West Indies Explorer

Discover the charms and natural beauty of Barbados during a panoramic drive across the island. Start your journey with a drive along picturesque Brandons Beach for a chance to capture stunning photos of this stretch of Barbados’s famous West Coast. Then drive inland towards the heart of the island, passing sugarcane fields, charming villages and plantations en route to Gun Hill Signal Station. Built in 1818, it was part of a network of signal stations used to relay messages across the island using flags and lanterns. Perched on a hill, it offers panoramic views of the countryside and coastline. After driving by the famous limestone lion carved by the British Military, travel to Hastings Rocks with its gazebo and boardwalk. After time for photos and a short stroll, continue to the Barbados Museum, housed in the historic Garrison—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, enjoy a refreshing drink, surrounded by historic architecture and cultural exhibits, then return to your ship.

Indulge in a relaxing day on a deluxe catamaran in the clear blue waters off western Barbados. The bays and coves here are ideal for snorkeling, abundant in rich coral reefs, sea fans, barrel sponges, vibrant tropical fish and more, all of them thriving in warm crystalline waters. Transfer with your guide to your catamaran, where you will meet your friendly crew and get underway. Take in the sight of the lush shores and white-sand beaches as you follow the resort-lined coast to a secluded bay. Upon arrival, you may choose to sit back and relax as you soak up the sun here, or you may don your snorkeling equipment and enter the water to discover the world beneath the waves in this prime spot. Sea turtles frequent these calm sheltered waters, so you might have a chance to swim with them, a singularly peaceful experience. Your excursion includes lunch on board.

Explore Barbados with leading Barbadian producer/director and award-winning photographer Ronnie Carrington. Ronnie has recorded many aspects of Barbadian life, landscape and folk culture and has held three photographic exhibitions, including one in Toronto. He has also been recognized with a “Best Tour of the Year” award. Meet him at our berth and accompany him to locales he has selected for their pictorial and historic qualities. Cross the island to the spectacular Scotland District, an area of undulating hills overlooking the scenic east coast. En route, pass acres of waving sugarcane and quaint rural villages. Capture the sights of Bathsheba, where Atlantic breakers pound relentlessly against giant coral boulders and create whirlpools of foaming surf. Conclude your time together over refreshments at a nearby seaside bar before returning to your ship.

Dive down into the crystalline waters of the Caribbean in a submarine and marvel at an endless array of sea life. You will transfer to the Atlantis pier, then enjoy a scenic ride on board the ferry to your dive site. After a safety briefing, climb on board Atlantis XV, a real submarine outfitted with large viewing portholes. As you descend to the white sandy bottom, curious exotic fish will peek in at you and sea fans will sway in the water’s current. Dive down to depths of 150 feet in air-conditioned comfort, passing a shipwreck—an adventure typically reserved for highly experienced scuba divers. During your narrated 40-minute expedition, your guide will identify the marine life right outside your window. Discover colorful coral formations and a rainbow of tropical fish. After resurfacing, head back to shore via the ferry and return to your ship.

Admire a wealth of exotic plants during a visit to two botanical gardens deep inside Barbados’s lush rain forest. An uplifting experience for nature lovers, these two gardens display hundreds of colorful and unusual endemic species in their native settings. Take a scenic drive into the island’s center to Hunte’s Gardens. Created by noted horticulturalist Anthony Hunte, this series of mini-gardens showcases not only precious flora, but a variety of statues among the foliage. Classical music wafts through the trees, adding to the fairy-tale atmosphere. After a rum punch or lemonade, enjoy sweeping views from along Hackleton’s Cliff during a picturesque drive to Flower Forest. Stroll the pathways of this natural garden and uncover surprises at every turn as you glimpse slices of untouched rain forest peeking through the intertwining landscape of palms, shrubs and flowers. Relax over refreshments and local snacks on the veranda amid this tranquil setting before returning to your ship.

Discover local history at an 18th-century college and indulge in a rum tasting at a celebrated distillery. Depart by motor coach for Codrington College, the oldest Anglican theological college in the Western Hemisphere and the church’s official training institution in the West Indies. Upon arrival, set out on a guided walk through the grounds and learn about its colonial past as you view the landscaped gardens and carefully restored buildings—despite damage from hurricanes and a major fire in 1926, the structures still retain much of their 18th-century character. Continue to the award-winning Foursquare Rum Distillery, located on the grounds of a former 18th-century sugar plantation. Here, you will learn about the stages of rum making and explore the historic buildings and folk museum, before enjoying an opportunity to sample five different local rums. After, return to your ship.

Admire flowering trees and tropical plant species during a visit to the Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Embark on a scenic drive to St. Joseph, where you will be greeted by your expert guide. Andromeda Botanic Gardens is a glorious tropical setting created by the award-winning horticulturalist Iris Bannochie during the 1950s. It began life as a private botanical garden; today, it is a lush eight-acre oasis that welcomes thousands of visitors each year. In the ethnobotanical garden, enjoy a stroll as you smell the aromas of various herbal remedies and gain insight into the use of plants for food, clothing and jewelry. At the on-site café, sit down to savor a delicious lunch, accompanied by fresh fruit juice. Your appetite sated, reboard your motor coach for the return journey back to your ship.

Spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the sun at a private beach club on Barbados’s southwest coast. Depart your ship and travel to the Harbour Lights Beach Club, nestled along Carlisle Bay, where a reserved area is set aside exclusively for Viking guests. The friendly staff will welcome you with a chilled glass of prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative before directing you to your assigned lounger beneath a shared parasol. Stroll along the shoreline, take a refreshing dip in the water or simply relax on your lounger and take in your surroundings. Two additional complimentary beverages will be served during your visit and a light lunch will be served. Further refreshments are available at guests’ own expense from the on-site restaurant and bar. Staff members will be on-hand to assist you and make you as comfortable as possible during your stay. Later, return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in authentic Barbadian charm during a visit to a local beach club. Depart your ship and travel a short distance along the coast to the Barbados Cruising Club, a beachfront facility. Upon arrival, check in with club staff, who will direct you to your assigned lounger beneath a shared parasol. During your visit, you may spend your time strolling along the shoreline, swim in the clear blue waters or simply take time to relax on the beach and soak up your surroundings. Later, you will enjoy a lunch of traditional Bajan flavors, with dishes of chicken and fish prepared in classic local styles as a wrap, taco or cutter, accompanied by fries or salad and a drink of signature Bajan rum punch, local beer or a soft drink. At the end of your stay, you will return by motor coach to port and rejoin your awaiting ship.