eastern Caribbean Rail & Sail - "winterbuster" cruise

The holidays will be all gone and so will the warmth of summer! Join us for some well deserved FUNSHINE as we make our way to Florida and the Eastern Caribbean to get our share! Included domestic air flights bring us to Fort Lauderdale to get the party started! After a night of good rest, explorations begin. A city tour of Fort Lauderdale brings us to the newest rail operation in America! Board Sir Richard Branson’s “Brightline” train for a fun rail trip to Miami. Break for lunch at Miami’s famous South Beach before boarding Royal Caribbean’s “Empress of the Seas”. Enjoy this classic ship and traditional service on the Empress with guaranteed choice of 1st or 2nd dining, onboard casino, spa, theater, Broadway entertainment, and much more. Even better is the assortment of Eastern Caribbean ports including, Puerto Plata—Dominican Republic, San Juan—Puerto Rico, Tortola—British Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie—St. Thomas—US Virgin Islands.

Included in your travels:

· Round-trip flights to Florida from Seattle, PDX, SFO, LAX*

*Other gateways by request

· 1 night 4-star hotel in Fort Lauderdale

· 8-night Royal Caribbean cruise on Empress of the Seas

· Standard cabin (upgrade to window for $40pp*)

· Fort Lauderdale city tour 

· Miami city tour with lunch

· 1st class Brightline train passage

· All shipboard meals— breakfast, lunch, dinner

· Choice of 1st or 2nd ship dining guaranteed

· All ground transfers in Florida

· Experienced Tour Manager

· Caring and professional travel arrangements

· Please consider travel insurance for all travel

* Outside cabin = window. No balconies aboard this ship.

Day 1— Friday Jan 22 — Depart for Sunshine! Make your way to your gateway airport. Your included domestic flight brings you to Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Meet your Tour Manager at baggage claim for a short transfer to our plushy hotel. Welcome drinks and high-fives for sunshine! (welcome drinks)

Day 2—Saturday Jan 23 — Brightline to Miami Enjoy a city tour of Fort Lauderdale ending at Sir Richard Branson’s splashy rail terminal for the “Brightline” train. Enjoy a slick ride in 1st class to Miami on the newest rail line in America. Champagne anyone? Arriving in Miami we head to Famous South Beach to enjoy a break for lunch before boarding the Empress of the Seas. (breakfast, dinner onboard).

Day 3—Sunday January 24 — At Sea —Explore the ship! A day at sea to relax and enjoy all the amenities aboard. Plan to walk all the planks to find out every great spot to enjoy the party, or that quiet nook to hide with a book! Join together in the evening with our new friends for dinner and a show! (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 4– Monday January 25 — Puerto Plata—Dominican Republic Well rested and ready? Let’s explore our first port! Enjoy ship tours, or join your Tour Manager pierside to design our own tour with local vendors—Amber Museum, the Caribbean’s first aerial tramway, San Felipe Fortess, or even a beach break? (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 5— Tuesday January 26 — San Juan, Puerto Rico Another sunshiny port with lots to do—As always, your Tour Manager will be pierside to haggle and make a fun tour excursion with local operators. Founded in 1521 by Spanish colonists, San Juan is now the 3rd oldest city European-established capital city in the Americas. Now a US territory, San Juan offers “Old San Juan” district with cobblestone streets and small alleys, the Puerto Rico History Museum, colonial era fortresses, and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. for nature excursions. Not too mention beautiful local b&b’s… beers and beaches! (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 6— Wednesday January 27 — Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI  Founded in 1666 as Taphus meaning "beer house". In 1691, the town was renamed to Charlotte Amalie after Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (1650–1714), queen consort to King Christian V of Denmark-Norway. This deep-water harbor was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the most popular ports for cruise ships in the Caribbean. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 7– Thursday January 28 — Tortola, BVI   Christopher Columbus named the island Tórtola, meaning "turtle dove" in Spanish. The Spanish made a few attempts to settle the islands, but pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd were the first permanent residents. Today this largest of the British Virgin Islands is ours for sun, sand, and surf, or join together for a mini-tour to enjoy local sights and beautiful island drives. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 8—Friday January 29 — At Sea Four ports in a row! Time for a break on board! Enjoy the pools, onboard activities or even a spa treatment? (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 9– Saturday January 30 — At Sea Last day, your way! Enjoy a final relaxing day at sea before one last dining room visit to enjoy the kind service of our Royal Caribbean dining staff. (breakfast, lunch, dinner onboard)

Day 10– Sunday January 31 — Miami Sizzle, return home! A hearty breakfast onboard before we disembark together. Collect our baggage and enjoy a bit more sightseeing in Miami and a lunch together in Little Havana before heading to the airport and our late afternoon flights home. (breakfast, farewell lunch)