Happy Birthday, Belize!

September 21 is Belizean Independence Day

Mahogany Tree in British Honduras
By Standley, Paul Carpenter,  [Public domain] 

Happy Birthday, Belize!

On September 21, 1981, the nation of Belize was born.  The Central American country that forms part of the western shore of the Caribbean Sea wan its independence from the U.K. on that day. 

Formerly called British Honduras, the country had been called by the new name of Belize since 1973, but didn't have full independence for nine more years. 

To celebrate Belize Independence Day, here's one fact you may not have known about the country:  

The Mahogany tree is the national tree of Belize.

Want to know a little bit more about this popular cruise port of call?  Check out Pictures of Belize, where you'll see some pleasant scenes from there, and pick up a few more interesting facts with which to amaze and astound your friends, co workers, and fellow cruisers.

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to actually be in Belize on September 21, and that day filled itself with memories I'll treasure for a long time.

Belize Poster
by anitrone

Happy Birthday, Jamaica!

Today is Independence Day in Jamaica

Jamaica ~ Vintage Travel Print 

by TheEclecticImage

Oh, Jamaica.  For those of us who cruise the Western Caribbean, it's at least somewhat familiar.  But, how much do you actually know about Jamaica?

For instance... today is Jamaica's Independence Day.  August 6, 1962 was the day that the island nation, which had been under the rule of Great Britain, gained full independence.  As such, it was the first Caribbean island nation to do so.  Happy Fifty First Birthday, Jamaica!

Being such a special day, it's also a good one to pass on a few random facts about the country.  So, here are a few things you'll be able to impress your cruise mates with the next time you're fortunate enough to enjoy Ocho Rios, Falmouth, or Kingston as a port of call.

Jamaican Lighthouses

 Plumb Point Lighthouse,
via Wikimedia Commons

There are eleven lighthouses in Jamaica. Nine of these are on the Jamaican mainland, and two are on small cays out in the Caribbean Sea.

The country's port authority reports that the lamp in the Plumb Point Lighthouse, near Port Royal, has gone out just once since the structure was erected in 1853.  That one outage was during an earthquake that struck the area in 1907.

Other Random Facts about Jamaica

• The land mass we call Jamaica is actually the third largest island in the Greater Antilles.
• Kingston boasts the seventh largest natural harbor in the world.
• Not surprisingly, rum is the national drink.
• Reggae music originated there in the 1960's.
• The movie Cool Runnings, about a Jamaican bobsled team that had no snow to train on, yet made it to the Olympics is actually based on fact.  
• Last year on August 6, 20125,  one U.S. dollar was worth about 86 Jamaican dollars.  This year, it would be worth about 99.  
• That right now, means their $20.00 coin (yes, there is one) is roughly equivalent to an American nickel. 

Here's a page where you can enjoy a few images of Jamaica, and vote for your favorite.

St. Lucia Independence Day

St lucia sunset 03
by SteeveO69

On Wednesday of this week, they'll be celebrating Independence Day in the popular southern Caribbean cruise destination of St. Lucia.
St. Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations on February 22, 1979.
It's an uncommonly beautiful place, with a tropical climate, and more mountainous than some other Caribbean nations. Here's a picture of the famous twin peaks of the Pitons there:

St. Lucia Pitons from the Sea
by h2oWater

MORE about St. Lucia:
To see more views of the island nation, visit Pictures of St. Lucia.
For something really cool, find out about St. Lucia's Drive In Volcano.

St. Kitts and Nevis

A Day in Paradise by gubanich

Have you cruised to St. Kitts?  Then you may be interested to know that the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will be celebrating Independence Day this coming Monday, September 19.  Twenty-eight years ago Monday, the two island Caribbean nation became independent.

I haven't been there yet, but look forward to the day when I can.  (I hope)
Meanwhile, I really enjoyed putting together this page showcasing Pictures of St. Kitts and Nevis on various products by the artists of Zazzle - from wall art to mousepads, mugs, and totes, to iPhone cases.

Some Related Articles:

Pictures of St. Maarten

Pictures of St. Thomas

Pictures of St. Lucia

An EPIC Display

Norwegian Cruise Lines and Macy's Department store in New York have announced something special for this years Independence Day fireworks display. Always special, this years program promises to be even more so - especially for cruise fans. NCL's new mega-ship, the EPIC, will be the host venue!

Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

It's the 34th year for the event, and, according to the press release, ". . . includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display."

Those lucky guests should have a spectacular view of the fireworks celebrating our nation's birthday from the Norwegian Epic's pool deck and outer decks.  NCL says their hosting of the Macy's fireworks display will serve as the finale of inaugural festivities for their brand new ship.
The Inaugural Sailing of the Norwegian Epic departs Southampton on June 24.  She'll arrive in Manhattan  July 1.  

BONUS -  Macy's and NCL will be giving away a cruise for four on the Epic.  Look for more details in June.  They'll be published at http://www.macys.com/fireworks