Southern Caribbean (Hiking Cruise)

Itinerary

Tour's duration: 9 days / 8 nights (8 days cruise + 1 day pre-cruise in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
2 Departures: (15-23 JAN 2022) & (22-30 JAN, 2022) THIS TOUR IS FOR BOTH BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE HIKERS
Group size: Approx 20-30 participants each departure 
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THIS TOUR WILL BE CONDUCTED BY "IAN CLARK", ONE OF THE BEST CANADIAN-AMERICAN HIKE LEADERS 
This is Ian's profile in Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/TrailHike-RichmondHill/members/14275143/

ZOOM MEETING DATE: Mar 15, 2021 08:00 PM EST  Join Zoom Meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84308143683?pwd=ZS9yN3pHcDdBU1AyaUMyMXlteW9ZUT09
Meeting ID: 843 0814 3683
Passcode: 914710

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AN AMAZING VACATION.
Spend an exhilarating week discovering the wonders of the Southern Caribbean. Admire the white sands, cobalt-blue sea and pastel-hued Dutch colonial buildings of charming Oranjestad. Then surround yourself by a rainbow of tropical fish while snorkeling off the coast of Bonaire. And explore a well-preserved sugar plantation in St. Kitts, plus enjoy high tea with all the trimmings.
• Experience the smash-hit musical sensation, Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
• The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line, 8 Years in a Row - World Travel Awards
Browse your cruise options with 2 Sail Dates in JAN 2022

1st Cruise Departure: January 16, 2022
8-DAY/7-NIGHT CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN EPIC 
Departure from San Juan, Puerto Rico
ROUTE: Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, St. Lucia, St. Kitts

2nd Cruise Departure:  January 23, 2022
8-DAY/7-NIGHT CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN EPIC 
Departure from San Juan, Puerto Rico
ROUTE: Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curaçao, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts

Need to Know:
* ITINERARY: Check your specific sailing for exact departure and arrival times. All times are local to the port. Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.
* EMBARKATION + DISEMBARKATION: Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing on Day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the final day of the cruise.

Price & Inclusions

PACKAGE PRICE (ON SALE NOW)

>> Prices are per person in Canadian dollar
>> If you need a roommate, please ask. Not guaranteed.
>> Prices includes: Cruise, Hikes, Transporation, Guide, and Pre-cruise accommodation - (Airfare is extra)
>> FOR US TRAVELLERS: The conversion rate is currently around 1.30, subject to change at any time. You can always check the conversion rate here: https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=CAD&To=USD 
>> About SOLO STUDIO Cabins: Norwegian Epic has only 128 solo studio cabins onboard. The price for the SOLO STUDIO is subject to change at any time because the booking is considered as an individual booking. Therefore, the price of a SOLO STUDIO is based on the date that you pay the deposit and the cruise line needs all the passenger's information on the booking day. FYI: The above-mentioned price is today's price on MARCH 5, 2021.  The required passenger information is listed under the *BOOKINGS* section below. Since the cruise line allows us to move an individual booking to our group booking later, the final payment date and cancellation policy remain as our group booking policy (published below). The passenger who chooses the SOLO STUDIO can also take the advantage of Group Amenities/PERKS.

PAYMENT
Pay a CA$200 deposit before MAR 18, 2021 to secure your spot and receive the following GROUP Savings & Perks. It is refundable until SEP 15, 2021.
FINAL payment is due before SEP 15, 2021.
Cancellation Schedule:
No Penalty if canceled before SEP 15, 2021.
50% Penalty if canceled between SEP 16, 2021 to NOV 15, 2021
100% Penalty if canceled between NOV 16, 2021 to the departure date

******** Group Amenities / PERKS ********
STUDIO & INSIDE Cabin bonus: (Choose 2 from the below list) & BALCONY Cabin bonus: (Choose 4)
 Premium Beverage Package (including a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines..)*  
 Internet Package (250 minutes per cabin)
 $50 USD Shore Excursion Credit (per cabin)
 Ultimate Dining Package - 2 Specialty Dinners (1st and 2nd guest only)* 
 $100 USD Onboard Credit (per cabin) 
* Guest is responsible for 20% gratuities on the retail value of the Beverage and Specialty Dining Package

WHAT IS Premium Beverage Package? 
https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/onboard-packages/beverage-packages
Enjoy a wide selection of soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to and including $15 USD during your entire cruise. The good news is that you can take advantage of this package at all restaurants, lounges, and bars. Plus you can order unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, and restaurants. A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added at checkout. (This package is for ages 21 & older). For a full list of beverages, please click here https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-beverage-package-2019.pdf
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What's included:
* 8-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN EPIC
* GOV'T TAXES, FEES & PORT EXPENSES
* 1-night pre-cruise in San Juan (Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar or similar)
* Meet & greet at San Juan Airport and transfer to the hotel
* Transfer from the hotel in San Juan to the ship terminal
* The above-mentioned GROUP Savings & Bonus
* Accompanying tour leader during the whole trip
* Guided hikes at 6 Ports of Call (Oranjestad, Aruba / Willemstad, Curaçao / Kralendijk, Bonaire (or St. George's, Grenada) / Castries, St. Lucia / Basseterre, St. Kitts / San Juan, Puerto Rico)
* City sightseeing in San Juan, Puerto Rico
* All Taxes are included

What's NOT included:
* FLIGHTS (Toronto - San Juan - Toronto)
* Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities: $15.50 per person, per day
* Gratuities to local guides (optional)

The PDF format of two(2) dates with hikes info
- Jan 15-23 2022 includes ABC islands (Aruba-Curacao-Bonaire)
http://hikewithian.com/CRUISE-ABC-Jan-15-23-2022.pdf 
- Jan 22-30 2022 includes ACG islands (Aruba-Curacao-Grenada)
http://hikewithian.com/CRUISE-ABG-Jan-23-30-2022.pdf 

******** FLIGHT INFORMATION ********
Flight details & price will be announced later since Air Canada flights are not open for JAN 2022 yet. When the flights are open, we will make a group booking (direct flights on Air Canada) and you will pay for the flight separately. You can also book your own flight yourself (based on the fight details that we will give you later).

************ BOOKINGS ************
For booking your CRUISE, we need the following information from each participant before SEP 15, 2021 (as they appear on your passport).
LAST NAME // FIRST NAME // MIDDLE NAME // TITLE // GENDER // DATE OF BIRTH // Email Address // Phone number // Mailing Address
For booking your FLIGHT, we also need your AEROPLAN # (if you have)

>>Please email the information to: info@FunTours.ca or call us @ 416-897-3020
>>Please rest assured that all information will be kept strictly confidential
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Emergency Medical/Travel Insurance
Emergency medical & trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended for all passengers.
If you do not have coverage under an existing policy, we recommend you to Get A Quote: Manulife supports the health and safety of Canadians by offering specialized travel insurance for COVID-19. NEED HELP? Call 1-844-378-3891 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET //OR// Email to: am_info@manulife.ca //OR// Get a quote/book online here: https://insttrip.manulife.com/  

Pickup

You will be picked up at San Juan Airport by your tour leader "IAN". He will be holding a sign written "Fun Tours" on it. This is IAN's phone number +1 416-992-7832

Tour Attractions

The details of hikes in each port will be announced later by Ian. 

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF OUR PREVIOUS HIKING CRUISE IN FEBRUARY 2019


  
 
 

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is rich in Spanish tradition, with iconic blue cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. This historic section of the Puerto Rican city is easily seen on foot, and cruise passengers can shop for handcrafted works, relax in a shaded park or tour El Morro, a 16th-century Spanish fortress overlooking the sea. New San Juan is distinctly elegant with lavish resorts, great restaurants and grand casinos. Visitors can enjoy an outing to El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. national forest system, or join in onshore excursions that include the likes of deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, diving and even kayaking on a bioluminescent bay.

Aruba
Aruba’s landscape is one of contrasting terrain, from its white-sand southern shoreline to its rugged north coast. Buffeted by breezes and surrounded by turquoise waters, this port is a hot spot for aquatic activities like sailing, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and kitesurfing. Snorkelers can discover sea creatures at various coral reefs and at the shipwreck of the SS Antilla, a German vessel from World War II. Visit the Alto Vista Chapel, Aruba’s first church, and the aloe vera factory and museum, where you can learn about the plant’s healing powers, or navigate your own Jeep to the ruins of a gold mill and the remains of the Natural Bridge, which was carved out of limestone cliffs by wind and waves. Hikes, trail rides and off-roading adventures in Airikok National Park promise interesting wildlife sightings, while stops at the California Lighthouse afford some of the best views on the island.

Curacao
One of the Caribbean’s most delightful ports, colorful Curacao is famed for its blue-tinted liqueur, partially made from the island’s oranges. Distillery tours sample the spirit, and other outings explore capital Willemstad, the salt flat’s wild flamingos or the 300,000-year-old Hato Caves. Curacao has the Western Hemisphere’s oldest continuously inhabited Jewish community and some shore excursions visit the historic Jewish neighborhood and a cemetery consecrated in 1659. White-sand beaches and swimmable bays abound on the island’s less-developed western side. For water activities, choose between renting a Jet Ski or kayak or booking a private yacht or fishing trip. The crystalline waters are home to an expansive underwater park, with miles-long reefs hosting barracudas, sea turtles, and manta rays. Inspect the pirate-deterring Fort Beekenburg or Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge. One must-see is Boca Tabla, a coastal cave created from the sea and wind.

Bonaire (on the 1st departure itinerary)
Sitting atop a coral reef, Bonaire is a prime location for snorkelers and divers. The adventurous traveler will be in paradise. In addition to the underwater experiences, the island is ideal for hiking and bird-watching, with its bright pink flamingos, Amazon parrots, and native parakeets.

St. Lucia
St. Lucia is home to the majestic Piton Mountains, the twin volcanic peaks rising thousands of feet above the island. Sightseeing tours offer a look of the island's rugged beauty, including the tropical rain forests. Most also visit Le Soufriere, the world's only drive-in volcano. Water lovers will find a variety of water sports at Marigot Bay.

St. Kitts
St. Kitts is home to some of the best examples of West Indian architecture, all of which is set amid a dramatically beautiful landscape. The best shore excursion is a well-organized island tour, featuring a visit to the 17th-century British fortress at Brimstone Hill and the sites of the capital. The beaches here are magnificent, including Friar's Bay, which opens to the Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Note

ABOUT THE SHIP

Norwegian Epic
As one of the largest ships in Norwegian’s fleet, Norwegian Epic lives up to its name. Have some fun in the sun splashing at the Aqua Park, which features two pools, five hot tubs, a pool just for kids, multi-story water slides and the Epic Plunge, the first bowl slide at sea. Teens have their own escape at the Entourage Teen Center, children can head to the Splash Academy and people of all ages will enjoy the video arcade. Adults have their own hideaway too, the Ibiza-inspired beach club Spice H2O. Health-conscious cruisers will enjoy the Mandara Spa, the fully-equipped fitness center, and the jogging track. The Epic offers unparalleled evening entertainment, including a dueling piano bar and stunning professional ballroom dancing show. The Epic Theater and Headliners Comedy Club also provide top-notch live entertainment. With a wide range of features and amenities, the Norwegian Epic truly represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHIP: https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-ship/epic 

Norwegian Epic , CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Health & Safety Measures to Ensure We SAIL SAFE

ALL-NEW AIR FILTRATION
ENHANCED SCREENING PROTOCOLS
INCREASED SANITATION MEASURES
RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL DISTANCING
ENHANCED MEDICAL RESOURCES
EXTENDED SHIP TO SHORE SAFETY
At Norwegian Cruise Line, we are ever-evolving our safe cruising program. Because your health and safety is our priority. This is just the start of a wave of new technologies and enhancements we are rolling out, so that you can explore the world with the ultimate Peace of Mind.
MORE INFO ABOUT COVID-19 response protocols https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence?intcmp=pdt_sl_PEACEOFMIND#safety

******** STATEROOMS ********

BALCONY STATEROM (1 Queen bed or 2 Twin beds)
 

SOLO STUDIO: (1 Twin bed only)
 

INSIDE STATEROOMS: (1 Queen bed or 2 Twin beds)
 

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If you have any questions, please email to info@funtours.ca  - or call: 416-897-3020