When you think of cruise ships, you usually think of a huge ship that holds hundreds of passengers and a large crew to cater to their needs. It's true that most travel agencies push cruises on large, luxurious ships that travel to famous ports in places like Bermuda and the Bahamas. Hospitality and ambience rate high on these cruises and are a big selling point for a once in a lifetime experience.

Often times, cruise ship travelers are attracted to packages that head to popular destinations on their list of "places to see". However, there are those who prefer three day or weekend get-aways to unknown destinations on smaller ships. These trips are short and economical, making them ideal for those who wish to take a shorter cruise for an affordable price. These cruises provide all the basic amenities as that of a standard cruise, but the size of the ship, number of passengers and crew are much smaller. A small crew and fewer passengers tend to make a trip more relaxing and intimate.

Small cruise ships usually sail along scenic coasts with a guide providing history and details about area. Some trips have packages with a day or two stop-overs allowing passengers to explore the land and enjoy the cruise at the same time.

The small cruise ship usually runs on river waters rather than the sea. It cruises along the coast of popular towns and quiet villages that are off the beaten track but certainly worth seeing. Because these ships are smaller, it is easier to navigate through waters that would not support larger liners. They can be navigated through small inlets, ports and narrow channels and prove to be great stress relievers for high fliers and adventurers.

Booking a trip on a small cruise ship can be challenging. Many people prefer them to larger ocean liners because of cost, value for the money and shorter trips. These vacations are in demand all year long, so do yourself a favor and book well in advance of your desired date of travel. Booking can be done through any travel agency or on the Internet. Special discounts are often available depending on the time of year.

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what kind of jobs are there on cruise ships? And how much do they pay?

So after i graduate i think i wanna work on a cruise ship. So what kind of things can you do either than being a waitress/bartender or room cleaning..i think you can take care of kids if they have that on someships..but what other jobs are there and how much do they pay for each job?
thnx in advance?

OH and me and my family want to go on a cruise to the caribbean so what is a good but cheapish cruise to go on?..we were thinking the disney cruise since we have young kids but any suggestions would help! thnx

I'm an american and worked onboard for 3 years. Loved every minute of it. Lots of parties and met lots of awesome people from every country on the globe.

Here are a few examples of jobs that hire americans and how much they pay. While onboard pay comes at the end of each month in the form of an envelope filled with 100 dollar bills, thus the following salaries are monthly.

Social hostess: 1500 - 3000 per month
Sound/lighting/broadcast technician: 2000 - 3000 Need tech experience
cruise director: 5000 - 8000 Need experience!
Shops: 1000 - 2500 Salary depends on sales
spa: 500 - 2000. Salary depends on sales
Art Auctioneer: 2000 - 10000 Salary depends on sales
Shore excursion dept: 1500 - 3000
Youth Counselor: 1500 - 2500

There are more positions that hire americans, and salary is about the same. You will also find different variations of these jobs on different lines.

Also consider that you are not paying for housing or food and usually the cruise line covers any flights. If you miss the boat and its not your fault, then they will fly you to the next port to catch the ship.

You get time off to visit the port if you don't have duties, which was often the case for me. Shore ex dept gets to go on tours for free because its their job. They also have the best parties.

It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 9 months from the time you submit your resume until you actually walk onto the ship. Plan on having a part time of full time job which you don't care about so that when you get your ship contract and flight details you can happily walk away from the normal land life.

And be careful of the nay sayers who have never worked onboard. I was confronted by many who told me why ships are no good for americans, but they were all proved wrong within my first 2 weeks of being onboard.

As for cruises, disney is pretty expensive, but worth the money if you can afford it. Otherwise all ships have youth counselors who do a bang up job entertaining the kids.

Enjoy!

Here's a Video about caribbean cruise ships jobs:

Travel the World, Get a Cruise Ship Job

Is it the warm thoughts of sun and sand? Is it the lure of exotic places? Is it the romantic dream of living on the 'love boat'? Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to work on a cruise ship. However, it is important to have a realistic picture of the life and work onboard. Most land-loving civilians believe that ship life is like a paid vacation. They obviously haven not worked on a cruise ship before. In a way, ship life is similar to working in the entertainment industry. It seems glamorous and exotic but this can be deceiving.

There are many benefits to working onboard a ship. They include visiting numerous ports of call and learning about the history and customs of our world's many different cultures. As a crew member, you will sample different foods, experience a simpler way of life and meet a myriad of interesting people. You will achieve independence and gain an adventurous spirit because your eyes will be opened to so many new opportunities and possibilities. Your fellow crew members will become like family to you and you'll gain friendships with people from all corners of the world. Even though the pay will vary for each position, you will always have free room, food and medical coverage so it is very possible to save money. If your schedule allows, you will be able to take free or reduced-rate shore excursions while in port. If your family enjoys cruising, they might even be able to take a discounted cruise within the same line.

However, there is a possibility that at some point during your time aboard you may feel like jumping ship. This is a term used by sailors to describe a deliberate move to break your employment contract. By requesting to leave before your contract is completed or by purposely remaining ashore while the ship sails is asking to forever end your employment with that cruise line. If you ever decide to quit, please realize that this decision could very well mean a permanent end to your cruising life. For that reason, it is important to realize that while ship life can be fun, it certainly isn't glamorous and should never be taken lightly. Strict maritime laws make for a military-type atmosphere that must be respected at all times. On the ship there is no such thing as a forty-hour work week. You will work seven days a week for months at a time. This is not a job for those that are prone to seasickness because you will see many types of weather conditions and it will not be possible to call in sick. If you are claustrophobic you may want to know that your cabin will likely be small and without a porthole. If you are someone who needs a lot of privacy you should realize that you will likely share a cabin, bathroom and sometimes even a dresser or closet with one or more cabin-mates.

Even with the lack of privacy, chance of seasickness and strict ship rules, life at sea can be a lot of fun. However, you must keep in mind that not everyone is working onboard for the same reasons. You might be there for the excitement and adventure while your co-worker is there to support a family back home that he or she hasn't seen for 8 months. Big difference, isn't it?

You may have heard stories of poor working and living conditions for some shipboard crew, but unfortunately, the fact remains that Canadians working onboard are given higher paying jobs, shorter contracts and better accommodations than crew from non-industrialized countries. I certainly do not want to thwart your anticipation of working onboard, but I believe it is important to know the real story. There is a form of racism that is seemingly acceptable onboard a ship. Why is it that while Canadians, Europeans and Americans have preferable accommodations, wages and working conditions, crew from non-industrialized countries are treated otherwise?

The International Trade Workers Federation is a seafarer's guardian angel. They are an organization committed to changing these injustices and are commended for it. They believe "in a cruise industry regulated by negotiated trade union agreements based on a respect for human rights and a fair wage."

You may wonder why the citizens of these non-industrialized countries work under such poor conditions. Most of them save every penny to send home, enabling their families to live fairly well by local standards. Others save their money in the hopes of starting a business one day. These crew members should be admired for their determination and perseverance.

In conclusion, I hope that you weren't discouraged by the realities of cruise ship living. I believe that while unjust circumstances remain for some, the chance to see the world while living among so many nationalities is a rare opportunity and I urge you to apply because you have the chance to embark on an amazing learning experience and an exhilarating adventure!

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what/how should I pack for my first cruise?

My boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise to the caribbean! on royal caribbean cruise line for 8 nights in december. we leave/return in ft lauderdale. We have never traveled out of the country, minus his deployment! beside the camera, some sunscreen and a bathing suit, what else is important to take? I know sometimes they can have bag/weight limits also?
these are all such great answers!! Helping a lot especially because I have a problem with overpacking for trips!! we have 2 nights of formal dining but I think I have a couple dresses proper enough to take

As far as I know, there is no bag/weight limits.

Packing for a Cruise

Packing for a cruise is like packing for any resort-based vacation. You'll want to bring comfortable, casual clothing for daytime on board and in port, and swimsuits and workout clothes for pools, Jacuzzis, saunas and health clubs. To be prepared for dinner in the dining room, check out Dress Codes.
Think about the kind of shore excursions you plan to take and pack accessories, where appropriate, such as hiking boots, ponchos or rain gear, fleece jackets and snorkel gear. When traveling to tropical areas, such as in Central and South America, it's a good idea to carry insect repellent.

Pack all of your medications, prescription or otherwise, in a bag you can carry onto your flights. Obtain extra prescriptions from your physician for any medications you are currently taking and carry them with you.

Most ships have 110-volt outlets in every cabin, which will accommodate U.S.-built hairdryers, travel irons and electric shavers. Most new ships provide hairdryers as well.

Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for bright, sunny days on deck. You'll have many opportunities to have your picture taken by the ship's photographers, but you'll naturally want to bring your own camera or video camera as well.

http://vacationstogo.com/packing_for_a_cruise.cfm

Hope I helped!

Here's a Video about caribbean cruise in december:

Nordic Empress Caribbean Cruise 1996

If you are planning your next Caribbean vacation you simply can not go wrong with St. Croix vacation rentals for you lodging. The St. Croix Islands is one of the top vacation spots in the world and you will absolutely have to make positive sure that you perform you due diligence to get your moneys worth on your dream vacation. Prices for vacation rentals can vary wildly depending upon what you want and the time of year. Generally you will find weekly rentals that range from one thousand to six thousand dollars per week. Here are some of the top vacation rental companies on the Island.

One of the best rental companies available is the St. Croix Vacation Rental Villas. They offer two, three, and four bedroom villas to provide suitable comfort for a family or large group. With these villas you feel as though you are staying in your very own Caribbean private home and not in a rented hotel room. You enjoy all the privacy of your own home but also provided are quality services to pamper you during your stay. They will look after any detail of your trip that you desire at the atmosphere is well suited for couples while still maintaining a family friendly environment. Your condo can be as close the beach as you like, with entertainment venues even closer. Enjoy a trip to the casino, scuba diving, beautiful golf courses, white sandy beaches, or para sailing. This St Croix vacation rentals company can make your wildest desires and dreams a reality as they have the resources to accommodate you. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or the family trip of a life time the SCVR villas can pull it off for you.

Another fine vacation rental company is found when you choose to contact CaribbeanWay St. Croix Villas. These accommodations are known for being located at one of the most relaxing islands in the entire region when you choose these St. Croix vacation rentals. They can offer you two bedroom up to six bedroom accommodations to house the largest of groups. This villa rental company prides itself in taking care of minute details and sweating the small stuff. At your request they will provide friendly and knowledgeable guides to make sure your vacation time is maximized to the fullest. At your request you may have your villa pre-stocked with food, receive door side luggage delivery, access your own private yoga instructor, obtain the services of a personal chef, receive pool side massages and many other services to make sure you are pampered beyond expectations.

Villa Dawn and Caribbean Breeze is run by a couple from Colorado and they offer some superb villas for your vacation, and they can provide you with a personalized pampered treatment you deserve. They offer three and four bedroom villas for you stay, with both one and two levels that are twenty minute drive from either Frederiksted or Christainsted. They offer central air conditioning, fully furnished, with a tropical theme to satisfy your stay. Upper levels house the kitchen and living rooms and offer a wall of windows providing you with a spectacular ocean vista. The lower level is where the bedrooms are located, and it also has four sides of continual windows. You will find that both levels offer televisions, video players, and stereo systems for your entertainment pleasure. A caretaker is available at all times to assist you if you should so desire.

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Puerto Rico Golf Dorado del Mar Golf Course

St Barts in English or Saint Barth in French is located in the French West Indies is considered by many to be Monte Carlo in the Caribbean islands. This little Caribbean gem measures just 21sq km or only 8 sq miles, and is a magnet for the European jet set as well as the American well heeled.

An international flavor combines with French chic, West Indian cool and stunning scenery to produce one of the most idyllic vacation destinations to be found not only in the Caribbean but and anywhere in the world. Stepping onto St Barts is to step out of normal existence; the island has an unmistakable feel of quality and affluence, which sets it apart from the over-developed, tourist over-run islands, found elsewhere in the Caribbean chain.

International flights from the US and beyond arrive at the neighboring French island of St Maarten, and then a quick hop of less than 20 minutes will find you in your cab heading for your luxury villa accommodations favored by many visitors to the island.

The island is home to some 20-odd beaches widely regarded as amongst the most perfect on the planet. Some are long expanses of snow white sand catering to every possible need of the fanatical beach dweller. There are restaurants, stunning beach bars; every conceivable kind of water sports, as well has the clearest water imaginable.

There is a distinct lack of monstrous condo developments and massive resort hotel construction; this is because of firm government controls that favor eco-friendly tourism development. The capital of the island was developed by 17th century Swedish colonialists who named the town Gustavia, after their King.

Scuba diving is an incredibly popular pastime around the island's shores, which is not surprising given the quality of the clear water. In addition, the large numbers of beautiful coral reef structures, as well as at least three ship wrecks, innumerable beautifully colored fish as well as other sea creatures such as turtles and dolphins.

If you prefer your enjoyment, back on the land St. Barts can offer a huge array of activities and sports to keep even the most athletic entertained for every day of their vacation. There are a huge number of diverse sports such as archery, tennis, horse riding, hiking, quad bike riding and many more.

Those who prefer more sedate activities can enjoy a variety of spa treatments including massage and many other therapies. Shopping is also a very popular indulgence especially in Gustavia due to its duty-free port status. Here you will find not only local crafts and gifts; you can also indulge yourself in the world's finest boutique designer goods and clothing.

St Barts offers the finest of everything from shopping, to villa accommodations, to the best beaches, and the clearest waters. This is why it has become one of the meeting points of the international jet set, who come to enjoy its many sights and wonders.

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Atheists, what would it take for you to believe in Christianity?

Would it take a Rolls Royce or Bentley Motors vehicle to get you to believe in Christianity? Would you accept Christ as your savior for $1,000,000? Perhaps $2,000,000? Would you take up the cross for a Rolex watch? Would you go to church every Sunday and sing hymns for your own private vacation island in the Caribbean?

What would it take to get you atheists to believe in Christianity?

I would gladly go to church every Sunday for $1,000,000.

Where do I sign up?

Here's a Video about private caribbean island vacations:

Caribbean Sailing Vacations in the US Virgin Islands

Most people may not be unaware of what to expect when they are considering a cruise vacation. This may be especially true of people who have never ever been on a cruise vacation before - first time cruisers - who may be somewhat confused when it comes to ports of call and destinations which the cruise ship will be visiting. In case you have never been on a cruise before and are planning a cruise vacation, you might want to know a bit about some of the popular cruise ship destinations ...

The term "port of call" is used by cruise lines to describe stops that the ships will be making on the journey. Before you book your cruise tickets - especially for a cruise that stops at several ports, you might want to take a close look at the ports of call. Choosing to go to destinations that delight you will make your cruise vacation all the more enjoyable ...

But that is not all. After all, what good is it if the ship stops at a port in the Caribbean only for an hour or so ? You will have almost no time to see anything there. So in addition to knowing where the ship will be going to, you may also want to know how long the ship will be stopping there ...

That said, here are some of the most popular cruise ship destinations:

1. The Caribbean : It was people's love for the Caribbean Islands that might as well have given rise to the cruise industry. If there is only one place a first time cruiser could go to, it would most possibly be someplace in the Caribbean. Gorgeously beautiful beaches, tropical islands, lots of sun, sun and more sun. All of these and more have the lovely Caribbean Islands possibly the most popular cruise destination.

2. The Mexican Riviera : Not all people can afford to take a week or more off work to have a great time in the Caribbean and many of them choose to visit the Mexican Riviera - or Mexico's gold coast - instead. Thousands of miles of beautiful sandy beaches have endeared the Riviera to cruise vacationers.

3. Alaska : What draws people to the icy majesty of Alaska ? Maybe it's the sense of indescribable awe that people experience. Whatever it may be, people seem to love taking Alaskan cruises.

4. European Cruises : What could be a better way to tour the continent than on a cruise ship ? You could get to see Venice, the French Riviera, Italy, Spain and ports in a great many countries. You could even cruise on Russia's rivers and get to see the regal splendour of St. Petersburg and Moscow. If you have the faintest love for history, then this is one cruise vacation that you might really love!

5. A World Cruise, anyone ? Now, is there something like too much of a good thing ? If you enjoy cruise vacations and visiting beautiful places and getting to see interesting new cultures, then what could be better than a world cruise ? You could get to see a host of new places, new people, and do so many interesting things that could expand your horizons in untold ways. When it comes to travel and vacations, few things could even compare to taking a world cruise!

However, would any one of these please you ? Well, you must be the judge for that. What pleases you depends on who you are and what you want deep down. You might want to ask yourself what sort of vacation would please you ... or delight you. Where would you like to go and what would you like to see ? Answering these questions may help you make a much better decision when it comes to selecting a cruise destination.

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Caribbean Vacation/Travel Suggestions for Young Couple? First Timers..?

We're a young couple interested in going to the Caribbean for the first time in July or August, for about a week or so. We're budget concious but are happy spoiling ourselves if the reward is worth the expense. We're not much into the party scene anymore (been there done that, trust me!) so we're looking for something more on the notion of romantic and relaxing with a twist of fun or perhaps extreme sports.

I have free flight credits from JetBlue so we're interested in using those and going to somewhere JetBlue flies: Aruba, The Bahamas (Nassau), Dominican Republic (Santiago, Santo Domingo), or Puerto Rico (San Juan, Aguadilla, Ponce).

We do drink and can rack up some outstanding bar tabs so an all-inclusive may be a good idea for us but we have no real experience with that either.

Any suggestions on where to travel to (island/country)? Or even more specific as to actual hotel/resort?

Thank you!

5 days / 4 nights in St. Lucia @ The Village Inn and Spa All drinks and meals included! $360/ppdo. Ask me how!

Here's a Video about caribbean islands vacations all inclusive:

Lagoon 440 Yacht Tour - Festiva Sailing Vacations

Depending on what route you have taken for your Caribbean cruise it is very useful to have good prior knowledge of the places you will be visiting. You have already a great array of activities to keep you busy on board your cruise but you must also take advantage of the wonderful places you will stop at to take a break from the on board activities. So without further ado here is a small run down of the best Islands you simply must see in your Caribbean cruise.

1. St. Croix.

If you have chosen to cruise around the Eastern side of the Caribbean, St Croix in the Virgin Islands offers great facilities if you are a sporty type as you can go kayaking. But if you are more interested in history here you can also visit the landing site of Christopher Columbus.

2. St. Thomas

Still in the Virgin Island in St. Thomas you will find a perfect venue for snorkeling at the Cinnamon Bay National Park. This is because St. Thomas' surrounding water is very shallow enabling you to see the wonderful creatures living underwater.

3. Grenada

To see the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean Grenada is the place to visit. But also if you like to scuba dive there are great under water sights here. You will be able to see lots of underwater volcanoes as well as colorful tropical fish. Even though hurricane Ivan devastated this island in 2004 it is still very much a place you must visit if you can.

4. Jamaica

If you stop over in Jamaica as well as the busy markets you can go and visit the resting place of Bob Marley and if you are into extreme sports you can also go Bamboo rafting.

5. Puerto Rico

Worth a quick visit as Puerto Rico has one of the most famous beaches in the world: Condado Beach

6. Aruba

This small island in the Dutch Antilles has no less than 365 beaches. With that many you will struggle not to find a spot where you will be able to relax and take in the sun and sea. It is considered by many as the paradise island of the paradise that is the Caribbean.

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What excursions to take on the Carnival to the Eastern Caribbean?

We're going to Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Glory. What are the best excursions to take in these ports through the cruise line or just on land? We're going to Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk Island. First time on the Carnival so excited!

I went on Carnival Glory as well before we went to Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Naasau, Bahamas we went on tour of the Atlantis Hotel/Aquarium and then we went to Senor Frogs and shopped at a market right outside senor frogs...when we landed in St. Thomas, we bought tickets on a water taxi and went over to the near by island of St. John there we took a taxi to Trunk Bay (it is the most beautiful beach I have EVER been too, I HIGHLY recommend going there) at Trunk Bay we went snorkeling and laid out on the gorgeous beach. Have a great time on your cruise!!

oh here is a link to a picture of Trunk Bay, check it out http://dustincwillis.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/st-john-trunk-bay-usvi-national-park-hz.jpg

Here's a Video about eastern caribbean islands cruise:

SS norway cruise

As an island known for its vibrant tropical energy and diverse entertainment options, Aruba is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean to experience live music. The capital city of Oranjestad is known as a hotbed of Caribbean jazz and latin music, as numerous clubs and concert halls host live bands throughout the year. Even outside the main tourist areas of Oranjestad, live music can be heard in restaurants and on the beaches. The island is also home to major music festivals, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival - an annual event held each May that showcases internationally-renowned soul and R&B artists - and the Aruba Music Festival - a two-day festival that welcomes top-selling classic rock groups, up-and-coming superstars and lesser-known regional artists. While events like the Aruba Music Festival are staged throughout the world, few festivals can boast the event's unique combination of big-city entertainment and inviting Caribbean atmosphere.

Though only in its 8th official season, the Aruba Music Festival has already lured an incredible array of top-selling performers. Prior to becoming the Aruba Music Festival, the event was known as the Aruba Jazz and Latin Festival. Developed in the 1980s to showcase the Caribbean region's rich musical tradition, the Aruba Jazz and Latin Festival was expanded and renamed in 2002. Though the Aruba Music Festival was created as a way to present top international touring acts, the festival has remained true to its roots and continues to offer performances by jazz and latin artists from throughout the Caribbean region.

While the lineup for this year's festival has not yet been announced, the event is sure to feature famous classic rock acts, as well as many local, regional and up-and-coming international performers. In recent years, headlining acts at the Aruba Music Festival have included well-known classic rock bands such as Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Queen and Crosby Stills and Nash. The festival has also lured several internationally-recognized singer-songwriters such as Lionel Richie, Jackson Browne and contemporary favorite, John Mayer. Before the headliners take the stage each day at the Aruba Music Festival, the side stage heats up with a diverse array of musical styles, most provided by groups specialized in dance-friendly Caribbean genres. 

The Aruba Music Festival takes place each year at the state-of-the-art Aruba Entertainment Center. The spacious outdoor venue allows concert-goers to enjoy the cool evening weather in a scenic setting located only five minutes drive from downtown Oranjestad and fifteen minutes drive from the island's Hotel Zone. The Aruba Entertainment Center offers superior acoustics and the open, but intimate design ensures that all concert-goers have excellent views of the main stage. The venue features large general admission and open grass areas that allow concert-goers to stretch out on blankets and enjoy a relaxing, picnic-like experience, while those that prefer reserved seats will find excellent views near the stage. Behind the seating areas, a number of concession stands serve up food and drinks, including local brews and snacks.  

As the Aruba Music Festival is staged just before the beginning of the peak tourism season, budget-conscious travelers visiting the island prior to the winter holidays are granted an excellent opportunity to experience the island's vibrant music scene. Tourists visiting Aruba during the fall season will also be assured of excellent weather, as the island falls outside the storm belt that affects many Caribbean islands.

The Aruba Music Festival will take place this year on the weekend of October 9-10. After this year's schedule of headlining acts is developed, updates about the festival can be found on Aruba's official tourism website (www.aruba.com). As the schedule will appear prominently in local travel publications, travelers can also contact their resort for more details about the festival.  

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Which major travel agencies offer the all year round payment clubs?

im wanting a caribbean holiday next year and am told some travel agencies do clubs where you pay so much in a week without booking and if you spot a holiday what ever is paid will go towards it
any idea who does it - am in th uk

What a great idea !.I would like that.Hope you find one.

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Melia las dunas Cayo Santa Maria

Irish culture is alive and well on the "Emerald Isle" of the Caribbean.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated as a national holiday in only two places in the world - the country of Ireland, and the Caribbean island of Montserrat. The national flag of Montserrat depicts the legendary female Irish figure Erin playing an ancient Irish harp.

And the green shamrock is stamped on every visitors passport upon entry to the island, and the shamrock is also carved on the door of the Governor's house.

The national dish of the island, Goat Water, also has an Irish origin. It is a stew made of kidney or mutton, and is spiced with cloves and rum.

As you travel around Montserrat, you'll find familiar sounding Irish names such as Kinsale, Delvins, St. Patrick's and Cork Hill on the streets, establishments and towns. And, the islands phone directory lists the generations of the Ryans, O'Briens, Daleys, Sweeneys, Gibbons, and so many more.

You have to go back to 17th century history to find the first origins of this lasting Irish culture. The English defeated the Irish, and sent them to the island of Montserrat to serve as indentured servants, and they worked along side the African slaves.

As the Irish served out their servitude, some migrated to other islands in the Caribbean, but the majority of Irish decided to make Montserrat their home. It was in this period that six of the islands 17th century Governor's were of Irish descent.

Together the decendants of the original Irish prisoners, and African slaves blended a society that maintained the strong Irish influence mixed with the African culture. The present day society is certainly one of the most unusual in the history of the Caribbean islands.

Montserrat is currently making a comeback with tourism. Visitors are surprised to find the island rebounding from the destructive volcanic eruption in 1997 which buried the former capital city of Plymouth in ashes.

While the former capital remains buried, and is an unusual tourist site in the region, the rest of the island offers breathtaking green scenery. Volcanos bring new life, and Montserrat is no exception with its emerald green mountains, exotic dark sand beaches, and pristine reefs just waiting to be explored.

Montserrat, prior to the eruption, was once a vacation paradise for jet setters and movie stars. This island is posturing itself for a renewed tourist industry with a new capital city, and brand new airport. Visitors will find affordable lodging, plenty of restaurants, secluded beaches and a first class diving destination.

This isn't a destination for everyone, but if your idea of a Caribbean vacation is lots of natural beauty, extensive hiking trails, first class diving, uncrowded beaches, and an opportunity to see a former city that is a modern day Pompeii, then the Emerald Green Isle is the only place in the Caribbean that will deliver all that, and perhaps a bit of Irish culture.

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looking to honey moon, but not sure where is the best beach in Caribbean.?

Hi guys,

I and my finance are getting married next month and going for a honeymoon after that right away. We want to go to Caribbean, but not sure which beach will fit use the most.

We wanna stay in a nice resort at 200-400$ a night. We want a resort that faces to beach, quiet and gorgeous. However because we plan not to drive, so we want to be able to walk out of the resort and get local foods.

I think the only place I've been and it was like what I said was Samui island in Thailand.

Any suggestion?

Information on Barbados
A Barbados Briefing
Barbados is a coral island, pushed out of sea by volcanic activity in a far away time. On the West Coast of Barbados, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Along the East Coast a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant trade winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade winds gives Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate.

When you visit Barbados, you will see it is mostly a flat coral island with excellent beaches, but there are rolling hills and many deep ridges and gullies, with an interesting distribution of flora and fauna. Within the Barbados coral core there is a vast array of caves and underground lakes which provide an excellent supply of drinking water that is amongst the purest in the world. Geologically Barbados is unique, being actually two land masses that merged together over the years. This and other anomalies make this Caribbean Island quite phenomenal, and there are geological structures that you will find only in Barbados.
Barbados Expectation
Barbados is a very beautiful island, with lots of art, activities, night life, music, history and some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special, and the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after year, is the people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls, always ready to greet you with a sincere smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in this lovely Caribbean Island. You will feel its your home and will want to come back again and again to Barbados: A unique Caribbean paradise, surprisingly sophisticated, friendly, fun and always Naturally Charming!

http://barbados.org/

Some all-inclusive resorts are here including Almond Casuarina which is very near to the night life (St. Lawrence Gap). Included in this is the adult-hotel which is the Club and Spa.

http://www.almondresorts.com/

It is very popular for honeymoons so check out the sites below

http://honeymoons.about.com/cs/barbados/a/BarbadosHoney.htm

http://www.barbados.org/hotwed.htm

Alternatively there is the Crane Hotel which has one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. http://thecrane.com/

http://www.barbados.org/crane.htm

These are some other all-inclusive

http://www.barbados.org/allinclusive_vacations.php

Read a little about our nightlife especially in St Lawrence Gap.

http://www.barbados.org/stlaw.htm

http://www.barbadosvillavacations.com/barbados_holiday_rentals_list.cfm?rate_restrict=1|100

You should also take a trip to a popular fishing village (Oistins) on a Friday night where you can get some grill fish, grill potatoes and tartar sauce. Afterward, you can go and see the locals and visitors dancing in the open air to some vintage oldies. This is a sight to behold. There is also craft sold at this location.

http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/Oistins+Fish+Fry-Barbados-nightlife--Barbados:164:298996

http://www.funbarbados.com/search/CalendarSearch2.cfm?Word=Crop%20Over

Here's a Video about best caribbean island for honeymoon:

Jamaica Sunshine

If you're fortunate enough to visit the Caribbean island of Trinidad during the month of February, you'll experience the thrill and excitement of the greatest street party in the world. But even if you can't make it there at that time of year, or you simply want to choose a different time of year to visit, the island of Trinidad will reveal its treasures and be a part of an enormously pleasurable Caribbean vacation.

Trinidad's Caribbean carnival has its roots in the Christian tradition of having one last big feast before the fasting during Lent. The Carnival has grown to the point where millions of people from Trinidad and from all over the world meet and celebrate, and are almost drowned in a sea of colour, feathers, hypnotic rhythms, and rum.

Trinidad's world-class, world-famous party has brought fame and recognition to another great Trinidad "export": one of the carnival's most famous designers, Peter Minshall, was asked to design costumes for the 1992 and the 1996 Olympic Games.

St Lucia has its own world famous event, and has an even greater personality... Her favorite son is probably Derek Walcott, the acclaimed writer who won the Noel Prize for Literature in 1992. In addition to his achievements as a Noel Laureate, Walcott also excelled as a painter. In January 1993 a square was renamed in his honour.

One true heavyweight in the world of culture, arts and entertainment is the St Lucia Jazz festival. The festival, which takes place in May, is said to be the most popular festival in the Caribbean, with over 18,000 music fans attending. The festival began in 1992 with the aim of achieving greater hotel room occupancy, but the event has grown in stature and now attracts big name international stars on a regular basis.

Both islands have so much more to offer than anyone can describe in under 500 words; the only to sample the flavours of the islands in full is to visit them yourself...

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How come it is never mentioned, that the word N***** started as a mispronunciatio... of the word Niger ?

Many poorly educated and more then likely illiterate early Colonial settlers pronounced the word Niger ( latin for Black ) as N***** . The Latins derived the word from the ancient Nubians who refered to their Emperor as Ngr ( no vowels were used in their ancient language like Hebrew ) which ment the Black God and whom represented God on earth to them. All romance languages ( French, Spanish, Portuguese ) are derived from Latin, so Negro was the Portuguese and Spanish version for Niger and more heavily used in South America and certain Caribbean Islands were slaves were exported to. The original Latin name can be found in the Old Testament of the Bible ( the Niger River being one of the four rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden ) and is the name of current African countries Niger and Nigeria. It is curious to me why more BLACK people of prominence don't state this fairly obvious but rarely discussed fact.

The essence of divide and conquer relies in keeping the masses stupid. Why give Black's knowledge of themselves , it would only empower them. At the same time this information is available to everyone so Blacks in this day and age should be aware of it. They most bare part of the blame .

Here's a Video about caribbean island exports:

Banana growers story, Dominica

Sicily, Capri Island, Santorini and Ibiza have become well-known tourist sites in the whole world. If you want to choose a different place that is quiet and peaceful to go on a vocation, then those numerous ordinary small islands are your best choice.

Formentera, Spain

Formentara is 4 miles away from Ibiza island in Spain. It is more quiet and peaceful than Ibiza island. It can be looked as a paradise in Mediterranean. The long coastal line, clear water and white sand here will make visitors from all over the world feel like staying in the Caribbean. If you feel bored walking on the beaches, you can go to wander around the only small town---San Francisco de Quito and to buy some souvenir in the local market.

Kalymnos, Greek

For a long time, islands in Greek are the first choice for people to spend their vocation. But, Kalymnos in Greek has been known in recent time. Now it is available to people from all around the world. Kalymnos was once a part of Dodecanese islands in the Aegean Sea. Now it is famous for rock climbing. The rocks there are all steep cliffs. Seen from any direction, Kalymnos looks like a beautiful picture drawn by a great master--- shiny-dressed houses arranged along the port in a row, fishing boats swinging with sea wave. If you can spare some time to wander around the island, you will surely find many amazing things like verdant orchards, fabricate natural caves, clear springs and also silver beaches that exist in nearly all islands in Greek.

Elba, Italy

Elba is the biggest island among Tuscan Archipelago. It is 90 miles in perimeter. And it takes only one hour by ship from Italy continent to Elba. There are a lot of nice views here that worth exploring---picturesque village, dark green valleys, ancient castles, steep cliffs, soft beaches and also clear and blue sea.

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Faroe islands was regarded as the most attractive island by National geography. It lies between Iceberg and Norway. Every living thing here reveals the beauty of nature completely. Here lives more than 300 kinds of birds. If you are patient enough, you may be lucky to see a seal coming out of the sea.

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Request from 207.7.86.109 is throttled.

An Island in the Caribbean above Venezuela THAT IS DOMINATED BY OIL, GOLD AND RECENTLY TOURISM!?

Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago is experiencing a transition from an oil-based economy to a natural gas based economy. In 2006, natural gas production averaged 4 million standard cubit feet per day (mmscf/d), compared with 3.2 mmscf/d in 2005.

Petroleum, petrochemicals and natural gas continue to be the backbone of the economy. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of Tobago, and the island remains a favorite destination for many European tourists. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most prosperous nations in the Caribbean, although less so than it was during the "oil boom" between 1973 and 1983. Recently, economic turmoil has caused an increase in violence and political instability.

Or, it could be Isla de Margarita (Margarita Island), their main export is oil, and their tourism industry have been rising with every passing year.

Here's a Video about caribbean island tourism:

Cayman in marketing drive to push the Caribbean islands