Welcome to the Bahamas! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. You'll have the day to relax and get settled. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Enjoy a full day of leisure to explore Nassau, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as you like. Perhaps you’ll visit the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, or shop for handicrafts at the Straw Market. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are spectacular dive sites, and plenty of opportunities to swim with dolphins, feed sharks, or enjoy water sports, from kayaking to jet-skiing and more. At the Pirates of Nassau museum, you can learn about infamous privateers like the notorious Blackbeard through fun, interactive exhibits and performances. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

Included Feature:

• Nassau city tour

Cultural Discoveries: 

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

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

Throughout your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in optional onboard activities, including wine and whiskey tastings, and exclusive Chef’s Table and wine-pairing dinners. To reserve these engaging activities for yourself, please visit MyPortfolio, or see our Destination Enhancement page to learn more.

• It should be a beautiful day at sea, so take the time to be outside and breathe in the fresh air and delightful breezes

Please note: Upon arrival in Florida, there will be a required customs inspection of the ship, and guests may be asked to debark the ship. Please have your travel documents on hand during this time.

Today, your ship drops anchor in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida’s northernmost barrier island. After breakfast, set off on a boat ride that takes you along salt marshes, wilderness beaches, and historic riverbanks; 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:

• Amelia Island river cruise

Scenic Sailing:

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

Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the southern U.S., will enchant you with its stately homes and lovely gardens, magnificent public buildings, and majestic churches. You will get to experience this lovely city — which has been voted the “#1 best city in the world” by readers of Travel + Leisure several times over the past few years — for yourself on today’s included panoramic tour. You’ll see the College of Charleston, Harleston Village (one of the city’s earliest suburbs, the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, and the famous Battery with its elegant 18th- and 19th-century townhouses. Your expert guide will delight you with interesting anecdotes about the history of some of the Charleston’s prominent sites. A few of the landmarks you’ll pass are the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, one of the country’s most important Revolutionary-era buildings; St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, whose bells have crossed the Atlantic seven times; the Fireproof Building, designed by Robert Mills, a Freemason architect who also designed the first Washington monument; and the Old City Market, a public market for over two hundred years. The highlight of this tour is a visit to the early 19th-century Joseph Manigault House. Designed by the wealthy rice planter Gabriel Manigault, this house is considered one of the finest examples of Adamesque architecture in the country. The house also boasts a magnificent collection of period furniture and art with quite a few Charleston pieces.

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’s tour spotlights some of the homes listed on Wilmington’s National Register of Historic Places, an area comprising 230 blocks of beautifully preserved architecture from many different eras. You’ll also learn about the many movies and television shows filmed here. A highlight of your tour will be a visit to the historic Bellamy Mansion. Designed in the mid-19th century by architect James F. Post for wealthy physician Dr. John D. Bellamy, the 10,000-square-foot, 22-room mansion was constructed between 1859 and 1861. The mansion’s architecture shares elements of Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Italianate styles. Towering Corinthian columns draw your eye up to the ornate wood trim work that includes dentil molding, and an egg and dart motif. Every aspect of the mansion’s design was deliberate, from the east-facing kitchen to the top-level belvedere that functioned as a sort of early air conditioning. 

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 Feature:

• Guided tour of the Historic mansion houses of Wilmington

Please note: Some of the houses in historic Wilmington may not be available to tour as they are frequently used for filming, and have closed sets. Should we be unable to visit the Bellamy Mansion, we will tour either the Burgwin-Wright House or the Latimer House instead.

You’ll have a full day to relax and enjoy the 5-star amenities of your deluxe ship. Perhaps you’ll join a yoga class or enjoy a soothing massage. Participate in an engaging lecture or opt for one of our Onboard Enhancement experiences.

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. Today, you'll explore the city’s highlights on an included tour, where you'll have an opportunity to visit the largest Naval installation in the world with a member of the Navy as your guide.

Included Feature:

• Half-day tour of Norfolk’s highlights

Please note: In case Norfolk Naval Base is not accessible for a tour due to external reasons, we will visit the famous Chrysler Museum of Art instead.

Enjoy two days at sea to indulge in all of the Deluxe amenities your Vantage small ship has to offer. Visit the onboard library and select your favorite movie or book; work up a sweat at the ship’s fitness center, pop into the hot rock restaurant for a unique dining experience, sit in on an informative lecture, or simply relax on the top-level sundeck and enjoy the panoramic views.

At only 21 square miles, Bermuda is a small island, but don’t let its small size fool you. This diminutive destination is packed with a blend of breathtaking natural wonders and unique cultures dating back several centuries. You will have the opportunity to discover UNESCO-listed St. George’s today with an included tour of the city’s highlights.

Your first stop will be Fort St. Catherine, situated on the northeastern tip of St. George’s. Constructed in 1614, the fort houses several exhibits and artefacts that showcase island life in the 17th century. Your tour will also include a photo stop at St. David’s Lighthouse, a 55-foot-tall lighthouse dating back to 1879, that is constructed entirely of Bermuda stone. Here you will be afforded beautiful panoramic views over the east end of the island and the South Shore. Continuing on, you’ll drive past the Carter House Museum. Constructed by a crew member from the Sea Venture, a ship that ran aground in Bermuda in 1609, this 17th-century farmhouse is believed to be the oldest dwelling in St. David's. Finally, you’ll stop at the Bermuda Perfumery, a 17th-century Heritage Trust home offering fragrances exclusively made onsite from local flowers since 1928. There will be several photo stops on this tour, so don't forget your camera

Included Feature:

• Historical St. George’s tour

Enjoy a morning at leisure in St. George’s to do as you wish. Take a stroll to one of the island’s famous pink-sand beaches and enjoy a dip in the refreshing Atlantic Waters. Or, pop into one of the seaside cafés and enjoy a taste of fresh Bermudian seafood and a traditional Rum Swizzle. This afternoon, we’ll sail on to Hamilton, Bermuda.

No cruise to Bermuda is complete without a visit to its worldly capital city of Hamilton. You’ll arrive late this afternoon, just in time to enjoy a beautiful golden sunset and an evening at your leisure. 

Hamilton is packed with great dining and nightlife, so head out and grab a table with a water view to enjoy a casual dinner of wahoo tacos, fish sandwiches, and ginger beer. Or, head to a fine dining restaurant and enjoy course after course of exquisite cuisine and cocktails. This captivating destination also plays host to a vibrant art and theater scene, with everything from Shakespeare plays to calypso performances. Your onboard Destination Manager can offer suggestions and assist you with reservations and planning to make the most of your time on this welcoming island.

Today you’ll explore Hamilton by day on a guided tour of the town’s highlights. A friendly and knowledgeable local guide will accompany you throughout your tour, entertaining you with local lore and interesting anecdotes. 

Your tour begins with a stop at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. This towering structure was built in 1846, constructed entirely of cast iron, and is one of only two cast-iron lighthouses still in existence today. Overlooking both South Shore and Little Sound, a climb to the top of its 185-step spiral staircase offers panoramic views of the entire city, as well as the Royal Naval Dockyard. Your tour continues along the South Shore, where you’ll marvel at the pink sand beaches, sapphire blue waters, and the visible barrier reef that surround this island paradise before passing over Somerset Bridge, one of the smallest drawbridges ever constructed. Get closer to Bermuda’s rich maritime history as you make your way to the Royal Naval Dockyard, which served as a stronghold for the British Royal Navy during times of war. Today the dockyard serves as a cruise ship terminal, with shops, restaurants, and other attractions ready to welcome visitors. Explore the clothing and jewelry boutiques, sample traditional rum cakes, and meet local artisans at the Bermuda Arts Centre. On our return drive to the ship, you’ll enjoy incredible views of Hamilton Harbor and its stunning waterfront homes. 

• Hamilton highlights tour

You’ll have two additional days at sea to enjoy every amenity your luxurious small ship cruise has to offer. Take a relaxing soak in the hot tub, pamper yourself with a soothing massage at the spa, or simply sip a cocktail on the sundeck as you watch the scenery go by. You can also make the most of your time aboard by reserving one of our optional Onboard Enhancement activities.

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 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, and James Taylor have homes. After lunch, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure continue exploring on your own.

• Tour of Martha’s Vineyard

Please note: Transportation on the island is limited and today's tour will most likely operate using school buses. This is also a highly seasonal destination, and some places may be closed during the time of our visit.

This morning you’ll disembark the Ocean Explorer in Gloucester, Massachusetts. From here you’ll transfer to your centrally located Boston hotel, enjoying a tour of Boston and Cambridge along the way. 

You’ll pass 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.

The balance of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore, relax, and enjoy dinner on your own. Your Vantage Destination Manager is on hand to help you plan your time.

• Boston city tour

You’ll have a full day at leisure to explore Boston on your own today. This is a city that has something for everyone. Shop on Newbury Street or at the high-end Copley Place mall. Pop over to Fenway Park for a tour of this historic ballpark, home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912. Visit one of the many local museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, or the Institute of Contemporary Art. And when hunger hits, you’ll find everything from classic New England fare to trendy hot spots to tempt your tastebuds. 

Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Discover Lexington and Concord, the battleground where the “shot heard round the world” officially triggered the American Revolution. Learn more

After breakfast you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight home.