Southern Caribbean & Panama Canal
October 22 – November 3, 2023
Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale
Join us on a Caregiver Retreat as we set sail on the flagship M.S. Rotterdam and head south to tropical dream destinations! Enjoy your own private island in the Bahamas, sip Curacao in Curacao, relax in a charming Costa Rican town, and revel in the magnificence of the Panama Canal on this caregiver respite, Elite-supported cruise!
Where we’re taking you
Day 1: After departing from our Fort Lauderdale group hotel or being escorted from the airport by an Elite staff member you’ll get settled into your cabin before waving goodbye to Florida and heading south to explore the best of the Caribbean.
Day 2: Half Moon Cay is everyone’s favorite spot, with white sand beaches and stunning blue waters. Spend the day here feeding the fish, taking a glass bottom boat ride, relaxing in a cabana, and enjoying a beach BBQ!
Day 3-4: These days at sea are devoted to neuroplasticity focused activities and caregiver workshops, circles, and break time. Workshops feature a rotation of guest speakers who are here to pass on their knowledge and experience so caregivers leave this trip not only refreshed but also better equipped to handle every day life.
Day 5: Explore the colorful Caribbean town of Orangestad before venturing outside to tour the varied landscapes of Aruba, from towering cacti to stunning beaches.
Day 6: This day at sea will feature additional caregiver workshops, circles, and break time. Take advantage of break time to treat yourself to a dip in the hydrotherapy pool or indulge in a wine tasting!
Day 7: Spend the morning in Cartagena, Colombia, exploring the old town and visiting the fort before stopping for some tasty treats in this city that is making waves in the culinary industry for it’s cutting edge Caribbean cuisine.
Day 8: This day is the moment everyone is traveling for: a trip through the Panama Canal! Get up early to ensure you have a front row seat as we enter the famous locks on the Atlantic side and glide through to Gatun Lake, the heart of the Panama passage. End the day in the city of Colon, Panama, with a tropical drink in hand!
Day 9: Costa Rica offers something for every traveler of every age. Taste some of the freshest chocolate you’ll ever try, visit a rainforest, lounge on a beach, or even meet some sloths!
Day 10: This day at sea gives caregivers another chance to participate in workshops and circles with our rotation of keynote speakers and gives them another change to take the break they deserve.
Day 11: Spend the morning touring Jamaica, exploring Falmouth’s historical town, or having a beach day and don’t forget to try some rum. Jamaican rum will have its own unique qualities that set it apart from other Caribbean spirits so out of all the days today is the day to get a fancy umbrella drink!
Day 12: Our last day will be spent at sea before arriving back where we started in Fort Lauderdale. Take advantage of your favorite ship amenities before the morning disembarkation and heading to the airport or our post-cruise hotel.
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We offer the following on every Elite Cruise so you can bring your loved ones and enjoy life to the fullest:
- Group accompanied by medical professionals, including RN support 24/7, as well as trained support staff. Staff to client ratio is 1:4.
- Meet and greet at airport
- Accompanied excursions
- Group dinner seating
- Exclusive group events such as music therapy, interactive educational and support seminars for caregivers, and Memory Café sessions that ensure all caregivers have time to themselves each day
Clients with neurological diagnoses, post CVA, slow walkers, diabetes, heart disease, and families that feel more comfortable with RN clinical support are appropriate to travel with us.
Wheelchair accessible and mobility accessible staterooms are available on a first come first serve basis. All cabins on the ship can be retrofitted to be accessible with elevated toilet seats, shower chairs, and detachable shower heads at no additional cost. Arrangements can be made to rent assistive devices such as scooters, power wheelchairs, etc.
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Caregiver Conferences & Support
Connect with other caregivers on our cruises and find the support you need with caregiver circles and educational seminars on caregiving managing, self care, diagnosis/prognosis, and neuroplasticity concepts and activities. These sessions are exclusively for our group and feature new guest speakers on each voyage as well as our team of professionals including Kathy, a geriatric neurology nurse with adaptive technology certification. Additionally get the time to regroup, relax, and recharge with daily two hour respite sessions where our team will take over your caregiving duties and you have the break you deserve.

M.S. Rotterdam offers vacation experiences for all ages!
Create lifelong memories with all generations of your family on this impressive vessel. Younger family members will enjoy dedicated activities and entertainment at Club HAL while adults unwind at Greenhouse Spa or keep things lively at B.B. King’s Blues Club. All generations can come together for some fun at the spacious Sea View Pool or at one of the many music venues on board.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OR OTHER ELITE VACATIONS CALL 888-826-6836 OR CLICK HERE
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS