Exploring South America

Bridgetown, the vibrant capital of Barbados, is a dynamic Caribbean city that merges historical charm with modern energy and a warm island welcome. Its UNESCO-listed historic district showcases colonial-era architecture, including the 1870s’-built Parliament Buildings. The bustling city offers colourful markets, duty-free shopping and Bajan restaurants. Bridgetown also has pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, such as Carlisle Bay.

Port of Spain, Trinidad's capital, is famed for its carnival with a Caribbean vibe and the Royal Botanic Gardens featuring a world of plants. The Magnificent Seven mansions, dating back to 1900, showcase the city's architectural heritage. As the world's greenest destination, Trinidad's Caroni Wetlands comprise mangroves and winding rivers, while the Northern Range mountains harbour birds, reptiles and 620 butterfly types amid ancient rainforests.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Georgetown, the 'Garden City of the Caribbean,' lies on the Atlantic Coast where the Demerara river meets the sea. Stabroek Market, St. George's Cathedral, the National Museum and Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology all make up Georgetown's rich culture. With a diverse population of European, Indian, African, Chinese and Amerindian descent, the city thrives as a multicultural melting pot. Despite its location, Guyana is an English-speaking nation.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

At the heart of Paramaribo, Suriname's capital, is the UNESCO World Heritage historical centre blending Dutch architecture with local craftsmanship. Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral-Basilica is one of the Western Hemisphere's largest wooden structures. Notable sites include Fort Zeelandia, a 17th-century fortress, the Garden of Palms and broad streets. The central square is encircled by impressive buildings including the Presidential Palace (1730).

The Iles du Salut (Salvation Islands) are a tiny archipelago off French Guiana's coast, with three main islands: Royale, St-Joseph and Diable - or Devil's Island, a penal colony. Serious offenders and political prisoners, such as Captain Alfred Dreyfus, were held here and dead prisoners were fed to the sharks. The prison buildings are now overgrown, and the islands are now home to green-winged macaws, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and sea turtles.

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

The most remote of Brazil’s 26 state capitals, Macapá, the capital of and the largest city in the Amapá State, sits on the north bank of the Amazon Delta. Founded by the Portuguese as an outpost, this city's foremost attraction is the Marco Zero monument, a 113-centimetre concrete sundial which symbolises the centre of the metropolis. Other sights include the Fortaleza de São José and the Museu Sacaca.

The Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve in Amapá highlights remarkable ecological diversity while balancing conservation with sustainable use by local communities. Encompassing rainforests, cerrado grasslands, and flooded riparian zones, the reserve is home to valuable tree species like Brazil nuts and açaí palms. It supports a wide range of wildlife, including tapirs, monkeys, cats, alligators, turtles and numerous bird and fish species.

Aquiqui is a town along the Iquiqui River's unspoiled banks on a tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. Surrounded by rainforest, it provides access to traditional Caboclo communities living in harmony with nature, where visitors can learn ancient wisdom and observe their customs, beliefs and way of life in tune with the ecosystem. The area is home to diverse wildlife like aquatic birds, monkey squirrels and iguanas.

Furo do Cujuba is a stream in Pará, Brazil, that traverses diverse Amazonian ecosystems, including forests, lowland forests and aquatic vegetation. This waterway is part of the intricate system of rivers and channels that characterise the Amazon region. These ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Amazon. Along the furos are riverside communities whose daily lives are intimately connected to these waterways.

Navigating Brazil's Breves Narrows, upriver from Belem in the Thousand Islands region, is a mesmerising Amazonian journey. This natural passage, surrounded by towering walls of lush vegetation, creates a secluded green canyon in the heart of the jungle. Enigmatic wildlife such as scarlet macaws, and equatorial flora such as giant Victoria water lilies flourish. The welcoming locals, known as ribeirinhos, offer warm hospitality.

Once one of South America's most prosperous cities, known as ‘tropical Paris’, today Belém remains a thriving port and is the gateway to the Amazon. The opulence of Belém’s golden era is showcased at the neoclassical-style 1874 Theatro da Paz on the Praça de República. Pretty green spaces are shaded by mango trees and the historical centre has plenty of wonderful museums. The bustling Ver-o-Peso market is Latin America's largest open-air market.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Itaqui, a port in São Luís, Maranhão, provides access to the UNESCO-listed Praia Grande historic city centre. This area is home to over 3,500 colonial Portuguese houses, along with galleries and museums. Close by, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park's unique landscape is renowned for its stunning white sand dunes sculpted by the wind and filled with rain-fed, crystal clear blue lagoons.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Fortaleza is Brazil's fifth-largest city, located on the northeastern coastline in the state of Ceará. Its history includes a Dutch outpost in 1654, later retaken by the Portuguese and renamed Fortaleza (fortress). Among the highlights are the Praia do Futuro beach, forró, traditional music and dance at the ornate, Art Nouveau-styled Theatro José de Alencar, or shopping for hammocks and handmade lace and embroideries at the Central Market.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

The port city of Cabedelo's strategic location at the mouth of the Paraíba River has shaped its history as a defensive stronghold. Originally inhabited by Tapuia Indians who migrated inland when Tupi people arrived from the Amazon, the area later became a Portuguese fortress. During Dutch rule, Cabedelo was temporarily renamed Margaretha. Its natural beauty makes it an attractive destination for beach-goers with ten nearby beaches.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

With a rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where African and South American cultures blend. Salvador served as Brazil's first capital from 1549 to 1763, and its UNESCO-listed historic centre, Pelourinho, bursts with cobblestone streets and colourful colonial buildings. Jorge Amado, a beloved literary figure, is celebrated at his former home, now the museum A Casa do Rio Vermelho.