Come for the expedition, stay for the expedition vessel. Here’s what you’ll experience on the brand-new Ocean Explorer:

• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options, including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards, with reduced emissions into air, and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

During the course of your adventure, you will have opportunities for active walks and city explorations, including climbs to overlooks for spectacular views. There will also be opportunities for swimming (weather dependent) and for taking kayaks or bicycles off the ship to explore your beautiful surroundings.

• Explore lush Atlantic forests via walking trails that traverse the state park of Ilha Grande and the hillsides of Camboriú
• Enjoy active walking tours of historic colonial centers along coastal Brazil and Uruguay, including Paraty and Montevideo
• Take refreshing dips at Ilha Grande’s beautiful Black Beach, fed by the natural pools of an historic aqueduct, and Camboriú’s Laranjeiras Beach, situated at the end of a cable car ride

A long and storied history of arts and culture await during this enriching itinerary.

• Take in the lively culture of Rio de Janeiro with visits to the famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and the dining institution of Confeitaria Colombo
• Go behind the scenes to learn more about Rio’s samba music and dance
• Behold Rio’s breathtaking Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain
• Visit the Coffee Museum and the Museum of the Santos Football Club, alma mater of Pelé, during a tour of vibrant Santos
• Admire the splendid art and architecture of Rio Grande, from the neoclassical Customs House and Baroque Cathedral São Pedro to the Museum of Sacred Art and the sculptures of Praça Tamandaré
• Visit the breathtaking curvilinear home and studio of the late artist Carlos Páez Vilaró perched on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic
• Marvel at the European-flavored cityscape of Buenos Aires
• Visit an estancia, or ranch, in the Argentinean pampas for a hands-on lesson in the art and sport of polo

Discover some of the most significant cultural and historic treasures in the world throughout your cruise.

• Visit five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rio de Janeiro’s Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea; Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves; Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento; Paraty; and Ilha Grande
• Witness the beauty of the tango, on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
• View the ruins of a prison and a leprosarium on the lush island of Ilha Grande
• Explore the colonial town of UNESCO-listed Paraty, once a Portuguese port for the export of gold to the Old World
• Tour the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, born from a land dispute between the Spanish and the Portuguese in 1724

The soul-stirring beauty of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina greets you at every turn as you cruise along shores graced with dense Atlantic forests and dramatic coastal mountains. Here’s how you’ll experience it up close:

• Marvel at the stunning landscape of Rio de Janeiro, a spectacular canvas of soaring peaks, dense forests, and long crescent beaches along Guanabara Bay, including the famed Ipanema and Copacabana beaches
• Visit some of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches, including Black Beach in Ilha Grande and Laranjeiras Beach in Camboriú
• Marvel at the many stretches of sand in the posh resort town of Punta del Este
• Gaze upon the lush Costa Verde, or Green Coast, that stretches the length of Brazil, part of the Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Hike among dense Atlantic forests during visits to Ilha Grande and Camboriú
• Admire the sweeping beauty of Argentina’s pampas as you drive into the countryside for a polo lesson at a charming estancia, or ranch

Music reveals the heart and soul of a place. You’ll have ample opportunity to celebrate culture, and even sing and dance along!

• Go behind the scenes to learn more about samba’s rhythm, history, dance, and culture
• Enjoy an evening of tango during a special dinner

You’ve traveled a long way for this journey, and photography will be key to keeping these memories alive for years to come. Here are a few tips: 

• Take your time to capture an image. Think like a photographer and slow down to compose your shot. Remember: tourists take pictures, while photographers make images
• From the lesser-traveled ports of Ilha Grande and Paraty to the vibrant cities of Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires, you’ll encounter some larger-than-life scenes and landmarks on this trip, which might create pressure to fit everything into one shot. Instead, focus on a distinctive feature rather than trying to incorporate everything into frame
• Use your surroundings. Instead of edging out other tourists from your photos, utilize them to enhance the scene. Try tilting the camera at your target (including tourists and the real scene in the background or forefront) and the image is instantly more intriguing than a generic snapshot
• Pursue quirky composition — shooting off-center makes for a more artsy, unique shot

The Atlantic Forest that stretches along Brazil’s coast boasts a half dozen ecological zones that harbor numerous bird species. Have your binoculars (included with your cabin!) and your cameras ready to catch the action! Head onto the deck as we approach and depart ports such as Paraty and Ilha Grande, when you’re most likely to spot graceful winged creatures perched in coastal vegetation.

• Watch in the trees for hunters such as hawks and eagles. Keep your eyes to the shore for waders, like the herons
• As you hike in the Atlantic forest, flashes of color in the canopy might reveal toucans or parakeets!

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Special celebrations. Do you have a big birthday, anniversary, family reunion, or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and they will make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests and they will be happy to make recommendations, calling ahead to reserve your table
• Special excursions. Maybe you need a limo to take you for a special night on the town. Perhaps you’re interested in tracking down long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has onboard

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log in to MyPortfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.

Your solo-friendly voyage has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Complimentary biking options: take a spin alongside your Concierge, who will lead small-group bike rides, or explore independently with our complimentary locks, helmets, and biking maps
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations