Book Review: Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call - 2009

Fodor's 2009 Caribbean Ports of Call is a great resource for those cruising to the Caribbean. Fodor's Guide provides excellent general information for planning a cruise, along with a short description of each cruise line sailing to the Caribbean. Next, there is a large section focusing on 13 Caribbean cruise embarkation ports. Finally, the book includes an overview of the essentials for each port, along with information that will be useful for exploring, shopping, or planning activities ashore.

Cruises to the Caribbean often include stopovers at three (or more) ports of call. These ports may have different languages, currencies, cultures, and handicrafts. Since ships usually only stay in port for less than a day, it is important to know something about each port before your ship anchors or docks. That's where a good guidebook like Fodor's 2009 Caribbean Ports of Call comes in handy.

This book starts off with some handy tips for cruise travelers and includes a one-page description of the cruise lines sailing to the Caribbean. The next 100-page section focuses on the 13 embarkation ports for Caribbean cruises. This information is extremely useful and relevant for those either driving or flying to meet their ship. I especially liked the recommendations on where to stay and where to dine.

The last 250 pages are devoted to over 40 ports of call in the Caribbean, with each port getting about five pages. The descriptions are succinct and include information on going ashore, exploring the port, activities, shopping, beaches, and dining. There's also a simple map that shows where the ships dock and the beaches are located.

In summary, the Fodor's 2009 Caribbean Ports of Call will be an excellent resource for any cruise traveler's library.