West Indies Explorer

Witness the duality of this island nation as you travel through Dutch and French St. Martin. Drive along the coast, headed toward Marigot, the capital of the French side of the island. Here, you will experience the vibrant blend of French and Caribbean influences that characterize this former fishing village. After browsing the local markets, continue your journey to the Harold Jack Lookout point to take in the panoramic views of the Dutch side of the island, including the famous Princess Juliana International Airport. Cap your excursion with a visit to a historic local eatery where you can fully immerse yourself in the rich heritage of St. Martin. Sit back, relax and enjoy a snack of freshly made Johnny Cakes and traditional Guavaberry liqueur set to the sounds of a steel pan performance, before returning to your ship.

Copilot a multimillion-dollar boat during a simulated “America’s Cup” race. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of speeding along on blue Caribbean waters. Meet your captains, after which Viking guests will be divided into teams. After a brief introduction, you will tender out to your waiting yacht. There, the experienced crew will review your specific task to you, and then you and your fellow racers are off to win the day’s cup. The race unfolds on a shortened course that simulates the official ones, the start of each new leg flagged by a marker. Your crew will do most of the piloting and bring the boat to speeds you have never experienced, but your role is no less critical to ensuring your victory. By race’s end, you will all be winners for having shared an exhilarating experience; celebrate with a dockside rum punch.

Join this leisurely cruise for both beginners and experienced snorkelers along the south coast. You will transfer from our berth to one of the island’s picturesque bays. St. Martin is known for its beautiful beaches. Here, you will meet your crew and skipper and embark on a scenic voyage by catamaran, hugging the coast to Little Bay. Moor here to snorkel for a while with your provided gear, spotting a colorful array of tropical fish, vibrantly hued coral and perhaps sea turtles. If you prefer, take the opportunity to swim and simply relax as you cool off in the turquoise waters. Complimentary drinks will be available on board the catamaran. On your return journey back to shore, sip on a refreshing drink while you soak up the sunshine.

Enjoy a rum tasting during an informative tour of Topper’s Rhum Distillery. The recipient of several international awards, Topper’s Rhum is a family-run company based on the island of St. Martin. Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary rum punch and meet your guide, who will lead you through the 6,000-square-foot distillery. Learn the history of rum-making in the Caribbean and see how the rum is fermented, distilled and filtered. Observe the blending process that creates Topper’s different flavored rums. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to sample several different rums, as well as rum-infused gelato and cakes. At the end of your tour, you will be invited to taste from their Rhum Tap, which holds 12 of Topper’s small-batch specialty rums; you can purchase a bottle of your favorite rum to take home with you, before returning to your ship.

Escape into the serenity of St. Martin’s during an invigorating walk through the Dutch side of the island. Meet your knowledgeable guide, lace up your shoes and set out along the road, glimpsing the breathtaking tropical landscape of this idyllic Caribbean beauty. Enjoy sweeping views of the sea, harbor and your cruise ship from a strategic lookout point in Great Bay. Continue your stroll along a path to Fort Amsterdam, located on a peninsula between Great and Little Bay. This 16th-century fortress, the first of its kind built by the Dutch in the Caribbean, offers more stunning views from its elevated ruins. After your hike, indulge in a fresh fruit salad to recharge your energy, then make your way back to the boardwalk. You can choose to take a water taxi back to your ship, or enjoy additional free time to explore Philipsburg at your leisure.

Enjoy a relaxing Caribbean idyll as you sail by catamaran to one of St. Martin’s beautiful beaches. Based on the timing of your visit, your guide will choose from one of several beach options as your destination. Take in the splendor of your surroundings as you cruise on board your catamaran, passing famous landmarks along the way. Upon arrival, your skipper will drop anchor, then you will have free time to spend at your leisure. Stay on your catamaran to soak up the sun, or jump into the calm blue waters for a swim. Alternatively, you can head to the beach, where you can relax on the sand or take a stroll along the shore. During your visit, enjoy complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as a light snack of ham and cheese on a freshly baked baguette. At the end of your stay, you will return to your ship.

Discover what makes St. Martin unique during an excursion to several of its hidden gems. Your wide-ranging journey by land and sea will take you across both the French and Dutch sides of this friendly island nation. Enjoy sweeping panoramas of the coastline during visits to viewpoints at Oyster Pond and Coralita Lookout Point. Board a power maxi cat vessel, which will take you to two of the best snorkeling spots around the island including Maho Beach; explore the marine underworld as planes fly overhead and land at the Princess Juliana International airport, an iconic plane-spotting site known for its low-altitude approaches, which draw aviation enthusiasts from all over the world. After, enjoy a snack accompanied by refreshing beverages and the lively sounds of island music as you sail upon the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, before returning to your ship.

Discover the natural beauty of St. Martin and visit Parotte Ville, home to a variety of tropical birds. Located on the northeastern side of the island, the many hiking trails of St. Martin serve as a sanctuary that protects the diverse ecosystems found here, including coral reefs, mangroves and dry coastal forest. Accompanied by your guide, set out on a walk through the park, discovering more about the fragile flora and fauna that you encounter. After, head to Parotte Ville, a local bird sanctuary established in 2015, to see the dazzling array of species that make their home here. Glimpse these beautiful creatures up-close as you walk among the vibrant, free-flying birds and enjoy opportunities to hand-feed them. Cap your excursion with free time to unwind and enjoy refreshments at the park before returning to your ship.

Explore the coast of the isle of St. Martin by a two-person inflatable speed boat with stops at iconic viewpoints. Embark on a short ride to the jetty, where you will receive a safety briefing and instructions on operating your vessel. You will then don your life jacket and set off on a safari, following your guide. Ride with your partner through the Caribbean’s largest lagoon, admiring the visiting super yachts and million-dollar villas that line the bay. Continue across the azure-blue waters; you can take turns piloting and may switch seats at each stop. At Simpson Bay, admire the vistas from the water, then head to the world-famous Maho Beach for a prime viewing of the low-flying aircraft that thunder across the bay as they are coming in to land. Cap your excursion with a stop at Kimsha Beach, where you may enjoy time to relax before returning to base.

Enjoy panoramic, coastal views of St. Martin from the water during a relaxing evening cruise around Great Bay. Meet your crew at the pier, where they will warmly welcome you on board your smooth-sailing catamaran. Sit back and enjoy the sights and tranquility of the ocean as the sails are hoisted and your captain expertly navigates through Great Bay and along the island’s beautiful southern coast. Listen to your guides as they tell entertaining stories about island life while sipping on a complimentary rum or fruit punch as reggae music fills the air. As sunset approaches, keep your camera at the ready as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, creating a momentary green flash before disappearing. As the sky begins to darken, you will return to the pier and transfer to your ship.