2022 Nov - 25-Day Voyage - OCEANIA - Insignia / Amazon & the Islands

Legend

Boat

Miami, Florida, United States ‐ Dec 10, 2022

Dock 8 am Pickup by Betsy United #0576 LV 3:12 pm - ARR 5:44 pm DEN 20A/20B
Tortola, British Virgin Islands ‐ Dec 7, 2022

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It features several white-sand beaches, including Cane Garden Bay and Smuggler’s Cove. Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, has a harbor dotted with sailing boats and is known as a yachting hub. In the island's southwest, forested Sage Mountain National Park offers trails and sweeping views over neighboring. Cruise over to White Bay on nearby Jost Van Dyke, the ultimate beach paradise fo [...]
r sunbathing and simply relaxing. Walk a few steps from the pier to the tender dock, where you'll board your waiting high-speed boat. We took the cruise to neighboring Jost Van Dyke lasts about 30 minutes and is incredibly scenic, as you'll pass several classic Caribbean islands, including St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon arriving in White Bay Jost Van Dyke, our adventure in paradise began. We got a beach chair at Soggy Dollar Bar, and later had a bite to eat. This is the Caribbean as it was meant to be: completely stress-free.
Roseau, Dominica ‐ Dec 6, 2022

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Roseau is the capital of the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. It's on the southwest coast and known for its 18th-century Creole architecture. Its cobblestone Old Market, formerly a slave auction site, sells crafts and fruit. It’s next to the Dominica Museum, with exhibits on the country’s natural and cultural history. The Dominica Botanic Gardens showcase tropical flora and native Sisserou parrots.
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ‐ Dec 5, 2022

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM The port city Kingstown is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. On a ridge above the bay, the 1806 Fort Charlotte offers panoramic views of the archipelago. We took a tour to the Emerl pool and thee The city center has 19th-century churches such as St. Mary’s Cathedral. Then a short drive brings you to the Botanical Gardens, which are among the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, having been established in 1765. An oasis of serenity, the gardens contain countles [...]
s exotic species and rare items such as a breadfruit tree that's the third generation of one donated by the infamous Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty. Continuing on, you'll venture through the Mesopotamia Valley, where much of St. Vincent's fruits, vegetables and spices are grown. As scenic as it is fertile, the emerald-green valley is crisscrossed by streams and dotted with farms. After departing the picturesque valley, you'll stop at a beach bar for a cool drink and then return to the pier.
Bridgetown, Barbados ‐ Dec 4, 2022

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is a port city on the island’s southwest coast. It's known for its British colonial architecture, 17th-century Garrison and horseracing track. Near the central National Heroes Square, which fringes the Constitution River, Nidhe Israel Synagogue and its museum explore the island’s Jewish history. We had visited the island before so we just grabed a taxi and went to the beach where we spent the day laying in the sun drinking beer
Alter do Chão, Brazil ‐ Nov 30, 2022

8:00 AM 4:00 PM Dubbed the "Carribean of the Amazon" because of its crystalline waters, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibe, Alter do Chão is a relaxing place to spend a few days in the Amazon. The village itself is simple, with only a handful of pousadas and restaurants, but Alter's cosmopolitan community unites hippies, herbalists,The riverbanks and lagoon are ideal for self-guided explorations of the Amazon Basin ecosystem, I went into the town while Holly stayed on the boat. It was a [...]
nice little and I picked up a T-shirt, had a beer and returned to the boat.
Parintins ‐ Nov 29, 2022

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Parintins is a municipality in the far east of the Amazonas state, Brazil. It is part of a microregion also named Parintins. . We took a tour of an opera house that was brought from Europe and assembled in the city. A very impressive building. Next we went to a zoo in a military compound containing animals taken from illegal exporters. It was established by a commander in the style of the 1950 Cages and pits, We were suppose to visit a measum but it was closed as Brail [...]
was playing in the World Cup and the entire city closed down.
Manaus ‐ Nov 27, 2022

Arrive 10:00 am - overnight depart 4:00 pm Manaus, on the banks of the Negro River in northwestern Brazil, is the capital of the vast state of Amazonas. It's a major departure point for the surrounding Amazon Rainforest. Just east of the city, the dark Negro River converges with the brown, muddy Solimões River resulting in a striking visual phenomenon called the “Meeting of the Waters.” Built in the 20th century by Waldemar Scholz, this elegant palace was the governor’s residence for many [...]
years. Presently, the Palácio operates as a museum and a cultural center that displays enthralling exhibitions of antique art and furniture, and presents monthly showcases of the work of local artists. The MUSA, also known as the Museu da Amazonia, gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the Amazon jungle, its native communities, its local species and much more, in tours lasting only three hours. Don’t miss the incredible view of the jungle available from the top of the tower here. Top tip: some tours provide a pick-up service from you hotel at 4am, which means visitors arrive at the tower in time to witness a spectacular sunrise. The combined tributaries form the Amazon We did a jungle tour, which was a bit of disappointment. We walked through the rain forest and observed the vegation, but did not see any birds or any a
Santarém ‐ Nov 25, 2022

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Santarém is a small city in the Brazilian state of Pará, where the Tapajós River meets the Amazon. This “meeting of the waters” phenomenon can be viewed from the hilltop Mirante do Tapajós Square. On the riverfront, the Centro Cultural João Fona has relics from the ancient indigenous Tapajós culture. Nearby, the Museu Dica Frazão displays the textiles that Brazilian artist Dica Frazão crafts from natural materials. The stop was like a tourist nightmare or dream. [...]
Native in costume, goods for sale and children begging. Of interest were the kids with dloths, birds, monkeys and snakes.
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago ‐ Nov 21, 2022

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Port of Spain, on Trinidad’s northwest coast, is the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago. touring a church, rum distillery and a museum devoted to the island's volcanic history. Drive from Fort de France through the lush countryside to the village of Balata, where you will visit its famed church (service in progress outside only). It's noteworthy for being an exact replica of Paris' beautiful Sacré-Coeur Basilica, although on a smaller scale. After a brief stop to admire t [...]
he views of Fort de France and beyond, you will continue on, driving through a dense rainforest. Here, the air is noticeably cooler, the vegetation more exotic, and the scenery awe-inspiring. Your next destination is the Chateau Depaz Estate, which has been producing rum made exclusively from fresh-cut blue cane grown in its fields since 1651. The method of production is the most expensive known and results in a spirit treasured by connoisseurs the world over. During your visit, we had the opportunity to sample some of this unique Depaz rum. A short drive then brings you to the coastal village of Saint-Pierre, which was devastated in the violent volcanic eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902. Almost the entire population perished as a result of this devastating natural disaster and you can learn about the fascinating details in the Volcano Museum in Saint-Pierre. The photos of the destruction are quite a contrast to the scenery now, which you will see on the drive back to Fort de France, passing through one quaint fishing village after another. Le Carbet, where Paul Gauguin lived and painted in 1887, is particularly picturesque.
Fort-de-France, Martinique, France ‐ Nov 20, 2022

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fort-de-France is the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique, a French overseas territory. It’s known for colonial architecture, ornate iron balconies, tropical flowers and beaches. La Savane park has a statue of Napoleon I’s wife Joséphine, a native of the island. Exhibits at the Martinique Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory focus on the island’s history, especially the pre-Columbian period. Near where the ship docked there appeared to be a ferry which ran al [...]
l day to another island (st. Anne or something, maybe? don't recall). Still make sure you bring euros as even going into a bakery to buy a treat was not possible. No credit cards accepted and no dollars
Gustavia, St. Barts ‐ Nov 19, 2022

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Gustavia is the main town and capital of the island of Saint Barthélemy. Originally called Le Carénage, it was renamed in honor of King Gustav III of Sweden. During the day, St. Barts' capital city is abuzz. The harbor town is shaped like a horseshoe, and traditional sightseeing is limited to Fort Gustav (which dates back to the Swedish period) and the small but charming Wall House Museum. Lack of sites doesn't bother most visitors since many come here to mainly shop and di [...]
ne. For a serious dose of retail therapy, stroll along Quai de la République. There you'll find everything from real-life Gaultier to knockoff Gucci to locally made goods can be found inside the hallowed stores of Gustavia There are 14 beaches on St. Barts, and you can usually find at least one vacationer lolling about on one of them. The best of the bunch include Anse des Flamands (for the scenery), Baie de St-Jean (for the beachside bistros) and Anse de Grand Cul de Sac (for the watersports). When you start to prune, dry off and stroll the shops and restaurants of the capital city, Gustavia. Stick around until the evening and enjoy a little laid-back island nightlife. Didn't take a tour but walked around the town, stoped for drink and returned yo the boat
San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States ‐ Nov 18, 2022

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM This old Spanish colonial town features gorgeous pastel-colored colonial townhouses, old buildings, and forts that date back to the 1500s. Points of interest includeFort San Felipe Del Morro, Fort San Cristobal, and La Fortaleza. Took a city tour visiting the fort and old hotel area and than a walk through the city on way back to boat
Miami, United States ‐ Nov 15, 2022

United MKV285 #1418 LV 8:29 am - ARR 2:11 pm MIA 11A/11B Airport pickup to cruise dock Sail 4:00 pm