ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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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Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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Soller Train
Explore Majorca's rugged interior on the 'Tren de Soller'. This is no ordinary train journey. It's a vintage electric train that's been chugging through the countryside since the 1920s - heading from Palma to Soller, a gorgeous little village on the northwestern coast. The old-fashioned train ride, which lasts an hour, has become Majorca’s most popular attraction and the island really makes the most of its chance to shine. You'll trundle by almond and olive groves. Slide in slow-motion through dinky villages. And clickety-click past pine-clad peaks. When you arrive in Soller, you take a walking tour of the town to catch a glimpse of houses that date back to the 14th-century. All before enjoying some free time for shopping - this place is famous for its beautiful ceramics, jewellery and bakers all crammed round a bustling main square.
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Enjoy Palma!
This is a great way to see the highlights of Majorca’s capital city. Start the day with a photo-stop at the 14th-century Bellver Castle. Crowning a hill, it commands spectacular views over Palma and its cosmopolitan marina. Continue on to the Gothic Quarter, which is more than 750 years old. Carry on for a visit of the Gothic Cathedral. Here, marvel at its rose-coloured stained glass windows and let your guide tell you all about the history of the church, which took over 300 years to build. After that, enjoy some free time for souvenir shopping. Then, head back to the ship, stopping along the way to get a photo of the Almudaina Palace.
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Drach Caves
A fantastical collection of cathedral-like caves, subterranean lakes and dripping stalactites form the Drach Caves. On this tour, you’ll find out why they’ve become Majorca’s most popular attraction. After driving here past picture-postcard villages and monastery-topped hills, you’ll take the steps down into the huge underground chambers. The pathways wind through weird and wonderful rock formations before fetching up at an amphitheatre that’s home to the world’s largest underground lake – Lake Martel. You won’t be the only ones down here, either – classical musicians will serenade you as they row across the water. Afterwards, you’ll wrap up the day at Porto Cristo. This charm-packed village is a honeypot for yachters thanks to its deep-cut harbour. Free time here will give you the chance to relax on one of the sea-view bar terraces or wander along the smart promenade.
at sea...
Show Top Things to Do
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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The Rock Tour
Discover the Rock, which rises nearly 1,400ft above sea level and is said to be one of the legendary pillars of Hercules. Gibraltar, well known as the gateway to the Mediterranean, is steeped in history. See Europa Point, the southernmost point of Gibraltar and the only Trinity Lighthouse outside Britain. You’ll also pass over the only runway in Europe that has to stop vehicles for aircraft! At the famous Gothic-style St. Michael’s Cave, marvel at the beautiful stalagtites and stalagmites sculpted through the centuries. Your leisurely tour ends with a trip to Gibraltar’s most respected residents, the ‘Barbary Apes’, a breed of tail-less and very naughty monkeys that roam free on rocky slopes. Be warned – they’ve got a penchant for cameras, handbags, hats and food!
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World War Two Tunnels
This short trip gives you a great introduction to Gibraltar’s history, and you’ll have an exoert guide on hand to give you the lowdown on the sights. Leaving Gibraltar’s quayside behind, you’ll kick things off by heading to Europa Point, where the Trinity Lighthouse is. There’ll be a photo-stop here so you can soak up the vistas – the area looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the busy Straits of Gibraltar, the African Coastline and Spain’s Costa del Sol. From here, your coach will whisk you to the Rock of Gibraltar – the highlight of the tour. Inside, is a network of narrow tunnels that were used back in the Second World War. You’ll be given a safety briefing, before being led down into the dark, following in the soldiers’ footsteps in a conga-line. Look out for the ancient stalactites and stalagmites as you get deeper into the caves. After the tour, it’s up to you whether you want to head back to the ship, or explore Gibraltar’s town centre.
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Dolphin Watch
Hop aboard and cruise with us around the Bay of Gibraltar, one of the most famous bays in the world. There’s a really high concentration of dolphins in these parts and if you’re lucky you might see baby dolphins swimming close to their mothers. It’s a great opportunity to take pictures and see the Striped, Bottle-Nosed and Common dolphin, as well as seven species of whale, flying fish, turtles and sunfish in their natural habitat. Plus you get to admire the landmarks of Gibraltar all in the same morning. What more could you ask for?
at sea...
Show Top Things to Do
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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Taste of Madeira & Cable Car
Start as you mean to go on - so the old saying goes. And that’s certainly the case on this trip. Your day begins with a cable car ride from Funchal to nearby Monte. Make sure you’ve got your camera ready because once you reach the top, on a clear day, the panoramic views are superb. When you get to Monte, head for the famous Church of Our Lady of Monte, known for its striking façade of dark basalt stone and whitewash. Then it’s decision time - do you slip and slide down the narrow streets in a toboggan, or rejoin the bus for a more sedate journey down the hill? Sitting in a wicker basket mounted on wooden runners, two drivers guide the sled down through narrow streets, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes. Ernest Hemingway once described the experience as ‘exhilarating’. After your ride - whichever one you choose - relax in Funchal’s tranquil Botanical Gardens. Wander through the grounds, inhaling the sweet scent of exotic blooms. Your last stop is at a souvenir shop where you can admire delicate lace as you sip fine Madeiran wine.
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Scenic Madeira
One thing’s for sure, Madeira’s not short on natural beauty and this tour serves up some of the island’s best sights. Visit the quaint fishing village of Camara de Lobos where Sir Winston Churchill used to spend his time capturing the views on canvas. Then it’s on to Cabo Girao, a towering cliff that drops down into the sea – an awe-inspiring sight worthy of a place in your holiday scrapbook. Afterwards, you’re off to one of the most enchanting spots on the island - Eira do Serrado. From this viewpoint, look out over the remote mountain village of Curral das Freiras, framed by sweeping valleys and jagged peaks. Breathe in the fresh, crisp air and browse for souvenirs in the nearby local craft shop. Your final stop is at Pico dos Barcelos to take in those last dreamy views before making your way back to Funchal.
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Botanical Beauty & Cable Car
Your morning starts at Funchal’s Farmer’s Market, where stalls groan under the weight of fruits, vegetables and fragrant blooms. Then take a ride through the hills of Funchal and clap eyes on the greenery that gives Madeira its name ‘The Floating Garden’. Once you get to the Botanical Gardens you’ll get some time to yourself to walk the terraces that climb from 200 to 300 metres. Explore the paths that wind between dragon and coral trees, and see all those beautiful flowers that have been brought here from around the world. Set some time aside for the views, too – the city of Funchal stretches out far below you. When you’re done there, take an exhilarating cable car ride to the village of Monte. Perched high up on a hill, its landmark is a little church whose twin towers spear the skyline. After you’ve had a chance to explore, it’s time to head back to Funchal by coach, polishing off your trip with a visit to one of Madeira’s wine cellars.
at sea...
Show Top Things to Do
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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Highlights of Antigua
Peek into Antigua’s colonial past on this whistle-stop history tour. This fully guided trip takes you from the quaint capital of St John’s, through the countryside to your first stop - The Blockhouse Fort ruins. Perched a whopping 500 feet above sea level, they’re a great viewing platform for the rest of the island. Look in one direction and you’ll spot Indian Creek, once home to Antigua’s first native tribe. Turn around, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the newer and much more glamorous home of Eric Clapton. Later, make your way to the island’s most southerly point, Shirley Heights. Back in the 18th century, soldiers used this as a lookout podium to spy on enemies and signal to nearby forts. The last, and arguably best, port of call is Nelson’s Dockyard, the world’s only working Georgian dockyard which are still in use today. Here, you can stroll through the old-fashioned Georgian buildings and even visit the original Naval Officer’s house.
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Sun & Rum
Cast adrift in the Caribbean, Antigua is ringed with a halo of white sandy beaches. Lapped by warm and clear waters, its soft sandy beaches are a perfect corner of paradise. And this taxi transfer from ship to shore – and back again – whisks you down to the beach so you can make the most of the warm waters, water-sports or bars. Or just take a stroll along the half-mile or so of soft sand. Just don’t forget to try some of the unlimited rum or fruit punch. Plus to make life easier, we’ll reserve you a sunbed on the sand, just don't forget your towel.
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Catamaran Cruise & Lobster Lunch
Nothing says luxury like lobster and ‘bubbly’ – especially when you’re tucking in onboard a catamaran. You’ll set off on the cruise first thing in the morning, and sail along the island’s west coast to the picture-perfect Deep Bay Beach. Here, there’ll be some free time to take a dip or sprawl out on the ice-white sands. Then it’s back onboard and on to Morris Bay where you’ll drop anchor for another round of swimming and sunbathing. There’ll be a lobster buffet lunch served up, washed down with a glass of ‘bubbly’. Add an open bar to the mix for the return leg of the journey, and you’re all set for a relaxing day on the waves.
at sea...
Show Top Things to Do
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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A Brief History of Puerto Plata
It’s wall-to-wall culture on this tour’s agenda, so it’s perfect if you like discovering the story behind a place. First up is the Macorix Rum Factory, for a brief education on how the popular Caribbean spirit is made. Then, it’s on to the Gregorio Luperon Museum, which tells the story of a former President of the Dominican Republic. San Felipe Fortress is next on the agenda. It was built in 1564 to defend the city from pirate raids. From here, you’ll stroll to the palm tree-lined Plaza Independencia to visit San Felipe Cathedral, with its impressive towers. After freshening up with a taste of coconut water, you’ll make a beeline for an art gallery, where you’ll sit down to lunch.
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A Puerto Plata Panorama
This tour takes in a clutch of Puerto Plata’s top sights, starting with a panoramic drive down the tree-lined Malecon. It snakes along the seafront for over a mile, hugging the city’s caramel-coloured beach. Your first drive-by viewing will be of the San Felipe Fortress, which was built in 1564 to defend the city from pirate raids. From here, you’ll move on to the San Felipe Cathedral. It’s built in a modern Victorian style, so architecture fans might spot some similarities to British landmarks, like Big Ben’s lofty steeple. The day will round off with half an hour of free time in the Plaza Independencia. This pretty town square is home to a mix of shops and eateries, so it’s the ideal opportunity to pick up souvenirs, or sip a coffee and people-watch.
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Flavours of Puerto Plata
Today’s a treat for the senses, and there’ll be plenty of samplers on the menu, too. For starters, you’ll head to the Del Oro Chocolate Factory, in Puerto Plata’s town centre, to learn all about how the sweet stuff’s made. After following the cocoa’s journey from tree to bar, it’s time to nibble on a taster. Afterwards, you’ll move on to a cigar-making demo, where nips of fresh organic coffee will be primed for sampling as you browse the handmade cigars. As you drive down the Malecon on the way, keep your eyes peeled for the 16th-century San Felipe Fortress and the Plaza Independencia. Later, you’ll take a turn though Don Fernando’s Ranch – home to banana, mango and sugar cane plantations. Finally, round things off with a visit to a rum museum, where you’ll sip snifters of the traditional Dominican spirit and tuck in to lunch.
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Dune Buggy Fun
This is a pedal-to-the-metal tour of Grand Turk. You’ll see the largest of the Turks Islands from the bucket seat of a dune buggy. Leaving the port behind, you’ll follow the clay tracks that trace their way along the beach. Your first break from being behind the wheel will come at a coastal bluff, where you’ll get out to take in the views of Gibb’s Cay and the other islands in the chain. Back in your buggy, you’ll score your way through the countryside, passing salt pans. A flash of pink will alert you to the appearance of the Salina Salt Ponds, where flamingos graze the day away. You’ll also pass the airport, where you’ll clock a replica of the space shuttle Friendship, which splashed down off the coast of Grand Turk after astronaut John Glen orbited the earth. After negotiating the streets of the island’s capital, Cockburn Town, you’ll drive to North Wells, where wild horses roam. You’ll get another chance to stretch your legs around North Creek, at a cliff that commands infinity views of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, with your fuel gauge finally leaning towards the red, you’ll steer back to port.
Horseback Ride 'n' Swim
This is an experience you’ll want to write home about. Passing Governor’s Beach and Cockburn Town, you’ll drive to Grand Turk’s Indigenous Horse Shelter. Here, you’ll be given a riding helmet and paired with a horse. When your feet are in the stirrups, you’ll hack out to the coast. From beneath the brim of your riding hat, you’ll take in the boundless views of the Atlantic Ocean. After roughly half an hour in the saddle, you’ll dismount. Your guide will take the saddle off your steed and you’ll get back on your horse to ride bareback into the sea. As your ride strides through the surf, you’ll be spritzed by the cold water. With hoof-prints left on the seabed, you’ll have time to take a shower before heading back to the port.
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Clear Kayak and Eco Safari
This wildlife-centred trip takes you on a kayaking tour of Grand Turk’s unspoiled mangroves. After an air-conditioned bus ride across the island, you’ll arrive at the casting-off point. Each pair gets their own glass-bottomed kayak, and after a quick safety demo, you’ll set off along one of the peaceful waterways. Keep one eye on the riverbank for a glimpse of ospreys nesting among the trees, and if you look down through the clear base of your kayak, you’ll spot colourful fish in the waters below. A bit more paddling will deliver you to a secluded beach, where your guide will take you on a wildlife-spotting tour along the sand. Once you’ve snapped a few pictures and stretched your legs, it’s back onto the water to loop back to your starting point.
at sea...
Show Top Things to Do
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. It offers a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes, a separate sushi menu, plus bespoke dishes created by master chef Ian Pengelley exclusively for Marella Cruises. 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.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking place, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat and fish. The menu stars various cuts of steak, including the Porterhouse for two – and you can watch the chef cook yours on the open grill. Or you can create your own surf and turf with a selection of meats and seafood. 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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