EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
Journey across the cool blue Caribbean into ancient outposts and lost worlds swathed in ribbons of the steamy jungle. Paradise is found on the castaway beaches of northern Colombia, wild and untamed, and the coffee plantations and forgotten ruins of Santa Marta’s Sierra Nevada. Write your own love story amid the magical walls of Cartagena and salsa the night away; tomorrow we sail for the teeming coast of Colón and the mighty Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. Rows of Dutch colonial buildings in eye-popping colours greet us in Willemstad, where the Swinging Old Lady bridge beckons us into her sheltered market harbour. Say ooh-la-la in svelte Saint-Pierre, Paris of the Caribbean, where the wrought iron balconies and elaborate facades of French colonial townhouses are juxtaposed with swathes of the wild volcanic landscape beyond. Pick up the pace in bustling Bridgetown, a harbourside melange of sensory delights, cobbled streets and quiet leafy courtyards.
| TRAVEL DATE | PRICE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|
| February 15, 2024 | from $8,660 CAD - Book and Pay in Full | Per Person |
| February 15, 2024 | from $9,050 CAD | Per Person |
| DAY | DATE | PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thu Feb 15 | Miami, Florida |
| 2 | Fri Feb 16 | At Sea |
| 3 | Sat Feb 17 | At Sea |
| 4 | Sun Feb 18 | Santa Marta, Columbia |
| 5 | Mon Feb 19 | Santa Marta, Columbia |
| 6 | Tue Feb 20 | Cartagena, Columbia |
| 7 | Wed Feb 21 | Cartagena, Columbia |
| 8 | Thu Feb 22 | At Sea |
| 9 | Fri Feb 23 | Colón, Panama |
| 10 | Sat Feb 24 | At Sea |
| 11 | Sun Feb 25 | Willemstad, Curaçao |
| 12 | Mon Feb 26 | Willemstad, Curaçao |
| 13 | Tue Feb 27 | At Sea |
| 14 | Wed Feb 28 | Saint-Pierre, Martinique |
| 15 | Thu Feb 29 | Bridgetown, Barbados |
Day 1 – Quintessential Miami
Port: Miami
Arrival Method: Dock
Departure: 17:00
Welcome to Miami and the sweep of South Beach – backdrop to every iconic Miami movie, and forefront of Latin American culture. Stroll through pastel-hued geometric buildings in the art deco district, to graffiti mural masterpieces at Wynwood Walls. Watch Latino life unfold in Little Havana – the heartbeat of this great city – where walk-up windows sell café cortadito, sweet sugarcane juice, hatuey beer and guava ice-cream. Watch passionate locals discuss politics, play dominoes and smoke cigars. Shimmy at a salsa class, shop designer boutiques and race marlin and sharks by speedboat. Then slow your pace to uncover rare and endangered species at the Everglades National Park outdoor oasis. You’ll find the Miami dream is real – and it’s not just Cuban heels that will give you a spring in your step.
Days 2 & 3 – At Sea
Days 4 & 5 – Atmospheric Santa Marta
Port: Santa Marta
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 14:00
Departure: 19:00
The sign says you can have it all in Santa Marta. Blending a thriving Caribbean trade with bountiful countryside, history and culture, Colombia really does offer a great deal. Drift into the depths of the Colombian countryside where organic coffee farms and Minca, the bohemian mountainous haven sit beneath the Sierra Nevada peaks. Roam around town for museums, Bolivar’s Park, colourful markets and partake in a Colombian cooking class. Speed into lagoons to visit a village built on stilts, and roam further afield to Bogota. Unfurl true paradise at the Lost City, Tayrona National Park and Caoba tropical bio-reserve.Colombia’s raw regional beauty will leave you longing for more.
Days 6 & 7- Cartagena Sophistication
Port: Cartagena
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 18:00
Sparkle in this jewel of the Caribbean; the cultured and very colourful Cartagena. Saunter or ride by Segway through a maze of cobbled streets for historic architecture, bougainvillea-dripping plazas, old churches and chic eateries where you’ll discover a blend of Caribbean cool and Colombian sophistication. Learn new cooking techniques with a personal chef, birdwatch at the National Aviary, visit botanical gardens, take a cycle tour or head to Turbaco. Roam offshore to Islas Del Rosario for magnificent beaches and snorkelling through colourful coral reefs. And as the sun sets over the ancient city walls, prepare for an intoxicating nightlife scene – in no time you’ll be sipping moreish mojitos, nodding to reggaeton and – once really in the spirit – gyrating to the salsa.
Day 8 – At Sea
Day 9 – Colón Conveys
Port: Colón
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 18:00
Travel through time to one of the world’s finest man-made wonders, The Panama Canal. But Colon doesn’t just transport tankers or provide a short cut between two oceans; wander through Colonial and Neoclassical architecture in the old town, meet the native Embera Indians in the Chagres National Park and admire spectacular scenery as you gently sail the man-made Gatun Lake. Pass into forested San Lorenzo National Park for ecological bliss, a likely glimpse of sloths or toucans, and the fort that kept pirates at bay. And as you learn of the latest locks for maritime trade, wonder how many more million vessels will surge through these waterways.
Day 10 – At Sea
Days 11 & 12 – Willemstad Waterways
Port: Willemstad
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 12:00
Departure: 21:00
Embrace a slice of Europe immersed in Caribbean heat. Wander through Scharlooweg’s pastel colonial architecture, delightful museums and a thriving art scene. Roam glorious beaches with hidden caves, snorkel with turtles and dive through spectacular reefs. Learn how to cook Creole cuisine, walk the town’s sun-kissed waterways, explore the prickly Hato Plains and then re-hydrate in ripe aloe plantations. As the heat of the day subsides, drop into trendy eclectic lounges, where friendly locals welcome and the legendary blue curacao cocktail awaits.
Day 13 – At Sea
Day 14 – Saint-Pierre Sophistication
Port: Saint-Pierre
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 07:00
Departure: 18:00
Embrace Martinique’s natural joie de vivre. Volcanic in origin, Gallic in heritage and Creole at heart; explore old sugar plantations, premium rum distilleries, cocoa farms and St Pierre ruins at the foothills of the still smouldering Mont Pelée. Chase the Saut du Gendarme waterfall, explore the 10 million-year-old Caravelle peninsula, roam northern beach dusky sands and visit Le Carbet made famous by the artist Gauguin. And as you slow down to contemplate the sweet concoction of the national punch, you’ll understand why the Creole and French blend makes Martinique so magical.
Day 15 – Balmy Bridgetown
Port: Bridgetown
Arrival Method: Dock
Arrival: 07:00
Embrace the slow Bajan rhythm of this welcoming island. Steeped in fascinating history and British colonial architecture there is much to explore on land and in its balmy azure waters.
Discover a new standard of luxury travel on an all-inclusive voyage aboard Explora Journey’s new ship, Explora I.
The custom-built 922-guest cruise ship provides an unforgettable experience, effortlessly combining boutique hotel sensibilities with cutting-edge technology and unrivalled comfort. From the spacious open decks and beautiful ocean-front accommodations to the best-in-class wellness facilities, every element of Explora I exudes class and sophistication.
The service is exceptional, with 700 crew members on-hand to guarantee your every need is taken care of, whether you’re ordering a drink by the pool or looking to book a bespoke shore excursion.
Where sustainability is concerned, Explora I boasts shore-to-ship power, ‘smart’ heating and air conditioning, and state-of-the-art recycling and waste management systems. In addition, as part of the MSC Foundation, Explora Journeys are committed to supporting noble environmental causes.
We would love to help you plan and book your next travel escape! We appreciate you taking the time to reach out and will be in touch as soon as possible.
