Caribbean Breeze: Miami to Antigua

Miami is one of the world’s most popular holiday spots. It has so much to offer; from its countless beach areas, to culture and museums, from spa and shopping days out, to endless cuban restaurants and cafes. Miami is a multicultural city that has something to offer to everyone.

Your luxurious yacht cruise begins on the southern shores of the United States, in Miami, a world-famous metropolis popular for its extensive scenic beaches, vibrant nightlife, cultural diversity and striking waterfront skyline. Here, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark  on your enthralling Caribbean discovery.

Please book your flight to arrive into Miami prior to 05:00 PM.

The lovely little dual islands of Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island— as well as countless cays. Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, and as such is the most “American” if all the Bahamian Islands. Yet, the miles and miles of pristine beaches are witness to the fact that yes, this is the Bahamas and yes, this is paradise indeed.

Welcome to Bimini, a spectacular chain of islands on the westernmost fringes of The Bahamas, famed for its pristine beaches, transparent turquoise waters teeming with diverse marine life and excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving. While here, you’ll also have time to explore historic sites such as The Bimini Road, an underwater rock formation believed by some to be part of the Lost City of Atlantis. Alternatively, you could just relax, unwind and soak up the idyllic, laid-back island life.

Nassau's sheltered harbor bustles with cruise-ship activity, while a block away Bay Street's sidewalks are crowded with shoppers who duck into air-conditioned boutiques and relax on benches in the shade of mahogany and lignum vitae trees. Shops angle for tourist dollars with fine imported goods at duty-free prices, yet you'll find a handful of stores overflowing with authentic Bahamian crafts, food supplies, and other delights. With a revitalization of downtown ongoing—the revamped British Colonial Hilton leading the way—Nassau is recapturing some of its past glamour. Nevertheless, modern influences are completely apparent: fancy restaurants, suave clubs, and trendy coffeehouses have popped up everywhere. These changes have come partly in response to the growing number of upper-crust crowds that now supplement the spring breakers and cruise passengers who have traditionally flocked to Nassau. Of course, you can still find a wild club or a rowdy bar, but you can also sip cappuccino while viewing contemporary Bahamian art or dine by candlelight beneath prints of old Nassau, serenaded by soft, island-inspired calypso music. A trip to Nassau wouldn't be complete without a stop at some of the island's well-preserved historic buildings. The large, pink colonial-style edifices house Parliament and some of the courts, while others, like Fort Charlotte, date back to the days when pirates ruled the town. Take a tour via horse-drawn carriage for the full effect.

The capital of The Bahamas, Nassau is a vibrant city and top tourist destination, renowned for its stunning white sand beaches, offshore reefs and pastel-hued, British colonial architecture. Here, you can explore historic sites such as the Queen's Staircase and Fort Charlotte, shop at the lively Straw Market for handmade Bahamian crafts and souvenirs, or alternatively, relax on the city’s famous Cable Beach. With its lively nightlife scene, delicious local cuisine specialising in fresh seafood, and warm, welcoming locals, Nassau offers visitors the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement.

Also located within The Bahamas, the small island of San Salvador welcomes with a relaxed atmosphere and alluring natural beauty, prized for its pristine beaches, crystalline waters and relaxed Bahamian lifestyle. San Salvador is a popular destination for diving and fishing enthusiasts due to the abundance of colourful coral reefs, diverse marine life and a number of shipwrecks. The island also boasts historical sites such as the Christopher Columbus Monument, commemorating the Italian explorer’s first landfall in the Americas in 1492.

Just 7 miles (11 km) long and a little more than 1 mile (1½ km) wide, this island, the capital and seat of the Turks and Caicos government, has been a longtime favorite destination for divers eager to explore the 7,000-foot-deep pristine coral walls that drop down only 300 yards out to sea. On shore, the tiny, quiet island is home to white-sand beaches, the National Museum, and a small population of wild horses and donkeys, which leisurely meander past the white-walled courtyards, pretty churches, and bougainvillea-covered colonial inns on their daily commute into town. But things aren't entirely sleepy: a cruise-ship complex at the southern end of the island brings about 600,000 visitors per year. That said, the dock is self-contained and is about 3 miles (5 km) from the tranquil, small hotels of Cockburn Town, Pillory Beach, and the Ridge and far from most of the western-shore dive sites. Pristine beaches with vistas of turquoise waters, small local settlements, historic ruins, and native flora and fauna are among the sights on Grand Turk. Fewer than 4,000 people live on this 7½-square-mile (19-square-km) island, and it's hard to get lost, as there aren't many roads.

Today, you’ll arrive in the capital island of Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk, renowned for its dazzling, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters – the perfect maritime playground for snorkelling and diving. This small tropical island is also home to historic landmarks such as the Grand Turk Lighthouse and Turks and Caicos National Museum, offering a fascinating insight into the island's rich history. While here, enjoy exploring the charming colonial-era architecture, shopping at local boutiques, and sampling delicious, fresh seafood dishes at waterfront restaurants.

If you associate Puerto Rico's capital with the colonial streets of Old San Juan, then you know only part of the picture. San Juan is a major metropolis, radiating out from the bay on the Atlantic Ocean that was discovered by Juan Ponce de León. More than a third of the island's nearly 4 million citizens proudly call themselves sanjuaneros. The city may be rooted in the past, but it has its eye on the future. Locals go about their business surrounded by colonial architecture and towering modern structures.By 1508 the explorer Juan Ponce de León had established a colony in an area now known as Caparra, southeast of present-day San Juan. He later moved the settlement north to a more hospitable peninsular location. In 1521, after he became the first colonial governor, Ponce de León switched the name of the island—which was then called San Juan Bautista in honor of St. John the Baptist—with that of the settlement of Puerto Rico ("rich port").Defended by the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico's administrative and population center remained firmly in Spain's hands until 1898, when it came under U.S. control after the Spanish-American War. Centuries of Spanish rule left an indelible imprint on the city, particularly in the walled area now known as Old San Juan. The area is filled with cobblestone streets and brightly painted, colonial-era structures, and its fortifications have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Old San Juan is a monument to the past, but most of the rest of the city is planted firmly in the 21st century and draws migrants island-wide and from farther afield to jobs in its businesses and industries. The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its balmy beaches, pulsing nightclubs, globe-spanning restaurants, and world-class museums. Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave.

Welcome to San Juan, the vibrant capital of Puerto Rico, a captivating blend of rich history, colourful local culture, and modern dynamism.  Located along Puerto Rico’s northern shores, San Juan is renowned for its well-preserved heritage architecture, bustling streets and stunning beaches. The Old San Juan quartiers today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring centuries-old forts like El Morro and San Cristóbal, quaint cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial buildings painted in vivid hues.

The Island of Virgin Gorda, so-named after its resemblance to a reclining woman, is part of the gorgeous British Virgin Islands and popular for its laid-back pace and picturesque landscapes. Among the incredible natural wonders of Virgin Gorda, The Baths are arguably the most famous: a series of pools and grottoes created by a collection of massive granite boulders, formed by volcanic eruptions, alongside pretty stretches of white sands.

Today, you’ll arrive in stunning Anguilla, the most northerly of the British Leeward Islands, popular for diving, snorkelling and glass-bottomed boat rides, amid transparent waters teeming with multi-coloured marine life. This low-lying island of coral and limestone dazzles all who are fortunate enough to visit, with its beautiful island scenery of swaying palm trees, old plantation houses and vivid, viridian waters contrasting with powdery white sands.

You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.

The capital of the chic Caribbean Island of Saint Barthélemy, Gustavia was named after Sweden’s King Gustav III, who boldly declared it his own island getaway in 1785. Today, in this charming city, uncover distinctive treasures in the historic downtown shopping region and photograph the brightly painted, historic wooden houses. Be sure also to feast on the unique local cuisine, a delicious blend of French and Creole influences.

With its superb beaches, historical attractions and beautiful coral reefs, Antigua provides a host of diversions. It is said that the island contains 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. Antigua maintains its traditional West Indian character, with gingerbread-house style architecture, calypso music and carnival festivities. St John’s has been the administrative capital since the island’s colonisation in 1632, and has been the seat of government since it gained independence in 1981. From the port you can explore the colourful Redcliffe district, with its restored wooden houses, and Heritage Quay with its shopping mall and craft shops. The city has some fine examples of Colonial architecture, including the twin-towered cathedral, built in 1845 and considered one of the finest church buildings in the Caribbean. All coaches in Antigua are operated by smaller vehicles, and commentary will be given by a driver/guide.

Today, your time on board your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht draws to a conclusion in St, John’s, capital of the beautiful Caribbean island-nation of Antigua and Barbuda. After bidding farewell to your crew and fellow passengers, from your 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 San Juan 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.