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• Take a flight over the Virgin Islands
• Enjoy cookery demonstartions aboard ship

• Visit Mustique by Catamaran

The Caribbean has inspired authors as diverse as Ian Fleming, Ernest Hemingway, V.S. Naipaul and Jean Rhys – and guests on Saga Sapphire have a chance to add to the islands’ literary history.

With a talk from leading author and forensic pathologist Kathy Reichs, an on-board book club and a short story competition, the month-long Tales of the Caribbean cruise which departs Southampton on January 5, 2020 is designed to inspire creativity in the wake of celebrated novels such as V.S. Naipaul’s “Miguel Street”, or Agatha Christie’s “A Caribbean Mystery”.

Guests who’d rather not write can laze on powder-white sandy beaches, explore rainforests or plunge into crystal waters to snorkel amid coral reefs and colourful fish.

There’s an opportunity to take a short flight over the British Virgin Islands, sign-up for a forest zip-line ride and a scenic rail tour in St Kitts, kayak in St Lucia’s Marigot Bay or enjoy afternoon tea at Government House in Antigua.                                

The voyage captures the Caribbean vibe with dancing to a steel band and regional cookery demonstrations, while experts from conservation charity ORCA help guests watch for whales and other sealife.

The adventure takes in Antigua, St Maarten, Tortola, St Kitts, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Grenada, Bequia – from where a catamaran visits the celebrity island escape of Mustique – Martinique and Trinidad.

The outward journey includes a call to Funchal, Madeira, while the journey home features Tenerife to extend the winter sunshine.

For details visit saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises or call 0800 50 50 30.

33 nights from £4,845 per person departs Southampton on January 5, 2020.

Price includes chauffeur service up to 250 miles to and from Southampton, all meals and entertainment, all-inclusive drinks (a choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, house-branded spirits and soft drinks, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party and unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues), free wifi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

All excursions mentioned are optional, at an additional cost, and are subject to availability and change. Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.

Price based on two people sharing an Inside Guarantee cabin where guests receive their cabin number shortly before sailing (or at embarkation) and not at the time of booking. Your cabin may be located anywhere on the ship and twin cabins may have two single beds or one double bed. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for further details. Fare was correct at the time of going to print and is subject to availability and change.

Editors:

Saga is a specialist in the provision of products and services for life after 50. The Saga brand is one of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK and is known for its high level of customer service and its high quality, award winning products and services including cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and publishing. Visit saga.co.uk