Itinerary

Day 1 | Sat, Oct 11, 2025 | DEPART USA

Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Barbados. Arrive Barbados and transfer to our group hotel. This evening, gather for a Welcome Dinner with fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2 | Sun, Oct 12 | BRIDGETOWN | EMBARK SH VEGA

Bridgetown, the vibrant capital of Barbados, is a dynamic Caribbean city that merges historical charm with modern energy and a warm island welcome. Its UNESCO-listed historic district showcases colonial-era architecture, including the 1870s’-built Parliament Buildings. The bustling city offers colorful markets, duty-free shopping and Bajan restaurants. Bridgetown also has pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, such as Carlisle Bay. (BLD)

Day 3 | Mon, Oct 13 | PORT-OF-SPAIN

Port of Spain, Trinidad's capital, is famed for its carnival with a Caribbean vibe and the Royal Botanic Gardens featuring a world of plants. The Magnificent Seven mansions, dating back to 1900, showcase the city's architectural heritage. As the world's greenest destination, Trinidad's Caroni Wetlands comprise mangroves and winding rivers, while the Northern Range mountains harbor birds, reptiles and 620 butterfly types amid ancient rainforests. (BLD)

Day 4 | Tue, Oct 14 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 5 | Wed, Oct 15 | GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

Georgetown, the 'Garden City of the Caribbean,' lies on the Atlantic Coast where the Demerara river meets the sea. Stabroek Market, St. George's Cathedral, the National Museum and Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology all make up Georgetown's rich culture. With a diverse population of European, Indian, African, Chinese and Amerindian descent, the city thrives as a multicultural melting pot. Despite its location, Guyana is an English-speaking nation. (BLD)

Day 6 | Thu, Oct 16 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 7 | Fri, Oct 17 | PARAMARIBO

At the heart of Paramaribo, Suriname's capital, is the UNESCO World Heritage historical centre blending Dutch architecture with local craftsmanship. Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral-Basilica is one of the Western Hemisphere's largest wooden structures. Notable sites include Fort Zeelandia, a 17th-century fortress, the Garden of Palms and broad streets. The central square is encircled by impressive buildings including the Presidential Palace (1730). (BLD)

Day 8 | Sat, Oct 18 | ILES DU SALUT

The Iles du Salut (Salvation Islands) are a tiny archipelago off French Guiana's coast, with three main islands: Royale, St-Joseph and Diable - or Devil's Island, a penal colony. Serious offenders and political prisoners, such as Captain Alfred Dreyfus, were held here and dead prisoners were fed to the sharks. The prison buildings are now overgrown, and the islands are now home to green-winged macaws, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and sea turtles. (BLD)

Day 9 | Sun, Oct 19 | DAY AT SEA

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest. (BLD)

Day 10 | Mon, Oct 20 | MACAPA | RIO CAJARI

The most remote of Brazil’s 26 state capitals, Macapá, the capital of and the largest city in the Amapá State, sits on the north bank of the Amazon Delta. Founded by the Portuguese as an outpost, this city's foremost attraction is the Marco Zero monument, a 113-centimetre concrete sundial which symbolises the centre of the metropolis. Other sights include the Fortaleza de São José and the Museu Sacaca.
This afternoon, enter Rio Cajari in the delta region where the Amazon and Tocantins rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Exploration of the area with Swan Hellenic naturalist staff. (BLD)

Day 11 | Tue, Oct 21 | AQUIQUI, AMAZON RIVER | GURUPA, AMAZON RIVER

Aquiqui is a town along the Iquiqui River's unspoiled banks on a tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. Surrounded by rainforest, it provides access to traditional Caboclo communities living in harmony with nature, where visitors can learn ancient wisdom and observe their customs, beliefs and way of life in tune with the ecosystem. The area is home to diverse wildlife like aquatic birds, monkey squirrels and iguanas.
Gurupa is a fishing town on the Amazon River delta in Brazil. Located on Ilha Grande do Gurupá island, it lies near the Amazon's convergence with the Xingu River. Adapted to seasonal floods, Gurupa offers access to the biodiversity of the vast Amazon Basin and an ecosystem which includes várzea forest and savanna. The area provides habitat for endemic birds like the scaled spinetail, fish, monkeys and bats drawn to the várzea's fruiting trees. (BLD)

Day 12 | Wed, Oct 22 | CRUISING BREVES NARROWS

Navigating Brazil's Breves Narrows, upriver from Belem in the Thousand Islands region, is a mesmerizing Amazonian journey. This natural passage, surrounded by towering walls of lush vegetation, creates a secluded green canyon in the heart of the jungle. Enigmatic wildlife such as scarlet macaws, and equatorial flora such as giant Victoria water lilies flourish. The welcoming locals, known as ribeirinhos, offer warm hospitality. (BLD)

Day 13 | Thu, Oct 23 | BELEM

Once one of South America's most prosperous cities, known as ‘tropical Paris’, today Belém remains a thriving port and is the gateway to the Amazon. The opulence of Belém’s golden era is showcased at the neoclassical-style 1874 Theatro da Paz on the Praça de República. Pretty green spaces are shaded by mango trees and the historical centre has plenty of wonderful museums. The bustling Ver-o-Peso market is Latin America's largest open-air market. (BLD)

Day 14 | Fri, Oct 24 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 15 | Sat, Oct 25 | LENÇOIS MARANHENSES NATIONAL PARK

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is renowned for its stunning white sand dunes sculpted by the wind and filled with rain-fed, crystal clear blue lagoons, like Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita. Exploring this unique landscape is made possible through 4x4 safaris, hikes, sandboarding and kayaking. Beyond the dunes, the ecosystem includes mangroves and restinga, a forest type where rare wildlife like monkeys, foxes and vibrant birds thrive. (BLD)

Day 16 | Sun, Oct 26 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 17 | Mon, Oct 27 | FORTALEZA

Fortaleza is Brazil's fifth-largest city, located on the northeastern coastline in the state of Ceará. Its history includes a Dutch outpost in 1654, later retaken by the Portuguese and renamed Fortaleza (fortress). Among the highlights are the Praia do Futuro beach, forró, traditional music and dance at the ornate, Art Nouveau-styled Theatro José de Alencar, or shopping for hammocks and handmade lace and embroideries at the Central Market. (BLD)

Day 18 | Tue, Oct 28 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 19 | Wed, Oct 29 | RECIFE

Brazil's fourth-largest city, Recife sprawls over islands at the mouth of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers, earning it the nickname the "Venice of Brazil." Recife Antigo, the colonial old town on its own island, has colourful architecture. North of Recife is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Olinda, an 18th-century Portuguese sugarcane hub, now an artists' colony with Baroque churches amid bright houses built on steep hillsides. (BLD)

Day 20 | Thu, Oct 30 | DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our on-board professional photographers. (BLD)

Day 21 | Fri, Oct 31 | SALVADOR DA BAHIA | DISEMBARK SH VEGA | FLY TO USA

With a rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where African and South American cultures blend. Salvador served as Brazil's first capital from 1549 to 1763, and its UNESCO-listed historic centre, Pelourinho, bursts with cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. Jorge Amado, a beloved literary figure, is celebrated at his former home, now the museum A Casa do Rio Vermelho.
Then we disembark SH Vega and transfer to the airport for return flight to the USA. (B)

Day 21 | Fri, Oct 31 | OPTIONAL EXTENSION IN SALVADOR DA BAHIA

Salvador is considered the country’s soul, the birthplace of Brazilian culture, and now a thriving center of Afro-Brazilian life. With more than 300 churches and a strong presence of African Religion, the African culture is also present in music, dance, like in capoeira - a martial art that looks like a dance.
After check-in, you’ll have some time to unwind before dinner.
Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight in a local restaurant.

Day 22 | Sat, Nov 1 | SALVADOR

After breakfast, visit the bustling São Joaquim market, the best place to seek and understand the local culture, where for centuries the sugarcane and tobacco came to be exported. After the tour, savor the famous moqueca - cilantro, limes, garlic, coconut milk and dendê palm oil, in a local city restaurant.
This evening we head to the “bairro boemio”, or the bohemian quarter, for a myriad of bars, restaurants and botecos, (think ‘bodega’). A number of bars provide the best in local live music in its many forms, from traditional to contemporary. (BLD)

Day 23 | Sun, Nov 2 | SALVADOR

This morning you'll trace the African roots of Salvador on a city tour combining the Afro-Brazilian Museum, the so-called after the pillory or whipping post that stood in the main square. In this square, we also visit the intimate Bahian Gastronomy Museum, which focuses on the African influence on Bahia cuisine. Lunch is at a local city restaurant. After lunch, you’ll head to a percussion workshop, where you can try your hand at various instruments. This evening you'll immerse yourself in the permeating African heritage with an exhilarating dance performance, and after-show dinner. (BLD)

Day 24 | Mon, Nov 3 | SALVADOR | DEPART TO USA

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)