9 day Cruising the Caribbean Windward Islands
Description:
Itinerary:
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendor of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbor mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colorful Grand Marché.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Portsmouth, Dominica
With its mountainous terrain, vast tropical forest, hot springs, rivers, and spectacular waterfalls, Dominica is undoubtedly the wildest island in the Caribbean. Protected by several national parks, this little-known land, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, between Guadeloupe and Martinique, will inspire adventure and exploration. During your port of call, do not miss out on discovering the enchanting landscapes of the Indian River, navigating through this dense mangrove, in which ferns, forest trees, and giant roots are interweaved.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Les Saintes Islands
During the feast of All Saints in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered this archipelago of nine islands that he named “The Saints”. In the heart of the botanical garden, shared by iguanas and cacti, there is an exceptional view of the Baie des Saintes, one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The long shady beach of Pompierre, where it is forbidden to drop anchor, is a peaceful place for a swim, while Pain de Sucre Beach offers wonderful opportunities for snorkeling. On the island, don’t forget to taste the local specialty, the “tourment d’amour”, a cake made with coconut.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Port Elizabeth, Bequia Island
In the heart of the Caribbean, Bequia is the second largest of 32 islands that make up the country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. You will love the lively and picturesque atmosphere of Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town. It also leads to Princess Margaret Beach, a wild beach where Princess Margaret herself has stayed and which seems to emerge directly from the tropical forest.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Mayreau Island
Among the string of paradisiac islands with their sandy beaches that form the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, Mayreau is the smallest. Its peaceful and idyllic atmosphere, far from the madding crowd, invites you to relax. On shore, enjoy a shaded and fully equipped beach, you can even snorkel if you’d like to observe the colorful fish around the coral sitting at the foot of the rocks that stretch across the bay.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Saint George’s, Grenada
Delicately set in the curve of a bay on the west coast of Grenada, Saint George’s lively commercial fishing harbor is especially colorful when the boats are being loaded with fruit and vegetables destined for neighboring islands, and when all the little fishing boats return from their day out at sea. This “spice island” capital is an excellent base for visiting the surrounding natural sites, the picturesque coast or the artisanal producers of chocolate and nutmeg, Grenada’s gold. Three miles to the south, you will be able to visit Grande Anse and Morne Rouge, two long sandy beaches.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Tobago Cays
Scattered between St Vincent and Grenada, the Tobago Cays comprises five little islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby. This rosary of uninhabited cays in the southern West Indies is a marine park whose turquoise lagoons provide a home and safe haven for some outstanding marine fauna, including peaceful green turtles.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Bridgetown, Barbados
Bridgetown, the bustling capital of Barbados, is located on the island’s south-west coast. Its historic quarters are UNESCO World Heritage sites and contain prime examples of British colonial architecture, which you will see between the postcard-perfect fishing harbor and St Ann’s Fort. There will also be plenty of time to relax on the Caribbean beaches of Carlisle Bay, a few paces from the old town center.
Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship, Le Bellot – Deluxe Stateroom
Meals: All Inclusive
Fort-de-France, Martinique
Return to Fort-de-France.
Inclusions:
- Comprehensive 9-day, 8-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Vieux Fort to the ship on the day of embarkation
- One included shore excursion or activity in each port of call
- Gratuities for ship crew, guides, and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Vieux Fort at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world’s most remote and isolated regions.
State-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Details:
- Up to 184 Guests
- 92 staterooms & suites
- 118 crew members
- Luxury Spa & Fitness
- Pool, Theater, Art Gallery, etc.
- 2 restaurants
Exclusions:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Airfares to/from your homeport
- Any travel insurances
- Items such as souvenirs, laundry and similar personal expenses
Optional activities:
Diving & Initiation Dive:
Supervision of the Dives
Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Level Required for Scuba Diving on this Cruise
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 1 star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.
Process of the Dives (Certified Divers)
The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 16.4 ft. will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:
- For those with PADI Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 65.6ft.
- If two Stars CMAS or PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 65.6 ft.
Process of the Initiation Dives (Novice Divers)
Before your initiation dive, your instructor will show you the equipment and will explain to you how to communicate underwater using hand gestures and how to breathe through a regulator. Once in the water, equipped with your material, you will learn how to breathe through your regulator on the surface for a couple of minutes. When your instructor feels you are ready, he will immerse you in water for about 20 minutes to a depth of 19.6 ft maximum.
Duration of the Dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.
Supplied Equipment:
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilising jacket
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)
- Fins
Mask and snorkel: for health reasons due to Covid-19, we strongly recommend that you come on board with your own mask and snorkel .As an exception, you will be able to borrow them in accordance with sanitary conditions. *The passenger may participate in scuba diving activities, subject to compliance with certain conditions established in accordance with the health, scientific and medical measures applicable on the day of the dive.
