Key West Cruise Guide

Key West is a funky community at the southernmost tip of the continental U.S. founded by shipwreck salvagers in the 19th century. Uniquely different, the town celebrates its mixed population of artists, hippies, gays, lesbians, rat-race drop-outs and fishermen. Natives call themselves ‘conchs' (pronounced konks) after a Caribbean mollusk that lives in a big shell and goes at its own pace -- describing the community that calls itself the Conch Republic. Bars and boutiques cater to tourists, six-toed cats have their own veterinarian at Ernest Hemingway's former home, and roosters rule at the base of the town lighthouse.

Sightseeing

Cruise passengers and landside tourists congregate at the celebration of sunset called Fireball, at harborside Mallory Square. Buskers include jugglers, magicians, musicians and even a troupe of performing housecats. Rent a bike to tour or buy a ticket for one of the two on-and-off, narrated trams that stop at sites such as the home where Hemingway did some of his finest writing.

Highlights

• Hemingway Home & Museum
• Duval Street
• Lighthouse Museum
• Sloppy Joe's Bar
• Mallory Square
• Old Town district
• Truman Little White House Museum
• Mel Fisher Maritime Musuem

Tourist Information

Key West Tourist Information
1601 North Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, U.S.
Website: http://fla-keys.com/

Shopping

Shopping centres mostly on souvenirs, though there are local artists selling different wares. Most of what you'll see on crowded Duval Street between the bars and frozen-margarita stands is tourist kitsch, including crude-slogan T-shirts. Better-quality goods can be found at the mercantile landmark of ‘Fast Buck Freddies', 500 Duval. Caribbean handicrafts are in Bahama Village, between Whitehead and Fort streets.

Eating Out

There is no room to grow anything here, so prices are high, and seafood is the most-common entrée, though it is prepared in every possible style. The local speciality is Key Lime pie (made from the tiny citrus), it's even sold as a frozen treat on a stick.

When To Go

Summers are long, with both temperature and humidity around 26̊C (80̊F). Winters are milder; although it is never cold. June-November is hurricane season.

Transfer Times

Nearest Destination

Key West.

Transfer Distance

2km (1.2 miles).

Transfer Time

10 minutes.

Key Facts

Region

Florida

Time Zone

GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).

Currency

US Dollar (USD; l $) = 100 cents.

Language

English, with significant Spanish-speaking minorities.

Location

Southwest tip of Florida Keys, 150 miles southwest of Miami.

Population

23,300.

Government

USA is a federal republic; Florida is the fourth most-populous of 50 states, with more than 18-million residents.

Religion

Protestant majority (52%), sizable Roman Catholic minority; also Mormon, Jewish and other minorities.

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A relaxed and informal atmosphere is usually the norm. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited to a private home. As a rule, dress is casual; though business wear in larger cities is standard coat and tie, pant suit, etc. Increasingly, smoking is being prohibited in public places and in many restaurants it is essential to ask permission before lighting up..

Tipping: Service charges are rarely included in the bill and waiters rely heavily on tips, with 15-20% the usual gratuity. Taxi drivers expect $3-$5 depending on distance driven.

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