Enjoy an enlightening tour of Puerto Limon as a prelude to a cultural performance and hands-on cooking class. The walking portion of the tour will begin at leafy Parque Vargas, a popular gathering place that overlooks the sea. Be sure to notice Uvita Island just offshore, as it is renowned as the spot where Christopher Columbus landed in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He is credited with naming Costa Rica, which is Spanish for “Rich Coast.” You will also pause to take in the sights at Playa Bonita, a beautiful stretch of sand nearby. A dance performance to live calypso music follows at the House of Culture, after which you will learn to prepare a few signature local dishes. Chances are, they will include a Costa Rican version of rice and beans, a beef-stuffed turnover and a sweet plantain tart. Later, you will snack on your tasty concoctions.

Experience Mayan history and a jungle retreat with an open bar & buffet lunch. Your tour begins when your bilingual guide meets you at the end of the pier and escorts you to your air-conditioned transfer vehicle waiting on site. Listen to your guide and learn about the interesting local area and culture from onboard commentary as you pass through the fishing village. Continue this tour inland to visit “The Place of the Red Corn”, Chacchoben, learn about the fascinating Mayan culture during the journey from our knowledgeable guides.

Enjoy a guided tour of this unique archaeological site set in beautiful surroundings still partially covered by the rain forest. Climb to the top of the “Gran Basamento” taking you above the tree line and visit two sacred temples. Before leaving, you will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs from shops on site. Your journey continues to a buffet lunch waiting for you at our Blue Lagoon Restaurant, the most beautiful lagoon with fresh water, located 20 minutes away from Chacchoben Mayan ruins. After your meal, sunbathe on a sun lounger, take a swim and enjoy all complimentary drinks including your favorite cocktails. Feeling fully relaxed, well-fed and in good spirits, your transfer awaits to return you to the ship. The color of the lagoon varies depending on the weather, season of the year, and time of the day.

Savor a variety of traditional Madeira beverages and dishes in the mountain village Serra D’Agua and in a private home in the suburbs of Funchal. As an introduction to the island’s gastronomy, you will be served a glass of poncho in the village. This traditional drink of Madeira may have originated in India with the British then introducing it to the island. Although poncho is sometimes made with the juice of passion fruit or tangerines, it typically contains lemon juice, honey and alcohol distilled from cane sugar. Continuing on to a private home in the Funchal suburb of Santo António, you will delve into the local cuisine with a tasting of various delicacies. Chances are, the menu will include Carne Vinho e Alhos, a traditional dish of pork marinated in wine and garlic. Side dishes may include favorites such as artisanal bread, sweet potatoes, fried corn and local cheeses.

• Gain a remarkably in-depth understanding of Madeira’s cuisine and drinks through tastings.
• Sample poncho, a traditional citrus drink that made have originated in India.
• Imbibe and dine in a mountain village and in a suburb of Funchal, two representative settings.

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the Beach Escape Beach Club in nearby Mahahual. After a brief orientation to help you maximize the experience, you will be free to enjoy the club’s amenities, which are considerable and all offered for your enjoyment. You might stretch out on a lounge chair and bask in the sun, take a refreshing swim in the sea and gather around the thatched-roof poolside bar, which will be open for unlimited drinks the entire time. One end of the Beach Escape is typically busier and more party-oriented, while the other end by the pier is quieter, allowing you to easily find an ideal spot to make the most of your free time. If you wish to explore offshore, kayaks are available. The beach club is located right on the boardwalk at Fisherman’s Village, a great place for people-watching and dining on your own as there are plenty of restaurants.

Discover Murcia, the capital of the province and Cartagena - a crossroad of cultures with a fascinating history dating back 3,000 years. An approximate 1-hour journey through the foothills of the Sierra Carrascoy takes you to Murcia. Settled by the Moors in the 9th century and conquered by the Christians in the 13th century, this bustling city offers an array of architectural delights. Stop at the Monastery of the Virgin of Fuensanta and enjoy a panoramic view of the orchards, one of the most productive in the Mediterranean.

Stop at Cathedral Square, where you’ll see the beautiful Baroque style facade of the cathedral, next to the Episcopal Palace. Visit the Royal Casino of Murcia dating back from 1847, it is one of the most historic buildings. Although this is still an active private club, the ground floor is open to the public. After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, the building was completely refurbished and many of the rooms were restored to their original splendor. You'll also pass through the Squares of Santo Domingo and Romeo and enjoy free time for lunch on your own before returning to Cartagena for an orientation tour of the city.

In Cartagena, you’ll visit the Castle of Conception outside visit, built over the remains of the Moorish Alcazar. From this vantage point, enjoy superb views of the city and harbor. Due to the natural protection of the mountains surrounding it, it was chosen as one of the three main naval bases in Spain during the 18th century. The remarkable remains of the Roman Theatre were only discovered back in the late 1980’s, it is believed to have accommodated up to 6,000 spectators.

Drive a Jeep through downtown Nassau and its suburbs, taking in attractions such as the caves where the indigenous Lucayans once lived and then pausing to relax at the beach..

After a short walk from the pier, you will hop into a Jeep Wrangler and hit the open road. There is plenty to see during your time behind the wheel, starting with downtown Nassau, the capital, largest city and cultural hub of the Bahamas..

You will drive through the colorful shopping district on Bay Street and see highlights such as palm-dotted Rawson Square, lovely government buildings such as the Supreme Court and the pink-hued House of Assembly. You will then head west past lovely Cable Beach and on towards the Nassau Caves for a photo stop..

The Lucayans, the original residents of the Bahamas once lived in these caverns. Settlers later used the caves for religious services and the guano inside to fertilize their crops..

You will drive along JFK Drive, which recognizes President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 meeting in Nassau to discuss Polaris, the United Kingdom’s submarine-based nuclear-weapons program. The fabulous and sprawling Baha Mar resort is another Bahamian landmark that you will pass. .

Free time on one of Nassau’s most inviting beaches follows, during which you might stroll along the shore, bask in the sun or simply admire the natural beauty and serenity of the sea. Then after a bountiful lunch at the Bahamian Grill, you will return to the pier..

Explore two lively markets in downtown Cartagena; one for food and the second a favorite locale for handmade jewelry and crafts. While walking to the Santa Florentina covered market, you will pass landmarks such as Conception Castle and several leafy parks. Long a staple for shopping, the market offers every imaginable culinary ingredient, and you can expect the atmosphere to be extraordinary lively as the residents and vendors interact and socialize. The guide will lead you to stalls where you can taste tapas topped with favorite ingredients. You might try one of these small-plate appetizers with fried squid, anchovies, artisanal cheese or vegetables, as produce is a specialty. Continuing on to the nearby Artisan Center, which is housed inside an 18th-century palace, you will browse stalls full of locally made arts and crafts. The ceramics, jewelry and glassware are particularly noteworthy. Chances are, you will see artisans making their pieces by hand.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the stalls of the Santa Florentina market, which is revered for its fresh produce.
• Sample small-plate tapas at the market, topped with local specialties such as squid and cheese.
• Shop for hand-made jewelry and glassware at the Artisan Center, another favorite venue.

Relax at an exclusive waterfront resort where you will enjoy the serenity of your own over-the-water bungalow with a day bed for two and all sorts of other premium amenities.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a wonderfully scenic drive toward the east end of Roatan island, where you will find the Turquoise Bay Resort. Directly on the ocean with the lush Bonacca Ridge as a backdrop, the resort couldn’t be more picture perfect.

Upon arriving, you will receive a welcome cocktail and an enlightening overview of the property so you can maximize your time here. You will then meander over to your own thatched-roof bungalow that rises just above the water.

Furnished with a comfortable teak day bed for two, the bungalow will be your home base at the resort. It features a suspended patio with a swim-up platform, a shaded and a sunny area, and an ice box with an ice-cold bottle of champagne just waiting for you to pop the cork.

If you need a towel, drinks or snacks, simply use the pager. Butler service is included to ensure that your time at Turquoise Bay will be completely carefree. Other amenities include a reserved beach if you want to stretch out on the sand and a spectacular three-course lunch.

Feel free to spend hours enjoying the serenity of your over-the-water bungalow or explore other areas of the resort. The choice is entirely yours.

Tear through the jungle canopy high above the forest floor on a series of ziplines, stopping every so often on towering platforms that will offer extraordinary views. The venue for your adventure will be Hacienda Campo Rico, a former sugar plantation that blankets thousands of acres of subtropical forest. Following an orientation that will allow you to maximize the experience, you will walk to the hilltop starting point. The view from this elevated perch will be magnificent, but only a hint of what’s to come. After being harnessed in and stepping off the platform into thin air, you will race through the tree canopy on a series of ziplines, each one a thrill in its own way. It will be an absolutely exhilarating experience as you fly through the air as high as 200 feet above the ground. You will pass over glassy lagoons, fields of plantain and pastureland before the last zipline ends at the Mojito Bar.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Race through a tree canopy high above the jungle floor on a series of ziplines.
• Marvel at the views of the forest and sea, especially from atop the zipline platforms.
• Walk along a natural path and across wooden suspension bridges between platforms.
• Toast the adventure with a refreshing beverage at the Mojito Bar, if you wish.

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

Enjoy a 90-minute drive along the island’s gorgeous western coastline offering views of the hilly ranchland and postcard-like vistas of mountains, ocean, and quaint fishing villages. Reap the benefits of soaking in a volcanic mud pool at Sulphur Springs Park, the largest geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles. As you enter what is billed as “the world’s only drive-in volcano,” you will pass bubbling hot springs and steam rising from vents in the earth’s surface known as fumaroles. It will be quite the experience, especially as you ease into a warm volcanic mud bath with minerals said to soothe the skin, detoxify the body and reduce inflammation from conditions such as arthritis. One attribute is undeniable—you can’t help but be completely relaxed while soaking in the warm sulphur-infused mud. The mud will be made available to apply. It is no wonder that the pools are one of the most popular attractions in St. Lucia. To round out your day, you will pause at an old sugar mill and linger over a sumptuous lunch.

OVERVIEW
Race through the countryside in an all-terrain vehicle and enjoy a cool mountain stream and its tumbling cascades. The Damajagua River is the waterfalls’ source and the setting couldn’t be more beautiful. After hiking through the jungle, you will arrive at a series of cascades that comprise this natural wonder. You will be free to swim in the numerous mountain pools, slide down cascades with slick rock chutes and even jump off some of the waterfalls into the refreshing water below. This area is only accessible on foot, which limits the number of other adventurers. The adrenaline rush will continue once you ease into an ATV and tear off into jungle. You can take the wheel or ride in the passenger seat. Either way, it will be exhilarating, especially if it’s been raining because the mud will be flying. Although you will be mostly off road, you will stop in a village to interact with the locals.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools below the Damajagua waterfalls
• Slide down the slick chutes that the cascades have carved into the rocks.
• Marvel at the secluded pristine setting, which can only be reached on foot.
• Race through the countryside in an open-air ATV built for adventure.

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

Join the effort to keep Saint-Martin Nature Reserve ecologically sound and reward yourself by relaxing on an idyllic stretch of beach nearby. During this hands-on experience at the reserve, you can participate in a variety of activities that may include regulating invasive species, planting mangroves and counting birds. As you will see firsthand, the reserve is well worth keeping in its natural state. Although protected, the abundant marine and terrestrial species still face environmental challenges that you will help neutralize. It is a never-ending process to which Saint-Martin is wholly committed. Following your volunteer efforts, you will enjoy the setting of a pristine beach, Orient Beach, an area known as the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean. Feel free to spend the time there however you please, which could be doing nothing more ambitious than lying in the sun without a care in the world. The waters are typically bright turquoise and calm, so be sure to take a refreshing swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Participate in a volunteer activity to help keep Saint-Martin Nature Reserve pristine.
• Enjoy the natural setting of the reserve, which extends beyond the land and into the sea.
• Relax on nearby Orient Beach, a gorgeous setting on the island’s northeastern shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

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