Caribbean 2018

Mar 24 TMartiniqued :To the Arawak, Martinique was their treasured "isle of flowers." Lying in the Lesser Antilles between Dominica and St. Lucia, the island is a tropical paradise of dense rain forest, rolling savanna and stunning beaches. The rich volcanic soil nourishes banana plantations and pineapple fields as well as mangoes, papayas, lemons, limes, and West Indian cherries. Little wonder that Columbus praised Martinique as the "best, most fertile, most delightful, and most charming land in the world." Martinique's cultural heritage is as rich and bountiful as its soil. The island has been governed by France for over three centuries. Today an overseas department of France, the island boasts a culture that is a unique and zesty blend of French, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern influences, resulting in that spicy combination called Cr�ole. Cr�ole culture is reflected in Martinique's architecture, cuisine, language, and music. For years the mayor of Fort-de-France was the internationally acclaimed Cr�ole poet Aim� C�saire.

Excursion : Martinique 4X4 Adventure
09:30AM - 01:30PM
Approx. 4 hours
Your journey begins when you board your air-conditioned four-wheel-drive vehicle and depart Fort-de-France for the interior. Your safari travels back roads through banana plantations, fording small streams, to La Palourde Forest. Enjoy the lesser seen backcountry on your drive, passing banana plantations, fording streams and encountering a variety of lush vegetation en route to a river in the rainforest. Listen to the sounds of the jungle and observe nature's beauty all around you while you sit and relax with a refreshing beverage in the inner forest area known as Coeur Bouliki. Your return drive will take you on another route with marvelous views of the bay en route to your ship.

Barbados

Mar 25 Barbados : Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation. It's no wonder Bajans describe their country as being "more English than England sheself," surnames like Worthing and Hastings abound. But look around and you know you're not in England: rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening, azure sea. The soft pastels of old chattel houses blend with the vibrant reds, oranges, and greens of roadside fruit stands. In short, Barbados exudes a charm all its own. Perhaps it is due to Bajan culture, that celebrated blend of English tradition and the African heritage brought to the island by slaves imported to work the sugar plantations. The potent brew which results flavors every aspect of island life, from music, dance and art, to religion, language and food.

Excursion : - Harrison's Cave : Named for Thomas Harrison, an early settler who owned much of the land in the area in the 1700s, Harrison's Cave is a breathtakingly beautiful, crystallized limestone cavern that stretches over two miles. After you arrive, you'll step into an electric tram and descend down into the cave. Gaze in wonder as you pass flowing streams, deep pools of crystal clear water and towering columns, stalactites, stalagmites and delicate formations.
See the majestic 50-foot-high "Cathedral," the cave's largest chamber, as well as a thunderous 40-foot-high waterfall that cascades into a blue-green lake.
The historic Sharon Moravian Church. Dating back to 1799, this exquisite church remains one of the area's few 18th century structures unspoiled by modifications or alterations.

Trinadad

Mar 26 Trinidad : Trinidad, the birthplace of steel pan and calypso music, is one of the Caribbean's most vibrant and interesting destinations. The island and its capital city, Port of Spain, are both industrial and cosmopolitan. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago is the largest oil exporter in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most industrialized nations in the West Indies. About the size of Delaware, the island of Trinidad boasts a profusion of floral growth and an incredibly diverse population. Once a prime destination for business travelers, it is now becoming a serious vacation destination. There is plenty to see here, from the Asa Wright Nature Center, devoted to naturalists and bird watchers, to the more traditional tourist attractions like the Queen's Park Savannah, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Magnificent Seven, a strand of impressive colonial houses reflecting Trinidad's unique heritage. Port of Spain serves as your gateway to this lush tropical island with echoes of its colonial past.

Excursion : Maracas Waterfall Hike
09:15AM - 01:15PM
Your tour begins with a short drive to St. Joseph, the oldest town in Trinidad and Tobago. Upon arriving, you'll tour St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, one of the first buildings constructed in the town in 1815, and stroll around the town square.
Re-board your transportation for a scenic, one hour drive to Maracas Valley, where you'll start on a 45-minute nature walk to the magnificent 300-foot tall Maracas Waterfall, situated in the upper part of the valley. Along the way, your guide will point out interesting flora and fauna.
At the falls, capture the breathtaking beauty with photos, take a dip in the cool mountain water and enjoy a complimentary bottle of cold water. Once you are refreshed hike back down to the starting point and your waiting transportation back to the pier.

Curacao

Mar 28 Curacao : Historians still contend over which European adventurer first spied the largest island in the former Netherlands Antilles. Some historians claim the honor for Alonzo de Ojeda; other historians champion Amerigo Vespucci. Little does it matter; today's travelers are content to bask beneath sunny skies cooled by the trade winds. Lying some 40 miles off Venezuela, Cura�ao boasts a landscape that is dramatic, stark, and volcanic. In contrast, Willemstad, the capital, seems a cozy Dutch haven with its neat row houses. And while those gabled and tiled roofs illustrate the island's heritage, the bright, pastel houses speak pure Caribbean. Islanders themselves reflect this same colorful contrast: over 50 different nationalities have come to call Cura�ao their home.

Excursion : Dolphin Encounter
10:30AM - 01:30PM
3 hours
Interact with these naturally playful creatures of the sea with no swimming skills required. You will wade in the warm waters and stand on a submerged platform, which allows you access to the dolphins. The trainer will be by your side as you play games and pet, hug or even give a kiss to the dolphin.

Aruba

Mar 29 Aruba : . Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast: the island's arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. Aruba's long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.

Excursion : Atlantis Submarine Expedition : An unforgettable voyage to the depth of 130 feet in the Caribbean Sea is an exciting way to discover the spectacular marine life off Aruba's coast. A guided tour aboard the largest passenger submarine fleet in the world is an eco-friendly adventure in air-conditioned comfort. The submarine is U.S. Coast Guard approved.
Explore the wonders of the deep without getting wet! Gaze out large viewing portals at the colorful marine life of the Caribbean at the Barcadera Reef. View two shipwrecks and learn their history from your professional crew. With schools of tropical fish, sponges and coral gardens, the variety of sea creatures is dazzling, and an exotic-fish chart helps you identify all that you see.

Antigua

Martinique

Barbados

Curacao

Aruba