Fred. Olsen Real Caribbean
Holidaymakers looking to experience the very best sights, sounds and flavours of the Caribbean can choose an incredible 14-night ‘Western Caribbean & Central America’ fly-cruise from London Gatwick or Manchester with Fred. Olsen on 2 January 2020. The 929-guest Braemar departs from La Romana in the Dominican Republic and after an overnight stay, sets sail for Santo Domingo; Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Colon in Panama; Cartagena de Indias, Colombia; Willemstad, Curaçao; and Bridgetown, Barbados.
Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning & Destination Experience, said: “Too many people think of the Caribbean as being just the one destination, but there is so much more to this diverse, colourful part of the world. Here, you can find some truly remarkable clusters of idyllic islands, each with their own culture, traditions and rich history. Moreover, by adding La Romana in the Dominican Republic as an additional turnaround port, we can really optimise our time in the Caribbean and offer even more of the rich and vibrant itineraries, for which Fred. Olsen is renowned.
“We are especially proud of this ‘Western Caribbean & Central America’ cruise which offers something for everyone; whether you are a culture-seeker, nature-lover, adventurer or gourmet. As well as our range of ‘must do’ shore excursions – carefully researched and selected by our Destination Experience experts, who have visited many of the ports of call – we are also offering our ‘small group tours’, which provide a more intimate and immersive insight, with no more than 25 guests on each departure. This is so much more than just the usual Caribbean beach holiday!”
Highlights of shore tours from Cozumel offer the chance to explore the world famous ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the most important and exciting archaeological treasures on the American continent - site to one of the great Mayan Empires. In Belize a network of waterways are home to a fascinating ecosystem in and around the watery marshes and lush tropical foliage. During a gentle boat ride or an airboat trip, you can go in search of native mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, freshwater and marine fish.
From Puerto Limon there’s the chance to take in the Tortuguero Canal, known as Costa Rica’s ‘Amazon’ – a unique system of natural and manmade canals which, as a result of heavy annual rainfall, fills the area with rich flora and fauna. You can discover the richness of the rainforest with a ‘sky walk’ along the suspended bridges that weave their way through the giant trees, filled with vibrant wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, birds and butterflies. Alternatively, sit back and relax, whilst gliding gracefully through the canopy on an aerial gondola.
- 17th November 2019
Gary Buchanan
Edinburgh-born Gary Buchanan has been a travel writer for over 30 years. He has been a specialist cruise writer for 25 years contributing to leading British publications including national newspapers and consumer magazines. He is the author of five books about cruising and spends over seven months every year at sea sailing the world’s oceans.