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| St.
Pierre & Rum Distillery A scenic drive around the island visits a renowned rum distillery and the village of St. Pierre. The village, destroyed in the 1902 eruption of Mt. Pele, is now home to a museum of volcanology. Board your air-conditioned transportation in Fort de France and drive approximately 20 minutes along Fleming Bay to Balata Church. Built in 1925, the church is modeled on the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre in Paris. Enjoy stunning island and bay views before continuing along Le Trace, an 18th–century track originally carved out of the landscape by Jesuit priests. Head for Morne Rouge, located at the foot of Mt. Pele. The famed 1902 eruption of the volcano laid waste to much of the island. Visit DePaz Rum distillery at the foot of the volcano, tour the facility, and taste its Agricole Rum. Drive to St. Pierre, where 30,000 souls perished in the 1902 eruption; the sole survivor was a prisoner in an underground cell. Tour the Museum of Volcanology, dedicated to the science of studying volcanoes. Your return route to the ship passes through the small villages of Le Carbet, Bellefontaine, Case Pilote and Schoelcher. Columbus landed near Le Carbet in 1502. The small fishing village was once home to Gauguin; its church dates from 1645. Adult: $74 Child: $59 (12 & under) Approximately 4 hours |
| Martinique
By Land & Sea Take in the island’s highlights on a tour that travels by land and sea. Board your air-conditioned transportation in Fort de France and drive approximately 20 minutes along Fleming Bay to Balata Church. Built in 1925, the church is modeled on the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre in Paris. Enjoy stunning island and bay views before continuing along Le Trace, an 18th-century track originally carved out by Jesuit priests. Head for Morne Rouge, located at the foot of Mt. Pele. Drive to St. Pierre, where 30,000 souls perished in the 1902 eruption of Mt. Pele; the sole survivor was a prisoner in an underground cell. Tour the Museum of Volcanology, dedicated to the science of volcanoes. For the sea portion of the excursion, board a twin-engine cruiser for a sail along the coast to Fort de France. Take in the scenery, listen to lively island music, and sip refreshing beverages as you sail past the small villages of Le Carbet, Bellefontaine, Case Pilote and Schoelcher. Christopher Columbus landed near Le Carbet in 1502. The small fishing village was once home to Gauguin; its church dates from 1645. Adult: $84 Child: $67 (12 & under) Approximately 4.5 hours |
| Bananas
& Rum: A Unique Perspective Of Martinique Travel to a banana plantation and a rum distillery, tour their museums, and gain a perspective on two products that shaped the island’s history. Board your air-conditioned transportation for the approximately one-hour drive from Fort de France to the banana plantation, located near the small village of Ste. Marie. En route, enjoy stunning views of the island’s east coast, the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounding islets. During your one-hour visit to the working plantation, tour the museum, located in the old manor house, visit the packing sheds and Creole shanties, and stroll the serene garden with its tropical flowers and banana plants. Continue to the St. James rum distillery. The Museum of Rum is in a superb old Creole-style house and its exhibits trace the history of sugar cane and rum production on the island. See the old sugar mills, tour the distillery, and sample a Martinique-style rum punch. On your return drive, you have the option of being dropped off in Fort de France for independent sightseeing and shopping; you are then responsible for your return to the ship. Adult: $79 Child: $63 (12 & under) Approximately 4 hours |
| Balata
Botanical Garden Visit a stunning botanical garden, the creation of a dedicated landscape architect and botanical collector. Board your air-conditioned transportation in Fort de France and drive approximately 20 minutes along Fleming Bay to Balata Church. Built in 1925, the church is modeled on the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre in Paris. Enjoy stunning island and bay views before continuing along Le Trace, an 18th-century track originally carved out of the landscape by Jesuit priests. Twenty years in the making, the Balata Botanical Garden is the creation of Jean Philippe Thoze, a noted landscape architect and botanical collector. Stroll the grounds on a self-guided tour and visit the reception hall, a beautifully restored Creole house that features a collection of antiques and Creole dolls. Drive down Didier Lane, lined with restored colonial houses, before returning to the ship. Adult: $66 Child: $53 (12 & under) Approximately 3 hours |
| Martinique
4x4 Adventure Explore the heart of the island on a 4WD adventure that travels back-country roads and tracks before stopping at one of the island’s old producers of rum. Board your air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and depart Fort de France for the interior. Your approximately two-hour safari travels back roads through banana plantations, fording small streams, to La Palourde Forest. Drive to a waterfall deep in the rain forest, then enjoy a refreshing swim followed by a complimentary rum or fruit punch. Continue your off-road adventure, traveling to DePaz Rum Distillery at the foot of Mt. Pele. Tour the facility and taste its Agricole Rum. Drive to St. Pierre, where 30,000 souls perished in the 1902 eruption; the sole survivor was a prisoner in an underground cell. Your return route to the ship passes through the small villages of Le Carbet, Bellefontaine, Case Pilote and Schoelcher. Columbus landed near Le Carbet in 1502. The small fishing village was once home to Gauguin; its church dates from 1645. Adult: $99 Child: $79 (12 & under) Approximately to 4.5 hours |
| Walking
Tour Of Fort De France A guided walking tour of the island capital travels through its colorful streets, takes in its major sights, and strolls through La Savane, the park at the city’s heart. After a brief transfer, meet your multilingual guides at Belain D’Esnambuc Statue, your departure point. Your guides provide historical commentary as you walk through the narrow, cobbled streets lined with colonial and Creolestyle buildings and houses. See Fort de St. Louis, the immense fortification guarding the harbor, and the War Memorial. Stroll through La Savane, the park at the city’s heart, and view the statue of the Empress Josephine. (Napoleon’s first wife was born in nearby Les Trois-Ilets.) Pass the Schoelcher Library, named after the island abolitionist who labored to free Martinique’s slaves, the Prefecture building and Maison Bougenot, a traditional colonial home. Continue past the town hall and Municipal Theatre before pausing for some fresh sugar cane juice. Walk past the courthouse with its statue honoring Victor Schoelcher and St. Louis Cathedral. Your tour concludes with a visit to the Roger Albert duty-free shop. Adult: $36 Child: $29 (12 & under) Approximately 1.5 hours |
| Martinique
Snorkeling A special snorkel boat visits two of the island’s top sites. Meet your guides and board your snorkel boat near the ship. Your vessel features a staircase offering easy access to the water and is equipped with a hard top that provides shade. Your first stop is a photo opportunity at the famous Bat Cave. Then anchor off a white-sand beach for your first snorkel tour. Your second site is in a marine preserve. Orange juice is served throughout your tour; unlimited rum punch is available after snorkeling. All snorkel equipment including safety vest, professional instruction and supervision included. Adult: $59 Child: $47 (12 & under) Approximately 3 hours |
