2012 Cruise Destinations by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

MartiniqueCuraçao

Colombia Guadeloupe IslandsAruba

Bahamas, Atlantis

Dominican Republic Cayman Islands Mexico, Puerto Costa Maya

FCCA Cruise Destinations 1

The information in this publication is provided "as is." FCCA and its Member Lines disclaimall representations and warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any information, services, products and materials contained herein. FCCA and its Member Lines will in no eventbe liable for any damage or losses as a result of your use of this publication.

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)11200 Pines Blvd., Ste 201, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026

Phone: (954) 441-8881 • Fax: (954) 441-3171Website: www.f-cca.com • E-mail: [email protected]

© 2012 Cruise Destinations. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part, in anyform, electronic or otherwise, without written permission of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association is prohibited.

FCCA Member LinesAIDA Cruises • Azamara Club Cruises • Carnival Cruise Lines • Celebrity Cruises Costa Cruise Lines • Cunard Line • Disney Cruise Line • Holland America Line

MSC Cruises (USA) Inc. • Norwegian Cruise Line • P&O CruisesPrincess Cruises • Royal Caribbean International • Seabourn

Welcome Letter ....................................................................................................... 3

Aruba .................................................................................................................... 5

Bahamas, Atlantis ....................................................................................................11

Cayman Islands .......................................................................................................17

Colombia ...............................................................................................................23

Curaçao ................................................................................................................29

Dominican Republic .................................................................................................35

Guadeloupe Islands .................................................................................................41

Martinique .............................................................................................................47

Mexico, Puerto Costa Maya ......................................................................................53

Panama .................................................................................................................59

Sint Maarten ...........................................................................................................65

U.S. Virgin Islands ...................................................................................................71

U.S.A., Houston ......................................................................................................77

U.S. Virgin Islands

Sint Maarten

Panama

U.S.A., Houston

Con t e n t s


Welcome to Cruise Destinations, our publication designed to showcase our partner cruise destinations of the Caribbean and Latin America.This magazine represents another step in FCCA’s mission of furthering the symbiotic relationship between the cruise industry and our destination partners. It is a great way to display the growth, prominence, offerings and importance in the industry of these incredible destinations. Only by working closely together can both the cruise industry and the destinations thrive.

I want to personally thank the destinations that are featured, as they have shown their commitment to working with the cruise industry.These destinations represent the epitome of cruise ports of call. Because of their dedication to working with the cruise industry, they haveexperienced drastic growth that has made a positive impact on their local economies, all the while providing an extraordinary experiencefor the thousands of cruise passengers that visit their destinations.

On behalf of the FCCA, I hope that this publication will enlighten and inform by providing an inside glimpse into these destinations by showcasing what they have done to cultivate cruise tourism. Our goal is to work closely with all of the destinations and build mutually beneficial relationships.

Please enjoy this edition of Cruise Destinations. There will surely be something to learn about the destinations—their history, rise to prominence,new developments/products, etc.—or simply some stunning pictures to captivate you with their splendor.

Regards,

Kevin Sheehan FCCA Chairman & Norwegian Cruise Line CEO

Welcome MessageWelcome Message

The FCCA is pleased to present you with our 2012 edition of Cruise Destinations. This important resource is a way to showcase some of ourmost prominent destination partners. Every country featured here has taken great strides to work symbiotically with the cruise industry andconstantly endeavors to foster a mutually rewarding relationship. All of these destinations are valued partners of the FCCA that can becalled on and trusted in times of need.

Furthermore, they are absolutely vital to the industry because of the steps they have taken to establish their roles and relationships. So weare glad that we can allow them this opportunity to display their importance to the industry, the infrastructure they have put in place, thetourism offerings they provide and other assets that make them not just important to the cruise tourism industry, but essential to the entiretourism industry, which arose because of their relationship with and dedication to the cruise industry. These relationships have truly helpedthese countries blossom and utilize the potential of the cruise industry.

While reading about some of the highlights and the success stories of these destinations, it becomes obvious that the cruise industryprovides a vital economic impact for many destinations, and many more want to be able to optimize its opportunities. But to do this, it takesconstant effort. Establishing the proper infrastructure and offerings is essential, and it is necessary to partner with the cruise industry tolearn what they need and how to enact and emplace it. Once this partnership is engaged, it becomes easy to see how reciprocal the relationship can be.

Respectfully yours,

Michele M. PaigePresident, FCCA

FCCA Cruise Destinations 5Content provided by: Aruba Tourism Authority

ARUBA

FCCA Cruise Destinations6

Aruba, an island sculpted by the wind and warmed byits people, has plenty to offer to both first timers andthose who return year after year. It is a true vaca-

tioner’s paradise ideally nestled in the southernmost outerfringes of the Caribbean hurricane belt, with average annualtemperatures of 82oF, but constant cooling trade windsmake even the hottest days comfortable. Aruba is 19.6miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point.

The Port of Aruba, managed by the Aruba Ports AuthorityN.V., is conveniently located in Oranjestad, a charming cos-mopolitan town that is currently going through an excitingmulti-million dollar renovation process, an urban and neigh-borhood renewal project called “Bo Aruba” (Your Aruba) toupgrade, beautify and revitalize the downtown area. Facil-ities such as a centralized plaza, restaurants, cafés, andwater fountains will play an integral role in attracting visi-tors, as well as locals, making Oranjestad a “one happy,fascinating city” day and night.

As a cruise destination, Aruba offers a variety of unforget-table experiences:

Walk through HistoryCruise passengers can walk through both ancient and mod-

ern history in downtown Oranjestad. Fort Zoutman, theoldest building, was completed in 1798, when Aruba wasstill frequented by pirates. As a means of defense, Gover-nor Lauffer built a fort with a good view of the sea, namedfor a Dutch rear admiral.

The tower was added in 1868 with the first public clock; itwould also serve as a lighthouse because it had a spire witha petrol lamp bearing King Willem III’s name, which wasfirst lit on his birthday in 1869. The fort ultimately lost itssignificance as a means of defense, but commerce con-verted Oranjestad into the capital city and residence of thelocal government.

The Historical Museum in the fort houses a collection depicting the history and development of Aruba up to the1920s, when the LAGO oil refinery came to Aruba. The museum is open from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday throughFriday, and is frequently visited by schools, tourists and locals. The Bon Bini Festival, with dancing, arts and craftsstands and local food, is held here every Tuesday eveningat 6:30 pm. An engaging emcee introduces traditionally costumed folkloric dancers, local musical genres such asthe mazurka and the waltz and instruments such as thecuarta (four-stringed rhythmic guitar), wiri, raspu and caja

di orgel, a wind-up barrel organ called the “ting-a-ling box.”The rhythmic music of the steel pan, originally developedin the English Caribbean from oil drums, also adds a touchof local color. The works of talented artists and artisans areon sale, as are authentic culinary specialties.

Aruba’s autonomous status within the Kingdom of theNetherlands (status aparte) was realized through the visionof leaders honored with statues. The process began in1923, with Jan Hendrik Albert (Henny) Eman, who soughtto free Aruba from Curaçao and the Netherlands Antilles.His statue is in front of the Parliament building. One of hisgrandsons became Aruba’s first Prime Minister on January1, 1986; another is Aruba’s current Prime Minister. Togetherwith his father, Henny, Shon A. Eman voiced the desire ofAruba to stand on its own two feet. During a 1948 confer-ence in the Hague, this esteemed statesman presented apetition with 2,147 signatures requesting independencefrom Curaçao, commemorated by the statue next to the Par-liament building. Gilberto François (Betico) Croes, knownas “liberator of Aruba,” was the dynamic politician who renewed the fight for status aparte in the 1960s, finally realized on January 1, 1986. The Main Street bears hisname, as does the large plaza with his statue behind theTalk of the Town Resort.

Find Your Happy…Bon Bini to Aruba


Facing the Governor’s house on L. G. Smith Boulevard isQueen Wilhelmina Park. She ruled the Netherlands forover fifty years until 1962, longer than any other Dutchmonarch. The statue of Boy Ecury is found on L. G. SmithBoulevard just past town. With the outbreak of World WarII, this Aruban teenager joined the resistance in Holland.Captured by German Secret Police, this young hero wassentenced to death, as he refused to reveal the names ofhis comrades.

The Archeological Museum is located two blocks east ofthe Oranjestad bus station. The historic Ecury family com-plex is now a modern archeological museum. Great carehas been taken to preserve the beauty and historic charac-ter of the original buildings.

The museum is devoted to Amerindian culture and archae-ological finds from various digs around Aruba. The threeperiods of Amerindian habitation are documented: Pre-Ce-ramic period of 2500 BC – 1000 AD, when semi-nomadicbands of Amerindians migrated from the South Americanmainland; Ceramic Period of the Caquetio Indians, thehunters-fishers-gatherers who inhabited Aruba from 900 –1515 AD until enslaved and taken to Hispaniola; and theHistoric Period from 1515 – 1880 AD. The Amerindians leftbehind ornaments, shells, ceramics, amulets and burialpractices. There is a built-to-scale replica of a maloca hutof 1000 years ago; the second floor is dedicated to culturaland religious practices.

The Office of Monuments is housed in a landmark buildingnext to the new Archeological Museum. There are 24 re-stored landmark buildings in walking distance. The streets

run in a circular pattern, as commerce began in the harbor,and the downtown area was built out around it. Amongthem is the green stadhuis now housing the City Hall, wherelegal marriages are performed.

Get out of Town!The Arikok National Park is a natural preserve that coversone-fifth of Aruba and encompasses the three geologicalformations that have shaped the island and its history.Arikok is home to all of Aruba’s animals, including the san-tanero (harmless cat-eyed snake); eight species of lagadishi(lizards), including the dinosaur-like iguana; and the unas-suming pega pega (gecko). You may view a passing shoco(burrowing owl) and some vividly hued birdlife, as well asburicos (wild donkeys), cabritos (free-ranging goats), andscurrying cottontail rabbits. Cacti in all shapes and sizesdot the desert landscape.

The 620-foot-high Mount Jamanota towers over Arikok’srugged red dirt roads and unforgiving terrain. The irregularnorth coast has gaps and inlets that have formed such intriguing retreats as Fuente, Daimari, Andicuri and Wairuri.Dos Playa has a wide beach, but very rough surf, as doesBoca Prins, a secluded cove fringed by sugary white sanddunes. The natural pool is tranquil and protected by rocksamidst some of the most rugged terrain.

Natural bridges have been carved out of rock along thenorth coast by millennia of pounding surf, as have caves,some of which bear internationally recognized Indian rockdrawings. Fontein is the largest and most easily accessible;natural light penetrates the ceiling of the Quadirikiri cave,creating an eerie effect. Ruins of the Miralamar Gold Mill

date back to Aruba’s gold rush in the early 20th century.Agricultural areas include Cunucu Arikok at the foot ofMount Arikok with a cas di torto (mud house); the formerPrins coconut plantation; and Hofi Fontein with its naturalspring. There is an extensive network of 20 miles of hikingtrails within the park; tours are available through parkrangers. Be sure to follow park rules; wear a cap; use sun-screen; bring adequate water; wear sturdy shoes; and don’tswim in rough waters.

Other popular Aruba attractions for the whole family includethe Aloe Factory, Donkey Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, ButterflyFarm, Atlantis Submarine and De Palm Island. Tours areavailable by jeep or air-conditioned coach.

Shop Till You Drop!Shopping in Aruba is an exhilarating experience. Luxurymalls with prestigious international brands are accompa-nied by glittering new shopping/entertainment centers.

There’s more gold downtown than any of Aruba’s oldprospectors could have ever imagined; a dazzling maze ofjewelry stores meanders through downtown Oranjestad,peppered by attractive malls and shops and a Main Streetsoon to be accessible by tram. Royal Plaza is the three-sto-ried pink and white structure overlooking the harbor withshops specializing in apparel, gifts, linens, jewelry andmore. Renaissance Mall is home to an exclusive interna-tional collection of luxury retailers of simply fabulous ready-to-wear clothes and accessories. Complementingone-of-a-kind shops, Renaissance Marketplace boastsrestaurants and coffee houses, a movie theatre, a casinoand live entertainment.


In the high-rise hotel area, Paseo Herencia woos shopperswith liquid fireworks, synchronized swimmers, Carnavalshows, live music and movie theatres while they explorethe eclectic roster of fifty retailers. Palm Beach Mall ishome to shops of all kinds, as well as restaurants, a foodcourt, kids’ activities, live entertainment and a neon bowlingalley. In addition to shopping, The Village offers gourmetdining, entertainment and popular bars and fun spots.South Beach Centre includes gift, apparel, jewelry and sou-venir stores, as well as bars and cafes and diverse interna-tional restaurants.

Buy some “Made in Aruba” products that include local beer(Balashi) and spirits (coecoei, ponche crema, rum), hotsauce, aloe beauty products, cigars, music CDs, artwork,handicrafts and photography. Don’t leave without samplinga pastechi, the golden-fried turnover with savory fillings,which is the national snack.

Aaahhh! The BeachesAruba offers world-renowned sparkling white sandybeaches fringed by clear turquoise waters and swayingpalms, cooled by constant trade winds. All beaches are

open to the public. Some resorts offer special arrangementsfor cruise passengers to use their beach and facilities.Across from the downtown Talk of the Town Resort are thecalm waters of Nikky Beach. Going north is EagleBeach, a popular public beach just past the low-rise resortarea voted No. 3 in TripAdvisor’s Top 25 beaches in theworld. Palm Beach is dotted by water sports concessions,piers, restaurants, shops and world-class high-rise hotels.Hadicurari Beach (Fisherman’s Huts) out past the MarriottResort is a kite surfer’s oasis. Malmok Beach is a narrowsandy stretch opposite sprawling homes; its shallow clearwaters make it a popular snorkeling spot, as is ArashiBeach further north; an area called Boca Catalina is asmall, secluded bay.

On the way to San Nicolas are the beaches of Savaneta,Aruba’s first capital, now a fisherman’s haven. MangelHalto is a small beach among the mangroves of Pos Chik-ito and its nearby canals and small bridges. Out past SanNicolas, in Seroe Colorado, Baby Beach, is a half-moonsandy expanse in a calm shallow lagoon; where the bayopens out to the sea, snorkelers will behold a colorful kalei-doscope of sea life. Because of strong undertow and crash-

ing waves, swimming on the windward side is not recom-mended, but beaches there afford breathtaking panoramasand tranquillity.

Fabulous FoodAruba’s food is deliciously extraordinary, served at over200 restaurants. Take this opportunity to enjoy some tra-ditional Aruban cooking with Amerindian, African, Latinand European influences; keshi yena is a gouda cheesewith savory chicken filling; hearty goat stew is a feel-good, finger-licking entrée. Local catch such as wahoo andmahi-mahi are the freshest possible. Other local special-ties include Johnny Cakes (fried, puffy biscuits), pan bati(Aruban cornbread), hearty soups and stews, and funchi(polenta). From jerk ribs and fajitas, brick-oven pizzas, cur-ries, homemade pastas and racks of lamb to raw seafoodbars, Black Angus steaks, churrasco and prime rib, Aruba’smenus are diverse and unique…and venues are no lesseclectic. Choose a rustic steak or seafood house, casualeatery, trendy restaurant/lounge, elegant townhouse, trattoria, sidewalk café, chalet, sprawling manor house,golf clubhouse, cunucu house or al fresco beachfront,poolside or pier restaurant.

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Pretty much says it all, right? Well, if not, let us explain. When you go on a Carnival cruise, you’re getting an awesome

vacation full of live entertainment, great food and more fun than you’ll know what to do with – all at an amazing price.

So yeah, ourcruiseisawesome pretty much says it all.


BAHAMAS, ATLANTIS,PARADISE ISLANDS

Content provided by: Atlantis, Paradise Islands, Bahamas


Only at Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas canyou splash into Aquaventure, the Caribbean’slargest waterpark, with 20 million gallons of thrilling

waterslides and river rides spread out over a 141-acrewater park. First, if you dare, take the Leap of Faith, a 60-foot near-vertical drop into shark-infested waters. Challenge a friend to a high-speed splashdown! Race yourfriends down the twin high-speed Challenger Slides of theMayan Temple, and then check your speeds on the timeclocks at the bottom to see who won! Brave the 120-footPower Tower for even more twists and turns on one of 3tube rides or a body slide that drops you into darkness andends in a cavern full of alligator gar. Or embark on an amaz-

ing mile-long river ride through four-foot rolling waves,river rapids and mysterious caves. Two conveyors transportyou up the river and onto the thrilling slides of the PowerTower. Or simply relax in one of 11 refreshing pools. What-ever your mood, we’ve got the pool for you. From sereneand peaceful to an international party vibe with live DJ,you will find the pool that suits your personality and ideaof a day well spent. For the younger crowd, Atlantis offers3 dedicated children’s pools. Designed with the youngestin mind, Splashers is an elaborate Mayan-themed children’s pool and water playground featuring three tubeslides and a side-by-side slide, cargo nets and rope bridgesfor climbing and water cannons, fountains and water

wheels for endless soaking. With a maximum depth of 3feet, parents need not worry about keeping pool areas offlimits. Rental lockers and complimentary towels are avail-able for cruise guests through the Hospitality Center.

Of course, if pristine white sand beaches call you, reserveyour Atlantis Beach Day. Relax and enjoy all-day accessto the pristine white sand and crystal blue water of Atlantis’s exclusive beaches. A complimentary beach daybag is also included. Every beach has its own unique allureand charm. There are three inviting beaches available toguests of Atlantis, Paradise Island. Whether you settledown on Cove Beach, Paradise Lagoon or Atlantis Beach,

Atlantis - An Experience Like Nowhere ElseAtlantis, Paradise Island is a unique destination featuring the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, second only to Mother Nature. It is home to over 50,000 sea animals living in 14 exhibit lagoons. No matter what your idea of fun is, you will surely find it at Atlantis.


you’ll find powder-soft sand and a spectacular vista of azurewater waiting for you. Just follow a path to the water’sedge, kick off your shoes and give the sand a toe wiggletest. If you like what you see and feel, stake a claim. Thisprogram includes access to the beaches and marine habi-tats of Atlantis; however, access to the pools, slides andrides are not included.

The legend of Atlantis comes to life on the Discover At-lantis Tour. Journey through The Dig, an archeological ex-cursion where mythical artifacts are “preserved” amongstunning marine life. There’s only one place in the worldwhere you can embark on a an adventure through thestreets and tunnels of the fabulous lost city of Atlantiswhile viewing stunning marine life exhibits. Reflecting thetunnels and thoroughfares of the lost continent, The Digfeatures habitats for exotic marine life like piranhas, iridescent jellyfish, six-foot moray eels and six species ofenormous groupers. And in separate, smaller “Jewel Habi-tats,” multitudes of brilliantly colored tropical fish dwell.Visitors should plan ahead and remember not to miss theinteractive touch tank aquarium filled with conch, starfish,sea urchins, sea cucumbers and horseshoe crabs and designed to encourage vacationer interaction. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Want to get even closer? Then Snorkel the Ruins of Atlantis in the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. Thisthrilling 60-minute program includes an amazing 30-minutesnorkeling adventure amid the sunken ruins and artifacts ofthe lost city of Atlantis. You’re bound to see sleek sharks,spotted rays and thousands of tropical fish as you snorkelyour way through the Ruins lagoon. The Stingray Experi-ence provides an amazing hands-on encounter with hun-dreds of sleek stingrays and colorful, tropical fish. Guestshave the unique opportunity to feed rays in a shallow lagoonnot accessible to the general public, followed by an engag-ing snorkel among these wonderful animals. This is a 45-minute program with a limited group size of up to 8 peopleand minimum age requirement of 5 years.

No trip to Atlantis would be complete without a visit to Dolphin Cay, an extraordinary 14-acre habitat offering vis-itors an amazing, up-close experience with Atlantic bot-tlenose dolphins and friendly Californian and SouthAmerican sea lions. Our Shallow Water Interaction letsguests of all ages go nose-to-nose with these remarkableanimals. Touch, splash and play away with your delightfulnew sea friend. This program is open to guests of all ages,but children 10 and under must have an adult participating


in the interaction with them. For even more excitement, trya Deep Water Swim.

Glide and snorkel alongside a dolphin with a hand-heldwater scooter. At the end of your visit, these powerful animals offer visitors a “foot push” across the lagoon on aboogie board. Guests must be at least 10 years or olderand be able to swim in deep water without support vestsor assistance. Alternatively, guests can purchase a DolphinCay Beach Pass, which includes unlimited access to theprivate beach with all-day beach service, complimentarynon-alcoholic refreshments, beach towels, private rest-rooms and showers.

Jump in for a splash in our Sea Lion Interaction. Hug,touch, or even kiss your new friend as you pose for a keep-sake photo. Visitors will tour the state-of-the-art marinefacility and rescue center before stopping to pose for

pictures with their new sea lion friends. Limited to just 12guests, this intimate interaction begins with an orientationand includes 30 minutes in the water. Wetsuits, personallockers, beach towels, and non-alcoholic refreshments areprovided, along with all-day access to Dolphin Cay’s private beach.

During your day at Atlantis, you will be sure to work up anappetite from all the waterslides, rides, pools and pro-grams on offer. And rest assured, you won’t be at a lossfor choice. From barbecue to local Bahamian cuisine andsome familiar names like Johnny Rockets, Quizno’s andStarbucks, you are sure to find something to tempt yourpalette. There are over 14 poolside options, including twofull-service restaurants in the waterscape. For those witha sweet tooth, stroll over to Marina Village for some Ben& Jerry’s ice cream or an enormous selection of candy andsweets at Oh Sugar!

For the shopper at heart, Atlantis has an amazing array ofstores to choose from. The haute couture shops of MarinaVillage and the Crystal Court and Escape at The Cove provide a shopper’s paradise. You will find the high-endnames you know and love from Versace, Gucci, Ferragamoand John Bull to unique and colorful boutiques from CalypsoCarousel to the Plait Lady, offering handmade products fromfine Bahamian craftsmen. Or if you’d like to take home a reminder of your day at Atlantis, there are several signatureshops located around property offering everything from At-lantis logoed clothing to books and other keepsakes. Andbest of all, shopping at Atlantis is duty-free!

It’s all waiting at Atlantis. A lifetime of memories, all in asingle-day excursion.

To book one of the amazing Atlantis programs listed here,see your cruise line shore excursion representative.

An Experience Like Nowhere Else.

To learn about all the exciting ways to spend your day at Atlantis, please visit our cruise partners’ websites: Carnival Cruise Lines | Disney Cruise Lines | MSC Cruise Lines | Norwegian Cruise Lines | Royal Caribbean International

Or to begin offering these Atlantis Excursions through your cruise line, please contact [email protected].

Thrill seekers, get ready for Aquaventure, the Caribbean’s largest and most spectacular waterpark.

With �� acres of exciting water slides and river rides, you can take on the Power Tower, plunge from the Mayan Temple, or float on a mile-long river journey

before unwinding at one of �� pools. Delight in a Beach Day, along miles of white sandy beaches. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the hundreds of slots and

table games in the Caribbean’s largest casino. Retail enthusiasts can shop the Crystal Court for haute couture or stroll Marina Village, a quaint, cobblestone

plaza, surrounding the world-class Atlantis Marina. �� million gallons of fun awaits you at Atlantis. Will you come out and play?

Crystal Court Marina Village 80 Table Games 800 Slots

ROYALCARIBBEAN.COM

THE SEA KISSES EVERY SHORE.WE TAKE THE RELATIONSHIP EVEN FURTHER.

The sea is calling. It whispers your name, inviting you to a place more beautiful than anything you’ve seen. Where light dances on the waves, and the gentle sound puts you at ease. Where you can enjoy a piña colada, a massage, ice skating and a ride on the zip line all in one place. Only Royal Caribbean International® delivers the one vacation that’s a full sea of possibilities.


CAYMAN ISLANDS

Content provided by: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism


Recognized as the top travel destination in theCaribbean by Trip Advisor’s informed travelers, theCayman Islands promises a superlative Caribbean

escape like no other. World-renowned for its beautifulbeaches, stunning underwater scenery, amazing attrac-tions and distinctive charm, the Cayman Islands providessome of the Caribbean’s finest infrastructure and ameni-ties and offers all of the ingredients for the perfect island experience.

With a total landmass of about 100 square miles, the Cay-man Islands—made up of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac andLittle Cayman—is a magnet for visitors, attracting almosttwo million curious or loyal sun-seeking tourists annually.

When it comes to shopping in the Cayman Islands, choiceis a strong currency, and visitors need look no further thanthe vibrant port capital of George Town, where they can

wander through the bustling streets and experience the islands’ rich culture. With a wide range of stores and out-lets ranging from the small and quaint to the modern andexpansive storefronts along the waterfront, shopping opportunities are abundant and seductive. The CaymanCraft Market is a particular favourite, where guests canbrowse through decorative shell or Caymanite jewelry, funwoven totes and hats and stock up on island delicacies,such as sea salt, pepper jelly and hot sauce.

A casual stroll through George Town will also connect visitors with some of the best duty-free shopping andwidest array of luxury goods to be found in a Caribbean port,including dazzling jewellery, authentic treasure coins, china,crystal and the very latest in fragrances.

Several galleries and gift shops also offer local arts andcrafts and quality gifts. Souvenirs and mementos are

easy to find in a variety of locations. Visitors are encour-aged to peruse the abundantly stocked shops—includingfun t-shirts from One Tree Four Five and tastings of rumcakes at the Tortuga Rum Company—and enjoy a be-hind-the-scenes tour of the unique Seven Fathoms Rumdistillery. Alternatively, stop by Guy Harvey’s Grand Cay-man gallery to study his famous paintings and hear abouthis dedicated conservation efforts from the renownedartist himself.

In addition to the waterfront stores along Grand Cayman’sfamed Seven Mile Beach, several plazas and mini shoppingmalls offer everything from designer clothing and sportinggoods to beach and resort wear.

The recently developed town of Camana Bay, which fea-tures a mix of international brands and local retailers, ishome to Grand Cayman’s newest shopping experience and

The Charm of the Cayman Islands by Cruise


offers a complete range of luxury goods, everyday necessi-ties and beyond the ordinary gifts.

A visit to George Town would not be complete withouttaking the opportunity to learn about Cayman’s naturaland cultural history at the Cayman Islands NationalMuseum. Conveniently located on the waterfront, over-looking the Caribbean Sea, this beautiful structure dating back to the 19th century formerly served as thetown’s court house, jail, parliamentary centre and primary school. Today, the museum's collection con-tains over 8,000 items, ranging from tiny coins to a 14-foot catboat, natural history specimens and raredocuments, and is a place of learning and enjoyment.The museum’s gift shop offers an array of quality mem-orabilia, and the picturesque courtyard of the GaolHouse café specializes in delicious tropical drinks, localice cream and snacks.

For those looking to explore the underwater world, the Cayman Islands also offers an opportunity to introduce visitors to its pristine waters and marine life with AtlantisSubmarines. These unique vessels explore the depth of Cayman’s waters, from the teeming shallow reefs and ship-wrecks of George Town harbor to the magnificent coralcanyons at 100 feet. The glass bottom boats offer anothergreat way to explore the Cayman Islands’ extensive andcolorful marine life without making a splash.

To sample another side of the Cayman Islands, step aboardthe Jolly Roger for an afternoon of swashbuckling fun. Riskpossible pirate trials, sword fights, plank walks and evenan attack on your cruise ship to make it back to shore!

Just a short distance from George Town, visitors will discover endless island adventures. From swimming withstingrays at the world famous Stingray City to cruising with

dolphins at Dolphin Cove and Dolphin Discovery to learningabout turtles at the Cayman Turtle Farm, parents and children alike are sure to enjoy these once-in-a-lifetime encounters with the destination’s vibrant marine life.Stingray City, Cayman’s premier attraction, invites adven-turers to join stingrays in their natural habitat and enjoy up-close interactions with these unique animals. At DolphinCove and Dolphin Discovery, guests will befriend AtlanticBottlenose Dolphins and can participate in exciting ridesand affectionate kisses. Visitors will see the rare sea turtlein every stage of growth at the Cayman Turtle Farm beforediscovering nurse sharks and barracudas in the PredatorTank, admiring the colorful birds of the apiary, and splashingaround in the Breaker’s Lagoon water park, featuring theCayman Islands’ largest swimming pool!

The nearby Cayman Motor Museum is also worth the trip.From a line of red Ferraris to the original Batmobile, the museum offers 80 classic vehicles, including the first auto-mobile ever produced, an 1886 Benz, and the first car everdriven in the Cayman Islands, a 1905 Cadillac.

History buffs can discover the birthplace of democracy inthe Cayman Islands at the historic home of Pedro St. James,a museum and preserved estate. Visitors will learn aboutCayman’s rich 200-year history through an engaging multi-media theater presentation on Pedro St. James before step-ping into history in the plantation’s great house andmeandering through the estate’s grounds, enjoying strikingocean views.

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park offers a place of magnificence with its breathtaking displays of native floraand fauna. Highlighted exhibits inside the park include theFloral Color Garden, the Woodland Trail and Orchids in thePark. A trip to the Blue Iguana Recovery program is also afun way to learn about Cayman’s indigenous blue iguanasand the immensely successful efforts that have rescuedthese beautiful animals from the brink of extinction.

Among its many appealing qualities, the Cayman Islandshas the added ingredient of some of the finest dining foundin combination with sun, sea and tropical landscapes. Withover 150 restaurants and a variety of local and internationalculinary events every year, the Cayman Islands is justifiablyconsidered as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.

Food lovers will find everything to satisfy the appetite,ranging from internationally acclaimed signature restau-


rants to independent boutiques and small local diners thatserve everything from international cuisine to traditionalCaymanian dishes. From casual beachside lunches to sunset dinners or elaborate banquets, the Cayman Islandsoffers the right places and delicacies to suit every palate.Even without leaving George Town, visitors can enjoy aneclectic array of fine culinary options ranging from tradi-tional Caymanian seafood and Caribbean fare to Thai,Italian, and New World cuisine.

Gourmets will love the farm-to-table fare at Brasserie byChef Dean Max, while the more casually-inclined will ap-preciate the laid-back atmosphere at island favorite, theLobster Pot, which boasts spectacular ocean views.

For those looking to simply lounge on the beach, Seven MileBeach promises sweeping white sand and turquoise water.Guests can lie in the sand, soaking up the sun and sippingon a perfectly chilled Cayman Mama cocktail while enjoyingthe vibrant atmosphere of the public beach and local bar,Calico Jack’s.

The Cayman Islands is a truly diverse destination, andCaymanians are widely considered to be warm andfriendly people who love to share their culture andspirit of ‘Caymankindness’ with visitors. The islands arecommitted to being a responsible destination and topreserving their heritage through sustainable develop-ment. Travelers looking for greener holiday alternativeswill be impressed to learn that much is being donethroughout the Cayman Islands to induce greener traveloptions and protect the pristine environment for futuregenerations.

In addition to the sandy white beaches, swaying palm treesthat beckon visitors to relax, and an average year-roundtemperature of 82°F, few other sun-kissed islands in theCaribbean can offer the diversity of experiences in one package that the Cayman Islands can.

To learn more about this irresistible Caribbean cruise escape and book your Cayman Islands trip, visit www.caymankind.com.

JOY IS THE ONLY PROTOCOL IN THIS PORT O’ CALL. JOY IS THE ONLY PROTOCOL IN THIS PORT O’ CALL.

A WORLD AWAY. JUST ONE HOUR FROM MIAMI.

VISIT WWW.CAYMANKIND.COM// /GRAND CAYMAN LITTLE CAYMANCAYMAN BRAC/

Recognised as the #1 Travel Destination in the Caribbean & Mexico by TripAdvisor travellers.

As a leading partner of the FCCA and the cruise industry, the Cayman Islands is thrilled to welcome your clients to our friendly shores. Whether they’re interested in spending a day touring some of our more famous attractions, like the Cayman Turtle Farm, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park or Pedro St. James Castle, visiting the scores of duty free shops, restaurants and cultural sites in downtown George Town, or simply whiling away the hours on legendary Seven Mile Beach, your clients will marvel at how much there is to see and do in our little corner of paradise.

Doing as much (or as little) as you choose. Not your usual routine? Excellent.

Because we believe every moment of your vacation should

be measured by just how far it takes you from the ordinary.

That’s modern luxury.◊celebritycruises.com / 1-800-CELEBRITY

Contact your local travel agent

Modern Luxury is a trademark of Celebrity Cruises Inc. ©2012 Celebrity Cruises Inc. Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador.

i s :

FCCA Cruise Destinations 23Content provided by: Proexport Colombia

COLOMBIA


Colombia is a place, an emotion, that you approachsomewhat cautiously, but once you experience it, youwon’t want to leave.

In recent years, Colombia has established an image of stability as a result of aligning economic growth and devel-opment with the environment and the population of eachregion. Because of increased security and growth in thetourism industry, cruise ships stopping in Colombia’s portsare becoming an integral part of a traveler’s itinerary.

Colombia’s port cities provide a variety of experiences forcruise passengers, from the vibrant contemporary city ofCartagena de Indias to Santa Marta, the magical and oldestcity on continental America and a site where Indian culturalheritage and an extraordinary diversity of landscapes andbeaches are mixed together.

Cartagena de IndiasFounded in 1533 with only 200 inhabitants on a wide, shel-tered harbor on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena de Indiashas grown tremendously and today boasts approximately900,000 residents, making it Colombia’s fifth-largest city.The high, salt-bleached walls that circumscribe its Old City

were built to thwart pirates and privateers during the heightof the Spanish colonial era in the 1600s. The Old City preserves the rich history and culture Colombia provides,while the rest of the seaport pulsates like a salsa party withtrendy hotels and restaurants, designer boutiques, emeraldshops and sizzling nightlife. With all that is going on in thismodern hub with historical significance, it’s now a UNESCOWorld Heritage site, and it truly is paradise.

Experience the Best in Cartagena:

Garcia Marquez Audio Tour Featured in Frommer’s as “One of 7 Ways to Experience theBest of Colombia,” this audio tour is a fantastic way to seeCartagena and learn about Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a NobelLaureate.

Undoubtedly, Cartagena embodies the literary history andlife of Marquez. An audio-guided tour available in five dif-ferent languages will fascinate and entertain throughout thiscaptivating historical city. Since this tour can be experiencedsimultaneously by up to 1,200 people, it’s a fantastic way toget close to the monuments in Cartagena’s historical her-itage. The tour’s street locations evoke the presence of Mar-

quez himself. For this reason, Cartagena is a place where re-ality mingles with magic. (www.tierramagna.com $35)

HelicotoursOperated by Robinson Helicopter Company, Cartagena Helicopter Tours are a fantastic way to catch a bird’s-eyeview of the city. Gazing from spectacular heights, those par-taking in one of the three different tour packages will notmiss out on seeing the marvelous beaches, the wall-en-cased city and the panoramic view of the bay. Limited tohigh season, the company plans to get tours up and runningby April 2012. (www.helicoptertourscartagena.co)

Rosario IslandsHemmed-in by ramparts, stone towers and the relentlesssurf of the sea, Cartagena is the gateway to the Rosario Islands, a cluster of 43 coral isles that extend into theCaribbean and are a protected as a marine national park.There are few sandy beaches in the Parque Nacional Cor-rales del Rosario, and it is possible in nearby Baru—thelargest island in the area—to hit the waves at Playa Blanca.This white stretch of powdery beach is ideal for sunbathing,and although it can get crowded with Cartagena day-trip-pers, its natural setting, the abundance of sun and cold

Colombia: The Only Risk Is Wanting to Stay


beers more than justify the boat ride from the historic city.Pint-sized and picture-perfect, Islas del Rosario is a greatdestination for a day or weekend adventure. Drive along asand-splashed coastal vista or simply relax at the beach.Snorkel with the fish while the turquoise-hued watersparkles around you. One of Colombia’s 46 natural parks,this island group was built in order to protect one of themost important coral reefs of the Caribbean coast and themarine species that inhabit it. If beautiful landscapes, sun,and beach, are not enough for you, there is also a great se-lection of water sports to partake in, as well as delectablecuisine options for dining.

Santa MartaLocated in the most beautiful bay in the Americas, SantaMarta is the epicenter of tourism in a region that in only a150-mile radius covers an exuberant ecosystem of varyingclimate and natural and geographical zones from the highest coastal mountaintops in the world, La Sierra Nevada, to the depths of the sea.

Santa Marta is best known today as an adventure destina-tion and is graced by the world’s tallest seaside mountainthat rises over three miles. Santa Marta, the Sierra Nevada,the bay and all the surroundings are full of indescribablemagic. To begin with, Santa Marta is the oldest city in SouthAmerica and holds an unrivalled architectural heritage thatevokes the times of the banana bonanza. A perfect paradisefor your next vacation.

The area is home to more than thirty thousand indigenouspeople from five of the most important native groups inSouth America: the Kogui, the Arhuacos, the Wiwa, theArzarios and the Kankuamos. Even though each group hasits own unique language, each considers itself to be bornto the Mother of the Universe, the ancestral deity. Becauseof this unique mixture, this region is a reserve for the her-itage of the biosphere and of humanity, as well as a stun-ning example of diversity, beauty, nature’s richness andcultures that coexist in a single space.

Experience the Best in Santa Marta:

Visit Tayrona National ParkTayrona National Park is an easy day trip from the colonialcity of Santa Marta. A favorite destination for nature loversand those in search of warm Caribbean waters, Tayrona isone of the most beautiful corners of Colombia, where coldmountain streams flowing from the summit meet aturquoise sea.

Enjoy snorkeling near the sea-sculptured boulders that formtranquil bays and natural reefs. Horseback tours; raft tripsdown the Don Diego River, with its rapids and falls; and long

hikes to places like La Piscina or El Cabo are especiallyworthwhile in this amazing park.

Visit the Historical Center In a trip through the city’s downtown, with the sea breezeblowing in off the waters, you will also feel the magic ofthe historical center’s colonial and republican heritage withits colorful gardens of azaleas, bougainvillea, poinsettias,butterflies and hummingbirds. Quinta de San Pedro Alejan-drino is an 18th century villa where the Liberator Simon Bolivar died in 1830. Today, the villa is divided into threemain tourist attractions: the main house, the Bolivarian Mu-seum of Contemporary Arts and the Tayrona Museum. TheCathedral is a historical site not to be missed; built in 176,it serves as national monument to this day. Lastly, the Cus-toms House is the oldest house in America, built in 1530,and now hosts the Tayrona Museum.

TagangaIn a cove just 10 minutes from Santa Marta, visitors will discover an authentic Colombian fishing village calledTaganga. This village is popular for scuba diving and snor-keling because of its clear and calm waters. Tanganga welcomes backpackers because of its diverse eateries and

affordable hostels. Nestled around a half-moon bay, Tagangais an ideal place to watch the sunset and enjoy a meal incorporating the catch of the day in a laidback setting.

San Andres, Providencia and Santa CatalinaDiscover a trio of enchanting islands in the Caribbean; slow,continuous and deep, like the perfect breathing for scubadiving, is the rhythm of this stimulating contemplative andcoralline archipelago.

San Andrés, the capital the archipelago and one of thecountry’s most enticing destinations, lies about 435 milesnorthwest of the continental coast of Colombia. Surroundedby “sea of seven colors,” the island offers white sandbeaches, a natural swimming pool, snorkeling, scuba divingand a plethora of water sports ranging from jet skiing to kitesurfing.

Downtown San Andrés offers lively restaurants, bars,nightlife and is a haven for shopping lovers. A free portwith no value-added tax, San Andrés has more than 500shops offering well-known perfume, liquor, clothing, hand-icraft, jewelry and accessory brands. Furthermore, sunsetoutings on the Morgan Galleon accompanied by the beats


of reggae and socca Caribbean music and dining on localseafood bathed in coconut milk are among visitors’ favorite activities.

A close neighbor and sister of San Andrés, Providencia,is considered one of the Caribbean’s loveliest islands.Surrounded by a coral reef, it is joined to the island ofSanta Catalina by a pedestrian bridge called the Lovers’Bridge.

Experience the Best in San Andres, Providencia andSanta Catalina:

Diving the CaysSan Andrés is a diver’s paradise thanks to several small islands nearby that are surrounded by coral reefs. Diving orsnorkeling from the water near the shore is enough to finduniquely colored fish, an expansive coral platform, exoticflora and fauna and a good number of sunken ships inhab-ited by seaweed and coral that turns them into treasuresworth seeing. Johnny Cay, The Aquarium and Haynes Cayare a little more than a mile away from San Andrés, whilethe Bolívar and Albuquerque Cays lie 16 nautical miles tothe southwest. The nearby cays are ideal for relaxing, while

the distant ones are perfect for snorkeling and diving dueto their extensive coral reefs.

Practice Water Sports In San Andres, the beaches and water epitomize a wateractivities paradise. Ranging for personal preferences, themost daring adventurers may wind surf while others takepart in activities like kite surfing, sailing, water skiing, snor-keling, scuba diving, jet skiing and deep sea fishing, whichall cater to many ages and abilities. Name the water sport,and it can be arranged on San Andrés, Providencia andSanta Catalina.

Visit Morgan’s CaveNo one knows exactly when the Dutch settlers arrived toset up their faros, but they were soon followed by the English and the Irish, and then came the fight with theSpaniards to keep possession of the island. But despite thecomings and goings of the pirate Sir Henry Morgan betweenhere and Jamaica, he was a resident in the archipelago,and it was from here that he planned various assaults ongalleons laden with gold destined for Europe. It is said thathis treasure was hidden in Morgan’s Cave, a small, deeplake within a cave of coral rock.

©Disney DCL-12-22103 Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas. All ship images and renderings are early concept art.

On board Disney Dream, and the soon-to-sail Disney Fantasy, thrilling ocean views from AquaDuck are just the beginning. With relaxation for grown-ups, adventures just for kids, tweens and teens, and spectacular family fun, there’s magic on board for all ages. And with renowned Disney service, it’s truly the most magical cruise at sea. To learn more about our new ships and other exciting destinations, go to disneycruise.com/fun, call 1-888-582-8146 or visit your Travel Agent.

cean views with a splash of magic.O


CURAÇAO

Content provided by: Curaçao Ports Authority


Curaçao is redefining the luxury Caribbean vacationwith its intimate, private beaches, pristine dive sites,eclectic array of restaurants, and�ber-luxe resorts.

The capital city of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritagesite, lures visitors with its distinctive candy-colored DutchColonial architecture, museums, and monuments. Justsome 35 miles north of Venezuela, with more than 30beaches, 129 nationalities, 60 dive sites and an increasingnumber of hot new hotels and restaurants, Curaçao’s timehas come.

Short HistoryThe inhabitants are a friendly mix of European, African and

Indian bloodlines. Before the Spanish arrived, Curacao wasinhabited by the Caiquetios, a hunter-gatherer Arawak tribethat probably migrated from Venezuela about 2500 B.C.

The Spanish established a small colony here in the early1500s, but dubbed the island “useless” because it had nogold or silver. Local Indians were put to work panning salt,felling timber, and tanning hides for shipment back to Spain.

In 1634, the Spanish were routed by the Dutch, who realizedthat the goldmine in this “useless” island was really itslarge, deep harbor. For 400 years, it has been one of theCaribbean’s most important ports.

Despite English and French attempts at conquest, Curaçaohas been Dutch for almost 400 years. Today, the chief Span-ish legacies are Catholicism, which is embraced by morethan 80 percent of the population, and the many Spanishwords woven into Papiamentu, the local Creole language.

Almost from the beginning, Curaçao has been a major tradecenter. Its climate and poor soil could not support large plan-tations, so slaves were sent to Curaçao only to be processedfor shipment to South America and other islands. After slav-ery was abolished in 1863, Curaçao slumbered as a quietcrossroads of trade until the discovery of oil in Venezuelalaunched another boom.

The Curaçao Experience


During the 1960s and 70s, Curaçao developed into a populardestination for cruise ships. However, the steep rise in fuelprices made sailing from the United States to the south ofthe Caribbean expensive, and tourism on Curaçao becameincreasingly dependent on air traffic. In 1986, the first cruiseterminal opened for cruise ships; while in 1999, a pier wasconstructed outside the harbor to suitably accommodatelarge vessels.

Today, Curaçao is an autonomous country within the DutchKingdom.

Picturesque WillemstadThe capital Willemstad was built around the main harbor.The St. Annabaai Canal connects the Caribbean Sea withthe Schottegat Bay, but separates the city into two areas:Otrabanda and Punda. A simple motorized ride can take

you between the two areas via the high-rise Queen JulianaBridge that exposes you to a superb view. For quick andfree access, however, it’s best simply to walk across theQueen Emma Floating Bridge. When the pontoon bridgeopens to let the sea traffic pass, free ferries immediatelytake over and continue shuttling the harbor until the bridgeis closed again.

Punda’s trademark view is the Handelskade, the “little Am-sterdam” of tall buildings facing the bay. Its counterpart onthe Otrobanda side is De Rouvilleweg. Both sides are a fa-vorite with strollers and shoppers. The best tourist shoppingis in the narrow streets and alleys of Punda, in an areabounded by the Floating Market, Plaza, Columbusstraat, andBreedestraat. As it goes east, Breedestraat becomes Pieter-maaiweg, where the Tourist Information Bureau is found atnumber 19.

By the early 1700s, the walled city of Willemstad was filledwith more than 200 houses, so the town began spreadingbeyond the walls to Pietermaai, Otrobanda (literally, “otherside”) and Scharloo, which was filled with Italianate man-sions built by the city’s large community of Sephardic Jews.Having been abandoned for many years, this area is nowbeing restored to its former grandeur.

Take a walking tour of old neighborhoods filled with the liv-ing museum of Dutch Colonial architecture. Start your walkat the foot of the pontoon bridge, a.k.a. Queen Emma Bridgeat the Otrabanda-side. You’ll notice the Riffort that guardsthe harbor entrance, the Otrobanda Hotel, and the landingareas for cruise passengers, which are busy with shops andrestaurants. Cross the bridge and stroll the famous Handel-skade with its shops and cafes. Note the tall yellow PenhaBuilding with its curlicues and wrap-around galleries. To sea-ward is the Fort Amsterdam, which dates to the early 1600s.

Rural LandscapeThe waist of the island, from the airport to Willemstad, iscovered with neat suburbs and modern shopping centers.A good divided highway called the Ring Road surrounds thecity. The eastern end of the island is privately owned, andvisitors can stray only so far. The best sightseeing is in aloop to Westpunt (West Point) and back to the city. On thesouthwest side, you can find the most beautiful secludedbeaches.

Tropical ClimateTemperatures rise into the 90s by day and are in the 70s atnight. Winds are brisk and dry, providing a greater comfortfactor at high temperatures than is found in the more humidislands. Hurricanes rarely affect this part of the Caribbean,as the island lies below the hurricane belt.

Sights and SoundsThe Kurá Hulanda Museum is one of the largest muse-ums in the Caribbean. Once a yard where slaves were auctioned, it holds a full-size reconstruction of the hold ofa slave ship, artifacts depicting the history of the slave tradedating as far back as 500 years ago and through the Atlanticslave trading years that began in 1441, and hundreds ofprints from France and Germany that tell the story of preju-dice against Africans.

The Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue chronicles thehistory of a congregation that goes back to 1651. Althoughthe community has reduced in size over the years, the Jew-ish influenced the island in many ways. There was even atime where the Jewry of Curaçao could collect money forthe construction of the first synagogue in New Amsterdam.

The Maritime Museum occupies one of the oldest housesin Scharloo. Its exterior has been artfully restored, whilethe interior has been completely redesigned in a maritimestyle to bring Curaçao’s rich seafaring history to life.

Curacao Sea Aquarium is a sophisticated nature showin a controlled environment lagoon where visitors can getclose to sea lions, sharks, turtles, stingrays and toothymoray eels. A stationary semi-submarine provides an un-derwater platform for photographers. Plan to spend all dayhere. It’s hard to tear yourself away from the nonstop natureshow of sea creatures swimming in 46 tanks and in outdoorenclosures. Watch a feeding show.

Curaçao has no shortage of activities for the sophisticatedtraveler. For a once in a lifetime splurge, Substation Curaçaooffers the Curasub, a mini-submarine that takes guests be-neath the sea, down to 1,000 feet. All of the activity is sureto work up an appetite.


The Hato Caves are gaping caverns, cool and mysterious withtheir natural formations of stalactites and stalagmites. They’rethe only caves in the region with petroglyphs dating back atleast 1,500 years; the caverns themselves were formed millions of years ago below sea level. As Curaçao rose fromthe sea millennia ago, the caves emerged. Along the wayyou’ll see the “little dinosaur” lizards living in the rocks andtrees and, inside the caves, a colony of rare long-nose bats.

Christoffel National Park covers much of the area between Westpunt and Barber, a 4,500-acre reservetopped by Mount Christoffel. Compared to the lush dramaof other islands’ rain forests and soaring mountains, thisone seems dry and colorless until you take a closer lookat its skittering wildlife, sculpted divi-divi trees, a raresabal palm and two species of wild orchids. With luck,you may see a Curaçao deer.

Allow a day for a driving tour around the north end of theisland, stopping at Shete Boka, where the Boka Tablacave is a spectacular explosion of ocean against erodingrock. A path takes you deep into a tumbled scattering ofenormous boulders, where you can see the wide mouth ofthe cave entrance at the end of a long, black tunnel.

The Plantation Houses of CuraçaoKnown as Landhuizen, the plantation houses of Curaçao arean architectural scrapbook of the 18th and 19th centuries.Many are open to the public as restaurants or inns; othersare shown by appointment; some are privately owned and

can be seen only from the road. This is just a partial listing;others are shown on maps, but may not be open to the public.Landhuis Chobolobo is the site of the Curaçao LiqueurDistillery, and it is open for tasting and tours.

Secluded BeachesCuraçao’s beaches range from cozy coves to long strands ofwhite sand, all of them washed by waves of clear, turquoisewater. Topless bathing is officially illegal, so be discreet.Actually, you’ll see it almost everywhere. Stay away fromthe north coast, where undertows and surges are powerful,in favor of the more placid, sheltered southwest coast.

Ultimate DivingCuraçao lists almost 70 dive sites from walls to wrecks,reefs to rocks. Among the unique dives are The Valley, LostAnchor, one called Alice in Wonderland and the depths surrounding an offshore desert island, Klein Curaçao, withits pristine reefs and coral Mushroom Forest. All dives arein protected parks, where anchoring is not allowed. Watersare usually calm and always warmly pleasant.

ShoppingWhen cruise ships are in, the streets of Punda and Otrobandacome alive with colorful vendors and festive flea markets. How-ever, any day is a good day for snapping up some of theCaribbean’s most meaningful finds: local art work, pottery, DutchDelftware, wooden shoes, Curaçao liqueur, brilliantly paintedhanging planters made from old tires and worlds of trade goodsfrom South America, which lies only 44 miles to the south.

The famous Floating Market sells mostly produce and fishfor local consumption, but for tourists, it’s a good place tofind spices and inexpensive terracotta planters.

Curaçao CuisineLocal food is called Kriyoyo and boasts a blend of flavorsand techniques best compared to Caribbean and LatinAmerican cuisine. Popular dishes include: Stobá, a stewmade with various ingredients such as papaya, beef or goat;Guiambo, soup made from okra and seafood; Kadushi, cac-tus soup; Sopi Mondongo, intestine soup; Funchi, cornmealpaste; and a lot of fish and other seafood.

The ubiquitous breakfast dish is pastechi: fried pastry withfillings of cheese, tuna, ham, or ground meat. Around theholiday season, special dishes are consumed, such as thehallaca and pekelé, made out of salt cod.

At weddings and other special occasions, a variety of kosdushi are served: kokada (coconut sweets), ko’i lechi (con-densed milk and sugar sweet) and tentalaria (peanutsweets).

The Curaçao liqueur was developed here when a local experimented with the rinds of the local citrus fruit knownas laraha.

Fact is that you can read all you want about Curaçao, but you have to experience Curaçao to talkabout Curaçao!

For reservations or more information on Costa’s other unique destinations, call 1-800-GO-COSTA (800-462-6782) or visit costaclick.com

Choose your Costa Cruise and start dreaming

No one lives la dolce vita like the Italians. That’s why your clients choose Costa Cruises … to experience that same celebration of life, enhanced by our European flair, international guest mix

and enchanting destinations.

They can savor authentic international delicacies. Indulge in bruschetta and tiramisu or, perhaps, tapas with a dry sherry. Craving camembert and crackers? Steamed mussels? Whatever they desire, it’s

theirs for the asking. Indeed, the standard of Costa service is to anticipate your requests and to exceed your expectations in every possible way.

Our Caribbean cruises bring together our captivating on-board atmosphere with the region’s most beautiful islands ... ah, paradiso! Your clients can explore splendid itineraries to the most beautiful

beaches in the region. They can discover a dreamy desert island with a full range of Costa shore excursions or relax on a powdery beach and enjoy everything that these tropical havens have to offer.

The rhythm of the islands make their way on board where your clients can surrender to the beat of dance favorites late into the night. The blend of the carefree Caribbean lifestyle and our cosmopolitan

ambiance enlivens the spirit before your clients even set foot on island sands.

Ships’ Registry: Italy. 7001

FCCA Cruise Destinations 35Content provided by: Ministry of Tourism, Dominican Republic

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC


Dominican Republic is a land of brilliant contrasts,modern cities, rich history and intriguing culture – aplace where travelers by sea can experience authen-

tic Dominican culture; visit the ancient Colonial City; anddance to the pulse-pounding beats of merengue, the coun-try’s national music and dance, while mingling with friendlyDominican locals in shops, restaurants and plazas. Domini-can Republic is where you can be a traveler, not just a cruisetourist.

Ideally situated in the heart of the Caribbean, DominicanRepublic is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the northcoast and the azure Caribbean Sea to the south. ChristopherColumbus discovered the island in 1492 during his first voy-age to the New World, and its natural beauty and rich his-tory continue to amaze all who visit today.

Travelers arriving on cruise ships have countless opportu-nities to explore Dominican culture throughout its many portcities and towns overflowing with arts, museums, shopping,theatre, delicious gastronomy and Dominican products likerum, chocolate, cigars, fresh fruits, coconut and seafood.

Two major ports on the country’s southeast coast in SantoDomingo and La Romana welcome cruise ship passengersyear-round at modern, state of the art terminals like SansSouci and Don Diego in the capital city and La Romana In-ternational Pier in La Romana. Adding to the rich offerings,a new cruise terminal was just announced on the northcoast in in Dominican Republic’s Puerto Plata region. Car-nival Cruise Corporation will begin production of the newcruise port this year in Maimón Bay. Additionally, a populardocking facility in Samaná Bay located along the romanticSamaná Peninsula on the northeast coast makes DominicanRepublic a flexible cruise destination with fascinating ex-cursions and modern road and airport infrastructure.

Santo Domingo (Sans Souci and Don Diego CruiseTerminals)Modern and cosmopolitan Santo Domingo is the country’scapital city and one of the most significant destinations inthe Americas. The sophisticated city is located on theCaribbean Sea at the mouth of the Ozama River and features the Colonial City, the oldest inhabited Europeansettlement in the Americas.

World-class arts, museums, parks, restaurants, andshopping are found near the Don Diego and Sans Soucicruise terminals and provide educational excursions todiscover the true Dominican lifestyle, history and culturaltraditions.

Santo Domingo AttractionsHorse-Drawn Carriages – Locally designed and deco-rated horse-drawn carts ride along Santo Domingo’s mar-itime boulevard and the Colonial Zone. The carriagescontain artwork of well-renowned names in the Dominicanvisual arts, including Elsa Nunez, Jose Cestero, CandidoBido, Mirna Guerrero and more.

Colonial City – The Colonial City was the first city estab-lished in the New World, erected by Columbus’ brother,Bartholomew, and Bartholomew’s son, Diego. The ColonialCity was recognized by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage site in 1990. Visitors will find hundreds of pre-served buildings dating back to the early 1500s, many ofwhich are now museums. Among them are Alcazar deColon, Ozama fortress, and the palace of the Spanish court.

Experience Dominican Republic By SeaCall in Santo Domingo, La Romana and Samaná


Chu Chu Colonial – The Chu Chu Colonial train offers enriching educational and cultural panoramic views ofSanto Domingo and the Colonial City’s breathtaking archi-tecture and rich history. The tour guides provide expert nar-rative on the most outstanding monuments of the historiccity, some dating back more than 500 years.

Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens – The SantoDomingo Botanical Gardens, the largest in the Caribbean,are commonly experienced while riding a small train. Thepark is a haven for the island’s natural flora and is decoratedwith areas of palm trees, orchids and exotic plants, as wellas what was once the largest floral clock in the world.

Shopping – Santo Domingo will charm even the most discriminating shoppers with a variety of shopping experi-ences. The Blue Mall offers upscale stores, like Louis Vuit-ton, Armani and Cartier, drawing many new shoppers. TheAcropolis Mall with its many European stores and a varietyof restaurants is also a favorite. The ultra-modern Novo-Centro is transforming the capital city’s skyline and featuresbeautiful modern architecture with many popular shops andsmall movie theaters. Other shopping venues include PlazaCentral, Bella Vista Mall, Americana Departamentos, Ikeaand Cuesta. In addition, there are many gifts shops locatedin the Colonial City, including the famous El Conde Streetpedestrian mall.

La Romana (La Romana International Pier)La Romana International Pier is another favorite stop forcruise ships. The brilliant waters, white sand beaches andactivities attract visitors to the lush La Romana, located twohours east of Santo Domingo. The southeastern coast is

decorated with vast sugarcane fields that surround someof the Caribbean’s most beautiful resorts and beaches of LaRomana and Bayahibe. This natural scenery provides an experience like no other in the country.

La Romana is also home to a leading hotel of the world andone of the most complete resorts in the Caribbean, Casa deCampo. Here, golf enthusiasts at any skill level can play golfon three magnificent courses: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Foreand the Links. Additionally, the resort boasts a marina withinternationally renowned boutiques and restaurants, as wellas Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th century artists’ villageoverlooking the Chavón River.

Cruise ships also delight passengers at Catalina Island withfacilities that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests. Thesmall island is surrounded by a marine coral reef nature pre-serve attractive to diving and snorkeling enthusiasts and isthe perfect day excursion to explore the underwater worldof Dominican Republic.

La Romana AttractionsCueva de las Maravillas – Nestled between San Pedrode Macoris and La Romana is the fascinating cave system,“Cave of Wonders.” The caves showcase hundreds of well-preserved pictographs, petroglyphs and engravings from theTaino Indians who once inhabited it thousands of years before. It is home to the most important sample of rock artand features amazing rock formations, such as stalactites,stalagmites and columns.

Golf – La Romana lays claim to some of the world’s bestgolf courses. Four courses are located at Casa de Campo

Resort, while the newest course in the area, La Estancia,includes gorgeous fairways and surprising challenges. Theazure Caribbean Sea, the Chavón River Valley and palm-treecovered national parks provide scenic backgrounds for thearea’s four courses.

Living Underwater Museum – Lining the coast of theBayahibe hotel zone are the Underwater Archeological Reserves. Shipwrecked galleons dating back to the early18th century have been recreated here to portray how theylooked when originally discovered by marine biologists.Snorkelers and scuba divers frequent the museums.

Parque Nacional del Este – Home to more than 500 floraspecies, 300 types of birds, and long stretches of beachesand underwater wonders, the National Park of the East is oneof the most visited and protected areas in the country. Whilehere, visitors can hike; discover ancient Taino ruins; take partin bird watching excursions; and dive coral reefs populatedwith manatees, bottle-nose dolphins and other sea creatures.

Altos de Chavón – La Romana’s hidden gem is Altos deChavón, a 16th century European artists’ village that featurescobblestone streets and coral block and terra cotta build-ings. Offering magnificent scenic views of the Chavón River,Altos de Chavón was constructed by the imagination ofRoberto Copa, a former Paramount Studios set designer,and Charles Bluhdorn, an American industrialist.

Puerto Plata (Port of Maimón)Puerto Plata’s magical ecotourism and sizzling beach townsare ready to greet cruise passengers when Carnival Corpora-tion’s new cruise terminal in the Port of Maimón is completed.


The new cruise port is expected to be the most modern in theCaribbean and will be located just north of Puerto Plata.

Puerto Plata was the first city in Dominican Republic to havecruise calls and is a great geographical location for cruises.The construction, expected to begin in 2012 and be com-pleted in 2014, will open up the north coast’s delightfulbeaches, unspoiled eco-tourism adventures and authentic,bustling towns to many new cruise travelers.

The Samaná Peninsula (Cayo Levantado and Samaná Pier)Famous for its pristine, secluded beaches, radiant turquoiseocean waters and lush green mountains covered in coconutpalm trees, the Samaná Peninsula is a favorite and less-traveled getaway. Cruise ships dock in the bay, and passen-gers can spend the day at Cayo Levantado and its whitesand beaches; disembark at the Samaná Pier to shop thestores along the Bay; or join day tours to visit the nearbynational park, waterfalls and unique restaurants and towns.

This off-the-beaten-path destination beckons adventure, nature and romance seekers alike. Travelers visiting betweenJanuary and March can enjoy the thousands of humpbackwhales that return to the protected waters around the Samaná

Peninsula, where they frolic, mate and give birth in the safetyof the Marine Mammal Sanctuary of the Dominican Republic.

Excursions around this ecological corridor are easily acces-sible and allow for a spiritual journey through some of thePeninsula’s serene waterfalls and seascapes – an experi-ence not to be forgotten.

Samaná Peninsula Attractions Los Haitises National Park – Travelers can explore an-cient history in mangroves, estuaries, caves and bays at LosHaitises National Park. Easily reached by a short boat rideacross Samana Bay, the park’s guests will find themselvessurrounded by more than 100 species of birds, 90 plus plantspecies, a wide variety of mammals and a magnificent series of limestone caves bearing pre-Columbian Taino art.

Cayo Levantado – Cruise passengers flock to this palm-lined island to walk along the pristine beach and tan or ven-ture out to the thriving reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving.Restaurants surround the beach and serve local Dominicanfood, as well as fresh coconut and pineapple drinks. Ven-dors line the sidewalk with locally made crafts and artworkfor passengers to buy as keepsakes.

Land Whale Observatory – Dominican Republic’s firstland whale observation point celebrates the annual whale-watching season at Punta Balandra on the southeast coast.Visitors can view the thousands of humpback whales thatmigrate to the protected area of the Marine Mammal Sanc-tuary in Samaná Bay by land rather than by boat.

El Limón – Considered the most spectacular of DominicanRepublic’s many waterfalls, El Limón captivates as it cas-cades 170 feet into a pool where visitors may take a dip.To reach the top of the falls, horseback riding is a popularoption among adventure tourists and also provides a beau-tiful view of the surrounding jungle and natural poolbelow.

Zipline Canopy Tours – Visitors can experience a new dimension of entertainment with Canopy Tours Samana. Adventure seekers begin the tour walking through floralpaths to the first of 14 platforms and nine lines between 85and 300m. long. The zipline adventure begins at Juana Vincente, located just a few minutes from the Samaná Pier,and takes guests flying safely over coconut palms and lushgreen valleys with spectacular views of mountains, SamanaBay and Cayo Levantado.

Stress? There’s a cruise for that.Call in at Santo Domingo, Samaná or La Romana.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. GoDominicanRepublic.com

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Azamara Club Cruises is a proud member of the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. family of cruise lines. Activities shown are conceptual, and will change depending on itinerary. ©2011 Azamara Club Cruises. Ships’ Registry: Malta.

Contact your Travel Professional or call 877.999.9553 AzamaraClubCruises.com/DestinationImmersion

A Z A M A RA G I VE S YOU MORE TIME

TO love W H E RE WE TA KE YOU

11-NIGHT ITALIAN & FRENCH RIVIERAS

On Azamara Club Cruises®, we know it takes time to fall in love with a destination. So we

offer longer stays, more overnights and night touring at destinations around the world

to let you tap our vast knowledge of every port and truly experience the culture. We call

it Destination ImmersionSM, and it allows our guests to not only visit a port, but also

authentically experience a destination. Discover the value of an Azamara voyage and

fi nd out just how much you’ll love Monte Carlo and everywhere else we take you.

longer STAYS. more OVERNIGHTS. nightTOURING.

A S I A F R E N C H & I TA L I A N R I V I E R A

OVERNIGHT ATMONTE CARLO, MONACO

Saturday 8:00pm Monte CarloEnjoy an evening of gaming opulence

Saturday 7:00am Monte Carlo

Sunday 10:00am Monte Carlo

Sunday 4:00pm Monte Carlo


Content provided by: Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board

GUADELOUPE ISLANDS

Photo Credits: Océan d’images


The Islands of Guadeloupe—Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Desirade, Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut andTerre-de-Bas) and Marie-Galante—welcome you to

the Caribbean!

You’ll have an unforgettable stay, enjoying the wide rangeof activities offered on the two large islands forming the“butterfly” and on the smaller dependencies. The four mainthemes of our Activities Program—blue, green, cultural andflavors—will tempt you to try our water sports.

The Guadeloupe islands are certainly some of the mostbeautiful places for water sports.

Caressed by the trade winds, tempered by the ever-presentsun all year round, lashed by the Atlantic Ocean and lappedby the Caribbean Sea, the Guadeloupian archipelago is def-initely blessed by the gods. A treat for the eyes as they en-counter the incredible shades of blue of the Caribbean Sea.Then a treat for the senses with a range of water sports so

expansive that you won’t even be able to get through themall during your vacation. Stretching out on the sand withyour toes dipped in the water; riding the sea on a jet ski;diving in search of coral and sponges; seeing the wind swellyour sails under an unblemished sky; finding out all aboutthe nature reserve of Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin; taking acatamaran trip in search of white sand bank. You can doanything in the water, and it feels so good! Relaxation, stim-ulation, freedom, feeling good…

Everyone will think your photos have been touched up andthat your vacation stories are a bit exaggerated.

The wonders of nature to be consumed without modera-tion!!!

Getting away from it all to the “land of verdant hills.” Funnyhow this expression seems perfect for Guadeloupe. For onBasse-Terre, if there is one color that stands out, it’s cer-tainly green! Or, rather, greens, for the ever-changing light

seems caught up in a play of colors with thousands of plantspecies. Trees, ferns, epiphytic leaves, cannas, and wild or-chid do their utmost to surprise the freshly landed visitors!Learning to paint on Guadeloupe certainly changes your appreciation of color, as the desire to represent nature leadsstraight to the purest shades. The bitter, fresh smell of volcanic earth is just as compulsive as the bright splashesof color. This exotic picture is completed majestically by theroar of waterfalls in the forest and the crystal clear lappingof a gently cascading river; it all seems more dreamlike thanreal. As Guadeloupe is the favorite land for sports and na-ture-based leisure activities, walks, exploring canyons,mountain biking, hikes and treks all give you the opportunityto soak in this rejuvenating bath of greenery.

Guadeloupian culture, shaped by its turbulent history anddiverse ethnic mix, cannot be reduced merely to the term“Creolified.”

A land of different influences—African, European, Indian

The Five Sides of Paradise


and American—Guadeloupe is the guardian of a multipleidentity, the bearer of a society that is constantly beingtransformed by new influences. So there are several Guade-loupes to discover, depending on which little window youpeek through. Back in vogue are Indian rites, the Africanmemory or even the quadrille of the 17th-century colonists.Of course, that’s what entices lovers of the archipelago tocome back again and again, and often stay for good. Forthat unique soul—warm, sophisticated and proud—is the“cargo of humanity” evoked by Guy Tyrolien in Iles (“Balesd’Or”). Yet it’s in the streets that you find real Guadeloupianculture, rather than the museums. Its literature, music,painting and crafts open your eyes wide to a whole complexand passionate reality. So listen carefully; sharpen yoursenses; open your heart; and you will grasp just some ofthe essence of this enchanting world.

A Land of FlavorsOn the Guadeloupe islands, the magic of the cultural melt-ing pot and huge variety of spices has let a culinary genieout of the lamp, casting spells over the great Creole restau-rants, like the “roulottes de bokits.” Being island-basedbrings a natural affinity with fish products, and Guadeloupeis indeed the second biggest consumer of fish in the world(per head of population). Fish bouillon, clam chowder, grilledlobster, and queen conch fricassee are some of the succu-lent dishes you’ll love tasting.

With more than a third of the land dedicated to farming,

this agricultural and rural economy means there is a widerange of young vegetables. Guadeloupians were ‘green’ be-fore their time with their Creole gardens of fruit orchardsand vegetable patches. The culinary classics are still heartydishes, eaten by all the family or at great festive meals.

Proof, if it’s needed, of the incredible fusion of cultures—Caribbean, European, Indian and African, enriched by theinfluences of the Middle East—is found in this gastronomy.Gourmets and gourmands alike will be overwhelmed by thefertile land of the Guadeloupe islands and its gastronomicexpertise, relishing the delicious smell of a curry, tastingthe sweet flesh of Julie mangoes, drinking a freshlysqueezed juice made from péyi cherries, or savoring the aro-mas of a vintage rum.

Basse-TerreDominated by the imposing silhouette of its old Lady (LaSoufrière volcano, 4813 ft/1467 m), Basse-Terre is one ofthe wings forming the “butterfly” of Guadeloupe.

Basse-Terre is a mountainous massif, covered by a magnif-icent tropical forest of almost 66 square miles (17000 ha),which has been a designated national park since 1989. Ithas lots of well-marked hiking trails of varying degrees ofdifficulty. Its lush vegetation (over 3000 species of trees)provides shelter for an exotic wildlife, free from poisonousanimals. With its waterfalls, cascades, basins, parks anddifferent plantation, it reveals all of its natural charm!

Beaches of pebble and sand in shades of ochre, brown,black and pink line its coast, and it has a fantastic under-water reserve of world-renowned Jacques Cousteau Reserve (with a submerged bust of him). Basse-Terre pro-vides ample evidence of the cultural diversity of the island:Catholic church and Hindu temple, archaeological remainsof the first inhabitants and the 17th-century military fort.The town of the same name, the administrative center ofthe department is a real history book.

Grande-TerrGrande-Terre, also known as the Little Brittany of the Antilles, forms one wing of the butterfly of the Guadelou-pian archipelago. Unlike its twin, Basse-Terre, it is flat andformed from limestone.

Grande-Terre is a limestone plateau perfectly suited togrowing sugar cane, which covers most of the island. Youwill realize the importance of this agricultural activity if youvisit the Gardel sugar factory or the Bellevue distillery, located in the town of Le Moule, the former colonial capital.The magnificent shaded beaches of white sand along itscoastline provide brilliant sunbathing places if you want tolaze about. Calm lagoons of turquoise sea, as well as wavesports, are a joy for surfers and windsurfers. Lots of restau-rants and hotels will guarantee you a taste of the best Cre-ole cuisine, balmy Guadeloupian nights and the range ofnighttime activities (casinos, discos, revues, etc.). With itsnatural beauty spots (Pointe des Châteaux, the cliffs of la


Grande Vigie, the Grands Fonds, etc.), Pointe-à-Pitre—theeconomic capital with its historical monuments, museumsand spice and flower markets with intoxicating smells—and the sugar cane landscapes of Port-Louis, Grande-Terreoffer a wide range of choices to suit every visitor.

La Desirade “Infinite Nature”The island of La Désirade has been desired by so many inits history! From a distance, its shape looks like the keelof an upturned boat. Life on La Désirade is timeless. Peaceand simplicity characterize this tabular rock that is quitedifferent from all of the others in the archipelago. In fact,nothing can disturb the tranquil atmosphere that reignson the island, nor affect the authentic character and kindwelcome of its inhabitants, mainly descendants of peoplefrom Brittany, Normandy and Poitou. Seven miles long (11km) and just over a mile wide (2 km), it has magnificentbeaches of white sand and is sheltered by long coral reefs,a delight for swimmers and divers. Only the south coastis inhabited. There is one single, straight road linkingGrande-Anse, the main market town, to the different com-munities, Les Galets, Le Souffleur and Baie-Mahault. LaDésirade, just like the wild islands that are linked to Pe-tite-Terre, has an astonishing variety of plant life. You willalso find some beautiful and fascinating colonies of ani-mals on the verge of extinction: iguanas, agoutis, trop-icbirds, etc. Gradually, the island is beginning tomodernize and is gearing up for an appropriate scale oftourist development: beaches and organized hiking trails,gîte accommodations and pleasant restaurants.

Les Saintes “The Paradise Islands” Life rolls along quietly here. Memories of the turbulent pastof the archipelago and the bloody naval battle with the Eng-lish and French fleets facing each other off the coastline remain consigned to the history books.

Terre-de-Haut is renowned for its gorgeous bay with clear,turquoise waters; its spectacular sugarloaf mountain; itscharming village with quiet roads lined with cute cottages.The inhabitants of Breton and Norman descent have a longtradition of fishing, which they do in small, open boatscalled saintoises. You can visit the Napoleon Fort with itsmuseum and its surprising exotic garden. The island’srestaurants are stocked with fresh produce on a daily basisand offer tasty tropical cuisine. Terre-de-Bas with its beau-tiful beach at Grande-Anse, the remains of the former pot-tery, leisurely strolls or even the tiny village of Petite-Anseis worth getting to know better! Less busy than its sisterisland, it offers its temporary guests peace and quiet, a relaxed pace of life and the hospitality of its inhabitants.

“Marie-Galante, So True!”Located 27 miles (43 km) from Pointe-à-Pitre, Marie-Galante (Aïchi en Caraïbes) covers an area of 61 sq. miles(158 km²). This round island, hence the nickname “the bigpancake,” with its quiet roads and varied plant life is thesugar cane island par excellence. Known as the island ofa hundred mills, it had already gained a reputation for itsrum by the 18th century. Vast sugar cane fields still covermost of the land today. On the roads, you will meet authen-

tic ox-drawn carts, the means of transport used by farmers.They say it’s home to the best rums in the world, andMarie-Galante jealously guards the secrets of its culinaryspecialties on the menus of its colorful restaurants. Itsbeaches of white sand are some of the most beautiful inthe Caribbean! With its hospitality and the legendarywarmth of its inhabitants, Marie-Galante is authenticity itself in the Guadeloupean archipelago.

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Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, La Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie-Galante

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www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com

Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board

5, square de la Banque - BP 555 - 97166 Pointe-à-Pitre cedexTé l. : +590 (0)5 90 82 09 30 - Fax : +590 (0)5 90 83 89 22

E-mail : [email protected]

18:23


MARTINIQUE

Content provided by: Martinique Promotion Bureau


Vive La Renaissance of Fort-De-FranceLong noted as one of the crown jewels of the Caribbeancities, Fort-de-France, Martinique is now better than everthanks to a recently completed capital improvement program encompassing two of the city’s prime attractions:La Savane Park and Le Malecon.

Fort-de-France’s waterfront promenade, Le Malecon, hasbeen enhanced to better appeal to leisure and active trav-elers. New basketball, volleyball and pétanque courts pro-vide tourists and locals alike the opportunity to mix andmingle over healthy competition. For the kids, Le Maleconoffers new swings, trampolines and other playground equip-ment. There’s even a pristine white sand beach in the Male-con, as well as a wide half-mile boardwalk, ideal for anafternoon stroll.

Adjacent to Le Malecon lies the famed 12-acre La SavanePark. The veritable heart of downtown Fort-de-France, LaSavane was originally known as Le Jardin du Roi (gardenof the king). Its initial purpose was to harbor scientific ex-periments on plant species that were new to the island,many of which are still present in the park today. An invitingoasis of nature and serenity amidst the hustle and bustleof Fort-de-France, the newly redeveloped La Savane is aprime spot for walks, picnics and meeting with friends.Wooden stands located throughout the park provide varioustourist information services, shopping, food and refresh-ments. Freshly squeezed icy juices, cocktails, sandwiches,

pizzas, Panini, pasta, cassavas cakes, deliciously flavoredhomemade ice-creams, Creole, Indonesian, sushi and veg-etarian food, Creole soup, crepes and local candies are allavailable here.

Recent enhancements throughout Fort-de-France also ex-tend to Hotel L’Impératrice, one of the city’s legendary prop-erties. Named in honor of Martinique native EmpressJosephine, Napoleon’s wife, Hotel L’Impératrice originallyopened in the 1950s, quickly becoming the place to be seenfor jet setting travelers visiting Martinique. Now, thanks toa modern-day revival that blends authentic old world charmand contemporary flair, the hotel is making a new name foritself among a burgeoning generation of culture- and style-seeking travelers.

Martinique Promotion Bureau/Cmt Usa Wins SilverMagellan AwardLa Route des Rhums earns accolades for ties to local cul-ture

The Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA was recentlynamed among the winners of Travel Weekly’s MagellanAwards. Among the travel industry’s top honors, MagellanAwards recognizes the very best in marketing and designservices. Martinique received a Silver Magellan Award forits communications campaign in support of La Route desRhums, a self-guided, rum-themed tour of the island mod-eled after France’s famed Route des Vins.

La Route des Rhums features 11 distilleries located through-out Martinique, each welcoming travelers with insightfultours and free tastings. Visitors are treated to an in-depthintroduction to the island’s proud and celebrated distillingtradition at the sources where each legendary blend wasborn, while also experiencing the full range of Martinique’scharms, from the natural wonder of the mountainous north-ern region to the metropolitan mid-section of the island andthe flatter, arid southern shores.

Martinique rums are distinguished by a unique rhum agricole production technique employed by the island’s dis-tillers for centuries to yield a collection of truly incompara-ble blends. Whereas rums produced elsewhere are primarilymade from the molasses byproduct of sugar production, therhum agricole method used in Martinique begins withfreshly squeezed sugar cane juice taken directly from canestalks. This unique process yields rums that are more com-parable with fine cognacs, offering greater complexity anda more varied array of natural flavors.

Owing in large part to the rhum agricole production technique, Martinique rums are the only rums in the worldthat have been granted the prestigious Appellation d’Orig-ine Contrôlée (AOC) designation. Awarded by the Frenchgovernment agency Institut National des Appellations d’O-rigine (INAO) in recognition of the finest agricultural prod-ucts (wines, cheeses, butters, etc), the AOC designation isan incomparable stamp of excellence in the culinary and

Martinique, C’est Magnifique!


spirits world. All rums produced in Martinique bear the AOCmarker, making them a favorite of the world’s most discern-ing rum connoisseurs.

Martinique’s Iconic Fort-De-France Bay InductedAmong The Latest Members Of The Club Of The MostBeautiful Bays In The WorldThe Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, an inter-national association founded in 1997 to promote the preser-vation and sustainable management of coastal areas, hasinducted Martinique’s Fort-de-France among its latest mem-bers. The announcement was made in November 2011 atWorld Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event forthe travel industry held annually in London.

Other bays also admitted to The Club of the Most BeautifulBays in the World at WTM 2011 include Horta Bay (Portu-gal), Roses Bay (Spain), and La Baule Bay (France).

The Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World is currently comprised of some 35 bays spread across morethan 30 different countries and territories across the globe.Created in 1997, with its headquarters in France, The Clubpursues objectives of preservation, enhancement and promotion of the natural, cultural and economic importanceof bays.

For more information on The Club of the Most BeautifulBays in the World, visit www.world-bays.com.


February 18-22 – CarnivalFrom Rio to Trinidad to New Orleans, Carnival is the world’smost celebrated pre-Lenten fete, but all pale in comparisonto Martinique’s Carnival in one key area: length. Each yearas revelers in other Carnival hot spots wind down with theclose of Shrove Tuesday, the party in Martinique keepsgoing, reaching a decadent climax on one of the mostsolemn days on the Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday.The fitting theme for Martinique’s “bonus” days of revelry:“Rejoice Today, Repent Tomorrow.”

May – May in Saint PierreFormerly known as the “Paris of the Caribbean,” the north-ern coastal town of Saint Pierre was instantly transformedinto the “Pompeii of the Caribbean” when on May 8, 1902,Mount Pelee erupted. Out of the centuries-old destruction,Saint Pierre has emerged a quaint yet vibrant town, offeringvisitors a unique view of the island’s storied past. The Mayin Saint Pierre event commemorates the anniversary of theeruption with a series of lectures, presentations and guidedtours offering greater insight into this historic event.

May – Sainte Marie Culinary WeekMartinique shares, with distinctive panache, mainlandFrance’s love for gastronomy. One of the best expressionsof this passion occurs each year during Sainte-Marie Culi-nary Week, a weeklong festival celebrating Martinique’sunique gastronomic heritage and traditions. At the centerof the festivities is a cooking competition. Each year, sev-eral local food products are chosen for competing chefs touse as the centerpiece of their culinary creations. The com-

petition extends throughout the week, with special dinners,cooking demonstrations, a street fair and more providing anin-depth introduction to Martinique’s culinary scene.

June – Fête de la Musique Some of the world’s greatest musical forms hail from theCaribbean, with reggae (Jamaica) and calypso (Trinidad) asthe most widely known, but true music lovers know thatMartinique also ranks among the music capitals of the re-gion. Martinique is the birthplace of Zouk, a rhythmic mu-sical form developed in the 1980s through a mix of manydifferent styles, including compas, balakadri, cadence andbal granmoun, mazurka and biguine, French and Americanpop, and kadans, gwo ka and other indigenous styles. LaFête de la Musique is a celebration of Martinique’s rich mu-sical tradition with free concerts performed in the streetsthroughout the island.

July 29 to August 5 – Tour des Yoles RondesCarnival and sea are brought together for a celebrationunlike any other during Martinique’s famed Yawl BoatRace (Tour des Yoles Rondes). Held each summer over aone-week period, the Yawl Race attracts local and inter-national yachtsmen skilled in sailing traditional yawl boatsfor a race around the island. The race is contested instages with throngs of locals and visitors crowding theshores to cheer on the racers. Carnival-style celebrationspunctuate each day’s victory earned along the way, whileon the high seas hundreds of yachts, catamarans, speed-boats, and other private vessels trail the racers, partyingalong the way.

July – Le Tour de MartiniqueLe Tour de Martinique is a smaller version of the famed LeTour de France bicycle race. Just like its larger cousin, LeTour de Martinique is held each summer and features an international field of riders competing in stages. The racereaches virtually every corner of the island, with fans andspectators lining the day’s route to offer cheers and support.

November – La Belle MartiniqueLess competitive than Le Tour de Martinique, this amateurcycling race is ideal for recreational riders seeking an alter-nate way to tour the Isle of Flowers. Locals as well as visiting riders participate annually, with crowds lining thecourse each day.

December – Martinique Jazz FestivalThe Caribbean’s longest running jazz festival, the MartiniqueJazz Festival, has long provided a showcase for local and international artists to share their talents with a lively and ap-preciative crowd of music lovers from all corners of the globe.Jazz luminaries who have performed at the Martinique JazzFestival in years past include the Marsalis brothers, Dee DeeBridgewater, Paquito d’Rivera, Chucho Valdes, and many more.

For more information on travel to Martinique, visitwww.martinique.org

Martinique Promotion Bureau /CMT USA, 825 3rd Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10022Tel: 212 838 6887 – Fax: 212 838 7855Email: [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS

Don’t wait. Book by 30 April 2012 to save up to 10%* Call 0843 373 0158, quoting MXU, visit www.pocruises.co.uk/dancing or book through your travel agent.*Fares shown are inclusive of the 10% saving, are subject to availability and are based on two adults sharing the lowest grade cabin within each cabin type. P&O Cruises reserves the right to withdraw offers at any time without notice. This advert contains an outline description of the cruises featured and must be read in conjunction with the P&O Cruises Summer Holidays 2012 second edition brochure (published in December 2011) which contains full details of itineraries, booking conditions and passport, visa and health requirements which you must read before booking. The details of fares, artistes and entertainment plans shown are correct at the time of going to print but are subject to change. Strictly Come Dancing logoTM & © BBC 2010. BBC logoTM & © BBC 1996.

ABTA No.V8764

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I can’t wait...for a Strictly P&O Cruises holiday

The bright lights, the big band, the soft swish of silk and sequins. This summer Strictly hits the high seas and you could be sharing the fl oor with the stars. Join us for a Strictly Come Dancing themed cruise to the fabulous Fjords, or captivating Canary Islands on board the beautiful Oriana.

On each cruise, Strictly’s very own celebrity judge Craig Revel Horwood, will be joined by four of the show’s glamorous professional dancers who will perform their show dances. A stunning selection of dresses from the show will be on display and if you like to take to the dance fl oor yourself then the professionals will be on hand with tips and advice.

With her elegant polished wood dance fl oor Oriana is the perfect host for these cruises, boasting a Marco Pierre White restaurant and a luxurious spa and salon. So, when you’re not in a beautiful destination, or tripping the light fantastic, there’s plenty to keep you gorgeously entertained.

14 nights from £1,599pp

Southampton - Ponta Delgada - Horta - Madeira - Gran Canaria - Lisbon - Vigo - Southampton

The Canary Islands -

12 nights from £1,349pp

Southampton - Stavanger - Alesund - Trondheim - Cruise in Trondheimsfjord - Ny Alesund - Tromsø - Bergen - Eidfjord - Cruise in Hardangerfjord - Southampton

Norwegian Fjords -

I can’t wait...for a Strictly P&O Cruises holidayfor a Strictly P&O Cruises holiday

The bright lights, the big band, the soft swish of silk and sequins. This summer Strictly hits the high seas The bright lights, the big band, the soft swish of silk and sequins. This summer Strictly hits the high seas and you could be sharing the fl oor with the stars. Join us for a Strictly Come Dancing themed cruise to the and you could be sharing the fl oor with the stars. Join us for a Strictly Come Dancing themed cruise to the fabulous Fjords, or captivating Canary Islands on board the beautiful Oriana.fabulous Fjords, or captivating Canary Islands on board the beautiful Oriana.

On each cruise, Strictly’s very own celebrity judge Craig Revel Horwood, will be joined by four of the show’s On each cruise, Strictly’s very own celebrity judge Craig Revel Horwood, will be joined by four of the show’s glamorous professional dancers who will perform their show dances. A stunning selection of dresses from glamorous professional dancers who will perform their show dances. A stunning selection of dresses from

FCCA Cruise Destinations 53Content provided by: Puerto Costa Maya

MEXICO, PUERTOCOSTA MAYA


2012 marks the end of an ancient Mayan calendarcycle, and that means excitement on the YucatanPeninsula. Located just hours from Cancun, the pur-

pose-built cruise port, Puerto Costa Maya, is a gateway tothrilling adventures, educational experiences and one-of-a-kind culture.

2012 will be a mystical year, and passengers certainly willnot want to miss it.

Architects had the past in mind when they designed thismodern port complex. Puerto Costa Maya looks like an ancient Mayan City, but it’s a thoroughly contemporarycruise port that can accommodate three ships simultane-ously, including the largest and biggest ships of the industry,the Oasis class. Passengers aboard those ships will find

food, shopping and a gateway to adventure around PuertoCosta Maya’s three main pavilions.

In short, Puerto Costa Maya has everything you could expectof a first-class cruise port. Voted Seatrade Insider’s “Port ofthe Year,” Costa Maya has some big-name representation.In addition to some fine little restaurants and bars, now op-erated by Anderson’s Group (Señor Frogs and Carlos & Char-lie’s), a Hard Rock Café is less than 1,000 feet from the port’smain complex, and a Señor Frogs is not far from that.There’s even a beach club at the port with a saltwater pool. Costa Maya’s Dolphin Discovery is the first dolphinarium fa-cility to be located within a cruise terminal. It offers both“dolphin encounter” and “dolphin swim” tour options to vis-itors. Featuring up to 10 dolphins, expert trainers takeguests through a complete explanation about dolphin

anatomy, psychology, nature and how they communicateunder water. The dolphins also perform flips and jumps withvisitors in the water.

For any interested in learning a little more about the Mayanculture, a Temazcal Ceremony is just the thing. All of theMayan myth and legend about the 2012 end cycle will bebrought to life in this spiritual encounter with nature. ThisMesoamerican purifying ceremony happens at the Pawan-tun Jungle Oasis, where a shaman will align each guestwith the four elements—earth, wind, fire, and water—in-side the symbolic “Womb of Mother Earth.” It’s a little hardto explain, but this spiritual rebirth is a fantastic introductionto the mysticism of ancient Mayan culture and a great wayto learn and understand the mystic Mayan calendar and theimportance of the date December 21, 2012.

Costa Maya, the Land of Adventure


For people who prefer a little adrenaline and outdoor ad-venture with their culture and education, Puerto Costa Mayaoffers plenty of excursion opportunities. At the BiomayaCanopy Experience tour, guests navigate the tropical canopywith zip-lines off towers higher than 2,500 feet that soarthrough the jungle and offer glimpses of monkeys andmacaws. They can also enjoy the thrill of a dune buggyalong the coastline or navigate the tranquil turquoise wa-ters of the Caribbean Sea on a catamaran sail.

In Costa Maya, we say, “Don’t miss the mysticism in 2012.”While this year holds a lot of significance, and it will be agreat time to visit Costa Maya, there are some attractionsthat are truly timeless. One of these, The Meso-AmericanCoral Reef, is the second largest in the world, sheltering allof Costa Maya.

Equally timeless are the ancient Mayan ruins on the out-skirts of Costa Maya. From the years 200 BC to 900 AD, theMayan tribe was active in the western lowland area, nowknown as the Mexican state Quintana Roo, home to PuertoCosta Maya. Vestiges of ancient buildings are scattered allaround the region, but there are few particularly popularones where the mystic history of the area is palpable. Theimpressive buildings at Dzibanché, Chacchoben and newlyunearthed Ichkabal stand today as some of the area’s pre-mier cultural attractions.

Please note that each of these, and all other attractions,can be reached on air-conditioned shuttle buses.

Dzibanché is a great settlement that dates back to 200 ADand means literally “writing on wood.” The site’s temple

number 6—an imposing, impressive pyramid—houses theancient glyphs that lend the site its name. Dzibanché is afavorite among the area’s archeological and historical buffs.

Chacchoben’s three excavated and restored pyramids aremagnificent, and the excavation is ongoing. What may beeven more amazing are the surrounding trees and thebeauty they lend to the structures. Sapodilla, fig trees, pep-per trees, mahogany, and chaca are just a few of the spec-imens that travelers will find.

Ichkabal’s newly discovered Mayan ruins are in the vicinityof Costa Maya and are scheduled to open to visitors in late2012. It has a 45-meter-high pyramid.

Several of the cruise industry’s newest and largest ships


visit on a regular basis, including the world’s largest sisterships, Royal Caribbean International’s 225,000-ton Oasis ofthe Seas and Allure of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line’sNorwegian Epic, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Dream & Magic,Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse and Princess Cruises’Crown Princess. Costa Maya is currently the only port inMexico that can handle two Oasis-class, Epic-class orDream-class ships simultaneously. Also, Costa Maya willsoon receive the Disney Fantasy, Disney Cruise Line’snewest ship.

The main complex has a 70,000-square-foot shopping cen-ter and bazaar, a beach club, saltwater pool and restaurantsand bars. The 70-some shops include artisan boutiques withMexican souvenirs including silver, leather, vanilla, liquorand pottery, as well as T-shirt stores and familiar retailers,such as Diamonds International. It also has a drug store,bathrooms and a first aid station.

In conclusion, Costa Maya has the modern comforts anycruise passenger would expect of a modern port. It also hasa history, culture, and feel all its own. 2012 will be a bigyear in Costa Maya. Don’t miss the mysticism and themagic. Suggest Costa Maya itineraries to your friends today.You’ll be granting them a spiritual experience they’ll neverforget and an adventure they won’t stop thanking you for.

Don’t miss the mysticism; come to Costa Maya, the Land ofAdventure!

T

L

Ships’ registry: Bahamas ©2011 Seabourn

To learn more about the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line, call 800.929.9595. Visit Seabourn.com.

MEDITERRANEAN ■ NORTHERN EUROPE ■ SOUTHEAST ASIA ■ ARABIA & INDIASOUTH PACIFIC ■ CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA ■ CARIBBEAN ■ WORLD CRUISE

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2:53 PM

FCCA Cruise Destinations 59Content provided by: Authority of Tourism Panama

PANAMA


You may have come across recent publications recom-mending Panama as one of the top destinations fortravel in 2012, most notably in the New York Times,

Travel & Leisure, Forbes, National Geographic and the Financial Times, among others. Many others still boastabout Panama’s attractiveness for real estate values andretirement and medical benefits. This is undoubtedly greatpublicity for the country of Panama, and we can assure youthat the hype is well deserved.

Since the turnover of the Panama Canal from U.S. controlto Panama on the 31st of December in 1999, the tropicalisthmus has emerged as one of the top financial and bank-ing centers of Latin America, with over 70 general and internationally licensed banks and service as the regional

headquarters for 60 multinational corporations. One of thelargest development projects in the world is also being developed in the country’s former Howard Air Force Base,now called Panama Pacifico, a $10 billion mixed real estateproject, which has been established by the PanamanianGovernment as a special economic zone that provides special tax, labor and legal incentives. Panama’s stable political environment and US Dollar economy, along withnew tax reforms and reformed investment policies and lawsthat include special incentives like the Panama Pacifico special economic zone have driven up investment ratings.Rating agencies such as Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor’sand Moody’s have moved Panama’s sovereign rating to investment grade in 2010, and Fitch and Standard & Poor’supgraded their ratings once again in 2011 from “stable” to

“positive.” Furthermore, Panama’s unemployment level of4.5% is one of the lowest in all of Latin America and theCaribbean, and the national economy grew an impressive10.4% last year, which is a strong indicator of the country’scontinued growth and sustainability.

With the recently approved free trade agreement with theUnited States, not only are investments growing inPanama, but international conferences and incentivetourism interest have suddenly shot up in popularity dueto Panama�s exotic and cost-effective appeal. There arenow a multitude and wide range of internationally recog-nized hotels and resorts available throughout the country,including the recently opened Trump Ocean Club Interna-tional Hotel & Tower and the soon to be opened Waldorf

Panama—Worth the Success


Astoria Panamera. Panama also has the largest conventioncenter in the region, which is unique in that it grants taxdeductions to any US-based company for business ex-penses incurred while in the country.

The Panama Canal expansion project is also making inter-national headlines, and it is one of the country’s most recentengineering projects aimed at providing valuable infrastruc-ture and development. This 5.25-billion-dollar investmentwill enable increased ship traffic flow through the canal anddouble the cargo capacity, which is already close to reachingits top capacity with the average annual vessel traffic of13,000. Observing this historic expansion and the Canal inits current state is a must for visitors before the project’scompletion in 2014. And despite the economic crisis in Eu-rope and the decrease in demand from the United States,substantial growth has also been reported in the country’sports, which have been undoubtedly aided by the record in-crease of containers and tonnage recorded transiting theCanal in 2011. The Canal had an unprecedented increase inits 97 years of operation with 322.1 million tons, which wasa 7.1% increase over the previous year’s record. The Atlanticand Pacific international cruise terminals on either side ofthe Canal have seen a boost in cruise activity, particularlyafter the Colon 2000 home port terminal was constructed toaccommodate the increase in demand from cruise lines suchas Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean Interna-

tional, Pullmantur and Celebrity Cruises, among others.Panama’s duty-free zone in the province of Colon, the 2ndlargest in the world to Hong Kong, has also seen positivegrowth related to the country’s economic boom.

The country’s other major development project is the build-ing of a new Metro public transportation system, which ini-tiated construction of its first city line in 2011 and isexpected to be completed in 2014. The Metro is part of alarger effort on behalf of the national government to mod-ernize the country’s public transportation system, which in-cludes an improved bus system and enhancements to theroads, highways, and major port terminals. The Metro project’s entire network of lines is expected to be fully com-pleted to serve the capital city of Panama and its neighbor-ing suburbs and cities in 2035. Once completed, this newmetro system will place Panama first in the Central Ameri-can countries as having one of the most modern transporta-tion systems within the region.

In addition to economic growth and development in financialand infrastructure sectors, there has been a strong and consistent rise in tourism to the country due to its uniqueand diverse cultural and historic attractions. The original cityof Panama, Panama Viejo, was the first European settlementto be founded on the Pacific coast of the Americas. The coun-try has a rich history of colonial trade, which was primarily

concentrated on the transportation and safekeeping of precious gold, silver and other artifacts for the Spanishcrown. This history can be relived and remembered amidstthe many colonial ruins, preserved quarters and fortresses.These sites of major battles against infamous pirates of the16th century are now UNESCO World Heritage sites, includ-ing the archeological sites of Panama Viejo and the colonialquarters of Casco Viejo. In fact, Panama holds five UNESCOWorld Heritage sites, both natural and cultural.

Nature is certainly one of Panama’s top treasures. Etymo-logically, the word Panama generally means “abundance offish, trees and butterflies,” and with three of the country�smany national parks and reserves having been declared UN-ESCO World Heritage sites, there is no questioning thecountry�s ecological appeal. The country boasts over 1,500islands, beautiful and secluded beaches on both the PacificOcean and Caribbean Sea and extinct volcanoes; over 30%of its territory is protected within national parks and re-serves. Panama has been recognized internationally notonly for its natural beauty and ecological biodiversity, butalso for its adventure tourism attractions. Panama hasgained a positive reputation as a top destination for touristsseeking jungle adventures or beach getaways and is inter-nationally recognized for providing some of the best oppor-tunities for sport fishing, diving, snorkeling and surfing.Coupled with the country�s unique free travel insurance cov-ering medical emergencies for all its tourists, it’s no wonderPanama has surged in recent years under the popular radarof international travelers.

Sustainable tourism is one of Panama’s goals for develop-ment beyond the city limits and offers visitors unique opportunities to engage with existing indigenous cultures.Tourists in Panama can meet the seven autonomous indige-nous communities that have kept their languages and traditions alive since before Christopher Columbus arrivedin the Americas. Most famous are the Guna Indians, formerly known as “Kuna,” who inhabit their autonomousGuna Yala Province of San Blas. The 365 San Blas islandshave been lauded as possessing some of the most pristineand beautiful beaches of the world with stunning coral reefsrivaling many of those within the Caribbean Sea.

Folklore is another strong element of the sustainabletourism goals of the country, and it vibrantly resonatesthroughout Panama and is manifested in various colorfulfestivals that take place year round. Carnival, reigning asone of the most popular traditional festivities, is held annually in February before the Christian practice of Lent.Various history and art museums are also available through-out the country. The most notable of late is the future inau-guration of the Museum of Biodiversity in 2013, designed


by the internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry, designer of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Dis-ney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Culture and art seekers will be delighted to discover thatPanama boasts not only an important colonial history, athriving indigenous culture and rich folkloric traditionsand customs, but also a contemporary new wave ofemerging artists and cultural offerings. Music, art, the-atre and film events are proliferating as a result of theeconomic growth and rise in cultural imports from in-creased immigration to the country. The International JazzFestival, now in its 9th year and celebrated in the monthof January, successfully brings internationally celebratedmusicians every year to perform for local audiences andto participate in an educational exchange of music. Ahighly anticipated cultural offering currently making itsgrand entrance into the Panamanian artistic scene is thefirst edition of the International Film Festival of Panama,which will take place in April and May of this year. It isexpected to convene international celebrities and film industry professionals from around the world to celebratethe art in Panama City.

As a result of the cosmopolitan exchange of cultures andrise in immigration to Panama, the country is experiencinggreat social changes. In addition to the aforementioned cul-tural and artistic scenes, the country is also seeing a revivalin its gastronomy. Many new restaurants provide a varietyof international cuisines, as well as incorporating typicalPanamanian food through fusions, which has also becomepopular. Nightlife in Panama is lively and also diversifyingto the desires of its multicultural citizens.

Panama is also affordable and easy to get to with its increasedairline connectivity, one of the highest in the world, offeringdirect flights to over 28 countries. The country’s national airlinecarrier, COPA Airlines, even offers a free stopover plan. Alter-natively, if passengers experience long wait times while mak-ing their air connections in Panama, they can take advantageof the free bus service to many of the new cosmopolitan shop-ping malls in the city to occupy their time.

In summary, Panama has something for everyone. The rel-ative ease of travel, along with Panama’s other great attrac-tions and benefits, should provide the incentive andopportunity for everyone to consider visiting the country,particularly those already making their connections throughPanama, and see for themselves that Panama really has become an outstanding, irresistible tourist destination.

QUEEN mary 2, Trans-Atlantic Crossing – After a standing ovation for the Cunard Royal Singers and Dancers, it was off to the Queen’s Room for a night of ballroom dancing.

Enjoy your own grand celebration – visit FeelFamousCunard.com to request a complimentary brochure or DVD, and explore Cunard’s QUEEN mary 2,® queen Victoria® and queen elizabeth.®

For information, contact your Travel Agent or call Cunard at (800) 728-6273. FEEL FAMOUS. SAIL CUNARD.

Legendary voyages since 1840: Trans-Atlantic Crossings - Americas - Mediterranean - Northern Europe - World Voyages

Ships’ registry: Bermuda. ©CUNARD 2012.

FCCA Cruise Destinations 65Content provided by: St. Maarten Harbor Group

SINT MAARTEN


Sint Maarten Receives More Than 1.6 Million CruisePassengersThe Port of Sint Maarten set a new record when in De-cember 2011, more than 1.6 million cruise passengersvisited the destination in 2011 in 596 ship calls. Thecruise arrival figure for 2010 was just over 1.5 million.On December 31, the port received 1,656,159 cruisepassengers, which is 344,200 more than in 2010. Thecontinued growth in the cruise business is as a direct

result of the direct marketing to cruise line executivesand itinerary planners by Vice Prime Minister TheoHeyliger, who is also Minister for Port Affairs and theChief Executive Officer of the Harbour Group of Companies,Mark Mingo.

Second Tender Jetty Enhances Accessibility toPhilipsburg Shopping Center The Port of Sint Maarten’s second tender jetty is playing an

integral role every cruise season by facilitating the orderlyand safe distribution of cruise passengers and crewthroughout the sea-side of the Philipsburg area, the duty-free shopping mecca of the Caribbean. The new jettynamed “Walter Williams Jetty,” is located in front of SeaPalace and is 75 feet long.

The Williams Jetty is one of three water taxi distributionpoints (pick-up/drop-off) in Philipsburg along the Great Bay

Sint Maarten Harbour Group in Good Shape


Beach. The jetty is seen as a significant development forthe “Down Street” area. The other two jetties are Bobby’sMarina and Capt. Hodge Wharf.

Port of Sint Maarten Cruise Facilities and AmenitiesThe Port of Sint Maarten Cruise Facilities is comprised ofthe Dr. A.C. Wathey Pier, the John Craane Cruise Terminal,the Tender Jetty, Capt. Hodge Wharf, Sea Palace Wharf andHarbour Point Village. These integrated facilities cater tothe demands and needs of the cruise sector, thereby creat-ing the ultimate cruise experience for the cruiser.

The port caters to the world’s most recognized cruise lines.

Where itinerary planning is concerned, cruise lines alwaysinclude the port when they debut their newest, largest andmost spectacular cruise ships.

Service is the top priority. Customer service and first classfacilities have been the driving force behind the success ofthe Port of Sint Maarten.

The ultra-modern cruise facilities at the Port of Sint Maartenput the island in ninth place among the top twenty worldcruise ports and destinations, according to G.P. Wild Inter-national, a management, marketing and economic consul-tancy practice based in the United Kingdom.

The Port of Sint Maarten also ranks number nine of leadingports and destinations in the Caribbean region.

The island as a cruise destination has grown from105,000 cruise passengers in 1980 to attracting morethan one million cruise passengers annually since theturn of the century, 2000.

The Port of Sint Maarten offers simultaneous accommoda-tions for six cruise vessels alongside the 2,100 feet cruisepier south and the 1,341 feet cruise pier north. Our facilitiesinclude seaside and boulevard promenades, along with theJohn Craane Cruise Terminal, which offers bus, taxi andwater taxi operations, car rentals, banking, tours, telecom-munication services and much, much more. It’s a cruise fa-cility that offers everything you would expect to find at sucha world-renowned destination.

Water taxis leave the cruise facility and head straight intothe duty-free shopping Mecca of the northeasternCaribbean, Philipsburg. Cruise passengers can also disem-bark at the Capt. Hodge Wharf from water taxis and tenderboat shuttles.

Harbor Point Village was opened in May 2003 and comple-ments the shopping center of Philipsburg (Front Street). Thevillage features a shopping arcade consisting of 12 shopsand 12 market-stalls.FThe Tender Jetty facilities cater to home porting, water taxisand water-based tours. The new tender jetty has been de-scribed as the largest in the northeastern Caribbean.

The Tender Jetty is four meters (14 ft) wide by 120 meters(390 ft) long, featuring a nine-meter (25.2 ft) bridge section,four finger piers and a 24-meter (67.2 ft) covered section.A depth of six meters has been dredged to allow vesselswith a draft of five meters to safely approach the berthingfacility.

The finger piers can accommodate up to six vessels simul-taneously.

Hon. Theo Heyliger, Vice

Prime Minister and Minster

responsible for Port Affairs

Mark Mingo, Chief Executive

Officer, Sint Maarten Harbour

Group of Companies


Cargo FacilitiesThe Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities also includesa cargo section, namely the Captain David Cargo Quay andCargo South Quay.

Sint Maarten proudly serves as a transshipment hub forthe northeastern Caribbean, and this is due to the island’s strategic location, ultra modern cargo facilitiesand the provision of efficient, reliable services to stake-

holders and customers. This has made the cargo portone of the busiest transshipment ports in this part of theCaribbean.

Some of the major cargo lines servicing the island are Europe West Indies Lines, Bernuth, CAGEMA, CMA-CGM,Seaboard Marine Lines and Tropical Shipping.

The Capt. David Cargo Quay has a length of 270 meters (890ft), a docking capacity for two general lift-on-lift-off (LOLO)and three roll-on-roll-off (RORO) cargo vessels. The waterdepth is 10.5 meters (35 ft).

The cargo quay has been extended by an additional 260meters.

The facility also includes a container storage area of over2000 TEUs. Cargo vessels can also be provided with fueland water services.

Recognizing Our EldersVice Prime Minister and Minster responsible for port affairs,Hon. Theo Heyliger, is a proponent of recognizing local per-sons who have contributed in one way or the other to thedevelopment of the island.

Walter “Plantz” William (94) is one such local who has hada special relationship with the sea as an avid fisherman.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Port of Sint Maartensaid, “We have been and continue to honor pioneers in ourcommunity. The harbor is not only about developments nowand for the future. We are also about respecting our pastand the contributions made to our society. Without a bal-ance, any ship would sink.”

Port of Sint Maarten executive management, supervisory boardmembers and other reps proudly stand next to the bust of Walter“Plantz” William.

©2011 Princess Cruises. Ships of Bermudan Registry.

To learn more, see your travel agent, call 1-800-Princess, or visit princess.com.

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Sail with Princess Cruises® around the world and let us handle the details so you can enjoy a carefree getaway. Our gracious crew

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2:15 PM

FCCA Cruise Destinations 71Content provided by: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS


The U.S. Virgin Islands has served as a favorite stop forcruise lines and passengers for years by offering a mixof exciting shore excursions, opportunities to explore

local cuisine, history and culture and a variety of retail optionsfor duty-free shopping. With its enchanting towns, magnifi-cent coastlines, historic sites and incomparable water adven-tures, a world of unforgettable moments are waiting to bediscovered in St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.

What’s New and NotableThe Department of Tourism’s ongoing commitment to itsvisitors and cruise lines means it’s constantly working toenhance the cruise visitor experience; 2012 marks the con-tinuation of a chain of new developments and refurbish-ments at the territory’s ports of call. From recent attractionand restaurant openings to long-term improvement projects, the U.S. Virgin Islands is evolving, and the Department of Tourism is excited to welcome cruise passengers to experience it.

U.S. Virgin IslandsNow Has Even More to Offer


Visitors continue to enjoy the reopening of Mountain Topon St. Thomas. In 2011, following extensive reconstructivework, cruise passengers were once again able to accessthe best views of the island from its highest point of elevation. Travelers can relax on the viewing deck andindulge in a world famous banana daiquiri (a 60-year-oldrecipe!) once again.

Located at Havensight Dock, The Butterfly Garden reopened on St. Thomas under the management of CoralWorld Ocean Park. The unique attraction immerses guestsin the world of the delicate butterfly, allowing interactionand observation of some of the most beautiful species inthe world. The farm is a family favorite and, as a result ofits new ownership, is offering joint promotions with Coral

World Ocean Park, which gives guests a glimpse into underwater marine wildlife and hands-on experience witha “touch” pool and sea lion encounters.

Also in St. Thomas, the St.Thomas Skyride tramway continues to draw cruise passengers throughout the year.St. Thomas Skyride tramway is the perfect way to savor theisland’s breathtaking harbor views from 700 feet.

One of the new restaurants to open in Cruz Bay is the popular New York City Malaysian-inspired restaurant FattyCrab. The Fatty Crab crew brings its signature funky flavorsand rock ‘n roll atmosphere that the two Fatty Crabs in NewYork City have come to be known for. The menu is similarto its other locations, but incorporates produce found

locally, giving the culinary team a chance to play aroundwith new ingredients, like the Virgin Islands’ conch, spinylobster and fruits and vegetables indigenous to the island.This addition delights visitors and locals alike with itsunique take on dining in the gorgeous Cruz Bay location.

The “Spirits” of St. CroixSt. Croix remains an under-the-radar Caribbean gem richwith cultural experiences. The refurbished Ann E. Abram-son Marine Facility at the Frederiksted pier area givescruise passengers a new place to explore, and similar to itssister island, this port is seeing new developments that aresure to become essential stops on any St. Croix itinerary.

Already known as the home of Cruzan Rum, Diageo USVI,


the Virgin Islands’ newest distillery, will be opening a Captain Morgan Visitor Center on St. Croix in anticipa-tion of the Captain Morgan distillery set to produce its firstbatch of rum in 2012. The visitor center allows guests toexperience the rum’s unique history, production process anda little more about the Captain himself. It will also house“The Captain’s Collection,” a stunning gathering of old andnew Caribbean rums. In addition to showcasing the historyand culture of rum production, the visitor center educatestravelers on LEED (Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign) certification and Diageo’s commitment to sustain-ability and responsible drinking.

Once cruise passengers disembark in Frederiksted, theycan stroll along its waterfront and enjoy the shopping andbreathtaking beaches, a perfect escape for those seekingtranquility and relaxation. History buffs will enjoy a visit tonearby Estate Whim Plantation, a restored 18th-centurysugar mill situated among 12 acres of majestic plantationbuildings and tropical flora.

Foodies can indulge in authentic West Indian dishes laden

with spices or international cuisine infused with local flavors in one of the town’s many restaurants.

Meanwhile, Gallows Bay Dock, located only a mile fromthe charming town of Christiansted, enables guests to explore the area by foot. In Christiansted, visitors enjoy taking pictures in the historical churches; meanderingthrough pastel buildings and unique art galleries; and perusing the charming boutiques, cafés and pavilions.

Best known for the array of water activities available toguests, St. Croix’s crystal waters provide the perfect back-drop for everything from a leisurely swim to a thrilling kayakexcursion. St. Croix is also heralded as one of the world’stop diving destinations, offering enthusiasts dives that willinspire even the most seasoned experts. The island is alsohome to Buck Island National Reef Monument, an underwater wonder that stretches across 19,000 acres of pro-tected land and pristine waters, beckoning visitors to explore.

To learn more about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visitwww.visitusvi.com or call (800) 372-USVI.

To learn more about the USVI email [email protected].

Captivate your clients with cruises that include the breathtaking U.S. Virgin Islands.

You Unscripted

©2011 United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

800.372.USVI

Lost: The Beaten Path

Found: A Place Like No Other

paradise blissful days ahead

paradise blissful days ahead

Spacious, Elegant ShipsGracious, Award-Winning ServiceWorldwide ItinerariesExtensive Activities and Enrichment ProgramsSophisticated Five-Star Dining

Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.

revive under the caribbean sun

FCCA Cruise Destinations 77Content provided by: Port of Houston Authority

U.S.A., HOUSTON


There is something for everyone in Houston, making itideal for a cruise line. Conveniently located betweenHouston’s two major airports, the Bayport Cruise Ter-

minal gives visitors an opportunity to take in the manysights and experiences of the Houston area. Less than twohours cruising time from international waters, this new, single-story, 96,000-square-foot facility is custom designedand built for the cruise industry with efficiency and conven-ience in mind. The embarkation lounge has 55 check-in sta-tions, and valet parking is available in an adjacent parkinglot that has 800 spaces and is expandable to 1,000. The facility has a second-story boarding corridor and features aclimate-controlled FMT Gangway System.

Houston is an excellent choice. This world-class city boast-ing the nation’s largest port in terms of foreign tonnage of-fers visitors every possible experience imaginable.Whatever your taste, whatever your pleasure, Houston hasit to offer: recreation, shopping, sports, the arts, nature, cuisine and culture.

RecreationWith mild temperatures even through the coldest monthsof the year, every form of recreation, short of snow skiing,

can be enjoyed year-round. An average annual temperatureof 70 degrees and 250 sunny days per year makes Houstona recreational paradise.

Houston may be the nation’s fourth largest city, but it is alsoone of the greenest. You can walk, run, bike or roller skatealong more than 100 miles of scenic trail systems. You’llforget you’re in a city as you admire the trees, wildflowers,and wildlife along the way. Paddlers can find canoe andkayak launches along the bayou to take a cruise all the wayto downtown on the water.

Ever notice how many professional golfers come fromTexas? Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kiteand Lee Elder, to name a few. Fred Couples was the star ofthe University of Houston golf team. The LPGA is headquar-tered here.

It’s no surprise, considering how many superb golf coursescan be found throughout the Houston area, including publiccourses at Memorial and Hermann Parks. As much businessis conducted here out on the links as in boardrooms. Manyof the area’s finest subdivisions also include beautiful golfcourses, which makes living here even better than just

visiting. Schedule your visit to watch the pros at a premierPGA event, such as the annual Shell Houston Open.

The same is true for tennis. Public courts, tennis clubs andcommunity courts all provide a wide variety of choices. Theannual River Oaks US Men’s Clay Court Championship isplayed here every spring. The United States ProfessionalTennis Association calls Houston home, so there is no short-age of expert instructors for perfecting your game.

Despite being an enormous city, nature is never very faraway in Houston. With a year-round growing season, some-thing is always blooming here. Migratory birds winter hereor stop before continuing on to Central and South America.Year-round, egrets, ibis, herons and brown and white pelicans can be found wherever there’s water in the Hous-ton area. Not far from the city limits, a wide variety of stateand national wildlife refuges host more than 200 varietiesof birds, as well as coyotes and alligators.

More exotic inhabitants can be found at the 55-acre Hous-ton Zoo in Hermann Park. Visitors to this lushly landscapedzoo can feed the giraffes or watch the chimpanzees’ anticsin the new African forest exhibit. The elephant herd has a

Houston – Where Your Journey Begins


newly expanded exhibit where thesegentle giants can play and roam freely.

For those who prefer to watch sports, Houston offersyear-round enjoyment. The Rockets, the Texans, the Dynamo, the Astros and the Aeros can satisfy whateversport you prefer. We are also home to the four-time nationalWNBA champion Houston Comets and three-time nationalchampion Houston Energy, one of 17 teams nationwide inThe Women’s Professional Football League.

AttractionsWho hasn’t fantasized about being an astronaut and visitingother worlds? Space Center Houston, the official visitors’center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is the only placeon earth to take an out-of-this-world journey through humanadventures in space. Try your hand at landing the shuttle orretrieving a satellite through interactive computer simula-tors. Find out how astronauts shower, sleep and preparemeals in space.

Close to the Port of Houston’s cruise terminal is the KemahBoardwalk, which is like a year-round carnival. Rides,themed restaurants, shopping and an aquarium are all a

part of the fun here on the shores ofGalveston Bay.

The Houston Ship Channel is home to the world’stallest war memorial, the San Jacinto Monument. Itmarks the site of the battle for Texas independence in1836. A museum at the base of the monument is filledwith artifacts and a theater for viewing Texas Forever!!The Battle of San Jacinto. This 35-minute video putsyou in the middle of the decisive battle. Markersthroughout the surrounding battlefield show you wherethe two sides fought and the Texans won. A park on theship channel across Independence Highway from themonument is an excellent place to watch ships andbarges at the Port of Houston.

One of the most beloved experiences in Houston is theWater Wall. Designed by Philip Johnson, this dramatic 64-foot U-shaped fountain is Houston’s most photographedsite. Step through the entry and be surrounded by thousandsof gallons of water rushing down inside and outside thewalls. It is an experience you’ll never forget. Relax and havea picnic in the surrounding three-acre green space shadedby more than 180 live oak trees.

The Children’s Museum of Houston is known as “a play-ground for your mind.” Rated as the number 1 children’s museum by Parents magazine, it is bursting with fun inno-vative interactive bilingual learning experiences for childrenup to age 12. The museum is housed in a whimsical building designed by Robert Venturi.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the mostheavily attended museums in the country. Located in Her-mann Park, it features the Wortham IMAX Theatre, BurkeBaker Planetarium, and Cockrell Butterfly Center, along withpermanent exhibit halls and traveling exhibitions. From fossils and dinosaurs to gems and geology, the exhibitsbring all aspects of the natural world alive. Chemistry andenergy exploration are featured due to their importance toHouston’s economy.

CultureFrom fine arts to cowboy skills, Houston is the place to be.The Museum District near Hermann Park includes many ofHouston’s fine arts destinations. The Museum of Fine ArtsHouston includes works from antiquity to the present.Housed in two buildings, the collection includes 56,000pieces, and a third building is planned.

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collectinginstitution dedicated to presenting the best and most excit-ing international, national and regional art of the last 40years. The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is one ofthe few venues in the country dedicated exclusively to craftat the highest level, highlighting art made of glass, fiber,clay, metal or wood.

The Menil Collection houses the private collection of Johnand Dominique de Menil in two Renzo Piano buildings. Themuseum’s holdings cover the entire range of art with specialemphasis on Surrealism and the work of Cy Twombly. Thenearby Rothko Chapel by Howard Barnstone features 14works by Mark Rothko.

Houston has always been a city that embraces new ideasand different ways of looking at things. It’s no surprise thatoutsider artists have found acceptance here. The OrangeShow Monument is a Houston postman’s ode to his favoritefruit. Built single-handedly over more than 20 years, thisoutdoor monument is constructed of found objects, such asgears, tiles, wagon wheels and statues.

The Beer Can House is another folk art monument made bya retired upholsterer who never threw anything away, including all the beer cans he emptied over 18 years. Some50,000 beer cans were transformed into the house’s aluminum siding and decorative elements.


Art cars have rolled down Houston’s streets for many years.From unique paint designs to cars transforming into firebreathing dragons, cars have proven to be interesting canvasses for vehicular artists. A museum celebrates their design, and an annual parade now draws more than 250 vehicles from 23 states, Canada and Mexico.

Downtown Houston’s Theater District is home to nine performing arts organizations. Houston is one of only fivecities with permanent professional resident companies inall of the major performing arts disciplines: opera, ballet,music, and theater. The performing arts venues are all firstclass. Free performances from Houston’s varied performingarts scene are held at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park.

Agriculture has always played an enormous role in the econ-omy of Texas. For three weeks every spring, the HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo hosts more than 2 million guestswho come for the livestock competitions, food, carnival rides,live concerts and the world’s largest indoor rodeo.

CuisineAs a city that has long done business throughout the world,visitors are accustomed to finding outstanding internationalcuisine in Houston. With more than 8,000 restaurants tochoose from and menus reflecting every region of the U.S.and 33 other countries, any palette can find satisfactionhere. Houstonians eat out more than residents of any othercity, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation. Hous-ton’s low cost of living includes the restaurant scene.

From trendy bistros to cantinas to Chinatown, take your pick.Local specialties include Gulf seafood, Texas barbecue andsteaks. Tex-Mex to Brazilian, Korean to Indian, French toRussian and Middle Eastern to Ethiopian – every gastro-nomic desire awaits.

After dinner, take advantage of Houston’s nightlife. Thereis a lively live music scene with plenty of jazz, blues, countrywestern, rock and acoustic.

ShoppingShopping could be considered a sport in Houston.Whether hunting for a one-of-a-kind at a boutique orstocking up at the nation’s finest department stores, youcan fill your shopping bags easily here. More than adozen shopping districts are in town with outlet malls inthe suburbs.

The Galleria has more than 375 stores, including the firstNeiman Marcus outside of Dallas. People travel to Hous-ton from other countries just to shop there. At the oppositeend of the shopping spectrum is Harwin, where all the designer lookalikes can be found. Hunt for antiques in theHistoric Heights and Montrose, or explore Houston’s firstshopping center, the River Oaks Shopping Center, originally built in 1927.

Houston is unlike anywhere you have ever been. New ideas,new people, new styles, new cuisines are always welcomehere. Spend a day; spend a week. You’ll always find plentyto do and see in Houston.

For information contact

Ricky W. Kunz, Vice President Origination

713-670-2400 | www.portofhouston.comHOUSTON – WHERE YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS.

The Port of Houston Authority’s

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©2012 NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE, LTD. SHIPS’ REGISTRY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND BAHAMAMS.

Call 1.888.NCL.CRUISE, visit NCL.COM or contact your travel professional.

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Documents

2012 Cruise Destinations by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association