The Fort Ste. Marie, St. Georges, St. Louis and St. Pierre     Four new French containerships have just been replacing the four old ones on this popular service. Each of the 30,400-ton ships can accommodate 12 passengers in five twin bedded and two single cabins. The itinerary, with weekly departures from each end, includes the following ports and lasts approx. 28 days:

Dunkirk (Day 1), Rouen (3), Le Havre (5), Montoir de Bretagne, near St. Nazaire and Nantes (7), all in France; transatlantic crossing; Point à Pitre, Guadeloupe (15); Fort de France, Martinique (16-19); Point à Pitre, 2nd call (20) and back to mainland France (28).

Roundtrips can be taken from the islands as well as from the mainland. Spend a few days in Martinique and Guadeloupe; enchanting little islands of France anchored down in the tropics. Then set sail through the calmer, warmer side of the North Atlantic to experience France for a whole week; Paris is just an hour up the river Seine from Rouen.       And it’s very easy to get to the islands. American Airlines flights from Miami, New York and Boston connect through San Juan, Puerto Rico; Air France flies directly from Miami and Air Canada directly from Montreal. Air Martinique and Air Guadeloupe fly between Fort de France and Pointe à Pitre respectively. And should you wish to visit other islands, Antigua-based LIAT connects Guadeloupe with the English-speaking Caribbean.

The Owner’s side-facing cabin and Standard cabins A & F, front and side facing, each with twin beds convertible to double beds.       Standard twin bedded front-facing cabins B & R and single front-facing cabins C & D. All cabins are located on the E deck, one below Captain’s.

Rates range from €980 pp to €1,310 for one way trips, and from €2,130 to €2,280 for roundtrips, depending on the cabin and occupancy.