Itinerary

United States 21D ( Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - Amber Cove, Dominican Republic - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US )

Day 02 : Days At Sea

Cruising only 

Day 03 : Grand Turk, Turks And Caicos

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"Sugar-white sand, brilliant blue waters, kaleidoscopic sea life all this is plentiful in the Caribbean archipelago nation of Turks & Caicos. Without hyperbole, this is one of the worlds most photogenic spots. T&C, as it is sometimes called, is the ultimate fantasy-island destination the screen saver in all its glorious reality. Grand Turk, a jewel of an isle that measures just 18 square kilometers (seven square miles), is awesomely rich in natural wonders. Ringed by translucent warm waters teeming with coral and fish, its a bonanza for divers, snorkelers and anglers. Of course, you can always simply kick back and just enjoy the view from under a palm tree or beach umbrella. Or explore the fascinating history of Turks & Caicos in its capital, Cockburn Town, which is lined with Bermudan-style buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Day 04 : Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

Located on the Dominican Republic's north coast, the port of Amber Cove, near Puerto Plata, is a new phenomenon. Built in 2015, the area was fashioned as an homage to the countrys colonial architecture and features restaurants, bars and shops, as well as an activity center, a pool and cabanas. But its the neighboring region, known as the Amber Coast for its plethora of the semiprecious stone, thats this ports true draw. Along with golden-sand beaches and dramatic cliffs, there's the city of Puerto Plata, one of the Caribbeans oldest, founded in the early 1500s. Another nearby option is Santiago de los Caballeros, known locally as simply Santiago, about an hour's drive from the port. The second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, it is home to excellent museums, historic buildings and cigar and rum makers.

Day 05 : Days At Sea

CRUISING ONLY

Day 06 : Kralendijk, Bonaire

ARRIVES 8:00 am   DEPARTS 11:00 pm

Almost as soon as you pull into the port of Kralendijk, youll realize its one of the most laid-back landings around. Though there are some colorful streets to stroll nearby remnants (mostly) of Bonaires Dutch-colonial era even the busiest lack the bustle of other Caribbean capitals. Which is a good thing. The comparative sleepiness helps maintain the islands chief attributes: legendarily pristine wilderness, both above and below the surface; mangroves full of baby fish; and salt flats full of flamingos. And reefs full of  everything. Natures cup overfloweth here. And, by the way, so will yours (have the cactus liqueur even if you try no other local beverage). Theres also an embarrassment of cultural riches, thanks to the layers of Amerindian, Spanish, African, Dutch and British influences on the island. In fact, youll hear traces of the languages of all of the above (plus some French and Portuguese) during any given conversation in Papiamento, the creole language spoken throughout the Netherlands Antilles. You'll find you can get by just fine with a few key phrases: por fabor, danki and bon dia all of which mean exactly what you think they do.

Day 07 : Willemstad, Curacao

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 11:00 pm

"The capital of Curaçao, Willemstad, is almost as old as a more famous Dutch settlement it was founded in 1634, just 10 years after New Amsterdam, later called New York. But while the Dutch control of New Amsterdam was relatively brief, Curaçao remains a part of the Netherlands to this day. Its historic center is a unique mixture of Dutch architecture and Caribbean pastels, its gabled row houses overlooking Sint Anna Bay, a waterway dividing the city in two and connecting the Caribbean to the protected Schottegat Bay. The entire historic center of Willemstad has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Willemstad's legendary days of yore can be explored at institutions like the Kura Hulanda and Curaçao Maritime Museum, this is a vibrant, living city too. Highlights of this multicultural melting pot might include a stop at its floating market and a visit to a curaçao distillery to taste the famous local liqueur. Natural wonders await as well: Some of the Caribbean’s most stunning diving and snorkeling spots are here. Finally, a meal in Willemstad will let you experience the diversity of the island through the surprising flavors of its cuisine, which reflects European, Caribbean and Latin American influences.

Day 08 : Oranjestad, Aruba

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 3:00 pm

"Located off the coast of Venezuela, the windswept Dutch island of Aruba is otherworldly. Here, the beaches are spectacularly pristine, the waters are romantically restless, the island interior is lunar-like and filled with cacti, and the trees are quite famously bent in the wind. The island's consistent trade winds are part of the destination's allure: They keep the humidity, rain and hurricanes common in much of the Caribbean during its off-season at bay. The main port and capital city, Oranjestad, is a maze of Dutch-colonial architecture painted in a palette of Caribbean pastels. There are some historic sites of note and myriad shops, from boutiques to megastores, selling all sorts of keepsakes, with jewelry and gold being popular items in fact, gold was mined here in the 19th century. In Oranjestad and along the beaches you'll also find a treasure trove of excellent seafood restaurants, while farther afield are lighthouses, gold mine ruins and natural wonders that reflect the rugged appeal of Aruba.

Day 09 : Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

ARRIVES 10:00 am   DEPARTS 3:00 pm

"If you've ever dreamed of the castaway experience or having a private island of your own and who hasnt, at least once?Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas offers the opportunity to fulfill that fantasy. Also known as Little San Salvador Island, Half Moon Cay is located 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Nassau. In 1996, Holland America Line purchased the island and decided to set aside most of it as a protected wildlife sanctuary only two percent of the island has been developed. This is especially appreciated by photographers and bird-watching enthusiasts as they explore the preserve and its variety of species. At 10 square kilometers (four square miles), the island is small enough that you can see it all in a day, yet large enough to offer a range of activities: horseback riding, snorkeling with stingrays, a range of water sports and, of course, simply lounging on the beach while taking occasional dips in the clear sea to cool off. At the islands Straw Market, you can shop for crafts made in the Bahamas, while the waterfront bars and Tropics Restaurant are ready to serve you a meal or drink when you've finished surveying your private paradise.

Day 10 : Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Us

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 3:00 pm

"Shimmering blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft ocean breezes greet you in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where you'll find yourself somewhere between laid-back island time and the fast pace of a thriving city. In this sun-filled, year-round beach town, pristine beaches are the main attraction, shorts and flip-flops are the daily uniform, and yachts are often the preferred form of transportation. It's a place where you can do as much, or as little, as you desire. Because of its many canals and waterways, Ft. Lauderdale is sometimes called the Venice of America. It's home to the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. Visitors can easily get a taste of the area's nautical lifestyle by cruising the Intracoastal Waterway on an old-fashioned paddle wheeler. Other options include hopping aboard one of the popular water taxis or Venetian gondolas that glide down the historic New River, which flows right through town.

Day 11 : Days at sea 

Cruising only

Day 12 :St. Thomas, U.s.v.i.

ARRIVES 10:00 am   DEPARTS 6:00 pm

"The capital island of the U.S. Virgin Islands is often the first stop for travelers as they begin to explore the Caribbean. Its easy access, use of American currency and cultural cues, as well as its reputation for safety, make St. Thomas the easy first choice. But just because it appeals to the comfortable side of travel doesn't mean that St. Thomas is basic. Just the opposite the 80-square-kilometer (31-square-mile) island is full of superlatives. It's home to some of the Caribbean's highest viewpoints, spectacularly positioned among verdant tropical foliage. It offers some of the best snorkeling around. And the island has got the hands-down coolest attraction in the region an ice museum. St. Thomas is encircled by pristine beaches, and the island's towns offer excellent shopping and dining. Charlotte Amalie, the main town, buzzes with activity: It's one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean. Founded in 1666 and renamed in 1691 to honor the Danish queen, Charlotte Amalie contains excellent examples of Danish-colonial architecture. In fact, a number of sites in Charlotte Amalie are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Day 13 : Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

RRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"This Leeward island has been famously bisected into French and Dutch territories since 1648, and is referred to both as Saint Martin and Sint Maarten. In their respective capitals�Marigot and Philipsburg�there are ancient stone forts and candy-colored buildings lining winding streets. The Dutch side has a slightly larger population but is a bit smaller, at 34 square kilometers (13 square miles), versus the 53-square-kilometer (20-square-mile) Saint Martin. Named for its founder John Philips, Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, has some excellent international art galleries, thumping discos and popular casinos. Farther afield are beautiful beaches and a seemingly endless array of nature conservancies. With them come extensive opportunities for adventure�hiking, biking and zip lining�and amazing wildlife sightings in the sea, on land and in the sky."

Day 14 : Fort-de-france, Martinique

ARRIVES 9:00 am   DEPARTS 7:00 pm

"Some three centuries after Columbus landed here, the French-speaking island of Martinique had established strong economic and cultural ties to New Orleans, thanks to its sugar and rum production. That came to an abrupt halt when Mount Pelée erupted in 1902, destroying the island's rich trading port of St. Pierre. Tourism led to development in other areas, but Martinique sees far fewer English-speaking visitors than other Caribbean islands. Like Guadeloupe, Martinique is a French DOM, or Overseas Department, which means that the capital, Fort-de-France, is a good-size French city on a fairly small island. The supermarkets are French, the tourism infrastructure is solid and the roads are well paved, so it's a breeze to get around. Within a short drive of Fort-de-France Bay you'll find beach restaurants where you can enjoy a ti' punch, a cocktail made with rhum agricole (which uses sugarcane juice rather than molasses), while listening to a band perform reggae and the local zouk music. Most visitors head south to see the area where Napoleon's wife, Empress Joséphine, grew up on a plantation. Adventurous types can go up-island to explore a vast volcanic terrain covered with fruit farms, cane fields and all sorts of tropical vegetation. 

Day 15 : Daylight Passing Mount Pelee

Sailing along the northwest coast of the Caribbean island of Martinique offers panoramic views of one of the world's most famous active volcanoes. Mount Pelée most recently erupted in 1932, but it was the eruption in 1902 that made it infamous. The 1902 eruption destroyed the island's historic capital city of St.-Pierre and claimed the lives of most of its 30,000 residents. The most famous survivor was Louis-Auguste Cyparis, who was imprisoned in the (still-standing) jail cell that saved his life. He went on to travel with the Barnum & Bailey circus as "the man who lived through Doomsday." Fort-De-France, Martinique "Some three centuries after Columbus landed here, the French-speaking island of Martinique had established strong economic and cultural ties to New Orleans, thanks to its sugar and rum production. That came to an abrupt halt when Mount Pelée erupted in 1902, destroying the island's rich trading port of St. Pierre. Tourism led to development in other areas, but Martinique sees far fewer English-speaking visitors than other Caribbean islands. Like Guadeloupe, Martinique is a French DOM, or Overseas Department, which means that the capital, Fort-de-France, is a good-size French city on a fairly small island. The supermarkets are French, the tourism infrastructure is solid and the roads are well paved, so it's a breeze to get around. Within a short drive of Fort-de-France Bay you'll find beach restaurants where you can enjoy a ti' punch, a cocktail made with rhum agricole (which uses sugarcane juice rather than molasses), while listening to a band perform reggae and the local zouk music. Most visitors head south to see the area where Napoleon's wife, Empress Joséphine, grew up on a plantation. Adventurous types can go up-island to explore a vast volcanic terrain covered with fruit farms, cane fields and all sorts of tropical vegetation.

Day 16 : Bridgetown, Barbados

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 5:00 pm

"Barbadians, or Bajans in local parlance, consider their island nation the most British of the Caribbean: Queen Elizabeth II is still head of state, and English products are stocked in many of its stores and restaurants. Barbados is known as the birthplace of international pop star Rihanna, but it has also produced some of the biggest Caribbean calypso and soca music stars. The summer Crop Over festival is a huge carnival event. With live music and crafts for sale, the popular Friday fish fry at Oistins Bay is a fun place to mingle with the locals. Centered around a waterway called the Careenage and its handsome Chamberlain Bridge, the historic center of Bridgetown, the country's capital, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011 for its wealth of British colonial architecture dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Among the famous figures who visited Bridgetown when it was at its peak was none other than George Washington, who spent two months in 1751 in a house that still stands today, on his only trip abroad.

Day 17 : Castries, Saint Lucia

ARRIVES 6:00 am   DEPARTS 4:00 pm

So you think you've "done" the Caribbean? St. Lucia kindly asks you to think again. With mountain peaks, plunging valleys, lush rain forests, historic sites, tropical flora and fauna and the world's only drive-in volcano, this island of 165,000 residents is more than just pretty palm-fringed beaches along a turquoise sea though there happen to be plenty of those, too. No wonder France and England battled for nearly 200 years to control this sun-kissed island. Wayfarers arriving these days have less nefarious plans and want only to preside over St. Lucia's legendary natural wonders and eco-adventures. Choose a heart-thumping hike up the Pitons named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 or a treetop tram ride over the flower- and bird-filled rain forest. Humdrum may be hard to find, but there are plenty of warm welcomes from friendly locals. The island's eclectic culture and history are shared daily through the Creole patois spoken in markets and on street corners, in the French names of colorful fishing villages and in savory recipes infused with African, French and Carib heritage. And have we mentioned the sublime sunsets? Some Caribbean islands really do have it all.

Day 18 : Scenic Cruising Soufriere Bay

Cruising only

Day 19 : Basseterre, St Kitts And Nevis

ARRIVES 7:00 am   DEPARTS 4:00 pm

"The Beautiful Sisters," St. Kitts and Nevis are separated by a two-mile-wide strait but joined together as an independent island nation. Known and loved for their sleepy pace, these islands are awakening to become an "in" place among well traveled North Americans and Europeans. A small, green volcanic speck in the blue Caribbean, St. Kitts offers quiet beaches, remnants of the old British plantocracy, and dreamy days under silk-cotton trees, soothed by the scents of flamboyants and frangipani. The native Arawak and Carib Indians called St. Kitts the fertile isle, and until as recently as 2005, the island was still dependent upon sugar for a large segment of its economy.

Day 20 : Days at sea

Cruising only

Day 21 : Days at sea

Cruising only

Day 22 : Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US

ARRIVES 7:00 am   

"Shimmering blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft ocean breezes greet you in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where you'll find yourself somewhere between laid-back island time and the fast pace of a thriving city. In this sun-filled, year-round beach town, pristine beaches are the main attraction, shorts and flip-flops are the daily uniform, and yachts are often the preferred form of transportation. It's a place where you can do as much, or as little, as you desire. Because of its many canals and waterways, Ft. Lauderdale is sometimes called the Venice of America. It's home to the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, one of the largest in-water boat shows in the world. Visitors can easily get a taste of the area's nautical lifestyle by cruising the Intracoastal Waterway on an old-fashioned paddle wheeler. Other options include hopping aboard one of the popular water taxis or Venetian gondolas that glide down the historic New River, which flows right through town.