Cocktails and Coconuts

Cruise Itinerary

• Day 1: UK > Bridgetown, Barbados

  Fly from selected UK airport to Bridgetown and embark on board Marella Explorer 2 for your 7-night cruise.

• Day 2: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 3: Road Town, British Virgin Islands

  Rich in history and old-world Caribbean charm, Road Town – the capital of the British Virgin Islands - is the perfect place to spend the day. Visit the historic Sunday Morning Well where the 'Proclamation of Emancipation' - giving freedom from slavery - was read in 1834. Explore the shops and eateries on Main Street or pick up locally-made crafts by the waterfront. Taste authentic Caribbean rum cocktails at the legendary Pusser's Bar or unwind on the powder-white sand of Cane Garden Bay. Discover colourful exotic plants at JR O'Neal Botanic Gardens or join a hiking trip to Sage Mountain National Park. A short boat trip to view The Baths rock formations on Virgin Gorda's north shore is a must-do, too.

• Day 4: Philipsburg, St Maarten

  The ship drops anchor today at St Maarten's Dutch capital city - Philipsburg. Stroll along the shops on bustling Front Street or enjoy a couple of hours’ beach time at Great Bay. Fly through the trees at the Fly Zone at Loterie Farm or explore the island by quad bike. Witness local plant and animal life at St Maarten Zoological and Botanical Garden, get up close to parrots and monkeys at St Maarten Zoo, and encounter caterpillars and butterflies at the Butterfly Farm. Experience the displays of artefacts from the indigenous Arawak people at the Sint Maarten Museum and the ruins of the 17th-century Fort Amsterdam. You can also swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Anguilla or admire heart-stopping views in the Pic du Paradis hills.

• Day 5: Basseterre, St Kitts

  Basseterre is the capital city of St Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Explore the shops and bars of The Circus or pay a visit to the cathedral, courthouse, and fountain of Independence Square. On the outskirts of the city, you'll discover Fairview Great House and Botanical Gardens and to the northwest are Romney Manor and the Wingfield Estate. Take a ride on the St Kitts Scenic Railway to discover deep ravines, black-sand beaches, and Mount Liamuiga volcano. Admire the views over sugarcane fields from the 17th-century Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

• Day 6: St John's, Antigua

  St John's on the Caribbean island of Antigua is your next stop. This pretty capital city not only gives you access to Antigua's 365 stunning beaches; but is also packed with attractions including English Harbour and the historic Nelson's Dockyard. A visit to the colourful St John's street market is a must, and you’ll also find great shopping and dining in Heritage Quay. Travel to Shirley Heights Lookout for superb views of English and Falmouth Harbours. A 90-minute ferry ride from Bryson Wharf takes you to Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, to explore the Arawak Caves and Frigate Bird Sanctuary.

• Day 7: Pointe-A-Pitre, Guadeloupe

  Pointe-A-Pitre is a city on the island of Grande-Terre in Guadeloupe. Place de la Victoire is brimming with cafes and colonial homes and is the perfect spot for exploration. Delve into the Caribbean's slave trade at Memorial ACTe or head to the shores of Plage de la Datcha to swim, sunbathe, and check out the local eateries. Discover the life of the island's famous poet and Nobel Laureate at Musée Saint-John Perse and the yellow and white Cathédrale de St Pierre et St Paul is the ideal photo opportunity. Shop for handmade goods, local produce, and souvenirs at Spice Market and Market Darse. Visit nearby Le Grosier; the gateway to over 60 species of tropical fish at Aquarium de la Guadeloupe and the ruins of Fort Fleur d'Epé.

• Day 8: Bridgetown, Barbados > UK

  Today your cruise comes to an end.