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Cruising the Caribbean's Windward Islands

8 days from $6,880

Aboard a 184-guest small ship

Voyage by Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT EXPLORATIONS

An arc of jewel-like islands between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic, the Windward Islands offer more than tropical beauty. Discover history, culture, and natural wonders as you explore Dominica’s lush rainforests, a French fortress in Guadeloupe, and Barbados’ World Heritage-listed architecture. Sail by catamaran to remote islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and enjoy ample chances to swim, snorkel, or dive among vibrant reefs and rich marine life.

Ocean Cruising

or Call 855-330-1542

Highlights

The Smithsonian Journeys / PONANT Experience: Each cruise will be accompanied by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. An excursion or activity is included in each port of call. You may have a choice of excursions in many ports, so that you can delve more deeply into subjects that interest you.

  • Dominica: Experience the lush beauty of the Caribbean’s “Nature Island” on a hike to spectacular viewpoints; a boat ride through the enchanting, tangled forests along the Indian River; or a tour and tasting at a family-owned chocolate factory.
  • Les Saintes: In this mostly uninhabited French archipelago, home to the superb Baie des Saintes, go island-hopping in a local boat, watching for wildlife and swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters. Or visit a historic French fortress with incredible island views.
  • Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: On a jeep tour, explore the lively town of Port Elizabeth, enjoying views of Admiralty Bay from the 18th-century Hamilton Fort; or set off on a catamaran cruise around Bequia and its neighboring isles, and drop anchor off a tiny island to snorkel the reefs and swim.
  • Mayreau and Tobago Cays Marine Park: During a day on tiny Mayreau, stroll along the beach, go swimming and snorkeling, and enjoy a beach barbecue. Then head for the turquoise lagoons of Tobago Cays Marine Park for excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
  • World Heritage sites: Experience two very different World Heritage sites—the dramatic, jungle-clad peaks of St. Lucia’s Pitons (extension only) and the colonial architecture of Bridgetown in Barbados.

The ship was beautiful, the service was incredible, the speakers were very interesting, our cabin was very comfortable with plenty of room, the food was delicious!

— Smithsonian Journeys Traveler

Itinerary

To see itinerary, please click on an option below.

Day 1 – Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia

Arrive in St. Lucia, one of the Lesser Antilles, located in the Eastern Caribbean. Board the ship in Vieux Fort, where two pointed volcanic peaks—the Gros and Petit Pitons—jut majestically out of the sea. The Pitons have been designated a World Heritage site for their rich biodiversity and their dramatic geology. (D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 2 – Portsmouth, Dominica

With its mountainous terrain, blanketed in tropical forests and sheltering hot springs and spectacular waterfalls, Dominica is undoubtedly the wildest island in the Caribbean. Its natural treasures, protected by several national parks, have earned it the moniker, “the Nature Island.” Enjoy your choice of excursions during our day on Dominica. Set out on a moderately easy hike on the Syndicate Nature Trail, a sanctuary for about 50 species of local and migratory birds. As the trail loops through the forest, it offers panoramic views of the Dublanc River Valley below. Keep your eye out for Dominica’s national bird, the Sisserou parrot. Or take a scenic drive to the cacao farms on the northeast coast, and enjoy a tour and tasting at a sustainable, family-run chocolate factory. Alternatively, settle into a wooden rowboat for a leisurely cruise down the enchanting Indian River, whose brackish waters feed unusual plant and animal species. As you pass through thick mangroves intertwined with ferns and trees, you may spot herons, kingfishers, iguanas, and more. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 3 – Les Saintes, Guadeloupe

During the feast of All Saints in 1493, Christopher Columbus sighted this archipelago of nine islands that he named "The Saints." Today, Les Saintes are part of the French territory of Guadeloupe, and only two of them are inhabited. Go sailing amid these islands by local boat, watching for turtles and seabirds, and stop to swim and snorkel in the clear waters at the foot of the Pain de Sucre. Or go ashore at Terre-de-Haut for a visit to Fort Napoléon, situated on a promontory some 300 feet above the exquisite Baie des Saintes. Take a guided tour of the fort, built in 1867 on the site of another fort that English destroyed in 1809, or enjoy free time to explore it on your own. Then stroll down to a shipyard in Marigot Bay to see how traditional island boats are built and sample a local pastry on a walk through town. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 4 – Bequia Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Our first port of call in the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is Bequia, the second largest of the 32 islands that make up the archipelago. Here, choose to discover the island on a jeep tour, exploring the picturesque streets of lively Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town. Take in spectacular views of Admiralty Bay from the remains of 18th-century Hamilton Fort; or set off on a catamaran cruise around Bequia and its neighboring isles, and drop anchor off a tiny island to snorkel the reefs and swim. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 5 – Mayreau Island

Tiny Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines archipelago, measuring less than two miles square and largely privately owned. We’ll have the full day here to swim, stroll the beach, and snorkel or scuba dive among the reefs in the bay. Gather for a barbecue lunch on a private beach and enjoy the tropical rhythms of a local steel band. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 6 – Tobago Cays

The Tobago Cays are five uninhabited isles that comprise a protected marine park whose turquoise lagoons provide a haven for a wide range of marine life, including green turtles, colorful sponges, conchs, sea turtles, and tropical fish. The fringing reef makes for calm waters and vibrant marine life, which we’ll encounter during a wonderful day of snorkeling, swimming, or scuba diving. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 7 – Bridgetown, Barbados

Arrive in historic Bridgetown, the World Heritage-listed capital of Barbados. This picturesque town is filled with British colonial architecture, from its postcard-perfect fishing harbor to the cathedral of St. Michael, built from coral stone. Sail a catamaran to a sheltered bay where green and hawksbill turtles are known to reside, and enjoy a chance to snorkel and swim among these fascinating creatures. Or choose between an overview of the history and architecture of the island that includes the 18th-century Codrington College, or a tour of a rum distillary including a tasting of famous Barbados rum. (B,L,D)

Le Bougainville (2027)

Le Champlain (2028)

Day 8 - Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia / Depart for Home

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)

Les Pitons, St. Lucia

Slideshow

Optional Extension

Pre-Cruise Ext.: St. Lucia

St. Lucia: Natural Beauty and Creole Culture — 4 days, 3 nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

With its dense, green, rain-forest-covered peaks rising from the Caribbean, St. Lucia is known throughout the world for its remarkably beautiful variety of landscapes and seascapes. It is also one of the most culturally diverse places in an area celebrated for its multicultural heritage. This specially designed program provides the opportunity to experience both of these aspects of a fascinating island.

Day 1 — St. Lucia

Arrive at Hewanorra International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the northern tip of the island to The Harbor Club hotel, your home for the next three nights. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.  A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel’s amenities or take a short walk or taxi ride into nearby Rodney Bay, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, shops, and a lively marina atmosphere.

Harbor Club St. Lucia

Day 2 — St. Lucia

After breakfast at the hotel, a short drive brings you to Pigeon Island National Park for a morning of exploration and relaxation. One of St. Lucia’s most important monuments, the waters off Pigeon Island were the site of innumerable naval battles, first between the French pirate François ‘Peg-Leg’ Le Clerc and the Spanish galleons he raided, and later the English and French navies as they fought for control of the island. You may wish to delve into the history at the Visitor Center at the old British fort built on a promontory overlooking Rodney Bay and the northwest coast. Or you may choose simply to relax or swim on one of the park’s inviting beaches. Return to your hotel at midday, where lunch and the afternoon are on your own, before you join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at the hotel.

Harbor Club St. Lucia

Day 3 — St. Lucia

Because of its history as both a French and British colony (control of the island changed hands between these two European powers fourteen times between 1639 and 1814) the Creole culture of St. Lucia is a fascinating blend of English, French, African, and indigenous Caribbean language and traditions. Today's excursion begins with a visit to a local farm that is part of the international "FarmHer" movement to highlight and support the role of women in agriculture.

Meet with the owner and learn about her entry into the business, the support she receives from her Creole background, and, of course, sample some of the produce from the farm. Continue to Stony Hill, a private residence with a splendid tropical garden and panoramic views of Pigeon Island and Rodney Bay. Enjoy a guided tour of the garden led by the owner before returning to your hotel, where the balance of the day is at leisure.

Harbor Club St. Lucia

Day 4 — St. Lucia | Embark

Breakfast and check-out are followed by a day exploring the western coast of St. Lucia. Your panoramic tour begins with a drive through the town of Castries to a viewpoint overlooking the harbor of this busy port and capital city. Drive further south through lush valleys to the yachtsman's paradise of Marigot Bay, where you pause before continuing to Soufrière, home to the iconic Pitons of St. Lucia. Enjoy a delicious Creole lunch at a local restaurant before your guided tours of the Diamond Botanical Gardens and of Sulphur Springs Park, with views of the bubbling pools of sulphur that give Soufrière its name. Your final stop will be at Morne Coubaril Estate, a working farm that produces cocoa, coconut, and manioc and that preserves a sense of 18th-century life on a French Creole plantation. Then embark your ship in the late afternoon.

Your hotel:

The Harbor Club St. Lucia, Curio Collection by Hilton is a stylish, superior first-class resort set along the vibrant Rodney Bay Marina in the north of the island. It features multiple pools, including an infinity-edge pool overlooking the marina, a variety of restaurants and bars, a fitness center, and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments. With its contemporary design and lively yet relaxed atmosphere, the hotel provides a perfect balance of comfort and Caribbean charm.

Your program includes:

  • 3 nights at The Harbor Club hotel
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
  • Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
  • Welcome Reception on Day 2
  • Dinner on Day 2
  • Breakfast on Days 2, 3, and 4
  • Lunch on Day 4
  • Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

  • Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
  • Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

  • It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
  • Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
  • The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
  • This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
  • Program is offered on a space available basis.
  • Program is subject to change without notice.

Dates & Prices

Click on the departure date to see pricing. Click the for more information.

Dates

Availability

Price

Feb 17 - 24, 2027
Available
from $8,020 $6,200

Special Offer

Early booking savings available for a limited time!

Ship: Le Bougainville Experts: Brent Garry | Hugh Neighbour

Deluxe Stateroom

Deluxe stateroom (204 sq. ft.), picture window with door onto private partial wall balcony (43 sq. ft.). Deck 3.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $8,020 $6,200 $15,210 $8,890
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $8,410 $6,490 $15,990 $9,330
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $8,650 $6,670 $16,470 $9,600
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6

Prestige stateroom (204 sq. ft.), sliding glass door opens to private balcony (43 sq. ft.).

Occupancy Double Single
Price $8,980 $6,920 $17,130 $9,970
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe suite (291 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to private balcony (65 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa. Decks 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $11,940 $9,140 $23,050 $13,300
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Prestige Suite - Deck 5

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $12,820 $9,800 $24,810 $14,290
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Prestige Suite - Deck 6

Prestige suite, two room suite (409 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), two bathrooms, sitting area and sofa convertible to fixed queen.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,210 $10,090 $25,590 $14,730
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Privilege Suite

Privilege suite, (344 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to larger private balcony (86 sq. ft.), sitting area with sofa convertible to single twin. Decks 5 and 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,540 $10,340 $26,250 $15,100
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Grand Deluxe Suite

Grand Deluxe suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft.), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (323 sq. ft.), a large sitting area with half bath, master bedroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 6.

Occupancy Double Single
Price $13,930 $10,630 $27,030 $15,540
Pre Ext. $2,060 $2,830

Owner's Suite

Owner's suite, extra large two room suite (484 sq. ft), sliding glass door to spacious private terrace (430 sq. ft.) with outdoor hot tub. Large sitting area with half bath, master bathroom has a separate shower, tub, and double sinks. Deck 5.

Le Bougainville deck plan image

A deposit of 25% of the cruise price is required to reserve space on a cruise. Deposits are applied toward final payment of the cruise price.

Rates include port taxes and fees. Most shore excursions are included in the rates.

Pre- and post-program options and optional excursions, where applicable, are available at an additional cost.

Prices are based on rates of exchange, airfare & fuel (where applicable), tariffs, taxes, and other costs as of the tour publication date. We reserve the right to correct errors and to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, and taxes received after prices are published and to reflect currency fluctuations.

Experts

Brent Garry
Departure: Feb 17 - 24, 2027

Brent Garry

Geologist

Brent Garry is a geologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he studies lava flows and volcanoes on Earth and compares them with similar …

Brent Garry is a geologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where he studies lava flows and volcanoes on Earth and compares them with similar landscapes on the Moon and Mars. He holds geology degrees from The College of William and Mary and the University of Kentucky, and a PhD from the University at Buffalo. He joined NASA in 2012 after a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

Today, Brent serves as project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), NASA’s satellite mapping the Moon, and for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, coordinating science operations for missions on the lunar surface. Earlier in his career, he was a participating scientist on NASA’s Dawn mission to asteroid Vesta and supported the LRO mission, bringing a broad perspective on how rocky worlds are shaped over time. He also served on NASA’s Desert RATS team, living in prototype lunar rovers in Arizona for up to two weeks during simulated expeditions to the Moon.

A seasoned field geologist, Brent has worked in volcanic regions across the U.S., including Hawai‘i, California, New Mexico, Idaho, and Oregon, as well as internationally in Iceland, the Galápagos, the Caribbean, and along the East Pacific Rise. Since 2014, he has traveled with Smithsonian Journeys as an expert, including several tours to Australia and New Zealand. When he’s not in the field, Brent enjoys spending time with his family and scuba diving.

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Hugh Neighbour
Departure: Feb 17 - 24, 2027

Hugh Neighbour

Foreign Affairs Specialist

Hugh Neighbour brings many years of experience as a United States diplomat and an officer in the U.S. Navy, mostly working overseas. He specialized in …

Hugh Neighbour brings many years of experience as a United States diplomat and an officer in the U.S. Navy, mostly working overseas. He specialized in political and economic affairs, and was posted in Latin America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Hugh was awarded the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award as well as a number of Department of State awards for distinguished service. 

Since retiring from the U.S. State Department, Hugh has worked as a consultant in Washington and internationally, served as an official observer for several elections overseas, and lectured aboard high-end cruise ships. Several times a year, Hugh directs a course in advanced foreign area studies to select groups in the Washington region. Hugh will offer a fresh, up-to-date perspective on the history, culture, and current affairs of the fascinating peoples and places you will visit.

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Bernard Moitt
Departure: Feb 23 - Mar 1, 2028

Bernard Moitt

Historian

Bernard Moitt is professor of history and former chair of the history department at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the former president of the Association of …

Bernard Moitt is professor of history and former chair of the history department at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the former president of the Association of Caribbean Historians. Born and raised in Antigua, he has focused his research on slavery in Francophone West Africa, primarily Senegal, as well as the French Antilles. Bernard has authored or edited three books on the topic, including most recently Slavery and Guardianship in Colonial Senegal. An internationally recognized scholar, Bernard has also penned numerous articles and book chapters that focus on Atlantic history. His work draws on the history of principal French ports including Bordeaux, and assesses their socio-economic development—before and after the French Revolution—in a global context. Bernard has travelled extensively and is passionate about gastronomy.

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Ship

Le Bougainville

Le Bougainville photo

Slideshow Deck Plan

Guest Capacity: Up to 184 Guests Crew Size: 118 crew members Length: 430 feet Width: 59 feet Flag: France

Spacious, Ocean-view Suites and Staterooms Each of the 92 elegant suites and staterooms features a private balcony, while Grand Deluxe Suites have a bay window and spacious private terrace. The deluxe, air-conditioned staterooms and suites (up to 484 square feet) have two twin beds that convert to one queen-size bed. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower (bathtub in a limited number of staterooms) and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including individual climate control, satellite flat-screen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table, and plush robes. Chic and Casual Dining International and regional cuisine is served in the stylish, spacious indoor-outdoor restaurant in a single, unassigned seating; at the casual pool deck grill; or from 24-hour room service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner are served daily. Wine is served at your table during lunch and dinner and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included throughout the cruise. Spacious Public Areas, Intimate Atmosphere, and World-Class Service The warm and inviting public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy sweeping views from the Observation Lounge and Main Lounge, both of which open to the outdoors, and lectures, cultural performances, or film screenings in the state-of-the-art theater. For your convenience, Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. The ship also features the first luxury underwater observatory, the Blue Eye, a multisensory underwater observation lounge that incorporates decor and technology to immerse you in the beauty of the ocean's ecosystem. Here, you can observe fascinating marine life through the large subaquatic windows while digital screens and the specially designed global listening system relay the sights and sounds beneath the ocean surface.  Other amenities aboard ship are a Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa and sauna, fitness room, and two elevators. In addition, there is a three-level marina platform with complimentary kayaking and snorkeling equipment, as well as 10 easily accessible Zodiacs.  The highly trained, English-speaking international crew are personable and attentive, and the ship has an infirmary staffed with a doctor and nurse. Respect for the Environment The newest additions to a fleet that has been awarded the prestigious "Clean Ship" designation, a rarity among ocean-cruising vessels, these expedition ships are designed with energy efficient, advanced eco-friendly features that protect fragile marine ecosystems while providing a safe and comfortable voyage. 

Le Champlain

Le Champlain photo

Slideshow Deck Plan

Guest Capacity: Up to 184 Guests Crew Size: 118 crew members Length: 430 feet Width: 59 feet Flag: France

Launched in 2018, Le Champlain is among a new fleet of luxury expedition ships launched by PONANT. These ships combine revolutionary design and a new standard of luxury. Spacious, Ocean-view Suites and Staterooms Each of the 92 elegant suites and staterooms features a private balcony, while Grand Deluxe Suites have a bay window and spacious private terrace. The deluxe, air-conditioned staterooms and suites (up to 484 square feet) have two twin beds that convert to one queen-size bed. Each cabin has a private bathroom with shower (bathtub in limited number of staterooms) and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including individual climate control, satellite flat screen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table, and plush robes. Chic and Casual Dining International and regional cuisine are served in the stylish, spacious indoor-outdoor restaurant in a single, unassigned seating; at the casual pool deck grill; or from 24-hour room service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, and a four-course dinner are served daily. Wine is served at your table during lunch and dinner and complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included throughout the cruise. Spacious Public Areas, Intimate Atmosphere, and World-Class Service The warm and inviting public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy sweeping views from the Observation Lounge and Main Lounge, both of which open to the outdoors, and lectures, cultural performances, or film screenings in the state-of-the-art theater. For your convenience, complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. The ship also features the first luxury underwater observatory, the Blue Eye, a multisensory underwater observation lounge that incorporates decor and technology to immerse you in the beauty of the ocean's ecosystem. Here, you can observe fascinating marine life through the large subaquatic windows while digital screens and the specially designed global listening system relay the sights and sound beneath the ocean surface.  Other amenities aboard ship are a Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa and sauna, fitness room, and two elevators. In addition, there is a three-level marina platform with complimentary kayaking and snorkeling equipment, as well as 10 easily accessible Zodiacs.  The highly trained, English-speaking international crew are personable and attentive, and the ship has an infirmary staffed with a doctor and nurse. Respect for the Environment The newest additions to a fleet that has been awarded the prestigious "Clean Ship" designation, a rarity among ocean-cruising vessels, these expedition ships are designed with energy efficient, advanced eco-friendly features that protect fragile marine ecosystems while providing a safe and comfortable voyage. 

Tour Details

Activity Description

Expectations: Ocean-going cruise that may pull into a pier for embarkation and shore excursions and may use tenders at some ports. Excursions will be at a moderately active pace during the morning or afternoon. Some days will require early morning departures (8:30 or 9:00a.m.). Daily activities of three to four hours each day. Some touring is done on foot and includes standing and walking for periods of time (one to three hours) during outdoor activities and tours, city tours, and historic sites. Walking one to two miles will be over sometimes uneven terrain. Swimming and snorkeling will be from catamarans, speedboats and beaches.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in several hours of daily activities, and expect some physical exertion.

Reading List

*As an Amazon Associate, Smithsonian Journeys earns from qualifying purchases.

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Alexander Hamilton
By: Ron Chernow
A New York Times Bestseller, and the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical Hamilton!Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ron Chernow presents a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation.In the first full-length biography of Alexander Hamilton in decades, Ron Chernow tells the riveting story of a man who overcame all odds to shape, inspire, and scandalize the newborn America. According to historian Joseph Ellis, Alexander Hamilton is “a robust full-length portrait, in my view the best ever written, of the most brilliant, charismatic and dangerous founder of them all.”Few figures in American history have been more hotly debated or more grossly misunderstood than Alexander Hamilton. Chernow’s biography gives Hamilton his due and sets the record straight, deftly illustrating that the political and economic greatness of today’s America is the result of Hamilton’s countless sacrifices to champion ideas that were often wildly disputed during his time. “To repudiate his legacy,” Chernow writes, “is, in many ways, to repudiate the modern world.” Chernow here recounts Hamilton’s turbulent life: an illegitimate, largely self-taught orphan from the Caribbean, he came out of nowhere to take America by storm, rising to become George Washington’s aide-de-camp in the Continental Army, coauthoring The Federalist Papers, founding the Bank of New York, leading the Federalist Party, and becoming the first Treasury Secretary of the United States.Historians have long told the story of America’s birth as the triumph of Jefferson’s democratic ideals over the aristocratic intentions of Hamilton. Chernow presents an entirely different man, whose legendary ambitions were motivated not merely by self-interest but by passionate patriotism and a stubborn will to build the foundations of American prosperity and power. His is a Hamilton far more human than we’ve encountered before—from his shame about his birth to his fiery aspirations, from his intimate relationships with childhood friends to his titanic feuds with Jefferson, Madison, Adams, Monroe, and Burr, and from his highly public affair with Maria Reynolds to his loving marriage to his loyal wife Eliza. And never before has there been a more vivid account of Hamilton’s famous and mysterious death in a duel with Aaron Burr in July of 1804.Chernow’s biography is not just a portrait of Hamilton, but the story of America’s birth seen through its most central figure. At a critical time to look back to our roots, Alexander Hamilton will remind readers of the purpose of our institutions and our heritage as Americans.“Nobody has captured Hamilton better than Chernow” —The New York Times Book Review Ron Chernow's new biography, Grant, will be published by Penguin Press in October 2017. 
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An Empire Divided: The American Revolution and the British Caribbean (Early American Studies)
By: O'Shaughnessy, Andrew Jackson
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A Caribbean Mystery: A Miss Marple Mystery (Miss Marple Mysteries)
By: Agatha Christie
As Miss Marple sat basking in the Caribbean sunshine, she felt mildly discontented with life. True, the warmth eased her rheumatism, but here in paradise nothing ever happened. Eventually, her interest was aroused by an old soldier’s yarn about a murderer he had known. Infuriatingly, just as he was about to show her a snapshot of this acquaintance, the Major was suddenly interrupted. A diversion that was to prove fatal.
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Easy in the Islands
By: Bob Shacochis
A calypso singer named Lord Short Shoe consorts with a vampish black singer to bilk an American out of his pride and his only companion-a monkey. An entire island bureaucracy casually confounds the attempts of Tillman, a hotel owner, in his attempt to get his dead mother out of the freezer and into a real grave; stymied, he resorts to a highly unusual form of burial. Two poor islanders stumble into a high-class dance party one night and find themselves caught up in a violent encounter that just might escalate into revolution. And a young woman sails off into the romantic tropics with the man of her dreams, only to learn the hard way - as Eve did - that paradise is just another place to leave behind.Winner of the National Book Award for first fiction, Easy in the Islands is a “stunning” (Washington Post) collection of stories by one of America’s foremost contemporary fiction writers. Infused with the rhythms and the beat of the Caribbean, these vivid tales of paradise sought and paradise lost are as lush, steamy, and invigorating as the islands themselves.From fishing fleets in remote atolls too small to appear on any map and reggae bars on islands narrow enough to walk across in an hour, to the sprawling barrios and yacht filled marinas of Miami, Bob Shacochis charts a course across a Caribbean that no one who has ever been there on vacation will recognize.
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Caribbean: A Novel
By: Michener, James A.
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Wild Caribbean: The Hidden Wonders of the World's Most Famous Islands
By: Michael Bright
In our minds the Caribbean is the embodiment of Paradise. We need only close our eyes to see clearly the sparkling turquoise waters, white beaches, and lush tropical forests. Yet hidden just beyond this familiar scene is another world―the wild Caribbean, where attentive travelers may encounter butterflies with see-through wings or colorful bird colonies, prehistoric iguanas or silver waterfalls, smoking volcanoes or secret orchids in the forest. This book is a gorgeously illustrated exploration and celebration of the wildlife and wild places of the Caribbean. It encompasses all the principal islands as well as the mainland areas bordering the Sea, and its Gazetteer is crammed with useful tips to help travelers choose locations to visit and the best time of year to do so. The book introduces diverse natural habitats―reefs; white, pink, and black sand beaches; underground caverns; mangroves; salt ponds; desert islands, bubbling sulfur springs; and more―and offers rare insights into the amazingly varied animals and plants of the wild Caribbean. Combining practical travel information with fascinating scientific facts, Wild Caribbean reveals a natural world more magical than we could have imagined. Active travelers and armchair tourists alike will find the volume irresistible. ·        A companion volume to the four-part television series appearing on the Travel Channel. 
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Wildlife of the Caribbean (Princeton Pocket Guides)
By: Raffaele, Herbert A., Wiley, James
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History of the World Map by Map (DK History Map by Map)
By: DK
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For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.

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