ITINERARY
ITINERARY

at sea...
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Surf & Turf Steakhouse
As its name suggests, this speciality restaurant majors in the likes of marbled steaks and meaty lobster tails. You’ve also got other meat and fish options, as well as plenty to satisfy a vegetarian palate. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.
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47°
Marella Discovery’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery. It also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. This weekly event brings the West End to Marella Cruises, with dishes inspired by famous musicals – like the ‘Vietnamese Melody’ beef tenderloin yakitori and the ‘On My Own’ petit choux. There are six teas to choose from, as well as a cocktail of your choice. Plus, the whole place is decorated with show posters and memorabilia.
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Gallery 47°
You’ll find this trendy Italian restaurant on the second floor of the ship’s main dining room, 47°. It’s a laid-back place, where bookings aren’t necessary, and its designer look features a colour scheme inspired by the sunset.
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Cane Garden Beach Transfer
It’s no secret that Tortola boasts a string of pristine beaches, and, today, you’ll head to one of the best ones – Cane Garden. All white sands and translucent waves, it ticks off all the Caribbean stereotypes. Plus, it’s backed by a thick band of palms, so you’ll find plenty of shady spots. The journey there takes the form of a scenic drive along Tortola’s coast, and you’ll be given a welcome drink as you step on to the sands. Then, the time on the beach is yours to spend as you like. Soak up the sun from a lounger and swim in the calm waters. You’ll have three hours to relax, before you make your way back to the ship.
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Tortola by Land & Sea
This boat and bus trip is a great way to see Tortola’s palm-planted coastline and forest like landscape. You’ll drift by dinky coves, sandy bays and, of course, plenty of crystal-clear water, not to mention islands steeped in myth and legend. You’ll see tiny pockets of paradise like Salt, and St John’s Islands, not to mention the most famous of them all, Norman Island. This craggy isle was pushed into the spotlight when Robert Louis Stevenson used it as inspiration for Treasure Island. You’ll drop anchor in Soper’s Hole – the most beautiful harbour in the British Virgin Islands – where you’ll have time to squeeze in some shopping in the rainbow-coloured waterfront stores. Finally, you’ll board a local bus to wind your way through the tiny fishing villages and across the ridge of the island.
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Forest Hike & Beach
Sage Mountain National Park provides the postcard-pretty setting for this rainforest hike. Home to the highest point in the Virgin Islands, the park is famous for its dramatic landscape. Some spectacular views are in store, so don’t forget your camera. And because all that walking will probably leave in you need of a bit of a rest, we’ve thrown in some time at the beach. Refuel with a snooze on the white sands of Cane Garden Bay, or cool off with a dip in the sea.
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Golden Eagle Catamaran Sail & Snorkel
You’ll sail along St Maarten’s tropical coastline on a luxurious catamaran on this trip. We’ll navigate across the sea, spotting the pretty villages and rocky coves that are peppered along the coast. You’ll be treated to an open bar, so you can sip rum punch in the sunshine. The catamaran will drop anchor once we reach a quiet, sugar-white beach. Then, the time is yours to spend as you like. Stroll along the shoreline, relax on a sunbed, or join the guides for a snorkelling tour in the Caribbean Sea. After you’ve towelled down, you’ll be served a baguette. And on the way back, you’ll chill out to a calypso soundtrack. On our return to the ship, we’ll pass the island’s famous airport – the runway here is right by a beach, and landing planes approach at a really low altitude.
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Ultimate Beach & Snorkel by Power Boat
This trip takes you to some of St Maarten’s best beaches and snorkelling spots. Setting off in a power boat, we’ll race along the coast into Simpson Bay – the Caribbean’s largest natural lagoon. Your expert guide will give you some facts about the divided island, and will point out the million-dollar mansions and yachts that edge the water. We’ll take a break at one of the island’s top snorkelling locations, where you can swim among shoals of tropical fish. We’ll then head to an unspoiled white-sand beach for an hour of free time. You’ll have the chance to get back into the water for more snorkelling, or relax on the sun-baked sands. When it’s time, we’ll speed back to the port and re-embark the ship.
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Scenic Coastal Hike
This laid-back walking tour takes you along the natural trail between Guana Bay and Geneve Bay, on St Maarten’s east coast. We’ll ramble along a thin coastal track, through grassy fields and along rocky paths that run parallel to the rugged shoreline. You’ll come across plenty of photo opportunities on the way – your guide will point out the area’s plant life, including the cacti that cloak the landscape, and you’ll spot the neighbouring island of St Barth’s on the horizon. We’ll stop for a rest once we reach Geneve Bay. This beach is known as the island’s natural swimming pool, thanks to tide pools that are guarded from the waves by huge rock formations. After, we’ll about-turn and head back to Guana Bay. We’ll enjoy a celebratory drink on the sand before we head back to the ship.
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St Kitts Scenic Railway
Get to know St Kitts on this train and bus extravaganza. First up is a ride on the island’s Scenic Railway. The railroad was built almost a century ago to carry sugar canes from the fields to the sugar mill in Basseterre. These days, the double-decker trains are just a nice way of seeing the island. Take a seat for some great views as you chug past the sprawling fields, volcanic peaks and leafy forests of the north coast. On the lower level deck there will be music from the Scenic Railway Choir. The second part of your tour sees you board a tour bus for a drive along the south coast. Important landmarks lie around every corner here. Look out for the Brimstone Hill Fortress, Middle Island – once home to Thomas Jefferson’s great-grandfather – and neighbouring Nevis, birthplace of the first Secretary of the US Treasury.
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Best of St Kitts
Tick off the top sights of St Kitts on this ‘Best of’ tour. First up is a drive through the island’s capital, Basseterre. Home to the National Museum and Independence Square, it’s jam-packed with history. Your guide will point out what’s what, and fill you in on St Kitts’ chaotic past. You’ll head up the coast to the Brimstone Hill Fortress, the Caribbean’s answer to the Tower of London, it’s all old-world turrets and cannons. But the best thing about this place is the views. The fortress sits on top of 38 acres of limestone, so you can see as far as neighbouring Saba, St Eustatius and St Barts. Leaving Brimstone Hill, you’ll make your way to Romney Manor for the last stop of the day. This 18th-century estate is spread over eight acres, and is home to the famous Caribelle Batik. Watch artists create works of art from wax and fabric. Then wander through peaceful botanical gardens before heading back to the ship.
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Essential St. Kitts with Fairview
You’ll get a real flavour for the history of St Kitts on this half-day tour. On the drive to your first stop, Romney Manor, you’ll pass by the Bloody River. It earned this name because it was the site of a major battle in the 16th century. When you get to Romney Manor, your guide will show you around. The 12-acre property features beautiful gardens as well as local artworks. Next, you’ll briefly stop at the tomb of Sir Thomas Warner – an English explorer who settled in St Kitts during the 16th century. You’ll then get to visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park. Because it’s perched on top of a hill, and 750 feet above sea level, you’ll have great views of the coastline, countryside and five neighbouring islands. Your trip will end at Fairview Great House. Here, you’ll get to learn about life on the island during colonial times, and wander through the dining room, with its 16-seat, mahogany dinner table and antique silverware.
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Panoramic Tour of the Butterfly
Waterfalls, dramatic countryside and a crafts village – you’ll see it all on this no-holds-barred tour of Guadeloupe. Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe’s western wing, is first on the to-see list. This is one of the 7 national parks of France – a landscape thick with rainforest and jagged peaks. You’ll get a close-up look at Crayfish Waterfall before heading back over the bridge to Grande-Terre. In Morne-à-l’Eau, we’ll stop by a cemetery with chessboard-painted tombs and gravestones. In the original capital of Guadeloupe, Le Moule, keep an eye out for Zevallos House. This 19th-century place looks like a plantation house straight out of the Deep South. The drive through Saint-François is quite the head-turner, serving up white-sand beaches and a wriggling coastline. Soon, you’ll spy the most easterly point on the island, dramatic Castle Point. The crowning cross was built to bless ships as they passed by. Before returning to the ship, there’s a quick pit stop to visit a local market.
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Beach by Motorboat Shuttle
A lazy day on the beach awaits you on this trip. We’ll whisk you off on a speedy water taxi to Le Gosier, one of the most popular spots in Guadeloupe. Fleur D'Epee Beach Resort will be your host, and it lines up loungers, parasols and a bar. After a couple of hours, you can hop back on a return water taxi, soaking up the views of Guadeloupe’s coastline along the way.
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Carbet Falls
The iconic Carbet Falls is the star of this tour. First, though, you’ll stop off at a Hindu temple. Some 40,000 indentured Indian workers came to Guadeloupe in the 19th century, and colourful Hindu temples sprung up in their wake. That’s just the warm up, though – Carbet Falls is the real show stealer. This trio of waterfalls is one of Guadeloupe’s most well-known natural beauties. For the best views, head for the viewing platform. After getting a good look, you’ll head off on a guided walk through the rainforest to the second falls. This one plunges more than 300 feet in to a pool below. The drive back to the ship goes via L’Allée Dumanoir, a kilometre-long avenue lined with sky-scraping royal palm trees.
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Caribbean Pirates Sailaway
Step onboard a handmade Schooner for a cruise along the leeward coast of St Vincent. This little island’s volcanic beginnings have left it a legacy to be proud of – rich, fertile soil, lush valleys and shimmering black sand beaches. You’ll start this tour with a scenic trip on the traditional West Indian boat along the coast, before dropping anchor, Here, you’ll have a chance to take a dip and enjoy the underwater theatrics first-hand. Or, if you’d prefer, you can laze on the beach and soak up the scenery from dry land. Then it’s back on the waves for a visit to the hideaway cove. where the Pirates of the Caribbean movie was filmed. In fact, the schooner you’ll be travelling on was used in the filming of the first movie. With a drink in hand and music playing in the background, it’s the perfect way to explore the coast.
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St Vincent Island Highlights
This one lets you tick off all the island’s best bits. Your trip starts with a scenic uphill drive to Fort Charlotte – a former British Garrison built back in 1806. Nowadays, it’s taken on more of a cultural identity and houses a collection of local paintings depicting the history of the Carib Indians. Artwork aside, the sweeping views of the Northern Grenadines and the capital of Kingstown from up here are worth the trip alone. When you’ve had your fill of scenery, it’s on to the Botanical Gardens. Opened in 1765 and home to a breadfruit tree brought over from Tahiti, this place is a green-fingered history fest. Next on the agenda is the leafy Mesopotamia Valley. Nicknamed ‘the food basket’ because of its rich soil, it’s a lush labyrinth of fruit trees, banana plantations and vegetable crops. Once again, the views are fantastic, so don’t forget your camera.
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Gardens of St Vincent
This tour kicks off with a scenic drive through historical Kingstown. Your guide will point out the Cenotaph en route – an iconic memorial in honour of the brave Vincentians who gave their lives in the First World War. Then it’s on to the Botanical Gardens. Home to the island’s national bird, the endangered Amazona Guildingii, this 20-acre site offers up a natural snapshot of St Vincent. It dates back to1765, making it one of the oldest gardens in the western hemisphere. Up next are the Montreal Gardens. Tucked in the lush Mesopotamia Valley – nicknamed ‘the food basket’ thanks to its fertile soil – this flower-laden oasis offers up widescreen panoramas of the surrounding hills and valleys. Stroll through the grounds or sit back and enjoy some open-air refreshments before heading back to the port.