EXCURSÕES EM TERRA

OVERVIEW

Cruise along the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic on a double-decker catamaran and pause along the way to snorkel the reefs just offshore. After settling in on board, you will be free to move about the spacious catamaran and enjoy the plentiful sunny and shaded areas. As you skirt along the shore, the tropical scenery will be absolutely spectacular in every direction. After assessing the water conditions, the captain will anchor the catamaran in an ideal spot for snorkeling. The marine life may include French grunts, spotted drums and yellow goatfish, which often travel in schools. Another stop will made near a sandbar, allowing you to swim and wade in the shallow waters. To enhance the festive on-board atmosphere, the bar will be open, rum-laced Mama Juana cocktails will be flowing and music will be playing. Back at the marina in Punta Cana, time will be allotted for shopping.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in on a spacious double-decker catamaran and cruise the waters off Punta Cana.
• Admire the gorgeous tropical scenery in every direction.
• Snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear waters along a reef and a sandbar just off shore.
• Listen to merengue, the traditional music of the Dominican Republic.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise into the Gulf of Mexico on a catamaran and observe bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat before snorkeling along several reefs. The catamaran is open-air but with covered areas that allow for uninterrupted views of the dolphins. These highly intelligent aquatic mammals usually travel and hunt in groups called pods. You may be surprised by their speed, grace and agility as they zip through the water, often in the catamaran’s wake. You might also see the dolphins leap acrobatically into the air and hear them whistling and clicking, sounds that they may use as sonar for navigation and finding food. After cruising into shallower water, you will have the opportunity to snorkel along the reefs and isolated coral formations. You may see schools of yellowtail snapper, neon-colored parrot fish, bright red squirrelfish and spotted eagle rays, which at times leap out of the water much like dolphins. Scientists aren’t sure why they leap.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the gorgeous scenery while cruising on a catamaran through the Gulf of Mexico.
• Watch for bottlenose dolphins, which are commonly seen swimming in these waters.
• Observe a remarkable variety of marine life while snorkeling reefs in the shallows.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn to handroll a premium cigar at a factory that has been producing them for decades and sample a selection of rums inspired by the life of Ernest Hemingway. While touring the Hemingway Rum Company distillery, you will discover how the ingredients are sourced and processed to produce a variety of rums that capture the bold spirit of Hemingway. You will then settle in for a tasting of rums, which may include a complex dark one, another finished in a sherry cask and an unusual blonde rum. A short walk will bring you to the family-owned Rodriquez Cigar Factory, the oldest such manufacturer in the Florida Keys. On the eye-opening, behind-the-scenes tour, you will observe the art of hand-rolling a cigar and then try it yourself while enjoying a sample of Cuban coffee. You may be surprised by the skill involved in producing a tightly rolled cigar that burns evenly.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a distillery that produces bold rums that reflect the spirit of Ernest Hemingway.
• Sample a selection of rums with distinctive tasting notes and unexpected finishes.
• Watch skilled artisans hand-roll cigars in a family-owned cigar factory.
• Savor a sample of Cuban coffee while trying your hand at rolling a cigar.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience two exhilarating rides at the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park as a warm-up to visiting the natural wonder Dunn’s River Falls. Covered by rainforest, Mystic Mountain rises 700 feet above the sea and the views on the way up are extraordinary. You will ascend on the Sky Explorer, an open-air chair-lift much like the ones used at ski resorts. The higher you ascend, the more thrilling the ride and the more spectacular the views. At the summit, you will hop in a bobsled patterned after the one that Jamaica’s Olympic team rode in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The big difference is that this bobsled follows a twisting track through the dense rainforest. As an alternative to these manmade thrills, you will enjoy an easy but exhilarating climb up gently cascading Dunn’s River Falls, perhaps Jamaica’s most iconic attraction. Pause any time you like to relax in the terraced pools and soak up the tropical scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift up and down the forested slopes of Mystic Mountain.
• Tear through the rainforest on a bobsled track with countless twists and turns.
• Climb gently tumbling Dunn’s River Falls and enjoy a refreshing dip along the way.
• Enjoy a boxed lunch of traditional Jamaican dishes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sail on the state-of-the art sleek sailing catamaran to discover the picturesque coastline of Antigua and experience Antiguan hospitality with sparkling wine and local pineapple! Then spend time on one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches. You will be met at the ship by your tour guide and escorted a few yards to your awaiting sleek sailing catamaran and expert, courteous and knowledgeable crew. From here you will embark on an exhilarating enjoyable boat ride where you will hug the north-western coastline and see Fort James, secluded beaches, 5* hotels, exclusive homes and with interesting narration. There will be an open bar where you can enjoy sparkling wine, rum punch, beers, water and soft drinks served with fresh local pineapple and tuna and cheese finger sandwiches. You will then be taken to one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches for a stop to have a swim, walk the beach or simply relax before we take you back to your ship through the blue Caribbean waters and have another opportunity to soak up the Caribbean sun and see the Antiguan north-west coast line. This is an opportunity to enjoy the Caribbean as it used to be; peaceful and tranquil yet available for as much fun as you want to make. Take a boat ride, enjoy local Antiguan pineapple with sparkling wine, enjoy drinks from the open bar and visit one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches; enjoy the tour prepared by people who know Antigua and Caribbean the best and simply relax. And don’t forget your swimsuit, towels and camera to record wonderful memories!

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the natural wonders at Harrison’s Cave before settling in for an inspiring tasting at the Mount Gay rum museum. After an introductory film that showcases the beauty of Barbados, you will explore the island’s most celebrated underground attraction. You won’t have to do much but sit back and enjoy the sights as an electric tram carries you through the subterranean world of Harrison’s Cave. You will pass colorfully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites that look like petrified waterfalls, many of them named for their shapes such as the Chapel and the Altar. The area above ground is equally captivating as you will discover by walking a nature trail to an aviary. Barbados is also known for its extraordinary rum, which has been distilled on the island since 1703. You will sample several blends of Mount Gay rum and learn about the company’s illustrious heritage at the on-site museum.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the underground wonder Harrison’s Cave in an electric tram.
• Behold bizarrely shaped, beautifully illuminated stalactites and stalagmites.
• Follow a winding trail through a natural setting to an aviary.
• Sample a selection of Mount Gay rums made with water from a centuries-old artisan well.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Marvel at the unique ecology within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park as you walk through the forest to its spectacular Quebrada Valencia waterfalls.

Depart from the pier and drive east toward the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, a massive piece of land containing part of the world’s highest coastal mountain range. The mountains are the source of the Quebrada Valencia River and countless other streams that wind through the pristine countryside. The park is so revered for its ecosystem and cultural content that UNESCO declared it a Biosphere Reserve of Man and Humanity.

Upon arriving, you will begin a guided walk through the forest and over rocky terrain into a land still inhabited by several indigenous Indian tribes. Wildlife abounds, including Sierra parrots, tapirs and Paramo deer. A variety of exotic flora also flourishes, and you may pass in the shadow of towering wax palms and ceiba de leche trees.

It takes approximately a half hour to reach the waterfalls, and it’s well worth the effort. Emerging from the dense forest, the cascading waterfalls from the Quebrada Valencia River form a series of small, crystal-clear pools. The tropical setting couldn’t be lovelier or more serene. You will enjoy approximately one hour here to relax and wander about as you please, perhaps taking a dip in the refreshing waters. Tropical birds abound here so you may see some squawking in the treetops above. Afterwards, you will retrace your route back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Race through the forested countryside in an open-air, all-terrain buggy and eventually pause to enjoy free time at an isolated beach. Following an orientation and test drive to become familiar with the four-wheel buggy, you will travel caravan-style along the back roads that crisscross the rural landscape that surrounds the village of Cumayasa. You can expect it to be an adrenaline-pumping adventure the entire time, but especially when you drive off the beaten path. It will be even more fun if the terrain is muddy. You will pause briefly at a cave full of eerily illuminated geological formations and tear through a rugged area where caliche mineral deposits are mined. In time, you will arrive at a secluded beach along the Dominican Republic’s southern coast. Feel free to take a refreshing swim in the sea, stroll along the shore or relax in anticipation for the thrilling ride back through the jungle-like interior.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through the beautiful Dominican countryside in an open-air buggy.
• Expect a fun-filled high-energy experience, especially when driving off-road.
• Explore a cave with unusual geological formations.
• Spend free time doing whatever you please at a secluded beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ascend the forested slopes of the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park on the Sky Explorer chairlift and then race through the tropical woodlands at the summit in a sleek bobsled. The chairlift is open-air much like the ones at ski resorts, allowing you unobstructed views of the scenery as you rise high above the rain forest that blankets the mountain. The ride will be exhilarating the entire way, but especially as you approach the top of the peak, which rises 700 feet above the sea. A different sort of thrill awaits you on the bobsled, which resembles the one that Jamaica’s Olympic team famously rode in the 1988 Winter Olympics. You won’t have to do a thing but sit back and enjoy the ride as the bobsled is gravity-driven. The track winds through a narrow chute cut through the trees that twists and turns for more than a half mile. The thrills will be nonstop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the Sky Explorer chairlift up and down the forested slopes of Mystic Mountain.
• Tear through the rainforest on a bobsled track with countless twists and turns.
• Enjoy the natural beauty of the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park.
• Enjoy a boxed lunch of traditional Jamaican dishes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience the natural wonders of the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve while ziplining through the tree canopy and hiking along the forest floor. A briefing at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort will prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead and how to make the most of it. You will then soar over nearly a mile of tropical rainforest on a series of zipline cables that stretch high above the ground. Every moment will be exhilarating as each of the 10 ziplines has its own characteristics. Along the way and while pausing on the elevated platforms between the ziplines, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the tropical surroundings. Sights include the Panama Canal and the Chagres River. You will see the rainforest from an entirely different perspective while hiking through it with a naturalist guide. Besides learning about flora such as the Holy Ghost Orchid – Panama’s national flower – you may spot wildlife such as white-faced capuchin monkeys.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the thrill of soaring through the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve on a series of 10 ziplines.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of the tropical forest, the Panama Canal and the Chagres River.
• Hike through the rainforest with a naturalist guide that will describe the native flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Release your inner adventurer by participating in four different outdoor experiences, each one uniquely exhilarating and sure to raise goosebumps. The thrills will begin in earnest with a breathtaking ride on the Sky Explorer, a state-of-the-art chairlift that will carry you up the forested slopes of the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park. At the top of the 700-foot peak, you will race through the tree canopy on a series of ziplines. Feel free to scream as there will never be a dull moment. Next up is the Ragamuffin, an inverted roller coaster that twists and turns and takes you out over a tropical landscape that couldn’t be more beautiful. The fourth adrenaline-pumping experience will be racing through the rainforest in a high-speed bobsled inspired by the one that Jamaica’s Olympians rode in the 1988 Winter Olympics. A Jamaican-style boxed lunch follows, after which you will descend Mystic Mountain on the Sky Explorer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy four exhilarating rides in the Mystic Mountain eco-adventure park.
• Take the Sky Explorer chairlift up and down the park’s forested mountain slopes.
• Race through the tree canopy high above the forest floor on a series of ziplines.
• Ride the inverted roller coaster known as the Ragamuffin.
• Tear through the rainforest on a bobsled track with countless twists and turns.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through a saltwater lake that attracts huge numbers of birds and other wildlife that flourish in the natural setting. Oviedo Lake lies within the lush Jaragua National Park, an environmentally protected area known for its superior birdwatching. While cruising the typically calm waters in a wooden boat known as a yola, you can expect to observe an extraordinary number of avian species. You may spot neon-colored parrots, white ibis, blue herons and roseate spoonbills. If you want a closer look at the birds, binoculars are available. In the shallows around the islets, you could see flocks of flamingos. They typically feed by stirring up the mud on the bottom of the lagoon with their feet and then using their spiny tongues to funnel the suspended shrimp and other foods down their throats. The mud is nutrient-rich and people can often be seen taking rejuvenating mud baths along the shore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise along the mangrove-lined shores of Oviedo Lake in a traditional yola boat.
• Observe wildlife, particularly birds, that thrive in and around the protected waters.
• Learn about the different species and get a closer look through binoculars if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.