Crystal Serenity - December 4, 2024

The fortress of El Morro guards the harbor against long-gone Sir Francis Drake and his British privateers. The colorful streets of Old San Juan retain the Latin flavor of its seafaring past, when this was the heart of the Spanish Main. Sample the fiery rum made here, or indulge in an icy treat made from fresh tropical fruit and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.

Old World history set to a distinctly Latin beat: this is the soul of Santo Domingo. The city is a maze of medieval palaces and boasts the first cathedral, university, and hospital in the western hemisphere. Beneath the black velvet of a signature Santo Domingo night sky, gaze upon the beauty of the Columbus Lighthouse--actually a mausoleum--as it beams a cross-shaped beacon toward the stars.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

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.

In Gustavia, the capital, there are branches of several well-known French shops (such as Cartier). The small crowd of habitues is mostly young, chic, and French. The food, wine, and aromas are equally Gallic. The harbour or Carenage was renamed Gustavia after the 18th-century Swedish king, Gustavus III, and became a free port, marking the beginning of the island's greatest prosperity.

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.

The fortress of El Morro guards the harbor against long-gone Sir Francis Drake and his British privateers. The colorful streets of Old San Juan retain the Latin flavor of its seafaring past, when this was the heart of the Spanish Main. Sample the fiery rum made here, or indulge in an icy treat made from fresh tropical fruit and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.