Caribbean Island Odyssey
A voyage from Barbados to Antigua aboard the MS Serenissima
- 6 March 2019
If you have been contemplating a cruise in the Caribbean but the thought of crossing paths with one of the megafactory like cruise ships with their thousands of passengers who operate in the area has deterred you from doing so, this could be the perfect voyage. With so many ships sailing in the Caribbean Sea you might well ask what is so different about our journey. The answer is the itinerary. By and large we will head for the smaller, less visited islands and with the MS Serenissima as our base and only 95 fellow passengers, we have the advantage of berthing or anchoring at some of the smaller islands. As we will be sailing short distances, we have full days on many of the islands allowing time to wander and explore at our own pace in addition to joining the included guided excursions. If you have a desire to see the forts and learn of the history of the region, visit national parks and botanical gardens with their endemic plants and wildlife or simply relax on pristine beaches all in the company of a small number of like-minded travellers then this is the itinerary for you.
Useful Links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
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Our View
“There are many ships sailing in the Caribbean ranging in size from small yachts to huge superliners. Our itinerary aims to take us to the smaller islands and away from the hordes of people disembarking the large ships. When we land ashore we are absorbed by our destination rather than taking it over and it is only on such a small self-contained ship as the MS Serenissima that we are able land on islands such as St Eustatius or Les Saintes or use the anchorages in St Lucia and Tobago.”
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Charitable Trust Project
It is our vision to use the Noble Caledonia framework to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the areas we work and visit. To this end, in 2013 we established the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust (NCCT): Registered Charity No. 1153281.
Noble Caledonia Ltd cover the costs of administering the NCCT so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the beneficiaries. Money is raised from a percentage of Noble Caledonia’s profits and through fundraising by staff and donations from our travellers and business partners.
Dominica Relief Project - Portsmouth Library
Hurricane Maria hit the Caribbean in September 2017 causing fatalities and extensive damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure. The clean-up operation took months and rebuilding is still in progress.
The Portsmouth Public Library on the island of Dominica lost over 3,000 books and equipment as well as a large part of the roof and sustained damage to windows and doors and all its furniture. This seriously impacted library service delivery in Portsmouth and surrounding communities.
The cost of repairing the roof, replacing equipment and restocking the library will come to over £50,000. So, we started by collecting books donated by friends, family and those of us working in the office, topped up with some supplies from Amazon. In total we had 30kgs of books which were kindly carried out by office and field staff travelling on Sea Cloud II cruises in early 2018.
In addition to the books, to assist with the building repairs and replacing the equipment the NCCT donated £10,000, in addition to which we have been receiving generous donations from our travellers which has brought our total contribution to over £16000.
In early 2019 Sea Cloud II and Serenissima will be calling into Dominica again so we are collecting books and donations to help finish the building work and re-equip and restock the library.
Building work is still ongoing but the new roof is looking very smart.
DONATING
If you would like to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE. If you are eligible for gift aid you can increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you by using our Gift Aid Form. Or
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Since 2003, when she was extensively renovated, she has been operating as a classic cruise ship. Previously known as the MS Andrea, she was upgraded again in 2013 and started her new life as the MS Serenissima. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs, she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Itinerary
Day 1 - London to Barbados.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Serenissima moored in Bridgetown. Enjoy Welcome Dinner and Drinks aboard as we moor overnight
Day 2 - Barbados.
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands, with Atlantic surf on the east coast and sparkling Caribbean waters on the west coast. Captain Powell landed here in 1625 and claimed the island for England. Now independent, it continues to embrace its British Empire roots; afternoon tea remains a tradition and cricket is the national sport. This morning an island drive will include visits to the historic 17th century Sunbury Plantation House and the impressive St John’s Church. The afternoon will be free to relax or explore independently before we sail this evening.
Day 3 - Tobago.
Today is dedicated to exploring the natural wonders of Tobago. We will anchor in the small fishing village of Charlotteville which is situated in Man of War Bay and enjoy a choice of activities. There will be an island drive which will include the Argyle Waterfall for a refreshing swim and a chance to explore the lush surrounding forest. The keen birders will enjoy a visit to Little Tobago, a hilly, arid island situated 1.5 miles offshore and an important seabird sanctuary for frigate birds, brown boobies and red billed tropic birds. Meanwhile the waters around Goat Island offer some of the region’s best coral reefs and abundant marine life - perfect for snorkelling or taking a glass bottomed boat trip.
Day 4 - Trinidad.
Due to its location close to the South American mainland, Trinidad has a unique diversity of plant and animal species which we will discover today. From our berth at Port of Spain we will drive inland to the Asa Wright Nature Centre. Founded on a former cocoa and coffee plantation in 1967 it comprises 1500 acres of forest providing habitat for a range of wildlife. We will explore on a series of guided walks, searching for the 166 species of birds. Return to the MS Serenissima for lunch and this afternoon either take time to explore Port of Spain and maybe visit the botanical gardens or National Museum. Alternatively, in the late afternoon join a tour to the Caroni Nature Sanctuary, a mangrove swamp covering an area of 40 square miles. On arrival at the sanctuary we board a flat-bottomed boat and slowly travel along the beautiful peaceful waterways and lagoons admiring the beauty of the landscape and a variety of birds including egrets and herons and other wildlife. The most astounding bird is the Scarlet Ibis, a large bright red bird feeding and nesting here and we hope to catch them as they return to their nests at sunset.
Day 5 - St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Arrive this morning in Bequia, a delightful Grenadine island which is totally unspoilt and a place of pure escapism with its charming old-world atmosphere. Only seven miles by two it is a long way from the well beaten tourist track, a serene and peaceful island with some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Choose to spend time in the main town of Port Elizabeth, find a spot on a local beach and relax or join a drive to Spring Bay where we can visit the Hawksbill Turtle sanctuary. Arrive after lunch in bustling Kingstown, capital of St Vincent. On an afternoon excursion we will drive to the outskirts of the city to the 19th century Fort Charlotte and the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere. Dating from 1765, this 20 acre site was developed to provide medicinal plants.
Days 6 & 7 - St Lucia.
We have the pleasure of spending two days in St Lucia, a splendidly rugged island of towering mountains, lush green valleys and acres of banana plantations. This morning we anchor in sight of the island’s best known feature, the twin peaks of the Pitons, which rise dramatically from the sea to more than 2400 feet. In the nearby town of Soufriere we can visit the bubbling sulphur springs, part of a low lying volcano which erupted thousands of years ago. Our island tour will also include the splendid botanical gardens, and one of the local plantations where we learn about cacao and sugar cane production. At dawn we will sail along the west coast to our berth in Castries, the island’s capital, from where we will explore the north of the island including the 44 acre Pigeon Island. The island changed hands 14 times between the British and French and at Fort Rodney we will learn more about the history as we walk through the ruins.We will also visit the colonial house of St Marks offering panoramic views to Castries below.
Day 8 - Martinique.
Martinique is a truly cosmopolitan island and a Department of France. The strong French influence is seen everywhere and, without doubt, Martinique is one of the most sophisticated islands in the West Indies enjoying a remarkably high standard of living. We will base ourselves at the small port of Anse D’Arlets and enjoy a morning scenic drive including the Musee de la Pagerie, the birthplace and childhood home of Empress Josephine, see the impressive plantations and have a chance to sample some of the local rum. This afternoon there will be time to relax in the small town or on a local beach.
Day 9 - Dominica.
Stepping back in time, the island of Dominica is still the primitive garden that Columbus first sighted in 1493. An area of tropical rainforests, flowers of incredible beauty and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. We arrive this morning in the small port of Cabrits, just below the National Park and the former British garrison of Fort Shirley. There will be a choice of activities today and the active can climb to the fort to explore the ruins, visit the small museum and maybe wander the surrounding trails on the lookout for birds, hermit crabs and lizards. For the keen birders we will offer a tour driving through the plantations to the Morne Diablotin National Park where, from the viewpoint we hope to see the two endemic parrots of Dominica. Alternatively, join a local boat for a journey along the Indian River, a mangrove lined creek with interesting bankside vegetation including gnarled tree roots and which is home to herons, egrets, hummingbirds and iguanas.
Day 10 - Guadeloupe.
Known as the “papillon” due to the butterfly shape of the two main islands, Guadeloupe offers a taste of France within the Caribbean. From our berth in Pointe a Pitre we will head to mountainous Basse Terre which is home to the Guadeloupe National Park covering 17,000 hectares of tropical forests and topped by the Soufriere volcano. A walk through the rainforest will bring us to the impressive 245 metre Carbet Falls, the highest in the Lesser Antilles whilst we keep an eye out for the resident wildlife. Return to the ship via one of the island’s rum distilleries. The afternoon is free to explore Pointe a Pitre and its colonial architecture including the Place de La Victoire as well as the vibrant market.
Day 11 - Les Saintes, Guadeloupe.
At first light we sail to this eight island archipelago which dots the waters of the southwest coast of Guadeloupe. Still untouched by the hand of tourism these attractive islands offer lovely coves and beaches and colourful fishing villages. On an island drive this morning in Terre de Haut we will visit Fort Napoleon with its museum and gardens, the Catholic Church and Town Hall.
Day 12 - Montserrat.
Ask any Caribbean connoisseur about their favourite places and Montserrat will always be high on the list. Following the damaging volcanic eruptions of 1995 and 2010, much of the island is now returning to normal. We will visit the volcano observatory and learn how the islanders coped with the devastation it caused. Even now we will drive through areas where volcanic material lies in the roads. We also see some of the untouched areas which are as beautiful as ever.
Day 13 - St Eustatius.
In the 18thcentury the port of Oranjestad was a major player in the trade between Europe and the new world. Today the island maintains a low key existence and has avoided the modernisation and development of her neighbours. We will explore the small town including the 17th century fort and the museum with information on slavery, colonial relics and historical artefacts. Meanwhile, the more active may wish to take the strenuous hike to “The Quill”, the 600 metre hill that dominates the landscape. This afternoon is free to explore at leisure and shuttle buses will be available to take you to the town or to one of the local beaches.
Day 14 - Nevis & St Kitts.
The lovely island of St Kitts has it all, restful green fields of sugar cane plantations, rainforests and long stretches of uncrowded beaches. The atmosphere here is wonderfully relaxed and full of old-world charm. Either wander the streets of Basseterre including the colonial buildings or see the impressive UNESCO fortress at Brimstone Hill. This 18th century British garrison played a key role in the battles with the French and is situated on a hill offering fine views over to Nevis. Sail over lunch to Nevis and here we will enjoy an island drive where we will stop at the Museum of Nevis History which includes a large collection of Nelson memorabilia and also the Botanical Gardens.
Day 15 - Antigua to London.
Disembark this morning and on a morning tour we will enjoy the views from Shirley Heights before heading to Nelson’s Dockyard, beautifully located in English Harbour. See the impressive collection of restored historic buildings which were occupied by the British Navy from 1707 till 1899. After lunch we transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 16 - London.
Arrive this morning.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy6 to 21 March 2019 | ||
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Category | Price | |
2 Standard Stateroom | £6995 | |
3 Classic Stateroom | £7295 | |
4 Superior Stateroom | £7595 | |
5 Deluxe Stateroom | £7795 | |
6 Junior Suite | £8295 | |
7 Owner’s Suite | £9395 | |
8 Serenissima Suite | £9395 | |
10 Standard Single | £7295 |
Tour Reference Code: SCSE060319
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 14 nights aboard the MS Serenissima on a full board basis with house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board, Noble Caledonia onboard team, shore excursions, gratuities, transfers, port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Ship to Shore: Please note that although this cruise is not classified as an expedition cruise, the vessel will be at anchor in several ports where Zodiacs will be used to transport passengers ashore.
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Deckplan
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Since 2003, when she was extensively renovated, she has been operating as a classic cruise ship. Previously known as the MS Andrea, she was upgraded again in 2013 and started her new life as the MS Serenissima. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs, she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Video Library
Our View
“There are many ships sailing in the Caribbean ranging in size from small yachts to huge superliners. Our itinerary aims to take us to the smaller islands and away from the hordes of people disembarking the large ships. When we land ashore we are absorbed by our destination rather than taking it over and it is only on such a small self-contained ship as the MS Serenissima that we are able land on islands such as St Eustatius or Les Saintes or use the anchorages in St Lucia and Tobago.”

Travelling with You
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Captain Peter Hore RN rtd
Captain Peter Hore served worldwide as a logistician in the Royal Navy before spending ten years in the film and television industry, and then becoming a fulltime author. Peter’s interests include naval history, strategy and biography, and he has written over 1,200 obituaries for the Daily Telegraph. He has also skippered STC Wyvern to a gold medal in the Tall Ships Race, and walked the Camino de Santiago. As guest speaker he has appeared at Hay Festival and Chalke Valley History Festival, and his books include the award-winning Habit of Victory and HMAS Sydney, Cipher and Search. He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, Chartered Member of the Institute of Linguists, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Society for Nautical Research, and an elected member of the Swedish Royal Society of Naval Sciences.
Captain Peter Hore RN rtd will be on the following tour dates: 6 to 21 March 2019
Charitable Trust Project
It is our vision to use the Noble Caledonia framework to improve economic, social and environmental conditions in the areas we work and visit. To this end, in 2013 we established the Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust (NCCT): Registered Charity No. 1153281.
Noble Caledonia Ltd cover the costs of administering the NCCT so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the beneficiaries. Money is raised from a percentage of Noble Caledonia’s profits and through fundraising by staff and donations from our travellers and business partners.
Dominica Relief Project - Portsmouth Library
Hurricane Maria hit the Caribbean in September 2017 causing fatalities and extensive damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure. The clean-up operation took months and rebuilding is still in progress.
The Portsmouth Public Library on the island of Dominica lost over 3,000 books and equipment as well as a large part of the roof and sustained damage to windows and doors and all its furniture. This seriously impacted library service delivery in Portsmouth and surrounding communities.
The cost of repairing the roof, replacing equipment and restocking the library will come to over £50,000. So, we started by collecting books donated by friends, family and those of us working in the office, topped up with some supplies from Amazon. In total we had 30kgs of books which were kindly carried out by office and field staff travelling on Sea Cloud II cruises in early 2018.
In addition to the books, to assist with the building repairs and replacing the equipment the NCCT donated £10,000, in addition to which we have been receiving generous donations from our travellers which has brought our total contribution to over £16000.
In early 2019 Sea Cloud II and Serenissima will be calling into Dominica again so we are collecting books and donations to help finish the building work and re-equip and restock the library.
Building work is still ongoing but the new roof is looking very smart.
DONATING
If you would like to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE. If you are eligible for gift aid you can increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you by using our Gift Aid Form. Or
Also of Interest
Hidden Treasures of the West Indies
A voyage from Antigua to Barbados aboard the MS Serenissima
Serenissima
Serenissima
Itinerary at a glance
- Antigua
- St Eustatius
- St Kitts / Nevis
- Montserrat
- Guadeloupe
- Les Saintes
- Dominica
- Martinique
- St Lucia
- St Vincent
- Tobago
- Trinidad
- Barbados
Luxury Under Sail in the West Indies
A voyage between Antigua to Barbados aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud II
Sea Cloud II
Sea Cloud II
Itinerary at a glance
- Antigua
- St Barts
- Jost Van Dyke
- St Kitts
- Nevis, St Kitts/Nevis
- Montserrat
- Iles des Saintes
- Dominica
- Martinique
- St Lucia
- Bequia
- Carriacou
- Barbados
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000