Trek to Bamboo Fall

This excursion is a must for all Nature lovers; it is a wonderful journey of discovery starting at St George’s and following steep winding roads culminating at the rain forest peak, an amazing spot some 1900ft above sea level. This is Grand Etang Forest, a sanctuary and nature reserve located in the islands Central Mountain Range. Here lush vegetation, towering mahogany trees, ferns and colourful tropical flowers provide a vivid background to a wide cross section of bird and animal life. If you enjoy trekking, then you will love the trail through the rainforest to reach Bamboo falls. The trek will take you over a private plantation where you will see nutmeg, cocoa, bananas, and many other vibrant tropical plants. It can be muddy and slippery, especially if it has rained recently, so please choose your footwear accordingly. Bamboo Falls is known as one of the most famous and beautiful Grenada’s waterfalls and is certainly worth the 30-minute trek to get there. Fresh local organic orange juice will be available on your return to the Cruise Terminal.

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Activity level 4: This tour must be considered strenuous and is suitable only for guest who are in very good physical conditions. 

Chocolate and falls

This aromatic island tour will allow you to know everything about the “Jouvay” organic chocolate production at the Diamond Chocolate Factory nestled in the village of Victoria on the west coast of Grenada. You’ll find it in an 18th-century converted rum distillery, which was built by French monks. Nowadays, the factory’s responsible for making “Jouvay” – one of the world’s top 10 chocolates, according to National Geographic. This chocolate’s completely organic and you’ll learn how it’s made – from
the harvest of the cocoa beans, to watching them dry on trays under the Caribbean sun. A visit to the garden of cocoa trees to see, cocoa, cloves, chili, nutmeg, flowers, fruits, followed by a delicious chocolate tasting,
will conclude this pleasant visit to one of the most amazing sites in the Caribbean. Next, proceed for a visit to Concord Fall, where nutmeg and cocoa trees grow along the flanks of the hills in the tropical forest.
Upon arrival, relax with a complementary drink and take a refreshing swim in the lovely natural waterfall-pool (Conditions permitting). Following your visit, commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the cruise terminal.

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Activity level 3: The drive from The Carenage (St George’s) to the Chocolate factory will take 1h20 minutes. Guests will get the opportunity to swim at the waterfall site and are advised to wear a swimsuit under a cover
up, and bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water and a towel from the ship.

Garden of Eden

Enjoy a tour through the capital, Kingstown, with its colonial and modern architecture before starting the scenic drive through the Mesopotamia Valley of St Vincent. The Marriaqua valley, with its volcanic richness, offers a spectacular panoramic view of what is often referred to as the “island’s breadbasket”. Banana plantations, nutmeg, cocoa, breadfruit, coconut and a multitude of root crops have thrived here for generations. You will visit the Montreal gardens, one of the two premier showplaces of the island’s flora. The gardens contain a wide range of tropical plants. In this tranquil, magical setting, admire the flourishing bougainvillea, frangipanis, hibiscus and the delicate wax like blooms of the anthurium lilies. The gardens offer an excellent view over local farmland and the distant sea. After the visit you will get back on the coach and continue your scenic drive, travelling through quaint villages and getting a true glimpse of everyday life in these rural communities, where farmers work on the hillsides using machetes. Finally, the drive takes you along the picturesque Atlantic coast and a breathtaking hilltop view of the capital directly above the cruise ship berth.

Duration: approx. 3.5 hours

Activity level 3: There are approx. 100 steps to negotiate, in different areas (not all together).

Adventure in St Vincent and beach stop

Discover the history, beauty and lifestyle of the land and inhabitants of St. Vincent in an adventure-filled convoy of pickup/ jeeps. We pick you up at the port and take you through the capital, Kingstown, with its cobblestone streets, 19th century churches and modern vegetable market. Scenic stops along the route afford breathtaking views over Kingstown, the Grenadines and Mesopotamia Valley with its small nutmeg, cassava and cocoa farms, fruit trees and banana plantations. Throughout the trip we pass deep gorges, farmers carrying machetes and riding donkeys, colorfully dressed women balancing baskets on their heads. You’ll get a real feel for the life of a typical Vincentians. Along the thunderous Atlantic Ocean coastline, we then travel pass Stubbs and the Diamond to reach Brighton Beach, where we’ll stop for a swim and drinks. Our circuit back takes us through Calliaqua, the former capital of St. Vincent, with a view of Fort Duvernette behind the island resort of Young Island; pass the beaches and fashionable residential areas of Villa and Indian Bay; and culminates with a spectacular hilltop view of Kingstown, its harbor and the majestic mountains in the background.

Duration: approx. 3.3 hours

Activity level 3: Vehicles are open off-road vehicles driven by professional driver-guides and each vehicle can accommodate 8 passengers. Minimum age to participate is 14 years old. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, pregnant women or anyone suffering from conditions (back, neck or other) which may be affected by bumpy roads.

Balata Gardens and Habitation Clément distillery

Leaving Fort de France, you will take the Trace Road opened by the Jesuits in the eighteenth century. This is really a track rather than a road and runs between enormous bamboos and giant arborescent ferns and lianas. The Botanical Garden of Balata, a marvelous garden, is now open to the public after 20 years of ground preparation and the careful collecting of flowers and plants by owner Mr. Jean Philippe Thoze, a botanical and landscape gardener. Walk under the trees and you will discover a multitude of botanical plants and flowers, a harmonious mix of color and form judiciously placed to delight the eye. The reception hall is located in an authentic Creole house which has been lovingly renovated. After the visit of the gardens, you will take a panoramic road within the island to arrive at the historic Clément plantation, a genuine architectural and industrial heritage site on the island of Martinique.

The Habitation Clément is one of the main run producers on Martinique and is famous for its aged rums. The Habitation Clément is much more than a rum distillery: it is one of the most beautiful sites in Martinique, with a “remarkable garden”, a Creole Manor housestyle to discover, an emblematic place to visit an art exhibition, enjoy a rum tasting, etc. You will have the opportunity to cross the botanical garden with a rare collection of over 300 tropical plants, to visit several rum cellars that house over two million liters of rum, and to discover the techniques and process of rum making, and to finish by tasting it! In the old garden that borders the main house, many traditional trees provide a natural setting for the Creole manor house. With its bee-like silhouette, the main house symbolically occupies the highest point of the estate. It is exceptionally well-preserved and decorated with ancient furniture. At the end of the visit, drive to Grande Anse d’Arlet, where the ship will be waiting for you.

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Activity level 4: This excursion involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces with inclines and steps to negotiate and is not
recommended to guests with reduced mobility.

Soufrière Tour and Caribbean Coast

Departing from beautiful Marigot Bay, you will travel along the western coast, bypassing the fishing villages of Anse la Raye and Canaries, before the descent into the town of Soufriere. The sight of the majestic Pitons, two great peaks which have come to be a symbol of the island itself, will fill you with awe. Arrive at the Villa des Pitons (or similar) for a delicious Creole lunch. Nestled on the hillside this enchanting resort affords a spectacular view of St. Lucia’s rain forest. Your journey will continue to an award-winning historical site, the Soufriere Estate’s Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths. Established in 1745, it is one of the oldest estates on the island and was a portion of the 2000 acres of land that was granted to the owners by King Louis XIV in 1713 in recognition of their services to the Crown & Country. A guided tour takes you through the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the falls which cascade down through mineral-streaked rock walls and jungle thick ferns. The water forms a stream that flows through underground pipes to a series of baths at different temperatures. These mineral baths were originally built in 1784 by the Baron De Laborie and were restored in 1925 by the owners of the estate. These hot mineral springs are enjoyed today for therapeutic bathing. The gardens themselves are quite beautiful and after your guided tour there will be an opportunity to purchase a postcard or small souvenir before departing. Driving up through lushly verdant rainforest you will enter the world’s only drive-in volcano, La Soufriere. The roads lead you right up to the remnants of a volcanic crater; a moonscape of barren earth and gravel where pools of muddy water bubble and belch out clouds of steam and a smell of sulphur pervades the atmosphere. After your informative tour you can enjoy a warm refreshing dip in the sulphureous pool below the bridge.

Duration: approx. 5 hours

Activity level 3: Passengers should note that the road to Soufriere is very winding so people who suffer from motion sickness should take necessary precautions before the tour. A buffet lunch will be provided. Beverages are not included during lunch, but you will be offered a welcome drink.

Natural attractions of La Soufriere

This tour begins with a leisurely drive through the town of Soufrière, bypassing the town square and the Cathedral. Your journey will continue to the Sulphur Springs, known as the Caribbean’s, only drive-in volcano. This historic site is the result of volcanic eruptions over 300,000 years ago. The sulfurous atmosphere is immediately apparent and sulfur water has been proved to have many medicinal properties, so don’t be afraid to breathe deeply and inhale the sulfur laden air. The Botanical Gardens and Diamond Baths are very famous, and it is said that Josephine de Beauharnais, later the Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon, bathed in the waters. Admire the tropical plants along the pathway and the magnificent waterfall before getting back on the bus. After a short drive you will arrive at the Villa des Pitons Restaurant for complimentary drinks and enjoy local rum or fruit punch while relaxing on the verandah. Be sure to have your cameras at the ready, the view of the two majestic twin peaks soaring out of the sea at Soufrière Bay makes for a splendid photo opportunity. The tour ends with a short drive down to the jetty where your ship awaits.

Duration: approx. 3 hours

Activity level 2: Guests are advised to wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable walking shoes and to bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and USD if they wish to purchase a small souvenir.

Morne Coubaril Estate and Hotwire Pitons zip line ride

The fun filled activity combines the adrenaline rush of zipping under the sheer Petit Piton, with breathtaking views of the historic town of Soufrière and the Caribbean Sea. Depart ship and take a short drive through the rustic town of Soufrière up to the Hotwire Zipline Adventure Park at Morne Coubaril Estate in Soufrière. On arrival you are taken for a guided tour of this working plantation through a small village of huts made from sticks. The surrounding gardens are well stocked with the plants and flowers indigenous to the island. Your guide will then lead you up the estate driveway to manioc house where you will learn how cassava bread is made., you will learn about the process of de-husking a coconut and oven drying copra, before sampling some coconut water and jelly. After enjoying the bay view from the point, you will also get the opportunity to taste a ripe cocoa bean at the cocoa and coffee house before seeing the process of fermentation and bean drying, and the cocoa dance used to polish the dried beans. The highlight of the tour is our mule driven sugar cane mill and the chance to enjoy some delicious fresh cane juice. After the tour, you will be equipped with harness, helmet and gloves and be given a safety briefing and training demonstration before setting off on your zip line adventure. The first platform offers a panoramic view of the bay and the awe-inspiring Pitons. While you whizz safely between giant Banyans, your experienced guides will provide a running commentary on the eco-system and the spectacular views provided by this zip line trail, built to US standards. Eight zip cables move you effortlessly through the estate and you can take your own aerial photos of the Piton and town below, before being carried into a canopy of banyan, coconut, plum and mango trees and across a bamboo-shadowed gorge. The zip lines offer a total immersion in the natural environment. After your Zip line Adventure, you will be escorted to a typical local restaurant to enjoy some refreshment including juice made from fruit produced on the estate. The restaurant is surrounded by gingerbread cottages which house our gift shop.

Duration: approx. 2.5 hours

Activity level 5: This excursion combines the adrenaline rush of zipping as well as a short sightseeing tour. Minimum age for participating in this excursion is 8 years old (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Max weight for participating in this excursion is 220 lbs / 113 kg. This tour is not suitable for guests with fear of height, pregnant women, persons with heart or respiratory conditions and is recommended only for Guest who are in very good physical conditions.

Beach Break at Copacabana

How about enjoying your last hours in the Caribbean on a beautiful beach in Barbados, soaking up the warm sunshine before heading back home? The beach facility is a 15-minute drive from the Harbor. Your luggage will be stored on site, and you can just relax in a sun lounger on the beach.

Duration: approx. 4.5/6 hours

Activity level 2: Transfers to the airport will be provided at two pre-arranged pick-up times in order for the guests to make the most of their last day (at 12:45 pm for guests with flight after 3:30pm; at 2:15pm for guests with flights after 5:00pm). Airlines require guests on international flights to be at the airport at least 2h30 hours prior to their flight departure.