WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

Western Caribbean Cruises offer a fascinating first taste of the region, so they are a good idea for people who want to see if they will enjoy cruising, or those who have time only for a short break. The Western Caribbean has plenty to offer - awesome Mayan Indian ruins, a stunning barrier reef, breathtaking waterfalls, sugary sand beaches, towering mountains, lush and exotic gardens, colonial history, championship golf courses, reggae music, duty-free shopping and smooth Caribbean rum.

The crown jewel of Western Caribbean cruises is Mexico. The country's Yucatan Peninsula has several world-famous ports - Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Costa Maya - that are extremely popular on this route. Along with the ancient Mayan cities of Tulum, ports of call in the Yucatan have excellent beaches, great shopping, several water sports theme parks, internet cafes, and a lazy, laid-back lifestyle. Mexican ports also offer horseback riding trails, scuba diving and snorkeling excursions.

South of Mexico are the tiny, English speaking Central American country of Belize and the larger, Spanish speaking Honduras. Both of these destinations are included on a few Western Caribbean cruises and the main attraction is the barrier reef just offshore. Considered to be one of the best dive sites in the Western Hemisphere, the reef is a natural wonder marked by brilliantly colored coral. It also has several sunken ships and an assortment of exotic marine life.

Another main highlight of this itinerary is Grand Cayman. Ships here sail into the capital city of George Town, where an endless assortment of duty-free stores lures passengers. Excursions from Grand Cayman include snorkeling tours of Sting Ray City and visits to the Cayman Turtle Farm. One excursion that most passengers take in Grand Cayman is to the little town of Hell, where the urge to mail a postcard is hard to resist.

Last on the list are Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, both on the English speaking island of Jamaica. As the most visited port on the island, Ocho Rios often has several ships in port at once. Excursions here are usually to Dunn's River Falls, where passengers enjoy a guided climb up this stunning cascading waterfall. Dolphin Cove, located beside Dunn's River Falls, is where visitors can feed, pet and swim with Dolphins. If ships sail into Montego Bay, excursion options include the Rose Hall Great House. For shopping, Montego Bay has duty-free shops right at the port.

You can find cruises to the western Caribbean year-round and on every major cruise line.