| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 8th08 | JanJan | 202121 | Southampton, England, embark on the Black Watch | | Late Night |
| Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England. |
| 9th09 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 10th10 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 11th11 | JanJan | 202121 | Leixões, Portugal | Early AM | Early PM |
| Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet 'port' wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal's major sea ports and is also home to one of the country's oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961. |
| 12th12 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 13th13 | JanJan | 202121 | Funchal, Madeira, Portugal | Early AM | Late PM |
| Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why. |
| 14th14 | JanJan | 202121 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain | Early PM | Late Night |
| The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms. |
| 15th15 | JanJan | 202121 | Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain | Early AM | Early PM |
| Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the beautiful island), La Palma is typified by lush forests of pine, laurel and fern which contrast with the rugged splendour of the gigantic Taburiente crater. The island is dotted with attractive villages, which are a delight to discover, and the capital Santa Cruz also makes for an interesting day of exploration. Perched on the edge of the volcanic crater of La Caldereta, Santa Cruz comfortably blends modern architecture with old colonial buildings. Perhaps visit the fascinating Natural History Museum, stroll around the historic quarters and the Plaza de Espana or travel a few miles outside the city to the exquisite Church of Our Lady. If you enjoy shopping, you can find reasonably priced silver jewellery, leather goods and beautifully embroidered clothes, tablecloths and napkins, a speciality of the Canary Islands. |
| 16th16 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 17th17 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 18th18 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 19th19 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 20th20 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 21st21 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 22nd22 | JanJan | 202121 | Bridgetown, Barbados | Early AM | Late 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. |
| 23rd23 | JanJan | 202121 | Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda | Early PM | Late PM |
| 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. |
| 24th24 | JanJan | 202121 | Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands | Early AM | Late PM |
| 25th25 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 26th26 | JanJan | 202121 | Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands | Early AM | Late Night |
| 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. |
| 27th27 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 28th28 | JanJan | 202121 | At Sea | | |
| 29th29 | JanJan | 202121 | Havana, Cuba, disembark the Black Watch | Early AM | |
| It was Hemmingway’s favourite haunt and it’s on every traveller’s bucket list, so let the shabby grandeur of Havana work its tender charms and fall in love with the rhythm and pulse of this city so long closed to mass tourism. Drink in the years of colonial history amid a colourful backdrop of emerging modernity, and be transported – both figuratively and literally if you count the fantastic 1950’s automobiles that mosey around waiting to pick up a tourist or two – by another era. Equal parts shabby, chic, timeworn and magnificence; Havana is a city that defies all definition. Full of charm, culture, a troubled past and promising future this is perhaps the Caribbean’s most interesting destination. Five decades of American embargo have made Havana, along with the rest of Cuba, an authenticity hunter’s dream. However, with the recent relaxation in entry laws, the times they are a-chaging, so now is the time to travel. The chequered history, socialist regime, revolution and cultural resurgence make the city centre something of a dichotomy; prosperity shines through in some neighbourhoods, while many areas still remain underdeveloped. But the famed unbreakable spirit still thrives and inequalities are being addressed, making Havana one of the most exciting destinations on the planet. In a nutshell, there are many reasons why you need to go to Havana. The warm, tropical weather. The bright freshness of a perfect mojito. The cultural smorgasbord that is the city centre. The friendly locals. The churches, cigar factories, artists' studios, museums, restaurants and UNESCO heritage sites ... Yet, there is one reason that stands head and shoulders above the rest on why you should visit Havana – it’s just so magical. |
