The Windward Islands

Included Shore Excursion – Essence of St. Lucia

Enjoy an authentic St. Lucian experience blending the past and present as you See, Taste and Smell the flavors of the island while discovering, exploring and learning about life in days gone by.

Our local guide and driver meet us at the pier, and we travel to Greenwood Terrace to stroll through the grounds as you learn about the over 270 tropical fruit trees and flowering plants growing in abundance. See a Traditional Medicinal Herb Garden and learn how their forefathers and local folklore utilized those herbs and still do today. Travel back in time as you view the ancient “Platene” used in the making of Sugar and Farine. See an “Old Styled Fowl Coop” (Hen House), the outdoor cooking fireplace, and a stone “Baking Oven” still used for baking bread and the artefacts which dot the garden. Discover the secrets of local Coconut Oil and of Bay Rum, a by-product of the Bay Leaf.  Learn intriguing facts about Traditional Creole Headwear and Dress. View a brilliant display of historic items, artifacts and utensils while discovering historical and cultural aspects of the island all on show in the “Mini Museum”. Savor a variety of tropical fruits, rum and island delicacies.  Following our visit, we return to our awaiting ship.                      Approx. 3 hours

Included Shore Excursion – Culture of Calibishie

Today, we discover Dominica with its impressive nature, beaches and culture. We begin with a scenic drive towards the Northeast of the island and experience stunning views while passing alongside rivers through small communities. See black sand beaches, family farms and stop for photos before arriving at Calibishie village. On arrival in the village, we are taken on a guided walk through a home garden cultivated with bananas, root crops, fruit bearing trees, flowers and vine crops. You will then be treated to a traditional cultural show and dance by a local performing group. When the show has finished, explore the coral sand beach to enjoy a discovery walk along the waterfront where you will see fishermen harvesting shellfish from the shallow reefs, casting fish nets and raising their fish traps.

Approx. 3 hours

Included Shore Excursion – Antigua Historical Tour

Enjoy an authentic St. Lucian experience blending the past and present as you See, Taste and Smell the flavors of the island while discovering, exploring and learning about life in days gone by.

This morning we are met in Falmouth Harbour, an area rich in history and breath-taking views by our local and driver. We travel uphill to the Blockhouse ruins where you can pause to take in the commanding view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding coastline. Continuing uphill, you will enjoy exploring the ruins of Shirley Heights and a stunning view of the English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour. We continue past country villages and through the winding, forest-flanked roads of the Fig Tree Drive (tropical forest) onwards to the coastline where your heart will frolic with contentment viewing the beautiful blue waters. Then, we drive through the historical city of St. John’s to Nelson’s Dockyard, the largest of Antigua’s National Parks. Today it is still used as a working dockyard for numerous yachts and ships. You will have free time to explore on your own before returning to the Royal Clipper.

Approx. 4 hours

Included Shore Excursion – St. Kitts Scenic Rail Tour

This national rail tour runs a complete circle around the island allowing visitors the opportunity to see the entire country by rail and by road. No trip to this two-island federation is complete without the experience of traveling on the new St. Kitts Scenic Railway, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. This one-of-a-kind narrow-gauge railroad was built almost a century ago to deliver sugar cane from the fields to the sugar mills in the capital city of Basseterre.

This still operational railway now provides a fascinating way to see the entire island from the comfort of double-deck railcars built specifically for touring the island of St. Kitts.

All guests will have a seat on both levels of the railcar. The upper level features a spacious open-air observation deck with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The lower level provides air-conditioned comfort with expansive vaulted windows. Island ambiance is evoked with comfortable rattan furniture, complimentary specialty drinks, island music and a colourful narrative history of the Caribbean. The railway hugs the northeastern coastline with rippling fields of sugarcane stretching from the shoreline up to the mountains. The high volcanic mountain ranges, coated with lush green rainforests, rise nearly 4000 feet above sea level.

The train rolls across tall steel bridges spanning deep “ghuts” or canyons, and winds through small villages and farms. Our railway conductor will point out old sugar estates, abandoned sugar mills and windmills while giving insight into the island’s unique history. Your experience is complimented by a scenic bus drive on the Southern coast. Enjoy the excellent vistas of Brimstone fortress, the British “Gibraltar of the Caribbean” and Middle Island where Thomas Jefferson’s great-grandfather is buried; and the neighbouring island of Nevis where American statesman and first Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, was born.

Approx. 3 hours