Caribbean cruise ship passengers usually have 8-10 hours in each port, and this book has all the information they need on how to make the most of those few hours. Now fully updated and expanded in its third edition, Cruising the Caribbean is a cruise ship passenger’s bible, not to mention a purser’s dream come true! With this guide you can be sure to see and do exactly what you want ashore, whether it’s hiking in the rainforest, shopping for duty-free bargains, sipping piña coladas in a bamboo hut on the beach, or taking in the town’s historical sites. Detailed itineraries cover a wide range of interests in each port of call, with tips on who can lend a helping hand, transportation options, and personal recommendations based on first-hand experience. The Rapps’ humorous writing style adds a flavor all its own, with a look at some of the most frequently asked – yet unbelievable – questions asked of a purser, such as What do you do with the ice carvings after they melt?, Do these stairs go up or down? or What time is the midnight buffet?

Complete details are provided about what you will find on the pier itself – the shops, the phones (and how to operate them) – how to negotiate the local bus system or arrange a taxi tour, dealing with the currencies, renting a car for an hour or two (with recommendations for the most reliable agencies), or planning a tour with a local company (telephone numbers are given so you can book ahead). Islands covered: Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten/St.Martin. Town and island maps, plus a comprehensive index.