TROPICAL CHARMS OF THE CARIBBEAN AND BEYOND

ITINERARY

DAY 1  ARTAGENA

Within the walled Old City of Cartagena, a historic coastal city in Colombia, 16th- to 18th-century military architecture, unmatched in the Americas, stands tall. Vibrant streets host museums like the Gold Museum, overlooked by the hilltop Castillo San Felipe fortress. Along the picturesque coast, La Boquilla fishing village is known for folkloric drumming and dancing and is the gateway to one of Colombia's largest mangrove forests.

DAY 2  SANTA MARTA

The first Spanish settlement in the Americas, Santa Marta preserves colonial landmarks like the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Convent and the Gold Museum showcasing pre-Columbian history. The Sierra Nevada mountains, the world’s highest coastal range and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, tower over. Nearby Tayrona National Park is famed for rainforests and ancient Pueblito ruins, built by the Tayrona people and accessed via forest trails.

SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

DAY 3  DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 4  SANTO DOMINGO

The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Santo Domingo, established in the 15th century, is also the first city in the Americas with a paved road. The town's Colonial Zone is UNESCO-listed with cobblestoned streets and coral rock buildings dating to the 1500s like the first cathedral in the Americas. Plaza de España contains the Alcázar de Colón palace, now a museum displaying medieval and Renaissance art.

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DAY 5  SAONA ISLAND

Famed for its mangroves, palm-fringed beaches and crystal-clear, shallow seas teeming with starfish, Saona Island is a tropical paradise nestled within the Dominican Republic's Cotubanamá National Park. A highlight is the fishing village of Mano Juan, where visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture while exploring the colourful shacks and a turtle sanctuary. To the west, the Cave of Cotubanamá reveals ancient rock art.

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DAY 6  SAMANA, CAYO LEVANTADO

Thousands of humpback whales during mating season come to Samaná, a picturesque peninsula in the Dominican Republic. Samaná town showcases the Whale Museum, while the Malecón waterfront promenade offers colourful colonial houses, bars and seafood eateries. Nearby, the El Limon Waterfall cascades into a swimming hole, and Los Haitises National Park harbours subtropical forests, mangroves and vibrant coral reefs.

SEE OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

DAY 7  PROVIDENCIALES

Affectionately known as Provo, Providenciales stands out as the third largest isle in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. Grace Bay Beach is its vibrant watersports hub, lined with resorts and seaside dining along its pristine, sandy shores. Chalk Sound National Park features a picturesque turquoise lagoon dotted with tiny cays, home to Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas, barracudas, stingrays and lemon sharks. The area's premier snorkelling destinations, Smith's and Bight Reefs, offer encounters with starfish, turtles, conch and a myriad of colourful marine life.

DAY 8  LONG ISLAND, CLARENCE TOWN

The small Clarence Town is the gateway to Long Island. Aside from a harbour and a couple of restaurants, the town's attractions include Gun Hill and St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. Nearby, the remarkable Hamilton’s Cave, the largest cave system in the Bahamas, showcases exquisite stalactites and stalagmites, while Dean’s Blue Hole, the world's second-deepest saltwater sinkhole, adds to the natural wonders of the area.

DAY 9  SAN SALVADOR ISLAND, GRAHAMS HARBOUR

Graham's Harbour on San Salvador Island is home to the unique Graham's Harbour Iguana and Seabird National Park, protecting endangered iguanas and seabird colonies with more species than any other Bahamian isle: frigate birds, diverse booby species, terns and tropic birds. The island showcases history at Landfall National Park where Columbus first landed in 1492. With over 50 dive sites and coral reefs, San Salvador is a natural wonder.

DAY 10  EXUMA ISLAND, COMPASS BAY

Compass Cay, in the Exumas, stands out for exhilarating shark encounters where visitors can swim with docile nurse sharks. The Exumas are a stunning archipelago of 365 islands, known for their enchanting sapphire-blue waters visible even from space. Divided into Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and the Exuma Cays, must-visit spots include Big Major Cay, home to the famous swimming pigs.

DAY 11  NASSAU

Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is a sunny and lively destination famous for beaches, such as Cable Beach and Nirvana Beach. Its rich history dating back to 1670 is told at The Pirates of Nassau Museum with tales of Blackbeard and Edward Teach, and the Pompey Museum of slavery. The pastel-coloured buildings are home to shops, restaurants, bars alongside the Fish Market and the Straw Market, thick with straw crafts and tourist trinkets.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes

DAY 2  SANTA MARTA

HISTORY, GOLD & COLOUR OF SANTA MARTA
Included
04 h 15 m
visit the small Gold Museum which houses some interesting gold and pottery objects from the indigenous cultures that inhabit the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Discover the 17th century Cathedral, Colombia’s oldest church, here the remains of Simon Bolivar were kept from his death in 1830 until 1842 when they were transferred to the Pantheon in Caracas
Continue to La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, built in the 17th century and was where Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Colombia spent his final days and died in 1830

FLAVOURS OF SANTA MARTA
Optional
04 h 30 m
Discover the culture of this unique city through a tasting of some if it’s most traditional and popular food and drink
Stroll around the city to discover the history of ths unique city
Enjoy a traditional mini-lunch of fish, coconut rice and green banana pancakes with fruit juice while enjoying a traditional folkloric presentation.

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE & COFFE FARM
Optional
05 h 15 m
Visit one of the most ancient Aciendas in the Area
See how is the elaboration process of Coffee in La Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Visit the village of Minca and enjoy the views of the mountain landscape

DAY 4  SANTO DOMINGO

BOTANICAL GARDEN & THE THREE EYES CAVES
Optional
04 h 00 m
Explore The Three Eyes Cave is a collapsed cave featuring 3 small pools
Discover how the Pre-Columbian Taino Indians used the caves for religious ceremonies
Visit The Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo is the largest one in the Caribbean

EXCLUSIVE DOMINICAN CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE
Optional
03 h 30 m
Learn about all the cacao production
Attend a demonstration of the tempering of chocolate
Following the instructions of an expert instructor, you will prepare various dishes made with chocolate, decorate chocolates and brownies, as well as coat fruits

BOTANICAL GARDEN & OLD TOWN SANTO DOMINGO
Included
04 h 00 m
Explore the beautiful Botanical Gardens of Santo Domingo
Enjoy a panoramic drive in the Colonial part of the Old Town
See some of the many landmarks, including the Alcazar de Colón, the oldest viceregal residence in the Americas

DOMINICAN FEAST & FIESTA
Optional
04 h 30 m
Look a cigar-making demonstration while enjoying a drink
Witness the creation of colorful masks before your eyes and learn the merengue dance
Enjoy a typical buffet dinner

C
Included
04 h 00 m
Walk down the famous Calle las Damas -- the first cobblestone street built in the Americas
Visit the impressive Royal Houses Museum
Enjoy a guided tour of Santa María la Menor the first cathedral in the Americas

DAY 5  SAONA ISLAND

SAONA ISLAND BEACH GETAWAY
Included
06 h 00 m
Swim in the crystal-clear waters
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch that includes BBQ
Relax under the amazing coconut trees

DAY 6  SAMANA, CAYO LEVANTADO

KAYAK ADVENTURE
Optional
03 h 30 m
Live the unique experience that combines the thrill of paddling with the serenity of nature
Explore a natural aquarium and the lush coastline of Las Galeras, a canonical tropical paradise with palms.

SAILING CATAMARAN & SNORKELING EXPERIENCE
Optional
03 h 00 m
Cruise along the beautiful bay of Samana and snorkel by the old reef sunken ferry
Admire the wide varieties of fishes, coral, starfish and many other interesting marine life

DOMINICAN CUISINE
Optional
03 h 30 m
Enjoy an entertaining coconut demonstration of the ancient Dominican skills of coconut tree climbing at Samana
Learn all about the coconut, an important ingredient present in most of Samana dishes
An experienced chef will introduce you to the ingredients recipes and cooking methods of the local cuisine