17-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer / Eastern Caribbean
Wed Dec 4th 2024
Onboard Zuiderdam
Itinerary Summary
Ft. Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Ft. Lauderdale, Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay, Ft. Lauderdale
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MM
Inside
Starting at
$1069 PP
HH
Oceanview
Starting at
$1359 PP
VH
Balcony
Starting at
$1903 PP
SZ
Suite
Starting at
$2986 PP

Itinerary

Day 1 : Ft. Lauderdale

-- - 3:00 pm

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale welcomes visitors with broad, palm-fringed beaches and an easy pace of life. Stroll along fashionable Las Olas Boulevard with its stylish shops or enjoy a sightseeing cruise through the city''s canals, boasting more waterways than Venice. Or, venture out and explore the cosmopolitan city of Palm Beach, or the wildlife sanctuary of the Everglades.

Day 2 : Half Moon Cay

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Half Moon Cay has the attraction of other private islands plus some! This 2500 acre island, prides itself in maintaining the natural ecology; it protects 2400 of its acres by keeping them wholly unspoiled. Located one hundred miles SE of Nassau, its large protected bay used to be a famous refuge for pirates (or as famous as a pirate refuge can get). Enjoy nature activities, beach fun, or just swing in the hammock to the island steel band. Make sure to take at least one dip in the beach which is only chest deep 60 ft out!

Day 3 : Grand Turk

11:30 am - 7:30 pm

Day 4 : Amber Cove

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Day 5 : At Sea

Day 6 : Bonaire

8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Bonaire has consistently been ranked as the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destination in the Caribbean for two decades. This is because of the island's diligent stewardship of its marine resources. Since 1979, all the waters of Bonaire's coast have been legally protected.

Besides snorkeling and scuba diving, there is plenty more to be done here. Bonaire has trade winds that are usually steady and wash over the island. This creates ideal conditions for windsurfing. The sere beauty of this semi-desert landscape is home to an assortment of wildlife. Atop the rock formations of Washington Slagbaai you can find iguanas toasting themselves, while they watch a vast cloud of orange-pink flamingoes drift across the bone-white salt flats. The divi-divi trees bending into the surreal sculptures of the wind, and towering cacti represent the Caribbean's diverse ecology.

Another great thing about Bonaire is that it has a yearly average temperature of 82 degrees F (27.8 degrees C) with an average water temperature of 80 degrees F (26.7 degrees C). All year, Bonaire is not likely to see more than 22 inches (56 cm) of rain. This can be attributed to its nearly constant humidity of 76% and year round sunny forecast.

Day 7 : Curacao

7:00 am - 11:00 pm

The ship passes through a channel in the reef, into a broad, perfectly protected natural harbor. This is Willemstad, where Dutch gingerbread houses, superb shopping, excellent restaurants and bustling casinos abound. Nature buffs will love the exotic plants and tropical birdlife of Christoffel National Park. And don''t forget to sample the famous Cura�ao liqueur, still made here.

Day 8 : Aruba

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

The tiny island of Aruba is the smallest of the ABC Islands, which include Barbados and Curacao. Aruba lies about 15 miles north of Venezuela and has limited vegetation. The landscape consists of cacti and the curiously wind-bent divi divi trees. You may also be interested in climbing atop some of the huge boulders and exploring some of its caves. Of course, the main attractions to this island are its magnificent beaches against the turquoise waters full of spectacular marine life, which lure scores of sunbathers, snorkelers, and divers each year to the island.

Though small, Aruba has room for some luxury as well. If you travel along Palm Beach, you will find the several miles of this white sand lined with a string of hotels with glitzy casinos, restaurants and exotic boutiques. The crystal-clear waters of this beach are ideal for swimming and all kinds of watersports. However, if you prefer to stay dry, you are more than welcome to enjoy Aruba''s exotic underwater world from the glass bottom boats or on a submarine excursion.

Day 9 : At Sea

Day 10 : At Sea

Day 11 : Ft. Lauderdale

7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale welcomes visitors with broad, palm-fringed beaches and an easy pace of life. Stroll along fashionable Las Olas Boulevard with its stylish shops or enjoy a sightseeing cruise through the city''s canals, boasting more waterways than Venice. Or, venture out and explore the cosmopolitan city of Palm Beach, or the wildlife sanctuary of the Everglades.

Day 12 : At Sea

Day 13 : Grand Turk

7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Day 14 : San Juan

1:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The fortress of El Morro guards the harbor against long-gone Sir Francis Drake and his British privateers. The colorful streets of Old San Juan retain the Latin flavor of its seafaring past, when this was the heart of the Spanish Main. Sample the fiery rum made here, or indulge in an icy treat made from fresh tropical fruit and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere.

Day 15 : St. Thomas

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, the island of St. Thomas was once inhabited by the Ciboney tribes around 1500 BC along with two other tribes, the Taino or Arawaks and the Caribs. Even today you will be able to find evidence of these late tribes. Also before the European began to form a colony on this island, pirates once roam this island. The most common stories of pirates usually include the names of Blackbeard and Bluebeard who have been known for thieving Spanish ships filled with gold coins and other valuables. In 1917, the Danish flag was a thing of the past and the flag of the United States is a thing of the present.

Due to the beauty of this island, breath taking attractions are everywhere you look. This island is equipped with historical sites such as the Charlotte Amalie to marine parks and beautiful botanical gardens throughout the island. During your visit make sure you indulge in the Nightlife full of calypso music for your listening pleasure as well as great restaurants for your dining pleasure and semi-block parties for your dancing delight.

Day 16 : At Sea

Day 17 : Half Moon Cay

8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Half Moon Cay has the attraction of other private islands plus some! This 2500 acre island, prides itself in maintaining the natural ecology; it protects 2400 of its acres by keeping them wholly unspoiled. Located one hundred miles SE of Nassau, its large protected bay used to be a famous refuge for pirates (or as famous as a pirate refuge can get). Enjoy nature activities, beach fun, or just swing in the hammock to the island steel band. Make sure to take at least one dip in the beach which is only chest deep 60 ft out!

Day 18 : Ft. Lauderdale

7:00 am - --

Originally a fort built by the U.S. Army in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, Fort Lauderdale welcomes visitors with broad, palm-fringed beaches and an easy pace of life. Stroll along fashionable Las Olas Boulevard with its stylish shops or enjoy a sightseeing cruise through the city''s canals, boasting more waterways than Venice. Or, venture out and explore the cosmopolitan city of Palm Beach, or the wildlife sanctuary of the Everglades.