Over the years it has become a tradition at Gold Crown Travel to escape the frigid Midwest winters and cruise to the sunny Caribbean.  For variety, this cruise is designed to port at most of the well-known and exciting islands that we have not previously explored.

Day 1. Feb. 20th 

Fly from Cedar Rapids to Ft. Lauderdale FL. And spend time relaxing at one of the many luxury Hotels in the area and take some time to explore the many wonderful attractions in the area. 

Day 2. Feb.21st Board the “Crown Princess” and begin our Circle Caribbean Experience.  Depart at 4:00 PM. Get acquainted with the ships layout and enjoy an evening of dining and entertainment at Sea. Enjoy sweeping views of the world while sailing on Crown Princess. From her nearly 900 balconies to the breathtaking three-story Atrium, you’ll discover a relaxing atmosphere filled with an array of world class entertainment and dining options that will greet you each day when you return from making fascinating discoveries ashore.

• Guest Capacity: 3,080 lower berths
• Number of Crew: 1,200

 

Day 3 Feb.22nd 

Day 4 Feb.23rd 

At Sea. 

Cruising aboard the “Crown Princess” is truly a luxury, world class, experience.  We have traveled previously aboard this ship and can assure you there is none better.  The ships layout, service, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and overall excellence cannot be beat. 

Day 5 Feb. 24th  St. Thomas US Virgin Islands Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 10:00 PM

The US Virgin Islands are America’s paradise, offering an easygoing blend of island ways and American practicality. St. Thomas, capital of the island group, offers every imaginable sport: snorkeling, golfing, hiking, and sailing. Just a few miles away lay St. John and Virgin Islands National Park. Stunning mountain scenery, crystalline waters, and white-sand beaches with palms swaying in the breeze – the US Virgin Islands are truly a slice of paradise. The harbor is easily one of the Caribbean’s most scenic. The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold. St. Thomas has a reputation as a duty free-mecca for shopping.

Day 5 Feb. 25th St.Kitts.  Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 6:00 PM

Jagged volcanoes soaring above azure and turquoise seas, dense rainforests in myriad shades of green, rolling fields of sugarcane–welcome to St. Kitts. Along with its neighbor, Nevis, St. Kitts presents an exotic landscape more common to Polynesia than the Caribbean. The islands’ terrain, rich soil, and climate made them ideal locations for raising sugarcane. In fact, St. Kitts and Nevis were once the crown jewels of the Caribbean. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Spain, France and England vied for control of the islands, with the English finally winning out in 1787. Today, British and French heritage is evident on both islands. Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts, boasts fine, restored colonial buildings. Impressive Brimstone Hill Fortress, called the “Gibraltar of the West Indies,” is one of the most impressive fortresses in the Caribbean.

Day 6 Feb 26th Martinique  Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 6:00 PM

 Martinique was their treasured “isle of flowers.” Lying in the Lesser Antilles between Dominica and St. Lucia, the island is a tropical paradise of dense rain forest, rolling savanna and stunning beaches. The rich volcanic soil nourishes banana plantations and pineapple fields as well as mangoes, papayas, lemons, limes, and West Indian cherries. Little wonder that Columbus praised Martinique as the “best, most fertile, most delightful, and most charming land in the world.” Martinique’s cultural heritage is as rich and bountiful as its soil. The island has been governed by France for over three centuries. Today an overseas department of France, the island boasts a culture that is a unique and zesty blend of French, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern influences, resulting in that spicy combination called Créole. Créole culture is reflected in Martinique’s architecture, cuisine, language, and music. For years the mayor of Fort-de-France was the internationally acclaimed Créole poet Aimé Césaire. Five centuries after Columbus made his landfall, Martinique remains a rare flower in the Caribbean.

Day 7 Feb 27th St Vincent and the Grenadines. Arrive 9:00 AM – Depart 7:00 PM

St. Vincent is one of the 33 islands and small cays forming the Grenadines. The island is famed for its natural beauty. St. Vincent boasts a rugged coastline, lush rainforest, stunning waterfalls, a soaring volcano, and volcanic black-sand beaches. What travelers will not find are the glittering luxury resorts, duty-free shopping zones, and thronged beaches that characterize so many other islands in the Caribbean. St. Vincent is also one of the most cultivated islands in the region, thanks to the rich soil and abundant rainfall of its Mesopotamia Valley. The island’s fertility and strategic location made it a highly sought prize during the 18th century. France and Great Britain both vied for control of St. Vincent; the island changed hands three times. As a result, traces of both are seen on the island. Today’s Vincentians are a passionate people who possess great pride in their homeland.

Day 8 Feb 28th Barbados. Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 6:00 PM

 

Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation. It’s no wonder Bajans describe their country as being “more English than England sheself,” surnames like Worthing and Hastings abound. But look around and you know you’re not in England: rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening, azure sea. The soft pastels of old chattel houses blend with the vibrant reds, oranges, and greens of roadside fruit stands. In short, Barbados exudes a charm all its own. Perhaps it is due to Bajan culture, that celebrated blend of English tradition and the African heritage brought to the island by slaves imported to work the sugar plantations. The potent brew which results flavors every aspect of island life, from music, dance and art, to religion, language and food.

Day 9 Mar 1 Trinidad and Tobago  Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 6:00 PM 

Trinidad, the birthplace of steel pan and calypso music, is one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant and interesting destinations. The island and its capital city, Port of Spain, are both industrial and cosmopolitan. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago is the largest oil exporter in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most industrialized nations in the West Indies. About the size of Delaware, the island of Trinidad boasts a profusion of floral growth and an incredibly diverse population. Once a prime destination for business travelers, it is now becoming a serious vacation destination. There is plenty to see here, from the Asa Wright Nature Center, devoted to naturalists and bird watchers, to the more traditional tourist attractions like the Queen’s Park Savannah, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Magnificent Seven, a strand of impressive colonial houses reflecting Trinidad’s unique heritage. Port of Spain serves as your gateway to this lush tropical island with echoes of its colonial past.

Day 10 Mar 2 at Sea

Day 11 Mar 3 Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart-6:00 PM 

Bonaire is without a doubt a “diver’s paradise.” Its license plates even state the same. But there is much more to this small Dutch country of 17,500 residents. “Bon Bini,” as you will hear the friendly locals say, means “welcome to the island of Bonaire.” Bonaire is located off the coast of Venezuela and has for years been known as a world-class diving and snorkeling destination. Diving and snorkeling are still the predominant activities, but today there is also a variety of other activities to enjoy such as kayaking, bird watching, and other eco-tours. Because of the hot and arid weather, Bonaire has been a major producer of sea salt. Do not miss the “white mountains” waiting to be shipped out and the salt flats where the salt is evaporated from the Caribbean Sea, which also happens to be home to another icon of Bonaire-the pink flamingo. Explore the Dutch architecture of the capital Kralendijk, enjoy the pristine coral reefs, or tour the scenic countryside. Whatever you decide to do in Bonaire, you are sure to have a fantastic time.

 

 

Day 12 Mar 4 Aruba   Arrive 8:00 AM – Depart 10:00 PM

Dutch influence still lingers on this balmy Caribbean island, part of the former Netherlands Antilles until its independence in 1986. Aruba is a contrast: the island’s arid interior is dotted with cactus and windswept divi-divi trees while secluded coves and sandy beaches make up its coast. Aruba’s long and colorful heritage is reflected in its dialect. Called Papiamento, it is a tongue that combines elements of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, African and English.

Day 13 at Sea

Day 14 at Sea

Now it’s time to really relax and enjoy all of the ships amenities that may have slipped by   before heading home.

Day 15 Ft. Lauderdale Fl.  Arrive 7:00 AM

This is the bitter sweet part of the voyage and tour when we disembark, leave new friends and acquaintances and head back home to Iowa. 

Included:

Round trip Airfare Cedar Rapids IA – Ft. Lauderdale FL – Cedar Rapids IA

One Night Premium Hotel Accommodations Ft. Lauderdale FL

Cruise including all taxes and port fees.

Transportation to Hotel from airport and ship to Airport after disembarkation 

Premium Travel insurance. 

Inside Cabin: $3790 pp. dbl. oc.           $236 per day pp.

Ocean View Cabin: $4270 pp.dbl.oc.   $266 per day pp.

Balcony Cabin: $5050 pp.dbl.oc.           $315 per day pp

Mini Suite Cabin: $5935 pp.dbl.oc.        $370 per day pp

$400 pp. dep. due at booking fully refundable until final payment at which time your insurance will go into effect.

Final Payment Due:  November 23, 2020