Here is a brief guide to electric systems used around the Caribbean. If you’re not familiar with the different plug types, you can see illustrations here.

• Anguilla, 110V, 60Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Antigua, 230V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Aruba, 127V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Bahamas, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Barbados, 115V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Belize, 110/220V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA 5-15, British BS-1363
• Bermuda, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Cayman Islands, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Dominica, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Dominican Republic, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15
• Grenada, 230V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• Haiti, 110V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Jamaica, 110V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Netherlands Antilles, 127/220V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15, European CEE7/7 Schuko
• Puerto Rico, 120V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• St. Kitts and Nevis, 230V, 60 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Lucia, 240V, 50 Hz, British BS-1363
• St. Vincent, 230V, 50 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, British BS-1363
• Trinidad & Tobago, 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15
• Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), 115V, 60 Hz, North American NEMA1-15, North American NEMA 5-15

A number of languages are spoken in the Caribbean, most of a European origin. You can get by just about anywhere with English, but it’s fun to explore the islands and hear the local languages.

• Anguilla: English
• Antigua: English
• Aruba: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish, Castilian
• Bahamas: English
• Barbados: English
• Bermuda: English, Portuguese
• British Virgin Islands: English
• Cancun: Spanish, English.
• Cayman Brac: English
• Curacao: Dutch, Papiamento, English, Spanish; Castilian
• Dominica: English, French Patois
• Dominican Republic: Spanish, Castilian
• Grand Cayman: English
• Grenada: English, French Patois
• Grenadines: English
• Guadeloupe: French, Creole Patois
• Haiti: French, Creole
• Jamaica: English, Patois
• Martinique: French, Creole Patois
• Puerto Rico: Spanish, Castilian, English
• St. Croix: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• St. Kitts and Nevis: English
• St. Lucia: English
• St. Maarten: Dutch, English
• St. Thomas: English, Spanish, Castilian, French
• Tortola: English
• Trinidad & Tobago: Languages: English, Hindi, French, Spanish
• Turks & Caicos: English
• U.S. Virgin Islands: English, Spanish, Creole

The Southern Caribbean, a long haul for most cruises, is becoming a more popular destination, according to Cruise Critic Editor Carolyn Spencer.

The islands of the Southern Caribbean, which translate roughly to those lying east and south of St. Maarten/St. Martin, have always been slightly more exotic than counterparts in the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Part of that is due to the very strong colonial influence that pervades many of these islands, a great percentage of which are still related to France, the Netherlands and the U.K.

Cruise lines are beginning to offer “deep-south” itineraries that hit these islands and cruisers can always opt to leave out of San Juan, which gives them a head start in the right direction.

Because of the search for a missing U.S. woman in Aruba, there seems to be an increase in interest in the crime levels of various Caribbean islands. A good place to look before heading anywhere overseas is the U.S. Department of State website. The State Department offers advice about the level of crime in various countries and offers specific advice on travelling to Caribbean destinations. Below I’ve compiled the State Department’s crime information for Caribbean nations:

Antigua and Barbuda
Violent crimes have increased and armed assaults have been perpetrated against tourists. Petty street crime also occurs and valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bahamas
Visitors should exercise normal caution in safeguarding valuables left on the beach. Woman may wish to avoid deserted areas, especially at night. Crime is more prevalent in major population centers, particularly the “over-the-hill” area of Nassau.

Barbados
Street crime sometimes occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bermuda
Bermuda has a low crime rate. However, during the tourist season, pick pocketing and theft of unattended baggage can occur.

Dominica
Street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Dominican Republic
Valuables left unattended in parked cars, on beaches, and in other public places are subject to theft. Burglaries of private residences have increased. Some resort areas have experienced an increase in violent crime. The larger resort complexes, which rely on private security services, have generally not been affected.

French West Indies
The French West Indies include the islands of Guadeloupe, Isles des Saintes, La Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and Martinique. Street crime, sometimes involving armed assault, appears to be on the rise in St. Martin. In the other territories, petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Grenada
Tourists have been victims of armed robbery in isolated areas, particularly after dark. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Haiti
Reports of crime, including armed and sometimes violent robbery, are increasing. Crimes involving occupied and unoccupied vehicles along Route Nationale No. 1 in the port area, in Cite Soleil, and along the airport road continue to be a problem.

Jamaica
Crime is a serious problem in and around Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. Criminal acts can rapidly turn violent. Visitors should exercise common sense, not walk around at night, and use only licensed taxis or hotel-recommended transportation. In tourist areas, be careful at isolated villas and small establishments.

Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles include the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), and St. Maarten. Petty street crime and armed robbery, including shooting of the victims, are increasing.

St. Kitts and Nevis
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Lucia
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Trinidad and Tobago
Violent crime, including murder, is on the rise. While crime is significantly lower in Tobago, travelers may wish to avoid traveling alone.

What do you do with all of that rum you brought back from your Caribbean vacation? Here are some ideas from New York Daily News writer Julie Besonen, who recently returned from an island trip to St. Lucia. Besonen interviews Anthony Giglio, author of Cocktails in New York, who says, “The Cuba Libre nearly killed rum because of bartenders using shortcuts like Rose’s Lime instead of fresh lime, making it disgusting.”

The memorable drink Besonen brought back from Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia is the Naked Virgin.

2 ounces white rum
1/2 ounce triple sec
1 ounce cream of coconut
1 banana
Blend all ingredients with ice in a blender until smooth.

Garnish with a cherry.

In an effort to reduce a growing homicide rate, the prime minister of St. Lucia says he won’t hesitate to hang murderers. St. Lucia has experienced 17 murders this year, double the number at the same time last year.

Violent crimes don’t typically reach into the tourist community, but increasing crime rates do seem to be a distrubing trend across the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who has responsibility in the quasi-Cabinet of CARICOM for crime and security, admitted that the profile of crime and security in the Caribbean has changed significantly over the last two decades.

“Today the trafficking and proliferation of illegal firearms, the emergence of new forms of crime, cyber attacks on financial institutions, and the threat of terrorism dictate that we address crime as a major concern for the region,” he said.

Manning said he is fearful that over the next three years, the potential for further criminal and security threats could emerge, as the Caribbean moves towards establishing its own single market and economy, the possible emergence of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.