Itinerary

United States 10D ( Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US - Amber Cove, Dominican Republic - Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US )

Day 01: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
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 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 bondia 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 Caribbeans 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: Days at sea
cruising only

Day 10 : Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
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 11 : 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.