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DAY 1 / Port Of Spain, Trinidad (Embarkation)
Arrive at Trinidads Piarco International Airport and make your way to the port where well board the refined MS Saint Laurent. In the evening, gather for cocktails onboard as we prepare to set sail for Venezuela.
DAY 2 / Orinoco Delta, Venezuela
The Orinoco River is one of the longest rivers in South America. Along with its many tributaries, it is the major transportation system for eastern and interior Venezuela. Flowing from the mountains on the border with Brazil, the river broadens onto a 200-mile wide delta, called the Delta Amacuro, prior to meeting with the Atlantic Ocean. Today, we will embark on a Zodiac excursion in search of wildlife such as sloths, giant otters, river dolphins, colorful toucans, and macaws. This evening, well gather for a festive welcome reception, followed by a sumptuous dinner in the ships main dining room.
DAY 3 / Orinoco River & Curiapo, Venezuela
This morning, well board the Zodiacs for a visit the village of Curiapo, home to a group of Warao (people of canoes), an indigenous population whose remote location largely protected them from early European colonization. There are thought to be as many as 20,000 Warao in Venezuelas Orinoco Delta.
DAY 4 / Orinoco Delta, Venezuela
Today, well continue to explore the Orinoco Delta, a wilderness of wide rivers, tropical wetlands, dense jungle, and coastal mangroves. Here, the ecosystem ranges from more than a thousand fish species, to pink and grey dolphins, giant river otter, manatees, river turtles, sloths and monkeys, the Orinoco crocodile (one of the rarest reptiles in the world), and a wide variety of birdlife, including macaws, toucans, parrots, and chenachena.
DAY 5 / Man-O-War Bay, Tobago
This morning, well go ashore to snorkel, swim, and explore this beautiful island. From the first European explorers to today, Tobago has changed hands over 22 times. It has been occupied by the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Latvian Courlanders, and a host of pirates and buccaneers. In 1889, Tobago was made a ward of Trinidad, which it remained until 1962 when Trinidad & Tobago became an independent commonwealth, and then a republic in 1976. While Trinidad is the bustling commercial center of the republic, Tobago is known for its natural environment and a slower pace of life. It boasts the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere, beautiful beaches and waterfalls, and a colorful history including the restored Fort King George.
DAY 6 / Cruising The Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is home to as many as 450 species of fish, including the bull shark, tiger shark, silky shark, Caribbean reef shark, flying fish, giant oceanic manta ray, angel fish, spotfin butterflyfish, parrotfish, Atlantic goliath grouper, tarpon, and moray eels.
DAY 7 / Pampatar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Located about 25 miles from the mainland, Venezuelas mountainous Margarita Island offers wide white beaches and access to windsurfing, golf, and scuba diving. Isla Margarita is actually two islands connected in the middle by a mangrove-filled lagoon called La Restinga National Park. Today well explore the park or, if you choose, you can take the optional full-day excursion: a flightseeing tour to Canaima over Angel Falls.
DAY 8 / Isla Blanquilla Venezuela
This morning, well go ashore for a short excursion on this uninhabited island. Named for its stunning white sand beaches, the islands flora and fauna include: iguanas, wild donkeys, and numerous varieties of cacti.
DAY 9 / Kralendijk, Bonaire
Bonaire was part of the Netherland Antilles until 2010 and the Dutch influence remains very strong. It was here that the Dutch West India company harvested salt, which attracted scores of pink flamingos. This afternoons excursion will take us to the Grottomeer saltpans to see the flamingos, the slave huts, and Rincon, the original Spanish settlement. Finally, well visit Seroelargu, the highest point on the island, to take in the sweeping panoramic views.
DAY 10 / Willemstad, Curacao
Willemstad was established as a trading settlement by the people of the Netherlands. Here, the architecture reflects the styles from the Netherlands as well as the Spanish and Portuguese Colonial towns with whom Willemstad engaged in trade. Today, well go ashore for a walking tour to see the colorful architecture of historic Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DAY 11 / Cruising The Caribbean Sea
Today, our onboard specialists will offer enriching presentations as we cruise the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Sea floor is made up of five basins, separated by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. Water from the Atlantic Ocean enters the Caribbean through the Anegada Passage (between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands) and the Windward Passage (between Cuba and Haiti).
DAY 12 / Santa Marta, Colombia
Santa Marta, Colombias first Spanish settlement, is the capital city of the department of Magdalena. Founded in 1525 by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it is the oldest remaining city in Colombia. Located northeast of Cartagena, between the Santa Marta Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, this pretty city is popular for its history, colonial architecture, beaches, and nearby nature reserves. The mountain range is second in height only to the Andes. After a stimulating day exploring on shore, well gather for cocktails, followed by a sumptuous farewell dinner in the ships main dining room.
DAY 13 / Cartagena, Colombia (Disembarkation)
This morning, well arrive in Cartagena, Colombia. After breakfast, youll disembark the MS Saint Laurent and make your way to the airport or to The Hilton Cartagena (or similar) for your extended tour of this magnificent city.