Explore the Caribbean Islands & Gardens

With no fewer than eight beautiful islands on the itinerary, plus a feast of gardens, this Caribbean voyage is brimming with horticultural highlights, expertly guided by plantsman David Hurrion: “I can’t wait to explore the gardens on this exciting BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine cruise in the Caribbean, with so many wonderful ports of call. Each stop promises something unique and inspiring.”

Cruise Highlights

• • Exclusive on-board Gardeners’ Programme, including welcome introduction, two formal illustrated talks, gardeners’ Q&A, farewell get-together
  • Visits to five gardens
  • Return flights from London/Manchester
  • Return transfers from airport to ship
  • Full-board cuisine including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
  • Captain’s cocktail party, Captain’s Gala Dinner and Baked Alaska Parade
  • Wide range of entertainment, including evening shows, plays, cabarets and live music
  • Daytime activities, quizzes, dance classes, fitness and wellness classes, and use of gym, swimming pools and hot tubs

Drinks package is an optional add-on for £595 per person for 14 nights

Garden Highlights

• Valombreuse Botanical Garden
• Papillote Tropical Gardens
• Balata Gardens
• Palm Tree Gardens
• Smithy’s Garden

Your itinerary

• DAY 1: Bridgetown, Barbados Fly from the UK† to Barbados. Transfer to the port to join Renaissance. Settle in and enjoy your evening, with dinner and entertainment.
• DAY 2: At sea Join David for a welcome get-together and illustrated talk.
• DAY 3: Willemstad, Curaçao Afternoon arrival in Willemstad, noted for its narrow-gabled 18th-century houses in cool pastel shades and Dutch colonial architecture.
• DAY 4: Kralendijk, Bonaire Surrounded by the protected Marine Park, the island’s waters are home to large numbers of tropical fauna, rare seabirds and sea life.
• DAY 5: At sea Enjoy David’s gardeners’ Q&A.
• DAY 6: Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe Where Caribbean charm meets French sophistication. We arrive in the afternoon to visit Valombreuse Botanical Garden, Guadeloupe’s first floral park.
• DAY 7: Roseau, Dominica Discover Dominica’s natural beauty with a tour of Papillote Tropical Gardens.
• DAY 8: Fort-de-France,Martinique We explore an exceptional collection of tropical plants and flowers on a tour of the paradise-like Balata Gardens.
• DAY 9: Castries, St Lucia Embrace subtropical charm amid lush landscapes.
• DAY 10: St George’s, Grenada We take guided tours of Palm Tree Gardens, which has over 300 plant species set in 2 acres of impeccably groomed land, and Smithy’s Garden, noted for its untamed tropical feel
• DAY 11: Kingstown, St Vincent & the Grenadines Soak up tropical landscapes at the Botanical Gardens or sample Caribbean cuisine at the bustling Kingstown Market.
• DAY 12: At sea Time to join your fellow gardeners for David’s illustrated talk.
• DAY 13: Willemstad, Curaçao Spot the floating Queen Emma Bridge, which opens up to allow ships in and out of the harbour.
• DAY 14: At sea Enjoy your last cruising day and join your host for drinks.
• DAY 15: Bridgetown, Barbados Arrive early afternoon. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Terms and conditions

*£2,999 per person based on an inside cabin for two sharing. Drinks package is an optional add-on for £595 per person for 14 nights. This group departure is organised by Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Connoisseur Travel Service Ltd is acting as agents for Ambassador Cruise Line and is subject to ACL’s terms and conditions. Please note all tours and places of interest mentioned, apart from the five included tours, are not included in the cruise fare and may be visited on optional tours. Kingstown is a tender port. The experts hosting any of our cruises are subject to personal circumstances permitting. We plan to visit the gardens and ports mentioned in the itinerary, however, we reserve the right to change a visit should circumstances become necessary. †Flights are available from London or Manchester. All prices and information were correct at the time of going to print.