ITINERARY FOR LUXURY CARIBBEAN CRUISE FROM BARBADOS
DAY 1: Bridgetown, Barbados
Gently breeze into the vibrant capital of Barbados. Steeped in fascinating history, with architecture to match, uncover the wonderfully laid-back West Indian ambiance. Embrace the slow Bajan rhythm of this welcoming island; surf, snorkel and try spotting turtles in balmy azure waters. Explore subterranean Harrison’s Cave, Jacobean St Nicholas Abbey and zipline high above bountiful tropical flora. Then return to restore on pastel pink sands at palm-studded beaches, where you’ll discover cocktail hour is endless, and measures of rum are copious.
DAY 2: Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Summon your inner Robinson Crusoe on remote Bequia. Secret lagoons. Castaway picnics. Warm waters in shades of blue that beg to be snorkelled through. Stake your flag in the sweet Bequia breeze just as the Union Jack did for almost 200 years. Usher in deep tranquillity on lovely Princess Margaret Beach. Ascend Mount Peggy with sunny views of St. Vincent. Stoll Belmont Boardwalk to Margret Beach for hand-whittled mahogany boat models then prowl the concrete catwalk that runs along Port Elizabeth for home-churned nutmeg ice cream. Support a sterling turtle sanctuary protecting the rare hawksbill or ferry to nearby Mustique, the favourite holiday romp for Prince William and Kate Middleton.
DAY 3: Port of Spain (Trinidad) Trinidad and Tobago
Few Caribbean nations are as rich as Trinidad and Tobago, where indigenous culture, European architecture, Indian heritage and Afro-Caribbean spirit merge in a sensory whirlwind. Port of Spain sprawls from the green expanse of Queen’s Park Savannah, where locals stroll in the shade of pink poui trees, spice-scented aromas drift through the air and a calypso soundtrack sets the rhythm for laid-back living. Trace the island’s history in architectural treasures like the gothic turrets of Stollmeyer’s Castle and the Greco-Roman outline of Whitehall. Beyond the city, spot scarlet ibis swooping through the mangroves in Caroni Swamp, take in the Gulf of Praia from Fort George and explore the mountainous Northern Range.
Day 4: Fort-de-France, Martinique
Follow the French flag waving over the hulking fortress that gave the city its name then dive into the island’s Afro-French-West Indies culture. Green is the island’s colour for sustainability, spicy is its flavour, and Creole is its soul. This “island of flowers” lives up to her name as one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots. Hike beside waterfalls, ponder the flying buttresses at Cathédrale St-Louis, and savour cocoa farms, local rum, and artisan sorbet in the shade of one of the island’s enchanting gardens.
Day 5: Little Bay, Montserrat
Diminutive in stature but big on ambition, Little Bay is a testament to the resilience of Montserrat, where the 1997 eruption of Soufrière Hills Volcano turned fairy-tale capital Plymouth to ash. Today, a new city rises amid the emerald folds and transcendent beaches of the northern coast, where coral gardens bloom in Caribbean currents and humpback whales weave between the waves. Jungle hikes and kayaking adventures are rewarded with sublime sunsets in tropical beach bars that pay homage to the island’s musical legacy. Venture to the ruins of Plymouth and stand humbled before skeletal buildings submerged in a torrent of volcanic debris, then discover the forces of nature at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory for up-close views of the monstrous crater.
Day 6: Road Town (Tortola), Virgin Islands, British
A tropical utopia with soaring peaks for climbing, waves for surfing, wrecks for snorkelling, and cocktails with locally sourced rum. All around Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, are streets lined with brightly coloured buildings built during the days of colonial Dutch and British rule. Check out Pusser’s Painkiller Bar for a namesake punch before venturing into the humid embrace of the high-canopied forest of Sage Mountain. Beyond are adventures at every turn; zip-line through treetops; dive coral-laden lagoons, explore jungles with 4×4’s, or lounge on countless postcard-perfect beaches. And, since this is the so-called “sailing capital of the Caribbean,” don’t miss catching a catamaran navigating to a scattering of uninhabited islands.
Day 7: At sea
Day 8: At sea
Day 9: Miami, USA
Welcome to Miami and the sweep of South Beach – backdrop to every iconic Miami movie, and forefront of Latin American culture. Stroll through pastel-hued geometric buildings in the art deco district, to graffiti mural masterpieces at Wynwood Walls. Watch Latino life unfold in Little Havana – the heartbeat of this great city – where walk-up windows sell café cortadito, sweet sugarcane juice, hatuey beer and guava ice-cream. Watch passionate locals discuss politics, play dominoes and smoke cigars. Shimmy at a salsa class, shop designer boutiques and race marlin and sharks by speedboat. Then slow your pace to uncover rare and endangered species at the Everglades National Park outdoor oasis.
