Trip Reports
Duration
7 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from U.S. Virgin Islands
Ports
8 Ports
6 March
Setting sail from 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.
Our tip
Take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie to the peace and quiet of Water Island.
7 March
U.S. Virgin Islands: St John
St John is the quietest and least developed of the US Virgin Islands, with two thirds of the island designated as a National Park. There are several hiking trails that showcase the island’s unspoilt natural beauty, and it’s a popular spot for aquatic pursuits including snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving.
8 March
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.
8-9 March
British Virgin Islands: Norman Island
10 March
Anguilla: Sandy Ground
Tiny Anguilla is home to no less than 33 beaches, blessed with some of the most gloriously white sands in the Caribbean. A clutch of high end hotels and gourmet restaurants attract a well-to-do crowd, but the island has a more low key, laid back vibe than its glitzy neighbours, St Martin and St Barths.
10-11 March
Sint Maarten: Philipsburg
Philipsburg 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.
11-12 March
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.
13 March
Arriving in St Thomas
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
Emerald Azzurra and Sakara are the first ships in the Emerald yacht fleet, carrying just 100 lucky travellers in sleek and stylish surroundings.
What we love
Enjoy small ship cruising in style, with comfortable staterooms and suites (most with private balcony), an à la carte restaurant, infinity-style pool, al fresco Sky Bar, wellness area and a marina at the back of the yacht, allowing you to hop straight into the water and have fun with a host of water toys.
| Capacity | 100 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 64 Staff |
| Style |
Intimate and informal, with an emphasis on relaxed, al fresco living and exploration ashore. |
| Inclusions |
|
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
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.
