Tropical Retreat: Roundtrip Bridgetown

Located beside the island’s only natural harbour, the capital of Barbados combines modern and colonial architecture with glorious palm tree-lined beaches and a number of historical attractions. Experience the relaxed culture of the city renowned for its British-style parliament buildings and vibrant beach life, and seek out the Anglican church and the 19th-century Barbados Garrison. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

Your exciting Caribbean cruise begins in beautiful Barbados and its bustling capital, Bridgetown, the island-state's political, economic and cultural centre. From here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht and embark on an exciting voyage in search of paradise.

Please book your flight to arrive into Bridgetown prior to 07:00 PM.

Located beside the island’s only natural harbour, the capital of Barbados combines modern and colonial architecture with glorious palm tree-lined beaches and a number of historical attractions. Experience the relaxed culture of the city renowned for its British-style parliament buildings and vibrant beach life, and seek out the Anglican church and the 19th-century Barbados Garrison. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

This morning, you’ll depart Bridgetown and set sail for Speightstown. This charming town, located on the north-west coast of Barbados is famed for its rich history, vibrant culture, and picturesque setting. Speightstown features an eclectic mix of colonial-era buildings, colourful shops, and modest residences. Many buildings here reflect the island's rich architectural heritage and are painted in distinctive pastel hues.

The oldest town in St. Lucia and the island’s former French colonial capital, Soufrière was founded by the French in 1746 and named for its proximity to the volcano of the same name. The wharf is the center of activity in this sleepy town (population, 9,000), particularly when a cruise ship anchors in pretty Soufrière Bay. French colonial influences are evident in the second-story verandahs, gingerbread trim, and other appointments of the wooden buildings that surround the market square. The market building itself is decorated with colorful murals. Soufrière, the site of much of St. Lucia’s renowned natural beauty, is the destination of most sightseeing trips. This is where you can get up close to the iconic Pitons and visit colonial capital of St. Lucia, with its "drive-in" volcano, botanical gardens, working plantations, waterfalls, and countless other examples of the natural beauty for which St. Lucia is deservedly famous.

Soufrière was the original capital of Saint Lucia and is dramatically located in the Qualibou Depression, the crater of a dormant volcano. Here, you can indulge in therapeutic mud baths and sulphur springs, as well as admire Saint Lucia’s iconic pair of lava domes, Gros Piton and Petit Piton – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to sample the delicious local cuisine, savouring everything from green figs and salt fish to traditional callaloo soup made with fresh crab or shrimp.

Home to around 5,000 inhabitants, the village of Saint-Pierre was once almost wiped off the map in under two minutes during an eruption of the Mount Pelée volcano in 1902. In more recent years, Saint-Pierre (also known as ‘Little Paris’) has been named as the 101st ‘City of Art and History’. A visit to Saint-Pierre will allow you to discover a few remnants of Martinique’s colonial history: the old theatre, the ruins of the island’s fort and the dungeon of Cyparis, as well as the wonderful community that it is today, facing a gorgeous bay and nestled in the foothills of Mount Pelée.

Welcome to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is a stunningly beautiful, dual island- nation, scattered across the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Your first port of call is Tobago Cays, an awe-inspiring archipelago, known universally as the ultimate paradise destination. Naturally, Tobago Cays is a popular yachting anchorage spot, where the warm, sandy-bottomed aquamarine waters are teeming with turtles, tropical fish, stingrays, and starfish. One of the islands beyond the reef, Petit Tabac, is where the popular film franchise, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ (2017) was partly filmed.

The small island of Mayreau, just one and 1/2 square miles in area (3.9 square kilometres) is the smallest inhabited island of The Grenadines, and is part of the independent state of St.Vincent in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Two of the best known islands in The Grenadines are Mustique and Bequia, the second largest island in this group. The Grenadine Islands are strung out in a gentle sweep between St.Vincent and Grenada. Most visitors to Mayreau arrive from cruise ships, on the regular ferry, or by yacht. There are no proper roads on the island, only a few vehicles, no airport and only a single unnamed village. Mayreau and the neighboring Tobago Cays are very popular for divers and snorkellers. Saline Bay, on the west coast of the island, has a wonderful broad beach and a few local vendors selling T-shirts and local craft. A climb up the road to the hilltop village on the island provides breathtaking views across Mayreau, Canouan, the Tobago Cays and Carriacou.

Today, you’ll arrive in Mayreau, the smallest of the Grenadines’ inhabited islands, measuring just four-square-kilometres (1.5-square-miles), with a population of approximately 250 inhabitants. From the quaint church and community centre at the top of the island’s highest hill, admire the spectacular island views. On a clear day, you can see both Grenada and Saint Vincent islands, along with the vivid colours of the coral reefs and surrounding waters.  

In the evening, you’ll sail for Union Island.

Union Island is renowned for its clear and calm turquoise waters and laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. Enjoy the stunning white -sand beaches lined with a tempting array of lively beachfront bars and restaurants, encircled by lush tropical mountains.  Today, why not spend a blissful day swimming and snorkelling off the yacht’s Marina Platform, enjoying Emerald Cruises array of exciting aquatic toys. During the night, you’ll sail to Kingstown.

The capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown comes clustered around the pretty bay on the island of Saint Vincent and offers excellent shopping and dining. You can also visit St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, an elegant Georgian-style church founded around 1820, resplendent with colourful stained-glass windows. In the evening, you’ll sail onwards to Bequia.

Bequia is a Carib word meaning "island of the cloud." Hilly and green with several golden-sand beaches, Bequia is 9 miles (14½ km) south of St. Vincent's southwestern shore; with a population of 5,000, it's the largest of the Grenadines. Although boatbuilding, whaling, and fishing have been the predominant industries here for generations, sailing has now become almost synonymous with Bequia. Admiralty Bay is a favored anchorage for both privately owned and chartered yachts. Lodgings range from comfortable resorts and villas to cozy West Indian—style inns. Bequia's airport and the frequent ferry service from St. Vincent make this a favorite destination for day-trippers, as well. The ferry docks in Port Elizabeth, a tiny town with waterfront bars, restaurants, and shops where you can buy handmade souvenirs—including the exquisitely detailed model sailboats that are a famous Bequia export. The Easter Regatta is held during the four-day Easter weekend, when revelers gather to watch boat races and celebrate the island's seafaring traditions with food, music, dancing, and competitive games.To see the views, villages, beaches, and boatbuilding sites around Bequia, hire a taxi at the jetty in Port Elizabeth. Several usually line up under the almond trees to meet each ferry from St. Vincent.

Bequia is a Carib word meaning "island of the cloud." Hilly and green with several golden-sand beaches, Bequia is 9 miles (14½ km) south of St. Vincent's southwestern shore; with a population of 5,000, it's the largest of the Grenadines. Although boatbuilding, whaling, and fishing have been the predominant industries here for generations, sailing has now become almost synonymous with Bequia. Admiralty Bay is a favored anchorage for both privately owned and chartered yachts. Lodgings range from comfortable resorts and villas to cozy West Indian—style inns. Bequia's airport and the frequent ferry service from St. Vincent make this a favorite destination for day-trippers, as well. The ferry docks in Port Elizabeth, a tiny town with waterfront bars, restaurants, and shops where you can buy handmade souvenirs—including the exquisitely detailed model sailboats that are a famous Bequia export. The Easter Regatta is held during the four-day Easter weekend, when revelers gather to watch boat races and celebrate the island's seafaring traditions with food, music, dancing, and competitive games.To see the views, villages, beaches, and boatbuilding sites around Bequia, hire a taxi at the jetty in Port Elizabeth. Several usually line up under the almond trees to meet each ferry from St. Vincent.

Discover Bequia Island, a hidden paradise amid Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, revealing idyllic, secluded spots and a distinct lack of traffic. This beautiful island offers visitors a chance to experience an authentic Caribbean lifestyle, without the hustle and bustle of mainstream beach tourism. Delight in exploring untouched pristine beaches and truly relax and unwind amid stunning nature

Located beside the island’s only natural harbour, the capital of Barbados combines modern and colonial architecture with glorious palm tree-lined beaches and a number of historical attractions. Experience the relaxed culture of the city renowned for its British-style parliament buildings and vibrant beach life, and seek out the Anglican church and the 19th-century Barbados Garrison. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

Your Caribbean tropical retreat and time onboard your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht draws to a conclusion, returning to Barbados and Bridgetown. After bidding farewell to the crew and your fellow guests, from the yacht, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home, or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of Bridgetown after 01:00 PM.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such, Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary stated above.