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Caribbean Christmas & Madeira at New Year cruise

Ship: MV Van Gogh
Duration: 21 days
From only: £1299
Departing: 15 December 2007
Tour Code: 7WEFEU
Itinerary Tab:

Caribbean Christmas & Madeira at New Year cruise

Do something different this Christmas and enjoy a truly magical time youll always remember, exploring the sun-kissed Caribbean.

You can cruise the famous Panama Canal, tuck in to a plate of Fritada when you step ashore in Ecuador, soak up the glorious sun in St. Lucia as you laze on a white sandy beach, and sip a delicious rum cocktail at a friendly bar in Barbados. You can also spend New Year's Eve enjoying the spectacular fireworks display in Madeira, enjoying the explosive atmosphere from your unique 360 viewing platform, the MV Van Gogh. The perfect way to see in 2008.

With incredible experiences sure to create memories youll treasure forever, dont miss out on this cruise of a lifetime.

Flight details

Outbound - 15 December 2007
09:55
15 Dec 07
22:30
15 Dec 07
Heathrow Guayaquil American Airlines

Itinerary

Day Date(s) Port / location Arrival Departure
1 15 Dec 07 Flight to Guayaquil 0955 2230
Travel to the airport for your flight to Ecuador and enjoy an overnight stay.
2 16 Dec 07 Guayaquil, Ecuadora - -
Board the MV Van Gogh.
3-4 17/18 Dec 07 Cruising at sea - -
5 19 Dec 07 Cruise Panama Canal, Panama 0600 1800
Make the most of your time in Panama, perhaps join our optional excursions.
6 20 Dec 07 Cruising at sea - -
7 21 Dec 07 Oranjestad, Aruba 1300 2000
After arriving in Oranjestad, join our optional excursions.
8 22 Dec 07 Cruising at sea - -
9 23 Dec 07 Castries, St. Lucia 0900 1900
After docking in Castries, enjoy a range of optional excursions.
10 Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 07 Christmas Day, cruising the sunny Caribbean Bridgetown, Barbados 0700 1400
Visit Bridgetown and make the most of our optional excursions.
11 -16 25 - 30 Dec 07 Cruising at sea - -
17 New Year’s Eve, 31 Dec 07 Funchal, Madeira 1430 -
Visit Funchal or make the most of our optional excursions.
18 1 Jan 07 Funchal, Madeira - -
Visit Funchal or make the most of our optional excursions.
19 -20 2/3 Jan 07 Cruising at sea - -
21 4 January 2008 Falmouth, UK 0700 -
Disembark your vessel.
Included Tab:
  • One nights' accommodation at the 3* Unipark Hotel, Guayaquil, Ecuador, pre-cruise
  • Scheduled flights
  • Arrival transfer in Ecuador
  • Visits to five excellent ports of call: Guayaquil, Oranjestad, Castries, Bridgetown and Funchal
  • 19 nights accommodation on board newly refurbished MV Van Gogh
  • All cabins with en suite, TV, safe and air conditioning
  • Full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late night snacks on board
  • Live West End-style entertainment
  • All port and passenger taxes
  • Services of the ships friendly, English speaking crew and team of Travelscope staff
Excursions Tab:

Excursions

A taste of things to come, our sample ‘Going Ashore’ excursions highlight the most popular things to do on this cruise. Final confirmation and booking details will be posted to you approximately eight weeks prior to departure. The excursions shown below are for guidance only; prices and content are subject to change.

Port: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Excursion information currently unavailable.

Port: Oranjestad, Aruba

Passport to paradise

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Your journey to Paradise begins with a transfer by bus, followed by a ferry ride across the Spanish Lagoon, to reach the coral reef island, De Palm Island. On this private resort island, tropical palm trees, mangroves and natural pools surrounded by pristine turquoise seas and beautiful white sand beaches await you.

Port: Castries, St. Lucia

Island delights

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Visit the wonders of St. Lucias south-eastern shore. This trip is sure to rejuvenate even the most world weary of travellers, giving you the opportunity to indulge in natures delights. The drive to Soufrire takes us across the island, through small fishing villages and acres and acres of banana plantations.

Port: Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados highlights

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Visit Orchid World, home to five orchid houses set out in an impressively landscaped environment with waterfalls, fountains, a man-made stream, rock garden and grotto. We continue by coach to St Johns Church, situated on a cliff 800 feet above sea level. Our final stop is made at the Sunbury Plantation house, which is over 300 years old.

Port: Funchal, Madeira

Excursion information currently unavailable.

Ports Tab:

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Known as the 'Pearl of the Pacific', the cosmopolitan coastal city of Guayaquil offers many attractions. Head to the historic Las Peñas Neighbourhood and discover a number of art galleries, visit the intriguing artisan market in search of local crafts, jewellery and paintings, or stroll the city's main park where you can see live iguanas. In the evening, explore the restored waterfront strip, El Malecón, and perhaps sample one of the delicious seafood dishes for which this city is renowned.

Panama Canal, Panama

Panama Canal

Linking the magnificent Pacific Ocean to the beauty of the Caribbean Sea, the Panama Canal is one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements. As Athena cruises through the narrow canal you'll be treated to spectacular views of tropical rainforests, enlivened by colourful birds and gibbering monkeys.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Named after the Dutch Royal House of Oranje, you could be forgiven for thinking that you are actually in Holland when you visit Aruba's charming capital city, Oranjestad. The Dutch influence can be clearly seen along the palm-fringed central thoroughfare, lined with pastel-painted buildings topped with traditional Dutch tiles. However, visit the wharf area where merchants sell fresh fish straight from their boats, and you'll soon realise that you're in the Caribbean.

Castries, St. Lucia

St. Lucia

Few islands in the Caribbean are more beautiful than St. Lucia, the ‘Jewel of the Windward Islands’. The range of scenery here is breathtaking, with the dramatic twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons, soaring 2,000 feet up from the sea and magnificent rainforests boasting wild orchids, giant ferns and tropical wildlife. There are also many unspoilt beaches, sheltered by spectacular coral reefs.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown

You can be sure of a warm welcome in Barbados, the 'Little England' of the Caribbean. We will visit the island's laid-back capital, Bridgetown, lined with handsome colonial buildings. Enjoy an exotic rum cocktail in one of the many bars, try Bajan specialties or find your spot on one of the sandy beaches.

Christmas Day will be spent cruising the Caribbean Sea. We include a traditional Christmas Dinner on board to get you in the festive spirit.

Funchal, Madeira

Funchal

Blessed by a climate that’s almost perfect all year round, the sub-tropical paradise island of Madeira is a haven for those seeking peace, quiet and pure relaxation.

This evening, welcome in the New Year in style with a special dinner and party night on board. You will also be able to admire Madeira’s famous firework display, set off from over 50 points across the island.

The ship Tab (GLOBAL VARIABLE):

MV Van Gogh


The Dutch-owned Van Gogh combines a friendly, intimate atmosphere with a range of excellent facilities including a seawater swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, cinema and casino. Its spacious decks offer expansive views of the ever-changing vista, while a selection of comfortable bars and lounges offer a great place to relax after a great day of sightseeing, shopping or exploring.

A well-furnished restaurant offers dinner in two convenient seatings, after which theres live entertainment in the show lounge.

Facilities:
  • Sea water swimming pool
  • Fitness room, sauna
  • Five bars
  • Restaurant
  • Lounges
  • Cinema
  • Library
  • Duty free shop
  • Nightclub
  • Show lounge
  • Photo shop
  • Hair salon
  • Doctors surgery
  • Lift to all cabin decks
  • Fully stabilised
  • Air-conditioned throughout

360 Virtual tours:

To view 360 tours of the Van Gogh's facilities please click on the links below.


Download QuickTime If you are unable to view the 360 virtual tours, please download the QuickTime player.
Cabins Tab (GLOBAL VARIABLE):

MV Van Gogh

The Van Gogh has 253 passenger cabins ranging in size and style. All are well equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, T.V., mini-safe, two music channels and cabin-to-cabin telephone.

Download QuickTime If you are unable to view the 360 virtual tours, please download the QuickTime player.

Grade 1 - Grand Suite

Cabin
Cabin

Large 2 bed outside cabin on decks 7 and 8 with living room, bedroom & bathroom. Cabin includes complimentary fruit basket, box of chocolates and bottle of bubbly, private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe, mini-bar, DVD player and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 2 - Suite

Cabin
Cabin

2 bed outside cabin on decks 7 and 8 with living room, bedroom & bathroom. Cabin includes complimentary fruit basket, box of chocolates and bottle of bubbly, private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe, mini-bar, DVD player and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 3 - Superior

Cabin
Cabin

2 bed outside cabin on deck 7 with bathroom. Cabin includes complimentary box of chocolates and bottle of bubbly private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe, mini-bar, and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 4 - Classic Plus

2 bed outside cabin on decks 7 and 8. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 5 - Classic

Cabin
Cabin

2 bed outside cabin on deck 5. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 6 - Standard

Cabin
Cabin

2 bed outside cabin on deck 4 (port-holes). Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, min-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 7 - Standard

2 berth outside cabin on decks 4 and 5. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 7 - Standard: special offer single passenger

Grade 7 cabins on decks 4 (port-holes) and 5 offer a special offer price for single passengers on most itineraries. There is also a limited supply of other cabin grades for sole occupancy, available at an additional supplement of 75% of the price of the cabin category that you choose. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

Grade 8 - Standard

2 bed inside cabin on deck 5. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 9 - Economy plus

Cabin
Cabin

2 bed inside cabin on deck 4. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

Grade 10 - Economy

2 berth inside cabin on deck 3. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

Grade 11 - Standard

3 berth inside cabin, standard 4 berth inside cabin on deck 5. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Grade 12 - Economy

3 berth inside cabin, economy 4 berth inside cabin on deck 4. Cabin includes private facilities, air conditioning, two music channels, telephone, mini-safe and colour TV.

View 360 tour

Special Note

3rd and 4th persons occupying a cabin
In addition to our designated three and four berth cabins, we have arranged for the third and fourth berths in higher grade cabins to be sold for an incredible price. If you book a twin bed outside cabin of Grade 6 or above, a third person can occupy your cabin for a great-value price(upper-berth). In a Grade 5 cabin and above, a third and a fourth person can join for the entire duration of the cruise for an excellent price! (Please note that this does not apply to Grade 4 cabins.)

Please note:

  • Inside cabins rely on artificial light
  • Outside cabins have a porthole (deck 4), window (deck 5 and above)
  • The term berth refers to an upper and lower bunk style bed
  • The upper berth is accessed via a small ladder
  • Two bedded cabins have two lower beds
  • Some two bedded cabins have additional fold-away upper berths which are not used when the cabin is occupied by two passengers
  • Third and fourth passengers sharing cabins are always accommodated in upper berths
  • All cabins are non-smoking
Route Tab: Caribbean Christmas & Madeira at New Year cruise route map


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