San Juan Old and New Tour

Escape the crowded cruise line tours and take our Old and New San Juan City Tour with an experienced guide. An old walled city with more than 400 years of history, in contrast to a modern resort city, is the backdrop for your orientation of this thriving and interesting city.

In the new part of town, you will travel through the Condado area. Here you will see the luxury hotels, casinos, nightclubs and many restaurants that make this the most popular place in town after dark.

San Juan's Old Town tells hundreds of years of history in its restored and renovated buildings, homes and fortifications. It is divided by narrow streets, many still paved with cobblestones. Photo opportunities abound as you pass the Governor's Palace, San Juan Cathedral, Capilla de Cristo, Fort San Cristobal and travel along the coast road to El Morro, where you will have a photo stop from the street.

As you drive along, look down every street for hidden plazas and the beautiful 17th-century Spanish ironwork on the restored old homes, and blue-black glazed cobblestones lining the narrow streets of the Old City. At the end of the tour, you will be returned to the port.

Guests on ships docked at the Pan American pier (across the bay from Old San Juan) have the option of ending their tour in Old San Juan for shopping and sightseeing. Those doing so are responsible for their own transportation back to the Pan American Pier.

St. Kitts Island Highlights

Your St. Kitts Island Highlights Tour is chock full of interesting sites and informative background. It begins in the capital city of Basseterre. Founded in 1627 by the French, it served as capital of the French colony. By 1639, the town had become a large, successful port and was made the capital of the entire French West Indies colony, which included the islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

When the British took control of the island in 1727, the city was made capital of the island. On your St. Kitts Highlights tour, you will see the British influence in the Georgian architecture, cobblestone streets, and the squares and monuments.

The city of Basseterre has had a tragic history, having been destroyed repeatedly by colonial wars, fire, earthquakes, floods, riots and hurricanes. Despite this, a considerable number of well-restored buildings still exist in downtown Basseterre.

Next on your St. Kitts excursion, you will visit Caribelle Batik, set on the grounds of Romney Manor. Using ancient Indonesian methods to keep the dye from reaching the material, Caribelle has created many designs for which they have become associated. During your St. Kitts excursion, you will see the artists demonstrating the techniques while you listen to an explanation from one of the experts. Then it's on to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is a monument to the ingenuity of the British military engineers who designed it and to the skill, strength and endurance of the African slaves who built and then maintained it. It is one of the best-preserved historical fortifications in the Americas. At the fort, a video presentation on the fortress is shown. This magnificent fortress, sitting impressively atop 38 acres of limestone and sulfur composites, is the result of 100 years of slave labor and has endured many wars fought between English, French and Spanish troops for its control.

From the fortress, your St. Kitts tour will return to the pier via the Basseterre Caribbean Sea coastal road.

St. Maarten Half Day Snorkeling & Catamaran Sailing

"Come to Sail Away," the Styx song beckons. You'll be glad you joined this St. Maarten Catamaran Cruise and Snorkel Adventure.

Cruising from the Great Bay of Philipsburg, you will see history, beautiful scenery, and incredible villas and yachts. Enjoy the incredible view as you sail along the coast past the ruins of Fort Amsterdam, Little and Cay Bays, and Pelican Key on your St. Maarten Catamaran Tour.

This 40-foot Catamaran holds up to 20 guests in comfort. There is an enticing trampoline net calling your name to lay in comfort for tanning, as well as a shaded area. Snorkel gear is provided for those wishing to explore the undersea world. Restrooms are available on board. After the snorkel stop, snacks and drinks will be provided along with our specialty-made, best "Captain's Rum Punch" on the ocean, along with beers and other drinks. Sandwiches are offered after the second stop, Juice, soda, water, and snacks will be available throughout the day.

Our first stop will be over a shipwreck and sunken helicopter from long ago. Here the stories of history are unfolded. Then jump in, where you will have an unforgettable experience of watching underwater life. Enjoy the fish feeding as hundreds of fish swim around you in our famous water park.

Next, we head to a local beach for some sandcastle building, shell collecting, swimming, floating and just relaxing, near the International Princess Juliana Airport. When pods of dolphins are sighted we take the time to stay for a while for photos and enjoy the playfulness. No two trips are alike.

All too soon, it will be time to turn home. On the return trip to Philipsburg, the friendly crew will pamper, entertain you and answer questions about our island, our culture, and other specialties of the island while enjoying Caribbean island music.

Snorkeling with Turtles & Half Day Sail Excursion

Climb aboard a Morgan 46-foot ketch for this half-day sail and snorkel St. Thomas excursion to the Marine Sanctuary, where you'll have a date with a giant green sea turtle.

To begin your St. Thomas excursion, you will sail past the cruise ships as you head for the open sea on a 25-minute boat ride. You may choose a seat in the center cockpit, designed for shade and to provide a firsthand view of how a beautiful boat is sailed. Or, if you want to soak up the Caribbean rays, spread out on the bow or the stern and relax while breathing the refreshing ocean air. The professional and courteous crew will greet you with complimentary drinks and snacks as the sails are raised and we catch the breeze. The crew has been on the island for years and will share some of the history and pirate lore during your three-mile sail to the sanctuary at Buck Island.

After the yacht anchors in Turtle Cove, the crew will offer professional instruction, quality snorkel gear, and the best flotation devices in the entire U.S. Virgin Islands. Then, follow the crew into the water, where they will assist and explain all the different species of sea life that you encounter. In addition to the turtles, you may see octopus, conch, urchins, starfish, squid, and a variety of tropical reef fish, as well as the coral reef of this deserted island during your one hour of snorkeling.

After your snorkeling and swimming, climb back on board for a quick, freshwater rinse on the aft deck. Then partake in a cold beverage including rum drinks, beer, and soft drinks, as the crew sets the sails and turns towards home.

Please Note: The tour departure location is within walking distance of the WICO (Havensight) Cruise Pier. Guests docking at Crown Bay will need to hire a taxi for an approximately 15 to 25 minute ride (approximately $6 US per person each way), which is not included in the tour price.