Historic South and Golden Isles Cruise

As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Meet the crew, your onboard experts, and fellow guests. Learn more about the wonderful adventure ahead of you.

Enjoy traveling back in time, led by guides in period dress, who tell stories, and sing songs. Visit the Gullah communities and learn about the life of southern planters and their slaves. Along the way, explore a slave cemetery and an old praise house. Learn the history of Penn Center, the first school for newly freed slaves in the Deep South and discover what happened to the former slave communities from the Civil War days to the present.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Renowned writer, Pat Conroy, chose Beaufort, SC, as the setting for many of his books. On this captivating excursion, explore sites from Pat's writing life aboard a golf cart, including homes in the historic Point where Pat lived and wrote, sites related to his teachers and friends, his parents' grave site, and locations connected to the filming of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini. Visit the Conroy Center at 601 Bladen Street where you can see artifacts from Pat's life, including his writing desk and chair, the Great Santini's fight jacket, and the handwritten prologue to The Prince of Tides. Tour guests get a 10% discount on purchases of gifts and books at the Conroy Center. 

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: No

Take an enchanting narrated horse-drawn carriage ride through the lovely tree-lined streets of historic Beaufort, a sophisticated and charming town, offering visitors a true Lowcountry experience. Pass by the area’s key landmarks and listen to your guide retell the history of the city from its early Colonial period to the American Revolution and Civil War through today.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: No

Explored by the Spanish, the French, and the English, Beaufort has a rich historic charm that abounds with beautiful antebellum homes, moss-draped live oak trees, and friendly local charm. On this guided walk through the historic district, learn about its fascinating history, as well as the many Hollywood films shot on location here.  Among some of the iconic movies that have used this charming town as a backdrop include the Great Santini, The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, and Rules of Engagement, among many others.  As you stroll, your expert guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have.   

Activity Level: High | ADA Accessible: No

Take a cruise to find out how playful, endearing, and amazing bottle-nose dolphins truly are. Not long into your adventure, someone will catch sight of a pod of dolphins swimming nearby, as they come up for air every few seconds. Witness dolphins riding alongside the boat, or surfing in the wake behind, so be sure to bring your camera for this excellent photo opportunity. Your knowledgeable guide will share bottle-nose dolphin facts with you, such as how the shallow waters around the island provide the perfect place for dolphins to find food. With this insight, you will able to appreciate these intelligent and beautiful water creatures even more.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

We will anchor in Hilton Head and tender into shore, where you will be greeted by our local guide for one of our most popular shore excursions in the area. Embark on a private boat tour of the Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve. This 600-acre preserve features some of Hilton Head’s many indigenous plants and animal species, including the American alligator. Your guide will provide an engaging and educational tour while you enjoy the breathtaking views of the freshwater lake. In the afternoon, take time to explore Hilton Head’s popular shopping district or relax back on board before the evening’s entertainment.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Relax as you pass under oaks dripping with Spanish moss, by beautiful historic Colonial and Victorian homes, and down cobbled stone streets from days gone by. Enjoy this non-scripted, fully narrated excursion which offers an engaging introduction to Georgia's first city. Admire views of historic buildings, amazing churches, remarkable architecture, famous squares, and monuments as you listen to tales of the colorful characters that have made the city so inviting to visitors from all of the world. You will also view City Market, Forsyth Park, and River Street. Stop at the Massie School which features a display of the colony’s first school as well as 3-D model of the grid pattern of the Historic Landmark District.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Led by a local guide, explore Savannah on foot. Beginning at the river, discover the city’s marvelous streets, squares, and structures. Meander up through the fascinating Factor's Walk, a row of red brick buildings along the bluffs, where cotton brokers/factors bargained during cotton's heyday. Travel to Savannah's oldest neighborhood and admire the eclectic architecture that surrounds you. The walk ends on Wright Square, in the heart of the city. From there, you may enjoy time to explore more squares, shop in the city market, or return to the ship with your guide.

Activity Level: High | ADA Accessible: Yes

When darkness falls on Savannah, the city takes on a different personality. As daylight fades and gas lamps illuminate the Historic District, enjoy a beautiful, romantic, and haunting view of Savannah. 

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: No

Travel by trolley to experience the American Prohibition Museum like never before! Take a step back in time with an authority on all things Prohibition and learn the fascinating story of America’s dry spell by exploring the Lobby, Temperance, and Roaring 20s Galleries. By the time you hit the speakeasy, you’ll have plenty to discuss over a libation such as a cocktail, mocktail, beer, or wine.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Learn about Savannah’s earliest cemeteries, grounded in fact and actual history, as your guides leads you to the historic Colonial Park Cemetery. View the oldest and newest tombstones still existing in the cemetery, explore the graves of famous residents, including American heroes, and hear tales of unusual causes of death. Witness tombstones vandalized by Sherman’s soldiers and listen to a recent story of how some of its inhabitants accidentally reappeared.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

The largest barrier island in the Golden Isles, St. Simons has a rich, 400-year history.  As your spirited guide tells the tales of the island’s history, you will see the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, the Bloody Marsh, and the beautiful Christ Church.  After the excursion, you will enjoy an hour to shop and explore St. Simons on your own.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn about the conservation and rehabilitation of these magnificent reptiles through interactive exhibits and experiences. Then take the tram to the Island's Historic District, where you will travel through Millionaire’s Village, and then visit the Jekyll Island Mosaic Museum which celebrates the past and present of this multi-faceted Island. 

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: No

Experience the Richland Rum Distillery, an artisan copper pot distillery, dedicated to crafting Richland Single Estate Old Georgia Rum. Gain first-hand knowledge of the fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling processes, and then enjoy a tasting of their award-winning rum, named by Forbes as the best rum in America. 

Activity Level: High | ADA Accessible: No

A rice plantation from 1806 to 1915, Hofwyl-Broadfield features acres of moss laden live oak trees, remnants of rice levees and a dairy operation, and seven nineteenth century buildings. Explore the onsite museum detailing the history of the plantation and of rice growth on the South Atlantic Coast. Enjoy a guided exploration of the main house, filled with antiques original to the home and the family who once lived here, including 18th and 19th-century furniture and Cantonese china. View the buildings behind the house where workers lived and worked. The site also includes a nature trail that leads back to the Visitor Center along the edge of the marsh where rice once flourished.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: No

Spend a relaxing afternoon on the Lady Jane, a retired shrimping vessel that has been refurbished to carry guests and teach them about the shrimping industry. Help sort shrimp, blue crab, puffer fish, horseshoe crab, skate, amberjack, and others while the captain shares stories about a fisherman’s experiences on the water. 

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: No

Experience "old Florida" on this guided kayaking experience. Paddle Florida's black water known for its highly reflective properties that enhance the already natural beauty of the creek. Meander through this peaceful wooded environment and enjoy viewing various seasonal aquatic vegetation while keeping an eye out for birds and other native wildlife. As a keepsake of your time on the water, receive a complimentary digital memory photo album.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: No

Take in the view of Florida’s third oldest city, beautiful Fernandina Beach, on a relaxing river boat tour. A benefit of touring the island from the water is the increased chance of seeing the unique wildlife that inhabits the islands’ surrounding waters, including the American Alligator. In addition, your tour will include the island’s main attractions such as Fort Clinch and the Amelia Island Lighthouse.

Note: This excursion is only offered on cruises ending in Amelia Island, FL and on the Great Rivers of Florida cruise.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Join a local guide for a leisurely walking tour through the lovely Victorian seaport of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. Your walk will begin at the City Marina. Continue on to the seafood house for an enlightening discussion on the pelican population and fisherman duties. Stroll through the historic streets and admire blocks of restored Victorian homes, inns, churches, and more.

Note: This excursion is only offered on cruises ending in Amelia Island, FL and on the Great Rivers of Florida cruise.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Visit Fort Clinch State Park, located on a peninsula near the northernmost point of Amelia Island at the entrance to the Cumberland Sound. Admire the scenic landscapes that surround you, including sand dunes, planes, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal march. Explore the 19th-century Fort Clinch, which served as the area base of Union operations throughout the Civil War.

Note: This excursion is only offered on cruises ending in Amelia Island, FL and on the Great Rivers of Florida cruise.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

This guided exploration will take you on a journey back in time as you travel through the historic downtown of Fernandina Beach, known as Old Town Fernandina. A waterfront neighborhood located on a bluff above the Amelia River, it has historic homes dating to the mid-1800s and is the only Spanish town in Florida with the original site plat remaining. Continue to the "Silk Stocking District," where many of Fernandina Beach's most prominent citizens of the 19th century built their homes, concluding your experience in the picturesque North End of the island.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: No

Why not spend an extra day in this tranquil setting, with miles of pristine quartz beaches and a picturesque historic downtown with plenty of options for shopping and dining? Ask your onboard Hotel Manager for recommendations on area hotels, attractions, and more.