Day 1: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the "Carrie B." Note: upon disembarkation, please collect your bag, go through customs and hand your bag to your tour driver who will stow and lock it underneath your bus. Disembarkation tours end at the airports; therefore guests who have post-cruise packages at local hotels must disembark at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Guests will then be responsible for their transportation to the hotel.
Day 2: Princess Cays, Bahamas
Join us at our exclusive port of call, Princess Cays, where you'll enjoy a private beach party on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. One hundred miles long and only two miles wide, Eleuthera offers unspoiled beaches. Our private resort at Princess Cays is situated on more than 40 acres and features over a half-mile of white-sand shoreline, all at the southern tip of the island. The resort boasts outstanding amenities while carefully preserving this natural paradise. Take in the views from the observation tower. Enjoy a complimentary beach barbecue. Sip a cool drink or browse the shops and the local craft market. All of Princess Cays' facilities are linked by walkways. Recreational activities abound. Enjoy volleyball and a full range of water sports, or simply relax on the beach. Note: Snorkel equipment, sea boards, floats, kayaks, paddle wheelers, the banana boat rides, aqua chairs, beach clamshells, bungalows, etc. can be pre-reserved. Please be advised that all tours and activities at Princess Cays, including equipment rentals and water sports, are sold on a NO-REFUND basis after closing time for cancellation. Please see the posted time on the Tour Order Forms onboard. In ports where guests utilize tender boats to go ashore, Princess staff will make every effort to assist but are not allowed to individually physically lift more than 50 lbs. (22kg). Guests requiring physical assistance must travel with an able-bodied companion. With your safety and comfort in mind, the final decision to permit or prohibit passengers from going ashore will be made on each occasion by the ship's Captain.
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
Tucked on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Amber Cove, named for the translucent gemstone found on its shores, sits just seven miles from the town Puerto Plata, a cinematic locale used as the backdrop for the first Jurassic Park film. Just steps from the dock take in the sparkling beach, which offers a plethora of water activities, and the serene, natural beauty from the comfort of a private bungalow. Or venture off the property to take to the high seas on a luxury catamaran snorkeling expedition or explore the 450-year-old San Felipe Fortress. For high-flying adventure, swing through the trees on a zip line or ride a cable car 2,500 feet to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for a look at its massive statue of Christ the Redeemer. And for those with a forward-thinking approach to social activism, delve into the culture and traditions of the friendly Dominican people while giving back to the community and making an impact on their lives. The experience will leave you feeling as warm as the glow from the amber sun.
Day 5: Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a small island bursting with turn-of-the-century Caribbean charm, retaining the look and feel of the Caribbean 40 years ago. Grand Turk was founded by Bermudan salt rakers some three centuries ago and its Bermudan-British-colonial architecture surrounded by colorful local dwellings make the island a treasure to visit. It is recognized as being one of the first places in the New World where Christopher Columbus landed and also gained worldwide attention when John Glenn splashed down near Grand Turk on his historic first mission to space. Grand Turk is six miles long and just over a mile wide with a population of only 6,000. It is blessed with miles of uncrowded, beautiful beaches and is close to several uninhabited cays such as Gibb's Cay, home of the stingray encounter. While there are many landside attractions to explore such as the Old Prison, Lighthouse Park, and the re-created salt salina, the real beauty of the island lies underwater. Grand Turk is world-famous for its healthy and beautiful coral reefs that surround the island, stretching almost from the coastline to the 7,000-foot vertical wall just offshore.
Day 6-7: At Sea
Day 8: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is "where the boys are." The city's reputation as America's Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the "Venice of America" with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the "Carrie B." Note: upon disembarkation, please collect your bag, go through customs and hand your bag to your tour driver who will stow and lock it underneath your bus. Disembarkation tours end at the airports; therefore guests who have post-cruise packages at local hotels must disembark at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Guests will then be responsible for their transportation to the hotel.