Destination: 
Caribbean

Unspoiled islands ringed with forested hills, luminous turquoise waters, lush rainforest terrain, white-sand beaches. Each day of your journey is imbued with magical and stunning variety. Her less is more - because you'll be cruising this paradise far away from crowds on our beautiful Spirit of Nantucket. Our small-ship cruises surpass your expectations, showing you this beautiful world up-close - close enough to come face-to-face with the iridescent turquoise parrotfish, close enough to cruise to clear shallow waters teeming with colorful coral gardens.

Virgin Islands 2007

You'll relish the sense of seclusion only a small-ship cruise can bestow. Gorgeous vistas unfold, deserted beaches, uninhabited islets, and crystal clear waters rich with spectacular coral reefs.Sail leisurely through islands that appear as a series of green jewels strung on the necklace of a blue sea -- St. Thomas, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Salt Island, Norman Island, and St. John. This voyage is different from the typical big-cruise-ship experience because you will travel in much smaller numbers to secluded areas away from the crowds.

In the midst of these unspoiled islands, ringed with forested hills, turquoise waters, and white-sand beaches, you may beachcomb on nearly deserted shores or wander through island communities for a look at the lighthearted, carefree lifestyle of the Caribbean. Each day of your journey gives you an opportunity to explore the colorful undersea world, where you may come face-to-face with iridescent turquoise parrotfish, a fragile brittle star, colorful coral, or silvery schools of anchovies.

• Tour Costs From: $2,699 pp
• 8 Days / 7 Nights
• Round Trip From St. Thomas
• Departures: December 2006; January, February, December 2007

Day 1 - CROWN BAY, ST. THOMAS, UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
Delight in spectacular mountain vistas and the beautiful harbor as you prepare to set sail on the Spirit of Nantucket. D 

Day 2 - JOST VAN DYKE B.V.I./SOPERS HOLE, TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
Enjoy a relaxing morning at sea, cruising through the Sir Francis Drake Channel as you head for beautiful White Bay, located in a secluded setting on the island of Jost Van Dyke. Named after a Dutch pirate, this sparsely populated island provides some of the finest deserted beaches and swimming and snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. After enjoying a lovely afternoon here, make the short run to Sopers Hole at the western end of Tortola, where the ship anchors for the night. BLD 

Day 3 - ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
The Spirit of Nantucket ties up in Road Town, Tortola (“Turtle Dove”), just before breakfast. With its 21 square miles, Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands, offering lush rainforest terrain, friendly inhabitants, and pristine white-sand beaches. Explore the island’s hidden wonders or enjoy an excursion to 92-acre Sage Mountain National Park for a hike through the rainforest accompanied by a local guide and the ship’s naturalist. Join an optional snorkeling expedition to nearby Peter Island or wander the quaint lanes of Road Town before sailing. BLD 

Day 4 - LEVERICK BAY, VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
Depart early this morning to make the crossing to mountainous Virgin Gorda and the Leverick Bay Marina. A beach bus to the Baths at Spring Bay takes you past the highest point of Virgin Gorda, which reveals a sweeping vista of small islands. Weather permitting, snorkelers may join an optional excursion to The Dogs, a series of angular islands northwest of Virgin Gorda. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation recently cited Coral Gardens and the Chimney — snorkeling and diving sites on Great Dog — the “healthiest reefs surveyed in years.” This evening, enjoy the entertainment at Leverick Bay Resort, located at our marina. BLD 

Day 5 - SALT ISLAND/NORMAN ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 
This morning, the Spirit of Nantucket anchors off Salt Island. Weather permitting, enjoy snorkeling here and explore the wonderful coral habitat that has grown up around the shipwrecked RMS Rhone, attracting scuba divers, fish, and other sea creatures to the area. In the early afternoon, sail to Norman Island — reputed to be the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. You’ll anchor at The Caves, an outstanding snorkeling area. The water is perfect here, with colorful corals, sponges, and algae dotting the seafloor and rock walls of the caves. Join an excursion to The Indians for snorkeling along the impressive coral reef. BLD 

Day 6 - CRUZ BAY, ST. JOHN, UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS 
This morning, take a leisure cruise off St. John, and sail to the island’s small port of Cruz Bay. More than two-thirds of this lush, green island comprises Virgin Islands National Park. Join an optional excursion along St. John’s curvy, mountainous roads, with special stops for photo opportunities and a visit to the Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Swimmers may want to visit Trunk Bay, where the white-sand beach provides easy access to snorkelers. Cruz Bay offers shopping opportunities at Mongoose Junction — a short walk from our landing site — with a collection of quaint shops, boutiques, and restaurants. BLD 

Day 7 - CHRISTMAS COVE, UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS / ST. THOMAS 
Sail this morning for Christmas Cove, where you may snorkel off the north shore of Great St. James Island. Following lunch, return to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You may choose to join an optional excursion to Coral World, a beautifully landscaped marine park that offers a wonderful view of a natural coral reef and other impressive exhibits. BLD 

Day 8 - CROWN BAY, ST. THOMAS 
Disembark the Spirit of Nantucket after breakfast. Before transferring to the airport for your return flight home, you may join an optional tour through the historic landmarks of St. Thomas, visiting the Estate St. Peter Greenhouse Botanical Gardens, which offers lovely scenery nestled high in the peaks of the island.B 

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner