ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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La Romana, Dominican Republic
A Caribbean and Latin-fused favourite, it’s easy to see why Columbus labelled the Dominican Republic as ‘the fairest land under heaven’. It’s got all the tropical ingredients…
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Samana, Dominican Republic
Samana’s a rustic town perched on the edge of a peninsula that pokes out of the Dominican Republic’s north-east coast. The first thing you’ll notice is that it hasn’t…
Time in port: 09:00 - 17:00 | Tender to shoreShow Top Things to Do
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El Rincon Beach Escape
This one does exactly what the name suggests. Things kick off with the journey to El Rincon beach. This secluded slice of sand is backed by open countryside, so peace and quiet’s definitely on the menu. The waterfront looks like an uninhabited desert island, with swaying palms behind the sand and jungle-cloaked headlands at either end of the shoreline. There’s a bonus feature tucked away among the trees, too. Follow a freshwater stream inland and you’ll reach a river that’s great for refreshing dips.
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El Limon Waterfall
This back-to-nature tour sees you getting on horseback to explore one of the highest waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. Your day starts off at a country ranch where, after a short safety briefing, you’ll be paired with a horse that matches your riding ability. And then it’s time to set off. Clip-clop your way through isolated villages and lush coconut, coffee and yucca plantations, before dismounting at the base of El Limon Waterfall. Here, there’ll be a bit of free time to take a dip in the pristine natural pool and enjoy an aqua massage from the cascading water. Once you’ve dried off, it’s time to saddle up for the journey back to base. Don’t forget to wear comfy clothing, socks and well-fitting shoes with a decent grip. Just so you know... There are approx 100 steps to climb by foot to reach the waterfall.
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Caves & Mangroves Exploration
If you’ve got an adventurous streak, this one’s for you. The day begins with a speedboat ride to Los Haitises National Park – a wildlife reserve that showcases some of the Dominican Republic’s finest natural assets. After arriving, you’ll get straight into exploring the ecological park. Underwater rivers, made of salt and fresh water, are the perfect climate for local wildlife. Keep an eye out for secret caves, too, which were once used by pirates to store their booty. Before things wrap up, you’ll stop at picturesque Bacardi Island, where you can swim in window-clear waters, relax in hammocks or laze on sugar-soft sand.
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Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Nature’s the star attraction of Tortola. Ancient rainforests hog the limelight. Beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention. And opal-white beaches like AppleBay…
Time in port: 12:00 - 21:00Show Top Things to Do
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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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Philipsburg, St Maarten
Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile,…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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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 John's, Antigua
If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt,…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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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.
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Roseau, Dominica
Known as the island of waterfalls, Dominica is as green as it is unspoilt. Fairly off the tourist trail, this exotic isle is a paradise for nature lovers. In fact, it’s…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Wacky Truck Waterfall & Rainforest Adventure
Dominica has been dubbed the ‘island of waterfalls’ and, with a nickname like that, it definitely wasn’t meant to be seen through a window. This is one of the Caribbean’s most unspoilt places, and this trip lets you tour the virgin landscape in an access-all-areas truck. Your journey begins with a drive through the rainbow-bright capital, Roseau. You’ll pause at the Morne Bruce viewpoint to get a bird’s-eye view of it, before taking a turn into the rainforest. You’ll spot the Wotten Waven Sulphur Springs and the Ti Tou Gorge as you travel through the tropics – if the latter looks familiar, it’s because it had a starring role in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 2. There’s a crevice in the mountain here, where hot and cold water mingles in a plunging rock pool. There’ll be some time for a dip and, if you’re brave, you can swim further into the gorge to see one of the isle’s most beautiful waterfalls. Rum punch and fresh fruit will be served as you dry off.
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Wacky River Tubing
Get ready for a wet and wild adventure along Dominica’s longest and largest river. You’ll take your seat in a rubber tube ready to battle the currents, rocks and rapids of the Layou River. Feel the cool mountain breeze as you spin and twirl downstream, passing the every changing scenery of this amazing valley. A guide will be with you the whole time, and half-way through the adventure you’ll stop at a natural pool to wait for the others to catch up. This thrilling ride definitely isn’t one for the faint-hearted.
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Island Traditions and Herbal Remedies
You’ll love this island tour with a difference. It gives you a chance to soak up Dominica’s scenery and get an insight into the local way of life. It begins with a southwards drive to Bellevue Chopin, a tiny village at the base of the Morne Canotte and Morne Anglais volcanoes. You’ll visit an organic herbal farm, where a farmer will talk about the history of herbal remedies, and give you a tour of the herb garden. You’ll also be treated to cups of organic tea. You’ll call in at the Geneva Heritage Park next, where you’ll visit a local community art and craft workshop. Take a look around the craft shop before taking a short drive to your last stop of the day. A visit to a typical local vegetable garden in on the cards. You’ll be shown around by a member of the family that lives on the adjoining farm, and you’ll be able help yourself to a taste of something. Having whetted your appetite, you’ll then be welcomed into the farm for some more snacks.
La Romana, Dominican Republic
A Caribbean and Latin-fused favourite, it’s easy to see why Columbus labelled the Dominican Republic as ‘the fairest land under heaven’. It’s got all the tropical ingredients…
Arrives: 09:00
