Trip Reports
Duration
8 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
7 Ports
20 December
Setting sail from Fort Lauderdale
These days Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated place awash with upmarket hotels and excellent restaurants. The glorious weather and swathes of golden beach are still a huge draw, but there are also plenty of cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Art and the Museum of Discovery and Science. The city also boasts 300 miles of navigable waterways and canals, meaning there's plenty of space for the resident millionaires to park their yachts, and the cruise port is one of the busiest in the world.
Don't miss
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is a great visit, with remains dating back to 2000 BC – in Florida - who knew there was anything so old there?! It’s a fascinating museum too, and the gardens are beautiful.
21 December
At sea
22 December
Bahamas: Cockburn Town (San Salvador Island)
23 December
Turks and Caicos Islands: Grand Turk
Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks and Caicos, a collection of sleepy and spectacularly beautiful coral islands to the east of the Bahamas. The pristine white sands and turquoise waters are the main attraction, and the extensive barrier reef makes this a popular destination for divers in the know.
24 December
Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata
25 December
At sea
26 December
Saint Barthélemy: Gustavia
Gustavia is the chic and petite capital of Saint Barths, a tiny French Caribbean island that’s renowned as a haunt of the rich and the famous. You can certainly live well here if you’ve got the means, with an array of gourmet restaurants and luxury boutiques aimed squarely at the A-list. The beautiful beaches, on the other hand, are free and open to all.
27 December
British Virgin Islands: Virgin Gorda
Languid, laid-back Virgin Gorda is blessed with beautiful beaches and wonderfully friendly people. Life proceeds at a slower pace here, and highlights include The Baths, an unusual collection of granite boulders, grottoes and pools on the island’s southwest shore.
28 December
Arriving in San Juan
Founded by the Spanish in 1521, Puerto Rico's capital is the second oldest European settlement in the Americas. Modern San Juan is a bustling city, home to over a third of the island's population, but the cobbled streets of the Old Town remain the biggest tourist draw. The colonial-era fortifications have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, crowned by the imposing waterfront El Morro fortress, and the Old Town is full of attractive, brightly coloured houses. Outside of the Old Town you can find designer shopping on Avenida Ashford, and the north of the city is fringed by beautiful beaches, including fashionable Condado with its hip hotels and bars.
Our tip
Hunt out the very best chuletas Can-Can and pastelillos – local food at its best is great. Don’t settle for sorry imitations.
Your home from home
The second and third yachts from Ritz-Carlton, Ilma and Luminara, are a little larger with 228 suites, all with private terrace.
What we love
While details on the new yachts are still being kept tightly under wraps, we know that the ships will be fitted with dual fuel engines, using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their main fuel source, and you can expect stylish suites and public areas on board, including a diverse choice of dining venues.
| Capacity | 456 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew |
TBC |
| Style | An extension of The Ritz-Carlton brand, with a resort style on board and stylish, Scandi-influenced decor. |
| Inclusions |
|
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Overnight in Fort Lauderdale
The Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina has been THE hotel of choice for cruise passengers for as long as we can remember.
See more of Florida
Go out into the Florida Everglades and Sawgrass Recreation Park with native flora and fauna and reconstructed Seminole villages.
Where to stay in Puerto Rico
If you want to stay in San Juan itself, El Convento is definitely the nicest choice. For resort hotels, we love the Ritz Carlton Reserve at Dorado Beach.
Explore Puerto Rico
In the El Yunque rainforest you will find the habitat of Puerto Rico's endangered wildlife - not to mention beautiful views.
