Category: Caribbean

ROSEAU HIGHLIGHTS BY TROLLEY TRAIN

As Dominica’s capital, the city of Roseau is well worth a visit. Hop aboard a trolley train where you will have approximately 1.5 hours to explore a variety of sites. The first stop will be at one of Roseau’s many catholic churches for a quick photo stop. Dominica is called the “Nature island” of the Caribbean and is known for its 365 rivers. En route to the Botanical Gardens, there will be a short photo stop at the Roseau river which floats along the capital city.

The last stop will be Roseau’s Botanical Gardens, which forms part of the city itself. Enjoy a complimentary Rum or Fruit Juice while strolling around the gardens. As the trolley train makes its way around the winding alleys and streets of Roseau, you can enjoy watching its street life from your seat. The conductor will point out buildings and landmarks as you pass them by, so do have your camera ready to take snapshots for your album at home.

Please note: inside the Catholic church, women are requested to cover their shoulders and men should refrain from wearing a hat. If the church is in service, an outside presentation will be given

DOMINICA FAVOURITES

After leaving the ship and boarding a coach, the first leg of this tour will take you high up to the Morne Bruce vantage point for a chance to see and photograph Roseau from this elevated perspective.
Continuing, you will then pass the Botanical Gardens and Trois Pitons National Park, a great opportunity to take snapshots of the local flora and fauna, on your way to the Emerald Pool. A local guide will then take you on a 15-minute walk through the rainforest to reach the waterfall and the pool beneath it. You can go for a dip in the water if you like or can spend the time at the falls soaking up the ambience. The next leg of the tour will then take you to the twin falls at Trafalgar.

Enjoy the rhythm of the water that spits out into two streams, side by side, to cascade to the ground below. An approximately 10-minute walk, headed by your guide, will then take you to the viewing platform for the best view of these falls. The final stop on the tour will be at the View-Point Restaurant & Bar or Forrest Wash, where you will be served a glass of complimentary rum punch or local fruit juice, after which you will return to Roseau and your ship.

Please note: Guests must walk approximately 0.12 miles (0.2 km) on uneven terrain, and over 200 steps, to reach the viewing platform at Trafalgar Falls. Guests must walk approximately 0.6 miles (0.97 km) on uneven terrain, and over 250 steps, to reach the viewing platform at the Emerald Pool

NATURE’S HIDDEN TREASURES and CARIB INDIANS

The island of Dominica is not only home to a ruggedly verdant landscape, but also boasts a number of waterfalls, one of which you will visit on this nature-based tour. You’ll first head towards the rainforest to visit the Jacko Falls. Spend approximately 30 minutes here and choose from either walking to a vantage point for views of the falls, or venturing down the steps to reach the pool at the bottom for a dip in the water. The next stop on the tour will be for an approximately 1-hour buffet lunch served in the eco-village built by Carib Indians, who will also entertain you with a folkloric dance show.

You’ll also have time to enjoy the riverside setting before a drive through the Carib Territory. Another vantage point follows at Morne Bruce, from where you will spend a short 15 minutes to enjoy views of the city and your ship. Your final stop will be at the Botanical Gardens, situated in Roseau itself and home to a wide variety of exotic plants and birds, among them two endangered species of parrot. You will spend approximately 15 minutes here before heading back to your ship.
Please note: the tour itinerary includes travelling on winding roads.

Guests are recommended to wear swimwear under their clothes, bring towels and take a raincoat. The order of stops visited may vary. To reach the viewpoint at Jacko Falls, guests will be required to walk approximately 30 meters on flat terrain, with 60 steps down to the waterfall pool should guests choose to swim

CHAMPAGNE REEF SNORKEL

Take a short 20-minute drive along the south coast of the island to Champagne Beach. After taking receipt of your snorkelling gear, receiving an orientation of the facility, and signing the necessary waiver forms, you’ll head out on your adventure on the reef. Champagne Reef, located in the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve, is named after the effervescent effect created in the water by gas escaping from the volcanic rock below. The reef is classed as one of the world’s foremost snorkelling and scuba diving sites, with an array of marine wildlife to observe in the water. After you are finished snorkelling, you’ll head back to the beach where you will be served refreshments to round off your “champagne” experience. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate.

Please note: Minimum age to participate is 6 years old. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. Guests should consider their physical fitness before participating in this tour. The spotting of marine life is not guaranteed

HOT SPRINGS ESCAPE & TITOU GORGE

Treat yourself to the deep relaxation of the thermal springs. Your first stop is at the village of Laudat, located in Dominica’s principal eco-tourism centre.

One of the region’s 6 major tourist destinations is Titou Gorge – a filming location of the Disney blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest – where you can either swim out amid the mountains to reach a waterfall or simply sit in the water and let a stream of hot water massage your back, making this a nice experience. A scenic drive through the landscape of this island then follows en route to the ‘wellness’ village of Wotten Waven. A short walk will then take you down a few steps to the open-air pools. Slip into the water and take in the hot, mineral-rich water that comes up directly from an underground source. A soak in the therapeutic water is not only relaxing but will also give you plenty of time to enjoy the natural surroundings and fresh air. Afterwards, spend some time cooling off and rehydrating with a glass of water before heading back to the ship. Guests must be at least 13 years old to participate.

Please note: The minimum age to participate is 13 years. Guests are recommended to wear swimwear (dark colours only) under comfortable clothing, use sunscreen, bring water shoes, towels and a camera. This tour is not available for guests with mobility problems and guests suffering from pre-existing heart conditions, recent surgery or injury and high blood pressure or suffering from dizziness spells.

INDIAN RIVER ROWBOAT

Begin by boarding your coach at the port before heading on an approximately 1-hour journey to the Indian River. As you make your way up the western coast of the island, you will pass through the Canefield Estate and the coastal villages of Mahaut and Massacre.

A photo stop will also be made on the mountain to capture the views before you reach Portsmouth and the Indian River. After leaving the coach, you will then board wooden rowboats and set sail on your guided tour of the river, which was formerly used by Carib Indians in their trade with the Europeans. The riverbed is lined with Amazonian-type trees and mangroves containing exotic birds and various species of wildlife.

At the head of the river, you can disembark and go for a walk through the rainforest. A complimentary glass of the local “dynamite” rum punch will also be served before you re-board your rowboat and make your way back down the river. The tour ends with your return to Roseau, making your way back to the ship

RAINFOREST & WATERFALL ADVENTURE

Take a break from life aboard the ship and join this sightseeing tour on an open-air safari truck. The adventure begins with a short tour through the capital, followed by Morne Bruce for some sightseeing and photography. As you wind your way through the mountains to reach the renowned Trafalgar Falls, take a deep breath and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. A 10-minute walk through the rainforest will take you to a viewing point to see the Mother and Father Falls, as they are called.

Hop back on your vehicle and enjoy the ride further into the island’s rainforest to Titou Gorge – which also served as a film set for Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 2 – Dead Man’s Chest. Thanks to a natural crevice in the mountain where hot and cold streams intermingle, you will also have a chance to take a swim in the natural pool. If you feel inclined, you can even swim through the gorge to view a waterfall – a fitting end to your rainforest adventure before you return to the ship. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate.
Please note: This is not a self-driven tour; a driver/guide will be provided. The tour is not available for guests with mobility problems, using a wheelchair or have back, hip or knee injuries/conditions.

Pregnant women are not allowed to participate in this tour. It is recommended that guests bring towels. As the vehicle has no covering, it is also recommended for guests to bring raingear for the rainforest portion of the tour. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate. A maximum weight restriction of 113 kg/250 lbs per guest applies. The type of vehicle used on this tour is an open-air safari truck

WHALE & DOLPHIN ADVENTURE

Among the many species of underwater wildlife inhabiting the coastal waters of Dominica, whales and dolphins are two of the most intelligent and beguiling.

A motorized catamaran will take you on a 3-hour cruise along the island’s west coast, around 3 miles offshore, during which time you can enjoy the breeze and, if luck is on your side, spot some whales and dolphins. During the cruise, your captain and the crew will tell you about the behaviour of these aquatic mammals and what to look out for.

Once the boat drops anchor, the crew will lower hydrophones into the water to listen for the rhythmic clicking typical of sperm whales, the pinging of pilot whales, the whistling of dolphins or the singing of humpback whales. Your whale and dolphin adventure will then come to a close with your return back to the ship.
Please note: No guarantees can be given that any whales or dolphins will be seen. The minimum distance for approaching these animals is 55 yards.

As the tour takes you to a calving area and ensuring the welfare of these animals is extremely important, no in-water activity will be permitted on the tour