CHINA-TOUR-5 Cruise roundtrip from MONTEGO BAY aboard Princess Cruises - Sea Princess

Montego Bay

The word Jamaica conjures up strong images in everyone's mind. Whether it's visions of impeccable Caribbean beaches or the thought of smoke wafting away from Bob Marley's lips, this small island has made a large impression on the world's stage.

Jamaica's history is similar to that of other Caribbean islands. In 1494, Columbus sailed into Montego Bay and named it Fair Weather Bay. Soon after, the Spaniards came here to hunt wild hogs and export lard. The bay became known as Manteca Bay, (Manteca is Spanish for lard) and eventually, Montego Bay.

Jamaica lies 90 miles south of Cuba, and trails only its neighbors Cuba and the Dominican Republic/Haiti in size, weighing in at 4,400 square miles. Inland, Jamaica is lush and green, with a mountain range that contrasts sharply with the coastline.

Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica, trailing only Kingston, but it may be the king of tourist destinations. Situated on the northwest side of the island, Montego Bay is the usual entryway for airline and cruise passengers from the United States to enter Jamaica. Those who come here find immaculate beaches, world class resorts, top-notch golf courses and tennis courts, and five-star restaurants.

Mo Bay, as it is affectionately known, got its start as a tourist destination in the early 20^th Century. As early as 1908, the city advertised itself as a haven for weather-weary Americans, but it didn't catch on until the 1940?s, when the mineral springs of Doctor's Cove Beach started to attract the affluent traveling class.

In recent years, Jamaica's image has taken a bit of a beating, as some tourists have bristled at overly aggressive vendors and a rising crime rate. Some of the more affluent private resorts have taken to forbidding their guests from leaving the resort without a guide. Of course, this means that some people aren't getting the true feel of this island nation.

Travelers to Jamaica need not feel unsafe. As long as you take the same precautions that you would take in any major American city, you will have little to worry about. On the whole, Jamaica's people remain friendly and hospitable, and they are proud to welcome you to their island paradise.

Curacao

Bonaire

Bonaire is the marine life capital of the Caribbean, a "Diver's Paradise" full of deep sea treasures. For both diving and snorkeling, Bonaire is one of the premier locations in the entire world. In fact, it is said that it is easier to scuba dive in Bonaire than anywhere else on earth. Bonaire, French for "good air," is in fact not a French Island. This luxurious paradise is fifty miles north of Venezuela, and is the middle island in the ABC Netherlands Antilles chain (with Aruba and Curacao being the A and C).

The first human inhabitants of Bonaire arrived there over a thousand years ago. They were an Arawak tribe who sailed from Venezuela and lived uninterrupted for 500 years. In 1499 Europeans arrived, and then in the early 1900's oil was discovered in Venezuela, so Bonaire became a primary refining center.

Bonaire's beaches are uncrowded and intimate. The island is a mere 112 square miles, and varies between three to seven miles wide. It is shaped like a boomerang, and so comfortable that you will feel like the island is your own personal resort.

Diving is the main attraction for visitors of Bonaire, but you will find that there truly is much more. The animal and marine life alone is enough to fascinate and perplex even the most seasoned traveler. Among the most exotic creatures on the island are giant iguanas, blue-tailed lizards, wild donkeys, fluorescent lora parrots, and feral goats. Per square foot, there is more cacti in Bonaire than anywhere except the deserts of the southwest and Mexico.

The friendly locals of Bonaire are a perfect complement to the beauty and tranquility that envelops all that inhabit the island. A cornucopia of ancestries, you will find people of African, Dutch, and South American descent. Expatriates from the U.S., Australia, and Britain can be found as well. The majority of Bonaire's inhabitants live in or around the capital city, Kralendijk. Kralendijk is located on the West Coast of the island, home to the majority of the nightlife, exploratory sights, and dining facilities. Bonaire combines relaxation, excitement, and beauty, truly a marvel of nature. This miniature landscape may be geographically small but it is simply wonderful.

Port of Spain

Lying 9 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad is a Caribbean paradise and the southernmost link in the Antillean chain of islands. Trinidad is part of the two-island nation known as Trinidad & Tobago. Yet, although these two islands are linked in their government and geographical proximity, they are quite varied.

Trinidad's recorded history is thousands of years old, but the region became known to Europeans in the 15^th century, when Columbus sailed around its southern bay. Sighting three large mountain peaks on the island, he named the land La Trinidad, in reverence to the Holy Trinity. In 1797, the British Empire captured Trinidad from the Spanish, ending more than 300 years of Spanish rule.

In more modern times, Trinidad has grown into a major tourist destination in part because of its success in the oil industry. The booming petroleum business in the area made Trinidad into an ideal location for upscale business travelers. Therefore, an entire industry unfolded which catered to these foreign travelers. Today, Trinidad remains a prosperous island that welcomes cruise ships from all over the world to dock at its picturesque capital, Port of Spain.

Port of Spain is a cultural and visual highlight of any cruise excursion. A city of just over 50,000, it is known throughout the world for its vibrant and colorful festivals, including the annual Carnival celebration. It is a great melting pot of cultures, featuring prominent African, European, Indian, and Asian dining, architecture, and language.

In and around the Port of Spain and Trinidad itself, you will be treated to a land that has been spared from the massive over-development that has troubled other notable ports of call. Instead, you will find ample beaches that have remained in their pristine states, casual and elegant dining in friendly local restaurants, and a great assortment of activities and events that will allow you and your family to explore this magical island and all it has to offer.

Barbados

Barbados is a gorgeous tropical paradise set far away from most other Caribbean islands. It is nearly 1000 miles east of the Netherlands Antilles chain. In 1536, during a quest for fresh water, the Portuguese "discovered" Barbados. They gave the island its current name, which translates to "the bearded ones." This name was derived from their observation of local fig trees that have roots resembling thick beards. Despite the Spanish name, there is virtually no Spanish influence that remains. The British landed a century later, and ruled the island until 1966. It was at that time when Barbados claimed its independence. The English culture, however, is alive and well, and this can be observed by the sport of choice on Barbados. Cricket is the featured game, and, in per capita terms, there are more Barbados born world-class cricket players than any other country in the world.

The capital, Bridgetown, is a marvelous city full of bustling activity and breathtaking surroundings. The island itself is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide. Barbados is quite flat, and the highest point is Mount Hillaby at 1,115 feet. Sugarcane is the crop that has sustained Barbados for decades. The valleys and hills are blanketed by acres of this sweet plant. The people in the city of Bridgetown are especially friendly and hospitable, and they had better be, because tourism is the island's most profitable industry. Unlike some of the other Caribbean islands, the government of Barbados is stable and the business community sophisticated. The population is 260,000, and a great number of them live in or around Bridgetown. The perimeter of Barbados is gorgeous white-sand beach, and the interior is comprised of exquisite rolling hills and flat grasslands.

All of the facilities on Barbados, and particularly in Bridgetown, are fabulous. The city of Bridgetown and all of the luxurious west coast has been named the Platinum Coast by British vacationers. Fine dining, scuba diving, sea excursions, and festivals are only the beginning of the fabulous activities of Barbados. Museums and archaeological sights highlight the rich heritage of the island, and so many of the locations combine education and entertainment. The miles of exquisite beach offer every water sport imaginable, and Barbados has a terrifically active nightlife. A combination of European and strictly Caribbean influences create a diverse and fascinating ambiance everywhere you go.

St. John's

Surrounding a small but beautiful harbor, and east of the Avalon Peninsula, St. John's, the capital city of Newfoundland, is the easternmost city in all of North America. The heritage and history of St. John's are inspiring, and in the beginning of the 16th century, Europeans started to pay particular attention to the bustling harbor. Because of its seaside location and close proximity to lucrative fishing sites, St. John's soon became famous, and attracted Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese sailors and fishermen. Explorer John Cabot sailed into the harbor of St. John's on June 24, 1497, which is the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Cabot founded the city and named it in honor of his country's beloved saint. St. John's is officially recognized as being the oldest city in North America founded by Europeans, and is Newfoundland's major commercial and financial center.

Even with a modest population of 100,000, the attractions in St. John's are varied and vast. Great restaurants, shopping complexes, and lively pubs line the streets, making for spectacular evenings for those who partake in the active nightlife. Northgale and The Cellar are the two premier dining engagements in St. John's, featuring exquisite cuisine and lovely decor. Signal Hill is an incredible landmark that charms everyone who visits, and the Newfoundland Museum is pleasantly informative. The trees and trails of Pippy Park dazzle the young and old, and the accompanying Fluvarium is an enchanting ecological wonder. The actual harbor itself is quite working class, and collections of oil tankers and huge sea vessels are always nearby. St. John's is known as the most colorful city in the province, and the vibrant trees and flowers of the protected areas certainly convinced me.

Basse-Terre

Guadeloupe belongs to the Leeward Islands, the island chain directly north of the Windward Islands, where Martinique is found. Dominica separates the two cousin islands, but they are often thought of as neighbors. Guadeloupe is actually comprised of two islands that are joined by a very narrow channel of water called the Riviere Salee. Basse-Terre, in the west, is more mountainous than its eastern sidekick, Grande-Terre.

The island was originally settled by the Arawak Indians. They met their end at the hands of the invading Carib Indians, for whom this entire region of the world is named. Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover Guadeloupe, on November 3, 1493. The Caribs resisted European settlement for centuries, but fighting and disease finally killed most of them off. The French eventually settled Guadeloupe in the 1600?s.

Guadeloupe is under the auspices of the French, which means that the French franc is the official currency here. French is the official language, although an influx of American tourism has allowed English to become more widely spoken in recent years.

The city of Basse-Terre is on the southwest corner of the island with the same name. It is the administrative capital of the island of Guadeloupe, if not its most popular destination (that honor goes to Pointe-a-Pitre).

Basse-Terre's main attraction is a pair of natural wonders. La Soufriere, is an active volcano east of Basse-Terre. Peaking at 4,800 feet, the volcano has not erupted since 1975, but the threat of another eruption looms over the region. Standing in stark contrast to La Soufriere is the Parc Naturel de Guadeloupe, a nature reserve covering around twenty percent of Basse-Terre, with native plants and animals finding sanctuary here.

Guadeloupe is not an island for the timid. The best attractions are hidden, and take time and effort to unearth. A day spent only in Basse-Terre will do little to educate you on Guadeloupe's beauty. If you take a ferry trip to Guadeloupe's smaller satellite islands, Iles des Saintes, you will be enchanted.