Exclusive Antigua Culture and History Tour

Enjoy this exclusive small-group tour to Antigua's beautiful and historic South Coast. Smaller groups allow for more personalized visits to locations, including Shirley Heights, Dow's Hill Interpretation Center, and Nelson's Dockyard.

English Harbour, Antigua's historic district, is centered around the 15 square miles of Nelson's Dockyard National Park. Developed as a base for the British Navy during the great age of sail, the harbor served as headquarters for the fleet of the Leeward Islands in the late 18th century.

Although the dockyard was greatly expanded under Horatio Nelson, it was gradually abandoned in the nineteenth century and closed in 1889. Today, Nelson's Dockyard has been completely restored and remains the only Georgian dockyard in the world.

Further above the harbor, at Shirley Heights, you'll find the partially restored fortifications of the harbor's colonial observation post. The view from Shirley Heights stretches out over the harbor and across the Caribbean to neighboring islands.

Dow's Hill Interpretation Center offers an engaging multimedia presentation on Antigua's history, from its earliest settlements to independence. Observation decks at Dow's Hill provide another fine view of the harbor and the ruins of Fort Berkeley, located on the far side of the bay.

The tour continues along the island's scenic Southern Coast, through lush rainforest and charming rural landscapes. Along the way, enjoy a stop at Clairmont Pineapple Farm, where owner and farmer Mr. Grant personally leads visitors through his working farm. Guests can see how Antigua's famous black pineapple is grown and enjoy a taste of the fresh fruit during the visit. The farm is situated in a peaceful rural area, reached by a short ride along a dirt road that offers a glimpse of everyday life outside the main towns.

Relax and enjoy the ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus as you experience Antigua's natural beauty, local culture, and rich history.

Barbados Harrison's Cave Tour

For those interested in a shorter excursion focusing on the island's premier attraction, the Barbados Harrison's Cave Tour is exactly the right choice. Setting out from the pier area, you will travel to the middle of the island and the magnificent Harrison's Cave. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes.

At the cave, you will board electrically operated trams that will take you through the extensive system of caverns while experienced guides will give you historical information. The Barbados Harrison's cave is truly a phenomenon of nature. There are amazing galleries of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave, and stalagmites reaching up from the ground, with emerald pools and pillars where they have joined over thousands of years. The dramatic lighting will enhance your visit. Depending on crowds, your time in the cave is approximately 35-45 minutes. There is also a 20-minute video you can watch either before or after the Barbados tour (depending on the wait to get in the cave).

After your cave tour, you will rejoin your transportation for the 30-minute drive back to the pier.

St. Lucia Views & Sightseeing Port Trip

Stony Hill, St. Lucia has much to offer on this Exclusive Tour and asks only that you enjoy every minute of it!

After boarding your air-conditioned bus for your St. Lucia excursion, usually in groups of no more than 20 guests, you will drive through Castries, where various points of interest will be pointed out by your tour guide. Then, follow the winding road up the Morne for a panoramic view of the city, the harbor and even, on a clear day, as far as the island of Martinique. You will continue up to the Morne complex to view the Inniskilling Monument, erected in honor of the British 27th Inniskilling Regiment that captured the Morne from the French in 1796. This area is also home to one of the island's highest educational institutions, the OECS Secretariat, and also the main television station.

A short drive away is the Howelton Estate. This estate has a rich history and features a cafe, artist studio, and Caribelle Batik, where a short stop is made to see artists creating their works of art by using hot wax and dye. You will also have the opportunity to shopping for Batik items.

Your journey continues along the secondary roads through the hills on the outskirts of the city, taking you through small communities with scenic views highlighting the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts.

Stopping at a viewpoint within the community of La Guerre, you will get a spectacular view overlooking the Marquis Estate, once the largest banana plantation on the island. Your drive continues through other communities on your way to Monchy, where you will have wonderful views of Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island. You will then descend the hill to the private home of the Sonys, Stony Hill, which you may view from the outside only, as entry inside the house is not permitted.

This property offers a well-manicured lawn edged by a tropical garden and a breathtaking view of the Rodney Bay area. Tasty refreshments and a selection of local fruits handpicked from the gardens await you while you relax in the courtyard or next to the pool. Restrooms are available before your short journey back to the ship.

Shopping, Sightseeing & Beach Day Excursion in St. Maarten

Two countries on one island for almost 400 years. Wouldn't you love to know how they do it? Come along on this St. Maarten excursion for an Island Drive and Beach Tour with a twist. You'll visit parts of the island usually not seen by cruise guests.

Departing the cruise terminal, you will drive through part of Philipsburg towards Cole Bay and Belle Vue. Making a photo stop at the Harold Jack lookout point high on a hill overlooking the sea, clouds permitting, you will have fantastic views of the neighboring islands of Saba (the home of Kong in the original King Kong movie) St. Eustatius to the south, and British Anguilla to the north. You will also begin to see Simpson Bay and its lagoon as you crest the hill.

This St. Maarten tour continues on to Marigot, the French capital, which is a quaint French village with a Caribbean twist. Sidewalk cafes serving cappuccino overlook mega-yachts, framed by palm trees. Gourmet restaurants sit in the shadow of a 200-year-old fort, and bold tropical prints in the open-air markets mix with the latest fashions from French boutiques. You will have some free time to experience this wonderful blend.

Then it's on to Orient Bay. This sweeping two-mile long, white-powdered sand beach is protected from the Atlantic waves by a reef, and the bottom has a very gradual slope. It is the island's most popular and busiest beach. On this St. Maarten excursion, you will have approximately 1.5 hours to swim, beach walk, or relax on the white sand.

You will also have the opportunity to purchase lunch or indulge in a tropical drink in paradise at a local restaurant located on the east end of the beach.

Returning to Philipsburg through the center of the island, you will have the option of being dropped off downtown for shopping or taken back to the pier.

Guests departing downtown will need to arrange their own transportation back to the cruise pier at their own expense via taxi, water taxi or walking.

Please Note: The tour will also make photo stops with scenic views of Orient Bay. The clothing-optional beach at Club Orient, the naturist resort, is located at the east end of the beach, approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Bikini Beach, where you will be visiting. Although most guests in the Bikini Beach area will be wearing swim attire, be advised that you may encounter topless and possibly nude sunbathers anywhere. This St. Maarten excursion may operate in a different order due to traffic conditions or crowds at the venues. On Sundays, most shops and restaurants on the French side are closed. All stores are closed on the following national holidays: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Kings Day, Carnival Day, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Emancipation Day, Constitution Day, St. Maarten's Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Guests booking on these days will have the option to window shop or spend more time at the beach.

Skyline Drive & Island Overview Shore Trip

Riding along the crest of St. Thomas on "Skyline Drive," visitors are treated to vistas of Charlotte Amalie town, harbor as well as Hassel and Water Islands to the south; the Atlantic Ocean, Magens Bay, and Inner and Outer Brass and Hans Lollick islands to the north; and the chain of cays leading to St. John and the British Virgins to the east.

On this St. Thomas excursion, your driver/guide will make stops at various scenic overlooks as traffic/safety allows. You will pass by Drake's Seat, believed to be the spot where Sir Francis Drake himself watched for enemy vessels. A stop will be made at Mountain Top, where you will take in the most amazing views from the balcony of the shopping arcade, and if you choose, purchase a "world-famous" banana daiquiri.

At the end of the two-hour driving orientation, you will have the option of being dropped off in downtown Charlotte Amalie to experience its world-famous shopping or be taken back to the cruise ship dock.

Please Note: Guests departing from downtown will be responsible for their transportation back to their destination. Depending on the number of guests participating, tour will be conducted in vans or open-air safari buses.