Experience the blue waters of the wonderful Caribbean on this 12-day round-trip cruise from Barbados. As you sail, visit the charming port cities and remote coves of Port Elizabeth, Soufriere, Cabrits, and more. The Caribbean is a vibrant, lively region of colorful buildings and friendly locals. Fall in love with the region's sun, sand, and culture. Delight yourself with deep volcanic lakes, dense rainforests, waterfalls, and small river courses that form the primordial backdrop of the island’s sugar cane fields and spice plantations. The scent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg hang in the air wherever you go.
Highlights
Find the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary rears and caries for endangered turtles
Visit Cabrits National Park in Dominica, nicknamed the "Nature Isle"
Stroll through the restored houses and colonial facades in Gustavia
Discover the unique botanical gardens and volcanic sulphur springs
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 Bridgetown and board the Sea Cloud. Settle into your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.
More than 300 years of British rule have left their mark. The whole of Bridgetown, Barbados' historic center, with its colonial architecture surrounding Trafalgar Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gentle green hilly countryside and endless fields of sugar cane characterize the island's landscape. Old colonial houses are reminders of the high life of the plantation owners, while innumerable colorful chattel houses are evidence of their workers' "moveable property". The sweeping coastline is a picture postcard of fine sandy beaches and turquoise sea surrounded by colorful coral reefs.
Bequia is actually the largest island in the Grenadines, but still small and tranquil at just 18 square kilometers (87 square miles) in size. Elegant sailing yachts sway in the natural shelter of Admiralty Bay, while in lovely Port Elizabeth, with its attractive beach bars, you are right in the heart of a lifestyle that likes to take things easy. You can find Princess Margaret Beach just nearby, named because it was once visited by the British royal. On the eastern coast, you can find the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary which focuses on rearing and caring for endangered turtles.
Right in the south of the Grenadines are Union Island and the Tobago Cays. Union Island was given the evocative name "the Tahiti of the West Indies" thanks to its volcanic silhouette. Four small uninhabited islands, surrounded by a protective horseshoe-shaped coral reef, form the Tobago Cays. The Horseshoe Reef holds the Atlantic swell at bay and its unique animal and plant life make it an ideal place for snorkelling. The lagoon between the islets shimmers in all shades from turquoise through to emerald green and invites you to take a dip at the fantastic beaches.
Dominica, nicknamed the "Nature Isle" of the Caribbean, is one of the most untouched of the Windward Islands. It boasts some of the highest mountains in the Lesser Antilles, as well as many beautiful national parks. Its interior is characterized by thick virgin forest, where rivers plunge into the depths and tiny streams wind through the jungle. Two extinct volcanoes are at the center of the Cabrits National Park and, recaptured by nature, the former strategically important Fort Stanley appears like a picturesque backdrop in the heart of the jungle.
St Barthélemy, affectionately known as St Barths by most, had already had many "owners" before the Lesser Antilles were acquired by France in 1877. When the first estate was acquired by the banker David Rockefeller in 1957, the island's future was finally sealed. It became a refuge for the international jet set and an elegant holiday paradise for many Hollywood stars. For over 40 years, St Barths has cultivated a luxurious lifestyle with a Caribbean laissez-faire approach. You can stroll through the charming main town of Gustavia, whose beautifully restored houses and colonial facades look out over the sea with its elegant superyachts, browse in the shops for precious items, or enjoy a sundowner in the picturesque harbor surrounded by clusters of high-class bars and restaurants.
Day 8: North Sound | Virgin Gorda | Great Harbour | Jost van Dyke
Explorers and privateers once used to cross swords in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Nowadays the sea around the British Virgin Islands is one of the world's best sailing areas. Heavenly bays, gorgeous beaches, idyllic anchoring spots, smart yacht clubs, and charming little beach bars make the island a popular haunt for sailors. On Virgin Gorda, once called "The Fat Virgin" by Columbus due to its shape, you can find "The Baths", one of nature's most beautiful oddities, in the National Park. Ground to a sphere and polished to a shine, the huge granite formations on the beach and in the water create a multi-branched labyrinth of giant boulders.
The Sir Francis Drake Channel, where swords were once crossed, is now one of the most beautiful sailing spots. Jost van Dyke, the smallest of the main islands in the British Virgin Islands, is a mountainous volcanic object of beauty with fewer than 300 inhabitants. One of them, Foxy, has been mixing his cocktails since 1968 and the bar of the same name enjoys a legendary reputation as perhaps the most famous beach bar in the Lesser Antilles. The island's past is less reputable - it was named by a Dutch pirate. The island gives its most beautiful treasures to all who visit - fine sand, green palm trees, colorful beach bars and the luminous blue of the sea.
Îles des Saintes is a small archipelago which was disputed for a long time until it finally became French in 1816. In the charming main town of Terre-de-Haut, you can take a delightful stroll along the waterside promenade. Boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants invite you to browse and spend some time here. The 'savoir vivre' takes place against a backdrop lit up in all the pastel shades of the Caribbean. Fort Napoleon is set high above the bay and your climb up to it is rewarded by a spectacular panoramic view. On the other side of the island, the Plage de Pompierre invites you to enjoy a dip in the sea and sunbathe on the beach.
Two famous volcanic cones are indisputably the emblem of St Lucia and have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gros and Petit Piton tower over the southern, windward side of the island and, in Soufrière, seem close enough to touch. The volcanoes have in fact long been extinct, but the sulfur springs demonstrate the power of the earth's core and still bubble up. In the Botanical Gardens, natural abundance is combined with artistic arrangements to create a colorful tropical paradise. Some people claim that Josephine, who later became Napoleon's wife, used to bathe in the little pool in the garden.
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.
$7,945
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 142 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 142 reviews on
23 hours ago
Excellent trip saw much more than would have seen with out Adventure Life's help.
Anonymous traveler
2 days ago
Erin made things easier than I thought possible. So good at answering questions in a timely manner and explaining all. I feel she looks out for me.
Fran Folkman
2 days ago
Very personable and knowledgeable! Able to answer questions and provide advice based on personal experiences.
Robert Thompson
2 days ago
Erin is a seasoned travel planner and is very personable. She is a good listener and uses our questions and concerns to make the trip just as we want it. She is very good at moving the booking process along and meticulous with the details.
This is why we came back to have her plan this trip for us.
Lynn Oveson
2 days ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.