Eastern Caribbean Cruise - from Fort-de-France - 132038

'The capital of the French island of Martinique is known not only as a port, but also as the economic centre of the island. Narrow, bustling strees and colourful markets give the city its character. Sights include: the library, "Savannah Gardens", the war memorial, the Empress Josephine memorial, and Saint-Louis cathedral.

Castries is the capital city and port of the Antilles island of St. Lucia. With a population of around 65,000 it is the island's largest city and lies between the Caribbean Ocean and the green hilly hinterland. It is the starting point for trips on the island of St. Lucia. There are almost no historical sights left in Castries, since the many wooden houses have burned down over the course of the last few decades. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Columbus Square and the Government House are well worth seeing. The best time to take a stroll around the town is on Saturday mornings, when the market stalls are set up at the deep-sea port of The Carenage. Duty free shopping is available at the Point Seraphine shopping centre. To the North-East of Castries lies the Vigie Peninsula, where tourists can enjoy the modern holiday village at the beach.

Roseau is the capital and the economic and cultural centre of the island of Dominica, in the Lesser Antilles. Directly by the harbour is 'Market House', which dates from 1810, and the lovingly restored 'Old Market', where tourists can buy souvenirs. The Anglican church is particularly worth seeing, as is 'State House', once the seat of the governor, and the new parliament building dating from 1811. The Methodist Church, the Botanic Gardens and the Roman Catholic cathedral are also worth a vist. The elevated plateau at Morne Bruce - once an excellent defence post -provides a fantastic view of the capital and the bay. But what the island of Dominica is most famous for is the extinct volcanoes, the huge tropical forests with hot springs, waterfalls and deep blue lakes.

St. John's is the capital and the only deep-sea port in the mini-state of Antigua and Barbuda in the North-East Caribbean. Clear water and hundreds of beaches with fine sands surround the town. Since visitors can shop duty-free on the island, there are a large number of fashion boutiques, electronics shops and jewellers not far from the harbour at Heritage Quay. Traditional hand-crafted items, straw dolls, masks and exotic colourful fashion is on sale in what was once the slave district. The building that once housed the British colonial court is now home to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda with artefacts from the colonial era and the time of the slave trade. On a hill overlooking the town sits St. John's Cathedral with its two large Georgian bell towers. The plantations in the surrounding area grow mainly sugar-cane.

Basseterre is a port on the Antilles Island of Saint Kitts and is the capital of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The city has a population of 12,600, who live mainly from the textiles industry. The deep-water harbour was only recently completed. The city's architecture is greatly influenced by the British and French colonial periods, particularly around "Independence Square". The most important sights include "The Circus", "Independence Square" and St. George's Church. The crafts and trade house is also interesting. You should definitely take the time to explore the Brimstone Hill fort and the "Black Rock", which are not far from the capital. The Caribelle batik factory is also worth a look. The Great Ape Research Centre, the "Frigate-Bay-Development", the South-East peninsula and the Mount-Liamuiga crater are other interesting places for excursions.

Road Town is the main town and the administrative seat of the island of Tortola, one of the British Virgin Isles. The town was rebuilt after being destroyed by a hurricane in 1924. Today it is a colourful little place. There are small Victorian houses along the main street with unique little shops, including "Pusser's Company Store", which still supplies rum to the British navy to the present day. The Folk Museum is also well worth a look. There is an abundance of tropical plants in the botanic garden, as well as waterfalls and outdoor enclosures for birds. Nearby the town, on Fort Hill are the remnants of Fort George and Fort Charlotte. The beautiful forested island of Tortola with its coral reefs is perfect for diving, snorkelling and swimming.

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, has a carefully restored old town that retains the charm of the colonial buildings. With its many squares, churches and remnants from the colonial era, visitors should definitely take a full tour of the city. This was where the first university, the first cathedral (Catedral Basílica Menor de Santa María) and the first hospital in the region were built. Parque Colon with the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus and the lighthouse with Columbus' grave, as well as the Palacio de Borgella are all in the old town. Other attractions here include the Basilica Menor de La Virgen de la Anunciacion, the oldest church in the New World and various museums, including the Gallery of Modern Art, the 'Museo del Hombre Dominicano' and the National Theatre.

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, has a carefully restored old town that retains the charm of the colonial buildings. With its many squares, churches and remnants from the colonial era, visitors should definitely take a full tour of the city. This was where the first university, the first cathedral (Catedral Basílica Menor de Santa María) and the first hospital in the region were built. Parque Colon with the bronze statue of Christopher Columbus and the lighthouse with Columbus' grave, as well as the Palacio de Borgella are all in the old town. Other attractions here include the Basilica Menor de La Virgen de la Anunciacion, the oldest church in the New World and various museums, including the Gallery of Modern Art, the 'Museo del Hombre Dominicano' and the National Theatre.

Ocho Rios is one of the most important holiday cities and the most important cruise harbour in Jamaica. Every year, around 300 cruise ships dock here with almost 450,000 passengers. A broad range of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and a seemingly unending range of watersports and excursions mean all your recreational needs will be covered. Along the Main Street there are various shopping centres selling tax-free branded goods.

Montego Bay is a harbour town at the North-West coast of Jamaica. Founded in 1492, today it is considered to be one of the most modern towns in the Caribbean. From Gloucester Street and Kent Avenue you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Caribbean and the coral reef. There are three large beaches, Doctor’s Cave Beach, McCatty and a cave. Not far from the coast is "Rose Hall", the manor house built in 1760 on the grounds of a sugar-cane plantation. Sights include: "Downtown" in the South, the multifaceted hotel area on the island.

The central American republic in the South-East of the Yucatan peninsula with its changeable, humid tropical climate is the second-smallest state on the American continent. Until well into the ninth century, the country was inhabited by the Maya, and even today, the indigenous peoples account for 11% of the total population. The majority of the population lives from agriculture; the main export is sugar. Over the past few years, tourismus has gained in importance due to the many water sports facilities and the Mayan ruins. The former British colony gained complete independence in 1981.

Roatan is the largest island North of Honduras and is part of the Bahia archipelago. For many years it went unnoticed before being rediscovered; it is now considered to be the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. The coral reef is the second-largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef. It is easy for snorkellers and divers to reach stunningly beautiful coral gardens in the brightest colours, sponges, coral caves and wrecks shrouded in legend. Crystal clear water and white sandy beaches are perfect for splashing about and just relaxing. The largest towns on Roatan are the capital Coxen Hole and the port, French Harbor. Oak Ridge is home to the diving hotel Reef House and the diving station of the same name. The town is split in two by a waterway and the houses are built on stilts.

Like the neighbouring islands of Providencia und Santa Catalina, San Andrés is around 700 km from the Columbian mainland. It is the largest in a chain of atolls and was once rumoured to be the hideawayof the famous buccaneer Henry Morgan. Many Columbians come to the islands on holiday or for shopping, since it has sold duty free goods since 1953. In addition to the duty-free tourism, however, the island is also renowned for its friendly atmosphere, its safety and the countless opportunities for divers to discover new worlds along the reefs of the Caribbean. Sights include: the natural phenomenon of Hoyo Soplador (a sea water geyser), La Loma Hill, the site of the first church on the island, Morgan's Cave, and the natural swimming pool 'La Priscinita'.

Puerto Limon is the port and capital of the province of Limon at the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and the most important Atlantic port for the export of bananas and coffee. The busy town centre is dominated by a multicultural atmosphere. The main attractions include Vargas Park, where there are lots of Banyan trees in which you can sometimes see up to thirteen sloths snoozing!

Colón is the capital of Colón province and the second-largest city in Panama. As a free-trade area, Colón is an important economic site. The cathedral and the statue-lined promenade, known as "Paseo Centenario", are well worth seeing.