Seven Seas Mariner
November 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.

Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, has docking at Gustavia Port. Travelers explore chic boutiques and Shell Beach. Excursions visit Colombier’s secluded coves. Local markets sell French pastries. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather. Photography captures yacht-filled harbors and turquoise seas. Dining onboard includes bouillabaisse, a French Caribbean dish. Souvenirs, like coral jewelry, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover island glamour. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Gustavia’s luxurious vibe offers a stylish Caribbean stop, blending French elegance with tropical allure.

Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, provides docking at Pointe-à-Pitre Port. Travelers explore La Soufrière volcano and Memorial ACTe museum. Excursions visit Marie-Galante’s beaches. Local markets sell accras. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes colombo, a Guadeloupean curry. Souvenirs, like rum bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Creole history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance volcano hikes. Pointe-à-Pitre’s vibrant island allure offers a dynamic Guadeloupean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders, cultural heritage, and scenic beaches, making Pointe-à-Pitre an engaging destination for exploring Guadeloupe’s Caribbean beauty and history.

St. George’s, Grenada, offers docking at St. George’s Port. Travelers explore Grand Anse Beach and Fort George. Excursions include snorkeling at Moliniere Sculpture Park. Local markets sell oil down. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures spice markets and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes callaloo soup, a Grenadian favorite. Souvenirs, like nutmeg 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. St. George’s vibrant charm offers a lively Grenadian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and cultural heritage, making St. George’s an engaging destination.

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.

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.

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.

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 10 above for port info.

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.

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.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, offers docking at Old San Juan Port. Travelers explore El Morro Fortress and Old San Juan’s colorful streets. Excursions visit El Yunque Rainforest. Local markets sell mofongo. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures colonial forts and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes arroz con gandules, a Puerto Rican favorite. Souvenirs, like salsa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Taíno history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. San Juan’s cultural charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic forts and lush rainforests, making San Juan an engaging destination.

Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas (Cruise Line Private Island), offers docking at a private port. Travelers explore Bertram’s Cove and cabana areas. Excursions include snorkeling at coral reefs. Local markets sell conch fritters. The peak season, December to April, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures palm-lined beaches and Caribbean vistas. Dining onboard includes cracked conch, a Bahamian favorite. Souvenirs, like shell crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Lucayan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Great Stirrup Cay’s island allure offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of serene beaches and marine activities, making Great Stirrup Cay an engaging destination.

Returning to Miami — see Day 1 above for port info.