Sailing through the Lesser Antilles & Beyond (Serenissima)

Description

Join the MS Serenissima for an island hopping voyage through the Caribbean with the added advantage of time spent in the fascinating countries of Guyana and Suriname. Spend time exploring islands rich in natural wonders from tropical flowers, indigenous birds and coral reefs to impressive waterfalls. These natural world highlights will be combined with time spent in small, welcoming towns where we will meet friendly islanders. As we sail short distances we have full days in many of the glorious islands in the Lesser Antilles and have the luxury of time to wander and explore at our own pace whilst seeing some of the more remote and harder to reach areas.

One of the highlights of our voyage will be our extended time in the former British colony of Guyana, one of the least visited countries in South America but home to a diverse amount of wildlife and natural wonders. Meanwhile in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will hear about the history of this former British settlement which was swapped with the Dutch for New York in 1667. There are many ships cruising the Caribbean waters but if you prefer a chance to explore in small groups and to visit the smaller islands and off the beaten track destinations then this is the trip for you.

Trip Name

Sailing through the Lesser Antilles & Beyond (Serenissima)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 87 metres Passenger Capacity: 95 Built / refurbished: 1960 / 2013 / 2019 MS Serenissima is a charming vessel and one of her best known and loved features of this vessel is its unique style. During a major refit the then owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create a Gustavian style interior. This bright Swedish 18th century influenced, country house style works particularly well on a vessel of this vintage, providing intimacy and classic nautical sensibility often lacking in larger vessels. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac landing craft allowing us to visit remote places where normal tender arrangements are not possible. The European Captain, Officers, Expedition Staff, and crew offer a first class service and have been selected for their professionalism and caring attitudes. The atmosphere on board is warm and welcoming and dedicated to discovery and relaxation. AIR-CONDITIONING The ship is air conditioned throughout. Please note that only the Serenissima Suites have individually controlled air-conditioning. DAILY PROGRAMME A Daily Programme, detailing the following day’s arrangements as well as any specific information about the day’s activities is produced onboard and delivered to your cabin each evening during the turn down service. DINING, DRINKING AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS The Venice Restaurant onboard serves international cuisine and accommodates all guests at a single open seating. Tables seat 4 to 10 diners. In addition, there is an outside dining area for when the weather and itinerary permit. Breakfast and lunch are both buffet style, dinner is waiter service only. Complimentary (red and white) house wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. Bar drinks and other beverages with meals are not included; these may be purchased onboard and paid for at the end of your cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available between 07:00 hours and 23:00 hours at the tea and coffee station located in the Andrea lounge. Please advise of any special dietary requests in advance. DISABLED FACILITIES The ship can accommodate passengers with mobility restrictions and wheelchair dependent passengers in cabin 407, which has a wider door and no step into/out of the bathroom and shower area. There is a lift serving decks 3 to 6, but there is no stair lift. DOCTOR A medical doctor is available on board 24 hours a day. A fee is charged for any consultations and medication prescribed. Please ensure you carry adequate supplies of any regular medications you may require. ELECTRICITY The electrical outlets in the cabins and public areas are 220V and take a two-round-pin plug (as in continental Europe). There is a 110/220V, 60Hz outlet for electric shavers in the bathroom. We recommend that you bring an international adaptor. GRATUITIES Gratuities to crew and whilst on excursions are included in the cost of your holiday. INTERNET The onboard library has a computer equipped for email/internet access and Wi-Fi access is available in public areas, although you will require your own laptop, tablet or smartphone, and charges apply – 100mb for €15 Euros, or 500mb for €25 Euros. Please note that connection is dependent on weather conditions and location. LANGUAGE All members of the crew speak English. MONEY The following payment methods are accepted for settlement of shipboard accounts: Cash (Euros or British Pounds), Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express), Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa). Please note that personal cheques and Travellers’ Cheques are not accepted. PUBLIC AREAS • Andrea Lounge (on Deck 5). The bar is open from 11.00 until 24.00. • Harald Jarl Lounge (on Deck 5). There is a small library here with books and games. There is also a computer for public use (charges apply for internet access) • Lido area (on Deck 5) with a Jacuzzi and fitness room with two running machines • Observation Deck (access from Deck 5 lido area) • Deck 5 and Deck 6 outside seating areas SNORKELLING Snorkelling equipment is kept onboard. Please note that there is no snorkelling from Zodiacs. All snorkelling stops will operate from a beach. TELEVISION The ship is equipped with a satellite TV system which receives 15 channels. TV reception depends on the satellite dish and on occasion it may not be possible to receive a signal. There is one central video channel on which it is possible to listen to the lectures delivered in the Andrea Lounge. There is also a channel for the ship’s camera located in front of the ship. ZODIACS Some destinations may require the use of Zodiacs to go ashore. These are usually on expedition cruises though may sometimes be used on destination cruises.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 London to Antigua.

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Serenissima. Enjoy welcome dinner and drinks as we moor overnight.

Day 2 - Day 2 Antigua.

We have a full day in Antigua and on a morning tour will enjoy the views from Shirley Heights before heading to Nelson’s Dockyard, beautifully located in English Harbour. See the impressive collection of restored historic buildings which were occupied by the British Navy from 1707 till 1899. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon in St John’s.

Day 3 - Day 3 Dominica.

Stepping back in time, the island of Dominica is still the primitive garden that Columbus first sighted in 1493. An area of tropical rainforests, flowers of incredible beauty and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. We arrive this morning in the small port of Cabrits, just below the national park and the former British garrison of Fort Shirley. The active can climb to the fort to explore the ruins, visit the small museum and maybe wander the surrounding trails on the lookout for birds, hermit crabs and lizards. For the keen birders we will offer a tour to the Morne Diablotin National Park where, from the viewpoint we hope to see the two endemic parrots of Dominica.

Day 4 - Day 4 St Lucia.

Today we will discover this splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. From our anchorage at Rodney Bay we will run a choice of tours this morning. Discover Pigeon Island which changed hands 14 times between the British and French and at Fort Rodney we will learn more about the history as we walk through the ruins. Alternatively, experience the Aerial Tram where 16 open-air gondolas ascend noiselessly through the rainforest, offering a magical view of nature including towering gommier trees, impressive chatannier trees, strangler ficus, hummingbirds and bananaquits. Our local guides will point out giant ferns and magnificent heliconia, and identify the calls and the plumage of the birdlife that makes the Caribbean Oceanic forest their home. The descent affords a bird’s eye view of the rainforests and offers a spectacular panoramic vista of the north of the island. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.

Day 5 - Day 5 Grenada.

Explore this wonderful Windward Island which many regard as the most beautiful in the Caribbean. It is a lush and verdant island with spice plantations, rum distilleries, tropical forests, secluded coves, nature trails and select hotels which cling to the hillsides overlooking the ocean. We will moor in the picturesque capital of St George’s and will drive through the rainforest to beautiful Grand Etang Lake, 1700 feet above sea level. After lunch on board, enjoy some free time to explore before sailing in the early evening.

Day 6 - Day 6 At Sea.

Enjoy a relaxing day on board.

Day 7 - Days 7 to 9 Georgetown, Guyana.

We will spend two and a half days in Guyana, South America’s only English speaking country. Georgetown was called Longchamps under the French and Stabroek under the Dutch, so it comes as no surprise that the tree lined streets are a wonderful mix of colonial styles. During our time here we will enjoy a half day city tour to include St Georges Cathedral, St Andrew’s Kirk and the Stabroek Market, once described as a ‘bizarre bazaar’, which contains every conceivable item from household goods and gold jewellery to fresh meat and vegetables brought to town on the river daily. We will also join a local flight to the Kaieteur National Park where the mighty Kaieteur Falls plunge 822 feet to the bottom of a rocky gorge. Five times the height of Niagara Falls, an amazing 30,000 gallons of water per second crashes to the depths below. Nature lovers will have the chance to tour the extensive botanical gardens where we may also see many of the resident birds including the blood-coloured woodpecker, pearl kite and red bellied macaws.

Day 8 - Day 10 Paramaribo, Suriname.

Arrive today in the capital of Suriname, Paramaribo, located on the banks of the Suriname River. The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and on our guided tour we will see the many historic colonial buildings and tree-lined avenues. This is a city of many colours and cultures and one of the few places in the world where mosques, Hindu temples, synagogues and Christian churches coexist peacefully side by side. Visit the city’s leafy park, Palm Garden which was created in 1682 and is home to more than 1000 palms, the waterfront and Fort Zeelandia, originally named Fort Willoughby by the British in 1651. After lunch we drive to the Commewijne District just outside of Paramaribo, a beautiful agricultural area of creeks, rivers and former plantations. Here we will take nature walks on the lookout for birds, monkeys and lizards before visiting the museum at New Amsterdam, an 18th century fort built to protect the city where we can also see the resident giant lilies.

Day 9 - Day 11 At Sea.

Relax on board as we sail back to the Caribbean.

Day 10 - Day 12 Tobago.

After a morning at sea we arrive in Scarborough, the capital of Tobago and home to about one third of its population. A bustling town, the friendly liveliness that greets you hides the torrid past of a town that has changed hands over 30 times in the past 150 years. We will visit Fort King George, built in 1779 during the many struggles between the French and the English over ownership of the island, before continuing to Plymouth and an eco-tourism estate in Arnos Vale, where we hope to spot some of the local hummingbirds.

Day 11 - Day 13 Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Due to its location close to the South American mainland, Trinidad has a unique diversity of plant and animal species which we will discover today. From our berth at Port of Spain we will drive inland to the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Founded on a former cocoa and coffee plantation in 1967 it comprises 1500 acres of forest providing habitat for a range of wildlife. On a series of guided walks we will explore searching for the 166 species of birds. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and later this afternoon we head to the Caroni Nature Sanctuary, a mangrove swamp covering an area of 40 square miles. On arrival at the sanctuary we board a flat-bottomed boat and slowly travel along the beautiful peaceful waterways and lagoons admiring the beauty of the landscape and a variety of birds including egrets and herons and other wildlife. The most astounding bird is the Scarlet Ibis, a large bright red bird feeding and nesting here and we hope to catch them as they return to their nests at sunset.

Day 12 - Day 14 Bequia, Grenadines.

We have the whole day on this delightful Grenadine island which is totally unspoilt and a place of pure escapism with a charming old world atmosphere. Only seven miles by two it is a long way from the well beaten tourist track, a serene and peaceful island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Choose to spend time in the main town of Port Elizabeth, find a spot on a local beach or join a drive to Spring Bay where we can visit the Hawksbill Turtle sanctuary.

Day 13 - Day 15 Barbados to London.

Disembark this morning and enjoy a scenic drive before arriving at Sunbury Plantation for lunch. Later we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Day 14 - Day 16 London.

Arrive today.

Day 15 - Please Note:

This cruise is not classified as an expedition cruise, however Zodiac landing craft will be integral to the operation of the voyage due some of the small ports we will be visiting where we may be at anchor.Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit Antigua & Dominica.
Discover St Lucia & Grenada.
Explore Georgetown, Guyana.
Sail to Paramaribo, Suriname.
Explore Port of Spain, Trinidad.