Western Caribbean Cruise

Belize City is both the geographic and commercial center of the Country of Belize. All major highways lead into and out of this colonial city and provide access to the Rainforests, Mayan archaeological sites, and the other natural inland and offshore attractions. Belize City is an excellent starting point for excursions to the Barrier Islands, for scuba diving and for a wide variety of tours.

Do you like fish? Not necessarily to eat. Just to look at. Because if you do, you’re going to love Cozumel, Mexico,where sheltered coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Abundant and colorful marine life turn the sea into a visual fantasy.

Of course, you might even love it if all you like are beautiful secluded beaches, great shopping, and authentic Mexican cuisine. That’s the deal with Cozumel; there’s a lot to like.

Fort Lauderdale, (lô´der-dâl´) city (1990 pop. 148,377), seat of Broward Co., SE Fla., on the Atlantic coast; settled around a fort built (c.1837) in the Seminole War, inc. 1911. The city has more than 270 mi (435 km) of natural and artificial waterways and one of the largest marinas in the world. A major beach resort, it has a performing arts center and art and science museums. Products include electronic devices, boats and yachts, and various light manufactures.

Galveston is a port city on the Gulf of Mexico, east of Houston, Texas.

Key West, (wèst) city (1990 pop. 24,832), seat of Monroe co., S Fla., on an island at the SW end of the Florida Keys, c.150 mi (240 km) from Miami, 90 mi (145 km) from Cuba. It is the southernmost city of the continental U.S., a resort and artists’ colony and fishing center. Winslow Homer painted there; Ernest Hemingway, whose home is a museum,
wrote there.

“Arg!” as they used to say in pirate days, Nassau, Bahamas is one nice place. And one whose naturally protected harbor made it a center of activity, with privateers continually attacking gold-laden Spanish galleons.

Today, millions of tourists come for the climate–not just the weather, but the friendliness and charm that make the Bahamas special. And speaking of specials, there are few places that promise better bargain hunting–particularly if you’re in the market for something handcrafted from straw.

Built on a bend in the river (hence called the Crescent City), New Orleans is protected by levees. A major international port and a center of business and banking,it is one of the largest and most important cities in the South.

French influence (Creole culture) and the city’s reputation for glamour and gaiety have lasted to the present. The French Quarter (Vieux Carrée), around Jackson Square, is the oldest section of the city and retains much of its early elegance. Contemporary landmarks include the Superdome (1975) and the Hibernia Tower. Two manifestations of the city’s heterogeneous culture are its famous Mardi Gras festival and the development of jazz. The city was the site of the 1984 World’s Fair, and gambling was legalized in 1992, with the first casino opening on a riverboat in 1993.

Eight rivers, no waiting. The name Ocho Rios means “eight rivers” in Spanish, but what you’ll notice first about this Jamaican port will likely be the jungle mountains, clear waterfalls and unforgettable beaches–not to mention the warm, friendly and fiercely proud inhabitants of this, the third largest island in the Caribbean.

Many fabulous resorts are in this part of Jamaica. It is also a popular port for cruise ships.

Tampa, (tàm´pe) city (1990 pop. 280,015; met. area 2,067,959), seat of Hillsborough co., W Fla., a port on Tampa Bay; inc. 1855. A highly industrialized city, it is the center of a metropolitan area that includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg. It is a resort and processing and shipping hub for the area’s products, particularly phosphates. It has a shrimp fleet, breweries, and a famous cigar industry, centered in its colorful Ybor City section. Nearby Busch Gardens, a theme park
with an African zoo and tropical gardens, is a well-known tourist attraction. The Spanish explored the area in 1528, but European settlement began only in 1823. Tampa was an important military base in the Spanish-American War.