St Martin to Costa Rica

Day 1 St Martin, FWI

Half-Dutch, half-French, the island of Saint Maarten/St. Martin is considered the smallest territory in the world shared by two sovereign states. Only a small welcome sign on the road indicates you have passed from one country to another, but the contrasts are marked. Marigot, on the French side, is small and chic – a kind of St. Tropez of the Caribbean, lined with shops, bistros, and charming cafés. Philipsburg on the Dutch side features Front Street, whose gingerbread West Indian buildings house excellent duty-free shopping. St. Martin has 37 white sand beaches, each with its own unique feel.

Day 2 St Barthelemy, FWI

Tiny, picture-perfect St. Barts has long been the haunt of the very rich who come for privacy, gorgeous beaches, and exquisite French cuisine. It has 20 or more magnificent beaches, linked by hilly narrow roads you can explore in open-air Jeeps or “mini-mokes.” In Gustavia, the island’s Lilliputian port, quaint streets lead past small markets and bakeries – and dozens of small shops selling French perfumes, sportswear, watches, and crystal.

Day 3 Tortola, B.V.I.

Legend has it that after Christopher Columbus discovered the other Caribbean islands, he returned to Tortola to live. Tortola is a sailor’s isle, its wealth of inlets and harbors having been transformed into luxurious moorings and mini-ports for Caribbean yachtsmen. Days revolve around water sports and sunbathing on stunning beaches like Cane Garden Bay, with its deep wide sand bed, gentle slope, and terrific views.

Day 4 Virgin Gorda, BVI

The most chic resorts of the British Virgin Isles are located on Virgin Gorda, an eight-square-mile island divided nearly in two, with settlements at each end. The south of the island is best known for the curious assembly of house- sized rocks called “the Baths,” which are jumbled together to form huge underground pools and caverns. The beach at the Baths is large, wide, and sandy – perfect for sunning and swimming.

Days 5-6 At Sea

Day 7 Willemstad, Curacao

The people of the Netherlands established a trading settlement at a fine natural harbour on the Caribbean island of Curaçao in 1634. The town developed continuously over the following centuries. The modern town consists of several distinct historic districts whose architecture reflects not only European urban-planning concepts but also styles from the Netherlands and from the Spanish and Portuguese colonial towns with which Willemstad engaged in trade.

Day 8 Oranjestad, Aruba

When it comes to the Caribbean, many islands are blessed with sugar-white beaches, tall palm trees, and friendly bartenders serving up umbrella-topped drinks. But Aruba is like no other island. Over the years, its Dutch West Indies mix of ethnicities has nurtured a deep and interesting cultural mélange—as well as fine cuisine, refined shopping, and vibrant stage shows. Add to that an outdoor world of internationally significant locations for fun-seeking folks of all ages. There is simply no better place on the planet to learn and enjoy windsurfing. The world-renowned steady breezes that fill the sails also keep us cool in a deep Caribbean location that is blissfully below the hurricane path. Sun always shines on our pristine beaches, and that brings a truly global group of travelers to our shores.

Days 9-10 At Sea

Day 11 Panama Canal Transit

Renowned as the Eighth Wonder of the World, marvel as your ship is raised, then lowered, 85 feet to sail gracefully through three massive locks in the Canal.

Day 12 At Sea

Day 13 Isla De Coiba, Panama

Coiba is the largest island in Central America, off the pacific coast of the Panamanian province of Veraguas. The waters adjacent to the island are teaming with marine life. It is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in the pacific coasts of the americas; it is the beginning of the underwater Cordilera mountain chain that also includes Coco's and the Galapagos. This makes for a unique dive experience that you shouldn't miss.

Day 14 Quepos, Costa Rica

The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and animal life.

Day 15 Tortuga Island, Costa Rica

Tortuga Island is actually two islands – uninhabited and picture perfect– that lie just off the Nicoya Peninsula. Characterized by palm-fringed beaches and lush tropical flora, Tortuga is pretty and peaceful and offers terrific sheltered swimming and snorkeling in warm waters. Nearby, Curu Biological Reserve is small and privately owned. Easy walking paths within the forest might reveal an ocelot, an anteater, or a colony of capuchin monkeys.

Isla Tortuga lies three kilometers offshore. The ship relocates there before lunch for you to enjoy a beach bbq and beach watersports.

The Wind Star will anchor and guests will be transferred by zodiac for a beach landing (tip: guests may want to prepare for water/beach landing with appropriate footwear).

Day 16 Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

An industrial port complex for both cruise ships and cargo vessels, Puerto Caldera belongs to the Esparza Puntarenas Province. There are no passenger amenities in Puerto Caldera except for a small, air-conditioned terminal with restrooms, information desk, public phones and a small selection of craft vendors. There is also an International Calling Center which accepts major calling cards.

The unspoiled natural beauty of the region is one of Puerto Caldera's main attractions. Its rain forest, which start just inside the coastline and continue up into the mountain ranges, contain rivers, waterfalls, parks and wildlife preserves.