Blue Waters of the Leeward Islands
£3,684pp
Itinerary
Explore the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean from panoramic summit views to sunny seashores and beneath azure waves during this 10-day cruise. Swim with gentle Antiqua stingrays near Falmouth Harbour. Take in expansive views of Martinique from the summit of Fort de France and admire colorful flowers in the quiet shade of small port Anse Mitan’s botanical garden. Learn how to crush local cocoa nibs into liquefied chocolate during a delicious chocolatier class in Castries on St. Lucia. Sail on a swift catamaran beyond Soper’s Hole and across turquoise waters to Norman Island, a lush and sandy setting that inspired Robert Lewis Stevenson’s classicTreasure Island. Extend your British Virgin Island shore explorations to include succulent lobster, grilled tuna and sweet rum cocktails during overnight port stays in Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. Remain comfortably dry while viewing colorful reef fish and coral during a semi-submersible cruise near Gustavia.
Day to Day Itinerary
| Date | Country | Port | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | Philipsburg | |
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Pastel-colored buildings and shops filled with tempting souvenirs herald your arrival to bustling Philipsburg. Situated near the harbor on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Philipsburg owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus in 1493. Today, celebrated Front Street is home to a number of local Creole restaurants as well as jewelry stores, stylish boutiques, and lively casinos for visitors seeking an upbeat island experience. |
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| Day 2 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre, Saint Kitts | |
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With Georgian architecture situated against an irresistible backdrop of emerald green hills, Basseterre is one of the loveliest of the Caribbean's small capitals. Beyond town, more than a quarter of St. Kitts has been set aside as Brimstone Hill Fortress national Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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| Day 3 | Dominica | Roseau | |
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Get ready for a full day with plenty to do. Snorkel alongside brilliant parrot fish in the bubbly waters of Champagne Beach. Take a break to enjoy more than 150 species of plants and brilliant red-necked Jaco parrots at the botanical gardens. If you're up for an optional hike, don't miss Boiling Lake and the Valley of Desolation at Dominica's Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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| Day 4 | Saint Lucia | Castries | |
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The capital and largest city of St. Lucia is a bustling port where shoppers flock. Most of the city's historic buildings were destroyed in major fires between 1785 and 1948 but you'll see the beautiful, scenic backdrop of Morne Fortune (elev. 2,795 ft.) and the bustling harbor. Visit the Castries Market for handicrafts, fruits and vegetables, see the murals painted by a local artist and housed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and check out one of the many restaurants or Derek Walcott Square. |
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| Day 5 | Martinique | Trois-Ilets | |
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Martinique offers a delightful and distinctive blend of French and Caribbean influences, with a bounty of historical sites, museums and a wide array of excellent shopping. Be sure to take a tour of the beautiful Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens with exotic plants from around the world and a treetop walkway affording mountain views. |
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| Day 6 | Guadeloupe | Terre-de-Haut | |
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This is the Caribbean as you've always imagined it, with yacht-filled harbors set against volcanic mountains and endless stretches of palm-fringed beach. The underwater world here attracted the likes of Jacques Cousteau, but even novice snorkelers will enjoy exploring these impossibly blue waters. |
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| Day 9 | British Virgin Islands | Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke | |
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For an island comprised of a mere eight square miles, it's amazing how much there is to do on Jost Van Dyke. Visit the national park on nearby Diamond Cay, snorkel among swaying sponges and angelfish at Sandy Spit, or pilot your own boat around Sir Francis Drake Waterway. After all that, you'll be ready for an evening drink on the beach — where you can admire your Windstar ship aglow in the harbor. |
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| Day 10 | Saint Barthélemy | Gustavia | |
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Affectionately known as St. Barts, the Caribbean's most chic island adds a French flair to Riviera-like beaches and duty-free boutiques. Walk past gingerbread cottages in search of celebrities, shop for designer fashions, or sip the island's signature ti punch as kite surfers fly by. |
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| Day 11 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | Philipsburg | |
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Pastel-colored buildings and shops filled with tempting souvenirs herald your arrival to bustling Philipsburg. Situated near the harbor on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, Philipsburg owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus in 1493. Today, celebrated Front Street is home to a number of local Creole restaurants as well as jewelry stores, stylish boutiques, and lively casinos for visitors seeking an upbeat island experience. |
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