Caribbean Christmas Cruise
Ports of call
MIAMI, (FLORIDA)
Miami is Florida's most heavily populated city. The pleasant climate and idyllic landscapes with numerous kilometres of beach propelled the city towards its first economic boom in the 1930s.
Thanks to the mild climate, particularly in the winter when the majority of major cities on the East Coast of the US are at freezing point, Miami quickly carved out a role for itself in the tourism industry.
In downtown Miami, Flager Street is where to head to do a bit of shopping in the department stores and clothes, electronics, sports and jewellery shops. In the Metro Dade Centre you can visit the Museum of Southern Florida, the city's main library, and the Museum of Fine Arts, which holds temporary modern art exhibitions. Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest district and has become, over time, an exclusive and refined residential area, here you will find the local government offices, City Hall's home is an ex-1930s hangar.
Little Havana is the Cuban district characterised by an almost Caribbean atmosphere where Spanish is spoken more readily than English. Indeed half of the city's population is now of Hispanic origin.
Six kilometres to the east of Miami is Miami Beach, an island comprising a long, thin strip of sand connected to the mainland by a system of bridges. The southern end of Miami Beach is called South Beach and it is here that the city's recent rebirth began.
The Art Deco Historic District, built up in the 1920s and noted for its pastel, rose, lavender and turquoise colour houses, has recently been restored and represents an excellent example of the urban restoration of modern architecture, attracting thousands of tourists each year. But Miami Beach also means the seafront and the famous Ocean Drive that separates the beach from the infinite numbers of bars and restaurants. An never-ending parade of bizarre cars, roller-skaters, skateboarders, and super-accessorised Harley Davidson’s ensure that visitors remain amused.
As with the rest of the culture in Florida, food and drink in Miami has a heavy Cuban and Caribbean influence: the fish and seafood caught in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico form the base of the most popular dishes.
Florida is also known for its large-scale production of fruit and vegetables, and is one of the biggest producers in the States.
GRAND TURKS (TURKS ISLAND)
The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles southeast of Miami. Take the time to explore Cockburn town's wonderful selection of historical buildings including many Bermudian and Colonial style buildings and ruins.
Turks and Caicos Islands have the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making it a premier beach, diving and snorkelling destination. Its deep offshore waters serve as major transit points for Humpback Whales, spotted Eagle rays, Manta Rays and Turtles. Tuna, Wahoo and Blue Marlin inhabit these same rich waters. If you're a diver, or simply interested in diving, Grand Turk is the place. With many dive operators and schools it can cater from novice snorkels to experienced divers.
There is a small traditional fishing industry that continues throughout the Turks and Caicos islands on South Caicos in particular. The island of Providenciales is our main tourist island where you will find International style hotels.
Residents on the islands are around 20,000 and are known for their friendly spirit, which helps ensure this is a destination that helps people de-stress, feel comfortable and truly relax. Come see for yourself.
OCHO RIOS (JAMAICA)
Christopher Columbus noted that Jamaica was 'the most beautiful island I have ever seen'. His words were not without good reason. The land of rum and reggae is a stunningly beautiful island of soaring mountains, lush hilltops, evocative swamplands and glorious tropical flora.
The town of Ocho Rios sprawls along a magnificent beach and is one of Jamaica's major tourist destinations. The present bustling town was formerly a sleepy fishing village and along the coastline manages to retain some of its earlier tranquil charm.
James Bond author Ian Fleming used to live in the vicinity, at Oracabessa, and references to 007 are littered throughout the town. One of its beaches is dedicated to the fictional spy and was reportedly the location for several scenes in the 007 film Licence to Kill, starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress.
The hills behind Ocho Rios are dissected by several waterfalls and not far from town are a number of plantations growing a wide range of exotic fruit. Also accessible from Ocho Rios are Dunn's River Falls, one of Jamaica's most famous sights, which plunge some 600 feet from top to bottom.
Jamaica fell to the British in the 16th Century and this period saw the expansion and development of local agriculture, including cocoa, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco. During this time the island became plagued by pirates, such as the infamous Blackbeard and 'Calico' Jack Rackham.
By the turn of the 19th Century resistance to slavery was gaining ground in Jamaica, leading to a series of rebellions, the greatest of which was in 1831. Three years later, slaves in the West Indies were emancipated, heralding a gradual assertion of Jamaican nationalism, which culminated in independence in 1962.
The years since have seen a huge increase in tourism to Jamaica, fuelled in significant part by its place as the home of reggae music, which has been exported all over the world by the likes of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Aswad and Big Mountain. The most important reggae event in the world and the biggest day in the Jamaican calendar is the annual Sunsplash Festival held on the island.
GRAND CAYMAN (CAYMAN ISLANDS)
At 45km long, Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands, lying between Cuba and Jamaica. Its warm climate, low rainfall and tranquil waters make it an ideal destination for sun-seekers and divers. Tourism on the island developed after World War II, first as a favourite resort of Americans, followed by visitors from Europe.
The islanders display an ever-growing respect for their beautiful environment and there are several nature reserves and maritime parks. The flora and fauna of the Cayman Islands are surprisingly diverse and include the spectacular Cayman blue iguana.
The island capital of Grand Cayman is George Town, named after Fort George, built in 1700 and whose history is described in the Cayman Islands National Museum, housed in the city's oldest building. Much of the island's social life revolves around 'seven-mile beach' which stretches around West Bay. On the northwest of the island lies the town and beaches of Hell, whose name was originally inspired by the black rock formations found in the area.
Nearby is the unique Cayman Turtle Farm where the endangered green sea turtles are the star inhabitants.
Also worth visiting is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park where iguanas, orchids, parrots and hundreds of other species of plants and animal-life can be spotted among the lush undergrowth. The smaller, but equally dramatic island of Cayman Brac is home to the National Trust Parrot Reserve. There is also a renowned dive site, a former Russian destroyer.
ROATAN (HONDURAS)
The island of Roatán was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his fourth voyage in 1502, but soon became an English colony and a favourite haunt of pirates, who found safe shelter at Port Royal (as the capital Roatán City, or Coxen's Hole, was then known). At the turn of the seventeenth century the Spanish estimated that the island harboured around 5,000 English buccaneers.
Roatán's population is composed of the descendents of the early settlers and pirates, descendents of the black slave population and Honduran Amerindians. Consequently, the somatic traits of its inhabitants are surprisingly mixed and the population features various types of people.
It rains frequently and the island has an average of 20 days of rain each month. The driest months are January and February. As a consequence of the abundant rainfall, Roatán is covered with masses of luxuriant vegetation with lush woods and forests. The rain has also favoured agricultural activity, most notably the cultivation of bananas, but also sugarcane and various precious woods.
Roatán City, located on the south eastern coast, is the island's capital and has a population of approximately 4,000. It is within easy reach of the best beaches such as Flowers Bay, French Harbour and Brick Bay, as well as the splendid and world-famous West Bay Beach.
The waters around the island are spectacular and snorkelling and diving are among the favourite activities of visitors. The sea is teeming with tropical fish, various species of coral and sponges. Tropical groupers can be encountered by divers in the area known as Peter's Place. The wealth of marine fauna has also enabled the development of a fishing industry, which exports mainly prawns and lobster.
The village of Oak Ridge is another very interesting spot and is surrounded by canals with mangroves, a fishing port and colourful pile-dwellings. Here one can admire the remains of the British fortifications once visited by the admiral of the Royal Navy, Lord Nelson.
In addition to the typical, brightly coloured Caribbean garments, local crafts include pottery and various objects produced from wood, especially mahogany, which is used for sculptures, furnishings and cutlery. The local shops also sell plenty of cigars and interwoven wooden items.
NASSAU (BAHAMAS)
Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, a group of islands 50 miles from the coast of Florida, named 'Baja Mar' by Spanish settlers.
The first foreigners to have a substantial presence were British Lutherans who settled there after abandoning Bermuda in 1647. They made their home near Nassau, which is on New Providence Island, and developed a substantial maritime trade. The islands' commercial activities soon gained the unwanted attention of pirates, who for some 70 years terrorised the islands.
Among the more notorious pirates were Barbanera, Morgan and Anne Booney, as well as the legendary Blackbeard. The Bahamas' close proximity to America encouraged trade between the two, particularly during the American War of Independence in 1776 and the Anglo-Spanish War. But following the American Civil War, the Bahamas suffered lengthy and frequent periods of economic downturn, which lasted until the end of World War II.
Tourism became an increasingly important source of revenue, particularly after Castro came to power in Cuba and Americans had to look for an alternative nearby holiday destination. The Bahamas became part of the Commonwealth in 1969 and gained full independence in 1973.
The capital Nassau, a fiscal haven, is rich in history, tradition, charm and folklore. Established in 1656, it has survived the colonial age, piracy and economic recession. Only ancient city walls and fortresses testify to the city's former troubles.
A number of gardens and fountains punctuate the busy city streets, lined with a host of restaurants, bars and duty-free shops. The port is the busiest in the Bahamas, with a constant stream of yachts and passenger ships arriving and leaving. And there are a number of glorious sandy beaches nearby, both on New Providence Island and its sister Paradise Island, connected by bridge from Nassau.
Christmas Caribbean Cruise