Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro invokes images of a never-ending festival as one of the most celebrated cities in the world. From dancing samba on the beach of Ipanema to exploring the art deco influences of Copacabana, it comes alive. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, seen for miles in any direction, encapsulates the city’s grand feel. On the mouth of Guanabara Bay lies the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can take a cable car ride to the top for exhilarating, bird’s-eye views of city structures expanding to the edges of lush green cliffs into blue waters. Just on the outskirts of the city, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits to be explored – Sítio Roberto Burle Marx – a garden designed by the landscape architect it’s named after.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro invokes images of a never-ending festival as one of the most celebrated cities in the world. From dancing samba on the beach of Ipanema to exploring the art deco influences of Copacabana, it comes alive. The iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, seen for miles in any direction, encapsulates the city’s grand feel. On the mouth of Guanabara Bay lies the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, where you can take a cable car ride to the top for exhilarating, bird’s-eye views of city structures expanding to the edges of lush green cliffs into blue waters. Just on the outskirts of the city, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits to be explored – Sítio Roberto Burle Marx – a garden designed by the landscape architect it’s named after.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Ilheus, Brazil

The city of Ilhéus is known for its striking mix of colonial architecture and beautiful beaches, as well as for being the hometown of famous Brazilian writer, Jorge Amado. Discover its rich history as an exporter of cacao at Fazenda Yrere. Sample the delicious chocolate produced here as you’re walked through the process. Perhaps best known for Praia Dos Milionarios, settle in for lunch, drinks and live music at one of the local cabanas. At the Centro Cultural Bataclan, you are transported back in time to the 1920s. From the building’s facade to its interior exhibits, history has made this city timeless.

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Salvador’s rich mix of colonial and African influences gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the energy of Afro-Brazilian culture. From the food to the arts to the music, as well as the hip, bohemian vibe of newer neighborhoods, the capital of Brazil’s state of Bahia plunges you into a diverse and authentic experience made for adventure.

The former capital of Portugal’s New World colony lies along Brazil’s northeast Atlantic coast. Colonial architecture in vibrant, pastel colors perfectly display the city’s complex identity and cultural influences. Museums like Misericordia and Bahia Museum of Modern Art give travelers a glimpse into the culture’s history and art for a chance to truly understand the locals.

A climb up the steps of the black and white Barra Lighthouse affords sensational views of the Bay of All Saints. From here, you feel the sea breeze blow through your hair while you take in the expansive scene of the bay on one side and tropical palms and lush green on the other. The rush of waves lapping against the lighthouse’s stone fortress create the soundtrack of your explorations.

Forte da Capoeira, a former state prison, now acts as the site to catch a demonstration of a mesmerizing capoeira performance. This unique Brazilian practice stems from African traditions that combine styles of martial arts and dance. It holds so much importance to the culture that UNESCO deemed it an intangible world heritage.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Recife, Brazil

Recife, one of the largest cities in northern Brazil, offers a diverse array of neighborhoods to discover. From palm-fringed beaches like Boa Viagem to the colorful streets, markets, and colonial architecture of Old Town, this destination makes for the ultimate traveler’s playground. With plenty of rivers, bridges, peninsulas, and islets to explore, you will never have a boring moment. Colorful streets and architecture amid the local Mercado de São José bring out the city’s vibrancy. The structures of Praca da Republica, Catedral de São Pedro dos Clerigos, and Teatro Santa Isabel call out with their stories if you are willing to listen.,/br>

Natal, Brazil

Find all the splendor of Brazil in Natal, perched along the Atlantic coast. Miles of undulating sand dunes that transform into turquoise lagoons during the right season make up the Dune State Park. Take an exhilarating buggy ride through the Genipabu Beach dunes. For a true feel for the people of Northern Brazil, dive into their cuisine. Once you try the local favorite, bobo de camarao, a savory stew prepared with manioc, dende oil, coconut milk and shrimp, your taste buds will forever be changed. Forte dos Reis Magos, an old, star-shaped fort along the waterfront stands as a monument to strength and endurance, both for the city and its people.

Fortaleza, Brazil

Fortaleza, the capital of the Brazilian state of Ceara, boasts over 30 kilometers of beaches, making it a sunny paradise of white sands and blue waves. Skyscrapers that line the horizon behind the beaches give it a cosmopolitan look and feel that affords travelers all the conveniences of modern-day exploration.

The arts and cultural center of Dragao do Mar (Dragon of the Sea) offers a lively experience with museums, a planetarium, Brazilian films, and other city-wide events. It gives you the chance to dive in and immerse yourself among the locals and their history. At night, the center becomes a hub for nightlife with bustling bars and live music.

For a true taste of Brazil, you must sample the local fare. From fresh fish of the day to the country’s national cocktail, caipirinha, a drink that highlights the nation’s sweet fruit flavors with liquor. If this doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, then try a typical tapioca ice cream, a light and often fruity treat that invokes feelings of carefree childhood.

Along the coastline of Beira-Mar Avenue you find more restaurants that entice you with their delectable and savory aromas of typical Brazilian dishes. But if you make it past the food and to the end of the avenue, a local market awaits. Here vendors sell local wares, like leather goods and colorful trinkets to take home. Moreover, it’s a chance to mingle with the residents and make friends with the locals.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Belem, Brazil

In the economic hub of Belém, known as “The City of Mango Trees,” you find a cultural center filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Lined up along the quay are fishing boats and canoes as they unload their wares, from ceramics to herbs and acai berries. Walking through the historic district you come across Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. Spend a day at Mangal das Garças, a zoo and botanical garden filled with exciting flora and fauna, including an aviary with exotic birds, giant iguanas and a butterfly house. From this port, you can take a day trip to Ilha do Combú, an island filled with natural wonders and known locally as the land of cacao.

Belem, Brazil

In the economic hub of Belém, known as “The City of Mango Trees,” you find a cultural center filled with art galleries, museums, and historic sites. Lined up along the quay are fishing boats and canoes as they unload their wares, from ceramics to herbs and acai berries. Walking through the historic district you come across Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America that dates back to 1625. Spend a day at Mangal das Garças, a zoo and botanical garden filled with exciting flora and fauna, including an aviary with exotic birds, giant iguanas and a butterfly house. From this port, you can take a day trip to Ilha do Combú, an island filled with natural wonders and known locally as the land of cacao.

Equator Crossing

One of the most highly sought-after experiences is that of crossing the equator. Those who can say they’ve sailed through the middle of the Earth hold special bragging rights and have a spectacular story to tell when they return home. As you approach the equator, you enter King Neptune’s territory. It’s here your mettle is tested to deem if you’re worthy of entering his realm. At least, that’s the storyline for the Equator Crossing ceremony. Every initiation differs from one expedition to the next, but there’s a thread that runs through. Guests and crew partake together in a pageant to mark the auspicious moment of crossing the equator line.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Devils Island, French Guiana

Devil’s Island, its true name Cayenne, is a penal colony of French Guiana with a haunted history. Here lie the crumbled remains of a prison opened in 1852 and shut down in 1953. Infamous for housing French political prisoners, it even served as the backdrop for the 1973 action-thriller film Papillon. Nestled among the palm trees and tropical setting hides a turbulent past truth.

The currents near Devil’s Island are so strong, visitors can only access by Zodiac. Once they arrive on the island, they can roam among the ruins, gazing at the fallen walls that once housed the likes of prisoners like Captain Alfred Dreyfus. A quiet befalls this uninhabited island weighed with such a troubled history.

As the wind blows through the palm trees and you traverse the remains of the island, you cannot help but sense the eerie calm of its isolation. Moss and vines grown over the remains of the buildings make it seem like a part of history that happened so long ago, but really only came to an end within the last century.

A walk through what remains of the corridors leading to the former prison cells is accompanied by the rustle of the winds and the distant sounds of animals scurrying about the island. A solemn air permeates the atmosphere until you step back out of the shade of the palms and into the warm sunlight.

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Charlotteville, Tobago

The sleepy fishing village of Charlotteville offers the charms of a tropical Caribbean expedition with the remote feel of small-town living away from mainstream tourism. Located on the northeast tip of Tobago along Man-o-War Bay, the quiet, beachside getaway gives travelers the blue waters and palm trees they desire with less crowds.

Tobago’s history of pirates calls out to the adventurer in all. Explorers can climb down the stone steps leading into the Pirates’ Bay cove where the likes of Black Beard, Henry Morgan, and Captain Finn once made the base of their escapades. Legend has it their treasure is still buried under the sands.

For a truly secluded experience, check out the small strip of Lover’s Beach, accessible only by boat. With pink sands that sparkle in the sun, the effects of a shoreline made of crushed seashells, and surrounding cliffs lush with green, it’s easy to see how this bay earned its romantic reputation.

A short walk away from the village of Charlotteville lies the historic site of Fort Campbellton. The cannons at the hilltop of the old fort point out toward Man-o-War Bay, leading the eye to a mesmerizing landscape. From this vantage point you can take in the sight of the surrounding mountains and sandy beaches below.

Along Tobago’s beaches you can stop in at a local bar and restaurant and order a dish of the catch of the day. As fishing is the island’s main industry, you are always guaranteed fresh seafood plates wherever you roam in Charlotteville.

Mayreau, St. Vincent & Grenadines

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines bring to mind idyllic island living in a destination less traveled. Perhaps the most remote among these islands is Mayreau, the smallest of the Grenadines. Among Mayreau’s most well-known spots is Salt Whistle Bay, an unspoiled beach protected from rough Atlantic waves by a strip of land extending out into the ocean. This makes it the perfect locale to spend a calm and soothing day taking in the sun’s rays with a craft cocktail in hand. Bask in the sun all day as you revel in a beach party along its immaculate shores.

Bridgetown, Barbados

The historic capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, contains centuries of colonial architecture that display the spread of the British Empire. The Barbados Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many old buildings filled with the fascinating history of how the island grew into what it is today. Lying along the southwest coast of Carlisle Bay, it also offers beautiful and serene beach scenes with soft, white sand. And it’s an enticing destination with ancient shipwrecks to dive and explore near the coast, like the S.S. Stavronikita, one of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean. A trip to Barbados is not complete without a sampling of the local rum at St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean.