A Grand Journey from Catalonia to the Caribbean Cruise on Explora I from Barcelona

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of themost important ports in the Mediterranean, cruise ships leave the city to call on some of themost desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. The port has modern facilities and allthe services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as anembarkation and a disembarkation port. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan andmulticultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia,Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas. It’s a hub of activity and the city isalways bustling.

Cadiz (Spain)

Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. The older part of Cadiz within the remnants of the city walls is commonly referred to as the Old Town It is characterized by the antiquity of its various quarters, among them El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María, which present a marked contrast to the newer areas of town. While the Old City's street plan consists of narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas, newer areas of Cadiz typically have wide avenues and more modern buildings. In addition, the city is dotted with numerous parks where exotic plants flourish, including giant trees supposedly brought to Spain by Columbus from the New World. Cadiz, situated on a peninsula, is home to some of Spain's most beautiful beaches. La Playa de la Caleta is the best-loved beach of Cadiz. It has always been in Carnival songs, due to its unequalled beauty and its proximity to the Barrio de la Viña. It is the beach of the Old City, situated between two castles, San Sebastian and Santa Catalina. La Caleta and the boulevard show a lot of resemblance to parts of Havana, the capital city of Cuba,

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife port of fishing, commercial, passenger and sports in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Next to this port is the famous building of the Auditorio de Tenerife. It has a significant relevance in two categories: Cruise Passengers and in Fresh Fish caught. Due to the importance of interinsular maritime transport, it also holds a dominant position in Passenger Transport. Some of the world's largest ocean liners have stopped in the Port. The proximity of two international airports backs up its position as base for cruises.

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.

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Its hard not to be captivated by the historic treasures of majestic Old San Juan, the charming walled city with its imposing fortresses, colorful colonial architecture and numerous attractions. A short taxi ride from the old city will take you to the world-class boutiques, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo, and restaurants of Condado, the inviting beaches and resorts of Ocean Park and Isla Verde and the bohemian neighborhood of Santurce. Event planners and business professionals come for the state-of-the-art convention center in Miramar and the financial district of Hato Rey.

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...

Ocho Rios (Jamaica)

Ocho Rios is one of Jamaica’s capitals full of pleasures. You’ll be able to go shopping or to see the real Jamaican culture. It is located approximately 67 miles east of Montego Bay. Know as a fishing village, counts with plenty of resort facilities such as hotels and restaurants, it maintains the culture of the past of a small Jamaican Town.It counts with various shopping plazas and with a crafts market located downtown, an easy distance to walk from the ship. In Ocean Village, the main flea market of the town, you can uy everything under the sun, right in the center of Ocho Rios.One of the most beautiful things to see in Jamaica is Dunn’s River Falls, and you will find them in Ocho Rios. Also you can find wonderful beaches to enjoy yourselves. One of the most known beaches is the James Bond Beach, which was named due to his creator living in the proximities. Plan a visit to the Shaw Botanical Gardens, where you can find a variety of exotic flora or you can go canoeing in the White River while the drums are beating.

George Town (Grand Cayman)

George Town is the capital and principal city of the Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory and located in the Island of Grand Cayman. Live one of the most rewarding experiences of the underwater world, as National Geographic states: the city of the Stringray stripes. See to believe.

Cozumel (Mexico)

Mexican heart and a Caribbean soul, Cozumel is a paradise which combines tradition, flavor and joy. You will always find a friendly face and a warm welcome to make your visit memorable. Cozumel is home to the largest reef system in the Americas, the Mesoamerican Reef. Teeming with hundreds of tropical fish, turtles and other vibrant sea life, it is truly a diver's dream. But even if you dont explore down into the depths of the ocean, there is much to see for snorkelers too. There are as many as 250 different species of tropical fish including the queen angelfish and the illusive toadfish, seen nowhere else in the world. Above the sparkling surface of the water, the trees are speckled with frigate birds, brown pelicans, olivaceous cormorants and others. If you look closely, you may catch a glimpse of a tree frog, a crocodile or the prehistoric iguana resting in the lush vegetation

Progreso (Yucatan)

Yucatan has become a major Mexican cruise stop, it is a place where many cultures come together. Yucatan, a place of legends, historical sites, beaches, cenotes, archaeological sites and above all, a lot of life.

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...