Overview
8 Days
Pointe-A-Pitre
Pointe-A-Pitre
6,774
2,138
2022
UPFX
Itinerary
Pointe-à-Pitre, located in Guadeloupe, is a dynamic city where Caribbean vibrancy meets rich history. Its streets are lined with colonial-era architecture, including the ornate Saint-John Perse Museum, which not only offers insights into the poet's life but also into Guadeloupe’s past. The bustling spice market, a sensory overload of colours, scents, and sounds, showcases the island’s culinary wealth.
The city’s location makes it a central point for exploring the natural beauty surrounding it. Just a short trip away are lush rainforests and the serene beaches of Grande-Terre. Pointe-à-Pitre's lively cultural festivals, such as the vibrant Carnival, bring the city to life with music, dance, and Creole traditions, offering an authentic immersion into Guadeloupe's festive spirit.
Onboard MSC you'll experience a welcoming atmosphere with a Mediterranean-inspired elegance. Enjoy a wide array of dining options, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries and experience live performances, themed parties, and engaging activities for all ages, making it ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Sint Martin, a gem in the Caribbean, is renowned for its dual French and Dutch heritage. This unique blend offers travelers a diverse cultural experience. In the French capital, Marigot, visit the bustling open-air markets and savor gourmet dining, while in Philipsburg on the Dutch side, indulge in duty-free shopping and lively beach bars. Maho Beach, famous for its low-flying planes, is a must-see spectacle.
For nature lovers, the island offers pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling and diving. Loterie Farm provides an adventurous escape with zip-lining and hiking trails. Don't miss the opportunity to sample local delicacies like conch fritters and guavaberry liqueur, which reflect the island’s rich culinary traditions.
Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten and it's port is conveniently located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from downtown Philipsburg, taking roughly 5 minutes by car or a leisurely 20-minute walk. Visitors can explore the vibrant Front Street, known for its duty-free shopping, colorful boutiques, and lively cafes. Transportation options include taxis, rental cars, and water taxis. Don’t miss a visit to the Great Bay Beach, just steps from the main shopping area, or venture to Maho Beach to watch planes land dramatically close to the shore.
Antigua and Barbuda beckon with their pristine beaches and vibrant history. For beach enthusiasts, Antigua presents a different shore for each day of the year, like the tranquil Half Moon Bay. Adventure seekers can explore the mysterious caves at Two Foot Bay in Barbuda, offering a glimpse into the island’s natural wonders.
History buffs will find Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Antigua, a compelling visit, showcasing the island's rich naval history. For a unique experience, take a boat tour to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary in Barbuda, one of the world’s largest, to observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Culinary explorers can delight in the local cuisine, with seafood and Creole dishes highlighting the islands’ cultural melting pot.
“One beach a day,” Antigua’s motto, refers to the island’s 365 beautiful beaches that are famous, secret or even set in volcanic craters. There’s a beach for every lifestyle, for those who are social and ones who seek solitude. When you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in the port of St. John’s, the capital and commercial centre of Antigua and Barbuda, embrace the city’s colourfully vi-brant houses dating to its British colonial period, along with the evocative white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral, and the Fort James and Barrington fortresses.
The laid-back cosmopolitan city, with its distinctly British flair, is renowned for its shopping at luxury boutiques and high-end shopping malls. Beyond the city, book an MSC excursion to the historic Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour, dedicated to Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was stationed in the West Indies be-tween 1784 and 1787.
The port town for the island of St. Kitts, Basseterre has centuries of history to explore in impressive estates and photo-worthy monuments. With more than a quarter of the island set aside as a national park and a rainforest that is growing rather than shrinking, St. Kitts is a stunning tropical island escape. Ships will dock at this port.
Top Things to Do in Basseterre:
- hike the Mount Liamuiga trail
- circle St. Kitts in a restored vintage train
- zip line in the Valley of Giants
- visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress
The capital of Dominica, Roseau is a small town with plenty of colonial charm. Its surrounds are lush and mountainous, rich rainforest embraces rare bird species, crater lakes, bubbling hot springs and splendid tumbling cascades. Ships will dock at this port.
Top Things to Do in Roseau:
- relax in the hot springs at Bongo Baths
- snorkel Champagne Reef
- swim at Trafalgar Falls
- 4wd through Dominica's rainforests
- visit the Dominica Botanic Garden
- hike to the Emerald Pool
Fort-de-France, located on Martinique is the largest city in the French West Indies and it has personality to match. Life here is vibrant and fast-paced, and the culture is as colourful as the brightly painted shops that line the city’s cobblestone streets. Ships will dock at the port.
Top Things to Do in Fort-de-France:
- visit the Botanical Gardens
- join a rainforest hike to Absalon
- visit the Rum Distillery
- explore a banana plantation
- see the ruins of Chateau Dubuc
- take a helicopter flight over Martinique
Pointe-à-Pitre, located in Guadeloupe, is a dynamic city where Caribbean vibrancy meets rich history. Its streets are lined with colonial-era architecture, including the ornate Saint-John Perse Museum, which not only offers insights into the poet's life but also into Guadeloupe’s past. The bustling spice market, a sensory overload of colours, scents, and sounds, showcases the island’s culinary wealth.
The city’s location makes it a central point for exploring the natural beauty surrounding it. Just a short trip away are lush rainforests and the serene beaches of Grande-Terre. Pointe-à-Pitre's lively cultural festivals, such as the vibrant Carnival, bring the city to life with music, dance, and Creole traditions, offering an authentic immersion into Guadeloupe's festive spirit.
Life On Board
A new cruising experience, with a partially open promenade, themed districts for all ages, and 2 new dining venues Read more
Savour specialty dining and exciting gourmet experiences in stylish restaurants. Read more
MSC Yacht Club unlocks a world of luxury, privileged access and choice onboard. Read more
Enjoy world class entertainment with original shows and almost every kind of music in lively bars. Read more
MSC's largest water park, bumper cars, Kid's Club, video arcade, MSC Sportplex and much more. Read more
Revitalise yourself in the world class MSC Aurea Spa with beauty treatments, massages and more. Read more
Ship Reviews (3)
1. We didn't know that we could read more have arranged a shuttle pickup at the airport to the ship. We would have preferred this to trying to find a taxi and explaining our destination.
2. The cruise package included 4 complimentary restaurants, which we assumed we could choose as we like. But what we didn't know is that we were allocated a dedicated table to a specific restaurant each night for dinner.
3. To provide something different we asked to move restaurants, which was allowed, but then discovered that each complimentary restaurant had exactly the same menu each night, although it changed daily.
4. The quality of the food at the complimentary restaurants was only fair and on one night poor. In the end we upgraded to some of the speciality restaurants to provide something different and better. This was a much better option.
5. For us, the ship was too big and it took at least 4 days to be confident about where you were going and where our cabin was.
6. In light of the ship being too big, there were simply too many people (6,500 guests and 2,500 staff) and most areas were crowded from early morning. Booking a show or a speciality restaurant had to be done very early else they were full.
7. The breakfast buffet was pretty unpleasant with people jostling all over the place. But, in the end we found an alternative menu driven, table service breakfast venue, which was much nicer.
8. The cabin (1408) was very good. Spacious with most facilities we needed.
9. Cabin housekeeping was excellent. In fact all the ship staff were extremely helpful.
10. Ship logistics in coordinating dining; excursions; theatre shows etc was also excellent. Anyone not phone literate would be completely lost as everything was phone based, even the dining menus.
11. The ships wifi was excellent, but in hindsight we should have upgraded our internet package to include more than 1 device.
12. The excursions (we did one at every port) were pretty good offering a good tase of the cities we visited.
The ship itself was mind blowing, with multiple choices for shops; fast food; adult entertainment; kids entertainment and swimming pools. We would recommend the “back of ship tour” as this provided a real insight into how a ship of this size operates. Finally, whilst we might choose MSC again, it certainly would not be on the World Europa.
Dates & Pricing
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by MSC Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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