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San Juan (Puerto Rico) : Puerto Rico is a US territory and therefore, there is no extra charge to call the USA on your cell phone! Yes .. there are cell phone towers throughout San Juan! San Juan boasts of the very best locally made Rum in the world. Old San Juan city is where most cruise ships dock or make this their home port. A short walk from the ship to the old city with its local shops and variety of stores is a very unique experience for the tourist ...and, once again, it is ALL Duty Free!! San Juan's beaches are superb for swimming, snorkeling or just basking in the Puerto Rican Sun! Yyou can find many a ship captain who will be happy to take you out to fish or dive among the many wrecks around San Juan harbor. Casinos are quite numerous throughout San Juan as are hotel-casinos. No tax is charged on shopping items or souvenirs throughout Puerto Rico. Finally, the city of San Juan boasts the very best in nightlife in the entire Caribbean! Dance Clubs are HOT in San Juan.
St. Thomas (U. S. Virgin Islands) : A gorgeous city, Charlotte Amalie, it drifts into a harbor from mountainous surroundings which rise up to as much as 1,000 feet. You can look down into the harbor and at one time, you can see from ten to fifteen cruise ships spotted throughout the aqua seas of St. Thomas. The very rich and the very poor live part or fulltime in St. Thomas. St Thomas was, at one time, thecapital of piracy throughout the Caribbean. Blackbeard the pirate is said to have make Charlotte Amalie his home and headquarters of his criminal activities. There are, in fact, historic museums where you can view some of the pirate collections of once-buried treasures! Beautiful scenery, golden
beaches .. And the very best Pina Coladas are said to be served anywhere in the Caribbean .. On the island of St. Thomas.
St. John (Side Tour) : By the way, we can't forget St. John, one of the few pristine U. S. Wildlife Preserves in the Tropics! Great place to snorkel, dive, or just swim right along with natures most beautiful tropical wildlife .. Fish, turtles, Sting Rays .. Etc. *Usually the St. Johns land tour is really a unique experience, but ... this, as most tours, are at an optional fee. It is suggested you look to your cruise line to book your tours .... this is just to make sure that if you are, in fact, late getting back to the ship ... if your tour is sponsored by the cruise line, the ship will actually wait for your return. If you select an independent tour and you are late, you are probably OUT OF LUCK!!!!!!!!
St. Maarten: This Island is truly unique among the Caribbean ports. There is a Dutch Side and a French Side. The Dutch side is where the cruise ships dock or tender their passengers into port. The French side is about 40 minutes ride in a van or taxi to the other side of this picturesque island. You can gamble in a Dutch Side Casino or just walk down the Main Street and find dozens of small jewelry shops and liquor shops and bars and think they just never end! The walk, once again, requires a water bottle.. The weather is normally very hot most all year around and can be extremely difficult to navigate unless you have been wise enough to wear comfortable shoes! The local beaches are right nearby unless you are more daring. The French side offers a semi-nude beach and a Totally Nude Beach . If you are daring .. Try it they say its very invigorating taking a swim in the tropical waters of Orient beach .. For me, its just a simple bathing suit that makes me feel that there is something between myself and the FISH!
Nassau, Bahamas : This former British colony continues to uphold many UK traditions including the original government buildings and the police uniforms! You may choose to simply enjoy watching a Nassau Traffic Patrolman directing horse-drawn carriages, cars, buses and trucks through the busy intersections and thoroughfares of Nassau! Fishing is said to be some of the very best in the Caribbean. Sightseeing offers many interesting and historic places and past events illustrated therein, will keep your interest for hours at a time. Mini-Submarines give the tourist an up-close view of the many species of tropical wildlife reside in and throughout local waters. A camera is primary on your the list of items you MUST bring with you on any trip to the Caribbean. A Colorful, picturesque spot with happy people will trigger your memory back to this capital of the Bahamas, Nassau! |