West Indies Explorer

Uncover Antigua’s British influences and lush landscapes as you travel to the heart of the island. Drive with your guide into the tropical countryside, passing villages and gently rolling hills. At English Harbour, used by the British fleet during the 18th century, you will take in sweeping coastal views from Shirley Heights Lookout, once the principal British fortification. Back at the harbor’s edge, stop to explore Nelson’s Dockyard, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The yard was named for Admiral Horatio Nelson, who commanded the navy here for three years. It is the last remaining Georgian dockyard still in use today. Explore the Admiral’s Inn, the museum and the art gallery to uncover insights into Antigua’s past. See the sleek yachts tied to the old stone quay while sipping on a drink here before returning to your ship.

Discover Antigua’s history and coastal beauty during a visit to key maritime sites, and snorkel among coral reefs. Drive into Antigua’s tropical countryside en route to English Harbor, where you will enjoy a guided visit to Nelson’s Dockyard, the naval base for the Crown during the 18th century. Today, its well-preserved buildings comprise the only remaining Georgian dockyard in the world. After free time in the museum, continue to the Blockhouse. Once part of a formidable military complex, these ruins now offer striking views over the coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Next, travel to Shirley Heights to take in the sweeping island views from atop this former signal station. Continue along Fig Tree Drive into Antigua’s lush rainforest, where you will board a catamaran to sail back to St. John’s, passing by beaches and pausing to snorkel among coral reefs before returning to your ship.

Marvel at the wake of the late-1990s Soufrière Hills volcanic eruptions during a helicopter flight over Montserrat. Drive ten minutes to meet your helicopter and pilot for a memorable 45-minute narrated flight over the “Exclusion Zone,” off-limits to ground transportation and habitation. From the safety of the air, view the destruction that ash and lava can create. You will observe what is left of small villages buried in ash and fly over the charred remains of Plymouth, the tiny country’s former capital. See the vestiges of the WH Bramble Airport, buried in 2010 after a partial dome collapse. Throughout your journey, you will learn about the island’s geologic origins and see the 3,000-foot volcano, frequently emitting smoke and steam. You may wish to take photos. Return over beautiful turquoise waters and emerald-green shores.

Sail on a catamaran, with stops to enjoy two beaches and a delicious lobster lunch. Meet your welcoming and enthusiastic crew and head off into azure Caribbean waters, passing the white-sand beaches and resorts of Antigua. Along the way, relax to the soothing sounds of Caribbean music and feel the warm tropical breeze. At your first stop, dive into the warm tropical waters and go for a refreshing swim, or just take a leisurely stroll along the beach. Enjoy complimentary beverages back on board en route to your snorkeling location. Drop anchor and slip beneath the waves to explore the underwater marine world, before savoring a mouthwatering lobster lunch on board. Afterward, set a course back to port and transfer to your awaiting ship.

Head to one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque beaches for a few hours of bliss. A short drive outside the city brings you to the Blue Waters Resort & Spa, nestled on Antigua’s northwestern coast. Upon arrival, spend your time as you wish; perhaps set out for a stroll among the landscaped tropical gardens, or take a dip in the turquoise waters of one of many expansive swimming pools. You may also settle into a lounge chair to relax, walk along one of the three private, white-sand beaches or participate in an array of watersports. Enjoy complimentary beverages throughout your stay and lunch at one of two on-site restaurants. At the Palm Restaurant, you may choose from the buffet or peruse the à la carte dining menu, while casual fare such as flatbread pizzas and salads is on offer at Carolyn’s. After your visit, you will return to your ship.

Relax by the side of the ocean while sipping on a cool refreshment during a getaway to an idyllic beach. Antigua’s beaches are considered among the most beautiful in the Caribbean, renowned for their pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. Upon arrival at your destination, grab a beach chair—placed under the shade of an umbrella in an area reserved for Viking guests—and sip on a refreshing complimentary beverage from the open bar, available to you for the duration of your visit. Relax while listening to the serene sound of lapping waves and the feel of the warm Caribbean breeze on your skin. Take a walk along the beach or go for a leisurely swim, then choose from an array of options as you enjoy a buffet-style lunch at the beach bar and restaurant. After, spend more time soaking up the sun and the tranquility of the beach, then return to your ship.

Explore Antigua’s past and present during a visit to historic sugar plantations and a Georgian dockyard. Embark on a scenic drive through the tropical countryside to Betty’s Hope. Built in 1674 by Sir Christopher Codrington, this plantation played a leading role in the lives of Antiguans for more than 300 years. During your guided tour, hear about the estate’s influence within the community and view the restored sugar trains that once transported sugarcane across the island. Continue to Parham, Antigua’s oldest town and a center for the sugarcane industry during the 18th century. Your final stop is at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard. Enjoy an informative walk with a national park guide through the world’s only working Georgian dockyard as you admire its restored buildings and several points of interest. Savor a delicious lunch of grilled lobster before returning to your ship.

Partake in an unforgettable culinary experience during a cooking course with an accomplished Antiguan chef. Meet your guide and begin with a drive to a nearby home, where you will be greeted by your chef and their team. Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary traditional rum or fruit punch, accompanied by light bites. If weather permits, you may have the opportunity to explore the herb garden. Then it’s time to step into the kitchen for your cooking lesson. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, assist your chef in the preparation of a three-course meal. Throughout, you will learn the history behind Antiguan culinary traditions and discover how to add a dash of West Indian cooking to your own recipes. At the end of your class, sit down to savor the results, accompanied by a glass of wine. Your appetite sated, return to your awaiting ship.

Revel in a paradisiacal setting during a sojourn to the superb beaches and clear waters of Great Bird Island. Embark on a short, scenic drive by minivan to Parham, where you will board your awaiting boat for a panoramic ride through the North Sound Islands and mangrove swamps en route to Great Bird Island. Named by sailors after the multitude of birds that nest here, this 20-acre isle off the coast is one of Antigua’s best snorkeling locations. Upon arrival, you will receive a short safety briefing, then don your snorkel gear and slip beneath the turquoise water. Or, you may choose to relax on the idyllic, white-sand beach. Later, hike up a hilltop for sweeping views of Antigua and its outlying islands and possible wildlife sightings. Afterward, enjoy a delicious Caribbean-style lunch and complimentary drinks, before returning to your ship.

Create lasting memories of beautiful Antigua during a panoramic photography excursion. This tour is suitable for photographers of all levels and users of all types of modern cameras. Meet your guide, a professional who will share tips and techniques to help enhance your images and ensure that you capture the island’s historic landmarks and natural beauty in all their brilliance. Visit Fort James, a 17th-century fortress that retains its full complement of cannons guarding the harbor of St. John’s, and Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation, one of the island’s first showcasing a pair of fully restored sugar mills. Continue to Devil’s Bridge, where you will view the natural span at the head of Indian Creek with blowholes and spouting surf. Then cap your tour at Long Bay, a picturesque white-sand beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Immerse yourself in the world of Antiguan rum and create your own bottle as a memento of your trip. Board your minibus and set out on a scenic drive to Galleon Beach, where you will learn about the history of rum. Discover the rich heritage of this spirit in Antigua, once one of the largest rum producers in the British Empire. After the abolition of slavery during the mid-19th century, production declined until 1932, when a small group of entrepreneurs set out to revitalize the industry. Learn about the innovations that these entrepreneurs brought to the distillation process, then roll up your sleeves and prepare to participate in an interactive class to create your own bespoke 750 ml bottle of flavored rum—complete with a label—with the help of experts. Afterward, you will return to your ship.

Cruise Antigua’s scenic shoreline on board a private catamaran and explore a reef teeming with marine life. After a 30-minute drive, meet your captain and crew, then embark on a panoramic course along the coast, passing by luxury homes, Fort Barrington, secluded beaches and more. Your experienced skipper will choose the best snorkeling destination based on the water and weather conditions. At your snorkeling site, receive a brief orientation and your gear before following your PADI-trained guide into the water for a swim among the colorful tropical fish that frequent the vibrant coral reef. Return to your vessel, where you will enjoy complimentary refreshments and canapes as you sail to one of Antigua’s famed 365 beaches. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to swim, walk along the white-sand beach, or just relax while soaking up the warm Caribbean sun. Later, return to your ship.

Discover the rich culture and striking natural beauty of the island of Antigua by land and sea. Meet your knowledgeable guide and board your open-sided tuk-tuk for a panoramic drive through the countryside, glimpsing scenes of daily West Indian life as you pass local villages en route to your kayak land base. Upon arrival, receive your equipment and a short safety briefing, then board your two-person, transparent kayak for a journey through the winding waterways of a mangrove forest. As you paddle across clear Caribbean waters, learn about the forest’s intriguing ecosystem and keep watch for wildlife. At your snorkel stop, you will have an opportunity to slip beneath the surface for a closer look at a compelling underwater world full of marine life. Afterward, paddle back to the land base, where you will enjoy a complimentary snack before returning to your ship.