
Pointe-à-Pitre: Museums, interesting public buildings, markets, and an historic old portPointe-à-Pitre is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France located in the Lesser Antilles in the French Caribbean. The two main islands in Guadeloupe – Grande Terre and Basse Terre – are shaped like the wings of a butterfly, with Pointe-à-Pitre located right in the middle! Today, Point-à-Pitre is a well-developed, cosmopolitan city that boasts a smart new terminal for cruise ships. However, the city is relatively recent as it was first built in 1759 when the English began to construct the town. Point-à-Pitre has since grown to become the economic hub of the island, packed with museums, interesting public buildings, markets, and an historic old port. Point-à-Pitre is popular destination along our Caribbean cruise itinerary as it offers a delightful mix of relaxing beach opportunities for sun-worshippers as well as plenty of historical attractions for those who like to add an educational dimension to their day away from ship. Passengers can conveniently step off the luxury MSC cruise ship onto the dock where the bustling market offers a lively mix of stalls selling handicrafts and typical local goods such as rum, Creole dolls, jewelry and palm-woven baskets. The best way to get away from it all is located nearby - close to Pointe-à-Pitre are perfect white sand beaches and beautiful national parks teeming with waterfalls and rainforests.
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Port average temperature
Like any other Eastern Caribbean city, Pointe-à-Pitre experiences quite evenly spread rainfall during the year, with a wetter season between July and November which coincides with hurricane season. The city receives 1500-2000 mm of rainfall. Tropical heat is the norm, bringing steady highs of around 32°C that drop to 20°C at night. The trade winds blow from the northeast and often temper the climate.
The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.
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GUA08 - A Glimpse of Guadeloupe (4 hours) - 2013/2014
This classical visit will give you the opportunity to discover the lush volcanic island of Basse-Terre where you will be taken on picturesque roads bordered by luxuriant vegetation and nature tropical landscapes. First you will cross the national park of Guadeloupe with its dense tropical forest, and enjoying the refreshing Cascade aux Écrevisses. Afterwards the Domaine de Valombreuse botanical garden will captivate you with its exceptional richness: here you will enjoy the primary forest nearby orchids and cacao trees, the palm grove and spectacular exotic plants.
Through sugarcane plantations, you will than visit a genuine distillery and the estate where you will be able to taste one of the Caribbean's best “rum agricole”.
Price per person $70.00 Adults $49.00 Children
GUA11 - The Spectacular Carbet Waterfall (4 hours) - 2013/2014
Leaving the port of Pointe-à-Pitre, you will travel in comfortable coaches to one of the most attractive place of Guadeloupe, the Carbet waterfalls. The sources are coming from volcano Soufriere, culminating at 1647 meters (5403 feet), and terminate in the sea at Capesterre Belle Eau. Your guide will lead you on a picturesque road penetrating deeply into the tropical rain forest and to the mid level fall, 110 meters high. On the way back, you will stop at the very colorful Domaine de Valombreus to enjoy a typical creol snack and drink in the beautiful environment of the floral park.
Notes: The access to the falls as well as the bath is forbidden.
Price per person $77.00 Adults $54.00 Children
GUA12 - Exclusive Eco Zodiac Tour Sail & Snorkel Tour (4 hours) - 2013/2014
You will reach by bus the natural reserve of Grand Cul de Sac Marin, part of the Guadeloupe National Park. Here, in small groups of 4 passengers you will board and drive your own zodiac boat and start your exploration of the mangroves with their birds, crabs, starfish and multi-colored sponges. After leaving the mangroves, you will sail to a very small island with beautiful crystal water and a wonderful coral reef. Put on your mask and flippers and have fun snorkeling in this aquarium. On the way back you will stop on another small island "l'Ilet Blanc" so named because of its white sand, where you can enjoy a refreshing fruit juice or rum punch.Price per person $142.00 Adults $99.00 Children
The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.