Caribbean - Eastern cruise ports

Charlotte Amalie, is the capital of the United States Virgin Islands and the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. Named for a Danish Queen, the city features pastel houses that are heavily sprinkled against a background of emerald hills. Colorful sloops dock along the waterfront, and a few steps back, down alleyways lined with old Danish warehouse buildings, is a world-famous shopping center.

Samana Bay is the gateway to Puerto Plata, located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Luxury resorts and casinos give way to the tourist bazaar where you can shop for straw goods and other tropical specialties, like unique amber jewelry. If shopping is not your bag, check out the 70 miles of beaches.

The official name of this Dominican Republic island is Isla Catalina. The island is only 9.6 square kilometers, but packs a big entertainment punch nonetheless. Don't get the wrong idea, though--this is a protected ecological area, and for good reason. The pristine sand dunes, mangrove swamps, and coral stone formations are a splendid rarity in the Caribbean.

The capital of French Saint-Martin, lies between Simpson Bay Lagoon and the Caribbean sea. Boutiques offer French pret-a-porter fashions and St Barts batiks, and gift shops sell liqueurs, perfumes, and cosmetics. At the Marina Port La Royale complex there are chic shops, cafes and bistros where you can sit and watch the boats.