Med26 | Carib26 | Carib27 | Med27 (x3)
Southern Caribbean CME Cruise
Learn some fun & practical psychology aboard the extraordinary new Celebrity Ascent on an 11-night cruise in the unspoiled Southern Caribbean
February 15-26, 2027
Super earlybird tuition $1,495 CDN (tax-free)
PsychUpdate (extended version)
- $1,495 super earlybird tuition until October 1, 2026
- $1,695 earlybird tuition until February 14, 2027
- $1,895 tuition aboard ship on February 15, 2027
Overview
CBT Canada is pleased to present a Southern Caribbean CME cruise from February 15-26, 2027 aboard the new Celebrity Ascent.
This immersive journey begins in Fort Lauderdale and explores six unforgettable islands. St. Maarten’s cultural collision, Antigua’s tranquil beaches, St. Lucia’s volcanic majesty, Barbados’ island rhythm, Dominica’s rainforest wilds, and St. Kitts’ colonial grace offer a Caribbean experience far richer than the usual route. You and your loved ones will return home with a treasure trove of unforgettable Caribbean memories.
Staterooms start at $8,138 CAD for a Deluxe Inside and $13,338 CAD for an Infinite Veranda—taxes included. Plus, enjoy a Classic Drinks Package and WiFi for each guest, your companion cruises free, and your deposit is fully refundable.
The ship offers exclusive amenities for our group, including private meeting rooms, invitation-only cocktail parties, and special dining arrangements. For our group to enjoy these benefits, all bookings must be made with Arlene at vacation@cbt.ca (877.466.8228 x 333). Book now for the best cabin selection!
See below for ship & itinerary details...
The CME
The mind is much of medicine
Mental health issues consume nearly a third of primary care. Furthermore, psychological expertise is crucial in nearly all patient encounters to optimize adherence and outcomes.
PsychUpdates deliver the concise, cutting-edge reviews you need to keep your psychology skills sharp. Each session delivers practice-changing tools from the latest research from across the key areas in mental health.
Unlike CBT Canada's core modules, which provide tools customized for twelve distinct clinical areas, PsychUpdates offer you a broad and brisk experience. This review draws at least three papers with practical implications from each of the following clinical domains:
| addiction medicine | family psychology | pain medicine |
| adolescent psychiatry | forensic psychiatry | personality disorders |
| anxiety disorders | functional disorders | positive psychology |
| behavioral medicine | geriatric psychiatry | psychedelic therapy |
| chronic care | grief management | PTSD |
| couples counseling | health psychology | sleep medicine |
| depressive disorders | mindfulness interventions | social anxiety |
| digital mental health | non-compliance | suicide prevention |
| evolutionary psychiatry | occupational medicine | vaccine refusal |
On this Southern Caribbean CME cruise we'll be covering three PsychUpdate collections: Cayenne, Habanero & Jalapeno. Each three-hour collection covers thirty recent and clinically useful papers (for over ninety papers total over the course of the cruise).
Three criteria guide the selection of the ninety papers underpinning this PsychUpdate: 1) useful (professionally and/or personally); 2) high-quality; and 3) recent. PsychUpdates introduce a new high-impact paper every five minutes to keep things very engaging.
Details about the Collections covered in this Three Pepper CME Cruise are here. Rest assured you'll be returning home updated & fascinated in psychology & psychiatry!
No shirt, no shoes, no CME (regardless of how you self-identify). However, what you do during non-CME hours is entirely up to you. The CMPA now refers to physician well-being as "the missing quality of care indicator", because it so powerfully predicts patient outcomes. Physician, recharge yourself!
CME cruise faculty
Lead instructor Greg Dubord, MD is the CME Director of CBT Canada, and the prime developer of medical CBT. He has presented over 500 workshops, including over 50 for the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and is a University of Toronto CME Teacher of the Year. Dr. Dubord completed his CBT training under the founder, Dr. Aaron T. Beck. He has taught in all Canadian provinces and territories, and in over a dozen countries.
About CBT Canada
CBT Canada has given over 100 workshops in collaboration with most Canadian medical schools, including Dalhousie, McGill, McMaster, Memorial, Queen's, UofA, UBC, UofC, Université de Montréal, UofS, University of Toronto, and Western (UWO).
CBT Canada won the National CME Program Award from the CFPC for providing "exceptional learning experiences". CBT Canada was also the first organization to be authorized by the CFPC to provide three-credits-per-hour CME. One accreditation reviewer wrote, "Two words: superlative & exemplary".
Many physician leaders have been trained by CBT Canada over the past thirty years. Alumni include CFPC presidents (both national & provincial), department chairs, residency training program directors—and even a few doctors who are comfortable using drills & saws. For a compilation of testimonials, click here.
Southern Caribbean itinerary
| Day | Date | Location | Arrive | Depart | ||||
| Mon | Feb 15 | Departure (Ft. Lauderdale) | 3:30PM | |||||
| Tue | Feb 16 | Cruising (CME 9:00AM-11:30AM) | ||||||
| Wed | Feb 17 | Cruising (CME 9:00AM-11:30AM) | ||||||
| Thu | Feb 18 | Philipsburg, St. Maarten | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Fri | Feb 19 | St. John's, Antigua | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Sat | Feb 20 | Castries, St. Lucia | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Sun | Feb 21 | Bridgetown, Barbados | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Mon | Feb 22 | Roseau, Dominica | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Tue | Feb 23 | Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis | 8:00AM | 6:00PM | ||||
| Wed | Feb 24 | Cruising (CME 9:00AM-11:30AM) | ||||||
| Thu | Feb 25 | Cruising (CME 9:00AM-11:30AM) | ||||||
| Fri | Feb 26 | Arrival (Ft. Lauderdale) | 7:00AM |
Port details
The Southern Caribbean offers everything regular Caribbean cruises promise—but rarely deliver: paradise without the crowds. While typical routes shuffle thousands of passengers through overrun ports and manufactured experiences, southern itineraries reveal the Caribbean's true magic—quiet beaches, natural wonders, and authentic island cultures.
This sailing spans the Franco-Dutch bustle of St. Maarten, the serene beaches of Antigua, the majestic Pitons of St. Lucia, the cultural heartbeat of Barbados, the emerald rainforests of Dominica, and the pastoral charm of St. Kitts. With longer sailing distances providing more relaxing sea days to savor your ship’s amenities, you’ll discover why seasoned cruisers choose the Southern Caribbean when they want to experience the islands as they were meant to be: unspoiled, uncrowded, and unforgettable.
Day 1. All aboard for a 3:30PM departure. The afternoon is yours to discover Celebrity Ascent's innovative spaces—perhaps starting with the cantilevered Magic Carpet, hovering above the ocean, or the Rooftop Garden's unexpected greenery at sea. Find your favorite among the ship's 30+ dining venues, or simply settle into a lounger on the expansive Resort Deck. As we sail into open water, you'll feel the shift from your daily demands to something extraordinary: a floating design masterpiece where world-class dining, innovative entertainment, and Southern Caribbean adventures await.
Day 2. At sea, with CME 9:00AM–11:30AM. The festive CBT Canada Welcome Party begins at 5:00PM. All registrants and all their guests (of all ages!) are encouraged to attend.
Day 3. At sea, with CME 9:00AM–11:30AM. What you do with the rest of the day is entirely up to you.
Day 4. Philipsburg, St. Maarten offers the best of both worlds—Dutch efficiency and French flair on one spectacular island. Start your day at Great Bay Beach, just steps from the cruise port, with its crystal-clear waters and water sports galore. Stroll down Front Street for duty-free shopping, from electronics to jewelry and local crafts. Take a water taxi to nearby Maho Beach to experience the thrill of planes landing just overhead at Princess Juliana International Airport. For panoramic views, ride the Flying Dutchman, the world's steepest zip line. Explore the French side's capital, Marigot, with its colorful markets, sidewalk bistros, and Fort Louis overlooking Marigot Bay. Don't miss sampling the island's fusion cuisine—try Johnny cakes, conch fritters, or French pastries. Visit Loterie Farm for hiking trails through lush tropical forest, or relax at one of 37 pristine beaches.
Day 5. St. John's, Antigua boasts 365 beaches—one for every day of the year. Begin at Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully restored 18th-century British naval base. Climb to Shirley Heights for breathtaking harbor views and remnants of military fortifications. In St. John's proper, visit the twin-towered St. John's Cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda to understand the island's complex history. Shop for local crafts and spices at the Heritage Quay complex or the Saturday morning market. For beach lovers, Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay offer pristine white sand and calm waters. Adventure seekers can zipline through the rainforest canopy or take a catamaran to Stingray City for an unforgettable marine encounter. Sample Antigua's famous black pineapple, the world's sweetest, and don't leave without trying fungi and pepperpot, traditional Antiguan dishes.
Day 6. Castries, St. Lucia is the island's bustling capital and gateway to extraordinary natural wonders. Start at Derek Walcott Square, named for the island's Nobel laureate, surrounded by colonial buildings and the impressive Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Explore Castries Market for tropical fruits, spices, and handmade crafts—the vanilla and cinnamon are exceptional. Take a scenic drive south to the iconic Pitons, twin volcanic peaks and UNESCO World Heritage Site that define St. Lucia's dramatic landscape. Nearby in Soufrière, adventure seekers can visit Sulphur Springs, the Caribbean's only "drive-in volcano." Closer to port, visit Pigeon Island National Park to the north, offering hiking trails and historic military ruins. For rainforest views, consider the Aerial Tram experience. Don't miss the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens with tropical flora and mineral baths once used by French soldiers. Snorkel in the marine reserve at Anse Chastanet for underwater wonders. End your day sampling local specialties like green fig and saltfish or callaloo soup.
Day 7. Bridgetown, Barbados has a strong British colonial heritage combined with classic Caribbean warmth. Begin at the UNESCO-listed historic center, including the Garrison area with its 17th-century buildings. Browse Cheapside Market for local produce and crafts, then cool off at Carlisle Bay's calm waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling with sea turtles. Take a tour of Mount Gay Rum Distillery, producing rum since 1703, or explore Harrison's Cave's crystallized limestone caverns via tram. History buffs can venture north (about an hour) to St. Nicholas Abbey, a Jacobean mansion and rum distillery dating to 1658. For beach enthusiasts, the west coast offers gentle waters at Paynes Bay, while the Atlantic-facing east coast provides dramatic scenery at Bathsheba. Visit the nearby George Washington House, where the future U.S. president stayed in 1751. Don't miss trying flying fish and cou-cou, the national dish, or sampling Bajan fish cakes. The island's friendly locals and rich cultural heritage make every encounter memorable.
Day 8. Roseau, Dominica is the unspoiled "Nature Island" of the Caribbean. This lush, mountainous island offers extraordinary eco-adventures rather than typical beach experiences. Start with a walking tour of the compact capital, including the Old Market where slaves were once traded, now selling crafts and spices. Take the aerial tram to the rainforest canopy for spectacular views, or hike to Trafalgar Falls, twin waterfalls surrounded by hot springs. For an otherworldly experience, visit the Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest hot volcanic lake, though this requires a challenging 6-hour round-trip hike. Snorkel or dive at Champagne Reef, where volcanic gases create underwater bubbles. The Kalinago Territory preserves the culture of the Caribbean's indigenous people. Sample traditional dishes like fresh river prawns, dasheen pepperpot, or callaloo soup—hearty local favorites that showcase the island's agricultural bounty. Dominica's untouched beauty and adventure opportunities make it unforgettable.
Day 9. Basseterre, St. Kitts offers a perfect blend of history and natural beauty. Start at Independence Square, once the largest slave market in the Caribbean, now a peaceful park surrounded by Georgian architecture. Visit the National Museum to understand the island's sugar and colonial history. Take the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last railway in the West Indies, for panoramic views of sugar estates and coastline. Explore Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Gibraltar of the Caribbean." For beach time, South Friars Bay offers calm waters and beach bars, while adventurers can hike through the rainforest to hidden waterfalls. Don't miss Romney Manor, home to Caribelle Batik, where you can watch artisans create colorful fabrics. The Circus, a roundabout modeled after London's Piccadilly Circus, anchors the downtown area with its Victorian clock tower. Sample local favorites like saltfish and johnny cakes or goat water stew.
Day 10. At sea, with CME 9:00AM–11:30AM. The festive CBT Canada Farewell Party begins at 5:00PM. All registrants and all their guests (of all ages!) are encouraged to attend.
Day 11. At sea, with CME 9:00AM–11:30AM.
Day 12. Disembark rejuvenated. After eleven nights aboard Celebrity Ascent, you're heading home transformed—not just rested, but intellectually renewed. Those ninety papers from the PsychUpdate collections are now woven into your thinking, ready to inform both practice and life. Somewhere between St. Lucia's Pitons and Dominica's rainforests, you remembered how to let go and truly learn again. You're bringing that lighter, more engaged version of yourself home.
Traveling solo? If the cruise line's "single supplement" is deterring you, Arlene may be able to help. Call (877) 466-8228 x 333 or email vacation@cbt.ca for details.
The ship
Celebrity Ascent, one of the newest jewels of the award-winning Edge Series, redefines modern luxury cruising. Launched in late 2023, she builds on the bold design of her sisters but elevates the experience even further.
On the expanded Resort Deck, guests enjoy sweeping sea views from cantilevered floating pools, more loungers and shaded retreats, and an atmosphere that blends relaxation with chic sophistication. The newly reimagined main and specialty restaurants offer both enhanced space and an expanded culinary repertoire, ensuring that every meal—from fresh Mediterranean to bold Asian fusion—delights the senses.
In the Rooftop Garden, you’ll find live music, interactive experiences, and the expanded Rooftop Garden Grill, where you can savor grilled specialties surrounded by lush greenery under the stars. For the culinary connoisseur, Le Voyage by Chef Daniel Boulud delivers an exquisite, world-class dining journey crafted by Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador himself. With over 30 distinctive culinary and lounge venues, every craving—from elegant fine dining to casual bites and handcrafted cocktails—is effortlessly satisfied.
Guests of The Retreat, Celebrity’s exclusive all-suite enclave, are pampered with a private sundeck, luxurious cabanas, a dedicated lounge, and personalized concierge service. Wellness seekers will find a haven in the enhanced Spa & Fitness Center, featuring cutting-edge equipment and innovative treatments.
With imaginative entertainment in the state-of-the-art Theatre, transformative shore excursions, and an onboard atmosphere that balances sophistication with discovery, Celebrity Ascent ensures your precious vacation time is filled with unforgettable moments.
For a tour of the Celebrity Ascent, click here.
Deluxe inside staterooms from $8,138 CAD (tax included)
Infinite Verandas from $13,338 CAD (tax included)
COMPANION CRUISES FREE
For a limited time only, these rates include a drinks package,
free WiFi, and refundable deposit—for each guest
Please book soon to avoid weeping & gnashing of teeth.
Mark our words: This cruise will sell out fast.
To book your complete vacation CME package,
email Arlene at vacation@cbt.ca or phone 877.466.8228 x 333