Seven Seas Splendor
January 22, 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.

Returning to Rio De Janeiro — see Day 1 above for port info.

Cabo Frio, Brazil, anchors offshore with tenders to Porto do Forno, a 10-minute ride to downtown, population 230,000. Travelers visit Forte São Mateus, a 17th-century fort. Praia do Forte offers surfing. Local markets sell guava paste. Excursions to Arraial do Cabo, 30 minutes east, snorkel Prainha Beach. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-20 BRL. Dining includes feijoada at beach cafes. Souvenirs feature shell crafts.

Cruise Coast of Brazil, no docking; ships sail Atlantic waters. Travelers spot dolphins. Excursions to Ilha Grande, 2 hours from Rio, explore beaches. Local markets sell acai. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-20 BRL. Dining includes feijoada at coastal cafes. Souvenirs feature caipirinha kits.

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.

Returning to Cruise Coast Of Brazil — see Day 4 above for port info.

Returning to Cruise Coast Of Brazil — see Day 4 above for port info.

Belem, Brazil, docks on the Amazon River, 2 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 1.5 million, features the Ver-o-Peso Market with açaí stalls. Travelers visit the Theatro da Paz, an 1878 opera house. Excursions to Ilha do Marajó, 2 hours by ferry, spot water buffalo. Peak season July to December; taxis 10-20 BRL. Dining includes tacacá soup at riverside stalls. Souvenirs feature Amazonian seeds.

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.

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.

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.