Norwegian Star
April 10, 2024

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, offers docking at Porto Maravilha. Travelers explore Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach. Excursions visit Sugarloaf Mountain’s cable car. Local markets sell feijoada. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures iconic statues and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes pão de queijo, a Brazilian favorite. Souvenirs, like samba crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carioca history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Rio’s vibrant energy offers a dynamic Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks, scenic beaches, and samba culture, making Rio de Janeiro an engaging destination for exploration.

Buzios, Brazil, anchors offshore with tenders to Canto Beach, a 5-minute ride to downtown, population 30,000. Travelers stroll Rua das Pedras for boutiques. Praia da Ferradura offers snorkeling. Local markets sell cachaça. Excursions to Arraial do Cabo, 1 hour east, explore beaches. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-20 BRL. Dining includes moqueca at seaside restaurants. Souvenirs feature Havaianas flip-flops.

Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, offers docking at Salvador Port. Travelers explore Pelourinho’s UNESCO colonial streets and Elevador Lacerda. Excursions visit Praia do Forte’s beaches. Local markets sell acarajé. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures colorful facades and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes moqueca, a Bahian favorite. Souvenirs, like berimbau crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Afro-Brazilian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. Salvador’s vibrant culture offers a dynamic Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of colonial heritage and coastal beauty, making Salvador an engaging destination for exploration.

Maceio, Brazil, provides docking at Maceio Port along the Atlantic coast. Travelers explore Pajuçara Beach’s natural pools and the historic Jaraguá district. Excursions visit São Francisco River’s scenic canyons. Local markets sell cuscuz, a northeastern Brazilian dish. The peak season, December to March, offers warm, sunny weather for beach activities. Photography captures turquoise waters and colonial architecture. Dining onboard includes tapioca pancakes, a local favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover Alagoas’ history and Afro-Brazilian culture. Light clothing and sun protection are ideal for the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Maceio’s vibrant beaches and rich cultural heritage create a lively Brazilian stop, offering cruise travelers a blend of relaxation, history, and natural beauty in one of Brazil’s most picturesque coastal cities.

Recife, Brazil, offers docking at Recife Port. Travelers explore Boa Viagem Beach and Olinda’s UNESCO colonial streets. Excursions visit Porto de Galinhas for snorkeling. Local markets sell frevo sweets. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colorful facades and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes tapioca, a Brazilian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Pernambuco history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Recife’s vibrant culture offers a dynamic Brazilian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic beaches, and coastal charm, making Recife an engaging destination for exploring Brazil’s northeast.

Praia da Vitoria, Azores, Portugal, provides docking at Praia da Vitoria Port. Travelers explore Algar do Carvão’s volcanic caves and Angra’s UNESCO historic center. Excursions visit Serra do Cume’s viewpoints. Local markets sell queijo da ilha. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for island tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes cozido, an Azorean favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Azorean history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance cave walks. Praia da Vitoria’s volcanic charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and island culture, making it an engaging destination for exploring the Azores.

Porto Grande, Cape Verde Islands, provides docking at Porto Grande Port. Travelers explore Mindelo’s cultural markets and colonial architecture. Excursions visit Monte Verde’s hiking trails. Local markets sell grogue. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather for island tours. Photography captures colorful streets and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes cachupa, a Cape Verdean favorite. Souvenirs, like woven crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Creole culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance hikes. Porto Grande’s vibrant island charm offers a dynamic Cape Verdean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and coastal beauty, making Porto Grande an engaging destination for exploring Cape Verde’s lively culture.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, offers docking at Santa Cruz Port. Travelers explore Auditorio de Tenerife and Anaga Mountains. Excursions visit Teide National Park. Local markets sell mojo potatoes. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes ropa vieja, a Canarian favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Guanche history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance mountain hikes. Santa Cruz’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and scenic volcanoes, making Santa Cruz an engaging destination.

Returning to Santa Cruz De Tenerife — see Day 13 above for port info.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, offers docking at Las Palmas Port. Travelers explore Vegueta’s old town and Las Canteras Beach. Excursions visit Bandama Caldera. Local markets sell papas arrugadas. The peak season, November to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial streets and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes sancocho canario, a Canarian favorite. Souvenirs, like mojo sauce crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Guanche history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance caldera hikes. Las Palmas’ coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic beaches, making Las Palmas an engaging destination.

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, offers docking at Funchal Port. Travelers explore Monte Palace Gardens and Funchal Cathedral. Excursions include levada walks. Local markets sell bolo de mel. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures lush gardens and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes espada com banana, a Madeiran favorite. Souvenirs, like embroidery crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Madeiran history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance levada hikes. Funchal’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of botanical beauty and scenic coasts, making Funchal an engaging destination.

Lisbon, Portugal, offers docking at Lisbon Port. Travelers explore Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Excursions visit Sintra’s Pena Palace. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Manueline architecture and Tagus River vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like azulejo crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Age of Exploration history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Lisbon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic rivers, making Lisbon an engaging destination.