The U.S. Virgin Islands and San Juan, Puerto Rico are among the outstanding ports of call you''ll visit if you select the Eastern Caribbean route for your cruise to Bermuda. One thing to remember about both of these ports of call is that bathing suits are taboo anywhere other than at the beach or poolside. So if you want to test the waters and go sightseeing, bring a change of clothes.
The original settlers of San Juan, Puerto Rico were the Taino Indians, the predominant tribe in the Eastern Caribbean region in the Pre-Columbian era.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the island, which he named "San Juan Bautista" after St. John the Baptist, and called the established Taino town "Puerto Rico" (rich port) for the gold in the river there. Later, the two names were switched.
The city of San Juan is a unique combination of modern high rises and buildings rich in history. Things to see in San Juan include Old San Juan with its colonial architecture, museums, cobblestone streets and the famous Paseo de la Princesa, a bayside promenade where local artisans display their crafts.
Although San Juan itself doesn''t offer duty-free shopping, U.S. shoppers do not pay local taxes (except on jewelry) since they''re technically still in the U.S. The best buys are local arts, crafts and Puerto Rican rum. San Juan Airport does have a selection of duty-free shops that carry an array of travel souvenirs.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are made up of the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Columbus claimed the islands for the Spanish on his 1493 voyage, but over the next several hundred years they went through many hands: Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Danish and finally, in 1917, American. Eventually in the 1950s, the world rediscovered the beauty of the Virgin Islands. Tourists started coming to the Islands...and kept on coming. Tourism is now the Islands'' leading industry.
Whether you embark on a cruise to St. Thomas, or it''s a port of call on your Bermuda cruise, there are many things to do and see. Rent a car or take a bus tour through Charlotte Amalie for a glimpse into the past. Visit Coral World, one of St. Thomas'' three marine parks or take the Paradise Point Tramway from the dock to the top of Flag Hill for a dramatic view of the harbor.
While the list of possibilities is extensive, several are listed below as examples of what you can do at your ports of call on your Bermuda cruise.
The duty-free status of the Virgin Islands makes it an excellent place to purchase luxury items. The best deals in duty-free shops are on perfumes, jewelry, clothing, cameras, china and liquor. Customs will allow $1,200 in duty-free purchases made in the Virgin Islands to be brought back into the U.S.
Again, how many of the activities you choose depends on your tastes and expectations. Do you prefer to lounge, play tennis or hit the duty-free shops? Fill your schedule with fun activities that aren''t available back home, or relax. After all, whether shopping, dancing, swimming or sunbathing, on any given day, the choice is yours.