SHORE EXCURSIONS

After departing from the pier in a sleek catamaran, you will soon be sailing across the heart of Boka Bay. The surrounding landscape is so wild and the cliffs so precipitous that the bay is often referred to as the southernmost fjord in Europe. It’s that stunningly beautiful.

In time, the ancient village of Perast will come into view. Like Kotor, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with extraordinary Venetian-style architecture and abundant Catholic churches. One of the most beautiful churches is Our Lady of the Rocks, which sits on a tiny island in the bay. As you circumnavigate the island, you can expect to hear the legend of how it was formed—supposedly by sailors who dropped rocks in the same spot every time they sailed by in honor of the image of the Virgin Mary being seen there.

Then it’s on to the exclusive Movida Beach Club, where you might stroll along the sea, take a refreshing swim in the typically calm waters and relax in a lounge chair under the shade of an umbrella. The scenery is just as impressive as the beach, and you will have plenty of time to soak it in before boarding a coach and driving back to the pier.

The Discover Island Tour combines an interesting look at the countryside of Curacao and the city of Willemstad and a visit to three of the major attractions of this Dutch island.

Drive past the salt flats and flamingoes before proceeding to the spectacular Hato Caves, a dramatic collection of grottos filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, centuries in the making.

From the Hato Caves you continue to the Curacao Museum in Otrabanda. The museum combines contemporary art with an exhibition of life in Curacao during the mid-nineteenth century. Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge and enjoy a magnificent view over Punda and Otrobanda, the 2 sides of our natural harbor, St Ana Bay.

Enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point; otherwise it is a short five-minute drive back to the ship.

After departing from the pier, you will drive inland through the inspiring Croatian countryside to Sibenik, a fortified town founded in the 9th century. Walking through the Old Town, you will see attractions such as the Gothic-style St. Francis Church, lovely Sibenik Theater, and the Duke’s Palace, which has been converted into a museum.

Still, St. Jacob’s Cathedral remains Sibenik’s highlight. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral was built entirely of stone under the direction of three architects. Construction took more than 100 years, and the result is a magnificent blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Next, you will visit Trogir, the entire city-island being a UNESCO site. Protected by medieval walls, Trogir has retained its original layout from the Hellenistic period and is a remarkable example of urban continuity. You can’t help but be awed by the outstanding examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture found along the winding stone streets.

Back in Split, you will enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch before exploring Old Town and yet another UNESCO gem: the Palace of Diocletian. Built at the turn of the 4th century for Roman emperor Diocletian’s retirement, the palace is a sprawling complex of temples, cathedrals and residences facing the sea and is absolutely spectacular. Following your visit, you will return to the pier.

A glass bottom boat cruise is the best way to see this beautiful island from above and below the waves. The jet propelled glass bottom boats have large viewing areas and shallow drafts, offering the very best in underwater viewing and reef access, all in safe, dry, comfort. Relax on the spacious upper deck and enjoy the passing seascapes as your Captain relates little known facts and insights about Bermuda’s history, people and island life. You’ll cruise to the pristine Sea Gardens, and the Shipwreck of the Vixen, a fantastic habitat for a variety of fish and miles of coral reef.

Once over the reef, your knowledgeable crew provides an entertaining and factual commentary on the mysterious civilizations of coral and fish that appear beneath you. Departing the reef, the boat will pause at the nearby sea grass beds, where you may spot a few of the many transient turtles that take refuge in this Mid-Atlantic sanctuary. Enjoy a complimentary soft drink on the return cruise. Rum Swizzle and beer available for cash purchase.

Boasting one of the largest man-made dolphin habitats in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone cruising Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Day Pass visitors have the opportunity to snorkel in a Tropical Reef Aquarium (Minimum height 115 cm/ 45”), learn about marine mammals, feed exotic tropical birds, walk through a tropical rain forest, and observe dolphin, sea lion and tropical bird shows. Guests will also have a free access to the dolphin beach and the fresh water oasis located at the Pirate’s Pool! This tour also includes a hearty Dominican lunch and allow to Immerse in the rich Dominican culture tasting handmade chocolate and observing skill woodcarving artisans on the go. Appreciate the expertise involved in cigar rolling and learn a few steps of Merengue and Bachata or sit back and admire a professional presentation with our folkloric ballet. Before you go, visit the Dominican Corner, the ideal spot for shopping local souvenirs. Photos, videos and drinks are available at an additional cost. At an additional fee get an unlimited water park pass to use the Water Slides in the beach area (Minimum height required 122 cm / 48”).

Join this unforgettable excursion where you’ll travel through small villages and hear their story along the way. Ascend over 900 feet above sea level between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea where you can take some of the most amazing photos on your cruise. Enjoy stunning views and different shades of beautiful BVI blue waters. Listen up as your knowledgeable driver/guide share gems of BVI history and culture. Cross the bridge to Beef Island and swim at the local’s favorite, Long Bay beach. Here you can listen to music, chat with locals, chill at the bars, do light shopping or have a dip in BVI blue waters.

Witness the natural beauty of the Caribbean at Roatan's finest preservation park – Gumbalimba Park. Explore unspoiled trails where flowers and butterflies give way to the shade of the tropical forest canopy. Make the crossing over Gumbalimba Pond via a scenic rope bridge. Delight in the tranquil sounds of the garden waterfall. Befriend the brilliant winged inhabitants of the Bird Sanctuary where friendly parrots and macaws bring the colors of the Caribbean alive. Ever dreamt of frolicking with monkeys? Enter the Monkey Refugio and meet the white face capuchin monkeys.

Roam through the Botanical Garden and learn more about the native exotic plants. Enter into the Insectarium and discover the world of insects. After exploring, dive into the freshwater pool or take a dip in the Caribbean. Come to Gumbalimba where history and nature awaits you.

Enjoy a scenic 25 minute drive to Coral World Ocean Park. Upon arrival, the staff will provide you with a brief orientation and colorful souvenir map for your 2 1/2 hour self-guided tour of Coral World and adjacent Coki Beach. You’ll have lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with fascinating marine animals, birds and reptiles. Step under the sea without getting wet in the Undersea Observatory. See an amazing array of sea creatures in the Caribbean Reef Encounter, an 80,000 gallon recreation of a living reef. Marvel at the grace of the sea turtles, sharks and stingrays.

Coral World is a rehabilitation center for stranded and endangered sea turtles. Gently handle starfish and sea urchins, pet a sea cucumber, meet a hermit crab and other touchable sea creatures at the Touch Pool. Visit the Lorikeet Garden where you can feed nectar to these playful and colorful birds. You may soak up the sun or swim in the crystal-clear waters of Coki Beach right next door. Find a special gift or souvenir at one the unique gift shops and relax and refresh at one of the open-air cafes.

OVERVIEW

Enter the world of the Humpback, Minke and Orca on a whale-spotting expedition off Iceland’s northern coast. Coupled with an informative whale museum visit, lunch at a local eatery and a stop to marvel at thunderous Godafoss falls, this has the makings of an exhilarating day indeed. You’ll travel from Akureyri pier by coach to the town of Husavik. There, you’ll head out by boat into Skjálfandi Bay, where hungry cetaceans like to feed on the abundant krill, plankton and fish. For the next three hours, all eyes will be fixed on the water – waiting to spot the next fluke, tail, blowhole or full-tilt breach. Entertaining you as you wait, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins will likely be seen cavorting in the waves. Once back on dry land, it’s time for lunch and an interval spent soaking up the fascinating info on display at Husavik Whale Museum. Enroute back to Akureyri, you’ll stop to take in the roar of Godafoss, its waters plunging over a huge horseshoe-shaped rim to form one of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. But then, nothing quite compares to the sight of a giant Blue Whale or leaping Humpback.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the Iceland countryside by coach as you head for a tiny town on the northern coast.
• Spend three exciting hours on a whale-watching cruise in the krill-rich feeding grounds off Husavik.
• Tour an award-winning museum where ecology of whales and history of whaling is vividly presented.
• Visit the mighty “Waterfall of the Gods” – Godafoss – thundering over its wide horseshoe cliff.
• Enjoy lunch in a local Icelandic restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

Drive through the capital of St. George’s, passing Government House, St. Paul’s and on to the parish of St. David’s, where plantations of cocoa and spices can be seen. At Marquis, the brightly painted fishing boats dot the beaches and the local people weave the pandanus grasses into crafts. Your next stop is L'Esterre Estate. From L'Esterre Estate, you’ll proceed to the National Park Nature Center at Grand Etang. Grand Etang languishes at 1,900 feet in the crater of an extinct volcano. Descend on a fern-fringed road to Annandale, where a short and steep walk brings you to a green paradise of rushing water and hanging ferns.

OVERVIEW

Interact with southern stingrays on a shallow sandbar and observe an abundance of other marine life by snorkeling a barrier reef off Grand Cayman. A scenic cruise along beautiful Seven Mile Beach will bring you to Stingray City, a collection of sandbars teeming with stingrays. These graceful creatures may look somewhat ominous, but they are docile and shy, often burying most of their flat bodies in the sand. While swimming with the stingrays, you might feed them, run your hands over their sandpaper-like skin or simply allow them to brush by. The stingrays that inhabit this particular sandbar are quite friendly and accustomed to sharing the water with people. After cruising to a nearby reef, you will see many of the other marine creatures that live in the crystal-clear waters. Among the most colorful are queen parrotfish, red-and-white striped squirrelfish and silvery yellow French grunts, whose name refers to the noise they make by grinding their teeth.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit a series of shallow sandbars with so many stingrays that it’s called Stingray City.
• Feed and touch the stingrays or simply watch them from a distance.
• Snorkel a barrier reef and observe the other marine life that lives off Grand Cayman.

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

Experience the full beauty of natural Aruba on a tour that will take you on a journey of discovery. You’ll first make the scenic trip to Aruba's number one ecological attraction - the Butterfly Farm. Step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies and prepare to encounter some of the world's most colorful creatures. Your next stop will be the Aloe Factory where you’ll take a guided tour and see the production process first hand, from leaf cutting in the fields to finished lotions and creams. Then travel through the Aruba country side on your way to the Natural Bridge carved from solid coral by wind and sea. The excursion ends with the scenic drive through Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.