Each Essentials of The Caribbean cruise offers a different route but the same visits. Below are the destinations for each departure; your Adventure Specialist can confirm the exact route based on your departure date.
Antigua
Between white sandy beaches and lush tropical forest, discover Antigua, the largest of the two islands that make up Antigua-and-Barbuda, a sovereign Commonwealth state. From its British colonial heritage, this picture-postcard island has kept English as its official language and a pronounced taste for cricket! The steep hillsides of the south of the island offer splendid vistas over English Harbor and the Antigua shipyard, a building dating from the 17th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and over Indian Creek, where the first Awarak Indians settled. To the east, the clear waters of the village of Seatons are the ideal site for snorkeling alongside the rays.
Marigot
Located on the west coast of the French side of Saint Martin, an island in the north-east of the Caribbean Sea, Marigot has stunning discoveries in store. Its streets are home to old Creole huts, the traditional dwellings in the 19th century, as well as a host of luxury boutiques and artist studios. Overlooking Marigot Bay and facing Anguilla, Fort Louis is an ideal spot from which to admire the Simpson Bay Lagoon and the surrounding small, lush mountains. For those who enjoy walking, taking a lovely stroll from the Fort Louis marina via the market is an opportunity to fully enjoy the easy way of life in this charming, picturesque town.
South Friars Bay, Saint Kitts
Nestling along the peninsula of Saint-Kitts Island, South Friars Bay shelters one of the Kittitians’ most popular beaches. This gorgeous stretch of golden sand ideal for a spot of sunbathing, or you may prefer to go and discover the history of the island. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a remarkable example of military architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. It affords an exceptional view of the island’s coast.
Jost van Dyke
Discover the pearl of the British Virgin Islands, said to have been named after a fearsome Dutch pirate from long ago. The hilly landscape offers beautiful wild expanses lined with immaculate beaches where the breeze gently caresses the coconut palms. In this slice of heaven with crystal-clear waters, enjoy the lively atmosphere of White Bay. As for the wildlife: iguanas, mongooses, pelicans and blue herons have taken up residence on these islands.
Gustavia
Lovers of this island call it Saint-Barth. This French island in the Lesser Antilles was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Ever since, this tiny mountainous volcanic gem with its unspoiled nature has been enchanting visitors. Enjoy the beauty of its large paradisiacal beaches, plus the charm and refinement of its old wooden houses and its sumptuous colonial manors. Saunter through the rues de Gustavia or Saint-Jean and come across jewelers, top fashion boutiques and fine restaurants, yet there is also a simplicity that money can’t buy.
Portsmouth
With its mountainous terrain, vast tropical forest, hot springs, rivers and spectacular waterfalls, Dominica is undoubtedly the wildest island in the Caribbean. Protected by several national parks, this little-known land, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, between Guadeloupe and Martinique, will inspire adventure and exploration. During your port of call, do not miss out on discovering the enchanting landscapes of the Indian River: navigating through this dense mangrove, in which creepers, ferns, forest trees and giant roots are interweaved, is a magical experience, a fascinating voyage into the heart of an almost mystical natural universe.
Les Saintes
During the feast of All Saints in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered this archipelago of nine islands that he named The Saints. Today, only two of them are inhabited. Terre de Haut, in the east, is dominated by the Morne Mire hill; at the summit stands Fort Napoleon, paying homage to the islands’ history. In the heart of the botanical garden, shared by iguanas and cacti, there is an exceptional view of the Baie des Saintes, one of the most beautiful in the world. The long shady beach of Pompierre, where it is forbidden to drop anchor, is a peaceful place for a swim, while Pain de Sucre Beach offers wonderful opportunities for snorkeling. On the island, don’t forget to taste the local specialty, the “tourment d’amour,” a cake made with coconut.
Kingstown
Kingstown is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, independent since 1979 but still a member of the British Commonwealth. Some of the 32 islands of the Grenadines are inhabited, like Mustique, some are not, like Tobago Cays. But they are all renowned for crystal clear, calm waters, and some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. The Botanic Garden in Kingstown is the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and well worth a visit, as is Fort Charlotte, featuring panoramic views of the archipelago. La Soufrière, Saint Vincent’s active volcano, dominates the northern end of the island, where it periodically erupts (most recently in April 2021), scarring the surrounding land with lava and ash.
Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island
In the heart of the Caribbean, Bequia is the second-largest of 32 islands that make up the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Enjoy the lively and picturesque atmosphere of Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town. From the port, a promenade lined with beautiful traditional houses, landscaped gardens and small restaurants runs along the shoreline. It leads to Princess Margaret Beach, a wild beach where Princess Margaret herself has stayed and which seems to emerge directly from the tropical forest. From rainforest to lush meadows and long stretches of sand, Bequia will offer a natural setting that is conducive to lovely walks and to spending time on the beach.
Tobago Cays
Scattered between St Vincent and Grenada, the Tobago Cays comprises five little islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby. This rosary of uninhabited cays in the southern West Indies is a marine park whose turquoise lagoons provide a home and safe haven for some outstanding marine fauna, including peaceful green turtles. Girded and united by a coral reef, these secluded islands are a peaceful paradise for divers, swimmers and snorkelers.
Mayreau Island
Among the string of paradisiacal islands with their sandy beaches that form the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, Mayreau is the smallest. Its peaceful and idyllic atmosphere, far from the madding crowd, invites relaxation. On shore, enjoy a shaded and fully equipped beach from which to go snorkeling, to observe the colorful fish around the coral sitting at the foot of the rocks that stretch across the bay.
Pigeon Island Beach & Soufriere
Linked to St Lucia by a sand causeway, Pigeon Island has been a designated National Park since 1979. On this wild and pristine land, be inspired to take pleasant walks amid the tropical vegetation and through a magnificent tree-filled garden. Also be irresistibly drawn to the two pretty little sandy beaches nestling on the southern side and bathed by crystal-clear waters. While snorkeling, be sure to explore the underwater world that is teeming with life, along the rocks lining this peninsula’s coast. Thoroughly enjoy the calm and beauty of this place, which is really conducive to simply relaxing.
Nestled in the crook of a breathtaking bay, the former capital of St Lucia is brimming with attractions. Soufrière is famous for The Pitons, volcanic spires that tower over the entrance to the town. In the vicinity of the lush botanical gardens, enjoy the curative powers of the Diamond Falls mineral baths. From the beach at the north end of the bay, set off to explore the reefs that are home to stunning gardens of sea fans at the foot of the cliffs that plunge into the sea.
