The Colonies and the Caribbean

Transcription

1 THE COLONIES & THE CARIBBEAN The Colonies and the Caribbean Aboard Silversea s Silver Wind With Dr. Michael Jarvis February 18-25, 2018 CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

2 The Colonies & the Caribbean Eighteenth-Century Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia sat on the outer edge of a booming plantation complex that stretched across the Caribbean and drew heavily on that colorful region for much of its cultural and economic life. Colonists were mesmerized by the sugar revolution that transformed culinary habits in the Atlantic world, created the most expensive real estate in the British Empire, and provided a model for a brutal form of slave labor that served as the basis for many of the Colonies industries. The untouched beauty of the British Virgin Islands was not lost on "gentlemen of fortune." Many of the hidden bays and sheltered coves were discovered by some of the most famous pirates and privateers of this era such as Black Beard, Norman, Sir Francis Drake, John Hawkins, Captain Morgan, and Jost Van Dyke. Several of the islands here, including Norman, Jost Van Dyke, and Great and Little Thatch, are named after these legendary characters. It's no wonder that the English crown referred to the BVIs as the "pirate's nest." Our Colonies and the Caribbean journey takes us back to the nascent state of America s colonial formation and the Caribbean influences that propelled growth, commerce, and strategic consequences that helped bring our nation to independence. Our onboard scholar-in-residence will be Dr. Michael Jarvis of the University of Rochester. Dr. Jarvis is a specialist in Colonial Period Atlantic Trade and Development. In addition, private NSCDA island tours will be supplemented by local scholars on Dominica, Antigua, and St. Kitts who have designed private excursions for us which complement the main narrative or our journey. Dr. Michael J. Jarvis Dr. Michael Jarvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester, where he researches and teaches early American, U.S., and Maritime Atlantic history and is also Director of the Digital Media Studies program. He earned both his Masters and Ph.D. from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Jarvis has engaged in archaeological fieldwork for over 25 years. He has held National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships at the Omohundro Institute, American Antiquarian Society, and Virginia Center for the Humanities. An expert on Caribbean and Atlantic trade, seafaring, slavery, architecture, and social history, Jarvis has recently turned to the emerging fields of Digital History and Archaeology. Notable distinctions include the selection to deliver the inaugural address at The Drayton Hall Distinguished Speakers Series, guest lecturer at The General Society of Colonial Wars 2015 assembly in Bermuda, and receiving the James A. Rawley Atlantic History Prize from the American Historical Association for his book In the Eye of All Trade (2010) for its insights into intercolonial links and maritime slavery.

3 Dear Friends, Imagine traveling on a small luxury ship through the Caribbean s most elegant islands, and doing so in the company of an expert on historical ties between the Colonies and 18th century plantations of the Caribbean. The NSCDA invites you to sail on a journey filled with good friends, warm sunny weather, and historical lectures through crystal clear waters. The journey begins in San Juan (an easy non-stop flight from most major cities) and continues to: Virgin Gorda / Tortola St. Maarten St. Kitts and Nevis Dominica Antigua and Barbuda Jost Van Dyke San Juan On this journey we have selected the luxurious Silver Wind as our home. The Silver Wind holds only 296 passengers and each stateroom is a suite, with a living room area, walkin closets, marble bathrooms, and butler service for each room. All gratuities and select wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, and soft drinks are complimentary in all bars, lounges, and dining rooms. Only for Dames travelers, our scholars-in-residence will provide stimulating insights into the connections between the Colonies and the British Sugar Islands. In addition to enjoying all that each island has to offer, NSCDA guests will have the option of traveling on private excursions and delving deeper into the colonial history of these enchanting islands. Prices begin at $2, per person. Each stateroom will receive a $ shipboard credit. For those who wish to arrive early into San Juan, we have a designed a beautiful, inclusive overnight stay in the historic El Convento Hotel which includes airport and ship transfers, wine reception, breakfast, and sightseeing in Old San Juan. The word is out about this stunning journey and many Dames, their husbands, and friends have already called to make reservations. Stateroom/Suite availability is still very good but prices are only guaranteed when a reservation has been made through Connoisseurs Tours. In the 2017 departure, prices increased in some cases as much as $2, per person. So we urge you to save money and make a reservation now. We look forward to answering your questions and assisting you with Stateroom selection. Warm regards, Kathryn Waller Connoisseurs Tours

4 THE COLONIES & THE CARIBBEAN ITINERARY DAY 1- FEBRUARY 18: PUERTO RICO, SAN JUAN/ EMBARKATION Until the 18th century, Spain ignored Puerto Rico in favor of its mainland colonies, preferring to gear its fragile economy to the production of coffee and cattle rather than sugar. As the Caribbean became a cockpit for naval warfare during the 1700s, the island became an increasingly important military outpost. The French, English, and Dutch made numerous but unsuccessful attempts to conquer the island. To guard against these incursions, the Spanish constructed the many forts and ramparts still found. During the American Revolution, Puerto Ricans fought in Florida and participated in the capture of Pensacola from the British. DAY 2- FEBRUARY 19: VIRGIN GORDA / TORTOLA BVI (8:00AM - 9:00PM) Virgin Gorda Virgin Gorda, or "Fat Virgin," received its name from Christopher Columbus. The explorer envisioned the island as a pregnant woman in a languid recline, with Gorda Peak being her belly and the boulders of the CONNOISSEURS TOURS Baths as her toes. Different in topography from Tortola, with an arid landscape covered with scrub brush and cactus, the pace of life is slower here, too. Goats and cattle own the right of way, and the unpretentious friendliness of the people is winning. The top sight (and beach for that matter) is the Baths, with it s giant boulders and grottoes that form a perfect snorkeling environment. Tortola In the late 16th century, the English established a permanent plantation colony on Tortola and the surrounding islands after taking control from the Dutch. Settlers developed the islands for the sugarcane industry and invested heavily to create large plantations. Loyalists from Georgia and South Carolina immigrated to Tortola and played a major role in the economy and politics of the island. *A NSCDA private, historical tour will be available in Tortola encompassing the significant historical sites via open-air trolley buses. DAY 3- FEBRUARY 20: ST. MAARTEN, PHILIPSBURG (8:00AM - 11:59PM) This 37-square-mile island, ringed with white sand beaches, has been living with a split personality since 1648, when it became the smallest parcel of land to be peaceably shared by two countries: France and the Netherlands. When you visit St. Maarten, the Dutch INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

5 THE COLONIES & THE CARIBBEAN side in the south, it bustles with sprawling resorts, wide boardwalks, lively beach bars, and late-night casinos. Meanwhile, sleepy French St. Martin, with its harbor full of brightly colored boats and houses built up into the cliffs, is reminiscent of a Mediterranean fishing village. Hill, known in the 18th century as the Gibraltar of the West Indies. St. Kitts and Nevis, along with Anguilla, achieved self-government as an associated state of Great Britain in * A NSCDA private, historical tour will be available in this port where we will visit the historical sites that formed the early world of a young Alexander Hamilton, as well as taking a close look at the remains of the island's mixed plantation legacy. This is a day for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the Caribbean. DAY 4- FEBRUARY 21: ST. KITTS / NEVIS, BASSE- TERRE (8:00AM - 7:00PM) Mountainous St. Kitts, the first English settlement in the Leeward Islands, crams some stunning scenery into its 65 square miles (168 square km). Vast, brilliant green fields of sugarcane (the former cash crop, now slowly being replanted) run to the shore. The fertile, lush island has some fascinating natural and historical attractions: a rainforest replete with waterfalls, thick vines, and secret trails; a central mountain range dominated by the 3,792 foot Mt. Liamuiga, whose crater has long been dormant; and Brimstone DAY 5- FEBRUARY 22: DOMINICA, ROSEAU (8:00AM - 10:00PM) In the early 1700s, French woodcutters and settlers pushed into this small island dominated by fiercely independent Carib Indians. The French developed small plantations for coffee. The latter soon became a majority and developed the Antillean Creole language based on French but incorporating their West African languages and some Carib. During the Seven Years War, Britain conquered the island and annexed it along with its French and Creole speaking population. During the American Revolution, the island changed hands more than once, but was finally secured for the British when Admiral Joseph-François de Grasse, sailing from Yorktown after the Franco-American victory over Cornwallis, was defeated by Admiral George Rodney off the coast of Dominica in the greatest naval engagement of the war, the Battle of the Saintes. *A NSCDA private, historical tour will be available in this port. Join us as we take a close look into the CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

6 THE COLONIES & THE CARIBBEAN history of this beautiful, mountainous island with Dr. Lennox Honychurch (Oxford), considered the region s foremost expert in Dominican archeology and colonial history. He is currently the Curator at The Dominica Museum, Bayfront, Roseau, and Staff Tutor at The University of the West Indies, School of Continuing Studies. He is the author of The Dominica Story A History of the Island (1995). DAY 6- FEBRUARY 23: ANTIGUA, ST. JOHN S (9:00AM - 6:00PM) Located on the major sailing routes among the region s resource-rich colonies, Antigua was considered Britain s Gateway to the Caribbean. Antigua benefited from a naval dockyard in English Harbour, which provided a strategic site for monitoring the French naval presence in the Caribbean. A young Commander Horatio Nelson arrived in the late 18th century to enforce the unpopular Navigation Acts and preserve the island s commercial shipping preeminence. A NSCDA private, historical tour will be available in this port. Our tour will be lead by Dr. Reg Murphy and his colleagues. Dr. Murphy is the Director of Heritage Resources for the National Parks Antigua. He is also the President of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology, an Affiliated Professor of the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, a co-founder and President of the Museum of Antigua, and the Secretary General for the National Commission UNESCO Antigua and Barbuda. DAY 7- FEBRUARY 24: JOST VAN DYKE, BVI (9:00AM - 11:30PM) Jost Van Dyke, four miles long, is truly known as the 'barefoot island'. The smallest of the British Virgin Islands, it is known as a popular destination for yachts and is celebrated for its casual lifestyle, protected anchorages, fine beaches, and beachfront restaurants and bars. The island has fewer than 200 inhabitants and they are widely known as a welcoming people. The island's name conjures up its rich, colorful past. Jost Van Dyke is said to have been named for an early Dutch settler, a former pirate. At Great Harbour, Little Harbour, and White Bay there are safe, protected bays and pristine beaches shaded with coconut palms and sea-grape trees. DAY 8- FEBRUARY 25: PUERTO RICO, SAN JUAN (ARRIVE 8:00AM) Homeward bound OLD SAN JUAN PRE-CRUISE PACKAGE Arrival Airport Transfers with Meet & Greet service One night accommodation at the El Convento Hotel including all taxes and additional tariffs. Wine Reception Breakfast A Historical Tour of San Juan Transfer to the Ship CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

7 THE COLONIES & THE CARIBBEAN GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT A deposit of 25% of the cruise fare booking per person is due to reserve a place on this tour. Deposits and payments can be paid by check or any major credit card. Final payment is due October 1, CONNOISSEURS TOURS PROTECTION PLAN PROVIDED BY TRAVEL INSURED Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after your have purchased your airline tickets. CANCELLATION CHARGES $ from the time of booking to 121 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 15% of the total cruise fare per person from 120 days to 91 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 50% of the total cruise fare from 90 to 61 days prior to departure. 75% of the total cruise fare from 60 to 31 days prior to departure. 100% of the total cruise fare from 30 to 0 days prior to departure. All cancellations must be in writing. Guests who downgrade suite categories within 120 days of the initial sailing date will incur cancellation penalties on the difference in cruise fare between the two suites. RESPONSIBILITY Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents will not be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes in the tour program beyond their control, nor any additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the well-being of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be made without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. VALIDITY January 1, 2017 through August 1, 2018 Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted, and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

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