Fort de France,St John s,La Romana,Catalina Island,Bridgetown,Fort de France Cruise

Day 1 - Fort de France

Arrive: Fri 24 September 2027 / Depart: Fri 24 September 2027 at 19:00

Thanks in large part to its French and West Indian influences, Martinique, a lush mountainous island in the Lesser Antilles with its dormant Mount Pelée volcano in the backdrop, exudes a cosmopolitan flair with a sophisticated culinary and cultural scene that draws travellers not only to its natural wonders, beautiful bays and beaches, but also to its heart at Fort-de-France, the capital. While French is the official language, most islanders also speak Antillean Creole. As part of the European Union, the island uses the euro as its currency. When you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in Fort-de-France, you immediately notice the island’s steep hills, colourful colonial architecture, ornate balconies and tropical flowers. Book an MSC excursion to the Balata Cathedral, a miniature replica of the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, Paris, which offers a spectacular view of Fort-de-France and the bay. Before Martinique came to be known by its current name, it was once called Madinina, the island of flowers. At Balata Botanical Gardens, discover 300 types of palm trees, take in views from the garden's suspension bridge and enjoy the tropical flowers in bloom across 16 acres of lush landscape. Or try the island's best rum distilleries. MSC excursions will take you to the Depaz Distillery, in business since 1651, or the St. James Rum Distillery & Museum, where you will learn about the process of making rum and taste the traditional Rhum Agricole, made by using freshly squeezed sugarcane juice rather than the conventional molasses. Afterwards, visit the ruins of the theatre in St. Pierre, the former cultural capital of Martinique that was tragically destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée. The modern-day town of St. Pierre is France's 101st “City of Art and History.”

Day 2 - St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

Arrive: Sat 25 September 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Sat 25 September 2027 at 19:00

A One-of-a-Kind Natural Microcosm Wild landscapes, valleys dotted with farms, fishing villages, parks and islands all along the coast: all of this and more awaits you in New Brunswick, a beautiful maritime province in French Canada. Your MSC cruise will take you on the discovery of a natural land filled with a thousand secrets, surprising you with its magnificent coastline, mountains, forests and rivers, as well as the variety of wild animals that live there including bears, whales, moose and seals. This region is home to one of the oldest cities in Canada overlooking the beautiful Bay of Fundy: Saint John. There is no other place in the Maritimes with the same urban charm of a historic city balanced with the grandiose, natural charm of a bay famous for its impressive tides. On your MSC cruise, you will have a chance to discover this port city with its delightful Victorian architecture and steep historical streets, watch the ships dock at the port and admire the restaurants and shops near historic sites such as the New Brunswick Museum, home to the Hall of Great Whales and three floors of fascinating galleries . Saint John City Market is also not to be missed as it is the oldest agricultural market in North America: its beams are reminiscent of a ship's inverted hull offering a unique shopping experience. In Saint John, there is a natural microcosm that awaits you, especially in the Bay of Fundy where you can observe a truly unique phenomenon: the highest and most powerful tides in the world that can reach up to 16 m high. The surrounding landscape has been sculpted by billions of tons of water pouring in and out of the bay twice daily. The Bay of Fundy is also home to Hopewell Rocks Park, a group of rock formations that dot the water like islands during high tide and seem to be towers during low tide.

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - La Romana

Arrive: Mon 27 September 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 27 September 2027 at 23:30

La Romana is a city on the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coast and a gateway to nearby resort areas. Overlooking the Chavón River, Altos de Chavón is a re-created 16th-century Mediterranean village with artists' workshops. An obelisk painted with colorful images of local life stands in the city center. South of the city is Catalina Island, with beaches, coral reefs and the wrecked ship of pirate William Kidd.

Day 5 - Catalina Island, Dominican Republic

Arrive: Tue 28 September 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 28 September 2027 at 17:00

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Barbados

Arrive: Thu 30 September 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Thu 30 September 2027 at 19:00

When you arrive in Barbados on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise, begin your exploration with the capital, Bridgetown. There are many attractions in this small Caribbean city, but by all means pause to admire its many colonial buildings, the Parliament Building and the statue of Lord Nelson standing in what is currently called the National Heroes Square. Barbados has retained somewhat of a British feel, with its place names, cricket, horse-racing and polo, Anglican parish churches and even a hilly district known as Scotland. But the Britishness can be exaggerated, for this is a distinctly West Indian country, covered by a patch-work of sugarcane fields and dotted with tiny rum shops. The Garrison Historic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with magnificent 18th- and 19th-century buildings, is a must-see stop, featuring one of the world's finest collection of cannons. It also includes the George Washington House, where the American patriot spent six weeks of his life. The current St. John's Church, in the eastern parish of the same name, is the fifth reconstruction of the oldest local church, in Barbadian Gothic style. Perched on a cliff 800 feet above the sea, it dates back to 1836. Its interior hosts a sculpture by 18th-century British artist Richard Westmacott, while its churchyard contains the tomb of Ferdinando Paleologus, a direct descendant of the brother of Constantine XI, the last Byzantine emperor. Book an MSC excursion to discover the island’s history at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society in the St. Michael neighbourhood. And tour Sunbury Plantation House, located in the tranquil St. Philip countryside. Dating back to 1650, it’s a living monument to plantation life and a bygone era. Harrison’s Cave, in St. Thomas district, is a wonder of nature with its stalactites, stalagmites, streams, lakes and waterfalls. In one of the caverns, the play of light on the rocks is so in-tense that it has been nicknamed “The Crystal Room”. For some fun at the beach, head to Pirates Cove, one of the best beaches on Barbados. Featuring palm trees and chickee huts, white sand and crystal-clear water, it’s the perfect place to relax, just a stone’s throw from Bridgetown. If you’re brave enough to dive into the deep, set out on an MSC excursion inside a real submarine, the Atlantis, to explore the coral reef and discover the beauty that the depths reveal.

Day 8 - Fort de France

Arrive: Fri 01 October 2027 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 01 October 2027

Thanks in large part to its French and West Indian influences, Martinique, a lush mountainous island in the Lesser Antilles with its dormant Mount Pelée volcano in the backdrop, exudes a cosmopolitan flair with a sophisticated culinary and cultural scene that draws travellers not only to its natural wonders, beautiful bays and beaches, but also to its heart at Fort-de-France, the capital. While French is the official language, most islanders also speak Antillean Creole. As part of the European Union, the island uses the euro as its currency. When you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in Fort-de-France, you immediately notice the island’s steep hills, colourful colonial architecture, ornate balconies and tropical flowers. Book an MSC excursion to the Balata Cathedral, a miniature replica of the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, Paris, which offers a spectacular view of Fort-de-France and the bay. Before Martinique came to be known by its current name, it was once called Madinina, the island of flowers. At Balata Botanical Gardens, discover 300 types of palm trees, take in views from the garden's suspension bridge and enjoy the tropical flowers in bloom across 16 acres of lush landscape. Or try the island's best rum distilleries. MSC excursions will take you to the Depaz Distillery, in business since 1651, or the St. James Rum Distillery & Museum, where you will learn about the process of making rum and taste the traditional Rhum Agricole, made by using freshly squeezed sugarcane juice rather than the conventional molasses. Afterwards, visit the ruins of the theatre in St. Pierre, the former cultural capital of Martinique that was tragically destroyed by the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée. The modern-day town of St. Pierre is France's 101st “City of Art and History.”