More there than meets the eye - Letters

Cruise Travel, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Jim Jorgensen

While recognizing that Laurence Miller's article on NCL's Norwegian Sky (Cruise Travel, June 2003) focused mainly on the ship's amenities, I must take issue with his statement that Nelson's Dockyard on Antigua is "one of the few really significant historical destinations in the Caribbean." The islands of the Caribbean are filled with significant historical sites, from old forts to pirate hideouts to archaeology.

Examples include Brimstone Hill Fortress on St. Kitts, where the British diverted ships and troops from the rebellion in North America in order to battle the occupying French, thus aiding the birth of the United States; Fort Napoleon on Isle de Saintes that overlooked the sea battle where Lord Nelson defeated the French fleet off Guadeloupe; and the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton on Nevis--just to name a few. Some significant sites on the Norwegian Sky itinerary include St. Pierre on Martinique, where 20,000 people died in a volcanic eruption in 1902; Pigeon Point Fort on St. Lucia that controlled a key water passage between the Atlantic and the Caribbean; Dominica's sole surviving village of Carib Indians; and even St. Thomas, where one can visit everything from a 1671 Danish Fort to a World War II submarine base.

Anyone with any interest in historical sites can find plenty to explore throughout the Caribbean island chain.

Jim Jorgensen, Green Bay, WI

We believe that the original statement is descriptive. There are comparatively few significant historic sights in the Caribbean, though Brimstone Hill on St. Kitts is a wonderful example of those that do exist. Historic preservation has not been a prime activity in the region, though here too there are a few exceptions. As Cruise Travel letter-writers will surely attest, the main reason for visiting the area is recreation, not historic sights that evoke the region's colorful history.