A Yachtsman's Caribbean of Remote Harbourages
If Explora Journeys is your compass, then EXPLORA I is its needle pointing to adventure. In the Caribbean, we find under-the-radar anchorages that offer over-the-top experiences. We begin in the British playground of choice, Barbados where island safaris and rum tastings make this a world-class destination. Adrift on our dreams, we call on Roseau where shades of emerald green are too vivid to imagine. Verdant, vibrant, Dominica is the ‘Nature Island’ where rain forests wrap slumbering 4,000-foot volcanos, waterfalls tumble in profusion, and life is a throwback to simpler, easier times. Snorkel some of the world’s healthiest corals at Champagne Reef, named for its bubbly geothermal springs. Trek Morne Trois Pintons National Park, a UNESCO jewel with the Mother Nature’s rarest flora and fauna. On St. Lucia, our lesser-known idle of Castries is more reminiscent of yesterday’s Caribbean. Picturesque plantations and hamlets lead us to an island slopped with forested peaks. Twin Pitons spill into tropical valleys. Sulphur springs bubble with rich mineral waters. Enjoy a quiet picnic on Marigot Bay or drive inside the volcano Soufriére. Steering clear of the tourist zones, we anchor where the yachts congregate at charming Deshaies. Its slightly cosmopolitan flair and charming, languid atmosphere, make this a great place for appreciating the Caribbean the way it was meant to be. Sink your toes in the sand at Grand Anse, which is arguably the island’s prettiest beach, or explore rainforest and French fort ruins on the volcanic mountaintop of Basse-Terre. Naturally uncomplicated. Unbelievably surreal. In St. Barths we enjoy VIP access to the island’s most exclusive hideaways and barefoot-chic beaches reserved for the ambitious and glamourous. Lavished with personalised service, you feel more like a guest on a friend’s private yacht enjoying champagne toasts and chilled caviar. Captivating and festive, our final call is San Juan where you can feel the heartbeat of Puerto Rican culture. Explore UNESCO sites and toast the city’s Latin flavour at the Bacardi Rum Distillery. This Journey is more than you can imagine and all that you desire in a yachtsman’s Caribbean.
Leaving from:
Bridgetown
Cruise ship:
Explora I
Departure date:
19th January 2024
Leaving from:
Bridgetown •
Roseau •
Castries •
Deshaies •
and 2 more stops
Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys aim to create a relaxed energy within their passengers. Through exemplary service and high-quality surroundings, their itineraries are specifically designed to inspire exploration and discovery, broaden your horizons and trigger new connections. Your journey will be characterised by calm, unity, elegance, and joy – also known as The Ocean State of Mind, an elusive and sought-after mantra.
2023
Launched
63900t
Tonnage
248m
Length
32m
Width
11
Decks
EUR
Currency
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Bridgetown, Barbados
Day 2
Roseau, Dominica
Day 3
Castries, Saint Lucia
Day 4
Deshaies, Guadeloupe
Day 5
Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy
Day 7
San Juan (Puerto Rico), Puerto Rico
Day 1
Bridgetown, Barbados
Located beside the island’s only natural harbour, the capital of Barbados combines modern and colonial architecture with glorious palm tree-lined beaches and a number of historical attractions. Experience the relaxed culture of the city renowned for its British-style parliament buildings and vibrant beach life, and seek out the Anglican church and the 19th-century Barbados Garrison. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.
Day 2
Roseau, Dominica
Although it's one of the smallest capitals in the Caribbean, Roseau has the highest concentration of inhabitants of any town in the eastern Caribbean. Caribbean vernacular architecture and a bustling marketplace transport visitors back in time. Although you can walk the entire town in about an hour, you'll get a much better feel for the place on a leisurely stroll. For some years now, the Society for Historical Architectural Preservation and Enhancement (SHAPE) has organized programs and projects to preserve the city's architectural heritage. Several interesting buildings have already been restored. Lilac House, on Kennedy Avenue, has three types of gingerbread fretwork, latticed verandah railings, and heavy hurricane shutters. The J.W. Edwards Building, at the corner of Old and King George V sreets, has a stone base and a wooden second-floor gallery. The Old Market Plaza is the center of Roseau's historic district, which was laid out by the French on a radial plan rather than a grid, so streets such as Hanover, King George V, and Old radiate from this area. South of the marketplace is the Fort Young Hotel, built as a British fort in the 18th century; the nearby statehouse, public library, and Anglican cathedral are also worth a visit. New developments at the bay front on Dame M.E. Charles Boulevard have brightened up the waterfront.
Day 3
Castries, Saint Lucia
The typical image of a lush tropical paradise comes to life on the friendly island of St Lucia. Despite its small size – just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide – St Lucia is rich in natural splendour with dense emerald rainforest, banana plantations and orchards of coconut, mango and papaya trees. The twin peaks of Les Pitons, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site rise dramatically 2,000 feet into the sky and dominate the island. Look out for unusual birds with brilliant plumage such as the St Lucia parrot, see a surprising diversity of exotic flora and enjoy the warm hospitality of the islanders in the small villages and open-air markets. Please be aware that St Lucia is a small, mountainous island, with steep, winding and bumpy roads. Customers with back and neck problems should take this into consideration when booking an excursion.
Day 4
Deshaies, Guadeloupe
Day 5
Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy
You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.
Day 7
San Juan (Puerto Rico), Puerto Rico
If you associate Puerto Rico's capital with the colonial streets of Old San Juan, then you know only part of the picture. San Juan is a major metropolis, radiating out from the bay on the Atlantic Ocean that was discovered by Juan Ponce de León. More than a third of the island's nearly 4 million citizens proudly call themselves sanjuaneros. The city may be rooted in the past, but it has its eye on the future. Locals go about their business surrounded by colonial architecture and towering modern structures.By 1508 the explorer Juan Ponce de León had established a colony in an area now known as Caparra, southeast of present-day San Juan. He later moved the settlement north to a more hospitable peninsular location. In 1521, after he became the first colonial governor, Ponce de León switched the name of the island—which was then called San Juan Bautista in honor of St. John the Baptist—with that of the settlement of Puerto Rico ("rich port").Defended by the imposing Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo San Cristóbal, Puerto Rico's administrative and population center remained firmly in Spain's hands until 1898, when it came under U.S. control after the Spanish-American War. Centuries of Spanish rule left an indelible imprint on the city, particularly in the walled area now known as Old San Juan. The area is filled with cobblestone streets and brightly painted, colonial-era structures, and its fortifications have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Old San Juan is a monument to the past, but most of the rest of the city is planted firmly in the 21st century and draws migrants island-wide and from farther afield to jobs in its businesses and industries. The city captivates residents and visitors alike with its vibrant lifestyle as well as its balmy beaches, pulsing nightclubs, globe-spanning restaurants, and world-class museums. Once you set foot in this city, you may never want to leave.
Ship Details
Explora Journeys
Explora I
EXPLORA I, the first of six luxury best-in-class ships, will set sail in 2023, with the remaining ships ready to set sail in 2024, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Cabins
Suite
1-4
3014 sqft
Price provided by:
From
£2,930
All Prices
