Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises Ship: Silver Shadow Region: Caribbean Departs: Dec 12, 2008 From: Bridgetown, Barbados

9 Nights from 3237.00 USD

Itinerary

Description

9 Night Cruise sailing from Bridgetown to Ft Lauderdale aboard Silver Shadow. 9 Night Cruise sailing from Bridgetown to Ft Lauderdale aboard Silver Shadow.

With Silver Shadow, Silversea has taken its award-winning concept of elegant, all-suite ultra-luxury ships to the next level by incorporating technological innovations and guest suggestions to create this extraordinary vessel designed to carry Silversea's tradition of all-inclusive luxury and style into the new millennium.The ships have the highest space-to-passenger ratio in the industry at 74, providing more space per passenger than any other cruise ship. Space ratio is derived by dividing a vessel's gross tonnage, which is a volume measurement of its interior space, by its lower berth capacity.

Highlights of this cruise include:

Bridgetown, Barbados
The most easterly of the Caribbean Islands, Barbados stands as a welcoming sentinel at the gateway to the West Indies. The island has for centuries been the first landfall for any sailors venturing westward, beginning with Spanish and Portuguese adventurers who came to Barbados in the 1500s in search of gold and riches. Instead they found a densely vegetated island inhabited by a small population of Amerindians, some of whom were captured and taken to other islands as slaves. Although the Iberians opted not to settle on the island, they did give it a name, Los Barbados (the "bearded ones"), which is generally believed to have derived from the aerial roots of the Bearded Fig Tree.
Europeans did not begin settling on Barbados until the English arrived in 1625. The island presented an ideal opportunity to acquire a colony with considerable scope for agricultural development. The English landed at the site of today’s Holetown and claimed the island in the name of the Crown. They began cultivating the land with the first 80 settlers and a number of slaves they had captured from a trading vessel. With the planting of tropical crops, particularly sugar cane, they found a flourishing commodity that was in high demand in Europe and provided the base for English rule during the next 300 years.

A strong British atmosphere prevails to this day, despite independence achieved from Britain in 1966. Judges and barristers still wear robes and wigs, cricket remains a national passion and traffic operates on the left. Genuinely proud of their island, the quarter-million Bajans welcome visitors as privileged guests. Tourism and off-shore finance are major sources of income, providing a healthy existence for the island’s population.

Barbados draws scores of visitors thanks to its great natural beauty, varied terrain and historic monuments. There are 900 miles of pristine beaches, a rugged Atlantic coastline, fertile valleys, distinguished plantation houses, stalactite-studded caves, a wildlife preserve and attractive tropical gardens. The island’s capital, Bridgetown, is one of the Caribbean's major free ports, bustling with activity.

Visitors looking for outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, boating, fishing and swimming will find plenty of opportunities on Barbados. Fine dining is available around Bridgetown and in restaurants and hotels around the island.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at the Bridgetown Passenger Terminal. The terminal building can be reached on foot or via port shuttle, depending on ship's berth. It is a short taxi ride to the town center or about a 15-minute walk. Taxi fares are regulated by the government, according to destinations. It is recommended to check the fare with the driver before leaving the port.

Shopping
Best buys include imported duty-free items such as china, crystal, perfume, cosmetics, jewlery and leather articles. Local artists offer a good selection of paintings, crafts and souvenir items. A variety of shops are located in the terminal building. Bridgetown’s main hub, Broad Street, boasts a wide range of duty-free shops, boutiques and department stores. The local currency is the Barbados dollar.


Castries, St. Lucia
There are islands in the Caribbean that are more popular than St. Lucia, though they may be far less beautiful. This island has been one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. Visitors who have had unforgettable vacations on green-clad St. Lucia are pleased that the crowds are gathering elsewhere. However, increased building of resorts and villas will escalate tourism in the near future.
The shoreline of St. Lucia is nothing short of spectacular with its hidden coves and unspoiled beaches. The two sugarloaf-shaped cones, known as the Pitons, are the island’s highest peaks and its most impressive landmarks.

The capital, Castries, is attractively situated in a sheltered bay against a backdrop of mountains. The strategic importance of its excellent natural harbor was recognized from the earliest days of European settlement; for years Britain and France fought bitterly for possession of the island. At the end of the 19th-century, a boom in shipping put Castries in 14th place among the world’s ports in terms of freight handled.

Numerous earthquakes, hurricanes and fires destroyed any remnants of Castries' colonial charm, leaving a modern town. There are only a few 19th and early 20th-century French-style wooden buildings that were spared from destruction. The duty-free Pointe Seraphine shopping complex at the cruise terminal stands in stark contrast to the local market and the activities in lively downtown Castries.

Without a doubt, the island’s spectacular scenery, unspoiled beaches and luxuriant vegetation make St. Lucia one of the Caribbean's great destinations.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at the Port of Castries. The center of town can be reached on foot in about 15 minutes. Taxi rates are government controlled, but it is advisable to agree on the fare with the driver before leaving port.

Shopping
At the port you will find a shopping complex with souvenirs, island-made handicrafts and duty-free items. The island’s best-known products include hand-screened batik fabrics, pottery and straw articles. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar; U.S. dollars are widely accepted.


Roseau, Dominica
The 290 square mile island located between Martinique and Guadeloupe is the largest and most mountainous of the Anglophone Windward Islands. The highest peak on Dominica is the 4,747-foot Morne Diablotin, often covered in mist. The untamed, ruggedly beautiful island is laced with numerous rivers and a luxuriant rain forest covers most of the interior. Here one can find the sisserou parrot and the red-necked parrot; both are indigenous to Dominica.
The island is also home to the last remnants of Carib Indians, whose ancestors came from South America over a thousand years ago. Christopher Columbus tried to set foot here on a Sunday in November of 1493, but departed in a hurry when the fierce Carib offered a hostile welcome. During the following centuries, the French and British tried to subdue the Indians and colonize the island. Finally in 1805 Dominica became an English possession and remained British until 1967 when the island gained self-government. In 1978, full independence was achieved and the island named officially Republic of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

With the island’s colonial background, the capital Roseau features both historic and modern buildings. Situated above town, on the slopes of Morne Bruce, are the beautiful Botanic Gardens with rare native and imported plants. The prominent 18th-century Fort Young is now part of the Fort Young Hotel complex. A recent face-lift of the Roseau waterfront was carried out with the intention to improve facilities for cruise ship passengers.

To fully appreciate the island’s unspoiled beauty, a trip into the interior is a must. A good part of Dominica's mountainous terrain is covered with dense evergreen rain forest, where rare plants and animals are still found that have long been extinct on neighboring islands. The Smithsonian Institute called the island a giant plant laboratory, unchanged for 10,000 years. Numerous hot springs bear witness to continuing volcanic activity. Dominica is truly a place to discover nature in all her splendor. But it is not an island for those looking for white sand beaches. Around the mouth of rivers and in sheltered bays, the beaches are pebbly and of dark color.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at the Roseau Pier, located across from the town center. Taxis are generally available for trips into the interior. Be sure to agree on the fare with the driver before starting out.

Shopping
Dominica is known for some of the best straw products in the Caribbean, including the renowned larouma reed baskets and Carib handicrafts. The local currency is the East Caribbean dollar.


St. John's, Antigua
Enchanted by Antigua’s magnificent beaches, Queen Elizabeth decided to take her very first ocean swim here. It is the island’s 365 beaches, its coastline curving into secluded coves, the picturesque rolling hills and interesting historic sites that make Antigua one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean.

Columbus discovered the island in 1493, but it was not until 1632 that the English took up residence. Slaves were imported from Africa to work plantations of sugar, cotton, spices, coffee and tobacco. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the island was heavily fortified as a defense against the Dutch, Spanish and French who threatened to overthrow the British and profit from the rich crops.

In 1784, English Harbor became one of the leading British naval bases in the West Indies under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Military installations and the headquarters, known as Nelson’s Dockyard, were restored some years ago and are now one of the island’s major tourist attractions.

Except for a one-year period in 1666 when the French occupied the island, Antigua remained a British colony until 1981, when Antigua, together with its sister island Barbuda, achieved full independence.

St. John’s is Antigua’s capital and economic center. Its location is in a beautiful sheltered inlet in the northwest part of the island. Long Street is dominated by the 17th-century St. John’s Cathedral. On the same street, the old Courthouse, at one time seat of the island’s parliament, now houses a small museum depicting Antigua from the first Amerindian settlers. Redcliffe Quay, formerly the site where slaves were kept prior to being sold, is now an attractive waterfront marketplace. Adjacent to the pier area is the popular Heritage Quay duty-free shopping complex.

The island’s many beautiful beaches provide a spectacular setting for a number of luxury hotels. While tourism is the main industry on the island, the government is seeking to broaden its monetary resources by reintroducing agriculture and light industry into the economy.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at Heritage Quay in the center of St. John’s. (The pier location may change on heavy cruise ship days.) Taxis are generally available at the end of the pier and are allocated by dispatcher. Be sure to agree on the fare before leaving the pier area. A taxi dispatcher at the end of the pier will assist you.

Shopping
Duty-free shops carry imported items, such as English crystal, china and French cosmetics. Local goods worth checking out include Antiguan rum, silk-screened material, pottery and other handicraft items. Heritage Quay, adjacent to the port, houses over 40 shops. The Map Shop in St. Mary’s has a good selection of books and maps of the Caribbean. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.


Gustavia, St. Bart's
The tiny, eight-square-mile island of the French West Indies, officially St. Barthelemy, but commonly called St. Bart or St. Barth for short, is one of the Caribbean’s precious gems. Red-roofed bungalows dot the hillsides and secluded coves and pristine beaches lure day-trippers from other nearby islands and cruise vessels in ever greater numbers. For a long time, St. Bart was a well kept secret of the rich and famous rather than a destination for the budget minded. And even with the growth in tourism, the island retains a certain exclusivity and remains a place for the style-conscious - casual, but always chic. Development has seen an increase in luxury lodgings and gourmet restaurants instead of condominium blocks or glitzy resorts.
The island’s size makes it possible to get a good introduction as well as enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and discover the attractions of Gustavia, the island’s tiny capital located around a magnificent harbor. As a reminder of its past as a Swedish colony some of the street signs still show names both in French and Swedish. In 1784, the French traded the island to Sweden’s King Gustav III in exchange for port rights in Göteborg. He named the small town Gustavia, laid out and paved streets, built three forts and turned the island’s capital into a prosperous free port. After a succession of earthquakes, fires and hurricanes Gustavia’s fortunes declined. In 1878 France agreed to repurchase its former colony and incorporate the island into the French West Indies as a Dependency of Guadeloupe. Today, the quaint, charming capital of Gustavia is once again a favorite spot frequented by chic residents and visitors.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to anchor off Gustavia. Guests will be taken ashore via the ship's tenders. The town center is within walking distance. Taxis are available at a designated taxi rank for trips around the island. It is a good idea to establish the fare before starting out.

Shopping
St. Bart is a duty-free port; there are some good buys in jewelry, porcelain, imported liquors, French perfumes, cosmetics and designer resort wear. Some shops close during lunch time. The local currency is the euro; U.S. dollars are widely accepted.


San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has been voluntarily associated with the United States since Spain ceded it in 1898. In 1952, this island country became a self-governing Commonwealth of the United States.
The capital, San Juan, is a teeming city of 500,000. Remnants of colonial architecture stand side by side with the most modern high-rises in this city of contrasts. The 7-square-block area that contains the historic zone of Old San Juan was once completely encircled by city walls and is still guarded by the impressive forts El Morro and San Cristobal, which loom over the harbor as reminders of the centuries of Spanish rule.

The El Yunque rain forest, on the northeastern side of the island, is just one of many distinctive geographical features found here. Mountain lakes, waterfalls, teak forests and La Parguera’s Phosphorescent Bay offer the visitor a variety of diversions.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at Pier 1 (subject to change, depending on the number of ships in port). Taxis are generally available at the pier. Old San Juan is located within walking distance of the pier.

Shopping
In Old San Juan, you will find more traditional shops as well as many souvenir shops selling imported goods from all over the world. Also available are hand made cigars, wooden carvings, lace, ceramics and basketwork. Puerto Rican rum, ranging from light to dark brandy-type rums, is probably the most popular item to purchase. The local currency is the U.S. dollar.


Key West, Florida
You really haven’t seen Florida until you’ve seen the Florida Keys. This archipelago consists of a 126-mile string of 1,000 beautiful coral islands stretching out at the south end of the state. Many of them are connected by the Overseas Highway (Highway U.S. 1). Key West, located 155 miles south of Miami, is the best known and southernmost spot in the continental U.S.A. It is a tropical blend of exotic foliage, beautiful waters and history-rich attractions. Since its founding in 1822, Key West has gone through many phases; over the years pirates, smugglers, writers and revolutionaries have made the Conch Republic their home. Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost and Thornton Wilder are among the most noted who came here to enjoy the idyllic setting and casual, relaxed atmosphere.
In the early 1800s, pirates found the Keys’ busy shipping lanes quite profitable and Key West an easy escape. When piracy was defeated, a new, legal industry emerged - wrecking. The history of the wreckers can be learned in the Wrecker’s Museum, which features treasures of some of the most successful salvage operations. Other industries developed, including sponging and fine cigar making; the latter was introduced in the 1830s by Cubans who escaped from Spanish tyranny. In 1912, Henry Flagler’s railroad between Key West and the mainland was completed; it was destroyed by a hurricane a few years later. Cigar makers moved to Tampa and the railroad and shipping trade with Havana ceased; the resourceful islanders discovered tourism as their salvation.

Visitors to Key West find a number of attractions to enjoy - unique architecture and charming gardens, treasures from shipwrecks, picturesque streets to stroll around, delicious cuisine and scores of souvenir shops and art galleries.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to be docked at Mallory Dock (on some calls, it may be the Navy Pier). The center of Key West can be explored on foot. Walking tour maps are available from the Visitor’s Bureau, adjacent to Mallory Dock. Metered taxis are generally available nearby.

Shopping
The Keys are a thriving artists’ community, so artwork is in good supply. You will find unique specialty shops that sell banana-leaf shaped home accessories, T-shirts, collectibles, resort clothing and a wide range of souvenirs. Many of these stores are located on Duval Street, within walking distance of the dock. The local currency is the U.S. dollar.


Fort Lauderdale, Florida
What began as a trading post along the banks of the New River at the turn of the last century has turned into a popular resort, an affluent yachting capital and an enterprising city. Crisscrossed by 300 miles of navigable waterways, Fort Lauderdale is popularly known as the Venice of America. Water plays such an integral part that the area is home to 100 marinas and boatyards and more than 42,000 yachts. In addition, there are miles of palm-shaded sand beaches that run parallel to the coastal highway A1A.
The downtown area is comprised of modern bank buildings and towering glass edifices. A recent multimillion-dollar beautification program did much to enhance the town center and beach areas with landscaped parks, promenades and the Riverwalk, which provides a link between the cultural district and the delightful Las Olas Boulevard, downtown’s main hub. Along Las Olas there are trendy shops, art galleries and several restaurants, offering both inside and outdoor dining. The eastern end of Las Olas meets the oceanfront, where resort hotels, restaurants and plenty of shops overlook the beach.

For a unique introduction to the Venice of America, you may want to take one of the yellow and green water taxis.This convenient local transport makes numerous stops along the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River, bringing you within short distance of shopping, dining and local attractions.Another option to see Fort Lauderdale from the water is on one of several sightseeing boats. These delightful cruises can be booked from locations at the waterfront and the Riverwalk area. They meander through the main waterways and past magnificent mansions owned by wealthy local families and celebrities from around the country and abroad.

Pier Information
The ship is scheduled to dock at Port Everglades. Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the beaches are about a 15-minute drive from the port.Taxis are generally available at the pier. Water taxis can be picked up at various locations downtown.

Shopping
Las Olas Boulevard is lined by art galleries, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafés. Galleria Mall features upscale department stores as well as specialty shops and restaurants. In the western suburbs, about a 40-minute drive from town, is the Sawgrass Shopping Center. With nearly 400 shops, factory outlets and restaurants, this mile-long mall is the largest in the region. The local currency is the dollar.

Call Now 1300 308081 or email res@platinumcruising.com