Embark in Santo Domingo. Capital of the Dominican Republic, located on the south coast of Hispaniola, Santo Domingo is also the oldest town in the Caribbean and the New World.

Soana Island is located in the Cotubanamà National Park, at the extreme south-east tip of the Dominican Republic. Imagine a deep blue sky coupled with the infinite turquoise shades of the sea surrounding this palm-tree lined island that is like a taste of Paradise. Its stunning coral reefs are home to a rainbow of tropical fish. A veritable protected nature reserve, it is home to a sea turtle sanctuary. In Mano Juan, the pastel-coloured wooden huts give this charming fishing village a warm and friendly atmosphere. Don’t miss the chance to discover the cultural heritage of Saona, such as the Cotubanamà cave, painted by the Taino Indians before the Spanish conquest.

Founded in honor of Barbara de Braganza, wife of the Spanish king Ferdinand VI, the town of Santa Barbara de Samaná is located on the south coast of the Samaná Peninsula, in the Dominican Republic. Along the seafront, in a bay renowned for the passage of humpback whales during the first months of the year, charming Creole-style houses display their colorful facades. When your ship calls here, don’t miss the chance to visit Los Haitises, National Park. There, navigate through a stunning landscape of tropical rainforest and discover caves that were once occupied by the Taino Indians. If you prefer to stay on land, the El Limon waterfall in the center of the Samaná Peninsula is also worth a visit.

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 PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, 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.

During your cruise, discover the pearl of the British Virgin Islands, said to have been named after a fearsome Dutch pirate from long ago. he hilly landscape offers travelers beautiful wild expanses lined with immaculate beaches where the breeze gently caresses the coconut palms. In this slice of heaven with crystal-clear waters, you will be able to enjoy the lively atmosphere of White Bay. As for the wildlife, iguanas, mongooses, pelicans and blue herons have taken up residence on these islands, much to the delight of our passengers who love a good holiday snap!

Virgin Gorda is one of the British Virgin Islands archipelago’s largest islands. There, you will discover The Baths National Park and its well-renowned picture-postcard beaches. Gigantic volcanic boulders sit surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, creating spectacular geological formations. Indeed, over the years a network of basins, caves and natural pools has formed, resulting in a sublime aquatic maze in which it is enjoyable to lose oneself before heading to the stunning Devil’s Bay Beach. On the island’s south-eastern tip, Copper Mine National Park is still home to many ruins of an abandoned copper mine that looks out over the sea.

Nestling along the peninsula of Saint-Kitts Island, South Friars Bay shelters one of the Kittitians’ most popular beaches. You will find 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.

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 unspoilt nature has been enchanting visitors. You will enjoy the beauty of its large paradisiacal beaches, plus the charm and refinement of its old wooden houses and its sumptuous colonial manors. Although, as you saunter through the rues de Gustavia or Saint-Jean, you’ll come across jewelers, top fashion boutiques and fine restaurants, there is also a simplicity that money can’t buy.

Between white sandy beaches and lush tropical forest, you will 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 Harbour 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.

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 port of Deshaies has a magnificent setting on the north-west coast of Basse-Terre Island, the western half of Guadeloupe. Nestling in the crook of a pretty bay on the Caribbean Sea, the village of wooden Creole-style houses extends along the foot of hillsides covered in a tropical rainforest. Beyond the bay, the former property of famous French comedian Coluche is now a magnificent botanical garden where you can wander among West Indian trees and flowering plants and spot exotic birds. A little farther to the north is Grande Anse beach, one of the most beautiful on the island.

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, inspires 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.

Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France amazes you with the splendor of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in 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.