Setting sail from Colón  

Bright city lights amid lush rainforest

Your tropical expedition cruise to Barbados begins in vibrant Colón, the Caribbean gateway to the Panama Canal. It’s a bustling cosmopolitan center with hot springs, a thriving handicraft industry, and wonderful cuisine.

Want to see more of Panama before you set sail? Join our optional Pre-Program to visit a beautiful jungle lodge by the Chagres River or head to Panama City and visit the UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo.

However you choose to spend your time, your expedition ship MS Fram will be ready and waiting. Take time to settle into your cabin and meet your expert Expedition Team before your adventure at sea begins.

The people of Guna Yala  

Discover ancestral traditions on the San Blas Islands

Just 60 miles from Colón, we enter a different world. The Guna people of the San Blas Islands live just as their ancestors did. We’re honored to be their guests, as visiting here is not compatible with large tour groups.

Learn how these matriarchal communities live alongside nature, preserving the delicate coral and mangrove ecosystems of these hidden islands. We’ll also see local artisans at work as they make the famous Guna scarves.

Life here moves at its own pace. Take time to swim in the tranquil, crystalline waters and enjoy birdsong in the shady palm groves.

Remote Capurganá  

Explore an isolated stretch of Colombia’s wild coast

Capurganá and the neighboring settlement of Sapzurro are two idyllic villages as remote and isolated as you can get in the Caribbean. There are no roads and only a short runaway for small planes. That means that travelling by boat is the only practical option for locals and visitors.

Fringed by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean and backed by dense rainforest, the area around Capurganá offers excellent hiking opportunities, exotic tropical wildlife, and ideal conditions for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Capurganá has no port facilities, so we’ll drop anchor and use our small boats (RIBs) to land.

Mangroves of San Antero

Discover pristine mangroves and tucked-away villages

San Antero is a small community of scattered villages seldom visited by cruise ships. Located at the mouth of the Sinú River, the wetlands of San Antero are a marine protected area and are home to five different species of mangrove trees.

We’ll anchor at Cispatá Bay and use our small boats (RIBs) to sail into the mangrove forests, observe birdlife, and land on shore.

Along with seeing mangrove forests, you can look forward to water activities on Cispatá Bay, meeting the Zenú communities of the Córdoba region, and learning about Middle Eastern influences in some of the major villages.

Historical gem of the Caribbean  

See one of Colombia’s best-preserved colonial towns.

Travel back to the 16th century in Cartagena de Indias, a port city tucked into a sheltered bay on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Its impressive fortifications are a reminder of its former status as the Spanish crown’s chief port and link to the West Indies.

The walled old town of Cartagena de Indias offers a wealth of colonial buildings for architecture enthusiasts.

Stroll at your leisure and take in the colorful plazas, beautiful mansions, and impeccably preserved churches and monasteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll also have a wide choice of culinary delights and handicrafts to tempt you as you stroll around.

Historical Santa Marta 

Explore Spanish colonial heritage and tropical jungles

Your southern Caribbean expedition cruise continues to one of South America’s oldest towns, Santa Marta, founded in 1525. It’s also one of Colombia’s most attractive cities, surrounded by idyllic beaches and mountains.

Evidence of colonial Spain abounds, from colonial architecture to the impressive statue of libertador Simón Bolívar. The Tairona Gold Museum is a fantastic visit.

The nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range offers both quiet contemplation and active adventures at the magnificent Tayrona National Natural Park.

Guajira Peninsula 

Visit Cabo de la Vela and sail around Colombia’s Cape Horn

Arid Puntas Gallinas on the Guajira Peninsula wins the prize for being South America’s northernmost tip. It’s also the ancestral home of the proudly independent Wayúu people, who refused to cede to the Spanish conquistadores.

Few ships sail these windswept, shallow waters, so you’re in for quite an adventure. Naturally, all of our activities here depend on the weather.

First, we’ll attempt to land at the spectacular Cabo de la Vela. Here, you can find incredible ocean and desert views from the famous Pilón de Azúcar. We’ll then try to round Punta Gallinas, giving you the chance to spot its famous lighthouse.

Eye-catching Kralendijk 

A vibrant place where the Old and New Worlds meet

The first thing you’ll notice about Kralendijk is its colorful buildings. This is the charming capital of Bonaire, a Dutch island with Spanish and Portuguese heritage, which hosts an exhilarating mix of cultures.

Historical sights are all within walking distance. Explore Bonaire’s oldest structure, Fort Oranje, the bright yellow Bestuurskantoor, and the archeological treasures of the Terramar Museum.

To see more of this beautiful island, we recommend joining a nature walk or going to spot flamingos at one of the many Ramsar sites.

Science at Sea 

Get involved in the Science Center on this day at sea

After a week of adventure, you’ll be grateful for the opportunity to recharge your batteries on your comfortable expedition ship.

Sea days are the perfect time to see what’s happening in the Science Center. Our access to some of the world’s most remote areas enables us to provide the scientific community with precious data. We invite you to take part in these Citizen Science projects.

Feel free to spend time on deck enjoying fresh sea air as you watch for wildlife. After a sumptuous dinner, relax in the elegant Explorer Lounge & Bar or do some stargazing.

Explore ‘Nature Island’ 

Witness the raw power of nature in Dominica

Dubbed ‘Nature Island,’ Dominica is a mountain paradise by the sea. There are more mountains, volcanoes, and jungles here than anywhere else in the Lesser Antilles.

Portsmouth is the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of Dominica. Nearby, you can find the headland of La Pointe and the historical remains of the 18th-century Fort Shirley, both part of Cabrits National Park. The tropical forest, swamps, and sandy beaches of Cabrits National Park are excellent places for nature walks and birdwatching.

There is also much more to see and do in Dominica, such as learning the traditions and customs of the indigenous Carib people.

Volcanic St. Lucia 

Enjoy breathtaking vistas in the ‘Land of Iguanas’

There are two things you can’t miss on St. Lucia: the stunning volcanic landscape and its many iguanas. You are sure to see both as you explore the peninsula of Pigeon Island on the northern tip of the island.

Take in idyllic, panoramic ocean views and learn about St. Lucia’s colonial past. Then step back into modern-day life in the bustling yachting marina of Rodney Bay, where you can spend some time enjoying its restaurants and galleries.

See more highlights of this beautiful island on nature walks or birdwatching in the rainforest-covered mountains.

Tiny Mayreau! 

Welcome to the smallest paradise in the Caribbean

At barely more than one square mile, Mayreau is the most petite paradise in the Caribbean. The island is only accessible by boat, has only one road, and most of the residents live on a hilltop called Station Hill.

What Mayreau lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty. This island gem has some of the most beautiful beaches in the West Indies.

The Tobago Cays are just over one mile east of Mayreau. They are a cluster of five small islands and extensive coral reefs, now protected as a Marine Park. With the best beaches for swimming and snorkeling, you’re spoiled for choice in this island paradise.

Beautiful Barbados 

Discover UNESCO-listed treasures in Bridgetown

Your southern Caribbean expedition cruise reaches its final stop in beautiful and historic Barbados. That doesn’t mean it has to be the end of your adventure.

You will disembark at Bridgetown, the island’s capital. It is home to the UNESCO-listed Parliament Buildings and the Garrison Historic Area, with 70 original buildings and forts from the 18th century.