Expedition Cruise to the Southern Caribbean | Panama to Barbados

12 nights from £3,847pp departing Saturday 13th Apr 2024

13-day expedition cruise from Colón to Bridgetown, exploring the Caribbean coast of Panama, Colombia, and the Lesser Antilles islands

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	13th13	AprApr	202424	Colón, Panama, embark on the MS Fram		23:59
The provincial capital of Colón, beside the canal's Atlantic entrance, is named for the Spanish-language surname of Christopher Columbus, though the Americans called it Aspinwall in the 19th century.. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and named Aspinwall for one of the railway engineers. Following completion in 1855, Colon gained in importance, which was furthered by the plans for an isthmian canal. During the time of the French canal attempt, a fire in 1885 burned the city nearly to the ground and left thousands of people homeless. Colon was rebuilt in the architectural style then popular in France. Buildings from that era plus the ones constructed by Americans between 1904 and 1914 are still in use today, although the majority is on the verge of collapse. In addition to its importance as a port, Colon boasts the world’s second largest duty-free zone, known as Zona Libre, which is contained in a huge fortress like, walled-off area with giant international stores. However, most of the merchandise is sold in bulk to commercial businesses throughout the country.
	14th14	AprApr	202424	San Blas Islands, Panama	07:00	15:00
The San Blas archipelago is located off the Caribbean coast, east of Colon, and is made up of 365 islands that range in size from tiny ones with a few coconut palms to islands on which hundreds of Kuna Indians live. Only about fifty are inhabited. The Kuna rule the San Blas Territory with internal autonomy, and have tightly preserved their language and cultural traditions over the centuries despite influences from European colonies. In addition to their own language, Spanish is widely spoken and many men work on the mainland, but live on the islands. Women wear costumes with unique designs based on local themes, geometric patterns, and stylised fauna and flora. The island of El Porvenir is one of the main seats of government for the Kuna Indians. Many Kunas from the other islands came to settle on El Porvenir, bringing with them their traditional arts and crafts, including the famous molas. These intricately hand-sewn designs are made by the women of the tribes as part of their blouses and dresses. With the increased tourism, molas are now a favoured souvenir and craft item for visitors.
	15th15	AprApr	202424	Capurganá, Colombia	08:00	18:00
	16th16	AprApr	202424	At Sea
	17th17	AprApr	202424	Cartagena, Colombia	07:00	19:00
Cartagena's magnificent city walls and fortresses, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enclose a well-restored historic center (the Cuidad Amurallada, or walled city) with plazas, churches, museums, and shops that have made it a lively coastal vacation spot for South Americans and others. New hotels and restaurants make the walled city a desirable place to stay, and the formerly down-at-the-heels Getsemaní neighborhood attracts those seeking a bohemian buzz. The historic center is a small section of Cartagena; many hotels are in the Bocagrande district, an elongated peninsula where high-rise hotels overlook a long, gray-sand beach.When it was founded in 1533 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena was the only port on the South American mainland. Gold and silver looted from indigenous peoples passed through here en route to Spain and attracted pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who in 1586 torched 200 buildings. Cartagena's walls protected the city's riches as well as the New World's most important African slave market.
	18th18	AprApr	202424	Santa Marta, Colombia	07:00	18:00
	19th19	AprApr	202424	Cabo de la Vela, Colombia	06:00	13:00
	20th20	AprApr	202424	Bonaire, Bonaire	10:00	19:00
	21st21	AprApr	202424	At Sea
	22nd22	AprApr	202424	Portsmouth, Dominica	07:00	20:00
	23rd23	AprApr	202424	Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia	07:00	18:00
	24th24	AprApr	202424	At Sea
	25th25	AprApr	202424	Bridgetown, Barbados, disembark the MS Fram	07:00
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.

MS Fram

Launch Year

2007

Refit Year

2020

Tonnage

11,647

Capacity

318

Cabins

127

Accessible

Deck 8

Deck 7

Deck 6

Deck 5

Deck 4

Deck 3

Deck 2

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Arctic Superior

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
F4	Arctic Superior (Middle deck)	£4,584	£4,584

Enjoy these comfortable cabins, situated on middle and upper decks, suitable for up to four people. These cabins have double beds, a seating area, TV and private bathroom/shower. Some have limited view.

Arctic Superior

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
U2	Arctic Superior (Upper deck)	£4,071	£4,071

Relax in these comfortable, standard inside cabins on middle or upper deck with separate beds where one can be turned into a sofa.

Arctic Superior

Enjoy these comfortable cabins, situated on middle and upper decks, suitable for up to two people. These cabins have double beds, a seating area, TV and private bathroom/shower. Some have limited view.

Expedition Suite - Grand Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
MG	Expedition Suites: Grand Suite (Upper deck)	£7,886	£7,886

Enjoy these exclusive suites with one or two rooms, seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo and mini-bar. Some of them also have bathtub. Most of these suites have a private balcony or bay window.

Expedition Suite - Mini Suite

These elegant suites are situated on upper deck with one or two rooms, seating area, TV and mini-bar.

Polar Inside

Relax in these comfortable, standard inside cabins with separate beds where one can be turned into a sofa. This cabin can fit up to four people.

Polar Inside

Relax in these comfortable, standard inside cabins on middle or upper deck with separate beds where one can be turned into a sofa.

Polar Outside

Enjoy these comfortable cabins with double beds situated on upper decks with limited view.

Polar Outside

Enjoy these standard outside cabins with separate beds found on middle decks, with space for up to four people.

Polar Outside

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
N2	Polar Outside (Middle deck)	£3,847	£3,847

Enjoy these standard outside cabins with separate beds found on middle decks. This cabin can fit two people.

Polar Outside - Accessible

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
SD	Polar Outside Cabin (Twin, Wheelchair Accessible)	£3,847	£3,847

Enjoy these standard outside cabins with separate beds found on middle decks, adapted for guests with disabilities. This cabin can fit two people.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Lindstrom

Lindstrøm is a speciality restaurant named after Hurtigruten's favourite chef of the Norwegian polar heroes.

Lindstrøm will be an upper premium fine dining restaurant with strong roots in traditional Norwegian cooking that are contrasted with modern cuisine, accompanied with a lounge for a glass of champagne and classic cocktails.

Restaurant Aune

In the restaurant on deck 5, you can enjoy the finest cuisine. The floor has different levels, so no matter where your table is placed; there are views to the outdoors. The restaurant is located in the aft of the ship, on your way there you walk through an exhibition of original artefacts from the historic expeditions of Amundsen and Nansen. At the far end of the restaurant there is a balcony for taking pictures when wildlife show up during a meal.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Observation Lounge

The forward-facing Qilak Observation Lounge will be completely refurbished and reemerge as Explorer Lounge & Bar. In addition to hand crafted cocktails, this area serves unbeatable views.

Internet Café

Passwords can be purchased from reception, costs are currently 40NOK for 30 mins, 60NOK for 1 hour and 200NOK for 6 hours (subject to change).

Library

The books are in a variety of languages including Norwegian, German and English, also there are game tables available to play cards and chess.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

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Holiday Summary

	12 nights aboard the MS Fram
	Full-board dining included
	Wine, beer & soft drinks included with lunch & dinner
	Complimentary tea and coffee
	Range of included excursions
	No gratuities
	Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
	Engaging onboard activities and lectures
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*