Western Caribbean

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

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

6.  Disney and Princess have a year-round
presence, as well.
 Norwegian Cruise
Line, Celebrity and Holland America visit
the region also during spring breaks.

7.  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.

9.  Belize's 185-mile barrier reef is the largest in
the Western Hemisphere, and the Scuba
diving and snorkeling are world class.

10.  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.

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

12.  Costa Maya located on Mexico's Yucatan
Peninsula, is a man-made tourism village
with bars, restaurants, shops and pools.

13.  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.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  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.

17.  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.

18.  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.

19.  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.

20.  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.

21.  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

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

23.  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.

24.  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.

25.  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.

27.  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.

28.  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.

29.  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.

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

31.  A few lines offer 10-night cruises. These will
combine Central American and Caribbean
island ports with several days at sea.