western caribbean (geography)

31
WESTERN CARIBBEAN

Upload: cheryn-glez-lusares

Post on 16-Apr-2017

36 views

Category:

Education


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Western caribbean (geography)

WESTERN CARIBBEAN

Page 2: Western caribbean (geography)

GEOGRAPHY The Western Caribbean consists of islands due south of

Florida, such as Grand Cayman and Jamaica; destinations on Mexico's Caribbean coast on or near the Yucatan Peninsula, such as Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progreso; and Central American destinations on the Caribbean, such as Belize and Honduras.

Page 3: Western caribbean (geography)

BEST TIME FOR WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISES

December through March, when it's cold up north and warm, but not stormy, in the Caribbean.

Late April and May are shoulder season, when the ships and islands are not as crowded, but the weather is still good.

Page 4: Western caribbean (geography)

Hurricane season runs June through November, with storms most likely August through October.

However, as many families and honeymooners flock to the Caribbean during the summer, prices don't tend to dip, and ships sell out despite storm possibilities.

Page 5: Western caribbean (geography)

WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINES

Carnival and Royal Caribbean are the big powerhouses; it dominate all year long.

Page 6: Western caribbean (geography)

 Disney and Princess have a year-round presence, as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity and Holland America visit the region also during spring breaks.

Page 7: Western caribbean (geography)

Attracting international travelers are ships from Costa and MSC Cruises.

Luxury lines occasionally cruise the Western Caribbean as well. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Crystal and Oceania visit the region a few times each year.

Page 8: Western caribbean (geography)

Western Caribbean Cruise Port Highlights

Page 9: Western caribbean (geography)

Belize City, Belize Belize's 185-mile barrier reef is the

largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the Scuba diving and snorkeling are world class.

Page 10: Western caribbean (geography)

One of the most popular snorkeling spots along the reef is Shark Ray Alley, where you share the water with nonplussed southern stingrays and nurse sharks. 

Page 11: Western caribbean (geography)

Other typical Belize excursions include cave tubing and visiting Mayan sites like Altun Ha.

Page 12: Western caribbean (geography)

Costa Maya, Mexico Costa Maya located on Mexico's

Yucatan Peninsula, is a man-made tourism village with bars, restaurants, shops and pools.

Page 13: Western caribbean (geography)

Head to Mahahual, a real fishing village next door to Costa Maya, for a clean beach, calm waters and water sports options.

The Mayan ruins at Chacchoben and Xcaret, where you can dive or snorkel by shipwrecks among Mexico's largest coral atoll, are worthwhile excursions.

Page 14: Western caribbean (geography)

Cozumel, Mexico You can choose to stay on the small island

of Cozumel, just off Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, and shop for Mexican crafts or explore the nearby reefs by snorkeling, diving or glass-bottom boat.

Page 15: Western caribbean (geography)

Or, head to the mainland for shopping and dining in Playa del Carmen or the chance to explore Mayan ruins like you'll find in the walled city of Tulum.

Page 16: Western caribbean (geography)

Falmouth, Jamaica The north coast town of Falmouth got a

makeover to become Jamaica's fourth cruise port. You could stick around, take in the town's architecture and grab a snack at a jerk joint, but most cruise visitors head immediately on shore tours. 

Page 17: Western caribbean (geography)

 From there, you can hit the main attractions in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay -- like Dunn's River Falls, Mystic Mountain rainforest adventure park and the Good Hope Great House.

Page 18: Western caribbean (geography)

George Town, Grand Cayman

Once your ship docks at Grand Cayman's capital, George Town, it may be tempting to simply veg out under the casuarina trees along the white sands of Seven Mile Beach.

Page 19: Western caribbean (geography)

A more adventurous option involves a boat trip to the famous Stingray City Sandbar.

As you snorkel in shallow water, tour operators provide buckets of chopped up squid for you to feed to the huge stingrays. The rays will eat from your hand, and are quite polite as long as you don't step on their tails.

Page 20: Western caribbean (geography)

Save time for a quick run to the Tortuga Rum Factory on South Church Street and fight the tourist hordes for its notoriously good rum cakes.

Page 21: Western caribbean (geography)

Key West, Florida There's a lot of history packed into Key

West, a tiny island (2 by 4 miles) that's also the southernmost city in the continental U.S

Page 22: Western caribbean (geography)

Key West's Mel Fisher Maritime Museum houses millions of dollars worth of treasure salvaged from a Spanish Galleon.

Page 23: Western caribbean (geography)

At sunset, tradition requires heading over to Mallory Dock, to see it come alive in a celebration of jugglers, musicians and street performers as the sun goes down.

Page 24: Western caribbean (geography)

Progreso, Mexico Progreso's main draw is its proximity to

the Yucatan peninsula's Mayan ruins. Just two hours away is the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, with its intricate temples, the famous pyramid of Kukulcan, a sacred ball court and an astronomical observatory. 

Page 25: Western caribbean (geography)

Roatan, Honduras Roatan is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands.

Almost 40 miles long and just 2.5 miles at its widest point, the remote island boasts white sand beaches, pristine bays and spectacular coral reefs.

For tourists, Roatan's charm is its barrier reef system -- the second largest in the world! -- and its appeal for diving and snorkeling.

Page 26: Western caribbean (geography)

Western Caribbean Cruise Itineraries

Page 27: Western caribbean (geography)

Short Cruises Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Norwegian,

Princess and Royal Caribbean offer four- and five-night cruises for those with limited vacation time or budgets.

Four-nighters depart from a variety of homeports in Florida, Texas and Louisiana, and typically have one port call in Cozumel -- though some Miami cruises sail to Key West and Cozumel.

Page 28: Western caribbean (geography)

Five-nighters feature two port calls. Ports vary widely and include the typical Western Caribbean ports (like Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel), as well as stops in cruise line private islands, Key West and Nassau, not technically in the Western Caribbean.

Page 29: Western caribbean (geography)

Seven-Night Island Cruises The standard islands and Mexico

itinerary typically calls in one of the three Jamaica ports, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Some lines may add a fourth stop at a private island or substitute Key West for one of the ports.

Page 30: Western caribbean (geography)

Seven-Night Central America and Islands Cruises

This hybrid itinerary offers four port days in a mix of Central American ports, plus the Bahamas, Key West and/or Grand Cayman.

Page 31: Western caribbean (geography)

Long Cruises  A few lines offer 10-night cruises.

These will combine Central American and Caribbean island ports with several days at sea.