Vacation with Carnival Cruise Lines to the Western Caribbean Research Paper

Vacation with Carnival Cruise Lines to the Western Caribbean - Research Paper Example that had mainly been known for lard production and exportation by the Spanish became a profitable center for the sugar trade (â€Å"Background Notes: Jamaica†). In 1831, however, slave revolts all but demolished the sugar business, devastating many plantations and estates (Koss 179). In 1834, slavery was abolished, and currently Jamaica exports not only sugar and rum as its main products but bananas, coffee, and citrus fruits (â€Å"Background Notes: Jamaica†). The economy of Jamaica has suffered in the previous years due to recessions, with over 20% of the country living in poverty as of early 2011, up from 9.9% in 2007 and 16.5% in 2009 (Thame). Though the percentages are steadily rising, it is important to remember that things such as production conditions are causing this, such as the high cost of doing business in Jamaica, high taxes, and other factors (Thame). Tourists should not let themselves be put off by this and avoid Montego Bay, as there is still plenty tha t a traveler would not want to miss out on! Montego Bay, known as the â€Å"second city† of Jamaica, has known both good times and hard times in its history. It was in Montego Bay that Columbus first landed, calling it the â€Å"Gulf of Good Weather† (Koss 178). It was in Montego Bay that most trading took place, and until the slave revolts, enjoyed a bustling business with many ships coming in and out of its harbor (Koss 178). It was in and of itself the setting for the slave revolts in 1831, and its courthouse was used for retribution against those unlucky enough to be on the losing side of the rebellion, once it had been quashed by local militia (Koss 178). The sugar trade declined until the developments of both the banana trade and the tourist trade in the late 1880s, when a sanitarium was built and... Vacation with Carnival Cruise Lines to the Western Caribbean As an added bonus, while traveling on the cruise, there are always things to do aboard ship, thereby eliminated the (sometimes) boring in-between travel time between destinations, alongside the fact that most of everything is usually included in the cruise package while aboard ship (though it is always advisable to check with not only a travel agent, but with the cruise line directly, and ask for a concrete list of what is and is not included before boarding.) Included in this package will be stops at Montego Bay, Jamaica, the island of Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. Whether the main point of the journey is sun and surf, tourist traps, ancient ruins or simply some time away, each destination is sure to delight and charm every traveler into wanting to return. Visitors should be wary in taking the approach to the Caribbean of â€Å"seen one island, seen them all.† Without a doubt, something different can be had at every stop, for every visitor. In Montego Bay, Jamaica, sample a wide variety of cuisine, or stop at a local roadside shack for a patty-snack while touring the historic district. Once at Grand Cayman Island, take the time to play with the sea turtles or stingrays, do some snorkeling, and take a tour of the Tortuga Rum Factory. Round out the day with duty-free shopping, making sure to give everything a good look. After debarking at Cozumel, the Mayan ruins and botanical gardens will delight any nature lover and history enthusiast, as long as time is planned for accordingly.