Caribbean Transatlantic

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.

France’s overseas Caribbean territory of Martinique is a mountainous utopia of striking natural landscapes, vibrant colourful towns and diverse exuberant culture. The island is located in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, a sparkling gem that glistens in the idyllic waters of the Caribbean Sea. Martinique’s sombre history has seen the territory fall victim to centuries of foreign invasions, the enforcement of slavery in the colonial era and the devastating natural disaster of 1902, when the towering Mont Pelée volcano erupted and destroyed the city of St Pierre. Today, the peaceful island has bounced back from its difficult past and become a cosmopolitan haven of spectacular beaches and thriving cities. Martinique’s official language is French but most of the population also speaks Martinican Créole – an Afro-Caribbean dialect originating with the slaves brought to work on the island’s sugar plantations in the 17th-century. Although the island has a distinct French feel, Créole culture is still very much alive in Martinique and there are few places in the world which offer quite the same level of energy and spirit of a Martinique cruise.

Arrival Time: Early Morning; Depart Time: Early Evening

Arrival Time: Early Morning; Depart Time: Early Evening

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms.

Situated on the northwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, the city of La Coruña (or A Coruña, its official name) is the closest European port to New York. And perhaps in keeping with its location, the coastal city itself is charming blend of old and new, filled with culture, splendid architecture and fascinating museums, along with pristine beaches and open spaces. La Coruña is also the gateway to Galicia, one of the most verdant and scenic regions in Spain.

Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.