ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife
Santa Cruz is one of the Canary Islands’ biggest hitters. It shares its capital city title with Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria, and more thanlives…
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Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Golden dunes drenched in year-round sunshine. Rugged mountains hiding pretty whitewashed villages. Bays and coves linked together like a magnificent sandy necklace. Nature’s…
Time in port: 08:00 - 23:00Show Top Things to Do
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Maspalomas Beach Transfer
If you want the perfect picture reminder of Gran Canaria, a visit the golden sand dunes of Maspalomas is a must. Located on the island’s south coast the pristine dunes aren’t the only attraction. The climate on this side of Gran Canaria is normally the best on the island. In fact, it was here that the first tourists headed, turning the sleepy little town into a top holiday destination. This half day tour is simple – We’ll drop you off as close to town as possible and your escort will give you a pick-up point and time. All you have to do is choose how to spend your free time. With up to 3 hours and a mix of shops, cafes and, of course, plenty of room to spread out on the beach to catch some rays – where to head first. If you fancy stretching your legs then why not head to the promenade where you can enjoy your free time on the seafront of Meloneras.
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Las Palmas Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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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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Basseterre, St Kitts
One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise.…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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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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Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe
Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse. This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Amazing Eco Tour
You’re in the hands of eco experts on this tour. The guides – who are both licensed dive instructors and certified marine biologists – will get you exploring a couple of wildlife-packed reserves via boat. Depending on the group size, you’ll board either a smart catamaran or a small but speedy zodiac boat. First up is the tangled, atmospheric mangrove forest that lies east of Salt River. We’ll continue on to the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Nature Reserve, where a coral reef lays the groundwork for a snorkelling session. Regular visitors include shoals of brightly-coloured fish, neon brain coral, stripy surgeonfish and luminous parrot fish. It’s little wonder UNESCO has crowned the area a protected Biosphere Reserve. The last stop is a millpond-still lagoon. Palm trees dot the white sands – you can use your free time here to sip freshly-squeezed juice in the shade, kick back on the beach, or take a dip in the sea.
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Jacques Cousteau Reserve Marine
The Jacques Cousteau Marine Reserve is an underwater wonderland. It’s named after the famous filmmaker-come-conservationist who was known for his love of diving. Black-sand Malendure Beach on westerly Basse-Terre marks the start of the tour. Here, you’ll set off on a glass-bottom boat ride that’ll give you a glimpse of the brightly-coloured sea life – think neon brain coral, stripy surgeonfish and luminous parrot fish. If you fancy getting up close and personal with the critters, you can grab snorkelling gear and go for a swim off the boat. After the boat trip, we’ll head back to the ship – but not before stopping off at Crayfish Falls. A 10-minute stroll will take you to where the waters plunge into a crystal-clear pool.
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Pointe-a-Pitre Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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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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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: 08:00 - 18:00Show 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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Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Christopher Columbus was Puerto Plata’s first tourist back in 1492. He was allegedly drawn to the coastline by the city’s shimmering silver appearance, thanks to thefog…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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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, then head to a local restaurant 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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Sightseeing and Sunbathing
This combo’s ideal if you like a side of kicking back with your culture. You’ll begin with a panoramic drive around Puerto Plata’s UNESCO-tipped historic centre, and call in at Independence Square – home to the photo-worthy San Felipe Cathedral. Afterwards, a 40-minute drive will land you at popular Cabarete Beach, where you’ll tuck in to lunch. Then, you’ll have three hours to do as you please – laze on the biscuit-coloured sand, paddle in the shallows, or go for a wander along the shore. Sporty types can sign up for a windsurfing lesson – this beach is one of the best windsurfing locations in the world.
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Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
Back in 1492 Columbus was one of the first Europeans to set foot on Grand Turk. His visit opened a floodgate and, today, more than 600,000 holiday makers cruise intothe…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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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.
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Reef 'n' Rays
Swimming with the fishes is a good thing on this trip. From the port, you’ll board a snorkeling boat and get your hands on your snorkel, mask and flippers. Then you’ll head out into the Atlantic to put them to good use. You’ll anchor by a coral reef, which is private, so you won’t have to share the water with anyone outside of your party. Through your mask you’ll be able to see coral in colour-chart tones. And keep a look out for lobster, barracuda and sea turtles. When you’re ready, you’ll make a move to the next stage of your experience – the Stingray Playground. In this part of the sea, you’ll be able to swim with kite-like stingrays. They’re wild, but they’ll still let you touch them. The water here is shallow, so you can stand above them and take photographs as they wing their way past your feet.
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Ultimate Snorkelling
This trip is all about seeing life through a lens. At the port, you’ll transfer to a snorkeling boat where you’ll be given a mask, breathing tube and flippers. Then you’ll head out into the Atlantic Ocean to test them out. Your first snorkeling spot will be a private reef. It’s fairly shallow, with between 6 and 12 foot of water. The coral here looks like installation art and it can attract sea life like lobster and snapper. To make sure you know the company you keep, your snorkel instructors will provide you with fish identification cards. From here, you’ll move on to a deeper snorkeling spot. At sites like this, you’ve got a better chance of seeing a turtle moving weightlessly through the water or a cumbersome barracuda. Spots like this are also used for scuba diving and contribute to Grand Turk’s reputation as one of the world’s best dive destinations.
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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…
Arrives: 09:00
