zMysteries of the Orinoco + Southern Caribbean

Welcome aboard our luxury ship, the 210-guest M.S. Saint Laurent. Settle in to your stylish stateroom or suite and acquaint yourself with the welcoming public areas and outdoor lounges of your floating home for the next 13 days. Enjoy an elegant dinner accompanied by free-flowing wines, cocktails and beverages as the Saint Laurent sets sail across the azure waters of the far southern reaches of the Caribbean Sea. Meals D

This afternoon as the Saint Laurent leaves the Atlantic behind and begins to make its way up the Orinoco River, we’ll be navigating through the only oceanic delta in the world, a vast expanse of riverine channels and dense vegetation covering more than 300,000 square miles! The region teems with wildlife including sloths, giant otters, river dolphins and colorful tropical birds like toucans and macaws. Setting out with our experienced naturalist guides in the Saint Laurent’s fleet of Zodiacs is the best way to appreciate the tropical wonders of one of South America’s longest rivers.  Meals B+L+D

This morning our ship will arrive in the timeless village of Curiapo, inhabited by the indigenous Warao people. Setting out with your guide by Zodiac, you’ll get an authentic look into their timeless way of life. See their wooden homes built on piers over the water and learn about the daily activities like hunting, fishing and gathering that allow them to survive in this remote corner of the Continent.  Meals B+L+D

Another day of navigating along the Orinoco is enhanced with guided explorations in our ship’s fleet of Zodiacs. This 1,300-mile long river and its tributaries form the major transportation system for eastern and interior Venezuela. But it’s pristine rainforests still boast an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna which you’ll discover firsthand and learn more about from our shipboard experts.  Meals B+L+D

This afternoon’s shoreside excursion reveals one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and historically fascinating islands. From the first European explorers who arrived in the early 16th century until today, this diminutive island off the northern coast of Venezuela has changed hands more than 20 times with a variety of countries and groups laying claim – including the English, Dutch, French, Spanish and a host of pirates and buccaneers! While neighboring Trinidad boasts a great deal of commercial activity, Tobago remains a quiet enclave rich where nature rules. In fact, Tobago is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and also boasts a number of spectacular beaches and waterfalls. Your guided exploration reveals the island’s beauty and charm and includes an opportunity to swim and relax.  Meals B+L+D

An unforgettable day unfolds as our ship charts an easterly course off the northern coast of South America. Take in the exhilarating sea air from one of the ship’s enchanting Outdoor Lounges or enjoy a complimentary beverage with fellow guests at the Bar. You can also participate in the Saint Laurent’s enriching Listen + Learn Aboard program which features a variety of engaging speakers well-versed in the history, natural wonders and cultures of the exotic places included on your voyage.  Meals B+L+D

Situated about 25 miles off the Venezuelan coast, the island of Margarita boasts beautiful beaches and a laid-back South American ambience. We’ll be docked all day in the popular resort town of Pampatar, so you’ll have plenty of time to experience the island’s charms at your own pace. You’ll also enjoy a guided nature expedition to La Restinga National Park, a mangrove lagoon surrounding the isthmus between the main part of Margarita Island and the Macanao Peninsula. This picturesque park features lovely beaches and forested channels with fanciful names like the Lovers’ Tunnel. It’s also home to more than 100 species of tropical birds including flamingoes, pelicans and the elusive blue-crowned parrot. You can join our naturalists for a guided walk or explore the Park on your own.  Meals B+L+D

After breakfast onboard, you’ll head ashore by Zodiac to experience the abundant natural beauty of this uninhabited island - blessed with pristine white sand beaches and a variety of flora and fauna including iguanas, wild donkeys, goats and numerous species of cacti. The island’s surrounding reefs are notable for their black coral and the clear aquamarine waters make this a delightful place to swim, relax or snorkel. You can explore with our naturalists or head off on your own to enjoy the island’s pristine natural beauty and its spectacular beaches at your own pace. Return to ship for lunch onboard as the Saint Laurent sets sail for the collection of islands once known as the Netherlands Antilles.  Meals B+L+D

Enjoy a delightful morning of cruising and lunch onboard as we approach the tiny island of Bonaire. This afternoon’s guided sightseeing excursion includes the Grottomeer saltpans, home to large flocks of pink flamingoes that were first attracted to the area when the Dutch West India Company began to harvest salt centuries ago. You’ll also see the slave huts that date to this tragic era in the island’s history when slaves were brought from Africa to work in the saltpans. Before returning to ship, you’ll visit Bonaire’s original Spanish settlement and ascend to the island’s highest point for panoramic views. The Saint Laurent will be docked here until 11:00 tonight.  Meals B+L+D

This morning’s guided walking tour reveals the unique architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dutch established a trading settlement here in 1634, but the town continued to develop over the centuries and your tour will explore fascinating facets of this growth. You’ll explore several historic districts with distinct architectural elements that reflect early European city-planning concepts as well as building styles adopted from the Spanish and Portuguese colonial towns with which the Dutch engaged in maritime trade. Meals B+L+D

Indulge in another day of cruising aboard the elegant, but never stuffy, M.S. Saint Laurent. Enjoy gastronomic dining, an open bar throughout the ship, convivial indoor and outdoor lounges, and enriching shipboard talks.  Meals B+L+D

Santa Marta was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas, the Spanish conquistador who mapped the northern coast of South America and discovered Panama. Located between the scenic Santa Marta Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Santa Marta has evolved into a popular resort town that continues to attract visitors with its rich history, fine Colonial-era architecture and stunning beaches. This morning, you’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour including Santa Marta’s historic Colonial district, the 17th-century hacienda where Simon Bolivar spent the last days of his life, and the impressive white-washed Cathedral - one of the oldest in South America. Meals B+L+D

After a final breakfast onboard, you’ll disembark the Saint Laurent here in Cartagena.  Meals B