Day 1 – Depart Chicago aboard the City of New Orleans
Explore Chicago on a hop-on/hop-off trolley tour, and see all the famous sights including the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the John Hancock Observatory. This evening transfer on your own to Chicago’s historic Union Station for your 8:00 pm departure aboard Amtrak’s City of New Orleans for your overnight journey to the “Big Easy.” Overnight train.
Day 2 – Arrive New Orleans
Arrive in New Orleans around 3:30 pm and check into your centrally-located hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this historic city. Explore the French Quarter as you stroll down Bourbon Street or eat at any of New Orleans’s popular restaurants. Overnight JW Marriot New Orleans or Similar. (B, L)
Day 3 – Experience New Orleans
Start your day with a New Orleans Hop on/ Hop off tour, the only open-top, double-decker hop on/ hop off tour in New Orleans. This unique tour will take you all over the city, giving you a New Orleans experience like no other. Tonight board the Steamboat Natchez for a dinner cruise Savor the beauty of the New Orleans skyline aboard the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River! Overnight JW Marriot New Orleans or similar. (D)
Day 4 – Board the Navigator of the Sea
Say goodbye to the “Big Easy” as you set sail on the Serenade of the Seas to begin your 7-day Caribbean cruise. Spend the day exploring the ship, meet fellow travelers or bask in the sun as you begin your high seas adventure. Overnight ship. (D)
Day 5 – Full Day at Sea
The day is at your leisure to take advantage of the multitude of special features on the ship, including a rock-climbing wall, a basketball court, an ice-skating rink and an in-line skating track, a five-story theatre, a casino, and a miniature golf course. Overnight ship. (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Cozumel, Mexico
Today’s port of call is Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel is the third largest and most populated Island in Mexico. You may wish to spend the day exploring the ruins of the ancient Mayans, or explore the underwater world of Chankanaab on a deep-sea adventure aboard the Atlantis Submarine. Overnight ship. (B,L,D)
Day 7 – Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Arrive at Georgetown, the capital of the Cayman Islands, around 10:00 am for your second port of call. One of the biggest attractions in Georgetown is snorkeling with stingrays at Stingray City Sandbar. Sail the beautiful waters of the North Sounds, stopping by Stingray City, aboard a 60-foot racing catamaran. Or, you may wish to get a bird's-eye perspective of Grand Cayman on an exciting helicopter tour. Overnight ship. (B,L,D)
Day 8 – Falmouth, Jamaica
Your last port of call is Falmouth, Jamaica. Falmouth is said to be one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian towns. Dock around 8:00 am for a full day of historic adventure. You may elect to take in some history with a stroll through Falmouth's Historic District where visitors can explore an impressive collection of 19th-century Georgian architecture, or enjoy a scenic drive through Jamaica's interior to Appleton Estate, where visitors learn how rum is made, sample wet sugar and have the chance to taste different aged rums. Overnight ship. (B,L,D)
Days 9-10 – At Sea
On your two-day journey back to New Orleans, take advantage of the ship’s many amenities or just relax by the pool. Overnight ship. (2 B, 2 L, 2 D)
Day 11 – Disembark Navigator of the Sea
Arrive in New Orleans around 6:00 am. The day is at your leisure until your 1:45 pm departure to Chicago aboard the City of New Orleans. Overnight train. (D)
Day 12 – Arrive Chicago
Your rail-sail vacation comes to a close as you reach Union Station around 9:00 am. (B)
