A Journey of Caribbean Sands & Rainforests Cruise on Explora II from Bridgetown (Barbados)

Bridgetown (Barbados)

Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. The Bridgetown port, found along Carlisle Bay lies on the southwestern coast of the island. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics, convention centre, and cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean region. Bridgetown´s centre was originally composed of a swamp, which was quickly drained and filled-in to make way for the city´s early development. At the heart of Bridgetown is the Careenage and Constitution River.This body of water provides the city with direct access from medium sized yachts or small craft boats. Although moderately shallow, the Careenage slices Bridgetown into two parts. During the rainy season the Constitution River flows into the Careenage area and acts as an outflow for water from the islands interior storm drainage network. Flowing into the Carlisle Bay on the southwest coast of the island, the Careenage can be observed as a marina for boaters entering or exiting the inner basin located directly in front of the Parliament buildings of Barbados. In the centre lies the main street of Bridgetown which is Broad Street which runs directly through the centre of the city. Broad Street passes the Parliament Buildings and serves as the centre of city´s shopping area.

Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre)

Guadeloupe mixes the best of France, a fully modern infrastructure and fantastic food, with a local culture. It’s two main islands look like the wings of a butterfly and are joined together by a mangrove swamp. Grande-Terre, the eastern wing of the island, has a string of beach towns that offer visitors a variety of fun in the sun. From beach bars to long stretches of beautiful sand and azure water. Basse-Terre, the western wing, is home to the national park, crowned by La Soufrière volcano. Hiking trails and a Jacques Cousteau underwater reserve offer adventure for those who want it. South of the butterfly-shaped ‘mainland’ of Guadeloupe are a number of small archipelagos that give a taste of Guadeloupe’s yesteryear.

Antigua (St. John's)

The Lesser Antilles (also known as the Caribbees) are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Caribbean Sea. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America. The Lesser Antilles and the Greater Antilles compose the (or the Caribbean in its narrowest definition), which together with the Lucayan Archipielago comprise the West Indies.The islands of the Lesser Antilles are divided into three groups. The two main groups are the Windward Islands in the south and the Leeward Islands in the north. The third group is the Leeward Antilles in the west. These consist of the Dutch ABC islands just off the coast of Venezuela, plus a group of Venezuelan islands.

Charlotte Amalie (Saint Thomas)

Charlotte Amalie is the capital od the Virgin Islands in the United States. It is located on the south side of the island of Saint Thomas, Charlotte Amalie is also the name of the deepwater port that was once possesion of pirates and that now is a famous cruis port. Charlotte Amalie has buildings of historical importance and is has the second most ancient synagogue on the western hemisphere. The city was named by the queen Charlotte Amelia of Hesse-Cassel (1650-1714), consort of the king Cristian V of Denmark.

Miami

Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a major center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", with a Spanish-speaking majority, and the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality. The Port of Miami, known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," has been the number one cruise passenger port in the world. It accommodates some of the world's largest cruise ships and operations, and is the busiest port in both passenger traffic and cruise lines. Going south you will find the Coral Gables, a select and elegant neighborhood with beautiful waterways, fountains and squares. It is recommended to take a guided tour that can pick the Old Town Trolley tours and you will have up to 90 minutes ride departing from Bayside. Miami Beach, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic are some of the most fascinating areas of the Great Miami. Here prevailing Art Deco buildings, the sophisticated atmosphere, and the best beaches...