Welcome to the Bahamas! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a representative will meet you at the airport and assist with the transfer to your ship. You'll have time to relax and get settled into your sumptuous accommodations before joining your fellow travelers for a special Welcome Dinner in the elegant onboard restaurant.

You’ll know you’re in the Bahamas as the water gets bluer and brighter. In fact, the Bahamas lays claim to the clearest water on Earth! Discover more of the views and of Nassau, the capital of this beautiful archipelago, on a sightseeing tour that acquaints you with the history and laid-back culture of the island, which is called New Providence.

In downtown Nassau, you’ll see Rawson and then Parliament Square, with its pink stucco Georgian neoclassical buildings that house the Supreme Court, Senate Chambers, and House of Assembly. Then, cross the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge to Paradise Island to get a look at the spectacular Atlantis Hotel Resort & Casino. Leaving here, you’ll pass the Queen’s Staircase, 66 limestone steps that connect Fort Fincastle to the lower town. It was carved out of the sheer rock by slaves in 1793. You’ll also see the Government House and Graycliff, a stunning mansion built in 1740 that is now a famous hotel. After a photo stop at historic Fort Charlotte, you’ll pass other landmarks such as the College of the Bahamas, Sir Harry Oakes Monument and Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, and others. You’ll also pass colorful Arawak Cay, a jumble of multicolored shacks and cafés that are collectively known as “Fish Fry.” You'll have some time at your leisure before heading to your hotel, with lunch on your own — perhaps you'll enjoy some famous conch fritters, fried chicken, and tropical conch salad, all island classics.

During your tour you’ll also stop at the historic 1789 Buena Vista Estate, home of the John Watlings Distillery where you will enjoy a self-guided tour and rum tasting. Upon departing the distillery you’ll visit Ardastra Gardens, a lush tropical setting where you’ll be introduced to some local denizens such as monkeys, flamingos, snakes, lorikeets, flamingoes, and other native species.

Included Feature:

• Nassau city tour

Cultural Discoveries:

• Tour with rum tasting at John Watlings Distillery
• Exotic animal encounters at Aradastra Gardens

Enjoy breakfast on board, with the Atlantic Ocean’s turquoise waters as your backdrop, as you sail into Freeport, the second-largest city in The Bahamas. This gorgeous island playground is a true traveler’s destination, with its mix of international flair and local flavor. From cultural and historical sites to untamed marine life, experience a day unlike any other on this tropical paradise.

Following breakfast, you’ll set out for private motorcoach tour. Sit back and relax as you take in Freeport’s enchanting highlights, surrounded by lush Bahamian landscapes. Following your guided tour, you’ll return to the ship for lunch. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure. Relax onboard with a soak in the top-deck hot tub or pampering massage at the luxury spa.

Dinner will be served on board this evening.

Included Feature:

• Freeport city tour

Relax with a day at sea: refresh, renew, and relish in your ship’s deluxe amenities. Perhaps you’ll join a morning workout class. You could get a facial at the spa, meet friends in the lounge for a game of bridge, or simply soak in the hot tub with the cocktail of the day — the choice is yours!

This morning your ship drops anchor in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida’s northernmost barrier island. After breakfast, we set off on an inspiring boat ride that takes you along salt marshes, wilderness beaches, and historic river banks; and learn about the fascinating history of Amelia Island and Cumberland Island. You'll also learn about the Port of Fernandina, why Amelia Island is called the Isle of Eight Flags, and the history of Fort Clinch before heading north into Georgia waters. You'll cruise the shores of Cumberland Island, hearing stories about the Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Kennedy families, as well as how the wild horses of Cumberland Island came to be. Your cruise back to Fernandina Beach will help you gain some working knowledge of the Kings Bay Nuclear Submarine Base and the local coast guard.

Included Feature:

• River cruise tour of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach

Scenic Sailing:

• Fernandina Beach’s stunning coastline comes into sight as you arrive on Amelia Island

For the past six years in a row, Charleston was voted the “#1, best city in the world” by readers of Travel + Leisure. Once you experience its stunning waterfront setting, exquisite Georgian architecture in every color of the rainbow, historic attractions, fine beaches and of course, some of the best cuisine in North America, you will agree that the title is well-deserved. A moderately-timed tender ride (approximately 15 minutes) will deliver you ashore to begin your day of exploration with a panoramic city tour of some of Charleston’s most important attractions. You’ll see the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park, and enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse.

From downtown Charleston you’ll proceed to Boone Hall Plantation, famed for its “Avenue of Oaks” and one of America's oldest plantations still in operation. You’ll explore the modern mansion, built in 1936 in Colonial Revival style, admire the garden filled with antique roses and other seasonal blooms, and ride a tractor around the 738-acre plantation to learn about its modern-day farm operations. A highlight will be the Gullah luncheon, in which you’ll savor a delicious Southern-style meal on Boone Hall’s back lawn, along with a private performance of Gullah culture, which developed among the enslaved workers of the region.

Back in Charleston, spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring at your leisure. You might visit the Old Slave Mart Museum, a moving museum depicting the city’s notorious role in African-American history. Or, browse the shops along King Street to find Charleston souvenirs like a Brackish bowtie made entirely of feathers or a handcrafted Gullah sweetgrass basket. Along the way, get a taste of Charleston's famed shrimp and grits or Low Country bouillabaisse!

Vantage Exclusive:

• Visit Boone Hall Plantation

Included Feature:

• Historical tour of Charleston

If you’re up on deck this morning, take in the beautiful coastal scenery as your ship makes its way up the wide Cape Fear River to Wilmington. This historic port city boasts a beautifully restored waterfront, and exquisite architecture which you’ll see on today’s tour.

This morning, enjoy two historical tours that will showcase Wilmington’s rich backstory. First, embark on a “Historic Homes” tour when you break into smaller groups and visit one of three of this town’s estates: Bellamy Mansion, Burgwin-Wright House, or Latimer House. You’ll learn more about your house’s origins and its relevance to the town. Then, you’ll visit the USS North Carolina battleship. En route to this site, enjoy talks about Wilmington’s film industry and learn about film sites that you can visit during your free time. Upon arrival, you’ll tour the ship and have the chance to chat with Navy officers.

If time allows following your tour, you may want to enjoy more of this lovely city on your own. Perhaps you can take a stroll along the Riverwalk, pop into one of the many well-regarded microbreweries, or visit the Railroad Museum.

Included Features:

• Trolley tour of downtown Wilmington
• Guided tour of the Bellamy Mansion
• Guided tour of the USS North Carolina

A full day to relax and enjoy the 5-star amenities of your deluxe ship. Perhaps you’ll relax in a hot tub, join a yoga class, or enjoy a soothing massage. During an onboard lecture you can learn about the rise and fall of plantation life — a wonderful preparation for your upcoming discoveries in Norfolk and Colonial Williamsburg. We'll arrive in Norfolk this evening.

Strategically set at the core of the historic Hampton Roads region, Norfolk is surrounded on three sides by water and is home to the world’s largest naval base, as well as one of NATO’s two Strategic Command headquarters. After an early lunch onboard, head out to explore the region’s historic colonial roots.

Today, you'll have your pick of two tours, each of which will inform you of the rich history of this region. You may embark on a Colonial Williamsburg tour and discover what was the capital of the first colony, Virginia. Today, the city is a living history museum, with 80% of its original layout! Or, perhaps you'll take a Highlights of Norfolk tour, where you'll visit the largest Naval installation in the world with a member of the Navy as your guide. Whichever way you roam, enjoy the remainder of your afternoon and evening at leisure.

Included Feature:

• Full-day tour of Colonial Williamsburg OR half-day Norfolk Highlights tour

Cultural Discoveries:

• Demonstration of colonial cooking and crafts

Arrive in New York City today, then set out to explore. Your tour showcases some of the city’s most famous attractions and landmarks. See where world economies rise and fall on Wall Street, including the New York Stock Exchange building in the heart of the financial district. Nearby, you’ll pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial, where the victims of the World Trade Center bombing are honored. Also nearby is St. Paul’s Chapel, the oldest surviving church in New York City, built in 1766. At Battery Park, you’ll catch glimpses of the Statue of Liberty.

Your tour continues as you make your way towards Midtown, passing through Chinatown, Greenwich Village, SoHo, and more. Ride past the elegant New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, and then see Rockefeller Center, Times Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park and Grand Central Station. You’ll be back on board in time for dinner and a scintillating port talk. Your evening is free; ask your Concierge in advance to help with tickets for a Broadway show, musical performances, gallery shows and more.

Included Feature:

• New York City tour

The morning is yours to delve deeper into the best of New York. There is so much to choose from, you’ll be grateful for the guiding hand of your Vantage Concierge, who can help you plan your time. We'll sail on to our next destination in the early evening.

Scenic Sailing:

• Be sure to have your cameras ready as there may be no more iconic skyline in the world than New York City’s. Soak up its million dollar views as you head towards your next thrilling destination

Newport is famous as the summer “watering hole” for America’s wealthiest families during the Gilded Age. It is also a yachting center that hosted the America’s Cup races 1930-83, and the first U.S. Open sites for tennis and golf. Less well-known is the town's colonial heritage, when it was an important whaling and trading port, notably as a center of the slave trade. Your tour points out the historic wharves, Touro Synagogue (the country’s oldest synagogue), the sweeping vistas of Ocean Drive, Hammersmith Farm (Jacqueline Bouvier’s childhood home, where she later held the reception for her wedding to John F. Kennedy), and more.

After breakfast onboard, you’ll be transferred to the port by tender for day of discovery. A highlight of the day will be your visit to the Breakers, the opulent Italian Renaissance-style mansion that was built as a summer residence by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Set on elegant Bellevue Avenue, it has a vast back lawn overlooking the Cliff Walk and the sea, and is filled with lavish period furnishings and art. Your tour provides a fascinating, intimate glimpse into the lives of America’s wealthiest and most powerful families during the late 1800s through the turn of the century.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Newport at your leisure. Your onboard Concierge will be able to provide recommendations based on your interests!

Included Feature:

• Newport city tour

Beautiful Martha’s Vineyard is famous as an affluent summer resort, and you can certainly do some celebrity-watching here. But your eyes will also be drawn to the sweeping natural beauty, historic towns and charming architecture. If some of it looks familiar, perhaps that’s because the movie Jaws was filmed here.

You’ll arrive ashore via tender for today’s tour, which starts with historic Oak Bluffs, once a religious revival summer camp. Then, head along the coast to Edgartown, a quaint, white-clapboard village that was originally an important whaling center. Ride though the farmlands of West Tisbury, and the hills of Chilmark, where celebrities such as Ted Danson, Carly Simon, James Taylor, and Bill Murray have homes. Then, continue on to Wesleyan Grove, better known as the Campground. Back in the mid-1800s, Methodist families would set up tents in this 34-acre site to enjoy revival meetings and summer Bible study groups. The tents eventually gave way to cottages that are painted lovely pastel hues and adorned with elaborate millwork. Today, these lovely gingerbread cottages are part of the National Historic Register.

Back in Oak Bluffs, you’ll have lunch onboard and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Perhaps you will explore Oak Bluffs on your own to get a feel for the laid-back charm that is synonymous with Martha’s Vineyard. You can see the colorful Flying Horses, the country’s oldest, continuously-operating platform carousel that was brought here from Coney Island in 1874. Nearby is You can also learn about Oak Bluff’s history as one of the country’s first resorts for affluent African Americans.

Included Feature:

• Tour of Martha’s Vineyard

Provincetown (or “P-Town,” as locals call it) was the fertile fishing ground where the Pilgrims first dropped anchor before settling in Plymouth. Set at the curving tip of Cape Cod, it still is an important fishing community that over the years has been known for its spectacular beaches and tolerant, live-and-let-live vibe. For this reason, it has been a longtime resort, artists’ colony, and popular summer haven for the LGBTQ community. Famous residents have included Tennessee Williams, Norman Mailer, Eugene O’Neill, Kurt Vonnegut, Lee Krasner, Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell, Julie Harris, Anthony Bourdain, and many more. You’ll get acquainted during this morning’s tour.

A tender will transport you to shore for a motorcoach tour around the town. You’ll see the impressive Town Library, which is housed in an old, Italianate-style church built in 1860 and which also includes the Heritage Museum. At the Pilgrim Monument, you can admire the country’s tallest granite building, a 252-foot-high tower that offers commanding sea views. The museum at its base commemorates the pilgrims’ five-week sojourn here, during which time they drew up the Mayflower Compact that codified the first laws of the new colony.

The Cape Cod National Seashore boasts some of the country’s most stupendous seascapes, and at the Provincelands Visitor Center you will enjoy wonderful views of them, as well as exhibits on local flora and fauna.

After lunch, you will have free time to explore on your own. Poke around the eclectic shops and art galleries, or perhaps enjoy the bustling harbor scene at MacMillan Pier.

Included Feature:

• Guided tour of Provincetown

Scenic Sailing:

• Later today, bid farewell to Provincetown as you set sail towards Boston

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to the Ocean Explorer when you disembark in Gloucester, just 45 minutes outside of the downtown Boston.

The heart of Boston is quite compact, but it packs a big wallop in terms of its cultural and historic attractions, even compared to much larger cities. Boston has been called a “city of neighborhoods,” and on your city tour today you’ll see some of its most charming locales, such as Copley Square, ringed by architectural jewels like Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, and the Old South Church. Continue riding through the Back Bay and see trendy Newbury Street, Public Garden, Boston Common, and Beacon Hill, crowned by the gold-domed, Bulfinch-designed Massachusetts State House. From here you’ll head to the Old North Church, where Paul Revere hung two lanterns in the steeple to signal that the British were coming. The church sits in the middle of the North End, Boston’s historic Italian neighborhood. Take a little time to walk around and enjoy its sights, sounds, smells, and (of course) tastes. From here, you’ll cross the Charles River and head across Cambridge to Harvard Square, where you’ll have time to walk around and see the campus and surrounding commercial center of America’s oldest and most prestigious university.

Included Feature:

• Boston city tour

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head west to discover Lexington and Concord, the battleground where the “shot heard round the world” officially triggered the American Revolution. Concord is also famous for its literary history, and was the home of the American Transcendentalist movement spearheaded by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Arriving at Lexington’s Battle Green, you will stand where the opening shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Your route to Concord takes you along the Battle Road Trail that Paul Revere followed during his famous midnight ride. Here you will walk on the Old North Bridge, a replica of the wooden bridge where militiamen beat back the British forces, and view the outsides of the gracious, historic homes where Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott (and the rest of her illustrious family) and others established one of America’s most formative, 19th-century intellectual circles. You'll stop for lunch on your own as we return to the city proper. Tonight, we'll convene again for a special Farewell Dinner. 

Included Feature:

• Tour of Lexington and Concord

After breakfast you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight home, or begin your extension to Cape Ann, Salem and Boston.