Viking Oceans Cruises – Amazon & Caribbean Adventure (7 Countries) 13 Days

Transfer to your ship and settle into your stateroom. San Juan is a city of white-sand beaches, lush rainforests and inspiring Spanish colonial architecture. Compact and elegantly planned, Old San Juan spans the centuries. El Morro fortress has been standing watch over San Juan Bay since the 16th century and its formidable cannons peer out to sea. The streets of the centuries-old UNESCO World Heritage Site are paved with steel-blue adoquín stone, used to ballast the Spanish galleons that brought settlers here. These colorful, narrow byways lead to picturesque multihued facades and townhouses with neoclassical balconies.

Today, you have another day to take in the history and architectural beauty of San Juan, from its fanciful Condado district to the magnificent 16th-century Fort San Felipe del Morro, set on a promontory at the entrance to San Juan Bay. Or visit the lush woodland of El Yunque national rainforest. Later today, you will sail away into the Caribbean’s blue waters.

Blanketed with tropical forests that lead to sheer cliffs overlooking azure waters, Antigua has a rich past as a naval outpost of the royal Crown. It is the largest of the Leeward Islands and one of the most British in the Caribbean. Today, Antigua and neighboring Barbuda, along with several smaller islands, comprise an independent country. Its capital, St. John’s, has been an administrative center since 1632, and the baroque twin bell towers of the cathedral attest to a long British influence. The nation boasts a powder-sand beach for every day of the year.

St. Lucia boasts some of the Caribbean’s most idyllic beaches, many near its capital of Castries. This paradise is so seductive that the British and French fought over it for 150 years. The British finally triumphed in 1814. Today, St. Lucia is a sovereign nation, but it is still part of the British Commonwealth. The island has a rich artistic heritage: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Castries is adorned with lush murals painted by a local artist and batik artisans keep a cherished tradition alive in their shops.

Barbados is rich in British history and spectacular sandy beaches. Home to the Commonwealth’s third-oldest parliament, Barbados is often called “Little England” for its lasting British influence. Bajans, as islanders are known, exude a hearty love of their small island country and delight in sharing its culture. Cricket matches and afternoon tea are as common here as surfing and sunning on the beach with family and friends. And a bottle of the island’s native Mount Gay Rum, accompanied by a conkie, a pumpkin-coconut cake steamed in banana leaves, are never far out of reach.

After a morning workout at the Fitness Center, perhaps soothe your body with a hot sauna and a few minutes amid the refreshingly chilled air of the Snow Grotto. This evening, enjoy cocktails at the Viking Bar and a classic meal in The Restaurant.

Call on Île Royale (Royal Island) today, one of the three Îles du Salut that belong to mainland French Guiana. These three “Islands of Salvation” were a much-feared penal colony for the most notorious French criminals. Among the ruined prison buildings, you can learn about two of the most famous prisoners sent to Île du Diable (Devil’s Island), visible from Île Royale: the accused, and later exonerated, traitor Captain Alfred Dreyfus and Henri Charrière, whose escape was made famous by the film Papillon starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.

Begin your day with coffee and a real Norwegian waffle at Mamsen’s gourmet deli. Later, perhaps you will swim in the Infinity Pool or mingle with newfound friends over tea in the Wintergarden. This evening, enjoy soft piano music in the Living Room or lively jazz in Torshavn.

This morning, you will make a brief stop at equatorial Macapá, capital of Brazil’s Amapá state near the mouth of the Amazon. Your captain will receive clearance from Brazilian authorities, then you will set sail for the mighty Amazon River.

Visit the small city of Santarém, at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers. Because of poor road conditions, its people rely heavily on these waterways for transport. Most nearby villages can be reached only by river, and it is common to see families plying these waters in small boats. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady or browse Santarém’s vibrant city market overflowing with Tapajoara handicrafts. Alternately, you might try your hand at fishing for piranha on nearby Maica Lake.

Today you will call on Parintins on the river island of Tupinambarana. Disembark to attend an extravagant folklore performance, the Boi Bumbá. This unique theatrical tradition combines costumes, drumming and Amazonian, African and European rhythms to tell the story of a resurrected bull. The performance is part of an annual folklore festival held each June, Brazil’s largest celebration after Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, and is presented to us off season.

Arrive in Manaus today, 1,000 miles upriver from the Atlantic. The most populous city in the Amazon basin, Manaus prospered greatly from the rubber trade. Admire the elegant Amazon Theater adorned with a striking tiled dome, the Rio Negro Palace and the colorful facades of the Old Town. You might also tour the confluence of the Amazon and Black rivers by small boat. An overnight stay here gives you plenty of time to explore this fascinating city.

Disembark this morning and return home, or continue your exploration of Manaus’s Old Town with our extension here.