Cruise Tour In The Caribbean Island

Code-ALB-E705-B

Margarita Island – Santo Domingo – La Romana – Philipsburg – Pointe a Pitre – Fort de France

10 days / 9 nights

LOW SEASON- MID-SEASON - HIGH SEASON

Departures:

January

7th 14th 21st 28th

February

4th 11th 18th 25th

March

3rd 10th 17th

Included:

- Assistance at the airport

- Private transfers airport- hotel- airport

- Private transfers hotel - port- hotel

- 2 nights in Margarita Island with breakfast and taxes

- 7 nights in the Ship Horizon Inclusive in a DBL cabin according to your selection

- Alcoholic Drinks

- Snacks

- Midnight Dinner

- Shows

- Tips on the ship

- Port Taxes

- Insurance

Not Included:

- Services not mentioned in the program

Note: Prepayment is required 3 months before the trip.

SHORE EXCURSIONS ON MARGARITA ISLAND

½ DAY CITY TOUR OF THE ISLAND

This tour focuses on both contemporary island life and the Colonial landmarks from the past. We will visit the little pink church that houses the Virgin of the Valley, The Patron Saint of Venezuelan Eastern. From El Valle we will ride through the rolling countryside to La Asunción, where you will visit the Castle of Santa Rosa, and then ride along nature, fishermen, and villagers, having a close look at the islanders’ daily life. We finish in the modern part of the island and the new buildings.

LA RESTINGA LAGOON NATIONAL PARK

Transfer to the pier take a boat and visit La Restinga National Park located in the famous Peninsula de Macanao. Enjoy the mangroves and the green tunnels made by the trees. Observe the aquatic fauna and all the birds that surround the area. Arrive at a long and isolated beach where you can enjoy a bath.

JEEP SAFARI IN MARGARITA ISLAND

You will be picked up at your hotel in the early morning and driven to our meeting point in a Handicraft Center in Salamanca. From here our group will ascend to the Copey National Park and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the island from the mountain heights. The tour continues to the National Park La Restinga.

We invite you to attend a boat ride between the channels and mangroves of the park. We will visit the town of El Valle; the tour follows the beach of Punta Arenas in the farthest spot in the west of Margarita, where lunch will be served. In the afternoon, our adventure goes on exploring the Peninsula of Macanao, where a swim can be taken on some of the pristine beaches of the island. Upon return, we will not miss the famous Caribbean sunset.

SHORE EXCURSIONS IN GUADALUPE

PANORAMIC TOUR OF THE BUTTERFLY ISLAND

Departure for Basse-Terre Island, the western ‘wing’ of Guadeloupe, and into one of France’s 7 National Parks. First stop, an easy 10-minute walk for a great photo of Crayfish Waterfall. Next, head over to Grande Terre Island, the eastern ‘wing,’ via the Alliance Bridge. A photo stop in the city of Morne-à-l’Eau, at its famously picturesque checkerboard cemetery. Continue past the city of Le Moule, the first capital of Guadeloupe, to the city of Saint-François to visit Castle Point, a remarkable natural site.

Before returning to the ship, a stop in the city of Sainte-Anne for its crafts village, awash in the flavors and brilliant colors of the island: madras, spices, handmade crafts, tropical fruits and vegetables, sweets, and more

CREOLE COLOR & WILD LANDSCAPE

Departure for the city of Sainte-Anne, located on the southern coast of Grande Terre island. The first stop is the crafts village. Sitting across from the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, this crafts village is awash in the flavors and brilliant colors of the island: madras, spices, handmade crafts, tropical fruits and vegetables, sweets, and more.

Next, continue to the city of Saint-François and Castle Point, a natural site offering dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, enjoy a swim in the calm emerald waters of one of the numerous coves of L'Anse à la Gourde. Return via the characteristically hilly region of Les Grands-Fonds.

HINDU TEMPLE, CARBET FALLS & LONGUETEAU DISTILLERY

Carbet Falls, a series of three waterfalls, is one of Guadeloupe’s most well-known natural sites. A marvelous view of two sections awaits you from the accessible viewing platform. Continue on foot for a 25-minute walk through the lush vegetation of the rainforest to reach the second falls, which drops more than 110 m (361 ft) and is the most spectacular.

Continue to the city of Capesterre to visit Longueteau Distillery where you will learn the secrets of distilling one of France’s finest rums. Free tastings are served in a garden setting.

BOTANICAL GARDEN & DESHAIES BEACH

Departure for the city of Deshaies, located on the northern coast of Basse-Terre island, for the Botanical Garden. Stroll along paths through this meticulously kept 7 ha (17 ac) garden featuring tropical flora from around the world, pink flamingos, a parrot aviary, and more. Then, enjoy a relaxing time on the most beautiful of Deshaies’ golden sand beaches and taste some local specialties: Accras (spicy fish fritters) or a hand-churned coconut sorbet.

THE BEST OF GRANDE TERRE

Departure for the city of Sainte-Anne, crossing the characteristically hilly region of Les Grands-Fonds, with a stop in the city of Morne-à-l’Eau at its famously picturesque checkerboard cemetery.

Continue towards northern Grande-Terre, stopping at La Porte d'Enfer (Hell’s Gate) and the limestone cliffs of Grande Vigie, where the powerful Atlantic Ocean meets with the Caribbean Sea. Then, continue to the city of Port-Louis for Souffleur Beach. Swim in the calm Caribbean waters and soak up the sun for approximately 1 hour before enjoying a typical West Indian lunch. After lunch, continue to Castle Point, a magnificent view of the archipelago of Guadeloupe at sunset. Return trip via the city of Saint François and the coast, locally known as the Riviera, to the pier.

POINTS DES CHATEAUX

Leaving the port, you will take Riviera Road, then Silver Road until you reach Sainte-Anne. Then, on to Saint-François, a small fishing village and seaside resort. Next, Pointe des Châteaux, at the very eastern tip of the island. This is a remarkable site where rough waves batter the huge, jagged rocks. It is bordered by stretches of white sand. You will be able to walk up to the calvary (cross) built on top of a huge rock. From the summit of this tip of Guadeloupe, you will have a magnificent view of La Désirade and Petite Terre Island.

Continuing to the North, towards a hilly landscape, you'll discover Moule, which was Guadeloupe's first capital and is an ancient sugar harbor. Visit a rum distillery, rum and punch tasting. Return via the "Grands Fonds", a succession of hills and valleys

PIGEON ISLAND

Departure from Pointe à Pitre in the morning to the Route de la Traversée. Transfer to Malendure where you will discover the Captain Cousteau underwater reserve, at Pigeon Island, aboard the glass-bottom boat "le Nautilus". Flippers and snorkels are at your disposal, and even non-divers will be able to admire the underwater plants and wildlife. Tasting of a local fruit juice. Discovery of a ferric sight colored with countless fishes with quaint names such as surgeon fishes, army sergeant, butterflies ... shining in the corals and the clear water.

SHORE EXCURSIONS IN MARTINIQUE

BALATA GARDEN EXPLORATION

Departure from the pier by coach, to visit a mini replica of the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre in Paris. Situated at the height of Fort de France, it offers a panoramic view of the city and its bay. Then, visit this famous garden which has been opened to the public, after 20 years of collection of flowers and plants and ground preparation by the owner M. Thoze. Walking under the trees, to discover the multitude of botanical plants and flowers.

Take the opportunity to discover this paradisiacal place with a suspension bridge. Seen from above, the garden is even more exceptional, as well, as the views on Fort De France Bay and Pitons of Carbet.

DISCOVER MARTINIQUE

Departure for a photo stop to Balata Church then for Balata Garden, Martinique’s most well-known botanical garden. Next stop, at le François to visit Habitation Clement, also known as Habitation Mahogany. Classified as a National Heritage Site of France, this plantation includes a superbly preserved 18th-century house that is a wonderful example of the traditional Creole home.

The tour begins with the old distillery, which was the site of a meeting between President François Mitterrand and President George Bush, Sr. on the eve of the Gulf War. Then, see La Maison du Maître Case-(Master’s House) and the Case-à-Lucie, a former slave’s quarters now transformed into an exhibition gallery, where you can taste various rums.

OLD TRADITIONS OF MARTINIQUE

Travel the inland roads towards the northeast of Martinique to ‘Bele' House. Enter the special world of this traditional island dance “Bele” with African and European influence. Learn the origin behind the dance and how it’s performed. After the exhibition dance, you will be invited to test your skills with the dance troupe. Enjoy well-deserved refreshments before heading to your next stop.

A short drive will bring you to the St James Rum Distillery. Here you can enjoy the Old Master House and learn about the development of the sugar cane plantation, cultivation, and processing of cane since its introduction and active distillation in Martinique in 1765. Finally, you will have the chance to taste the delicious rum before heading back to the ship.

NORTH PANORAMIC

Departure from the pier to Ste Marie situated on the east coast of the island where St James Rum Distillery is. You will visit the distillery and its Père Labat museum. Then head for Morne to the restaurant “Le Bambou“, to enjoy a Creole lunch. After lunch, you will visit Saint Pierre, the most famous place in Martinique for its destruction by a volcanic eruption in 1902 which killed 30,000 people. Here you will visit the volcano museum. Return to the ship driving along the west coast to see some beautiful little fishing villages.

SHORE EXCURSIONS IN SAINT MARTIN

ISLAND TOUR

Since 1648 the island has been divided between the French and the Dutch with both sides maintaining their very distinct personality and heritage. The tour starts from the port in Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, passing by the Great Salt Pond and through the Lower Princess Quarter. The scenic Eastern Coastal road affords breathtaking views of the windward side of the island. There will be a stop at the lookout point of Coralita which offers panoramic views and a great photo opportunity. The drive continues through the Dutch Quarter and the next stop is Paradise View overlooking the beautiful Orient Bay, Pinel Island, Tintamare, Green Kay, and St Barth’s.

After this, you will be driven to the famous Orient Beach, the Riviera of the Caribbean where you can take a short stroll or paddle in the sea. The tour continues along the Northern coast, passing the village of Grand Case on the way to the capital of the French side Marigot. Marigot remains true to its French heritage and is like a Caribbean Paris with its outdoor cafés and French boutiques. There will be time to browse around the shops or have lunch at an outdoor café. After leaving Marigot, we will cross the border one last time to the Dutch side. One last stop at Cay Hill where you can appreciate a view on Saba Island and the entire lagoon before your return to the pier.