| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 16th16 | JanJan | 202424 | Havana, Cuba, embark on the Braemar | | 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. |
| 17th17 | JanJan | 202424 | Havana, Cuba | Late Night | 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. |
| 18th18 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 19th19 | JanJan | 202424 | Nassau, Bahamas | Early AM | Early PM |
| 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. |
| 20th20 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 21st21 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 22nd22 | JanJan | 202424 | Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis | Late AM | Late Night |
| Mountainous St. Kitts, the first English settlement in the Leeward Islands, crams some stunning scenery into its 65 square miles (168 square km). Vast, brilliant green fields of sugarcane (the former cash crop, now slowly being replanted) run to the shore. The fertile, lush island has some fascinating natural and historical attractions: a rain forest replete with waterfalls, thick vines, and secret trails; a central mountain range dominated by the 3,792-foot Mt. Liamuiga, whose crater has long been dormant; and Brimstone Hill, known in the 18th century as the Gibraltar of the West Indies. St. Kitts and Nevis, along with Anguilla, achieved self-government as an associated state of Great Britain in 1967. In 1983 St. Kitts and Nevis became an independent nation. English with a strong West Indian lilt is spoken here. People are friendly but shy; always ask before you take photographs. Also, be sure to wear wraps or shorts over beach attire when you're in public places. |
| 23rd23 | JanJan | 202424 | Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands | Early AM | Late PM |
| 24th24 | JanJan | 202424 | Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | Early AM | Late PM |
| The capital of Dutch St. Maarten stretches about a mile (1½ km) along an isthmus between Great Bay and the Salt Pond and has five parallel streets. Most of the village's dozens of shops and restaurants are on Front Street, narrow and cobblestone, closest to Great Bay. It's generally congested when cruise ships are in port, because of its many duty-free shops and several casinos. Little lanes called steegjes connect Front Street with Back Street, which has fewer shops and considerably less congestion. Along the beach is a ½-mile-long (1-km-long) boardwalk with restaurants and several Wi-Fi hot spots.Wathey Square (pronounced watty) is in the heart of the village. Directly across from the square are the town hall and the courthouse, in a striking white building with cupola. The structure was built in 1793 and has served as the commander's home, a fire station, a jail, and a post office. The streets surrounding the square are lined with hotels, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafés. The Captain Hodge Pier, just off the square, is a good spot to view Great Bay and the beach that stretches alongside. |
| 25th25 | JanJan | 202424 | Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda | Early AM | 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. |
| 26th26 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 27th27 | JanJan | 202424 | 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. |
| 28th28 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 29th29 | JanJan | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 30th30 | JanJan | 202424 | Havana, Cuba, disembark the Braemar | 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. |
