MS Zaandam
February 17, 2024

Miami, Florida, offers docking at PortMiami. Travelers explore South Beach and Wynwood Walls. Excursions visit Everglades National Park. Local markets sell Cuban sandwiches. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures art deco and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes stone crab, a Floridian favorite. Souvenirs, like seashell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Seminole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Miami’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of vibrant nightlife and scenic wetlands, making Miami an engaging destination for exploring Florida’s southern coast.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, offers docking at Philipsburg Port. Travelers explore Front Street and Maho Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Cupecoy Bay. Local markets sell guavaberry liqueur. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures plane landings and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a St. Maarten favorite. Souvenirs, like Dutch crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arawak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Philipsburg’s vibrant charm offers a lively stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of bustling markets and scenic beaches, making Philipsburg an engaging destination for exploration.

Castries, St. Lucia, offers docking at Castries Port. Travelers explore Pigeon Island and Sulphur Springs. Excursions include snorkeling at Anse Chastanet. Local markets sell green fig salad. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Piton peaks and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a St. Lucian favorite. Souvenirs, like cocoa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Castries’ vibrant charm offers a lively St. Lucian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of volcanic landscapes and marine adventures, making Castries an engaging destination for exploration.

Scarborough, Tobago, offers docking at Scarborough Port. Travelers explore Fort King George and Pigeon Point Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Buccoo Reef. Local markets sell curry crab. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes roti, a Tobagonian favorite. Souvenirs, like cocoa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Trinidad and Tobago history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Scarborough’s island allure offers a vibrant Tobagonian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and marine adventures, making Scarborough an engaging destination for exploration.

Devils Island in French Guiana has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to the former penal colony. Travelers explore Dreyfus Tower and prison ruins. Guided tours cover Papillon’s history. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures jungle-covered cells. Dining onboard includes couac. Souvenirs, like island prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover penal history. Light clothing suits the tropical climate. Devils Island’s haunting past offers a unique South American stop.

Cruise Barra Norte River, no docking; ships cruise Amazon's mouth with zodiacs to mangroves. Travelers spot pink dolphins and caimans. Kayaking explores flooded forests. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season July to December; high water February to June. Photography captures river confluence. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include woven baskets.

Cruise Amazon River, Brazil, no docking; ships anchor at points like Manaus with zodiacs to villages. Travelers visit the Meeting of the Waters. Kayaking explores igapó forests for pink dolphins. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season July to December; high water February to June. Dining includes pirarucu fish onboard. Souvenirs feature woven baskets from onboard shops.

Returning to Cruise Amazon River — see Day 9 above for port info.

Cross The Equator offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers celebrate the line-crossing ceremony at sea. No excursions or facilities exist; activities are ship-based. The peak season varies by itinerary, typically warm for equatorial crossings. Photography captures vast ocean vistas and festive ceremonies. Dining onboard includes international dishes, reflecting the global journey. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime traditions. Light clothing suits the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance deck walks. Crossing the Equator offers a unique maritime stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ceremonial events and open-sea relaxation, making the Equator crossing an engaging destination for exploration.

Macapa, Brazil, has docking at a port near the Amazon River’s equator line. Travelers visit the Marco Zero monument, marking the equator, and Fortaleza de São José. Excursions explore Amazon rainforest trails for wildlife spotting. Local markets sell açaí bowls, a regional favorite. The peak season, June to November, brings drier weather for outdoor activities. Photography captures lush jungles and riverfronts. Dining onboard features tacacá, an Amazonian soup. Souvenirs, like woven baskets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings detail Amazonian ecology and indigenous culture. Light clothing, insect repellent, and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance jungle treks. Macapa’s unique equatorial location and proximity to the Amazon offer a vibrant Brazilian stop, blending natural wonders with cultural heritage, ideal for travelers seeking an immersive experience in the heart of the Amazon.

Returning to Cruise Amazon River — see Day 9 above for port info.

Santarem, Brazil, offers docking at Santarem Port. Travelers explore Meeting of the Waters and Maica Lake’s wetlands. Excursions include piranha fishing tours. Local markets sell tapioca. The peak season, July to November, brings dry weather for river tours. Photography captures Amazonian rivers and jungle vistas. Dining onboard includes tacacá, a Brazilian favorite. Souvenirs, like rubber crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Amazon history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wetland walks. Santarem’s riverfront allure offers a vibrant Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and Amazonian culture, making Santarem an engaging destination for exploring Brazil’s Amazon River.

Boca da Valeria, Brazil, anchors on the Amazon River with zodiacs to the village, population 100. Travelers visit Caboclo homes on stilts for cultural demos. Kayaking explores flooded forests with pink dolphins. Local markets sell manioc flour. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season July to December; wet season limits access. Dining includes pirarucu fish on board. Souvenirs feature woven baskets. Photography captures river life.

Manaus, Brazil, features docking at Manaus Port on the Amazon River. Travelers explore the Teatro Amazonas and Meeting of the Waters. Excursions venture into the Amazon rainforest for piranha fishing. Local markets sell guaraná drinks. The peak season, June to November, brings drier weather for jungle tours. Photography captures lush rainforests and river confluences. Dining onboard includes tacacá, an Amazonian soup. Souvenirs, like hammocks, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Amazonian ecology. Light clothing, insect repellent, and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance jungle treks. Manaus’ vibrant Amazonian heart offers a dynamic Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers experience a unique blend of urban culture, natural wonders, and indigenous heritage, making Manaus an unforgettable gateway to the Amazon’s biodiversity and historic grandeur.

Returning to Manaus — see Day 14 above for port info.

Parintins, Brazil, offers docking at a Amazon River port. Travelers explore the Boi Bumbá festival grounds and local markets. Excursions include riverboat tours to see pink dolphins. Local markets sell guaraná drinks. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for river tours. Photography captures Amazonian life and vibrant festivals. Dining onboard includes tacacá, an Amazonian soup. Souvenirs, like woven baskets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Amazon culture. Light clothing and insect repellent suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance market walks. Parintins’ lively Amazonian spirit offers a vibrant Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural festivals, river adventures, and jungle heritage, making Parintins an engaging destination for exploring Brazil’s Amazonian heart.

Alter do Chao, Brazil, anchors cruise ships on the Tapajos River, 30 kilometers from Santarem, with tenders to the village’s sandy beach. The community of 2,000 offers access to Lago Verde, a lagoon encircled by white-sand shores. Travelers join boat tours to spot pink river dolphins or hike rainforest trails for sloth and macaw sightings. Ilha do Amor, a 5-minute walk from the landing, provides swimming and kayaking in calm waters. Local guides lead piracaia (fish bake) demonstrations. Excursions to FLONA Tapajos, 90 minutes by bus, explore 650,000 hectares of primary forest with Brazil nut harvesting. Markets sell manioc flour and guaraná drinks. Peak season July to December for low water levels; no terminal, provisions from ship. Dining includes tacaca soup at beach stalls. Souvenirs feature woven straw hats.

Returning to Cruise Amazon River — see Day 9 above for port info.

Returning to Cross The Equator — see Day 10 above for port info.

Returning to Cruise Barra Norte River — see Day 9 above for port info.

Returning to Cruise Barra Norte River — see Day 9 above for port info.

Returning to Cross The Equator — see Day 10 above for port info.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, offers docking at Port of Spain Port. Travelers explore Queen’s Park Savannah and Fort George. Excursions visit Maracas Beach for swimming. Local markets sell doubles. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures colonial architecture and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes pelau, a Trinidadian favorite. Souvenirs, like steel drum crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carnival history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Port of Spain’s vibrant culture offers a dynamic Caribbean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic beaches, and island festivities, making Port of Spain an engaging destination for exploring Trinidad’s heritage.

Bridgetown, Barbados, offers docking at Bridgetown Port. Travelers explore Harrison’s Cave and Bathsheba Beach. Excursions include snorkeling at Carlisle Bay. Local markets sell flying fish cutters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures limestone caves and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cou-cou, a Bajan favorite. Souvenirs, like rum crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bajan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Bridgetown’s vibrant charm offers a lively Barbadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic beaches, making Bridgetown an engaging destination for exploration.

Roseau, Dominica, offers docking at Roseau Port. Travelers explore Trafalgar Falls and Morne Trois Pitons. Excursions include snorkeling at Champagne Reef. Local markets sell callaloo soup. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rainforests and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes mountain chicken, a Dominican favorite. Souvenirs, like basket crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carib history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance waterfall hikes. Roseau’s natural charm offers a vibrant Dominican stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of lush rainforests and marine adventures, making Roseau an engaging destination for exploration.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands, offers docking at Road Town Port. Travelers explore Sage Mountain and Cane Garden Bay. Excursions include snorkeling at The Baths. Local markets sell painkillers. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic hills and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes roti, a BVI favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arawak history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Tortola’s island allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and marine adventures, making Tortola an engaging destination for exploration.

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, offers docking at Port Everglades. Travelers explore Las Olas Boulevard and Everglades tours. Excursions include airboat rides. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures canals and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes stone crab, a Floridian favorite. Souvenirs, like seashell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Seminole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Fort Lauderdale’s urban charm offers a vibrant American stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic waterways and natural adventures, making Fort Lauderdale an engaging destination for exploration.