The Caribbean & French Guiana

Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France amazes you by the splendor of its bay, a magnificent cut-out on the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbor mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breathtaking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colorful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.

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.

The following optional excursions are available for an additional charge: Walking Tour & Napoleon Fortress, Les Saintes By Boat & Swimming, Clear-kayak, Les Saintes By Catamaran & Swimming.

Linked to St Lucia by a sand causeway, Pigeon Island has been a designated National Park since 1979. On this wild and pristine land, you will be inspired to take pleasant walks amid the tropical vegetation and through a magnificent tree-filled garden. You will 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 breath-taking 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, you will be able to enjoy the curative powers of the Diamond Falls mineral baths. From the beach at the north end of the bay, you can 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.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Magical Soufrière, Sapphire Falls By Hike.

Bridgetown, the bustling capital of Barbados, is located on the island's southwest coast. Its historic quarters are UNESCO World Heritage sites and contain prime examples of British colonial architecture, which you will see between the postcard-perfect fishing harbor and St Ann's Fort. Streets shaded by palms and flamboyant trees lead you to the Anglican cathedral church of St Michael, built from coral stone, the Barbados Museum, and George Washington House, a Georgian-style mansion. There is plenty of time to relax on the Caribbean beaches of Carlisle Bay, a few paces from the old town center.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Catamaran Snorkelling Cruise, 4wd Adventure, Markets & Flower Forest, Plantation House & Codrington College.

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. You will love 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 the rainforest to lush meadows and long stretches of sand, Bequia will offer you a natural setting that is conducive to lovely walks and to spending time on the beach.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Catamaran & Snorkelling, Catamaran Sunset Cruise.

Delicately set in the curve of a bay on the west coast of Grenada, Saint George’s lively commercial fishing harbor is especially colorful when the boats are being loaded with fruit and vegetables destined for neighboring islands and when all the little fishing boats return from their day out at sea. This “spice island” capital is an excellent base for visiting the surrounding natural sites: its picturesque coast or the artisanal producers of chocolate and nutmeg, Grenada’s gold. Five kilometers (3 miles) to the south, you will be able to visit Grande Anse and Morne Rouge, two long sandy beaches.

The following optional excursions are available for an additional charge: The Secrets Of The Spices Island, Catamaran & Underwater Statues, Grenada Aboard Your Zodiac.

Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, is located on the Gulf of Paria, on the northwest coast of the island of Trinidad, less than 15 km away from Venezuela. This surprising city is built both on land reclaimed from the sea and on the hillside. Here, you will be able to admire deserted beaches, coconut palms, jungle, and tropical forests with highly varied fauna and flora, particularly present in the Caroni Swamp in the city’s south. This incredible 6,000-hectare mangrove is protected under the Ramsar Convention. In this wildlife sanctuary, you may have the good fortune of spotting a scarlet ibis, a rare and protected bird that is the national emblem of Trinidad.

The following optional excursions are available for an additional charge: Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Trinidad Highlights.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

The many facets of Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, a small South-American country nestling between French Guiana and Guyana, will undoubtedly surprise you and fill you with wonder. This former colonial town was established by the Dutch in the 17th century. The historic city is home to many buildings made of wood and red bricks: a simple architecture that has been enriched over the centuries under the influence of the growing ethnic diversity of the population. Be sure to visit Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral and the presidential palace in the historic inner city, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The following optional excursions will be available for an additional charge: Commewijne Plantation & Peperpot Nature Park, Paramaribo City Tour.

Lying off the coast of Kourou, an essential element of any trip to Guiana, the Islands of Salvation were known as the "Islands of the Devil" because of the strong sea currents that made access to them perilous. Once infamous for being the site of a jail with very harsh conditions of detention, where Alfred Dreyfus was exiled, today they are a peaceful place where coconut palms cast shade over the crystal-clear waters. During the cruise, make a timeless journey to visit the many remains of the prison that are still visible, including cells and the abandoned hospital.

Capital of French Guyana located more than 7,000 km from the French mainland, Cayenne offers a harmonious ensemble of monuments, beaches, and old creole houses on the eastern side of the South American continent. Between history and modernity, the city is marked by the presence of the former prisons, the vestiges of which can be seen on the Salvation Islands. This port of call will allow you to visit two museums, the Musée local de la Guyana and the Musée des cultures guyanaises, and learn more about the historic and cultural interests of the region. The Place des Palmistes, with its three soaring Guisanbourg palm trees, is the main square in Cayenne It provides the setting for a variety of events throughout the year.