Trip Reports
Duration
7 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
9 Ports
14 December
Setting sail from 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.
15 December
British Virgin Islands: Spanish Town (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.
15-16 December
British Virgin Islands: Norman Island
Antigua and Barbuda: Prickly Pear Island
17 December
Saint Martin: Marigot
Marigot is the gateway to an intriguing little Caribbean island with a dual personality: the Dutch side, St. Maarten, is the livelier of the two, with shopping malls, casinos and more of a nightlife scene, while French-speaking St. Martin is a more refined (and more expensive) affair, with a laid-back, continental air and a host of exclusive resorts and restaurants.
17-18 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.
19 December
Saint Kitts and Nevis: South Friars Bay
The beach at South Friars Bay is a lovely sweep of golden sand at the southern end of St Kitts, although it can get a little busy when the larger cruise ships are docked on the island. There are several bars and restaurants along this half-mile stretch, with watersports equipment and loungers available to rent.
20 December
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Nevis
Sleepy, low key and utterly charming, Nevis is a real Caribbean gem. Dominated by the towering Nevis Peak, the island is dotted with former plantation houses that have been turned into characterful hotels. Drop in for lunch or afternoon tea, and if there’s time have a look round the elegantly faded Georgian capital, Charlestown.
21 December
Arriving in Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas)
The busiest and most developed of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is nevertheless blessed with typically Caribbean good looks. Ruled by the Danish for over 200 years, the island was purchased by the USA in 1917, and is now part of the US Virgin Islands, along with neighbouring St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. The main town, Charlotte Amalie, is situated on a perfect natural harbour, and in its colonial heyday its warehouses were filled with indigo, tobacco and cotton. Today it's still a thriving port town, complete with duty free shopping malls and a lively nightlife, but there are also plenty of quieter, wilder spots on the island where you can escape the crowds.
Don't miss
Frenchtown’s brightly painted frame houses on the west side of the harbour, for a long lunch overlooking the water .
Your home from home
Just 56 fortunate couples enjoy a completely relaxed al fresco holiday experience and a quirky individual style of service that is way beyond the norm.
What we love
This has to be one of our favourite travel experiences. We love the al fresco feel, dining outside for all meals if you wish, and even spending the night sleeping under the stars on the Balinese dream beds. The totally laid back style means SeaDream is the ultimate chill.
|
Capacity |
112 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 95 International Staff |
| Style | A place where you are nurtured, indulged and cared for, with no rules and no schedule. Lots of action if that's what you want, or nothing at all if you prefer. |
| Inclusions |
|
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
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.
Where to stay on St Thomas
If you’re staying a while, we’d go for the Secret Harbour Beach Resort on the east coast – too far for an overnight stay though.
Explore St Thomas
There are some great kayak and snorkelling tours which will take you away from the crowds.
