Southern Caribbean CME Cruise

Lock in the lowest rate

• The super earlybird rate vanishes in -- days, --:--:--
• That's Sunday, July 19 at 11:59 PM Eastern
• After that, it's $1,695—then $1,895 aboard ship

No shirt, no shoes, no CME—but off-hours are all yours. The CMPA calls physician well-being “the missing quality of care indicator” because it so powerfully predicts patient outcomes. Physician, recharge yourself!

The CME will be held during our four sea days: Tuesday, February 16; Wednesday, February 17; Wednesday, February 24; and Thursday, February 25, from 9:00AM to 11:30AM each day. All three collections—Cayenne, Habanero, and Jalapeño—are delivered across the four sessions, covering over ninety papers from psychology and psychiatry.

Social gatherings include our Welcome Party on Day 2 (Tuesday, February 16) and our Farewell Party on Day 10 (Wednesday, February 24). Both run from 5:00PM to 6:00PM. All registrants and their guests (of all ages!) are welcome. We also gather informally most evenings at the Martini Bar in the Grand Plaza.

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. 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.

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. 

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 CFPC, 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. 

Maybe it will be different this February. Maybe this winter's weather will be amazing. And maybe the dark mornings won't bother you. But what are the odds?

What’s more likely is that a planned mid-winter escape would do you and your family good—and ultimately, your patients too. What’s also likely is that if you book today instead of last-minute, you’ll snap up preferred flight times and preferred cabins at prices that please you.

Give your loved one(s) a chance to recover from this winter—and some immunity to what’s left of it. Book today.

Preferred-rate cabins on first-class ships deservedly sell out long in advance. Unfortunately, some doctors share traits with mere mortals, including the tendency to procrastinate. Regrettably, even the most strident cries of “Do you know who I am?” cannot secure the Chief of Staff (or the orthopod, or any other Minor Deity) the best flights and a prime cabin when the snowplows are already out. You owe it to yourself and your family to book early. How early? Those who take their vacations seriously—and have learned the cost of rumination—snap up the prime options as soon as they’ve slept on it. That’s just how it is. Book today.