Costa Fascinosa - March 2, 2025

An island under two flags, St. Martin/St. Maarten is French and Dutch. Philipsburg is on the Dutch side and famous for its duty-free emporia and casinos. A short drive will bring you to Marigot, a charming French Colonial outpost featuring shops filled with French fashions and imported Gallic goodies, as well as beautiful beaches.

Tiny and charming, Roseau offers visitors an intimate look at the nation of Dominica. Stroll past the houses on Castle Street, marked by quaint tin roofs and gingerbread fretwork. Tour the Dominican Museum and the plentiful shops in Post Office Square. Pose for scenic nautical photos in front of the Bay Front Sea Wall. Enjoy the chattering antics of native parrots at the local bird sanctuary.

Expect to be immediately immersed in the French Caribbean way of life. Vendors hawk everything from hairpins to bouquets of anthuriums on the congested narrow streets, and the markets are some of the Caribbean's most colorful. The largest, Marche St. Antoine, at the corner of Rues Frebault and Peynier, teems with activity all day long, with tropical produce and spices in madras bags sold by very vocal market women.

Originally established as a British settlement in the 17th century, Antigua certified its independence in 1981. Today, it is a vastly popular oasis, famed for its spectacular climate and 366 pristine beaches. St. John's is a splendid jewel on this tropical crown, boasting lush greenery and limitless recreation options. Take a hiking safari and be dazzled by the sights of the island at 1200 feet.

With its swaying palms, glistening white beaches, and sophisticated resorts, Ocho Rios is a favorite vacation spot. For a splendid view, visit Shaw Park Gardens, overflowing with fragrant flora and refreshing waterfalls, or enjoy a refreshing trek through Dunn's River Falls one of the most celebrated attractions of the Caribbean.

Montego Bay: visit her outstanding underwater marine park at Cornwall Beach. Explore the Chester Castle Great House set on some 200 acres, or tour Rose Hall, a restored plantation house. The driving force of Reggae, Bob Marley, is honored here at the Half Moon Shopping Village. Learn the history; hear the music; buy some merchandise; support the cause.

The official name of this Dominican Republic island is Isla Catalina. The island is only 9.6 square kilometers, but packs a big entertainment punch nonetheless. Don't get the wrong idea, though--this is a protected ecological area, and for good reason. The pristine sand dunes, mangrove swamps, and coral stone formations are a splendid rarity in the Caribbean.