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For two departures only and after popular demand we have extended our Cuba cruise to the south with a 7 night cruise from Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba and the reverse.

Combine each of these two itineraries, with our standard seven night from Havana to Cienfuegos or the reverse, to have a 14-night, full-blown Cuba cruise from Havana and the ports of west and south Cuba to Santiago de Cuba or the reverse. An exciting itinerary taking in the north and the length of western Cuba with its renowned colonial cities and off the beaten track treasures.

DAY 1: Friday | Santiago de Cuba

Embarkation in the afternoon at the Santiago de Cuba new harbour. Dinner on board and Optional show at a Santiago Venue with transfer.

DAY 2: Saturday | Santiago de Cuba

At the start of the optional excursion  is a visit to the Bacardi Museum. It was inaugurated as a Municipal Museum, called the Emilio Bacardí Provincial Museum, established by Emilio Bacardi,  the first mayor of Santiago de Cuba. In the museum there are treasures of pre-Columbian culture, national art and Cuban history. The museum is a very important source of historical and cultural exhibits including items of the National Hero of Cuba, José Martí, Father de la Patria Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and others. Also treasures from Peru, mummies and paintings.

DAY 3: Sunday | Santiago de Cuba

After breakfast there is an optional excursion   to Calle Heredia, one of the city’s liveliest streets, Padre Pico Street, famous by the animated games of draughts played by the locals. A visit to the Museum ‘Lucha Clandestina,’ in the 17th Century Tivoli district. The Museum is a dedicated to the revolutionary underground movement headed by Fidel Castro. Sail to Manzanillo in the afternoon.

DAY 4: Monday | Manzanillo

Optional Excursion after breakfast to the city of Bayamo, capital of Cuba’s eastern province of Granma. Founded in 1513, the village’s original name was San Salvador de Bayamo.  The city was the capital of the First Republic in Arms, during Cuba’s war of independence in the 19th century, and its people decided to burn the village down rather than surrender to the colonialists. Cuba’s National Anthem was composed here and is also the birthplace of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the ‘Father of Cuba’.

This excursion takes in the leafy square of Parque Cespedes, and a walking tour along the Bayamés Promenade. We will also be visiting the Wax Museum, Plaza de la Revolución and its surroundings, the Casa de Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Museum, Anthem Plaza, San Salvador Cathedral of Bayamo and the Altarpiece of the Heroes. There will be a cultural activity at Casa de la Trova, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you can enjoy free time for exploring the town and maybe do some souvenir shopping. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Tuesday | Manzanillo / At Sea

There will be a morning Optional walking tour of the city of Manzanillo. This little known destination is famous for its revolutionary spirit and the street organists who add a special feel to it to this day. You will be able to appreciate the contrasting architecture, a mixture of wooden buildings, Andalusian style homes, and intricate neo-Moorish motifs. Return to the ship in the afternoon and sail to Casilda. Overnight at sea.

DAY 6: Wednesday | Casilda / Trinidad

The Optional excursion today will take us to Trinidad, a well-preserved Spanish colonial city. With varied architecture, cobblestone streets, palaces and plazas, Trinidad is often referred to as the “Museum City of Cuba.” We walk through the town and have lunch at a local restaurant. Later we will visit the Romantic Museum located in Palacio Cantero, the Trinidad General Municipal Museum, visit the studio of Lazaro Niebla, a unique woodcarver and return to the ship for an afternoon sailing to Cienfuegos. Overnight in port.

DAY 7: Thursday| Cienfuegos

An Optional Excursion in Cienfuegos after breakfast, a city founded by French settlers and thus with a unique architecture. Cienfuegos, the Pearl of the South, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit the Benny More School of Art, walk around the city center and marvel at examples of 19th century French neo-classical architecture and stop at a farmer’s market before having lunch. As a special treat there will be a concert by the singers of the Chorus of Cienfuegos, or string quartet. Overnight in port.

DAY 8: Friday | Cienfuegos

Disembark and 9.30 am group transfer to Havana – Melia Cohiba hotel organized by Variety Cruises

The new build 68m/223ft state of the art Mega Yacht accommodates just 72 passengers in 36 cabins. Built in 2012 under the latest International “Safety of Life At Sea” (SOLAS 2010) regulations and classified by RINA, the Variety Voyager guarantees guests safety with incomparable comfort and elegance. The Variety Voyager seduces her passengers with her sleek lines and ample deck space, very much what one expects from a millionaire’s super yacht.

Inside, cabins and public areas are finished with warm fabrics, rich marbles, axminster carpeting and soft tones wood panelling.Everywhere, unobstructed views of the ocean and of the ports visited. And above all, the professional service of a crew of 32-33, always with a smile and a true desire to satisfy

With that nice Carol Kirkwood forecasting temperatures in the mid-20s later this week there’s every chance that the sunshine has been switched on at the end of the inexorable tunnel called winter. Clement weather is the order of the day, you’ll be dusting the cobwebs off your sunscreen and this weekend might even be time to get your legs out into the sun.

Talk of sun worshippers and the mind immediately flips to Ra – great Sun God of the Egyptians. Once there it’s only a short cognitive leap to dial the mind back to 3,000BC or so and start imagining Luxor, Cairo, the Sphinx and all things Pharaohic. And, just in case you think we’re Pyramid selling – you’re absolutely right because this coming winter we’re back cruising the Red Sea and Suez area, gateway to wonders so indescribable that we simply can’t describe them. You need to come and see them for yourself.

The itinerary takes in all the best bits of Egyptian legends but perhaps the most mind-boggling place of all is Petra, Jordan. Also known as the ‘Rose City’ this absolutely world class delight is not to be confused by the eponymous Blue Peter dog – who was actually a ringer drafted into the show after the original mutt shuffled off to doggy heaven from distemper after only 2 days on set. However, in typical Fertile Crescent dynastic fashion, Petra begat Shep and the rest is history. 

Itinerary #1:

• Suez
• Hurghada
• Luxor
• Gubal Islands
• Aqaba
• Jordan [for Petra, Wadi Rum & Amman]

Itinerary #2:

• Ashdod, Israel
• Port Said [for Cairo]
• Suez Canal
• St Anthony’s Monastery
• Hurghada
• Aqaba, Jordan [for Petra, Wadi Rum & Amman]

There is so much culture in this area that we’ve actually put together 2 slightly different itineraries (one includes the Suez Canal), so you get to choose. We can’t possibly put it all into one email so if you want the full sarcophagus you’ll need to click here.