Galveston to Galveston

With the second busiest port in America, Galveston has been coined the "Queen of the Gulf." Seafood lovers will covet the oyster and shrimp culinary specialties of this island with over 30 miles of sandy beaches. Keep your eyes on the water! Bottlenose dolphin sightings are quite common in Galveston Bay. A strong sense of community is shared by the locals who take pride in their town and cultural festivities. Galveston is home to an impressively large collection of 19th-century buildings and the city is awash with restored homes from the Victorian era, in addition to nature parks and colorful oleanders.

Christopher Columbus anchored his ships in Montego Bay in 1494 when he discovered Jamaica on his way from Cuba, naming the bay “Golfo de Buen Tiempo,” or “Fair Weather Gulf.” It wasn’t until 1655 that Montego Bay, today Jamaica’s second-largest city, came under British rule. Those influences are still evident in the city’s colourful British colonial architecture, including St. James Parish Church, and along the city’s cobblestone streets, which bear the secrets of the island’s slavery past at Sam Sharpe Square and the Cage, a prison for runaway slaves. Today, the city centre is dominated by Gloucester Avenue, the main street or “Hip Strip,” replete with souvenir shops, bars and locals touting their wares. When you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise to Jamaica’s northwest coast, explore Jamaica like a local on one of our MSC excursions. Our Go Native tour lets you follow the rhythm of reggae, observe endemic flora and fauna, enjoy a typical Jamaican meal, and unwind on a picture-postcard beach. Or take an MSC excursion to Doctor's Cave, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island that was believed in the 1920’s to have waters with curative powers. Named after an old entrance through a cave and the bathing club of doctors who used to frequent it, the beach boasts beautiful white sand, majestic palm trees, and crystal-clear water sheltered from the currents. As you may have heard, Jamaica is the home of jerk. For a mouth-watering culinary adventure, bring your appetite along as you taste your way through three restaurants and quench the heat with Jamaica's local brews on an exclusive Martha Stewart excursion curated for MSC. In addition to the jerk tastings, a visit to the Harbour Street Craft Market, a rum punch mixology class and a catamaran sunset sail around the harbour is included in the package. Or let us take you on a thrilling adventure through Rose Hall Mansion, where stories of witchcraft, black magic, murder and slaves exacting revenge on their masters abound at the Great House, one of the old manor houses of the sugar lords. Rose Hall, an 18th-century Georgian-Jamaican style mansion belonging to the Palmer family, sits on a hilltop, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the entire coast. The house is believed to be haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, who murdered her four husbands and numerous slaves working on the surrounding sugar plantation.

While the name Ocho Rios means eight rivers in Spanish, a truer reflection of its name (considering the city has four rivers) may stem from its earlier Spanish name of Las Chorreras, referring to its waterfalls. In either case, it’s precisely its existing rivers, beautiful waterfalls and crystalline sea that promise to awe visitors to Jamaica who have a passion for the lush outdoors. For an unforgettable experience on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise, try one of the many outdoor MSC excursions offered on the city’s rivers, such as kayaking, bamboo rafting and tubing, or try climbing one of its famous waterfalls. A must-see attraction is Dunn’s River Falls, where a guide will lead you up along an almost 600-foot stretch of naturally terraced river bed as part of a human chain. Once up on top, enjoy a breath-taking panorama worthy of photos, and explore a craft market and numerous shops. Or ascend Konoko Falls to admire the tropical gardens with sinuously shaped flowers and a mini zoo of exotic birds and reptiles, before embarking on a gastronomic farm-to-table experience and traditional Jamaican buffet lunch in the hills of Claremont at the organic Murphy Hill Farm, on an exclusive Martha Stewart excursion for MSC. Music lovers can’t help but pay tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley. Journey to Bob Marley’s Nine Mile, a nearby mountaintop village, to see the birthplace and final resting place of the star. The MSC excursion includes a visit to a small Ethiopian-style church housing the marble mausoleum in which Marley’s remains have been entombed along with his guitar. And James Bond fans can take heart in the fact that it was here in Jamaica in the 1950s and 1960s that author Ian Fleming created 007 and wrote every one of the 14 books featuring the stealth secret agent from his villa at nearby Oracabessa Bay. Scenes for the 1962 movie “Dr. No” and the 1973 film “Live and Let Die” were filmed in and around Ocho Rios.

Let yourself relax and experience the best of Punta Cana, where sugar-fine sands, sapphire surf, verdant green palms and the warm kiss of the tropical sun are sure to leave you in a tranquil state of mind. Ready for more action? Discover the Parque Nacional Los Haitises, which translates to "land of the mountains." It's the perfect place to kayak amid verdant mangroves, hike along beautiful waterfalls, and drink in the lush beauty of subtropical ferns, bromeliads and bamboo. Or, learn about the region's wildlife on a leisurely horseback ride through the gorgeous countryside. You may also want to explore a fascinating limestone cave, perhaps even spot ancient petroglyphs. Whatever you choose to do, Punta Cana offers something unforgettable for everyone.

Blessed with some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s cap-ital, is romantically charming with its bright pastel Spanish colonial facades, wrought-iron balconies abloom with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets and beloved park squares. Once you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise at the port, explore Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan), a UNESCO World Heritage district, widely renowned for the fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Castillo San Cristóbal. The old town occupies the headland of a 2.5-mile-long island (connected by bridge to the mainland) that shelters San Juan Bay, for centuries a key port in the New World. It was originally known as Puerto Rico, or “rich port,” because its location made it the perfect stop for shipping. Several MSC excursions offer walking tours that let you soak up amazing views of San Juan, while making cultural discoveries of a lifetime. Wander through the old town along the Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan’s oldest tree-lined avenue; head up its southern city wall, La Muralla, which until the late 19th century encircled all of Old San Juan with sandstone; and tour the 16th-century fortress of El Morro, with its six different lines of defence. Take a coffee-tasting walking tour to explore Puerto Rico’s rich coffee culture, and learn how the island’s rich volcanic soil and climate have contributed to the rise of coffee as one of its main crops. Taste a delicious cup of freshly brewed Puerto Rican café con leche, learn about the island's historical ties with the caffeine-rich beverage, and explore how coffee and the church are connected on this MSC excursion through the streets of Old San Juan. Or savour San Juan’s culinary delights, in a Martha Stewart excursion curated exclusively for MSC that will have you tasting local cuisine and drinks at five destinations along the route through the fortified colonial city. From Puerto Rican fritters at historic El Convento Hotel, to chocolate tasting at a fourth-generation chocolatier, you won’t want to miss this tour, which ends at La Casita de Rones for a rum lesson and a piña colada, the national drink of Puerto Rico. With more than 80% of the world's rum coming from Puerto Rico, delve deeper into the spirit on an MSC excursion to Casa Bacardí in the town of Cataño. Discover the story behind Bacardí’s legendary cocktails, sniff the products on display and learn about the rum-making process including wood barrelling, ageing and finishing. For the grand finale, enjoy a fascinating mixology show. Nature lovers will not want to miss a visit to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. territory and one of Puerto Rico's finest spots of natural beauty. Marvel at its small horsetail waterfalls, giant ferns and tropical hardwoods. For an enchanting experience, kayak into the enchanting bioluminescent bay at Laguna Grande of Fajardo on another MSC excursion. Under the blanket of the night sky and the lighthouse of Fajardo, paddle through the water and watch it glow with the bioluminescence of millions and millions of tiny organisms.

Escape to "nature's little secret" and the largest of the British Virgin Islands, the island paradise of Tortola. Immerse yourself in the magic of a dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery or surrender to the spectacular unspoiled tropical landscape at J.R. O'Neal Botanic Garden. Stretch out on the white sands of Cane Garden Bay or marvel at the sweeping ocean and island views from the observation deck at Skyworld. Stand in the shadow of Mount Healthy Windmill and discover the age-old art of rum production at Callwood Rum Distillery. Sightsee and shop in Road Town, the British Virgin Islands' capital city, snorkel in and around Brewer's Bay, and revel in the natural beauty that surrounds you everywhere you look.

Offering some of the best vistas in all the Caribbean, St. Maarten is the smallest inhabited island in the world shared by two nations - France in the north and the Netherlands in the south. Dubbed the true melting pot of the Caribbean, the 37-square-mile island is home to people of 47 different nationalities and more than 400 restaurants, featuring a hugely diverse variety of cuisine. The island also has two capitals: Philipsburg on the Dutch side, and Marigot in the French part. Once you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in St. Maarten, explore how the two cultures have blended their very distinct characters on one of our MSC excursions. Your St. Maarten cruise will dock in Philipsburg, founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch Navy. Philipsburg, with its pastel-coloured West Indian houses, is known for its duty-free shopping along Front Street, the Great Salt Pond, which once made the island literally “worth its salt,” and attracted the attention of the French, and Fort Willem, built in 1801, with mag-nificent views of the bay and the surrounding islands. From there, several MSC excursions take you on a hilly drive to the French side of the island to experience Marigot. Originally a fishing village on a swamp for which it was named, Marigot became the capital during the reign of Louis XVI. Fort Louis, which overlooks Marigot Bay and Anguilla, was built in the late 18th century to protect the town’s warehouses of salt, coffee, sugar cane and especially rum from the English. Today, Marigot showcases quaint colourful gingerbread-like houses, tasty sidewalk bistros and a waterfront market selling fruit and vegetables, spices, local meats and fresh fish from Creole huts worth exploring. For something special, spend the day on the Dutch side of the island at the restored sugar planta-tion at Rockland Estate. Take in a history lesson at the Emilio Wilson Museum or a nature hike and 360-degree views from Sentry Hill. Participate in a hands-on cooking demonstration of authentic local cuisines with lunch at Emilio’s restaurant, in an exclusive Martha Stewart excursion curated for MSC Cruises. Also at Rockland Estate, thrill seekers can book other MSC excursions on the Flying Dutchman, a fast and furious zip line ride that will have you whizzing down the line at speeds of up to 56 mph (90 km) per hour. Then take the Pirate Sky Ride cable car back up the top to the Crow’s Nest where several platforms encircling the mountain afford panoramic views of the neighbouring islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy and Anguilla. Then plunge down the mountain on a Schooner Ride inner tube along a specially designed track. To experience one of the island’s hottest spots and most popular attractions, visit the famous Maho Beach, also called Airplane Beach. Don’t get too comfortable, though. This is because you watch as planes pass only a short distance above your head as they land and take off from Princess Juli-ana Airport’s short runway next door.

Cherry red roofs, yacht-sprinkled bays and a sophisticated French flavour all add to the gorgeous Caribbean allure of Gustavia. The island's capital rolls around a horseshoe-shaped harbour, where gleaming yachts hover and fancy boutiques, bars and restaurants fizz with life and clinking cutlery. Head up to red and white Gustavia Lighthouse to look down over the revered waters, which attract many a celebrity guest and diving enthusiast to these shores. View less Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover this volcanic island in 1493, giving it the name St Barthelemy in honour of his younger brother. The island has a unique history as a Swedish colony, following a deal with the French King Louis XVI to exchange the island with Sweden for better trading rights. It was returned to French control in 1878 and is now a French Overseas Collectivity. Learn more of the Swedish legacy at Fort Karl - which sits on a 29-metre-high hill above Shell Beach. The fort now lies in ruins, but you'll meet wandering iguanas, and the views down of sweeping sea and emerald coastline are some of the island's finest. Down below, a delightful spread of tiny pebbles and shell fragments are scattered like confetti and lapped by crystal-clear water. A little exploration uncovers countless other glorious beaches and natural wonders. Colombier Beach is a little out of the way but cradles silky-smooth sands and typically turquoise waters. If you have chance, find somewhere to settle and sip fruity rum cocktails as the sunset flares across the waves.

“One beach a day,” Antigua’s motto, refers to the island’s 365 beautiful beaches that are famous, secret or even set in volcanic craters. There’s a beach for every lifestyle, for those who are social and ones who seek solitude. When you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in the port of St. John’s, the capital and commercial centre of Antigua and Barbuda, embrace the city’s colourfully vi-brant houses dating to its British colonial period, along with the evocative white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral, and the Fort James and Barrington fortresses. The laid-back cosmopolitan city, with its distinctly British flair, is renowned for its shopping at luxury boutiques and high-end shopping malls. Beyond the city, book an MSC excursion to the historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour, dedicated to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was stationed in the West Indies be-tween 1784 and 1787. The shipyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest of Antigua’s National Parks and still remains a working dockyard for numerous yachts and ships. Beautifully restored, its Georgian buildings in wood and stone date to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Between April and the beginning of May, the Dockyard is the venue for some of the most important sailing regattas in the world, such as Antigua Sailing Week. The excursion continues on to visit the landmark ruins at Shirley Heights of-fering breath-taking vistas of English Harbour. If an excursion in nature appeals to you, head to Stingray City to swim with friendly southern stingrays in crystal-clear water. Or discover Antigua's lush rainforest from a bird's-eye perspective as you navigate through the treetops on a guided canopy tour that will have you walking over a suspension bridge and traversing zip lines over a spectacular gorge.

A cruise to the Cayman Islands has 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. Regardless of what you do, our Cayman Islands cruises are sure to have something relaxing and enjoyable for you to experience and remember.

With the second busiest port in America, Galveston has been coined the "Queen of the Gulf." Seafood lovers will covet the oyster and shrimp culinary specialties of this island with over 30 miles of sandy beaches. Keep your eyes on the water! Bottlenose dolphin sightings are quite common in Galveston Bay. A strong sense of community is shared by the locals who take pride in their town and cultural festivities. Galveston is home to an impressively large collection of 19th-century buildings and the city is awash with restored homes from the Victorian era, in addition to nature parks and colorful oleanders.