Delight in the rich heritage and culture of the Caribbean on this 15-day small ship cruise. Begin in Havana, the colonial capital of Cuba, and sail for Isla de la Juventud, Cienfuegos, Port Antonio, Jamaica, and more. As you sail, take in the vibrant Caribbean culture and fall in love with its friendly locals. Joie de vivre in two-four time against a backdrop of sandy beaches and the lavish villas of sugar barons.
Highlights
Discover the many facets of Cuba - history, music, beaches
Visit picture-perfect beaches with palm trees, gentle seas, and coral reefs
Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad, a sugar cane center
Dance to the rhythms of the Salsa, Son and Rumba in Santiago de Cuba
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Havana, the colonial capital of Cuba. With its beautiful balconies, wrought iron railings, and idyllic inner courtyards, a stroll through Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brings you right to the heart of life in the city. Old American limousines cruise past magnificent colonial buildings on the wide boulevards and the Malecón Promenade is a popular place to walk at sunset. In the legendary Tropicana club, where stars like Frank Sinatra and Josephine Baker once appeared on stage, the flamboyant, high-spirited shows still create the same mood today as they did when it opened in 1939.
On day 2, enjoy a tour of the old town before boarding your ship, the Sea Cloud. Settle in to your cabin as the ship sets sail.
The "Isle of Youth" is the largest of Cuba's lesser islands. It was a refuge for notorious privateers like Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan, and is said to have been the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel, "Treasure Island". Nowadays, you can treat yourself to some sun here and let the Caribbean waves wash round you. The beaches are almost untouched and are still a well-kept secret. The treasures in the sea around the island were designated as a nature and marine reserve in 1980.
Visit Cayo Largo del Sur, a small resort island in Cuba, off the south coast of the northwestern part of the main island in the Caribbean Sea. The cay is about 25 kilometers (16 mi) long and 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) wide and is the second largest island in the Canarreos Archipelago.
Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, is known as the Pearl of the South. The city owes its grand, romantic architecture to the French colonists who first settled there. The beautiful old town of Trinidad de Cuba is a true gem, with lovingly restored colonial facades, sleepy lanes, and a turquoise sea. This friendly town has an important past as the center of sugar cane cultivation. Experience its charming coastal setting, lovingly restored facades, and gentle pace of life in any of the town’s beautiful squares and old, narrow streets. This small town has a well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Enjoy Playa Ancón, a precious ribbon of white beach on Sancti Spíritus' iridescent Caribbean shoreline. It is usually touted – with good reason – as the finest arc of sand on Cubas's south coast. An optional excursion to Trinidad is offered.
The El Morro fortress towers high above the bay and was almost completely destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan. Santiago de Cuba, an architectural gem, is proud not only of its reputation as the birthplace of the revolution, but also of its musicality. If you go for a walk, sooner or later you find yourself in an authentic Salsa bar. The whole city has music in its blood, and nowhere else do people make so much music or dance so much. The rhythms of the Salsa, Son and Rumba are just as thrilling in clubs, bars and schools as they are in the famous Buena Vista Social Club.
Port Antonio was once the world's banana capital. The pretty little town, surrounded by sugar cane fields and banana plantations, impresses travelers with its delightful beaches. The Rio Grande, on which you can take a boat tour, is the island's largest river and channels its course over 37 miles of green solitude through the jungle and into the sea. Historically, bananas and other fruit were carefully transported on bamboo rafts along the waterway to the port. Nowadays, the rafts have been equipped with bench seats and are used for excursions.
During the sugar boom of the late 19th century, La Romana developed into a lively working-class city and eastern sugar center. The third largest city in the Dominican Republic now has many faces. The streets are laid out in a grid formation with colorfully painted houses. Between these and the golf courses and luxury villas of the prominent Casa de Campo flows the Rio Dulce, which runs into the sea. Native Taino art plays a large role, both in the city's archaeological museum and in what is perhaps the country's most beautiful cave, Maravillas. This was a cult site for the native Taino people and lies 35 meters below ground. The numerous cave paintings are more than 1,000 years old and have been exceptionally well preserved.
Day 15: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Santo Domingo in the morning and disembark after breakfast. On this island, which is part of Hispaniola, Columbus founded the first Spanish colony in America. Santo Domingo, the present capital of the Dominican Republic, is the first and oldest European-founded city in the New World. "Old" in the New World still means relatively young - it corresponds to Renaissance visions of the ideal and was the model for many cities in Latin America. A visit to the historic old city is like a journey through time. The splendid stone buildings are testament to the era of the colonial conquests and have been designated as World Heritage Sites under the protection of UNESCO.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Select a Date
Category 5
These approx. 9.5 m2/102 sq ft cabins with their upper and lower single beds (each 80 cm x 200 cm) once accommodated the ship’s officers, and their original features exude a romantic charm. These cabins can be ventilated with fresh air both day and night as the cabin door leads directly to the Promenade Deck beneath the bridge.
Select a Date
Category 4
These cabins are each approx. 10.5 m2/113 sq ft and located on the Promenade Deck. They are furnished similarly to Cat. 3 cabins.
Select a Date
Category 3
Located on the Promenade Deck, each of these outside cabins also features panorama windows, a marble bathroom with a fitted shower and a substantially sized wardrobe. They are approx.
12.5 m2/135 sq ft in size with two single beds (each 80 cm x
200 cm).
Select a Date
Category 2
Each of these cabins features a marble bathroom with a fitted shower, two single beds (each 80 cm x 200 cm) which can be placed together, a substantially sized wardrobe and additional built-in storage space. Their location on the Captain’s and Lido Deck and their design, featuring two panorama windows, mean these approx. 13.5 m2/145 sq ft cabins feel extremely bright.
Select a Date
Category 1
These two double-bed cabins are located on the Captain’s
and Lido Deck and feature unique corner panorama windows. Approx. 13 m2/140 sq ft in size, they offer a substantial wardrobe, a double bed with two mattresses (each 80 cm x 200 cm) and a spacious, elegant bathroom with a fitted shower.
Select a Date
Category C
Warm and bright tones dominate these approx. 18-20 m2/198-215 sq ft deluxe outside cabins fitted with a double bed (160 cm x 200 cm) The cabins feature a modern elegance, generous storage space and a walk-in closet and a marble bathroom.
Select a Date
Category B
Main Deck. Portholes, two single beds or king bed with two separate mattresses, one or two chairs, nightstand, decorative marble fireplace, walk-in closet, safe, A/C, private bath with shower or tub.
Select a Date
Category A
Main Deck. Portholes, large double bed, two armchairs, antique nightstands, table or antique secretary, decorative marble fireplace, desk, walk-in closet, safe, A/C, private bath with tub and portholes.
Notes
Rates are based on double occupancy. A limited number of cabins can be booked for individual use for an additional charge.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.