EXCURSIONS TERRESTRES

Become familiar with the best of Norfolk by visiting the most representative landmarks, some dating back nearly 350 years. While riding through the historic district, you will see stately homes along a boomerang-shaped body of water known as The Hague and St. Paul’s Church, which still has a cannonball embedded in an exterior wall from the British bombardment of 1776. Much of the downtown has been beautifully renovated over the past decade or so, especially along the waterfront. Continuing on, will drive by the Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest such facility, which is the headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet and home to more than 80,000 military personnel. Along the way, you can expect to see aircraft carriers, submarines, and naval aircraft that provide early warning of potential air threats. Later, you will stop for ice cream at Doumar’s, a family-owned business that has become an institution, in part because the founder created the ice-cream cone in 1904.

Disclaimer: The description below will apply on the following dates February 20, 2022 and March 5, 12, 19, 2022

A visit at the MacArthur Memorial will reveal much about the military career of the famed General Douglas MacArthur. His remains are interred in the memorial, a fitting final resting place as MacArthur’s family roots on his mother’s side were in Norfolk. Continue and learn some interesting facts while driving by Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest such facility, which is the headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet and home to more than 80,000 military personnel. Become familiar with the best of Norfolk by visiting the most representative landmarks, some dating back nearly 350 years. While riding through the historic district, you will see stately homes along a boomerang-shaped body of water known as The Hague and St. Paul’s Church, which still has a cannonball embedded in an exterior wall from the British bombardment of 1776. Much of the downtown has been beautifully renovated over the past decade or so, especially along the waterfront. Later, you will stop for ice cream at Doumar’s, a family-owned business that has become an institution, in part because the founder created the ice-cream cone in 1904.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Norfolk, which was established in 1682.
• See a cannonball from the Revolutionary War that is still embedded in a church wall.
• Stop for ice cream on a fresh-baked waffle cone at Doumar’s, a Norfolk institution.

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

OVERVIEW

Learn about the mysterious Bermuda Triangle – where dozens of ships and airplanes have supposedly vanished without explanation – and browse a museum that sheds some light on those enigmas. Bermuda is the northern tip of the triangle, whose other points are Miami and Puerto Rico, and the waters in between are legendary for their unnatural occurrences. You will gaze out over the sea from Fort Scaur, a late 19th-century fortress that offers an extraordinary 360° view of Bermuda. The Unlock the Secrets exhibit at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute may unravel some of the most puzzling aspects of the Bermuda Triangle. Another exhibit will allow you to investigate some of the triangle’s strange phenomena on a simulated dive to an airplane graveyard at the bottom of the sea. A driving tour through Hamilton will reveal the official northern point of the Bermuda Triangle, after which you will pause for photos of one of the island’s most beautiful pink beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Delve into the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle on a panoramic drive around the island.
• Browse museum exhibits that offer theories behind the disappearances within the triangle.
• See the northernmost point of the Bermuda Triangle in Hamilton, the island’s capital.
• Behold Bermuda’s natural beauty from Fort Scaur and on one of the island’s pink beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy a carefree and immensely scenic ride on an electric bike from St. George’s to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, where you will be free to enjoy the beach as you please.

Departing from the ship pier, enjoy the high-speed tender service across the mouth of the Great Sound before arriving thought the narrow ‘Town Cut’ into St. George’s, settled in 1612. UNESCO has designated St. George’s a World Heritage site as it is an authentic example of an English colonial town in the New World.

After an orientation, instructions and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience. You’ll find the extra boost in your pedal power offered from the bikes allows for an effortless ride over hilly terrain and across bridges to pristine Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve. Once occupied by the U.S. military and later used as a NASA space tracking station, this serene 12-acre reserve is now protected public land that is extraordinarily beautiful.

Before long, you will reach Clearwater Beach, where you will have time to enjoy the lovely coastal setting however you please. You might take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, stretch out on the sand and enjoy the serenity, and walk to the nearby salt marsh to observe the wildlife. Herons, egrets and kingfishers are abundant, before the return ride back to the St. George’s to meet your return tender back to the ship. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill level with the desire for fun and adventure!

Winner of Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play Golf, Bermuda’s Turtle Hill Golf Course at Fairmont's Southampton Princess, features 18 par-3 holes, most with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. With its lush tropical surroundings, dramatic elevation changes and strong coastal winds, this challenging 2,684-yard, par 54 course is designed to take your short game to new heights, requiring patience and prudent club selection. There are endless bunkers, two water hazards, and three tee offerings on all 18 holes. Green fees and shared cart included, transportation is not.

Cruise along Bermuda’s west end shoreline toward an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Bermuda is home to over 200 square miles of the Atlantic’s most northerly fringe reef. Although beautiful, the reef is treacherous and there have been over 300 shipwrecks to prove it. On this trip you’ll visit two of Bermuda’s most famous shipwrecks, the Constellation and the Montana. They are home to an abundance of coral and fish and they are situated on the very edge of the surrounding reef. The Captain will provide you with an overview on the history of Bermuda and some of its shipwrecks. Upon arrival to the site, you’ll be issued with snorkel equipment and given a safety briefing on how you may best enjoy up to one hour of safe snorkeling. Finally, enjoy one complimentary Rum Swizzle or soft drink on the return trip to your ship.

Travel around the picturesque Harrington Sound with its beautiful bays and coves with views of charming pastel-colored homes with distinctive architecture peppered on surrounding hillsides. Highlights include admission to the island’s top attractions for all ages-Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and Crystal Caves. The Aquarium, Museum & Zoo showcases more than 200 species of fish and delicate marine invertebrates from shallow waters. See everything from chattering cockatoos to tiny seahorses, pink flamingos to Madagascar reptiles and more.

Your next admission to the beautiful limestone Crystal Caves, where you’ll have the rare opportunity taking you 55 feet below the surface to view wondrous formations of stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes on your guided tour. For those not wishing to journey the 81 steps into the caves, the gardens around this area are beautifully manicured and are a great spot to relax or browse the gift shop.

OVERVIEW

As soon as you hop aboard one of the famous Harbor Hoppers, prepare yourself for one-hour of fun-filled adventure. Your 'Harbor Hopper' will take you on a land and water excursion of beautiful Halifax and its harbor. Your commentator will introduce you to Halifax's finest shops, restaurants, museums and historic sites. Prepare yourself for a big splash as your Hopper plunges into Halifax harbor. Be amazed by The Royal Canadian Naval Fleet and the spectacular sights along the waterfront. You'll be dropped off in front of the Cruise Ship Pavilion

HIGHLIGHTS

• Exciting land and water tour of beautiful Halifax and its harbor.
• Amazing views of The Royal Canadian Naval Fleet and waterfront sights.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Delve into the history of Boston, especially around the time of the American Revolutionary War, and enjoy the ultimate view of the city from a 52-story-high observation deck. Many of the attractions are along the Freedom Trail, a path that leads to Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House and the Granary Burying Ground, where Paul Revere and Samuel Adams are buried. But there is much more to Boston than 18th-century history. You will also drive through the theater district and pass the finish line for the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon. While the sights will be spectacular the entire way, the 360° view from atop the Prudential Center may make the most lasting impression. You can gaze out over Boston from indoors, enjoy the sights from the open-air roof deck and check out the 3D model of the city on the floor below.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See historical and contemporary attractions while driving through downtown Boston.
• Pass many of the most iconic landmarks from the American Revolutionary War.
• Drive through the theater district and along Boston’s waterfront.
• Enjoy a sweeping 360° view of Boston from the Prudential Center’s observation deck.
• Be dropped off at Boston Logan International Airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW
Spend the day relaxing on the beach doing whatever you please without a care in the world. A short walk will bring you to the Snorkel Park Beach Club on the tip of fishhook-shaped Bermuda that lies between the Great Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. One of the club’s ambassadors will get you settled at your reserved single lounger, which makes an ideal home base. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy however you wish. Stretch out on the lounger and bask in the sun. Walk along the beach at the edge of the shore and take a refreshing swim in the sea. Spend as much time as you want on your chosen activities, as there is no schedule to follow or need to rush. Included is a complimentary welcome rum swizzle and 3 hours complimentary use of a snorkel and mask. A beachfront restaurant is on site for dining on your own, and plenty of water sports such as kayaking are available with special pricing.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend the day at the Snorkel Park Beach Club relaxing however you please.
• Enjoy the use of a complimentary single lounger and shared umbrella.
• Bask in the sun, stroll the beach, take a swim and do most anything else you want.
• Dine on your own at the beachfront restaurant whenever the mood strikes.

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

This well-designed ‘off the beaten track’ excursion will have you navigating the island’s Eastern End rail trail, truly a perfect fit for those adventure lovers looking for their next most memorable experience. The joys of cycle touring is now within easier reach for people of varying fitness levels thanks to the Electric Bicycle. E-bikes give cyclists a helping hand - or push over the hills making cycle tours more leisurely and difficult terrain more manageable. Our tour bus will pick-up ship-side and provide a scenic drive to the cycle depot.

. After an orientation and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience that will boost your pedal power, getting you up and over hilly terrain with ease. Your guided coastal cycle expedition will cross the island combining off-road Rail-Trails, trestle bridges and some shared main road-side routes that explores and uncovers shoreline beaches and gorgeous landscapes. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill with the desire for fun and adventure! Arrive in the Old Towne of St. George's and finish tour with return high speed Tender ride to your ship pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

After departing from the pier in an open-air train trolley, you will soon arrive in the heart of the Royal Naval Dockyard. Known as the “Gibraltar of the West,” the dockyard played a vital role in War of 1812 and both World Wars. As you ride the trolley through the streets, the conductor will entertain you with colorful anecdotes and fascinating facts about the history and architecture of the dockyard. Along the way, you will pass the Royal Navy Cemetery, which dates back to 1812. Other points of interest include Lagoon Park, whose mangroves support a thriving population of birds, and Somerset Village, a residential area on Somerset Island that was settled centuries ago.

The tour ends back at the pier. However, as an alternative, the conductor will drop you at Clock Tower Mall to browse the shops and then you may return to the pier later on your own.

Admire the scenic beauty of coastal Virginia through attractions that best showcase its allure. Few places in Virginia are as naturally beautiful as the Norfolk Botanical Garden, which is almost entirely rimmed by Lake Whitehurst. While meandering through the dozens of themed, meticulously maintained gardens, be sure to note the variety of champion trees, which are the largest tree specimens in the state. The Cape Henry Lighthouse is another landmark situated on a magnificent stretch of shoreline. It rises above the beach at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, near the spot where the first English colonists landed in 1607 before finally settling in Jamestown. Built in 1792, it has the distinction of being the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States. A panoramic drive through nearby Virginia Beach will add more historical context, a perfect complement to the coastal beauty that the lengthy oceanfront boardwalk affords.