Transatlantic Cruises: Excursions

Your sightseeing drive through rolling hills, high mountains, plains, valleys, and riverbeds is just part of the gorgeous landscape that make you think of paradise. Costa Rica’s topography is one of the world’s most diverse. You’ll start by heading east to Esparza, a town that has become one of the most picturesque in the Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. The central park and its church are emblematic of Costa Rica’s hardworking rural towns. Local dancers will greet you at the park with colorful dresses and you’ll enjoy the masquerades and hand-made souvenir exhibitions while you learn about their traditions. Your scenic drive includes some stretches along the Pacific Ocean passing by mango and cashew plantations, farming areas and most certainly seeing some birds along the way, all examples of sustainable living. Take the opportunity to capture unique pictures for back home, while traveling down to sea level, admiring the most breathtaking views. Note: Wear comfortable shoes; bring sunscreen, a hat and light clothing. less

Enjoy a very scenic and relaxing excursion, experiencing Italy's most famous coastline by motor launch, with minimal walking involved, and time within the beautiful village of Sorrento. After an approximate one-hour drive by coach, you will arrive to the town of Salerno, located at the very end of the Amalfi Coast. There you'll board a private motor launch and enjoy a 45-minute cruise, viewing the Dolomitic cliffs, which at many points, tower perpendicularly out of the sea and have been sculpted by nature into fantastic shapes. Amalfi is situated at the mouth of a deep gorge along the coast. Learn how this was a major shipping port during the Middle Ages and it was also an independent maritime state. Enjoy a narrated walk around the town center of Amalfi, with your guide, who will explain the history and architecture of the Cathedral of St. Andrew as you marvel at the exterior architecture, a mix of Moorish and early Gothic design. Its main treasures are the 11th-century bronze doors from Constantinople. Enjoy some free time on your own in Amalfi, for maybe shopping or relaxation, before cruising back to Salerno where your coach will be waiting to drive you to Sorrento. With its luxuriant vegetation and sun-drenched climate, Sorrento became a favorite resort of wealthy Romans. Experience this cliff-top setting, with an imposing Duomo, distinctive for its 13th-century cloister, and a charming, flower-filled town, all there for you to explore. Enjoy lunch with wine in a local restaurant in Sorrento before returning back to your ship. Note: Tour is not available for winter sailings. Guests must be able to walk approximately 500 yards over even surfaces with 5 - 10 steps. There are several steps to access the lunch venue. Comfortable walking shoes, hat, and sunscreen are highly recommended. Walking during the free time is at the guests' discretion. The drive between Naples and Salerno is approximately 45 minutes and from Sorrento to Naples is approximately 1 1/2 hours. Guests wishing to enter the Cathedral of St. Andrew on their own must ascend approximately 60 or more very steep steps. The order of the tour may be reversed. The motor launch has both inside and outside seating. In case of bad weather conditions and/or rough seas, the cruise to Amalfi will be cancelled and an orientation drive of the Amalfi Coast will be made instead. Due to traffic restrictions of the Sorrento center a short walk from the motorcoach drop off point to the main center and vice versa will be required. During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and long lines. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring bottled water. less

Enjoy your day in Costa Maya sailing and snorkeling in the Caribbean waters. Your bilingual guides will meet you at the pier and accompany you to the catamaran waiting at the Fisherman’s Pier. Along the way your guides will inform you of the safety procedures, so you may have the most adventurous time, while under the watchful eye of PADI certified rescue diver guides. You’ll wear a proper life vest for your safety. Upon arrival, dive into the Caribbean waters to explore the colorful undersea life. You’ll see jacks, snappers, colorful angelfish or queen triggerfish abound. A lazy turtle or curious grouper are not rare to find. This is the right way to start your Costa Maya exploration. After an approximate 45 minutes of snorkeling, return to your catamaran and sail back along the scenic coast. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age. This tour is not suitable for pregnant women, persons with back or neck injuries. Strict health restrictions apply for snorkeling activity. At the end of the tour you’ll have the opportunity to be dropped off in town or return directly to your ship. If staying in town, the return trip back to the ship is on your own. less

Visit Stockholm’s oldest and coziest quarters, the Old Town of Gamla Stan. Witness the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace, and stroll along the narrow, twisting alleys and cobblestone streets. You’ll experience the medieval intimacy of what is today a living historical monument of international renown. You’ll also see Stortorget and the Great Square – the hub of the Old Town, dominated by the old Stock Exchange, today housing the Nobel Museum and the Swedish Academy, which meets each year to decide the laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Rejoin your coach and continue through the city center and on to the Nordic Hotel in the heart of the city, where the world’s first permanent ice bar is located. The interior is kept at -5° Centigrade all year round. The whole interior, including glasses, is made of pure, clear ice from the Torne River in Northern Sweden. A complimentary drink in an ice glass will be served and the staff will tell you more about the bar and its construction. Note: You’ll spend approximately 25 minutes in the ice bar. Depending on the licensing laws, non-alcoholic drinks will be served if the bar is unable to offer vodka, which might depend on the time of the day (no alocohol allowed before 11:00 am). Tour sequence may vary in order to avoid congestion at the venues. less

After a scenic drive, you’ll arrive in Pompeii where you’ll visit the Roman resort buried by volcanic ash. Your tour will take you to the city’s baths, villas and theaters. See the well-preserved frescoes and mosaic-inlaid floors. Plaster casts mark the positions of the fallen who were swiftly overcome by the ashes. After lunch, if time permits, you’ll visit a cameo factory to see how the jewelry is made. Continue along the mountain road, which takes you to one of the picturesque villages of this famous area to explore its quaint streets. Continue along the coast, and take in stunning views at every turn of the winding road. When the Amalfi road closes to traffic (during holidays), this part of the tour is done by motor boat. The views from the water are simply spectacular. In case of inclement weather and rough seas, the cruise to Amalfi will be substituted by a visit to Sorrento. Note: During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and long lines. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring bottled water. less

Visit the world-famous caves known for their delicately ramified dripstone formations, enjoy some free time at the quaint fishing village of Porto Cristo and learn how the famous Majorca pearls are made. You’ll start with a scenic drive towards the east and continuing past the villages of Algaida, Montuiri, Villafranca and Manacor. Some of these villages are known for the production of man made pearls and you’ll stop in one of them to visit one of the famous pearl factories. Situated near Porto Cristo are the Caves of Hams, which will be your next destination. The incomparable beauty of the caves is heightened by the artistic lighting created by Lorenzo Caldentey, son of the discoverer. Inside the caves there are several lakes and on the largest of all, the 'Sea of Venice', there are daily performances of the show 'Magical Mozart', in special tribute to the famous composer. Leaving the caves a short drive takes you to Porto Cristo, where you’ll have some free time to walk around this small village or relax in a cafe and simply people watch. Note: This tour involves approximately 1 mile of walking and 100 steps in the caves. less