Southern Caribbean & South American Expedition Cruise

Day 1 - Halifax

Arrive: Fri 01 October 2027 / Depart: Fri 01 October 2027

With its exceptionally delightful harbor side setting, early Europeans were first attracted to Halifax in 1749 with the establishment here of a military outpost by Colonel Cornwallis. The ports natural advantages of a well-protected harbor and close proximity to major fishing grounds resulted in its growth into a major military base and sea port. The peninsula has had several major immigrations during its history; English, French, German, Irish and Scottish have come in substantial numbers at various times. Travelers familiar with the South Pacific will find it interesting to know that Captain James Cook, whose explorations defined most of the Pacific Basin for Europeans, also spent four years in Halifax charting Nova Scotia and the waters of the St. Lawrence. A college town, Halifax has an exhilarating and youthful air about it, as evidenced by many bicyclists and skateboarders. The heart of Halifax offers wonderful restaurants and shopping, galleries, museums, and sites of historic interest including the Naval Dockyard, which dates from 1757, and St. Paul's Church. Heading out of town, the wonders of nature are to be found in the form of the sea, with the smell of salty air, cool ocean breezes, and the powerful force of waves crashing against the rugged shoreline.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - St. Kitts

Arrive: Wed 06 October 2027 / Depart: Wed 06 October 2027

A classic golden arc of sugary sand at South Friar’s Bay, Carambola is home to the island’s most luxurious beach clubs and restaurants. Umbrellas, loungers and optional water sports abound for those so inclined. Otherwise St. Kitts has other attractions, including a number of lovingly preserved plantation great houses, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brimstone Hill Fortress and a scenic narrow gauge sugarcane railway.

Day 7 - Little Bay, Montserrat

Arrive: Thu 07 October 2027 / Depart: Thu 07 October 2027

Day 8 - Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

Arrive: Fri 08 October 2027 / Depart: Fri 08 October 2027

This is the island’s yachting center, quieter and less crowded than the main port of Castries. You can visit the island’s “drive-in” volcano at Soufriere, view the iconic peaks of the Pitons or perhaps snorkel at Pigeon Island, one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite dive spots.

Day 9 - Barbados

Arrive: Sat 09 October 2027 / Depart: Sat 09 October 2027

Barbados has retained many of the trappings of its British colonial heritage. Judges and barristers wear proper robes and wigs, police don helmets styled after London bobbies and cricket remains a national passion. Barbados also has all the sporting appeal of the rest of the Caribbean, with pristine beaches, powerful surf and crystal clear waters. Brightly colored homes and hibiscus flowers mingle with mahogany trees and English churches dating back to the 17th century.

Day 10 - Port of Spain

Arrive: Sun 10 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Sun 10 October 2027 at 20:00

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - French Guiana

Arrive: Wed 13 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 13 October 2027 at 19:00

Before they were a notorious penal colony, the Iles de Salut (Islands of Salvation) provided French colonists with a welcome escape from the fever-ridden jungles of the Guiana mainland. Lying ten miles off the coastline, and swept by treacherous ocean currents, the trio of small islands provided a perfect isolated location for incarcerating criminals without danger or expense, since the shark-infested sea and the trackless jungles ashore precluded any possibility of escape. All three islands, popularly known as Devil's Island, were used as a prison from 1852 to 1953. Your day is free to explore the prison ruins or search for signs of the surprisingly abundant wildlife.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - At Sea

Day 16 - Crossing the Equator

Day 17 - Fortaleza

Arrive: Sun 17 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 17 October 2027 at 14:00

Fortaleza, in the northeastern state of Ceara, is one of Brazil's chief seaports. Among the wealth of exports passing through its harbor are cotton, beans, rice, sugar, fruit, and of course, coffee. Lovely beaches shaded by coconut palms and some of the finest handicrafts Brazil has to offer are among the city's appealing attractions. Explore the highlights of the region along with some of its traditional activities.

Day 18 - Natal

Arrive: Mon 18 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 18 October 2027 at 17:00

Natal was built on the right bank of the River Potenji, right where the river meets the Atlantic; the soil is very sandy, with dunes and bays protected by reefs which appear all along the shore line. This "City of Dunes" invites you to ride in a dune buggy over huge sand dunes with sweeping views of the sea.

Day 19 - At Sea

Day 20 - Salvador

Arrive: Wed 20 October 2027 at 09:00 / Depart: Wed 20 October 2027 at 18:00

If Rio is the heart of Brazil and Sao Paulo is its brain, Salvador is its spirit. It was here in 1549 that the Portuguese founded the capital city and chief port of their new colony. Vast fortunes were made through the slave trade, and the introduction of a large African population had an important effect on the local culture. Salvador is built in two levels. The most appealing is in the upper city, the lovely colonial neighborhood of Pelourinho, which in the past few years has been completely restored to its former glory.

Day 21 - At Sea

Day 22 - At Sea

Day 23 - Buzios

Arrive: Sat 23 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 23 October 2027 at 14:00

Buzios is on everyone’s top ten most beautiful places list. With dozens of gorgeous beaches, warm, clear waters, lush tropical vegetation and a wealth of opportunities for active or relaxing play, it earns the spot easily. The place thrives on pleasing visitors, and you’ll be no exception. VIEW CRUISES

Day 24 - Parati

Arrive: Sun 24 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 24 October 2027 at 17:00

As one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the world, Parati, which means "white fish," is protected by UNESCO. The city exudes a magical and romantic ambience with its gas lights, well-preserved colonial houses, gardens and winding streets. Parati's history goes back to the early 1530s and is full of tales of pirates, gold, romance and mystery. As the second most important port in Brazil, Parati Harbor was built in the 17th and 18th centuries for the export of gold to Portugal, and as the center of southern Brazil's slave trade. The economy of Parati later turned to sugar cane with a multitude of mills that produced Brazil's high quality spirit known as "pinga" or cachaça.

Day 25 - Rio de Janeiro

Arrive: Mon 25 October 2027 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 25 October 2027

Its stunning setting and joyous lust for life make Rio a cidade maravilhosa, "marvelous city." Ipanema, Copacabana, samba - the words alone conjure Brazilian paradise.