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Transatlantic Sunrise

Cruise itinerary - Transatlantic Sunrise

What's included...

  • Gratuities - no need to tip!
  • Top class onboard activities/entertainment
  • 24 hour dining
  • Port taxes

Sailing Dates

17 Apr 11

Cities, sights and sensational scenery...

Taking in the best of the Caribbean, the Atlantic and the Med, this cruise treats you to a medley of histories, cultures and landscapes. Things kick off in the West Indies, where your first port of call is the British Virgin Island of Tortola. Sage Mountain National Park wears the ‘Number One Sight’ badge here. An oasis of tropical vines, trees and flowers, it’s home to the highest point on the Virgin Islands. Then it’s on to Antigua and Dominica, both of which boast gorgeous scenery. Cue palm-studded beaches, dramatic waterfalls and lush rainforests. You’ll round off your time in the Caribbean with visits to two of its biggest names – St Lucia and Barbados. Spend a couple of days soaking up the sun and wandering around pretty colonial villages, before getting back onboard and making your way across the Atlantic. The third week of your cruise starts with a day in Madeira. Stroll down the bougainvillea-laced streets of Funchal, or head to the botanical gardens to get your fill of orchids and dragon trees. Next on the agenda is Gibraltar, where duty-free shopping tops the to-do list. Then it’s on to Spain. Cartagena is the first stop, and it doesn’t disappoint. Castles, cathedrals and chapels combine to give the whole place a romantic, old-world feel. Rounding the cruise off in style are two of the country’s most popular cities – Valencia and Barcelona. The former boasts the largest old town in Europe, while the latter is famous for its wacky architecture – Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia is unmissable.

1

Sunday, La Romana - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

  • A Caribbean and Latin-fused favourite, it’s easy to see why Columbus labelled the Dominican Republic as ‘the fairest land under heaven’. It’s got all the tropical ingredients you could wish for. And this southeast corner is no exception. Shop for jewellery made of locally mined amber. Feast on the Spanish, African and Taino cuisine. Or explore the Chavron River, which landed a starring role in the film ‘Apocalypse Now’.

  • Join in the creative buzz at Altos de Chavon, just north of La Romana. This unique artists’ village is a replica of a 17th-century Mediterranean village and gazes down over the gorge of the Chavron River. You’ll find artists’ studios, craft shops and restaurants here.
  • Discover the historical treasure trove at Santo Domingo, the New World's oldest colonial city. You can follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus here around the colonial zone. Photograph the magnificent Columbus lighthouse where the great man's remains are under constant guard. Or walk down the first street in the Americas and stop for a haggle in the market.
  • It’s well worth the journey up to the bewitching Semana Peninsula. As well as having rainforests in every shade of green and angel-white sands, it’s the humpback whales that are the big draw here. They visit the area for some major speed-dating sessions during the mating season so you’ve got a good chance of glimpsing these creatures in their natural habitat.
See shore excursions

2

Monday, Road Town - TORTOLA  13:30 - 18:30

  • Nature’s the star attraction of Tortola. Ancient rainforests hog the limelight. Beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention. And opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting.

  • Head for Road Town’s pretty Main Street. Here, you’ll find a medley of shops, museums and historical buildings. And you won’t be able to resist snapping away at the brightly-painted bungalows either.
  • Soak up the beauty of Sage Mountain National Park. The British Virgin Island’s highest point, it’s an oasis of tropical vines, trees and plants. You can even saddle up and explore by horseback.
  • Surround yourself in serenity at J R O’Neal Botanical Gardens in Road Town. Showcasing a rainforest, orchid house and tropical bird houses, it’s the perfect place to get back to nature.
See shore excursions

3

Tuesday, St John's - ANTIGUA  13:00 - 19:00

  • If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in the sunshine. And cuisine as sublime as those moon-white shores.

  • Sink your toes into soft sand and wade through waters too blue to be true. A good place to head is Dickenson Bay, a wide strip dotted with thatched beach bars. Or pack up your snorkel and flippers and head north to Paradise Reef, a marine explorer’s dream.
  • Hit the shops in St John’s, Antigua’s bright and breezy capital. Plump for island crafts or up the spending in the duty-free complexes. Afterwards, take a look at the mighty domed towers of the city’s Baroque cathedral, Antigua’s most famous landmark.
  • Pull up a chair in one of St John’s restaurants and order the locals’ favourite, pepperpot stew, a tasty concoction of salt beef, pumpkin and okra. With a little legwork you’ll find some really unusual settings - old sugar mills, former slave quarters and 17th-century inns are among the top contenders.
  • For a small island there’s loads of history to soak up. During the 1700s Antigua’s coastline was littered with British forts. Today most of these military strongholds lie in ruins but they’re great vantage points. Try Fort Barrington and Fort James in St John's for coastal views that’ll take your breath away.
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4

Wednesday, Portsmouth - DOMINICA  08:00 - 23:00

  • Known as the island of waterfalls, Dominica is as green as it is unspoilt. Fairly off the tourist trail, this exotic isle is a paradise for nature lovers. In fact, it’s one of the Caribbean hotspots for scuba-diving and rainforest trekking. And of course, it’s got some superb beaches. Not the snow-white variety you’d expect, but dramatic volcanic sweeps and secluded coves hidden by greenery. Have your camera at the ready…

  • Make your way through the rainforest of canopied ferns and soaring trees in Canefield and you’ll arrive at the Emerald Pool. A sparkling grotto at the foot of a 12-metre waterfall, it’s the perfect place for a cooling dip.

  • Don’t miss the chance to river tube down Dominica’s biggest river, River Layou. You’ll climb into what looks like a giant rubber ring, before battling currents, rocks and rapids as you head downstream. It’s great fun, and gives you fantastic close-up views of the island’s jungle-like scenery.

  • Get to know Dominica’s fascinating past with a visit to a traditional Carib village. Carib Indians were the first residents of the island, and their villages look pretty much the same as they did a hundred years ago. Cue thatched-roof wooden huts surrounded by banana plantations and coconut farms.
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5

Thursday, Castries - ST LUCIA  07:00 - 18:00

  • This truly tropical isle is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean. Think glossy rainforests showered in sunbeams. Vivid yellow banana plantations. And striking, syrup-coloured sands that simply demand your tanning time. The coral reefs are out of this world, too. Be dazzled by the rainbow of colours hidden beneath the waves, then let the St Lucian sun gently dry your skin. For a paradise escape, this place comes up trumps every time.

  • Drive through this gorgeous canvas that showcases some of Mother Nature’s finest handiwork. Pass Soufriere’s ‘drive through’ volcano as you head for the spires of Les Pitons. These towering twin cones of volcanic rock are St Lucia’s trademark.
  • Unroll your beach towel in Rodney Bay, one of the most popular beaches on the island. Or head for Anse Chastanet beach where the dark volcanic sand is overlooked by Les Pitons.
  • Pick up a bargain in the Castries market, an amazing swirl of crafts, fruits and the hum of Creole conversation. For a more upmarket, but still good value, shopping experience, try Pointe Seraphine, a duty-free shopping centre next to the harbour.
  • Take a boat trip to the nearby Grenadines. Leave your footprints in snow-white sands, swim in translucent waters and indulge in net-fresh seafood.
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6

Friday, Bridgetown - BARBADOS  07:00 - 16:00

  • A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base.

  • Take a tram ride through a labyrinth of underground caverns at Harrison’s Cave in St Thomas. A natural phenomenon that has to be seen to be believed, it’s all sparkling streams, playful waterfalls and stalactites and stalagmites that shimmer in shady tunnels.
  • Let your senses go into overload at the Andromeda Gardens in the village of Bathsheba. The sweet smell of orchids and hibiscus follows you at these botanical gardens, which boast one of the finest collections in the Caribbean.
  • Get an introduction to the ageing, blending and bottling of the island’s favourite tipple at the Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre in Bridgetown. And once you’ve learned all the secrets, taste the liquid gold yourself.
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7

Saturday, At Sea 

8

Sunday, At Sea 

9

Monday, At Sea 

10

Tuesday, At Sea 

11

Wednesday, At Sea 

12

Thursday, At Sea 

13

Friday, Funchal - MADEIRA  08:00 - 18:00

  • Sweeter than wine, Madeira’s a fine excuse to binge on beautiful scenery to your heart’s content. Funchal is the island’s capital, a bewitching collection of cobbled streets, quaint museums and buzzing café and restaurant life.

  • Get to know Funchal. This spellbinding city is a portion of Portugal sprinkled with a dash of Garden of Eden and Edwardian Britain. The whole place seems to be smothered in vivid bougainvillea, jasmine and other exotic blooms. Don’t miss the covered market, a dizzying montage of exotic fruit stalls and flower-sellers wearing traditional costume. And take a look at the city’s impressive Sé cathedral with its ornate ceiling and artworks.
  • If you’re really into blooms, meander around Funchal’s tranquil Botanical Gardens, admiring their dazzling displays of orchids, cacti and Madeira’s iconic dragon trees.
  • Take a cable car up to the mountain village of Monte and hurtle back down the cobbles towards Funchal in a wicker toboggan.
  • Gaze in awe at the colossal Cabo Girao, one of the world’s largest coastal cliffs. Then take in the simple charms of the quaint fishing village, Camara de Lobos, one of Winston Churchill’s favourite retreats.
  • Sign up for a jeep safari to explore parts of the island that are usually off limits.
  • Last but not least, make the obligatory visit to a wine lodge to learn Madeira’s age-old wine making secrets.
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14

Saturday, At Sea 

15

Sunday, Gibraltar - GIBRALTAR  08:00 - 17:00

  • Gibraltar’s like a home from home, only with bags more sunshine. It’s decidedly British but with a lively Spanish spirit - quite a combination we think you’ll agree.

  • Explore the Rock’s famous attractions like the Moorish Castle and the fascinating Gibraltar Museum.
  • Take a cable car up to Europa Point to meet the cheeky Barbary Apes, Gibraltar’s famous monkeys.
  • Inside the Rock, you’ll find more miles of road than on the outside. Check out the Great Siege Tunnels and St Michael’s Cave.
  • Make the most of the duty-free shopping, then head to the marina for a taste of tapas, or some good old fish and chips.
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16

Monday, Cartagena - SPAIN  09:00 - 17:00

  • Tucked in a deep bay guarded by two cliff-top fortresses, this Spanish gem is steeped in history. In the 18th century it became a major Spanish naval base and reminders of its seafaring past can be seen down in the port, where you’ll find a prototype submarine.

  • Take a wide-eyed walk through the city, which flaunts splendid reminders of its golden age. Don’t miss the city’s castle, Castillo de la Concepcion, which offers up great views over Cartagena.
  • Head for Murcia, the regional capital city and an open-air museum whose centrepiece is a beautiful cathedral. It’s particularly famous for its two ornate side chapels – the Gothic Capilla de los Velez and the Renaissance Capilla del Junteron. Simply breathtaking.
  • See the famous La Manga Strip, a strip of land which separates the Mediterranean Sea from Mar Meno, Europe’s largest lagoon.
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17

Tuesday, Valencia - SPAIN  08:00 - 17:00

  • One minute you’re doing battle with a plate of the city’s trademark paella. The next, ambling the airy galleries of tip-top museums. Then later, going for gold on the silky sands that slide into see-through waters. At long last, Barcelona and Madrid’s sandy sister is emerging from the shadows, Cinderella-style, and demanding the world’s travellers take note. If you’re looking for a new city to get excited about, then Valencia is most definitely the place.

  • Take a wide-eyed wander through the old town. The throbbing heart of the city, it’s the largest preserved complex of its kind in Europe. On Plaza de la Reina, see the 13th-century cathedral, said to contain the chalice used by Christ in the Last Supper.
  • Prepare to be impressed. Seriously impressed. The City of Arts and Science is an expanse of avant-garde architecture by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The jewel in its crown is the Palau de les Arts, a superb performing arts, opera and music venue. Then there’s the Hemispheric, one of the most visited spots in all of Spain thanks to its planetarium, IMAX theatre and The Oceanographic, Europe’s largest aquarium.
  • Gulliver’s travels came to an end in Valencia, where a giant figure of him now reclines on the beach. Watch Valencia’s children crawl over him like ants, slide down his jacket, climb around him on ropes and risk a glance into the legendary town of Lilliput inside.
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18

Wednesday, Barcelona - SPAIN  08:00 - 17:00

  • Its phenomenal reputation makes other cities positively green with envy, and bohemian Barcelona continues to top the popularity charts. So what makes is such a big hit? Well, where do we start?

  • Stroll down the famous thoroughfare, Las Ramblas, stopping for coffee at a pretty pavement café or to throw a couple of euros in street entertainers’ upturned hats.
  • Explore the winding streets of the Gothic quarter, taking your pick of traditional tapas bars. Among them is Els Quatre Gats, Picasso’s old hangout.
  • Make a beeline for the Plaza de Catalunya and see amazing houses dreamed up by Gaudi, as well as his greatest work, the unfinished cathedral, Sagrada Familia.
  • Call in at the world famous stadium, Nou Camp, home of Barcelona Football Club since 1957.
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19

Thursday, Palma - MAJORCA 

  • Palma. Think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic quarter. With its trademark cathedral dominating the skyline, cosmopolitan Palma never fails to impress.

  • Spend some time exploring the city, clicking snaps of the 14th-century Bellver Castle, browsing the boutiques and tasting tapas in the authentic bars that barnacle the backstreets.
  • Love to shop? Then make a beeline for Inca, the island’s biggest street market, which opens every Thursday.
  • Don’t miss out on one last amazing view when you leave the city. When the ship departs after dark, make sure you’re out on deck to enjoy the unforgettable sight of Palma Cathedral magically lit up.
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