Your 20-day sweep of the Caribbean, the Guianas and the Amazon begins today in Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the island of St Maarten/St Martin. This portion of the nearly 10,000-hectare landmass is livelier than the French side, and the cruise-ship terminal is located about 1.5 kilometres from the centre of the capital, Philipsburg. If time allows before you board your elegant ship, Philipsburg has everything you might want: there’s a soft-sand beach – Great Bay Beach – and the shopping is some of the best in the Caribbean. For a touch of culture, take in the cupola-topped courthouse, considered one of the most famous buildings on the island, or the small but enlightening Sint Maarten Museum, with exhibits that covers everything from salt and shipwrecks to slavery.

The bijou volcanic archipelago, Îles des Saintes – which also goes by just Les Saintes – is located within the island group of Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France. Les Saintes is the answer to all your Caribbean prayers. Made up of just seven islands, only two of which are inhabited, they are easily one Guadeloupe’s most beautiful region and offer a real glimpse into an old French-tinged Caribbean. Only accessible to smaller cruise ships, arrive in Terre-de-Haut with its gin-clear waters, sugar-sand beaches and swaying palms. Breton-style fishing boats line the bay, which is excellent for snorkelling, and there are red-roofed Creole houses and croissant-serving cafes in the town. Be sure to explore the superb art galleries and antique boutiques.

Arrive today at Bequia. Home to some 5,000 residents, Bequia (pronounced Beck-way) is one of the 32 islands that make up the former British colonies of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, one of only nine which are inhabited. It’s known for its bay, which is the largest and deepest in the area. Nelson and Drake took shelter here, and Blackbeard used it as a base. Bequia retains its old-world charm, and this tiny island feels entirely authentic. Swim in the warm cerulean waters off lauded Princess Margaret beach or Lower Bay, or take a hike along one of the island’s many walking trails. You may opt to pay a visit to the Old Hegg turtle sanctuary on the east coast, where hawksbill turtles are rescued and nurtured before being released back into the ocean.

Explore the port city of Scarborough, the capital of Tobago and a cultural centre of Trinidad and Tobago. Land on this laid-back, largely unspoiled island, which is known for its clear, blue seas, untamed rainforest, and exceptional bird-watching opportunities. With more than 220 species identified, Tobago is top of many twitchers’ must-visit lists. The island’s proximity to South America means several of its birds are not found on other Caribbean islands, including neighbouring Trinidad. But before you set out in search of the six species of hummingbirds that flit about the rainforests here or to dive in Buccoo Bay – one of Jacques Cousteau’s favourite places; be sure to explore the town of Scarborough. Head straight to Fort King George, a restored defensive post that has cannons, an informative little museum located in what was the officers’ quarters, and jaw-dropping views. The city’s botanical gardens pack horticultural heat with plenty of orchids and bromeliads blooming.

Relish in the beauty of being at sea today. Cruising itself is the very definition of leisure, and you’ll love this lazy, laissez-faire-type of day. Enjoy the soothing motion of the waves. Breathe deeply while keeping a keen eye out for marine life. Cast adrift from Trinidad and Tobago, be nurtured by the soul-nourishing powers of the ever-changing colours of the Atlantic as you sail towards the Guianas. This region includes Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

Disembark today in Georgetown, known as the ‘Garden City of the Caribbean’ despite its location on the Atlantic Coast of Guyana where the Demerara river meets the sea. This South American city has been in the hands of the French, Dutch and, for the most part, the English – in fact, Guyana is the only English-speaking nation in the region. A strikingly diverse population has influenced the colourful capital. It’s a multicultural melting pot, made vibrant by people of European, Indian, African, Chinese, and Amerindian descent. Soak up the atmosphere as you browse the stalls at the Stabroek Market, explore the Botanical Gardens or Promenade Garden, see neo-Gothic City Hall and St George’s Cathedral, or visit the small but thoughtfully-curated National Museum, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology or National Gallery of Art.

Today’s port of call is Paramaribo, the cheerfully picturesque and polyglot capital of Suriname. Disembark and head straight to the remarkably well-preserved 17th and 18th-century centre of this former Dutch colonial town. It’s a World Heritage Site, and UNESCO cites its highly individual, original street plan and buildings which illustrate the fusion of Dutch architectural styles with traditional local techniques and materials. So how did the Dutch come to hold sway in these parts? Back in 1667, Charles II swapped this remote region for a promising port on the Hudson River called Nieuw Amsterdam, soon to be renamed New York... While it’s not exactly the Big Apple, Paramaribo certainly satisfies travellers. Saint Peter & Paul Cathedral-Basilica is one of the largest wooden structures in the western hemisphere. Star-shaped Fort Zeelandia is well-restored and features a worth-a-visit museum. And the centrally located square, Onafhankelijkheidsplein, is surrounded by stately buildings including the Presidential Palace, behind which is the Palmentuin, a garden of tall palm trees.

The three tiny islands that make up Îles du Salut are known in English as the Salvation Islands. The irony of this moniker has been well noted over the years. Located 15 kilometres north of Kourou (home of the European Space Agency’s spaceport), this small part of French Guiana was once an infamous penal colony that began as an exile for political prisoners after the French Revolution. Separated by choppy waters and shark-infested seas from each other and the mainland, Saint-Joseph, Devil’s Island, the only one aptly named, and Île Royale, detained prisoners such as Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer convicted in 1894 on false charges. The last prisoners were released as recently as the 1950s, and in the 1970s, the islands came to worldwide attention when ex-inmate Henri Charrière’s autobiographical novel, Papillon, was published. The subsequent film starred acting powerhouses, Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Explore this former place of confinement freely today.

Disembark today in Cayenne, the capital of Guiana. This corner of South America - along with its various scattered islands – isn’t technically a country in its own right; instead, it’s a department of France having been absorbed by the European power in 1946 following centuries of colonisation. In fact, it’s the only stretch of the Amazon in the Eurozone. Wander Cayenne’s old town today, and you’ll discover a place that is forever France mixed with a hefty dose of South American sanguinity – you might even be reminded of the Caribbean in parts. Enjoy the city’s café culture and pleasant streets. Visit the buzzing marketplace where you can pick up some of the eponymous spice. See the ruins of Fort Cépérou, the yellow Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur, tour the Alexandre-Franconie museum, and soak in the views from La Pointe Buzaré. Approximately 50 kilometres away in Kourou is the out-of-this-world spaceport, the Centre Spatial Guyanais.

As you cruise southwards to your next port of call, spend the day savouring your ship’s amenities. Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, hit the running machine or do weights in the gym, listen to an enriching lecture, watch a documentary, or gaze at the passing ocean. It’s your day to enjoy your way.

Arrive today in Brazil (just) for the Amazon portion of your itinerary. The capital of and the largest city in the Amapá State, Macapá is perhaps the most remote of Brazil’s 26 state capitals. Founded by the Portuguese as an outpost, this city is located on the north bank of the Amazon Delta, where it is sandwiched between the mighty river and the vast rainforest. ‘The Capital of the Middle of the World’, Macapá takes its nickname from the fact that it straddles the equator – it’s one of only a handful of cities to do so. One of its foremost attractions 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. While overnighting in this dual-hemisphere place, you might see the extraordinary phenomenon of the pororoca, which means ‘the great roar’. This tidal bore with its four-metre waves attracts surfers from all over the world.

As you sail from Macapá to Sao Luis, spend the day at sea enjoying the ship’s facilities and learning about your next destination from the knowledgeable onboard team of experts. Indulge in a relaxing treatment at the spa, work out in the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down-time in your cabin, get to know new friends: the options are numerous.

Today takes you to São Luís; where the wind dictates the rhythm of life, children play football on cobbled streets and reggae music pulses from crumbling colonial buildings. The capital of Maranhão State in the northeast of Brazil, the French, Dutch, Portuguese have all tussled for control of this island city. It’s well known for its carnival and Bumba Meu Boi folk festival, for its European foundations and beautiful architecture – and for its proximity to the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, famed for its remarkable inland blue lagoons in the desert dunes. It’s no mere gateway though so before you dash off to see the Lençóis Maranhenses, be sure to explore the town itself with its museums, galleries, craft shops, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic heart. You won’t see a finer example of an Iberian colonial town.

As you cruise from Sao Luis to Fortaleza, enjoy a full day indulging in the amenities of your ship. You might find your inner calm practising some yoga. Listen to an informative talk. Lounge on the deck and enjoy a cocktail from the bar. Tonight after a delicious dinner in the restaurant, settle in for some light entertainment and a nightcap before heading to your elegant cabin.

Cruise into the harbour city of Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará. Located as it is in the remote and relatively unpopulated coastline of northeastern Brazil, you might be surprised by Fortaleza’s size and sprawl – it’s Brazil’s fifth-largest city. Appealing in part because of its history, this buzzing beachside metropolis started out in 1654 as the Dutch outpost of Shoonenbroch. Still, it was soon retaken by the Portuguese who renamed it Fortaleza (fortress). Before you hit the beach, you might want to tour the imposing Romano-Gothic cathedral, the jammed-packed Central Market (near the church), the Art Nouveau-styled José de Alencar Theatre, and the Dragão do Mar Centre of Art & Culture. Instagrammers won’t want to miss the photogenic Ponte dos Ingleses (English Bridge).

Brazil’s flag represents the country’s flora and fauna, gold and the night sky. However, it could as easily describe the natural wonders that travellers visit Brazil to experience: the green of the lush Amazon, the gold of the country’s beautiful beaches and the blue of the Atlantic. Today’s trip to Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is a chance to enjoy the sand and sea along this stunning stretch of coastline. Founded by the Portuguese at the mouth of the Rio Potengi on Christmas Day 1599, Natal itself is a clean and modern city, if a little nondescript – but that won’t bother you as you lounge, snorkel, dune buggy, sandboard or whatever other beach-based activity you chose to enjoy.

Disembark today in exciting Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil’s fourth-largest city and home to more than four million inhabitants. Sprawled over several islands, it’s located at the confluence of the Beberibe and Capibaribe rivers and has been called (a little fancifully) the ‘Venice of Brazil’. The city is named for the reefs just offshore that make this city’s waters so calm and appealing here, so expect smooth seas as you glide into the port in Recife Antigo, the old town, located on its own island. Explore Old Recife’s sweet streets and colourful colonial architecture – built by merchants made wealthy by sugarcane – with coconut water in hand. Elsewhere in the city, you could shop at the artisanal Casa de Cultura or the massive RioMar Recife shopping centre; explore the Instituto Ricardo Brennand and its swords and suits armour; visit the Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand; or enjoy Boa Viagem beach. On Recife’s northern edge, just six kilometres from the city centre lies the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 18th-century town of Olinda with its charming harmony of buildings, chapels, gardens, Baroque churches, convents, chapels.

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. 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.

Your 20-day Caribbean and South American odyssey ends in Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, today. This multi-ethnic city is imbued with a youthful energy that’s hard to resist. More than anywhere else in Brazil, this is where Africa meets South America, and from capoeira to Candomblé, the culture reflects a deep and rich Afro-Brazilian heritage. Having been bid ‘vá com Deus’ upon final disembarkation, explore the city if time allows. A visit to Pelourinho, the historic centre, a coil of cobblestone streets and brightly painted colonial buildings, is unmissable. Salvador was Brazil’s first capital from 1549 to 1763, and its old town is UNESCO-listed. Elsewhere there are myriad places to explore. Still, lovers of the literary works by Jorge Amado, one of the city’s favourite sons, shouldn’t miss out on exploring his former house, now a museum, A Casa do Rio Vermelho.

Itineraries are subject to change.