Capital: Fort-de-France
Population: 360,000
Language: French, supplemented by a Creole patois.
Location: Martinique lies between the Windward Islands of Dominica and St. Lucia
Size: The island is 50 miles long and 22 miles at its widest point. It is the largest of the Windward islands.

This is the top outer deck on the ship. Below are 2 swimming pools, and the spaceship on the far side is a 360 degree view lounge. We spent several evenings there enjoying a pre-dinner drink and watching the ship leave the port - beautiful views!

Although we really wanted to see the volcano and forests on Martinique, we didn't think there would be time to experience them since they were on the other side of the island from where our ship landed. So we decided to save that for the next time, and walked into Fort-de-France instead - an easy 15-20 minute walk. Since one of us is a francophile, it was wonderful seeing all the signs in French and trying to remember how to say things in French (even though all the shopkeepers basically understood English). This photo was taken in Savannah park - this giant fan shaped palm was over 20 feet high.

Ice carving demonstration on the top deck. These ice carvers take huge blocks of ice and whittle them into intricate shapes in 15 minutes. This one is an ice sculpture of an eagle with its wings soaring.