SHORE EXCURSIONS

Travelling through Jamaica's beautiful countryside, you'll drive past some historic sites and districts on the way to Dunn's River Falls. Described as a living and growing phenomenon, the waterfall continuously regenerates itself from deposits of travertine rock, the result of precipitation of calcium carbonate from the river, as it flows over the falls. The small dome-shaped cataracts are usually associated with thermal spring activity found in limestone caves. Experience the thrill of climbing the waterfall, in a human chain led by experienced Falls Guides. Pause at the 'massage parlour' and experience the soothing effects of the water as it cascades over the rocks, to the sea. For the less adventurous, view the activities of the more intrepid from the "safe" vantage point of the terrace or deck. For those who enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts, lose yourself in the lush tropical foliage of ferns, bamboos, ginger lilies, crotons, orchids, a variety of palms and breadfruit trees. After visiting the falls, you will be treated to a delicious Jamaican buffet lunch at a local Restaurant before the return drive to Montego Bay.

Experience Oman's unique blend of historic and contemporary sites when you visit Nakhl Fort and Springs, the Bait Al Zubair Museum, as well as other city highlights.

A drive along the Batinah Coast takes you to the centuries-old Nakhl Fort, perched on a 200-foot high hilltop with spectacular views of the surrounding oasis. This impressive pre-Islamic fortress was the stronghold of the well-known Bani Kharous tribe during Medieval times, and offers a unique look into Oman's past. You'll then visit Nakhl Springs, a tranquil and picturesque area framed by majestic mountains and a dense green oasis.

Stop for photos at the Zawawi Mosque, Oman's most exquisite mosque and at the splendid Al Alam Palace, which offers scenic vistas overlooking Muscat Bay. Visit Bait Al Zubair, a private museum housing collections of traditional Omani items that include weaponry, jewelry, clothing, household items and more. You’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel during the day.

A day in Muscat is not complete, until you visit the colorful Muttrah Souq, where the scent of exotic Arabian perfumes and spices fills the air. Here, a multitude of shops offer Omani daggers, or khanjars, as well as handmade Omani costumes, antiques, silver jewelry and a variety of handicrafts.

OVERVIEW

Watch humpback whales and other marine creatures cavorting in the nutrient-rich waters at Point Adolphus, one of Alaska’s premier observation points. During the cruise, a naturalist will describe the diversity of animals that converge here each summer. They come primarily to feed in the waters that are extraordinarily rich in halibut, salmon and plankton. Point Adolphus is noted for having the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. You can expect them to be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar sea lions, curious harbor seals and Orca whales. You may also see graceful bald eagles swooping down to grab fish in their talons, and perhaps even bears and deer in the surrounding wooded landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch for humpback whales breaching the water’s surface as they feed.
• Gain a deeper understanding of whales and other marine creatures from the naturalist.
• Look for playful porpoises, sea lions and harbor seals.
• Scan the sky for majestic bald eagles.
• Scour the shoreline for mammals such as bears and deer.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm layered clothing and flat comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
• Bring waterproof outerwear if you expect to sit on the open-air observation deck.
• Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.

Discover the archaeological heritage and history of the first inhabitants of the island and learn about this beautiful land. You’ll visit a lush botanical garden, the Painted Cave Museum and Archaeological Park plus enjoy a typical drink. Discover the archaeological heritage and history of the first inhabitants of the island and learn about this beautiful land. Drive to Arucas for a short photo stop to view its majestic lava-stone church. You’ll visit the Jardin de la Marquesa, which started as a small garden surrounding the summer residence of the marquis of Arucas. Today, this lush botanical garden has hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical flora. Flower lined lanes and ponds enhance the beauty of this place, where you may encounter free wandering peacocks. Relax and taste a banana liquor. Continue to Galdar to visit the Painted Cave Museum and Archaeological Park; taking its name from the remarkable rock paintings found in the cave. The museum was built around the remains of the aborigine settlement and preserves the great cultural heritage of the island, offering a journey into pre-Hispanic Gran Canaria.

See Aarhus in air-conditioned comfort and with the greatest of ease on a panoramic drive that will present the city’s most compelling highlights. Once you settle in, you will pass landmark attractions such as Aarhus University, the second-oldest and second-largest in the country. How fitting for the second-largest city in Denmark. City hall stands out as it was finished in 1941 during the German occupation of Aarhus, when much of Europe was being destroyed. While driving past the open-air museum Den Gamle By, you will gain further architectural insight, as its dozens of buildings were constructed centuries ago. The circular rainbow-colored walkway that you will spot atop the ARoS museum is a modern art installation that offers sweeping views of the surrounding urban landscape. If the Danish royal family isn’t in attendance, you will stop for photos at Marselisborg Palace, their summer residence. It was built in 1902 as a wedding gift for the then prince and princess.

OVERVIEW

Venture into the pristine wilds to look for iconic Alaskan animals such as humpback whales and grizzly bears in their natural habitats. Your adventure will begin aboard a whale-watching boat accompanied by a naturalist that will describe the creatures that you may soon observe. The nutrient-rich waters here are teeming with humpback whales that come to feed each summer before heading south to their breeding grounds. What a sight to watch these behemoths, which grow to about 50 feet long, as they breach the water’s surface and then dive down to feed again. Chances are, you will also catch sight of porpoises, sea lions and seals. After disembarking, you will drive deep into the remote Spasski River Valley to a raised observation platform to look for brown bears. Bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer are also commonly spotted here.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise waters teeming with humpback whales and watch them breaching the surface.
• Become familiar with the habits of humpback whales by listening to the onboard naturalist.
• Behold the glorious natural beauty in remote Spassky River Valley.
• Look for brown bears and other wildlife from the comfort of a raised platform.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in layers in case of cool temperatures.
• Wear flat comfortable water-resistant hiking shoes.
• Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.

OVERVIEW

See the Panama Canal’s newest, most innovative set of locks and enjoy a panoramic tour of the surrounding area. The Agua Clara locks were built to provide an alternative lane for ships that are too long and too wide to pass through the canal’s original locks. The guide will explain their complex operation in easy-to-understand terms so you can truly appreciate this marvel of engineering. You will also learn some the fascinating history of the land bordering the canal, an area known as the Canal Zone until Panama assumed control of it in 1999. The Amador Islands that you will see just offshore are manmade with rock excavated from the canal when it was dug. Driving through Panama City will present a glimpse into its pre-canal history, as the oldest section was founded in 1519. For centuries, it was the starting point for pack animals to carry cargo across the isthmus to the Caribbean Sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View the Aqua Clara locks and learn about their cutting-edge engineering.
• See the attractions in the surrounding area, which Panama didn’t govern until 1999.
• Drive through Panama City for an understanding of its past and vision for the future.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Revitalize your mind, body and spirit in a unique new way with a relaxing visit to Iceland’s famously mineral-rich Blue Lagoon. It’s a pilgrimage many, many have made before you – though people only really began bathing here in 1981. That’s when the restorative effects of the lagoon’s unique geothermal seawater, rich in both silica and sulfur, was first discovered. You’ll depart the pier for the scenic coach drive out into the volcanically active Reykjanes Peninsula, and in about 45 minutes’ time find yourself gazing at the Blue Lagoon’s sizable expanse of milky-blue waters. A pre-dip shower is not only traditional but mandatory before entering the lagoon, and once in, you’ll find the water warm but not excessively hot. Once all your stress has melted away – that usually doesn’t take long – you may want to spend a bit of time at the sauna; it overlooks the lagoon and features silica-white walls and a cozy steam bath carved into a lava cave. You can also let yourself float to the in-water bar to enjoy one complimentary drink. Best of all, Blue Lagoon guests have ready access to globs of the famous white silica mud that forms an essential part of this natural spa experience only Iceland could offer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel into scenic, volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula to visit one of Iceland’s most famous landmarks.
• After a pre-soak shower, slip into the famous milky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon.
• Experience the geothermal seawater famed for its restorative effects on the skin, and ability to wash away the stress of modern life in minutes.
• Enjoy the lagoon’s remarkable environment as you apply its signature white silica mud generously.
• Visit the sauna and other facilities here at your leisure before returning to civilization.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring a bathing suit, change of clothing.
• Flat, comfortable waterproof shoes are useful.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Experience the places which made Rome immortal by observing it from another point of view on board a double-decker bus. Along your route, a very informative audio guide will help you understand the incredible history and the splendor of the art that makes Rome a truly fascinating city.

Your tour starts at the pier with a 90 minute transfer by coach to the heart of Rome. Once there, you’ll transfer to your double-decker sightseeing bus. These buses travel a circuit all day long and have stops at some of the city’s most iconic monuments and cultural venues. The beauty of the Hop-on, Hop-off option is that you can choose which stops you want to leave the bus and explore at your leisure.

Stops will be made at the Colossuem, Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia, The Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Barberini. These stops will enable you to visit places such as Vatican City with the wonderful St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum and its Archaeological Area, and the famous Trevi Fountain. You will also have the possibility of shopping at Via Nazionale and Via del Corso.

The tour is tape-recorded and individual earphones are available should you wish. The sightseeing buses run at a frequency of 25 minutes around each of the noted main interest points. You will be advised when to return to the main terminal in order to catch the transfer back to the ship.

A beautiful drive along the east coast of Rhodes to Lindos will take you past picturesque little villages and through a splendid landscape of orange and lemon groves, gnarled olive trees, and lovingly tended vineyards.

An ancient Doric town, Lindos is dominated by a magnificent acropolis, located atop a strategic hill overlooking the bay. The views are absolutely breathtaking on the walk to the summit, especially of the waterscape below where St. Paul is said to have landed in 58 A.D. Other highlights of the famed archaeological site are the ruins of a walled fortress built in the 15th century and the remains of the ancient Temple of the Lindian Athena. It was was consecrated to the goddess Athena and also named for Lindia, a pre-Hellenic divinity.

Upon descending from the acropolis, you can meander freely through the narrow streets and past clusters of whitewashed houses that lend Lindos its distinct look. A haunt of artists for years, the village also boasts a myriad of shops carrying locally made jewelry, leather goods and ceramics.

OVERVIEW

See the historical highlights in the capital Santo Domingo, a colonial town that Bartholomew Columbus founded on the Ozama River in 1498. Even so, the Columbus Lighthouse honors Christopher, Bartholomew’s more famous older brother. It was inaugurated in 1992 to mark the 500th anniversary of the explorer’s first voyage to the New World. Following a revealing look at the beacon’s exterior, you will visit the Alcázar de Colon, a limestone palace that Christopher’s son Diego built while governor. It lies in the Colonial Zone, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage site because its grid layout became the model for future colonial cities. While browsing the rare artifacts at the Museum of the Royal Houses, you will discover more fascinating details about the settling of Santo Domingo and the indigenous pre-Columbian Taino people. That history will really come alive as you watch an immersive 4D movie at the Colonial Gate Cinema.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the history of Santo Domingo through its most significant landmarks.
• Gain insight into how the family of Christopher Columbus influenced the city.
• See the Columbus Lighthouse and the palace that Columbus’s son built while governor.
• Explore the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Watch an immersive 4D movie that brings the history of Santo Domingo to life.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Your tour begins with a scenic journey along Jamaica’s beautiful coastline. On arrival at Dolphin Cove Negril, you’ll be greeted by a friendly hostess and receive a welcome drink. After a brief orientation, you’ll enter the world of these fascinating mammals. Get to know these gentle creatures from a platform in shallow water, experience the emotion as you caress these beautiful animals, enjoy a splash and even a kiss or two! View the stingrays in their natural lagoon. Then relax and enjoy shopping for unique souvenirs in the gift shop. After this exciting experience, you’ll be transported to the world famous Doctor’s Cave Beach located on Montego Bay’s "must see” hip strip. This beautiful white sand beach with its crystal clear waters, temperatures average 78-84 Fahrenheit /22-28 Celsius year round, is said to have curative powers, able to restore good health and cure several ailments. Food, drink and beach chair rentals are available at an extra cost. After this relaxing day you'll be returned to your awaiting ship.