Manaus to Fort Lauderdale

Manaus is an enigma: it’s a huge port but it lies more than 900 miles from the ocean. The centre is home to grand buildings and ornate Belle Époque-style architecture while the city is surrounded by dense jungle. And although it’s deep within the Amazon, Manaus had the first electric street lighting in the world. Just as the two waters of the rivers on which it sits never mix – the darker Rio Negro and lighter Amazon run side by side for several miles – so the different facets of Manaus are seemingly contradictory. But that’s what makes it such a fascinating place to visit, and well worth a few days of your time before embarking on an Amazonian adventure. Don’t miss the pink wedding cake-esque opera house, Teatro Amazonas, or the market Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, a replica of Les Halles in Paris, with ironwork said to be left over from the building of the Eiffel Tower. Such architectural extravagance testifies to the immense wealth that came to Manaus during the 19th-century rubber boom. While it’s never regained its former glory, Manaus is still a sight to behold.

Manaus, the 'Paris of the Jungle,' is the capital of Brazil’s state of Amazonas and offers a rich variety of culture, art, dining and nature. The former river village rests along the left bank of the Rio Negro. Ships will dock at the Porto Flutuante (floating docks).

Top Things to Do in Manaus:

• visit the Rubber Museum
• cruise Lake January to admire the giant Victoria water lilies
• visit Acajatuba to interact with Pink Dolphins
• wander the Military Zoo, a haven for endangered animals

Deep in the Amazon, this island city can only be reached by air and sea – yet Parintins' remote location is why so many in Brazil and beyond have heard of this place. Parintins is known for its spectacular summer festival, Boi-Bumba, a week-long celebration of the indigenous community’s culture and traditions, which isolation has helped preserve. Tens of thousands flock here for the event – it’s second only in size and popularity to Rio’s own world-famous carnival. The story at its heart – about a husband and wife and a bull – is lavishly told by the decorated floats, populated by giant models of the beast, and dancers in eye-popping costumes. But don't worry if you aren’t in port at party time. While there is the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora do Carmo to see and the surrounding lakelands to explore, the bumba beat goes on, with performances held throughout the year.

Sandy shores and a beach-club vibe are not what you’d expect in the Amazon, yet this riverside town isn’t known as the Brazilian Caribbean for nothing. Set on the banks of the Tapajós, this is a laidback spot for lounging in a hammock by warm waters, but make time to dip into local culture – dance to the carimbó beat, travel through the igarapés (Amazonian creeks), and pick up crafts made from tucumã, a native palm. There’s a national forest nearby for treks through the jungle to spot the sacred samaúma trees and to hear the cacophony of birdsong.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

One of three tiny dots just off the coast of north-eastern Brazil that make up the Salvation Islands, Devil’s Island gets its fearsome name from the shark-infested waters and dangerous currents that surround it. Little wonder, then, that France thought it would make the perfect spot to house dangerous prisoners from 1852 to 1952. A penal colony was built on all three of the Salvation Islands, with Devil’s Island being reserved for political prisoners, including Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was unjustly charged with spying for Germany. Conditions were notoriously terrible, with violence and disease rampant. Today, Devil’s Island is closed to all visitors but the remains of the penal colony on Isle Royale, where we dock, make for fascinating, if sobering, viewing.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Antigua and Barbuda beckon with their pristine beaches and vibrant history. For beach enthusiasts, Antigua presents a different shore for each day of the year, like the tranquil Half Moon Bay. Adventure seekers can explore the mysterious caves at Two Foot Bay in Barbuda, offering a glimpse into the island’s natural wonders.

History buffs will find Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Antigua, a compelling visit, showcasing the island's rich naval history. For a unique experience, take a boat tour to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary in Barbuda, one of the world’s largest, to observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Culinary explorers can delight in the local cuisine, with seafood and Creole dishes highlighting the islands’ cultural melting pot.

St. John’s is the compact, colorful capital of twin-island nation Antigua and Barbuda and an ideal base for exploring all that the islands have to offer. Step off the ship straight into the heart of the action: wander bustling markets; admire pretty, pastel-hued buildings; and discover historic sites like the neo-Baroque St. John's Cathedral and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, housed in the 18th-century Old Court House. Many of Antigua’s beaches are within easy reach of St. John’s, so take your pick. Dickenson Bay is a hit with swimmers and snorkelers for its calm, clear waters, while the powdery sands of Runaway Beach are perfect for more secluded relaxation.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

City meets sea in the coastal metropolis of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Soak up the sun along vast swaths of pristine white sands, take a scenic boat tour through palm-fringed canals, shop your way along the famous Las Olas Boulevard, and sip refreshing craft beers along the Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail. When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice: from fresh seafood with a waterfront view to Michelin-approved pizza, there’s mouthwatering cuisine at every turn.