ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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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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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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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
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.
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.
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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Show Top Things to Do
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Miami Tour – by Land and Sea
This half-day tour showcases Miami’s best bits, from its skyscrapers to its Art Deco District. Start with a scenic drive through downtown, then go past the towering skyscrapers of the financial district on Brickell Avenue. You’ll learn a bit about Miami’s Cuban heritage, too, as you make your way in to the heart of Little Havana. Then tick off historic Coconut Grove and South Beach’s Art Deco District before arriving at Bayside Market Place. Here, you’ll board a boat and take to the water for a 90-minute tour around Biscayne Bay. Pass Fisher Island – it’s dotted with multi-million-dollar homes owned by A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, Boris Becker and Mel Brooks. You’ll also sail past Star Island and Palm Island where places of interest include Gloria Estefan's estate and Al Capone's old house.
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Walking Tour of South Beach
Get an eyeful of Miami’s glitz and glamour on a half-day walking tour of South Beach. This neighbourhood’s known for its bee hive-buzzy nightlife, celebrity chef-run restaurants and toothpaste-white beach. In fact, the 2017 film remake of Baywatch was filmed here. On the tour, you’ll walk through the colourful Art Deco District, then take a scenic drive through downtown Miami and past the towering skyscrapers of the financial district. You’ll also visit the area known as Little Havana – grab a rum-based CubaLibre cocktail as you pass through. The tour finishes in the historic Coconut Grove neighbourhood, which is known for its leafy sidewalks, pavement cafés and shopping malls.
