Warm sea breezes, giant sails, and tropical good times await!

Seven nights on the Royal Clipper island hopping from St John's Antigua to Bridgeton Barbados! Woo hoo!

With the help of Google, I've summarized our Ports of Call and will add more detailed  information later...

FINS UP, SAILS UP!

We'll set sail from here -- arriving early to be SURE to catch the ship! Our lovely travel agent, Joy Schmeig will be leading a group out of Portland, but if you'd like to arrive earlier or are coming from another area of the country, she can help you in getting the best flights  and extending your stay.

https://www.joieduvoyagetravel.com/

Colorful St. John's is known for its vibrant mix of historic charm and Caribbean allure,  offering soulful colonial streets, duty-free shopping at Heritage  Quay, and cultural sites like the iconic St. John's Cathedral, all while  serving as a gateway to Antigua's famous 365 beaches for swimming,  snorkeling, and sailing, plus exploring plantation ruins and markets for  a true taste of island life. 

• Rich History & Culture: Explore British colonial architecture, visit historic forts like Fort  James, delve into the past at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, and  experience the island's diverse traditions through music and food.
• Vibrant City Life: Wander colorful streets, shop for local crafts and duty-free goods, and  enjoy waterfront dining with views of the bustling harbor.
• Gateway to Beaches: St. John's provides easy access to stunning white-sand beaches like nearby Dickenson Bay, perfect for relaxing or water sports.
• Sailing Hub: A major port for sailors, it's a great starting point for catamaran trips to explore the island's beautiful coastline.
• Local Markets: Discover local produce and crafts at vibrant farmers' markets

Les Saintes is a thoroughly entrancing group of islands lying off  Guadeloupe. You'll enjoy the superb beaches, snorkelling, diving and  other watersports on offer. Terre-de-Haut is a charming French Caribbean island known for its authentic,  laid-back atmosphere, picturesque harbor with colorful houses, and  stunning natural beauty, including a bay ranked among the world's most  beautiful. Visitors enjoy exploring its car-free streets on foot  or by scooter, discovering secluded beaches, snorkeling in clear waters,  tasting local delicacies like "Torments of Love" coconut tarts, and  visiting the historic Fort Napoléon for panoramic views. Its blend of  French-Creole culture, vibrant reefs, and peaceful, unspoiled vibe makes  it an ideal escape for relaxation and gentle adventure. 

• Authentic French-Caribbean Charm: Experience a slice of France with Creole flair, featuring brightly  painted homes, bougainvillea-lined lanes, and friendly locals.
• Stunning Scenery & Beaches: Home to one of the world's most beautiful bays, offering crystal-clear  waters, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs perfect for  snorkeling and diving.
• Car-Free Exploration: Get around easily by walking, biking, or renting an electric scooter to discover hidden coves and breathtaking viewpoints.
• Cultural & Historical Sites: Explore the restored Fort Napoléon for history and incredible views, or find unique local crafts and pastries.
• Relaxed Pace: Enjoy fresh seafood at harbor cafes, watch boats come and go, and  embrace the slow, unhurried rhythm of island life, away from large  crowds. 

Why the cannons? For the best vistas all around! Cabrits National Park in Dominica is a captivating destination because it offers a rare combination of rich history and stunning natural beauty in one location. Visitors can explore the meticulously restored  18th-century British garrison, Fort Shirley, which provides fascinating  insight into the island's colonial past and offers panoramic views of  the coastline and Prince Rupert Bay. The park also boasts a diverse  ecosystem, encompassing tropical forests, wetlands, and coral reefs,  which can be explored through well-maintained hiking trails or by  snorkeling and diving in the vibrant marine areas. Known as the Dominica is celebrated for its lush rainforests, mountainous terrain, and 365 rivers. 

Dominica is a dream-like island, full of surprises. Glide through a  steamy orchid-festooned rainforest in a fascinating boat ride or hike to  breathtaking Trafalgar Falls and a bubbling lake. Les Saintes is a thoroughly entrancing group of islands lying off  Guadeloupe. You'll enjoy the superb beaches, snorkelling, diving and  other watersports on offer. 

Martinique's beaches are renowned for their stunning white sands and  crystal-clear turquoise waters, offering picturesque spots for both  relaxation and water sports. Martinique is a captivating destination due to its unique blend of French sophistication and vibrant Caribbean culture.  A paradise for nature lovers and active travelers, the island boasts a  striking diversity of landscapes, including the dramatic volcanic peaks  and lush rainforests of the north, and the serene white-sand beaches of  the south. Visitors can explore historic sites like the ruins of St.  Pierre, a "mini-Pompeii," wander through the stunning Balata Gardens,  and indulge in world-renowned rhum agricole at local distilleries. The island's rich Creole and French-infused  cuisine is an experience in itself, offering everything from fresh  seafood to flavorful stews, all within a safe and welcoming environment.  This combination of natural splendor, rich history, and culinary  excellence makes Martinique a truly one-of-a-kind Caribbean escape. 

St. George's, Grenada, is a charming Caribbean capital known for its stunning horseshoe-shaped harbor, pastel-colored colonial buildings, and rich history,  making it a vibrant destination to explore. Visitors enjoy its bustling  Market Square filled with local spices, historic forts like Fort George  offering panoramic views, and a relaxed atmosphere blending colonial  charm with tropical beauty, all while being the gateway to Grenada's  lush rainforests and famous beaches. 

• Visual Appeal:  The city is often called the most beautiful harbor town in the  Caribbean, with colorful houses climbing hillsides around the sparkling  Carenage (marina).
• History & Culture:  Explore British and French colonial history at Fort George and Fort  Frederick, and experience local life at the spice-scented Market Square.
• Spice Isle Charm:  As the heart of the "Spice Isle," the air is filled with scents of  nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla, with opportunities to learn about and buy  local spices.
• Gateway to Adventure:  St. George's serves as a perfect base for accessing Grenada's stunning  beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, and unique underwater sculpture park

Four small islets, virtually deserted but enormously appealing for those  who love underwater exploration, Tobago Cays is a national park where  snorkelling is superb. The Tobago Cays is a highly desirable destination because it offers a quintessential, untouched Caribbean paradise experience within a protected marine park environment. This cluster of five uninhabited islands is known for its stunning natural beauty,  featuring brilliant white-sand beaches, calm, crystal-clear turquoise  waters, and vibrant coral reefs that teem with exotic marine life. Visitors are almost guaranteed the unique opportunity to snorkel and swim with green and hawksbill sea turtles in a designated sanctuary area, a major highlight for many travelers.  The area's status as a national park and wildlife reserve means careful  management helps preserve its pristine condition, making it an ideal  spot for activities like sailing, diving, birdwatching, and enjoying  secluded beach barbecues under the stars. 

Two St. Lucia stops

MORNING

Marigot Bay, one of the prettiest anchorages in the Caribbean, is  surrounded by lush hills and ringed by drooping coconut palms. Our  alternate stop, the little Port Town of Soufrire was named after a  nearby volcano. Prettier sights are to be seen at Diamond Falls and  Mineral Baths where you can walk through the gardens and take a dip in  the pool under the waterfalls. Marigot Bay is a stunning Saint Lucian destination known as the "most beautiful bay in the Caribbean" for its sheltered,  emerald waters, lush green hillsides, and picturesque marina filled  with yachts, offering a tranquil yet vibrant escape perfect for relaxing  on small, palm-fringed beaches, enjoying water sports, or simply  soaking in the idyllic scenery that attracts visitors and filmmakers  alike. 

AFTERNOON

Soufriere, the island's natural gem, blending breathtaking mountain scenery with unique geothermal attractions.  Nestled between the iconic, UNESCO World Heritage Pitons (Gros and  Petit Piton), the area offers stunning views that appeal to both nature  lovers and romantics. Visitors can experience the world's only  "drive-in" volcano at the Sulphur Springs and indulge in therapeutic  mineral-rich mud baths and hot springs, followed by a refreshing dip in  waterfalls like the Toraille. Beyond these natural wonders, Soufriere  boasts beautiful beaches such as Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet,  renowned for excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities amidst  vibrant coral reefs. The town itself is a charming, laid-back fishing  village, providing an authentic Caribbean atmosphere and a wide range of  outdoor activities, including hiking the Pitons and exploring botanical  gardens

On the wild and rugged east coast of Barbados, the isolated beaches are  the colour of sunrise, the red sands having blown all the way across the  Atlantic from the Sahara. The easternmost island of the Windwards, and  indeed, of the entire Caribbean, reaches out to Africa and the Old  World, as if not quite part of the New. Bridgetown, Barbados, is an  interesting town full of contrasts. George Washington actually slept  here! Trafalgar Square reminds you that the laidback, rum- and  fun-loving island's British influenced heritage includes revered  traditions like cricket and high tea. 

Bridgetown, Barbados is a fantastic place to visit because it seamlessly blends rich  colonial history with stunning natural beauty and vibrant Caribbean  culture. The city's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  encompassing Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, highlights its  well-preserved architecture, including the Parliament Buildings (home to  the third oldest parliament in the Commonwealth) and the oldest Jewish  synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. Beyond history, visitors can unwind  on the pristine white sands of Carlisle Bay, explore shallow-water  shipwrecks teeming with marine life, and swim with sea turtles. The  local culture shines through its warm, welcoming people, bustling  duty-free shopping on Broad Street and Swan Street, and a delicious  culinary scene where you can savor Bajan specialties like flying fish  and cou-cou, or tour the historic Mount Gay Rum distillery, the  birthplace of rum. This unique mix of historical depth, beautiful  beaches, and lively local experiences ensures a memorable and enchanting  visit