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Peregrine Travel Centre

Hidden Treasures of the West Indies

Hidden Treasures of the West Indies

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Description

Just when winter seems to be endless, it is the perfect time to escape to the warmth and beauty of the West Indies. Every island is different, each with its unique character, and by and large we will head for the smaller less visited places during our voyage. Join the MS Serenissima in Antigua and set sail on a journey through sub-tropical waters of beautiful scenery and island diversity. Every island has its own culture and this colourful mix of island personalities, varied terrain and lifestyles makes for a marvellous winter break. With relatively short sailing distances along the way, we are able to maximise our time on each island, exploring historical sites of the Spanish, Dutch and British colonial periods combined with pretty ports, wonderful beaches and the rich natural world of flora and fauna of the region. In addition to our included excursions, we have allowed time for individual exploration of the islands and ample opportunity to swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Occasionally our paths will cross with the mega-factory like cruise ships and it is at such times we will appreciate even more how fortunate we are to be enjoying our small and comfortable ship in the company of only 95 like-minded travellers.

Trip Name
Hidden Treasures of the West Indies
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 87 metres Passenger Capacity: 107 (from Dec 2018 - 95) Built / refurbished: 1960 / 2013 / 2018 We are delighted to have had the MS Serenissima on long term charter since 2013. There are so few ships of her generation still cruising and the fact that she is is a great testament to her owners who invest considerable sums to keep her in top form. In December 2018, the vessel will once again undergo a significant refurbishment after which she will accommodate a maximum of just 95 guests. 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.  PLEASE NOTE: Deck plan varies for 2019 cruises, no inside cabins.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Antigua.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Serenissima moored in St John’s. We will have Welcome Dinner and Drinks aboard as we moor overnight.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Antigua.
A onetime British colony, Antigua is justly famous for its beaches, said to total more than 300. We have a day here 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. In the afternoon either spend time in St Johns, on one of the local beaches or join a cricketing tour of the island including the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Stanford Cricket Ground and the Antigua Cricket Ground (ARG). Keith Fredericks (Freddo), a cricketer who represented Antigua at regional level and Head Groundsman at the ARG will delight in giving a talk and guided tour of the club house and the ground. Finally, before returning to the vessel there will be a private appearance by one of Antigua’s cricket West Indian Legends.
Day 3 - Day 3 - St Eustatius.
In the 18th century the port of Oranjestad was a major player in the trade between Europe and the new world. Today the island maintains a low key existence and has avoided the modernisation and development of her neighbours. We will explore the small town including the 17th century fort and the museum with information on slavery, colonial relics and historical artefacts. Meanwhile, the more active may wish to take the strenuous hike to “The Quill”, the 600 metre hill that dominates the landscape. This afternoon is free to explore at leisure and shuttle buses will be available to take you to the town or to one of the local beaches.
Day 4 - Day 4 - St Kitts & Nevis.
We will make a landing this morning on the delightful island of St Kitts. This lovely island has it all, restful green fields of sugar cane plantations, rainforests and long stretches of uncrowded beaches. The atmosphere here is wonderfully relaxed and full of old-world charm. Either wander the streets of Basseterre including the colonial buildings or see the impressive UNESCO fortress at Brimstone Hill. This 18th century British garrison played a key role in the battles with the French and is situated on a hill offering fine views over to Nevis to where we will sail over lunch. On an island drive we will stop at the Museum of Nevis History which includes a large collection of Nelson memorabilia and also the Botanical Gardens.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Montserrat.
Ask any Caribbean connoisseur about their favourite places and Montserrat will always be high on the list. Following the damaging volcanic eruptions of 1995 and 2010, much of the island is now returning to normal. We will visit the volcano observatory and learn how the islanders coped with the devastation it caused. Even now we will drive through areas where volcanic material lies in the roads. We also see some of the untouched areas which are as beautiful as ever.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Guadeloupe.
Known as the “papillon” due to the butterfly shape of the two main islands, Guadeloupe offers a taste of France within the Caribbean. From our berth in Pointe a Pitre we will head to mountainous Basse Terre which is home to the Guadeloupe National Park covering 17,000 hectares of tropical forests and topped by the Soufriere volcano. A walk through the rainforest will bring us to the impressive 245 metre Carbet Falls, the highest in the Lesser Antilles whilst we keep an eye out for the resident wildlife. Return to the ship via one of the island’s rum distilleries. The afternoon is free to explore Pointe a Pitre and its colonial architecture including the Place de La Victoire as well as the vibrant market.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Les Saintes, Guadeloupe.
At first light we sail to this eight island archipelago which dots the waters of the southwest coast of Guadeloupe. Still untouched by the hand of tourism these attractive islands offer lovely coves and beaches and colourful fishing villages. On an island drive this morning in Terre de Haut we will visit Fort Napoleon with its museum and gardens, the Catholic Church and Town Hall. From the top of Richmond Hill, once a residential area we can see views to the devastated town of Plymouth. After lunch you will have time to explore the town independently or maybe relax on one of the inviting local beaches.
Day 8 - Day 8 - 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. There will be a choice of activities today and 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 driving through the plantations to the Morne Diablotin National Park where, from the viewpoint we hope to see the two endemic parrots of Dominica. Alternatively, join a local boat for a journey along the Indian River, a mangrove lined creek with interesting bankside vegetation including gnarled tree roots and which is home to herons, egrets, hummingbirds and iguanas.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Martinique.
Martinique is a truly cosmopolitan island and a Department of France. The strong French influence is seen everywhere and, without doubt, Martinique is one of the most sophisticated islands in the West Indies enjoying a remarkably high standard of living. We will base ourselves at the small port of Anse D’Arlets and enjoy a morning scenic drive including the Musee de la Pagerie, the birthplace and childhood home of Empress Josephine, see the impressive plantations and have a chance to sample some of the local rum. This afternoon there will be time to relax in the small town or on a local beach.
Day 10 - Days 10 & 11 - St Lucia.
We have the pleasure of spending two days in St Lucia, a splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. We will spend our first day moored in Castries, the island’s capital, from where we will explore the north of the island including the 44 acre Pigeon Island. The island 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. In the afternoon we hope to visit the Governor’s House including a tour of the grounds and spend time at Le Pavillion Royal Museum. We will also visit the colonial house of St Marks offering panoramic views to Castries below. In the evening we sail the short distances along the west coast where we anchor in sight of the island’s best known feature, the twin peaks of the Pitons, which rise dramatically from the sea to more than 2400 feet. In the nearby town of Soufriere we can visit the bubbling sulphur springs, part of a low lying volcano which erupted thousands of years ago. Our island tour will also include the splendid botanical gardens, and one of the local plantations where we learn about cacao and sugar cane production.
Day 11 - Day 12 - St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Arrive this morning in bustling Kingstown, capital of St Vincent and gateway to the Grenadines. This morning we drive to the outskirts of the city to the 19th century Fort Charlotte and the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere. Dating from 1765, this 20 acre site was developed to provide medicinal plants. Over lunch we sail to Bequia. This delightful Grenadine island is totally unspoilt, 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 and relax or join a drive to Spring Bay where we can visit the Hawksbill Turtle sanctuary.
Day 12 - Day 13 - Tobago.
Today is dedicated to exploring the natural wonders of Tobago. We will anchor in the small fishing village of Charlotteville which is situated in Man of War Bay and enjoy a choice of activities. There will be an island drive which will include the Argyle Waterfall for a refreshing swim and a chance to explore the lush surrounding forest. The keen birders will enjoy a visit to Little Tobago, a hilly arid island situated 1.5 miles offshore and an important seabird sanctuary for frigate birds, brown boobies and red billed tropic birds. Meanwhile the waters around Goat Island offer some of the region’s best coral reefs and abundant marine life - perfect for snorkelling or taking a glass bottomed boat trip.
Day 13 - Day 14 - Trinidad.
Over breakfast we arrive into Port of Spain where the island will be celebrating its annual carnival which is the biggest of its kind in the Caribbean. The morning is free to relax on board and after an early lunch we will make our way to our seats to watch the parades of colourful costumes dancing to steelpan and calypso music. Later in the afternoon we continue 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 14 - Day 15 - Barbados.
Spend the morning at sea, enjoy a lecture or find a spot on deck as we cruise to Barbados arriving in the early afternoon in Bridgetown. Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands, with Atlantic surf on the east coast and sparkling Caribbean waters on the west coast. Captain Powell landed here in 1625 and claimed the island for England. Now independent, it continues to embrace its British Empire roots; afternoon tea remains a tradition and cricket is the national sport. This afternoon an island drive will include visits to the historic 17th century Sunbury Plantation House and the impressive St John’s Church.
Day 15 - Day 16 - Barbados to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 16 - Day 17 - London.
Arrive this morning.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Standard Stateroom
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Classic Stateroom
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Standard Single
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Superior Stateroom
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Deluxe Stateroom
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Junior Suite
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Owners Suite
19-02-201907-03-2019GBP £0Serenissima Suite

Inclusions

    • Travel to the glorious West Indies with a 15 night island hopping itinerary that includes some of the better-known islands as well as some which are off the beaten track
    • Land on islands such as St Eustatius or Les Saintes or use the anchorages in St Lucia and Tobago
    • Visit a carnival in Trinidad. Here you can enjoy the parades and calypso music with the locals at one of the largest and most colourful carnivals in the world

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