Southeast Sea Islands (Amelia Island to Charleston)

Considered to be the birthplace of Southern Rock music, it's only to be expected that music is such an important part of Jacksonville. With several iconic concert halls and countless bars and clubs, the city is a must visit for anyone interested in music. Other interesting sights include the largest urban park system in the US, a world class zoo, and several golf courses.

Start your journey on the enchanting Amelia Island. Walk along mesmerizing expansive quartz beaches and undulating sand dunes awaits exploration. In Fernandina Beach, the island's sole city, history intertwines with charm, offering a bounty of treasures from antiques to collectibles. Step into the past with a stroll through Centre Street's Historic District, with 50 blocks of meticulously restored 19th-century Victorian homes and shops of architectural splendor and timeless elegance.On the morning of your cruise, gather in the hotel lobby and we will take you to the ship to start your adventure. All your bags will be transferred directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship, making the beginning of your experience seamless and worry-free.

Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, Georgia, hum with lively energy, where the sun-drenched shores swell, and sailors navigate the coastal currents. Discover historic landmarks like the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, once a retreat for America's wealthiest families, and explore St. Simons Lighthouse, standing tall as a beacon of maritime history. Uncover the fascinating narrative of Jekyll Island, nestled among Georgia's Sea Isles, where history comes alive amidst the opulent grandeur of "Millionaire's Village." Spanning 240 acres, this enclave boasts extravagant homes and winter cottages, a testament to the lavish lifestyles of America's elite. Today, revered as a National Historic Landmark, it offers a captivating glimpse into an era of wealth and luxury, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore the legacy of this remarkable destination along the golden isle.

Savannah, Georgia, exudes a timeless allure, where cobblestone pathways wind beneath the shade of ancient oaks dripping in delicate Spanish moss. Wander through its meticulously preserved historic district, where each brick and wrought-iron railing is a window into the true architectural artistry from the 18th – 19th century. Treat yourself to the peach cobbler, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes this city is known for.

Hilton Head Island, hidden along the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean, captivates visitors with its pristine beaches and maritime forests. Renowned for its world-class golf courses and upscale resorts, Hilton Head beckons golf enthusiasts and luxury seekers alike. It’s not all putting greens and perfect swings though. On a private boat ride, explore 600 acres of preserved forest and spot the many indigenous plants and animals that live here—even the American alligator.

Amidst the bustling streets of the historic district, horse-drawn carriages weave through a maze of 18th and 19th-century homes, each boasting the distinctive charm of Beaufort-style architecture. This port has unique history of European explorers, Native American legacies, British settlements, and Civil War clashes still reverberate through time. These grand homes make it obvious why Beaufort once earned the prestigious title "Newport of the South”.

Beaufort, South Carolina, is a charming coastal town known for its historic antebellum architecture, moss-draped oak trees, and scenic waterfront along the Port Royal Sound. Its rich history includes colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil War heritage, reflected in well-preserved homes and landmarks. The town’s vibrant culture, tidal marshes, and nearby barrier islands make it a picturesque destination for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

With its iconic homes, bustling waterfront, and renowned Southern hospitality, cruise from Charleston, a city that offers a captivating blend of past and present. From stately mansions to eclectic culinary delights, the city promises a quintessential Southern experience for all who visit. Adding in ties to the Revolutionary War, legendary pirate tales, and Civil War sieges, Charleston is often regarded as a living museum. Explore historic Fort Sumter National Monument, where the Civil War commenced, and discover Charleston's African American heritage while taking in the beauty of its magnificent gardens.

Wandering through the city's famous Historic District, you would swear it is a movie set. Dozens of church steeples punctuate the low skyline, and horse-drawn carriages pass centuries-old mansions and town houses, their stately salons offering a crystal-laden and parquet-floored version of Southern comfort. Outside, magnolia-filled gardens overflow with carefully tended heirloom plants. At first glance, the city may resemble a 19th-century etching come to life—but look closer and you'll see that block after block of old structures have been restored. Happily, after three centuries of wars, epidemics, fires, and hurricanes, Charleston has prevailed and is now one of the South's best-preserved cities.Although it’s home to Fort Sumter, where the bloodiest war in the nation's history began, Charleston is also famed for its elegant houses. These handsome mansions are showcases for the "Charleston style," a distinctive look that is reminiscent of the West Indies, and for good reason. Before coming to the Carolinas in the late 17th century, many early British colonists first settled on Barbados and other Caribbean islands. In that warm and humid climate they built homes with high ceilings and rooms opening onto broad "piazzas" (porches) at each level to catch sea breezes. As a result, to quote the words of the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, who visited in 1796, "One does not boast in Charleston of having the most beautiful house, but the coolest."Preserved through the hard times that followed the Civil War and an array of natural disasters, many of Charleston's earliest public and private buildings still stand. Thanks to a rigorous preservation movement and strict architectural guidelines, the city's new structures blend in with the old. In many cases, recycling is the name of the game—antique handmade bricks literally lay the foundation for new homes. But although locals do dwell—on certain literal levels—in the past, the city is very much a town of today.Take, for instance, the internationally heralded Spoleto Festival USA. For 17 days every spring, arts patrons from around the world come to enjoy international concerts, dance performances, operas, and plays at various venues citywide. Day in and day out, diners can feast at upscale restaurants, shoppers can look for museum-quality paintings and antiques, and lovers of the outdoors can explore Charleston's outlying beaches, parks, and waterways. But as cosmopolitan as the city has become, it's still the South, and just beyond the city limits are farm stands cooking up boiled peanuts, the state's official snack.