Hector Salgados. Be sure reasonable prices. at jewelry and silver items Jewelry in Mexico looks for less Expensive ; #1 Store for Silver from casual to extravagant omegas and chains • Seductive silver jewelry bracelets, earrings, rings, s stones, silver sculptures • Stunning sets of necklaces, mother of pearl, semipreciou Map for a charm • .925 sterling silver with in Town: Stamp your Shopping Guaranteed • Look for the Silver Triangle

- Everyth

chains, jewelry gold reversible omegas, quality and pricing on • Unbeatable selection, and bracelets Mallorca pearl necklaces “price by the inch” on • Unbelievable reduced jewelry, men’s rings, watches of semi-precious gem • Huge clearance selection Price match guarantee “Crazy Deal of the Cruise,” • The store to find your

at 1a location at DI - Up to 70% off

Store in the Most Recommended Watches and Jewelry

IUM Owned SILVER EMPOR silver stores in Cozumel. art of of the is one of the longest existing

T 5 A TOUCH OF GOLD OUTLE ing Under $799

Dollar

for 30 years regarded by cruise lines fine jewelry store, highly • Distinguished: Cozumel’s Mexican opals, pearls gold, diamond jewelry, Factory direct prices on topaz • Exceptional Savings: rubies, emeralds and Caribbean diamonds, tanzanite, sapphires, • Luscious Colors: Blue and Ani Glam Rock, Citizen, Alex • Special Brands: Bulova, for peace of mind Guarantee Back Money 30-Day Unconditional • Renowned: Exclusive

nce While Live the Whole Experie

on the Island

burgers, nachos and famous on the Island: Amazing • Real American Cuisine water trampolines included • Waterpark with giant

margaritas

Photo Op

CAN BALCIOGLU/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

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

52

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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OBJECTS

DESIRE

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.

Le Vian Ocean Wave Gladiator Ring

Crown of Light Orchid Ring Gucci G-Timeless Collection

Kabana Alhambra Collection Earrings

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Grande

54

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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OBJECTS

DESIRE

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

Whatever matters to you.

Marahlago Surf Necklace

Mark Henry Royale Collection Ring

Safi Kilima Kilehe Trillion Tanzanite Bangle

TrueLove Diamonds Infinity Bracelet

Forevermark Halo Ring

Fendi Selleria

56

PRINCESS CRUISES DISCOVERY

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SEREIN 16 DIAMOND TWO-TONE ROSE GOLD, COCOA DIAMOND DIAL ON TWO-TONE ROSE GOLD 7-LINK

Designer Jewelry & Timepieces

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© 2015 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved • PANDORA.NET

PANDORA ROSE™ ISN’T JUST A ROSE IT’S YOUR SPIN ON TODAY. A FRESH TAKE THAT INSPIRES A DOUBLE TAKE. SHARE THE #ARTOFYOU SHOWN: THE PANDORA ROSE™ COLLECTION WITH HAND-SET PAVÉ ACCENTS

12-2 FRONT STREET ST MAARTEN 1.721.5421109 PANDORA.SXM@BOOLCHAND.COM

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HEERENSTRAAT 4B, PUNDA WILLEMSTAD • CURACAO 599.9.465.4774 PANDORA.CUR@BOOLCHAND.COM

HAVENSIGHT MALL, BLDG. 2 SUITE B ST. THOMAS USVI 00802 340.776.8550 PANDORA.HS@BOOLCHAND.COM

5124 DRONNINGENS GADE ST. THOMAS USVI 00802 340-774-3672 PANDORA.STT@BOOLCHAND.COM

329 BAY STREET NASSAU, BAHAMAS 1-242-698-0539 PANDORA@329BAYSTREET.COM

8/27/15 9:28 AM

JENNIFE R LOPEZ LEAT H ER BR ACEL ET & NECKL ACE CO L L E C TI O N S

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Global Customer Service | CertiďŹ ed Appraisal | 30 Day Insurance Plan | Follow us on Facebook Member of the Dufry Group, a Swiss company established in 1865 and operating in over 60 countries.

TAX FREE AND DUTY FREE

colombianemeralds.com

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for Him

for Her

Men’s Fine Leathers

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

OLD SAN JUAN: 151 Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico • 787 723 8420 COZUMEL: Puerta Maya Pier & Downtown on Rafael E. Melgar Ave • 213 291 8164

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

Find your depth in ours.

Diamonds International Caribbean & Mexican Riviera | R&I Patton St. John, USVI Princess Cruise Line Select Onboard Jewelry Boutiques | kabana.com

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only one day in paradise? make it the

BEST. DAY. EVER.

get here SHORT WALK From Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk & Ocho Rios Cruise Ports HITCH A RIDE Less than 10 minutes from the Montego Bay Cruise Port

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grab a drink Margaritas + Daiquiris + Frozen Concoctions galore!

take a dip Margaritaville guests can enjoy our aqua parks and pools.

eat some food Have you ever had a Cheeseburger in Paradise?

Here’s your chance!

# TAG US @MVILLECARIBBEAN

9/17/15 2:04 PM

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Shopping Made Easy

Become a Savvy Traveler.

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

You’ll also find hundreds of dollars in free gifts — even diamond jewelry!

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

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

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Global Customer Service | CertiďŹ ed Appraisal | 30 Day Insurance Plan | Follow us on Facebook Member of the Dufry Group, a Swiss company established in 1865 and operating in over 60 countries.

TAX FREE AND DUTY FREE

colombianemeralds.com

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CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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GUIDE TO

PORTS Aruba Belize Cabo San Lucas Cartagena Costa Maya Cozumel Fort Lauderdale Grand Cayman Los Angeles Ocho Rios Panama Canal Princess Cays Puerto Vallarta Roatรกn San Diego

CANADA New Brunswick: Saint John Nova Scotia: Halifax

CARLOS AMARILLO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Nova Scotia: Sydney

OF THE

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

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

Ports of call | Aruba

Colorful boats tie up at the dock on Palm Beach.

ARUBA

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

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

Another view of Palm Beach.

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

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

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

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

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MEUNIERD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Aruba

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

Colorful architecture lines Aruba’s streets.

ARUBA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMOND’S BRILLIANCE.

H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M

Noble Jewelers Weststraat #4, Shop #1, Oranjestad, Aruba 297.583.8780 / 8785 | nash@setarnet.aw

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Ports of call | Aruba

Island Highlights

By Sara Churchville

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

Sand Dunes and Lighthouses Explorers of the island’s desert topography on foot will find tumbleweed, aloe, cacti — and sand dunes.

The California Lighthouse, named for a ship that sank offshore in 1910, stands amid the sweeping sand dunes of Hudishibana, on the northwest tip of Aruba. The area around the structure is a popular spot for picnics and beach strolling, and the waters off the beach offer excellent swimming and snorkeling.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A lighthouse overlooks the water from a sand dune; pastechis, a favorite island snack; Baby Natural Bridge; impressive rock formations.

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IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMOND’S BRILLIANCE.

H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M

Noble Jewelers Weststraat #4, Shop #1, Oranjestad, Aruba 297.583.8780 / 8785 | nash@setarnet.aw

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Ports of call | Aruba

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 throughout the Caribbean, though most are descended from Arawak, Dutch and Spanish ancestors. No full-blooded Amerindians remain.

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

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.

Undergound caves at Arikok National Park have been traced back thousands of years to Aruba's native cultures.

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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 future economic boom in oil and high-rise hotels. This proved a lucky break for the Arawaks, however. Spain left Aruba alone for more than a century.

Thanks to that laissez-faire approach, the native heritage is stronger in Aruba than on most Caribbean islands.

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Ports of call | Aruba

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

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

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-governance. For a while, Aruba toyed with the idea of proceeding to full independence, but decided to stay Dutch. In the capital of Oranjestad, literally “orange town” in Dutch in honor of Holland’s reigning House of Orange, a 21-member legislative assembly elected by popular vote meets regularly. The prime minister heads an eight-member council of ministers.

Despite its separate status, the Netherlands is still responsible for defense and foreign affairs, and Aruba 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 surpassed oil as a source of revenue, tourism is now the mainstay of the island economy.

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ZINA SELETSKAYA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

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Ports of call | Aruba

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 flair for language and it is not uncommon to hear four or five languages used in a single conversation.

Papiamento is a Creole language derived from African and Iberian Romance languages, with influences from Amerindian 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 official 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 Goodbye 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

DUDAREV MIKHAIL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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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Ports of call | Aruba

Shopping in

Aruba CURAÇAO

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

ARUBA’S

GOLD RUSH Safi Kilima Cushion Tanzanite Pendant

Sara G Split-shank cluster diamond ring, 14K white gold

Lauren G Adams Eau Collection Bracelet

Citizen World Chronograph AT. Watch

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

However, gold wasn’t discovered in Aruba until 1824, when 12-year-old Willem Rasmijn stumbled upon lumps of pure gold 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. The fever was quelled several years later when the Dutch government stepped in and declared the gold off-limits, 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, Forti Abou, was built six miles away to ship the gold. The mine was eventually sold to London-based Aruba Gold Concessions Ltd., which moved operations to the Balashi gold mill smelter, built in 1899 in the southwest of the island and considered state-of-the-art for the time. 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 the materials needed for processing.

In all, the mines in Aruba produced more than 3 million pounds of gold over nearly 100 years of production.

The mines have long been out of use, but 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 just 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 on horseback, the most common transportation during Aruba’s gold rush. Several horse ranches on the island offer riding tours. Jeep tours are also available. — John Anderson

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

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Ports of call | Aruba

BOWING IN THE WIND

A divi-divi tree on Eagle Beach.

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KJERSTI JOERGENSEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

If you’re curious to know which way the wind is blowing on this breezy island, just take a look at the watapana. Also known as divi-divi, these flexible trees can grow up to 30 feet and have a dome-shaped canopy.

However, on Aruba, the strong trade winds that caress the island influence the growth of the divi-divi, contorting it into a bowed shape.

Divi-divis can bend so low their trunks sometimes run completely parallel to the parched land of the countryside.

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Ports of call | Aruba

Aruba flags flutter in the breeze.

FLYING HIGH

The four-pointed star located in the upper corner, the canton position, can be seen in the slightest breeze. It symbolizes the four points of the compass, representing the rich diversity and backgrounds of Aruba's 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 for the country, as well as the island’s clay soil. The white outline, a visual representation of Aruba’s white sandy beaches, signifies purity and a respect for justice and freedom.

The blue background (United Nations blue)

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signifies the Aruban sky and the surrounding Caribbean Sea. The yellow stripes running along the bottom represent Aruba’s position of freedom and independence as an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its close relationship with its sister islands.

In addition to the sun, gold and abundance, the bunting yellow color is said 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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Ports of call | Aruba

Dutch

TREATS

Delftware plates are one of Aruba's treasures.

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ARUBA TOURISM BOARD

Alongside the typical array of luxury goods, visitors to Aruba can discover some truly Dutch treats, including the iconic blue and white porcelain Delftware.

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 styles were shaped by the influence of porcelain 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

MEDIAGRAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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

SHIMMERING SHORES

ARUBA TOURISM BOARD

MEDIAGRAM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

This area is known as the Turquoise Coast for good reason.

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

Palm Beach is 30 yards deep with mounds of fine talc-white sand and is one of the most famous beaches in the West Indies. The shore is lined with busy resorts and the waves are usually full of 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, a more private 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, where the calm, shallow, crystal-clear water is ideal for children and snorkelers.

On the windward coast to the north, hidden strips and coves cut into the brittle limestone 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

It’s easy to find places to relax on the beach in Aruba.

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

Ports of call | Belize

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

BELIZE

For a country of its tiny size, Belize is blessed with an incredible share of natural treasures — including the world’s only jaguar preserve and the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. Belize also boasts numerous historical and cultural artifacts, especially in the ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization that called Belize home.

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

The ultimate waterfront property.

Quick Guide Famed for: Diving, nature preserves and beaches.

It’s a Fact: The Garifuna people of Belize are descendants of the original Caribbean residents, the Caribs and Arawaks.

Signature Souvenirs: Mayan astrological charts and pendants, tropical fruit preserves and nance liqueur, made with cherries grown in the Yucatán.

How to Get to Town: Cruise guests take a tender from the ship to Belize’s Tourism Village, a 15-minute ride from the ship.

Taxis into the city are available at the village.

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CLIMBERJAK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Belize

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

The ruins at Tikal present fascinating Mayan history.

BELIZE

Belize is a country with a rich natural and cultural mix — from jungle animals and colorful fauna to Mayan ruins and artifacts to its watery landscape of more than 200 tropical island cays making up the nearly 200-milelong Belizean Barrier Reef.

The largest one, Ambergris Caye, can be reached on a shore excursion where manatee-watching is a must, and where a dazzling variety of colorful marine life awaits scuba divers and snorkelers.

Caye Caulker, just south of Ambergris, has quiet beaches for a relaxing day trip.

A short walk along Albert Street, on Belize City’s waterfront, leads visitors to the Fort George Lighthouse and to the nearby House of Culture Museum, which was 106

once the governor’s residence.

The Marine Terminal houses the Coastal Zone Museum, which showcases the barrier reef’s marine life.

Mayan history, through artifacts and pottery, awaits visitors at the Museum of Belize. Many shoppers also snap up hand-carved treasures made from local wood at Market Square.

Outside the city limits, visitors flock to the Belize Zoo, with its native ocelots and jaguars, or to the Community Baboon Sanctuary, where Black Howler monkeys frolic.

The si x th-centur y Temple of the Green Tomb and the Temple of Masonr y Altar dominate Altun Ha, Belize’s most extensively excavated Mayan ruin.

— Richard Varr

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Come visit

CLIMBERJAK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Freeles Samp

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) R. PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

Land's End glows under the setting sun at Cabo San Lucas.

CABO SAN LUCAS Sunsets glow for hours over the vast terrain of Los Cabos, as this gem of a port is known. 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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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) R. PETERKIN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Rocks on Lover’s Beach.

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

It’s a Fact: Cabo claims to be the striped-marlin capital of the world.

Signature Souvenirs: Tequila, pottery and dolphin-swim photos.

How to Get to Town: A tender brings visitors from the ship to the pier. After disembarking, it’s about a 15-minute walk to town.

You may prefer to take a taxi.

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GARY718/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

Many visit Cabo for its boating or other water sports.

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

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 a 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 the town’s main

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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 the Amerindian pueblo of La Candelaria in the nearby mountains. The many tours along the scenic 20-mile corridor connecting Cabo San Lucas with San José del Cabo pass a string of remote beaches and grassy golf courses that shout “world-class” on this strip of the Pacific coastline.

— Richard Varr

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

PHOTOS BY: (BOATS) MEXICO TOURISM BOARD; (COCKTAIL) NITR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

ME XIC AN PAR ADISE

By Richard Varr

Cabo San Lucas’ emergence as a favorite go-to place has been relatively recent. The once-unknown port on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula has more than made up for lost time, but never in a way that mars its unique charm. Upscale restaurants and hotel resorts line the streets and beaches, and delightful small shops add a European flavor to the downtown area.

When seen today, it’s indeed hard to believe that less than a century ago Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy fishing village — with just a few hundred residents. It was only in the last three decades that development boomed in the Los Cabos area. The population tripled during the 1990s, when tourists discovered this Mexican paradise and came to bask on sun-drenched beaches, putt on championship golf courses and relax in high-end resorts.

Beginnings Long before Spanish explorers ever set eyes upon the more than 1,000-mile-long Baja Peninsula, nearly 50,000 native Indians had made this remote part of the peninsula home. One of these primitive tribes of hunter-gatherers, the Pericú Indians, settled along the narrow southern tip.

The initial voyages by Spanish explorers Hernán Cortés in 1535 and Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1642 provided the gateway to European colonization, though it was Cortés’ navigator, Francisco de Ulloa, who is credited with first sighting Cabo San Lucas in 1537.

Colonization and the Age of Pirates The desert terrain and the lack of water initially thwarted Spanish settlements. But British and Dutch buccaneers found the coastline’s secluded inlets to be ideal hiding places from which they could emerge and prey on passing Spanish galleons sailing between Manila and Spain.

A momentous raid ensued in 1587: The pirate vessel commanded by the Englishman Thomas Cavendish emerged from its hidden berth along the Cabo San Lucas shoreline and plundered the Spanish galleon Santa Ana. In an attempt to end the terror, in 1602 Spain dispatched General Sebastián Vizcaíno to find safe ports for the

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Boaters love the waters off Cabo.

galleons. During Vizcaíno’s journeys, Cabo San Lucas was given its name and placed under the patronage of St. Luke.

Soon afterward, the Spanish built a fort at Cabo San Lucas in an attempt to deter lingering pirate activity. The fort did just that and settlers began to trickle into the area. In 1730, the Jesuits established the San José del Cabo mission 20 miles east of Cabo San Lucas, in what is now the town of the same name. Both settlements became fishing villages whose economies eventually became dependent on fishing and fish canning. Significant growth, however, was never realized in Cabo San Lucas because its parched land lacked a viable water supply.

Modern-day Cabo San Lucas In the early-20th century, Cabo San Lucas remained low-key, with a population of only around 400. By the 1930s, however, word had gotten out that if one was a fan of fishing and pristine beaches, Los Cabos was the place to go. Interest grew even more after World War II, attracting Hollywood movie stars such as Bing Crosby and Desi Arnaz. Development continued with exclusive hotels and first-rate restaurants.

The tourism floodgates opened wide with the completion of the peninsular highway in the mid-1970s. Before then, 1,000 miles of rugged dirt roads had hampered travel to this corner of paradise. Next came an international airport, a modern marina and, perhaps most important, a freshwater pipeline. Cabo San Lucas was on its way to becoming a grand resort town.

Today, cruise ships call regularly at this lively port. Visitors can take part in everything from water sports and golf to fascinating day-trip excursions. Cabo San Lucas has morphed from a sleepyvillage past to become one of Mexico’s most-traveled destinations in the 21st century.

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What Color Is

YOUR T EQUIL A? PHOTOS BY: (BOATS) MEXICO TOURISM BOARD; (COCKTAIL) NITR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

By Ginger Dingus

One classic cocktail is made of red sangrita (a mix of lime, orange juice and grenadine 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-gold reposado must rest at least two months in the barrel, where it acquires a mellow, slightly woody taste. Añejo tequila is barrel-aged for 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 — it’s mezcal.

Margaritas are one of the tastiest ways to enjoy tequila.

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Ports of call | Cabo San Lucas

C ABO'S FA MED A R C H a dinosaur drinking water. On a boat trip cruising the area, the navigator points out other formations, including one that resembles a pig’s head. The tall, jagged one, he says, is an inverted map of Baja California. Use your imagination.

On the way, the boat passes by Playa Amor (Lovers Beach), tucked between boulders, a popular spot sunbathers reach by water taxi. But the real reward — rounding the southernmost point of Baja — is views of both sides of the arch.

No isolation can be found these days: Plenty of sea lions and pelicans are always around to keep you company.

Land's End rock formations at the very end of the Baja peninsula near Cabo San Lucas.

PHOTO BY: ALYSTA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Once isolated by a thousand miles of rugged, uninviting desert, Cabo San Lucas now receives good publicity as a place where environmental protection and development blend in harmony.

Parched mountains crumble into coastal surf, punctuated with shoreside golf-course greens and golden sunsets.

Highly touted is the rock formation called Los Arcos, marking Land’s End — where the waters of the Pacific meet the Sea of Cortés. When the tide is right, a sandy shoal appears and leads through the arch itself, a portal to geology.

From a distance, the rock formation resembles

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The Exotic Opal comes in 20 different colors.

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Ports of call | Cartagena

C A R TA GE N A Formally known as Cartagena de Indias, this city on the Caribbean Sea offers a unique mix of military for tresses 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.

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

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

Signature Souvenirs: Coffee, Colombian emeralds and handmade leatherwork.

The Old City glimmers at night.

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PROEXPORT COLOMBIA

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

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Located on the 1st floor, Main Corner of the Pierino Gallo Mall

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Ports of call | Cartagena

Carnaval revelers in Cartagena.

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

C A R TA GE N A It’s all here — colonial architecture, a 17th-century fort, fine beaches, a massive cathedral, excellent restaurants and a gold museum. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is a wonderful city for walking.

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

The white-sand beach of Playa Blanca is nearby,

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

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

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Ports of call | Cartagena

A VIBR A N T S PA NIS H HE R I TA GE

by Linda Marx

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ports of call | Cartagena

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

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

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

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

1616. For the next 40 years, he ministered to the poor and the abused, regularly visiting hospitals and homes. He showed no favor to the wealthy and elite, who had to stand in line behind their “lesser” neighbors if they wanted Claver to hear their confessions.

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

PHOTO BY: SORIN COLAC/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

The Church of St Peter Claver.

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Ports of call | Cartagena

Inside the walled city

THE OLD CIT Y ’S AGELESS CHARM The charm and romance of El Centro in Cartagena make it one of the city’s most popular and beloved areas.

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

La Popa Monastery

You don’t have to step inside La Popa Monastery to enjoy the sweeping view of the city spread out below — the monastery is perched atop the highest hill in the city, a breathtaking 500 feet. And the vista is astounding.

From here can be seen Cartagena’s lovely harbor, where historic buildings stand alongside high-rises and other modern structures.

Founded in 1607 by an Augustinian priest, the monastery has been lovingly restored and is still run by friars of that order.

The original cloister was dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, who is said to have delivered Cartagena from the dual scourges of disease and pirates. The city repays the debt with a candlelight procession each February 2, her feast day.

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PHOTOS BY: (TOP) HOLGER METTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOTTOM) COLOMBIA TOURISM BOARD.

MONAS TERY WIT H A VIE W

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PHOTOS BY: (TOP) HOLGER METTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOTTOM) COLOMBIA TOURISM BOARD.

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Ports of call | Costa Maya

The Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, about 45 miles west of Costa Maya.

COS TA MAYA Situated on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula near Mexico’s border with Belize, Costa Maya leads to the peninsula’s lush interior and stirring Mayan ruins. It also boasts the world’s second-largest coral reef system, home to more than 60 types of coral and some 500 species of fish.

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PHOTOS BY: REMUSACHE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

Crystal–clear water surrounds the Costa Maya beach.

Quick Guide Famed for: Mayan archaeological sites, ceviche and diving.

It’s a Fact: Many historians believe that the winners of the Mayan precursor to soccer, pok-ta-pok, were beheaded to honor the gods.

Signature Souvenirs: Hammocks, replicated Mayan masks and blue agave tequila.

How to Get to Town: Majahual is about five minutes from the pier. A limited number of taxis are available at the tourist village exit.

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

Ports of call | Cozumel

Ruins of a Mayan temple face the sea.

COZUMEL This lovely stop on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known for its amazing dive sites and for wellpreserved archaeological remnants of the Maya. It was once a sacred destination for that ancient civilization, making it a top attraction for history lovers.

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

Cozumel’s reefs teem with life.

Quick Guide Famed for: Beaches, diving and eco-parks.

It’s a Fact: At the Parque Punta Sur eco-park on the south end of the island, whistling can cause crocodiles in the lagoon to rise to the surface.

Signature Souvenirs: Silver jewelry, serapes and embroidered Mayan blouses.

How to Get to Town: The Punta Langosta pier is right in the downtown area. From the International Pier or the Puerto Maya terminal, you’ll want to take a taxi.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

Sea sponges and colorful fish surround a striking brain coral.

COZUMEL

Cozumel neatly balances its cultural experiences with its more playful reputation for shopping.

In San Miguel, a charming town that hugs the waterfront, tourists can find locally made treasures of silver, turquoise and leather goods, as well as pottery, stone carvings and wooden masks by Cozumel artisans.

The port also claims its share of duty-free shops offering diamonds, watches and designer jewelry.

The avenidas (avenues) and calles (streets) of the town’s center are easy to explore by foot. Pleasant encounters are likely with some of the Caribbean’s friendliest people, the Maya, who first settled in Cozumel some 1,700 years ago.

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Many still live in the thatch-roofed homes originally designed by their ancestors.

Lunch in town should always begin with guacamole; Cozumel’s restaurants are said to serve some of Mexico’s best versions of this classic avocado dip.

Many visitors, especially families, head south from San Miguel to visit the dolphins and sea lions at Chankanaab Park. Other attractions include the landmark Punta Sur Ecological Park and Lighthouse, home to a Mayan-ruin site, and the Celerain Lighthouse, as well as a navigation museum.

The road to ruins leads many visitors to the archaeological site of San Gervasio, near San Miguel. — Richard Varr

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Introducing the

Angelika Ring The

Infinity Ring

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

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Island Highlights Diving Paradise Teetering on the shelf of a 3,280-foot drop teeming with brilliantly colored marine life, Palancar Reef is the second-largest natural coral formation in the world and is considered one of the world’s outstanding diving destinations.

Cochinita Pibil This traditional Yucatán Mayan dish is still one of the most popular foods served in Cozumel and throughout the region.

Originally the dish was made with wild boar covered with achiote, or annatto seeds, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in a coal-fired stone pit.

Today achiote paste and banana leaves are still a mandatory part of the preparation, although the boar has been replaced by pork and an oven is the preferred cooking method. Bitter-orange juice and various local spices are added to the achiote marinade, and the banana leaves give a distinctive flavor.

Mexican Flag You’ll see the distinctive green, white and red colors of the bandera mexicana, or Mexican flag, celebrated everywhere from cocktails to quilts. Green symbolizes the hope of the independence movement that ended in 1821; white, the purity of the Catholic faith; and red, the union of Mexico after its rebellion against Spain. The eagle on the crest symbolizes its Aztec heritage.

Mezcal It looks exactly like tequila, but this spirit has a few important distinctions. For one, it’s made from agave plants other than the blue agaves of Jalisco that are used in true tequila. For another, the agave piñas — pineappleshaped, pulpy bulbs from which the fermentable juice is extracted — are baked in underground wood-charcoalfired ovens rather than in steam ovens, giving them a smoky flavor that’s even more enhanced in mezcal añejo, which is aged in oak barrels for at least one year.

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

By Sara Churchville

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

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BOUTIQUE

E X P E R I E N C E A N E N T I R E B O U T I Q U E D E D I C AT E D TO N AT U R E S ’ R A R E S T G E M S A N D L U X U RY B R A N D S .

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Visitors flock to ruins of the Mayan temple at Tulum.

A TALE OF TULUM

Set against a backdrop of aquamarine Caribbean waters, Tulum’s awe-inspiring temple remains a striking sight.

PATRYK KOSMIDER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Perched high on the cliffs of the Yucatán Peninsula is the ancient city of Tulum, the only Mayan city known to have been built on the coast.

Following the paths, visitors can visualize the indigenous religious ceremonies that took place here, and appreciate the magnificent beauty of this sacred locale.

Today there is little to fear from the sacrificial pit, and the only ritual that must be followed is paying a fee to use your video camera.

Generally coupled with a trip to Tulum is a visit to Xel-Há Lagoon. An oasis on a hot day, this soothing inland sea contains a natural underwater park and provides a wonderful respite after exploring.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

Shopping in

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

Hublot Classic Fusion Dwayne Wade

A cenote near Tulum

Crown of Light Unity Ring with Champagne Diamond

John Hardy Classic Chain Collection reversible bracelet in sterling silver and 18k gold

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FIDEICOMISO PARA LA PROMOCIÓN TURÍSTICA DE LA RIVIERA MAYA

Kabana Rose Collection Pendant

Underground

WONDERS

Cozumel has no surface lakes or freshwater rivers, but it does have many underground ponds and sinkholes known as cenotes (seh-NOH-tays).

Some reach a depth of 210 feet — and to add to their mystery, they have openings that build from the bottom up.

A cenote forms when a combination of water and carbon dioxide dissolves underground limestone. This process cuts fissures in the rocks and creates upward-reaching caverns resembling reverse holes. Their vertical walls continue to erode, filling the bottom of the pits with debris and causing the “holes” to rise.

The early Maya people believed cenotes were inhabited by gods and provided an underground gateway to heaven. In gratitude to Chac, the god of water, they would drop gifts into the caves. — Eleanor Wilson

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Ports of call | Cozumel

THE

REMARKABLE MAYA

The Maya were one of the most advanced cultures of the Western Hemisphere for hundreds of years, with an empire that reached its peak from A.D. 200 to 900.

They flourished throughout the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico — including today’s Cozumel Island — and erected huge, imposing pyramids and temples with striking stone sculptures.

They achieved remarkable proficiency in mathematics and astronomy before mysteriously falling into decline.

The Maya believed Cozumel was sacred and built shrines to honor their gods. Ixchel, jaguar goddess of childbirth, fertility and healing, was said to control the tides and all water on Earth. She was often portrayed as a wise crone who wore a skirt decorated with crossbones and a crown of serpents

and carried a jug of water. She is said to protect those who make the sacred pilgrimage to her shrines in Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, a trip Mayans aspired to make at least once in their lifetime.

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

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port

Mayan ruins in Cozumel 140

SCOTTEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

La Casa del Habano

Experience delicious, authentic Cuban food, a full humidor and stunning views of Cozumel. Located on the corner of Av. Rafael E. Melgar and Av. Juarez.

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Ports of call | Cozumel

SCOUTING SAN GERVASIO Once a pilgrimage site for the ancient Maya, the tiny island of Cozumel now hosts a number of fascinating ruins.

BCAMPBELL65/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

San Gervasio, the largest site on the island, is incredibly well preserved. The structures at San Gervasio were used by the Maya people primarily as altars and shrines, and for gatherings of government officials.

The site is divided into four historic districts, ranging from the early Classic Era (A.D. 200 to 1000) to the late Postclassical Era (A.D. 1000 to 1500). Plaques with a brief description of the ruin’s history identify individual ruins. In addition to tourist services, the site offers a snack bar and several gift shops. — Suzanne L. Carmel Mayan arch at San Gervasio

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

Ports of call | Cozumel

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NATURE REIGNS AT COZUMEL’S SMALL SEA

PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

Not far from the busy shops, restaurants and bars of San Miguel, Chankanaab Park provides nature lovers with 450,000 square feet of pristine space to revel in.

Though the name means “small sea,” the park is really a little slice of paradise, with botanical gardens, a lagoon, a beach and a replicated Mayan village.

The sparkling Chankanaab Lagoon is home to colorful coral, fish and turtles, as well as a Dolphin Discovery facility. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available from the beach. Pleasant pathways wind through botanical gardens where several hundred species of tropical plants thrive. The archaeological park contains reproductions of stone carvings from well-known ruins around Mexico and is staffed by guides to explain their significance. —Suzanne L. Carmel Turtles make their home in the park.

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Ports of call | Fort Lauderdale

FORT L AUDERDALE With more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, a waterfront park in the middle of downtown, miles of spiffy beaches and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, it’s no wonder Fort Lauderdale has a reputation for loving all things aquatic.

Quick Guide 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.

PHOTO BY: IVAN CHOLAKOV/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Famed for: Beautiful beaches to the east, unspoiled Everglades to the west.

Discover fun on the sand and in the sky on the city’s beaches.

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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, Brighton, J.Crew, Michael Kors, and Williams-Sonoma, 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 steps from the beach on Sunrise Boulevard.

NeimaN marcus

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macy’s

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DillarD’s

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

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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

G R A N D C AY M A N Once a sanctuary for plundering pirates and shipwrecked sailors, Grand Cayman is now 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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PHOTOS BY: (LIMESTONE ROCKS) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (DOCK) JO ANN SNOVER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Grand Cayman’s Rum Point.

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: Replicas of pirates, blue iguanas and the Caymans’ mascot, Sir Turtle.

How to Get to Town: Take the ship’s tender to Royal Watler Pier, a 15-minute ride. Turn right from the pier to explore downtown.

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T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

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

GR A ND C AY M A N Grand Cayman is well-known as a hub of international banking and finance, but more visitors are lured here by its extensive natural and man-made attractions. It’s a favorite getaway for many Hollywood celebrities who are drawn by its serene beauty and the variety of things it offers to see and do.

The centerpiece of the island is the magnificent Seven Mile Beach, a vast expanse of powdery-white sand. Famed for diving, the island offers more than 200 named sites.

Other natural attractions include the Mastic Trail, a restored 200-year-old footpath that meanders through a 2-million-year-old forest and mangrove swamp in the heart of the island; Pedro St. James National Historic Site,

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a restored great house dating from 1780; and the 59-acre Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.

You will take a tender into port, where you’ll have plenty of time to explore. At lunchtime, save room for dessert: a slice (or more) of Grand Cayman’s world-famous rum cake.

Shopping is especially rewarding in the capital of George Town, home to some of the Caribbean’s best duty-free shopping — at attractive discounts.

Great finds include black-coral jewelry, luxury watches, fine perfumes and gracious dinnerware. Seekers of unique souvenirs choose caymanite — a hard stone with striations ranging in color from pale pinkish beige to deep russet — found only in the Caymans. — Jim Thompson

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

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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Island Highlights

By Sara Churchville

Black Coral Carvings Divers are thrilled to come across expanses of black coral at sites off Grand Cayman, and jewelry carved from the coral is one of the island’s most popular gift items.

Cayman Islands Flag The islands’ flag is a pairing of Britain’s Union Jack with the Cayman Islands’ crest against a dark-blue background. At the top of the crest is a pineapple, representing the islands’ one-time dependence on Jamaica. Under it, a turtle, the national symbol of the Caymans, stands on a thatch rope — the manufacture of which was once a thriving industry on the islands.

The Lion of England signifies the obvious ties to Britain, while the three green-and-gold stars on blue-and-white waves represent the three Cayman Islands and the sea.

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

Grand Cayman Blue Iguana Like the Grand Cayman parrot, the blue Grand Cayman iguana (Cyclura nubila lewisi) is only found on the island. With its blue coloring, it should be easy to spot, but because it’s endangered and not very social, it may take some searching to locate one. A subspecies of the Cuban rock iguana, the blue iguana can grow to be as long as 5 feet.

Grand Cayman Parrot Grand Caymanians once took in these loudly squawking birds as pets, but this practice is now illegal. About 4,000 Grand Cayman parrots, so-called because they are found nowhere else in the world, are still on the island. This green, red and white subspecies of the Cuban parrot is the island’s national bird.

FROM TOP: Black coral growing underwater; Cayman Islands flag; a rare blue iguana, also known as a Grand Cayman iguana; a Grand Cayman parrot.

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Special Advertising Feature

J

ust a one minute walk from the port lies one of the Caribbean’s shopping Meccas. The level of glamour, sophistication and service provided in the George Town shopping district are rivaled only by world centers such as London, Paris and New York. One of the main reasons that George Town has developed such a reputation is largely due to the Kirk Freeport network of retail stores.

If you are taking advantage of the duty free prices and the absence of sales tax, and treating yourself (or someone else) to something special, you will want to make a stop at one of the Kirk Freeport stores.

Kirk Freeport Plaza Ltd. is celebrating over 40 years as Cayman’s premier retailer of duty free jewelry, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal, china and accessories.

In 2003 Kirk Freeport expanded into the Bayshore mall with the largest jewelry store

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in the Caribbean, and has become the center piece of downtown George Town.

Kirk Freeport has become a must see for any watch connoisseur, with over 40 watch brands in one location and one of the largest selections of Rolex watches in the world. Some of the premier houses that are represented are: Rolex, Patek Philippe, A.Lange and Sonne, Jaeger-leCoultre, IWC, Breguet, Blancpain, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Omega, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Panerai, Chopard, Bvlgari and Chanel.

These are complimented by an even broader range of fashion and designer brands.

Bayshore Mall Offers everything you need for a wonderful day in port. After browsing the largest selection of luxury goods in the Caribbean, have a healthy bite at La Creperie or take a break from the gorgeous Cayman sun with a delicious ice cream cone from Haagen-Dazs.

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PHOTOS.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

F R O M P R I VAT E E R S TO MAS TER 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

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Cromwell’s British army defeated Spain in 1655. The Treaty of Madrid brought both the Caymans and Jamaica under British rule and made Grand Cayman a destination for settlers.

Rule, Britannia! The first influx of settlers arrived: immigrants from England, Holland, Spain and France, plus refugees from the Spanish Inquisition and deserters from Cromwell’s army. Privateers, the genteel name for pirates such as Sir Henry Morgan who had their governments’ permission to plunder ships — ostensibly to retrieve wealth stolen from their country — discouraged these early settlers, many of whom hightailed it back home.

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

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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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| 1 345.949.3894

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

hideout. Some pirates never made it to land, their ships having been lured onto the reefs by the beacon fires of the Caymanians, who strenuously resisted these invaders.

By 1700, the first royal land grant in Grand Cayman signaled permanent settlement, followed by others throughout the island. The first recorded inhabitant was Isaac Bodden, grandson of the original settler, a soldier from Cromwell’s army for whom Bodden Town was named.

Other districts can be traced back to that period of settlement as well; among them is Hog Stys, once the site of a pigpen the name of which — thankfully — was changed to George Town in the early 18th century in honor of King George III. In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht officially ended privateering (although freelance pirates continued to attack ships regardless), encouraging settlers to set up camp permanently and call Grand Cayman home.

Many of these early settlers brought slaves with them to help farm crops such as cotton, which they exported, and corn, yams, plantains, melons, citrus fruit and sugarcane grown for their own consumption.

An 1802 census shows 933 people, 545 of whom were slaves.

Democracy Is Born Self-rule for the Caymans began on December 5, 1831, when a historic meeting of residents took place to form the first representative government, and elections were held. The Emancipation Act of 1833 brought an end to slavery on an island where slaves outnumbered whites 5 to 1.

A Tourist Mecca Tourism and banking became Grand Cayman’s primary economic sources in the 20th century.

On February 22, 1937, the Atlantic, the first cruise ship to bring tourists to the island’s shores, deposited 450 wealthy, mostly elderly passengers ashore for the day.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard operated bases on the island.

When Bob Soto opened the first dive shop in 1957, Grand Cayman became the birthplace of recreational scuba diving.

In 1962, the Caymans chose to remain a British Crown Colony, a decision that helped lead to the introduction of major banking legislation in 1966.

The face of Grand Cayman has changed dramatically from that first sighting by Columbus; those turtles and caimans that once roamed the island now smile at us from a respectful distance on T-shirts.

Grand Cayman

Timeline

1503

Columbus spots islands he names “Las Tortugas.”

1655

The islands come under British rule.

1700

Permanent settlement begins with the first royal land grant.

1713-14 Piracy officially ends with the Treaty of Utrecht.

1831-33 1962

Caymanians opt to remain a colony of Britain.

Colorful coral reefs attract divers.

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DUDAREV MIKHAIL/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

First elections are held; slaves are emancipated.

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While in Grand Cayman, visit the Guy Harvey Gallery & Shoppe Shop from the largest collection of Guy Harvey products under one roof. Complete selection of classic t-shirts, ladies clothing, original artwork, gifts and much more.

And possibly meet Guy!

49 Church Street, Grand Cayman tel. 345.943.4891

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

special advertising feature

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.

C A RIBBE A N VIE WS A Tradition of Service

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Rolesor

By Jim Thompson

KIRK FREEPORT

The Kirkconnell family built Kirk Freeport into an island legacy.

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. Jewelr y, perfumes, cr ystal and watches from

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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” Kirkconnell says with a smile. “It is a true slice of paradise.”

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CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

FREEDOM’S HOME

The Pedro St. James historic site has 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 December 5, 1831, and voted to form their first elected parliament. They gathered at “the Castle” on May 3, 1833, to hear the proclamation ending slavery in the British Empire.

The mansion was originally the private home of planter William Eden. The three-story landmark was built from quarried native rock in about 1780.

It was the only survivor of a 1785 hurricane, making it the Caymans’ oldest stone structure. The family abandoned it in 1877, and it was put to

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various uses until the Cayman government purchased it in 1991.

Restoration work on Pedro St. James took seven years. Guests enter through the Visitors Center, which perches on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and surrounds a landscaped courtyard. The featured attractions include a 20minute multimedia theater presentation of Cayman history and a self-guided tour of the imposing great house.

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

SNOR K ELING T HE C AY M A N S

A vibrant coral colony.

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Swimming with fish in the sea always seems to be reserved for elite divers like Jacques Cousteau and his companions, or for island water babies who learned to swim before they could walk.

But the Cayman Islands, long a mecca for divers and marine ecologists, welcomes snorkeling aficionados to swim with sea creatures in a crystal-clear aquamarine sea. Filled with miles of healthy coral reefs, it’s the perfect home for a dazzling array of sea life.

Slipping away from the constraining bonds of land, snorkelers on a soft ecotourism adventure will see the flower-like beauty of the sea anemone, revel in splendid displays of fan-shaped coral and be awed by reefs splashed with such vivid hues of orange, pink, violet, red and blazing yellow that might have been created

by Picasso. — Richard Carroll

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FRANTISEKHOJDYSZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Grand Cayman

A diver faces 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 reach

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up to 6 feet across, can be seen approaching.

Visitors have the choice of watching them from above the surface or jumping in the waist-high water and swimming beside the fierce-looking but gentle creatures.

Before it became a popular tourist attraction, Stingray Sandbar served as a protected area where fishermen cleaned their catch en route to shore.

The chance for a free lunch attracted the rays then, just as it does now.

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Ports of call | Grand Cayman

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port Coastal Colours

TAG Heuer Calibre 8 watch

In a class all its own, Coastal Colours offers original local artwork, hand-painted glassware, fragrant soaps and lotions, along with a fine selection of resort wear and quality gift items. Coastal Colours is a lovely must-see store. Located across the street from the cruise terminal, on the left.

The Waterfront Centre | 345-945-7500

Jingle Shells THE CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS STORE

Kabana Eden Collection Butterfly Pendant

Visit Cayman’s year -round Caribbean Christmas store, where you’ll find an outstanding array of handmade tropical ornaments, along with a fabulous selection of souvenirs and wind chimes made from beautiful sea shells. Jingle Shells is Santa’s favorite store!

Royal Watler Cruise Ship Terminal

Sterling & Stone

This small boutique sells duty-free jewelry specializing in Caymanite and sterling silver. Also selling a range of gemstones, charm bracelets and stainless-steel styles. Caymanite jewelry fashioned by local artists. At the corner of Harbour Drive in the heart of Cayman duty-free shopping.

Crown of Light Galaxy Bracelet

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

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PROUD PAL M The silver thatch palm is a tall tree with fanlike fronds. To fully appreciate its name, one has to observe this indigenous tree by moonlight, when the undersides of the fronds beam in silvery splendor atop trunks that often grow 30 feet tall.

GWOEII/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Silver thatch palm.

The fronds’ qualities provide an excellent roof thatch — they’re rainproof, unusually tough and resistant to heat absorption. Once the fronds are picked, thatchers must work quickly. If the leaves dry out before you use them, the ends curl and the roof will leak.

At one time, the palm was the principal component of the islands’ main industry: rope making. While the men went out to sea to fish, women and children hiked inland to gather the fronds. After hanging the leaves to dry for a few days, they split them into strands and wove them into long cords.

Today, this kind of rope is found in local craft shops in the form of attractive woven hats, baskets, fans and mats. — Eleanor Wilson

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) MICHAEL C. GRAY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) ALBO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The sun glows over Los Angeles.

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 appearing at every turn.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) MICHAEL C. GRAY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RIGHT) ALBO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Rodeo Drive is one of the world's most famous shopping addresses.

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

It’s a Fact: In the 1700s, the city was originally called El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles de la Porciúncula, which means Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Small Portion (of land).

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

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

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios beckons visitors to its verdant shore.

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

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

Jamaican handicrafts are popular souvenirs.

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

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

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

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

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FOODIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

Traditional jerk cuisine

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

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

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

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head to the numerous duty-free malls for more relaxed shopping.

Popular purchases at Soni’s Plaza, Harbor Shops, Taj Mahal and Island Village are fine jewelry, watches, Jamaican rum and cigars. Spices are highly sought to bring home a taste of the island’s signature jerk cuisine.

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

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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 black-andyellow butterfly has a wingspan of 6 inches, making it the largest butterfly in the Americas. It’s also larger than the 3-inch-winged Jamaican fruit bat, a “rat-bat” as the nocturnal creatures are called. The endangered P. homerus is commemorated on Jamaica’s $1,000 note.

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

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

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

Tropical Ferns Ferns aren’t exactly rare in tropical climates, but Ocho Rios, with its nearby rain forest, has more than the norm. In fact, a deep ravine with some 500 species of ferns is located from the Ocho Rios beaches to about 4 miles inland up the mountains. The area is called, with unceremonious accuracy, Fern Gully.

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IGNITE SOMETHING O N LY T H E P E R F E C T C U T C A N U N L E A S H A DIAMOND’S BRILLIANCE.

Shoppes at Rose Hall, Montego Bay | Island Village Plaza, Ocho Rios Historic Port of Falmouth, Falmouth 876.953.4600 | jewelsandtime.com

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G H E A R T S O N F I R E S T O R E S , A U T H O R I Z E D R E TA I L E R S , H E A R T S O N F I R E . C O M

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ANTONIO ABRIGNANI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

T HE VIBE K EEP S HOL DING S T E A DY

Artist’s depiction of St. Ann’s Bay

By Marjorie Klein

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

Beginnings The advanced culture of the original settlers in Jamaica, the pre-Columbian Taíno people, is reflected in what remains of their Arawak language — still spoken today — in the ruins of ceremonial ballparks and in their complex religion, which is based on cosmology. Incredibly, the Taíno managed to survive for centuries.

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

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

The Taíno were expected to acknowledge the king of Spain, 180

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

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

Today a monument honoring the Jamaican people who fought alongside the Spanish marks the battlefield site.

Sugar plantations spread across Jamaica, bringing great wealth to their owners, whose costs were cut by the free labor of slaves they brought from Africa.

Runaway slaves called Maroons are said to have hidden in the Green Grotto caves near Ocho Rios, as well as in the mountainous interior. With Jamaica as the largest producer of sugar in the world, plantations formed the basis of the country’s economy until the emancipation of slaves in 1834. Then agriculture became more diversified and fishing became a major industry.

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From Sleepy Village to Industrial Magnet Away from the bustling fishing piers, in the hills just north of Ocho Rios, one Sir Alfred d’Costa suspected that the strange red dirt on his ranch was responsible for the distressing condition of his cattle. Analysis revealed a high content of bauxite, a principal source of aluminum, which quickly attracted the attention of Reynolds Aluminum and accelerated the good fortune of Ocho Rios in the 1940s.

Fishing piers evolved into deepwater shipping piers fed by conveyor belts that reached 6 miles to the mines. In 1984, Reynolds Jamaica Mines decided to leave the island altogether and pulled out of both the port and the mines. Today the Reynolds pier is used mainly as a cruise-ship port — an indication of Jamaica’s next economic phase.

Tourism Thrives After gaining independence from Britain in 1962, Jamaica focused on celebrating its multiple virtues as a draw for vacationers, and the tourism industry boomed. In Ocho Rios, grand hotels and excellent restaurants sprouted along its beaches. Historic sites, with their explosive tropical beauty, became destinations unto themselves: Dunn’s River Falls; Shaw Park; Noël Coward’s home, Firefly; and, in Nine Mile, the Bob Marley Mausoleum honoring Jamaica’s father of reggae.

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

Ocho Rios

Timeline

1494

Columbus anchors in St. Ann’s Bay.

1655

The British conquer Spanish occupants; Ocho Rios is named.

1940

Bauxite is discovered; Reynolds Aluminum begins mining operations.

1952

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

1962 Today Beautiful beaches are among the biggest draws in Ocho Rios.

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JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

Jamaica gains independence from Britain.

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Executive Dual Time Self-winding. Patented time zone quick setting.

Black ceramic bezel and 18 ct rose gold case.

Water-resistant to 100 m. Rubber band.

W W W . U LY S S E - N A R D I N . C O M

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Taj Mahal Plaza • Ocho Rios • 974-2769 Port of Falmouth • Falmouth • 620-4141 Shoppes at Rose Hall • Montego Bay • 953-4611 colors@cwjamaica.com

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JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

B UIL DIN G O N T H E PA S T

By Linda Marx

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.

Harmony Hall, a mid1800s Methodist manse east of Ocho Rios, has been showcasing the finest Jamaican arts and crafts since 1981.

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FLOWERS, FERNS AND WAT E R FA L L S

By Ginger Dingus

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

Today, some 500 years later, St. Ann’s natural beauty is in full bloom. Visitors can see, sniff, touch and photograph gorgeous flowers, ferns and waterfalls at tropical gardens tucked away in the countryside a short ride from the cruise pier.

Coyaba Gardens A sparkling stream runs through this tranquil oasis set midway up the amazingly green hills behind town. The name coyaba says it all. It comes from the Arawak word for “paradise.”

Pathways wind past pink ginger plants, lipstick-red heliconia, giant cedars and banyan trees. The waters of Mahoe Falls splash down rocky cliffs into a tempting plunge pool.

In British colonial days, these grounds were part of a plantation. The few remaining buildings house a gift shop and small museum displaying artifacts from Jamaica’s pre-Columbian inhabitants, the Taíno.

Cranbrook Flower Forest The 130-acre haven welcomes visitors to discover its tropical flower forest, wander through a rain forest, wade in the Little River or simply enjoy the birds.

Hundreds of orchids flourish in the greenhouse, and there’s a restored sugar mill to explore.

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

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PHOTOS BY: FOTOSEARCH.COM; COYABA GARDENS

Shaw Park Gardens This botanical garden, named after sugar plantation owner John Shaw, is considered one of Jamaica’s finest. The property was transformed into an exclusive resort in the mid-1900s, when Flora McKenzie Pringle Stuart applied her green thumb to the landscape.

Her magic touch lives on in hundreds of flowering plants nurtured by a picturesque waterfall.

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EXPLORE A TROPICAL PARADISE

Sterling silver charms from $25

Duty-Free Jewelers

Taj Mahal Plaza & Harbour Shops Ocho Rios, Jamaica 876.795.2921 • houseofdiamonds@cwjamaica.com

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

GOING WITH THE FLOW IN OC HO Legend has it that Martha Brae, an Arawak girl, once used magic to divert the flow of a river to drown her Spanish captors. Some of that magic still remains on the river that bears her name.

Rafters set a leisurely pace on the Martha Brae River.

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DIGITAL VISION PHOTOS

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

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

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

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Light up

THE NIGHT.

Sterling silver charms from $25

Experience at: Ocho Rios: Island Village Shopping Centre Jamaica

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

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

DUNN’S RIV ER FA L L S

By Marty Leshner

Jamaica’s most celebrated site, without question, is Dunn’s River Falls — a location that’s been featured in numerous magazine advertisements and television commercials promoting this Caribbean hot spot.

These often-photographed falls cascade down a rocky mountainside on the right, rush under the road and join the sea at the white-sand beach on the left — not only a sight to see but to tackle, as well.

For those not afraid to get their feet wet, climbing 600 feet to the top of the cascades is a real high. But this get-wet experience (there’s no escaping the water) calls for old sneakers or scuba boots with reliable soles.

Join a conga line of hand-holding tourists and pick your way gingerly up the slippery rocks and boulders.

Guides will hold your cameras, take your picture under the falls and point out placid pools among the lively rapids.

Traditionally, climbers top off their trip with a cold Red Stripe beer, one of Jamaica’s most famous exports.

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Dunn's River Falls

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

Jamaica itself has had many names, as the English struggled to spell the word the way they heard it. According to VisitJamaica.com, in its early years, the nation was called Gemecoe, Gemegoe, Jamico, Jammaca, Xaymaca, even Mamecah. The younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Bartholomé, was the first to put Jamaica on a map — although he spelled it “Jamaicha.”

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

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

A S TAT E LY VIE W Compared to the massive Rose Hall and Greenwood great houses, the manor at Prospect Plantation is an unassuming structure.

Though hardly small, it comprises just a few compact rooms in two stories, unlike the sprawling mansions of those better-known landmarks. Rising gracefully from the broad, manicured lawn leading from the road, it first seems less like a historic estate and more like the upscale vacation home of a modern family.

Inside, however, the house’s history comes alive in rich wood wall accents and antiques that fill the smallish rooms. From the columned veranda on the rear of the house is a sumptuous view of colorful gardens leading down stone steps, with the Caribbean Sea seeming close enough to touch.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The great house’s veranda offers a majestic view of the Caribbean; the front entrance, set on a sweeping lawn; the home’s gardens; a flower-adorned stairway.

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PHOTOS BY: KATE MCCLARE

Fertile History The great house was built in the early 1800s, but the plantation itself dates from 1721. After three ownership changes, it was purchased in 1936 by Sir Harold Mitchell of Scotland, an Oxford-educated scholar and former vice chairman of Britain’s Conservative Party.

Mitchell later founded Prospect College, an all-boys school that still operates on the plantation grounds. The plantation is now owned by a sightseeing company, which offers tours by open-air jitney, horses and, surprisingly, camels. Views include White River Gorge and the spot where Christopher Columbus was shipwrecked for more than a year during one of his visits to the New World.

The plantation is lush with plants, trees and agricultural crops that include bananas, cassava, sugarcane, coffee and allspice. Famous visitors, including Sir Winston Churchill, Henry Kissinger, Charlie Chaplin, Pierre Trudeau, Noël Coward and Drew Barrymore, planted many of the trees. — Kate McClare

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*If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required. *If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required.

A V A I L A B L E AT

A V A I L A B L E AT

ISLAND VILLAGE | OCHO RIOS JAMAICA

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NORMAN POGSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Ocho Rios

A N A F FAIR OF THE HE AR T

Firefly affords a sumptuous view of the Blue Mountains.

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

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

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

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Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, David Niven, Joan Sutherland and Errol Flynn.

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

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

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Shopping in

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

See it? Like it? Buy it!

Le Vian Chocolatier Sea Blue Aquamarine Earrings

Korite Solara Pendant

JAMAIC AN JERK A highlight of any visit to Jamaica is a taste of jerk meat, prepared in a unique cooking style.

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

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

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

Mark Henry Alexandrite & Diamond Pave Band

Philip Stein Signature Chronograph

FROM TOP: Jerk chicken plate; a feast for roadside gourmets.

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C UR RY: THE SPICE OF ISL A ND L IF E

By Jen Karetnick

KRZYSZTOF SLUSARCZYK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

In Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth, Jamaica native 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.”

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Spices and herbs.

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L.F/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Clara is worried that the Iqbals, who are Bangladeshi, will find her Caribbean curry unfamiliar, a different species entirely from Southeast Asian curry.

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, 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 20 different spices.

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colors@cwjamaica.com

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

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port

Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee has a strong heritage, dating back to the early 18th century. Today, JABLUM® Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee maintains its rank as one of the world’s most sought-after 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.

Café Express

We carry authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, soup, salads and sandwiches. Local pastries are available on the patio or inside, where dining is fully air-conditioned.

Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

Kriso’s Wine Bar

Tajmahal’s most prestigious fully airconditioned bar and lounge is tucked away for your privacy and comfort. At Kriso’s we stock some excellent wine selections that will pop your taste buds. “Sophistication and style” describes Kriso’s Bar and Lounge.

Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

Reggae Ally

We serve our famous in-house Reggae Ally Jerk Sauce with fresh lobster, chicken and pork. Try our Jamaican breakfast, ackee and saltfish, and our local rum cocktails.

Located in the Tajmahal Shopping Centre

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THE EXCLUSIVE HOME OF

JAMAICA

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Ports of call | Ocho Rios

MAGIC BE ANS 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, blue-green in color, with little resistance to pests and disease. Its frailty means small yields.

Blue Mountain coffee cherries, furthermore, are hand-picked 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.

Coffee plants thrive at high elevations.

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PICK A PEPPER

The Scotch bonnet pepper has a special kind of heat.

JOOP HOEK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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, “habanero” in the Spanish islands and “goat pepper” or rocotillo in the Bahamas.

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PROGRESS: POWERED BY A STROKE OF GENIUS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER. NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Kinetic GMT

*If there are changes in the region / time zone, manual time zone selection may be required.

A V A I L A B L E AT

A V A I L A B L E AT

ISLAND VILLAGE | OCHO RIOS JAMAICA

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Ports of call | 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 short-cut 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.

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

FROM TOP: Entrance to Panama Canal; a resident of the Panama jungle.

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PHOTOS BY: (PANAMA CANAL) JIM LIPSCHUTZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FROG) DIRK ERCKEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (COLON) DON FINK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BRIDGE) MARIA MAARBES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

PANAMA CANAL

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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.

Quick Guide

PHOTOS BY: (PANAMA CANAL) JIM LIPSCHUTZ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (FROG) DIRK ERCKEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (COLON) DON FINK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BRIDGE) MARIA MAARBES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

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.

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

FROM TOP: A view of Colón from the harbor; the Bridge of the Americas over the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.

FUER TE 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.

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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Ports of call | Panama Canal

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.

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.

FROM TOP: A panoramic view of Puerto Limón; gentle surf teases the sand.

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PHOTOS BY: (PUERTO LIMON) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEACH) ANTONIO JORGE NUNES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RUINS) SFEICHTNER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (VOLCANO) BRANDON HOLMES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

PUER TO L IMÓN

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PUER TO QUET Z AL

PHOTOS BY: (PUERTO LIMON) RAMUNAS BRUZAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BEACH) ANTONIO JORGE NUNES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (RUINS) SFEICHTNER/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (VOLCANO) BRANDON HOLMES/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM.

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 world-class deep-sea fishing.

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.

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

FROM TOP: Ruins of a Mayan temple in Guatemala; Arenal Volcano on a clear day.

P UN TA R E N A S 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.

Quick Guide Famed for: Locally grown coffee, eco-adventures 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 carved-wood crafts.

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Princess guests enjoy an exclusive retreat.

PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) PRINCESS CRUISES; (STARFISH) ILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | St. Thomas

P R IN C E S S C AY S Located at the isolated southern tip of historic Eleuthera Island, Princess Cays® is an exclusive port of call reserved solely for Princess® guests’ enjoyment. Its 40 unspoiled acres include four adjoining cays and 1½ miles of pristine beach, and it has been landscaped with indigenous trees and plants that complement the natural beauty of this secluded port.

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PHOTOS BY: (MAIN) PRINCESS CRUISES; (STARFISH) ILAINECREVETTE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Cushion starfish inhabit the ocean floor off Princess Cays.

Quick Guide Famed for: Ultimate relaxation in a private corner of an island in the Bahamas.

It’s a Fact: You can pre-reserve an air-conditioned bungalow and any equipment you want to use on land or in the water.

Signature Souvenirs: Creations from the island craft market and other shops.

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

Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

The coast of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta.

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 jetsetters — and then by the rest of us.

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

A beach view 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.

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

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

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

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

T HINGS WE L OVE ABOU T

Puerto Vallarta perches on the Pacific Ocean.

P UE R T O VA L L A R TA Puerto Vallarta is a colonial gem. Downtown is a crisscross of cobblestoned streets lined with traditional Mexican architecture.

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

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

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in an exotic destination with all the comforts of home.

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

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

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

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

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s seaside promenade glows at night.

By John Anderson

Beginnings In 1525, explorer Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, the nephew of the infamous conquistador Hernán Cortés, arrived 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.

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 awe-struck.

Believing it had been 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.

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 222

1,500, and in 1885 a Maritime Customs Office was established and the port opened for official business. But it wasn’t until 1918 that a congressional decree finally promoted the settlement 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 fortune 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 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 once-tiny community of expatriated Americans and Canadians swelled to a large colony of year-round residents.

These days, Puer to Vallar ta has a population of over 255,000 — with an estimated 3 million visitors each year — but it still manages to retain its charm.

KARAMYSH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

IN FULL BLOOM

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.

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

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

The Quiet Charm of

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

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

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

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

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

Popular activities revolve around nature, such as feeding deer, swimming with sea lions, kayaking and snorkeling. Visitors can also scuba dive or, if they’re still learning, take diving lessons.

Of course, not all activities are so energetic.

Plenty of visitors to Las Caletas spend their time simply drowsing in one of the many hammocks randomly situated in the area. — Sara Churchville

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Ports of call | Puerto Vallarta

Hooked on

PUERTO VALLARTA The waters off Puerto Vallarta are home to a tempting variety of marine life that makes this one of the world’s great sportfishing 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 Puerto Vallarta’s restaurants, where the claim of offering fresh seafood is no fish story.

Many sportfishermen are lured to Puerto Vallarta. Here’s why!

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OF THE

Where to find local mementos in port The Blue Shrimp

The Blue Shrimp Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta features fresh shrimp, lobster, fish and oysters. They offer shrimp served in over 30 different ways. Their dedication to quality is found in every aspect of this family owned and operated eating establishment.

Mention this magazine for your FREE appetizer.

Olas Altas 336 Col. Emiliano Zapata www.theblueshrimp.com 322-22-24246 | 322-22-31840

Si Se単or Beach Restaurant

Taste the authentic flavors of Mexico at Si Se単or Beach Restaurant. They offer a complete menu of traditional Mexican recipes and popular house specialties. The full-service bar mixes up the best frozen margaritas in town, plus they add the liquor right at your table to your specifications. Please mention this magazine for your FREE appetizer.

PHOTOS BY: MARVIN PERTON; INGRID MAASIK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Amapas 114-C Col. Emiliano Zapata www.sisenorbeach.com 322-22-20577 | 322-22-38238

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PHOTOS BY: TONY MORAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (UNDERWATER) JOHN A. ANDERSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Ports of call | Roatán

A perfect beach awaits in Roatán.

R O ATÁ N

The serene isle of Roatán is famed for its splendid diving. Some 95 percent of the Caribbean’s known corals are found here. It’s also a delight for those who prefer to stay dry, offering butterfly and iguana reserves and colorful botanical gardens.

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PHOTOS BY: TONY MORAN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (UNDERWATER) JOHN A. ANDERSON/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

T HINGS WE L O VE ABOU T

Roatán

Quick Guide Famed for: Housing part of the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, with easily accessible dive sites offering visibility from 50 to 100 feet.

It’s a Fact: Local wildlife includes the basilisk, which is often called the Jesus lizard because it can run across water.

Signature Souvenirs: Carved wooden designs and ceramics hand-painted by Lenca natives.

Home to West Bay — considered by many to be the finest beach in all of Honduras and one of the top shores in the Caribbean — Roatán offers diverse environmental and recreational attractions.

Lush forests and spectacular beaches, sensational diving and excellent shopping can all be found here.

With more than 130 underwater sites, divers can experience everything from coral reefs to canyons, tunnels and wrecks in a single day. Many of the best dive and snorkeling sites — like the El Águila, a sunken cargo ship more than 200 feet long, where green moray eels mingle with giant gag groupers and blue parrotfish — are just off the dock or within five minutes by boat.

For a spectacular aerial view of all the luxuriant colors of the coral reef, head up to Carambola Botanical Gardens in nearby Sandy Bay, where jungle trails through wild orchids and exotic fruit and spice trees are perfect for a day of hiking, bird watching and photography.

Never seen an iguana? Stop at Arch's Iguana and Marine Park, where you will see them everywhere. More than 3,000 iguanas live in, on or near this house. It’s best to visit at midday, which is feeding time for the spiny, prehistoric lizards.

All shops in Roatán are on Main Street in the West End, so shopping is easy. Look for colorful baskets hand-woven from pine needles or try Lenca pottery, Garifuna art or one of the preColumbian artifacts known in local slang as “yaba ding dings.”

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

Ports of call | St. Thomas

Palm trees on the serene San Diego waterfront.

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

San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Quick Guide Famed for: Fish tacos, the bright-red cars of The Trolley 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.

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

Ports of call | Canada

The Cains River flows through New Brunswick.

C ANADA

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

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

Public garden in the center of Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Ports of call | Canada

NEW BRUNSWICK: S AIN T JOHN Quick Guide Famed for: The Bay of Fundy, the Reversing Rapids and whale watching.

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

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

FROM TOP: Low tide reveals why New Brunswick’s famous Hopewell Rocks are also known as Flower Pot Rocks; a lighthouse overlooks Peggy’s Cove.

NO VA S C O T I A : H A L IFA X Famed for: Being the Canadian city with the most pubs and clubs per capita, having the world’s second largest natural harbor and hosting Atlantic Canada’s largest art collection at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

It’s a Fact: Brewmaster Alexander Keith was mayor for three terms, and his original 1820 brewery welcomes visitors with costumed guides, stories and good ale.

Signature Souvenirs: Nautical items, including Theodore Tugboat and Harbor Hopper merchandise.

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PHOTOS BY: (TOP) GARY YIM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; (BOTTOM) V. J. MATTHEW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Quick Guide

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The Journey Starts Here.

Canada is shaped by the world. From art to science, food to sport – people who came to Canada from around the globe help define our nation. The courage and determination it takes to immigrate lives on through stories shared between generations.

Come step into the past to experience what shapes our country at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. A moving journey that takes you on the path many families took to start a new life. A place that lets you feel what millions of Canadians felt – the anticipation, determination and hope that continue to build our nation.

Visit Canada’s newest National Museum at the Halifax Seaport.

See how the world shapes Canada.

1055 Marginal Road Halifax Seaport Toll Free: 1-855-526-4721

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Pier 21 Gift Shop, guided tours and so much more!

Pier21.ca 9/3/15 3:07 PM

...biggest store in the Pier... best selection...best prices !

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PAULA STEPHENS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Ports of call | Canada

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NO VA S C O T I A : SYDNEY There is much to keep guests busy in Sydney: museums, historic sites and a steady schedule of cultural activities celebrating the area’s diverse heritage.

Quick Guide Famed for: Celtic music and culture from the port’s roots as a landing point for Scottish immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.

It’s a Fact: The port was an important naval base during World War II, when it was used to stock convoys headed to the European theater.

PAULA STEPHENS/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Signature Souvenirs: A miniature version of a Cape Breton lighthouse or of the 60-foot fiddle on the waterfront.

The sun sets on another active day in Sydney.

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Available Exclusively at

Ask for the Korite Certificate of Authenticity as a guarantee of quality & craftsmanship.

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