South Caribbean

Rolling golf courses unravel along pristine coastline while caves plunge deep into forest-coated mountains and fields of sugar cane wave in the sea breeze. La Romana opens up the Dominican Republic's charms and serves as a jumping-off point for the Cotubanamá National Park. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal.

Top Things to Do in La Romana:

• relax and play on Catalina Island
• spend the day in Santo Domingo
• explore the village of Altos de Chavón
• cruise the Chavón River
• tour the Dominican countryside

Isla Catalina, located off the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a small but stunning island known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. The island is part of the Parque Nacional del Este, making it a protected area rich in biodiversity. Playa Grande, the main beach, offers powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Snorkelling and diving enthusiasts will love the “Living Museum of the Sea,” an underwater archaeological site featuring the wreck of a 17th-century ship. The island’s coral reefs are teeming with colourful fish and sea creatures. Isla Catalina’s natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it an ideal spot for relaxation and adventure.

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.

Bridgetown, the captivating capital of Barbados, combines faded colonial history, captivating tradition, and vivid white beaches. Stately colonial buildings intermingle with colourful wooden homes, open-air markets and catch-of-the-day cafés. Ships will dock at this port.

Top Things to Do in Bridgetown:

• ride an electric tram into Harrison Cave
• look for green monkeys in the Barbados Wildlife Reserve
• relax at the Copacabana Beach Bar
• visit the George Washington House
• go underwater in the Atlantis Submarine

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

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.

Virgin Gorda is part of the British Virgin Islands archipelago. A mountainous, beautiful island filled with friendly locals, tropical cuisine and wandering chickens. Blue waters hug the shore and granite megaliths at The Baths rise from the sea.

Top Things to Do on Virgin Gorda:

• explore The Baths National Park
• lounge in a hammock at Saba Rock
• hike to Gorda Peak for a panoramic view
• shop in Spanish Town
• visit Little Fort National Park
• sail around the lush island

Rolling golf courses unravel along pristine coastline while caves plunge deep into forest-coated mountains and fields of sugar cane wave in the sea breeze. La Romana opens up the Dominican Republic's charms and serves as a jumping-off point for the Cotubanamá National Park. Ships will dock at the cruise terminal.

Top Things to Do in La Romana:

• relax and play on Catalina Island
• spend the day in Santo Domingo
• explore the village of Altos de Chavón
• cruise the Chavón River
• tour the Dominican countryside