Grand Florida & Bahamas Cruise

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Day 1 – Home to Bloomington, IL

Today we begin our journey south in search of warmth & sunshine. Enjoy an included noon lunch at a delicious restaurant. Relax at the hotel this evening in Bloomington, IL.

Included Meals: Lunch 

Hotel: Comfort Suites 

Day 2 – Bloomington to Nashville

After breakfast we pass through the landscapes of Illinois and Kentucky to Nashville. An option this evening is to visit the famous Opryland Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites 

Day 3 – Nashville to Valdosta, GA

Breakfast is served at the hotel this morning before we board the coach & motor south to Valdosta; this city is also called the Azalea City because azaleas grow in profusion here. A stop along the way today to enjoy some great Georgia Peach Ice Cream!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn 

Day 4 – Valdosta to Titusville, FL

After breakfast we motor along to America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida. Climb aboard the open air trolley for a tour of this wonderful town. Stroll along this remarkable area and enjoy a special lunch in historic St. Augustine. Later we will travel down the coast for an overnight stay in Titusville. (The fly group arrives late this afternoon)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn 

Day 5 – Titusville to Orlando, FL

Our day begins at the Kennedy Space Center where we will gain insight on America’s accomplishments in the space program. Travel out to the launch sites, visit a special display on the Apollo program, and be awed by the newest exhibit: the Space Shuttle Atlantis! Later we travel to Orlando and check into our hotel for a relaxing two-night stay. Enjoy the hotel’s reception with your fellow travelers or have dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites (2 Nights)

Day 6 – Orlando

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we travel to Epcot Center for the day. Your included ticket is good for “exploring exciting attractions, enchanting international pavilions, and special events & tours. Celebrating the human spirit, Epcot has 2 distinct realms: Future World, which features technological innovations, and World Showcase, which shares with guests the culture and cuisine of 11 countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada.” Remember your walking shoes for this great day of exploring an incredible park!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception 

Day 7 – Orlando to Miami – Cruise

After breakfast this morning we head to Miami where we will board the Enchantment of the Seas, our 990 ft. ship, for the next four nights! Get settled into your outside cabin before taking a stroll through the beautiful ship, which boasts a number of restaurants, Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream, a coffee house, whirlpools & pools, a day spa & fitness center, Casino Royale, and so much more. Don’t forget to take in the brilliant blue waters, magnificent landscapes, and scenic views as we sail first to Nassau, Bahamas.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Cruise Ship: Enchantment of the Seas – Outside Cabins 

Day 8 – Nassau, Bahamas – Cruise

Nassau has long been known for relaxation and adventure, but back in the 1600s it was actually burned down by the Spanish. The history is rich if you choose to explore Fort Charlotte or the Pirates of Nassau Museum. Other shore excursions include many water-related activities like snorkeling, sailing, glass-bottom boat, Thriller powerboat, and more. (Optional shore excursions are at your own cost throughout the entire cruise.) Make sure to leave time to experience the onboard entertainment. Ship departs tonight to sail to CocoCay, Bahamas.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (on board) 

Day 9 – CocoCay, Bahamas – Cruise

Sink your toes into the white-sand beaches of the secluded island of CocoCay. This is a wonderful place to spend more time on the water, do some hiking, or simply relax on the sunny beach with something cool to drink. On CoCoCay Island the food & beverages are free! (Shore excursions at CocoCay are at your own cost.) Be adventurous and try parasailing, glide on a waverunner, or snorkel to capture the beauty of reefs and tropical fish or the mystery of sunken wrecks. Back aboard the Enchantment of the Seas, enjoy an elegant dinner, or choose to grab something light from the Park Cafe or from the Windjammer Cafe.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (on board) 

Day 10 – Key West, Florida – Cruise

Mid-morning we’ll dock in Key West, a colorful and breathtaking place full of old town charm & history. R&J has arranged a trolley tour of exciting Key West. You may choose to continue to explore the area by bicycle, trolley, or foot as you admire Casa Antigua, the former residence of Ernest Hemingway built in 1931. The shopping is endless, the water activities exhilarating (like snorkeling at the only living coral reef in the continental United States), and the swaying palm trees calming. Be sure to stop by Ben & Jerry’s aboard the ship for a refreshing ice cream treat.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (on board) 

Day 11 – Miami to Fort Myers

As we bid the Enchantment of the Seas good-bye, we’ll board our coach and head to Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast. We will drive through the everglades -alligator country! An everglades airboat ride is our afternoon adventure; keep your hands in the boat as the gators are hungry!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express 

Day 12 – Fort Myers to St. Pete’s Beach

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Edison/Ford Winter Estates with the opportunity to see some of Edison’s incredible inventions and his lovely botanical garden. Lunch is arranged at a waterfront restaurant before we travel on to St. Pete’s Beach for a two night stay at your all-suite hotel on the beach.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Sirata Beach Resort  (2 Nights)

Day 13 – St. Pete’s Beach

Sleep late and enjoy a free day at the resort on the sunny Gulf Coast. Take a dip in the sparkling pool, pull up a chair on the sandy beach, ride the trolley, or do some shopping, the choice is yours. This evening join us for dinner at a favorite waterfront restaurant.

Included: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 14 – St. Pete’s Beach to Perry, FL

The fly group departs out of Tampa Bay today. The remaining group will motor past Clearwater to beautiful Tarpon Springs, the “Sponge Capital of the World.” This charming village was founded back in 1907 and is a Mecca of Greek culture. Stroll around this charming seaside village where divers bring in sponges from off the Gulf floor. Walk the fishing docks and do some browsing in the local shops. We’ll take a Sponge Cruise and see just how the sponge divers of old collected the sponges. We’ll have lunch at a Greek Restaurant, before making our way to Perry for a restful evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites 

Day 15 – Perry to Montgomery, AL

After breakfast we make a short drive to Wakulla Springs State Park, home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. This park plays host to an abundance of wildlife which includes alligators, turtles, manatees, deer, and birds. We’ll board a river boat for a fascinating ranger-led tour along the Wakulla River. Lunch is served right here at the Spring, providing wonderful views! Then we depart Florida and make our way to Montgomery, AL.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites 

Day 16 – Montgomery to Memphis, TN

Today we travel to Memphis, Tennessee and tour the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel, the site of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s assasination. Later we visit famous Beale Street rich in history and jazz music! We’ll enjoy a nice dinner and some music together this evening before checking into our hotel for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Hotel: Comfort Suites 

Day 17 – Memphis to Hannibal, MO

Breakfast is served at the hotel before we depart, making our way through St. Louis where we make a stop at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Then it’s on to Hannibal for our final night where we will enjoy a group farewell dinner at a favorite restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 18 – Hannibal to Home

We journey the rest of the way home today, making an included lunch stop along the way. What wonderful memories and new friends we’ve made on our Grand Florida and Bahamas Cruise Tour!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch