7-Day Western Caribbean
Ship: ms Eurodam
Jan 31 2021 | Feb 21 2021 | Mar 14 2021 | Apr 04 2021
Day 4 Ocho Rios, Jamaica
"On his fourth voyage, Columbus was marooned for a year outside of Ocho Rios on Jamaica's north coast. You may imagine that the explorer gave the town its name after finding eight rivers here, but surprisingly that isn't its origin: It's a corruption of a word for waterfalls, of which there are many—far more than eight. Anyway, if you want to talk like a local, just call it Ochi. In the last century, the north coast was a favorite of literary and Hollywood figures from Noël Coward to Errol Flynn. The first Bond film, Dr. No, was shot here, while creator Ian Fleming lived near Ochi at his Goldeneye estate. Visitors to Jamaica today are likely to think of reggae first, of course, and Bob Marley was born right here in the St. Ann Parish. The Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, held at various venues in May and June, is a big draw as well. The area near Ochi has seen significant upgrades to its ports and roads in recent years, and getting around to check out this part of Jamaica is much easier than it was in the past. The nearby region is one of the island's finest for nature hikes among all the plants that provide the spices and fruits that go into making Jamaican cooking so outrageously delicious. "
Day 5 Georgetown, Cayman Islands
"The Cayman Islands have everything you would want from a Caribbean destination—warm breezes, clear seas and a laid-back attitude—but the archipelago also has something you might not expect: an exciting culinary scene. Between the celebrity chefs who've set up shop on Grand Cayman and the 135 or so resident nationalities that have helped season the island's giant melting pot, this is, hands down, one of the best places to eat in the Caribbean. In and around George Town, the Cayman Islands' capital, you'll find such an amazing array of culinary offerings, you'll fear for the future of any buttons, snaps or hooks on your waistband. And that's where the island's other chief pleasures come in: There's enough walking (whether along the fabled Seven Mile Beach, around historic sites or through lush gardens) as well as stunning swimming, snorkeling and diving to be done to counter the effects of . . . So. Much. Good. Food. Or at least you can begin to. Oh, and one warning: Should you wind up at Rum Point—Grand Cayman's castaway beach imago—there's a good chance your ship is, by your own design, sailing without you. "
Day 6 Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, an island in the Caribbean off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, draws scuba divers, snorkelers and seekers of sand and sun who are attracted by the reliably sunny and tropical climate. The island and its environs also offer all other manner of on- and around-the-water attractions, many of which are quite unique, such as underwater sculpture gardens, a submarine excursion to see a shipwreck and a sailboat-racing experience that's second only to the America's Cup. For visitors who are intrigued by Mexico's Maya culture, there are several archaeological sites in and around Cozumel, including the UNESCO-inscribed Chichén Itzá and, on Cozumel itself, San Gervasio, once a site where women made offerings to the goddess of fertility and childbirth. When you're done sightseeing, there's shopping for traditional Mexican crafts, jewelry and leather goods, including custom-made sandals, and excellent food (the seafood, of course, is stellar).