Viking Oceans Cruises – West Indies Explorer (Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Matin) 11 Days

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Transfer to your ship and settle into your stateroom. San Juan is a city of white-sand beaches, lush rainforests and inspiring Spanish colonial architecture. Compact and elegantly planned, Old San Juan spans the centuries. El Morro fortress has been standing watch over San Juan Bay since the 16th century and its formidable cannons peer out to sea. The streets of the centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage Site are paved with steel-blue adoquín stone, used to ballast the Spanish galleons that brought settlers here. These colorful, narrow byways lead to picturesque multihued facades and townhouses with neoclassical balconies.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Throughout San Juan, there is evidence of the city’s Spanish influence. Centuries-old, two-story houses line the streets of the Old Town, many of them brightly hued with pastel facades. Some of the city’s most historic structures have been transformed into cultural venues. In the stately Ballajá Barracks, built to house troops in the mid-1800s, the Museum of the Americas chronicles the region’s heritage. The metallic-blue 16th-century La Fortaleza, once a defensive citadel, is the oldest continually used executive mansion in the Americas, today home to the city’s governor.

Shore Excursions – Historic Old San Juan Sunset Stroll
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Admire the monuments and plazas of historic Old San Juan at sunset during a guided walk. Enjoy sweeping views of the bay and the governor’s mansion at the Plazuela de la Rogativa, which commemorates the city’s miraculous evasion from sacking by the British during the 16th century. Pass the San Juan Gate, an impressive remnant of the three-mile-long wall that once encircled the city. Admire the historic, neoclassical-style Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the oldest cathedral in the US. Stroll to the Plaza de Armas, where you will view the Four Seasons Fountain and its four 19th-century marble statues. During your walk, you will pause for refreshments and take in the spectacular sunset views over the Caribbean Sea. After your tour, return to your awaiting ship.

Shore Excursions – Historic Old San Juan by Foot
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Explore the important monuments and plazas of historic Old San Juan by foot. Begin your guided walk over the quarter’s cobblestone streets to Fort San Cristóbal, the largest fortress built by Spain in the New World, where you can pause for photos of the mighty citadel and its stunning Caribbean backdrop. Enjoy sweeping views of the bay and the governor’s mansion at the Plazuela de la Rogativa, which commemorates the city’s miraculous evasion from sacking by the British during the 16th century. Pass the San Juan Gate, an impressive remnant of the three-mile-long wall that once encircled the city. Admire the historic, neoclassical-style Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the oldest cathedral in the US. Stroll to the Plaza de Armas, where you will view the Four Seasons Fountain and its four 19th-century marble statues, then return to your ship.

St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas rises from turquoise waters fringed by white-sand beaches, its deep harbor dotted with sailboats and framed by lush tropical foliage. Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, was founded in 1666 and reflects centuries of history in pastel facades, red-tiled roofs and cobblestoned lanes shaded by flowering trees. Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro was born here in 1830 and his childhood stone house still stands along Main Street. Overlooking the harbor, Fort Christian—the oldest structure in the Virgin Islands—once shielded Danish settlers from pirates and rival powers.

Shore Excursions – Scenic Island Tour & Mountain Top
Duration: 2 hours
Take a scenic drive along one of the most breathtaking routes on St. Thomas. Much of the island’s beauty lies in its endless undulating hills spilling down to stunning bays shining in a hundred shades of blue connected by a curving ribbon of roadways hugging emerald-green slopes—affording paradisiacal Caribbean views. Drive with your local guide, making frequent stops to take it all in. The pinnacle of your excursion is the world-famous Mountain Top, 2,100 feet above sea level. Browse the shopping area amid festive Caribbean music and purchase a tot of fine locally produced rum or try the original banana daiquiri, said to have been invented here. From the observation deck, enjoy spectacular views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands. If you would like, your driver-guide can drop you off in downtown Charlotte Amalie, where you may peruse the shops before returning to your ship on your own.

St. Kitts (Basseterre), Saint Kitts & Nevis
St. Kitts is lush with unspoiled vistas and old sugarcane fields. Together, St. Kitts and its neighboring island of Nevis comprise the smallest independent country in the Americas. Home to vervet monkeys, banana trees and coconut palms, St. Kitts’s coastal road leads to white-sand beaches and calm bays. The compact capital and main port, Basseterre, is one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean, dotted with Victorian and Georgian architecture. At Independence Square, locals gather to exchange gossip in the shade of stately 18th-century buildings.

Shore Excursions – Historic Basseterre & Fairview Great House
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy an overview of the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis and get an up-close look at the island’s colonial splendor. Drive to Basseterre, one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean. Admire impressive Victorian and Georgian architecture and view important landmarks such as the Berkeley Memorial Clock Tower and Independence Square; once a slave market, today it is home to a picturesque fountain. Next, stop at the Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden, a 300-year-old colonial property. Here, you will explore preserved rooms, including the original kitchen with its volcanic stone and brick oven to watch a cookery demonstration featuring the island’s famed Johnny Cakes. After a tasting, follow the stone bridge to the lush tropical botanical garden, where many of the plants date back to the 1700s, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Castries, St. Lucia
St. Lucia boasts some of the Caribbean’s most idyllic beaches, many near its capital of Castries. This paradise is so seductive that the British and French fought over it for 150 years. The British finally triumphed in 1814. Today, St. Lucia is a sovereign nation, but it is still part of the British Commonwealth. The island has a rich artistic heritage: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Castries is adorned with lush murals painted by a local artist and batik artisans keep a cherished tradition alive in their shops.

Shore Excursions -St. Lucia Panorama
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Marvel at the glorious mountain and seaside landscapes of St. Lucia’s northern half. Begin with a brief tour of Castries before ascending to the suburb of Morne Fortune for sweeping views of the city, its picturesque harbor and the distant island of Martinique. Here, you will see the Inniskilling Monument, erected to honor the British regiment that overtook the French in 1796. Afterward, a drive along hillside country byways past small communities will lead to La Guerre and spectacular views of the Marquis Estate, once the largest banana plantation on the island. Continue on, enjoying views of Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island before stopping at the resplendent estate at Stony Hill, a private home. Here, you will engage with Quadrille dancers, participating if you wish, before strolling the lush tropical gardens. After refreshments, return to your ship.

Bridgetown, Barbados
Barbados is rich in British history and spectacular sandy beaches. Home to the Commonwealth’s third-oldest parliament, Barbados is often called “Little England” for its lasting British influence. Bajans, as islanders are known, exude a hearty love of their small island country and delight in sharing its culture. Cricket matches and afternoon tea are as common here as surfing and sunning on the beach with family and friends. And a bottle of the island’s native Mount Gay Rum, accompanied by a conkie, a pumpkin-coconut cake steamed in banana leaves, are never far out of reach.

Shore Excursions -Views of Barbados
Duration: 3 hours
Discover the charms and natural beauty of Barbados during a panoramic drive across the island. Start your journey with a drive along picturesque Brandons Beach for a chance to capture stunning photos of this stretch of Barbados’s famous West Coast. Then drive inland towards the heart of the island, passing sugarcane fields, charming villages and plantations en route to Gun Hill Signal Station. Built in 1818, it was part of a network of signal stations used to relay messages across the island using flags and lanterns. Perched on a hill, it offers panoramic views of the countryside and coastline. After driving by the famous limestone lion carved by the British Military, travel to Hastings Rocks with its gazebo and boardwalk. After time for photos and a short stroll, continue to the Barbados Museum, housed in the historic Garrison—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, enjoy a refreshing drink, surrounded by historic architecture and cultural exhibits, then return to your ship.

Roseau, Dominica
Dominica is celebrated for its mountainous rainforests and rare flora and fauna. Its compact capital of Roseau boasts a collection of French and English colonial architecture, and the city’s Botanical Gardens are rare in the Caribbean for their central urban location. Outside the city, the Caribbean of yesterday unfolds through the island’s indigenous Kalinago. Nine volcanoes bring heat to the island’s boiling lakes and sulfur springs. The island’s centerpiece for nature lovers is Morne Trois Pitons National Park, named for its triple-peak mountain.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Roseau
Duration: 2 hours
Discover vibrant Roseau during a scenic guided tour of this charming Caribbean capital. Drive through the “City of Verandas,” one of the widespread examples of Creole vernacular architecture found throughout Roseau, while your knowledgeable guide provides lively commentary on the city’s history. Visit Abilities Unlimited, a local craft workshop that helps the visually impaired learn skills and earn an income by producing baskets and other craft items. Learn how the center supports its workers and get to know some of their stories. Make a brief stop at the Botanical Gardens, where your guide will point out plants of interest such as banyan trees and David the Goliath, a giant African baobab tree toppled by Hurricane David in 1979. Enjoy panoramic views of Roseau and the countryside from atop Morne Bruce, then drive past landmark buildings en route to your ship.

Antigua (St. John’s), Antigua and Barbuda
Blanketed with tropical forests that lead to sheer cliffs overlooking azure waters, Antigua has a rich past as a naval outpost of the royal Crown. It is the largest of the Leeward Islands and one of the most British in the Caribbean. Today, Antigua and neighboring Barbuda, along with several smaller islands, comprise an independent country. Its capital, St. John’s, has been an administrative center since 1632, and the baroque twin bell towers of the cathedral attest to a long British influence. The nation boasts a powder-sand beach for every day of the year.

Shore Excursions – Amazing Antigua
Duration: 3 hours
Uncover Antigua’s British influences and lush landscapes as you travel to the heart of the island. Drive with your guide into the tropical countryside, passing villages and gently rolling hills. At English Harbour, used by the British fleet during the 18th century, you will take in sweeping coastal views from Shirley Heights Lookout, once the principal British fortification. Back at the harbor’s edge, stop to explore Nelson’s Dockyard, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The yard was named for Admiral Horatio Nelson, who commanded the navy here for three years. It is the last remaining Georgian dockyard still in use today. Explore the Admiral’s Inn, the museum and the art gallery to uncover insights into Antigua’s past. See the sleek yachts tied to the old stone quay while sipping on a drink here before returning to your ship.

Philipsburg, St. Martin
St. Martin is a fascinating mix of France and Holland and the island has been shared by the two nations since 1648. The early economy relied on cotton, tobacco, salt and sugar. A large salt pond remains, once harvested by the Dutch East India Company for trade. Today, the Dutch side of the island, anchored by its capital, Philipsburg, is dotted with resorts and casinos. The renowned Rotary Lookout Point offers stunning panoramic views of the Simpson Bay Lagoon and surrounding islands. Further north, the 1.5-mile swath of white sand at Orient Beach is ideal for sunbathing.

Shore Excursions – Snapshots of St. Martin
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Witness the duality of this island nation as you travel through Dutch and French St. Martin. Drive along the coast, headed toward Marigot, the capital of the French side of the island. Here, you will experience the vibrant blend of French and Caribbean influences that characterize this former fishing village. After browsing the local markets, continue your journey to the Harold Jack Lookout point to take in the panoramic views of the Dutch side of the island, including the famous Princess Juliana International Airport. Cap your excursion with a visit to a historic local eatery where you can fully immerse yourself in the rich heritage of St. Martin. Sit back, relax and enjoy a snack of freshly made Johnny Cakes and traditional Guavaberry liqueur set to the sounds of a steel pan performance, before returning to your ship.

St. Croix (Frederiksted), U.S. Virgin Islands
The largest of the US Virgin Islands, St. Croix’s rural expanses are dotted with the preserved ruins of sugar mills. Nestled on its western shores, historic Frederiksted is anchored by the stately Fort Frederik, an 18th-century Danish stronghold. The crimson walls of this fortress stand in stark contrast to the turquoise waters of the naturally deep harbor, which lured settlers during the colonial era. At sea, St. Croix’s reefs teem with vibrant marine life, while beyond the waterfront, quiet streets lined with neoclassical and Victorian architecture lead to shaded squares.

Shore Excursions – Historic Frederiksted by Foot
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and colonial heritage of Frederiksted with an informative walking tour. Starting at the waterfront, begin winding your way through the wide streets of the town. Frederiksted still retains the original seven-by-seven street plan from colonial times. Stroll next to the bay along Strand Street and past the Old Danish School and St. Patrick’s Church on Prince Street. As you walk, your knowledgeable guide will explain the Danish and African influences on the architecture and design of many of the historic buildings, the stories of the families who owned them and their historic uses. Visit 18th-century Fort Frederik, its red-and-white walls a sharp contrast to the lush greenery and blue waters surrounding it. Complete your tour at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, which exhibits the work of Caribbean artists, before returning to your ship.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.