Splendor, 30 Nights Caribbean Shores To Rio's Marvels ex Miami to Rio de Janeiro

Seven Seas Splendor® is the next iteration of luxury cruising, from her elegant décor to the crowning Regent Suite — she is luxury perfected.

Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is the largest inhabited island in Mexico, which lies just off the mainland. The coasts are known for large, breaking surf on the east side, and calmer waters for diving on the west side. In 1959, Jacques Cousteau discovered the beauty of Palancar, the coral reefs at the south of Cozumel and publicized it as one of the best places to go scuba diving in the world. Diving is still Cozumel's primary draw, mainly due to the healthy coral reef marine communities.

Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya is the closest port of access to many of the lesser known Mayan ruins in the Yucatan including Chacchoben and Kohunlich. These sites are substantially less excavated than the better known pyramids near Cancun. The Mexican government is trying to improve the standard of living for the Indian population. The path chosen to do this in the Costa Maya area is to develop small-scale ecological based tourism destinations, including natural reserve parks.

Harvest Caye, Belize
This pristine mangrove-covered private island is a gem in the crown of Belize’s natural resources. Encounter wildlife and learn about the fauna as you explore the island’s mangrove estuaries or snorkel along the reef that surrounds the island. Bask under the warm Caribbean sun on Harvest Caye’s untouched sandy beach located on its northern shores; enjoy an exhilarating day of water sports on the lagoon or simple take a stroll along the island village and marina.

Roatán, Honduras
Warm Caribbean waters with excellent diving, white sand beaches, and tropical sunsets are some of the attractions of the Bay Islands. Roatan’s major source of income is tourism, particularly because of SCUBA diving attractions. The underwater environment is rich and extensive with reefs surrounding the islands, often within swimming distance of the shore. Caves and caverns are a common feature, with a variety of sponge and the best collection of pillar coral.

Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
This bustling city is home to extravagant open-air markets that buzz with commerce, fascinating architecture and historical museums. Immersed in palms and vine-consumed Ficus trees is Parque Vargas where sloths can often be seen inching from branch to branch. Enjoy a ride on the aerial tram through the rainforest canopy at Braulio Carillo National Park. Or take a boat ride through the Tortuguero Canals or the Estero Negro Estuary, the rich jungle tapestry all around while watching for colorful birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, crocodiles and the legendary iridescent Blue Morpho, the largest butterfly in South America.

Colón, Panama
With its face set firmly to the Caribbean sun, Colón was founded as a result of the California gold rush in 1850, as the starting point of a railroad that carried prospectors across the Isthmus of Panama. The town was first named Aspinwall after one of the railroad's builders. In 1890, the name was changed to Cólon, to honor Christopher Columbus. Today, the city is renowned as having one of the largest duty-free zones in the Western Hemisphere.

Cartagena, Colombia
Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga, and admire the beautiful mansions built in Republican-style architecture at the end of the 19th century. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure built in Latin America. Enjoy a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario, 26 coral islands located off the coast of Isla Barú, and continue to the island of San Martín de Pajarales to visit the aquarium. Enjoy a spectacular dolphin and shark show and other marine attractions there. Board the beautiful Spanish Galleon, a replica of a 17th-century sailing ship, for a cruise of the inner bay of Cartagena.

Oranjestad, Aruba
While the city exhibits beautiful examples of both Dutch and Spanish architecture, it is now a Dutch city, taking its name from the Dutch royal house of Orange, and became the capital Aruba in 1979. When not heading for the famed beaches, the first spot most visitors enjoy is Wilhelmina Park, a lovely tropical garden by the waterfront, great for catching the Caribbean breezes. From here, travel on to the Archaeological Museum of Aruba or the Numismatic Museum of Aruba. The first offers an historical perspective; the latter, a fascinating display of coins from over 400 countries. Fort Zoutman (1796) is the oldest example of Dutch architecture on the island. In 1867, Willem III tower was added. Not only an excellent vantage point for photos, the fort also hosts music festivals and craft fairs.

Willemstad, Curaçao
Discover a touch of old Amsterdam transported to an island paradise. Pastel-hued buildings decorate the waterfront of this very Dutch Caribbean island. Don’t miss a visit to the colorful floating market, just a short walk from the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. A World Heritage site, the Punda district preserves hundreds of buildings as national monuments including Fort Amsterdam, the Governor’s Palace, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, one of the first synagogue’s in the New World, and the waterfront’s colorful Penha building.

Kralendijk, Bonaire
Just 50 miles north of Venezuela, Bonaire is part of the Netherlands Antilles, which includes St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba and Curacao. In 1951, the first hotel opened on Bonaire, and tourism has been the dominant industry ever since. With a dazzling array of fish and coral reefs and spectacularly clear water (100-ft visibility), Bonaire offers some of the best dive spots in the Caribbean.

St. George's, Grenada
Whether you enjoy climbing waterfalls or simply relaxing on sun-kissed beaches, you will find that the capital of Grenada has something for everyone. From the moment you arrive, you will not only be charmed by a colorful mix of colonial architecture set on lush vegetation, but also be enchanted by the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. Be sure to visit one of the many spice estates or shop for exotic spices in the Market Square.

Bridgetown, Barbados
The island of Barbados is rimmed with mile after mile of pristine beaches. The eastern edge, rugged and hilly, lies on the Atlantic Ocean. The west coast, washed by the calmer leeward sea has most of the resort hotels. It is here that you will find the capital, Bridgetown, and older colonial settlements. Tour the meticulously restored 17th-century Sunbury Plantation House or admire the spectacular views from Gun Hill Signal Station. Adventures abound at sea by catamaran or Atlantis submersible and on land by an off-road island safari. Not to miss delicacies include the sweet and tender flying fish, washed down with a glass of Barbados’ famous Mount Gay rum.

Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Known as the "City of Arches" because of the many volcanic stone archways throughout the downtown area, Kingstown was first settled by the French. In the following decades, the island was ceded to the British. Stroll along Bay Street and duck into one of its many shops, but for truly authentic island goods, visit the outdoor waterfront market and the large produce market.

Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Explore the wonderful Buccoo Reef by glass bottom boat and gasp at its colorful fish and coral. Enjoy the thrill of sailing on a catamaran to the sounds of calypso music then snorkel in a beautiful bay. Discover the island and its Fort King George, the famed Botanical garden, market and Tobago Museum. Or take a walk through the island’s tropical rain forest and see the breathtaking cascading Gold and Silver Falls. Look for Indian silk, rum, beautiful local batik, jewelry and watercolor paintings. Savor Cajun and Caribbean specialties like blackened fish, curried lamb or kingfish, crab cakes, shrimp jambalaya or callaloo soup!

Devil's Island, French Guiana
French Guiana is best known for the infamous penal colony to which convicts and undesirables were deported from France. For a long time the small archipelago was known by the name of “Devil’s Island.” The notorious convict settlements were built in 1852. Today, discover a lush, green landscape, where tropical foliage has grown over the old prison buildings and softened their aspect from forbidding to quaint. The most famous prisoners were Alfred Dreyfus, the French Army officer falsely convicted of treason, and Henri Charrière, who was immortalized in the movie “Papillon” for supposedly being the only convict to escape from “the Green Hell.” Please be advised that due to the under-developed nature of this destination, organized tours are not available.

Fortaleza, Brazil
A large, sprawling city in Brazil’s northeast, Fortaleza tempts with a variety of urban beaches and rich culture. At Meireles Beach, stroll past palm trees and shady waterfront cafes along the Beira-Mar boardwalk day or night. After walking the pristine sand of Future Beach, tuck into seafood, beer and cocktails at a raucous barraca. Be reminded of European churches like Cologne and Notre Dame as you take in the neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral, Brazil’s third largest church. Or drop into Fortaleza’s cultural center, home to a planetarium, theatre, cinema, cafés, shops and museums on popular culture and contemporary art. A pair of large markets provide hours of meandering.

Recife, Brazil
Discover colonial Brazil in Recife and nearby Olinda and step back in time along narrow, winding streets amid meticulously restored homes, churches and lovely plazas. Admire the scenic views from the Malakoff Tower and Olinda’s hilltop plaza. Visit the old Dutch Fort, the Jewish Historic Archive and a local artist in his workshop and gallery. Take home lovely traditional Pernambuco handicrafts like clay figurines, wood sculptures, leather or woven straw items or hunt for unusual trinkets in artisan shops. Indulge in a delicious lobster lunch or just about anything your palate desires.

Salvador, Brazil
The oldest and most historic city in Brazil is renowned for its deeply rooted Afro-Brazilian culture. With an amazing number of magnificent baroque colonial-style churches, Salvador has been nicknamed the ‘Black Rome.’ Many of the most interesting museums and churches are located in the Cidade Alta. Surrounding Pelourinho Square, tour bright, multi-colored houses, cobbled streets and aromatic markets.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
There’s a little bit of Carnival celebrated here everyday. From its famous beaches to its iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio radiates an air of exuberance that is hard to find anywhere else. Make the scene on trendy Ipanema or take a cable car to the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain and enjoy the amazing views. Sway your hips to the rhythm at a samba show or enjoy the tranquility of king Dom João VI’s Botanical Gardens and verdant Tijuca Forest.