Tropical Autumn Escape from Manchester & London Heathrow

Cruise Itinerary

• Day 1: UK to Bridgetown, Barbados

  Fly from Manchester or London Heathrow to Bridgetown, Barbados. Embark on board Ambassador Renaissance for your 14-night cruise.

• Day 2: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 3: Willemstad, Curacao

  Arrive in Willemstad — founded in 1634 and now the capital city of Curaçao. Explore the Hato Caves or see beautiful flora and fauna at Christoffel National Park. There are sea lions to visit at Curaçao Sea Aquarium; lots of shops at Punda; and a church and museum at the nearly 400-year-old Fort Amsterdam. Stroll by pastel-coloured buildings with a hint of Dutch design in the city centre and head to the Maritime Museum or Kura Hulanda to learn about the island's history. You can buy souvenirs from Willemstad's floating market and even visit a distillery to try the local liquor. Sunbathe on the beach, have a go at snorkelling and diving, swim with dolphins, and dine on cuisine influenced by Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

• Day 4: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 5: Basseterre, Saint 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: 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 7: Fort de France, Martinique

  Today, the ship docks in Fort de France, the capital of Martinique. Gaze in awe at the stained-glass windows at St-Louis Cathedral, before visiting La Savane Park to admire the Empress Josephine statue and nearby Fort St-Louis. Shop for local handicrafts at Le Grand Marche or explore the designer perfume and fashion boutiques on Rue Victor Schoelcher. Spend some time at Habitation Clement - part plantation/part rum distillery/and part museum and heritage site! Travel to the southwest of the island to view the white stone effigies at Anse Cafard Slave Memorial.

• Day 8: St. Johns, 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 9: Philipsburg, Saint 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 10: Road Town, Tortola

  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 11: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 12: Kralendijk, Bonaire

  Kralendijk is the main port on the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. The population in Kralendijk is about 3,000 and there's even an uninhabited island — Klein Bonaire — not far from its coastline with sandy beaches that are nesting grounds for sea turtles. Try your hand at fishing, kayaking, snorkelling, and windsurfing and visit Bonaire National Marine Park's coral reef teeming with tropical fish. Admire landmarks including the 18th-century Protestant Church and Government House and also the colourful architecture along Kaya Grandi shopping street. Stroll around the pretty Wilhelmina Park, which is named in honour of the former Dutch queen, and witness the archaeological finds on display at Bonaire Museum. Bari Reef is a great place for diving, while Lac Bay is a popular spot to have lunch and drinks in the sunshine.

• Day 13: Willemstad, Curacao

  Arrive in Willemstad — founded in 1634 and now the capital city of Curaçao. Explore the Hato Caves or see beautiful flora and fauna at Christoffel National Park. There are sea lions to visit at Curaçao Sea Aquarium; lots of shops at Punda; and a church and museum at the nearly 400-year-old Fort Amsterdam. Stroll by pastel-coloured buildings with a hint of Dutch design in the city centre and head to the Maritime Museum or Kura Hulanda to learn about the island's history. You can buy souvenirs from Willemstad's floating market and even visit a distillery to try the local liquor. Sunbathe on the beach, have a go at snorkelling and diving, swim with dolphins, and dine on cuisine influenced by Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

• Day 14: At sea

  Day at sea

• Day 15: Bridgetown, Barbados to UK

  Today your cruise comes to an end.