MS Columbus - Bridgetown / Rio de Janeiro

MS Columbus Bridgetown to Rio de Janeiro - courtesy of Hapag Lloyd CruisesA 14 day /13 night cruise itinerary

Highlights

• A famous French penal colony as an introduction to a wonderful journey to Brazil
• The cries of the howler monkeys permeate the air and you travel through the lush vegetation of the Amazon
• On your trip through the Breves Canals you can almost touch the tropical landscape and the Indios’ pile dwellings
• Fresh Amazonian fishes and colonial memories: a visit to Belem
• You will have lots of fun racing through the dunes of Natal in a beach buggy
• Swim and relax in the magnificent lagoon landscape: wonderful hours in Maceio
• Lots and lots of churches thanks to the former rubber riches: Salvador in its full splendour

Daily Itinerary

  • Thurs., 01/03 Bridgetown/Barbados Individual arrival - Embarkation onto the COLUMBUS, departure 7:00 pm
  • Fri., 01/04 Relax at sea
  • Sat., 01/05 Ile Royale/French Guiana, in the roads from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
    Sharks and a strong current make this former penal colony in the middle of the Atlantic almost escape-proof. Today, the island is only home to the lush and peaceful vegetation which covers the rocky ruins of the past and gives it a new lease of life. A pretty destination for an individual land excursion.
  • Sun., 01/06 Breathtaking: your trip along the Lower Amazon, the most water-rich river on earth with a unique tropical fauna and flora along its shores. In this evergreen world, monkeys in treetops fight for food, sloths are hanging off branches perfectly camouflaged and parrots are fluttering through the air. The COLUMBUS glides through this mysterious part of nature, with plants whose therapeutic properties have been known to the Indians for thousands of years.
  • Mon., 01/07 The trip through the narrow Breves Canals takes you right through the tropical rainforest. The waterways are getting narrower and narrower and the pile dwellings of the Indios are so close you can almost touch them. Enjoy the little insights into the natural life of the friendly jungle Indians.
  • Tue., 01/08 Belem/Brazil, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (arrival and departure times are tide-dependent)
    The gateway to the Amazon welcomes you on a panoramic trip* through this colonial town. Fresh tropical fish, baskets full to the top with fruit, craftsmanship and magical medicine: on the Ver-O-Peso market by the shore of the Rio Guajará, you can buy almost anything this region has to offer. The four little towers of the market hall from the year 1899 are the town’s landmark. Your river trip including rainforest walk* takes you deep into the evergreen Amazonian flora. The branches of the river take you to dense jungle paths that invite you to an excursion through the tropical flora.
  • Wed., 01/09 - Thurs., 01/10 Relax at sea
  • Fri., 01/11 Natal/Brazil, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
    What fun: go on an adventure trip in buggies* and race through the wide, wind-shaped dune landscape by the sea, where you can find charming little lakes. Natal is the oldest town in Brazil and was founded in 1599 at Christmas. Get to know and love this pretty seaside resort on a city sightseeing tour including Pirangi Beach*.
  • Sat., 01/12 Recife/Brazil, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
    A formerly insignificant little port is now a modern city with more than 1 million inhabitants: visit Recife and Olinda*. In Recife, you can see the governmental and palaces of justice on Republic Square and the neo-classicist Teatro Santa Isabel. Then you carry on to “Oh, how pretty ” - which is what Olinda is called in Portuguese. A fitting name for this picturesque little town with its steep streets - a UNESCO world cultural heritage site and home to many artists.

    • MS Europa itinerary map courtesy of Hapag Lloyd </p> <p>Cruises

  • Sun., 01/13 Maceio/Brazil, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
    The town by the Mundau lagoon got its name from the Tupi Indians. Gather impressions of Maceio*, enjoy the wonderful panoramic view at Sao Goncalo vantage point and buy a little souvenir at the crafts market of “Cheiro da Terra”. If you would rather relax this afternoon, go on a boat trip to swim and sunbathe* through the 22 lagoons that surround the city.
  • Mon., 01/14 Salvador (Bahia)/Brazil, from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
    Countless church steeples rise into the air as you walk through the lively lanes of historic Bahia*, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. Marvel at the impressive collection of colonial architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries and find out all about the long history of this town with its colourful bubbly and spirited inhabitants. The afternoon is coming to an end and you will set off for a a very special experience: enjoy the evening schooner trip* accompanied by Brazilian rhythms and the beautiful atmosphere of the light at dusk out in the sea.

  • Tue., 01/15 - Wed., 01/16 Relax at sea
  • Thurs., 01/17 Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, arrival 8:00 am - Individual departure

Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, South America, Brazil, Barbados, Deluxe Cruises, Hapag Lloyd, MS Columbus, World Cruises


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.