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 your onboard meals, shore excursions and independent exploration, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste the regional cuisines of the South America, the Caribbean, and America’s Eastern Seaboard.

• Enjoy a Peruvian cooking demonstration in the UNESCO city of Lima
• Savor the bounty of New England — creamy clam chowder, fresh sweet lobster, flaky cod, orchard-fresh apples, Rhode Island calamari, fall squashes and more
• Satisfy any taste with New York’s nonstop culinary variety, whether Michelin-starred haute cuisine and dim sum in Chinatown, a classic Nathan’s frank from a street vendor, or a giant Reuben sandwich from a Lower East Side deli. Your Vantage Concierge can point you in the right direction
• Delight in the best of southern flavors in Charleston, from traditional Low Country favorites (think she-crab soup and hoppin’ john shrimp and grits), to the innovative, farm-to-table creations of New Southern cuisine, this city is a foodie’s paradise!
• Rum distillery visits with tastings in Martinique and Nassau

During the course of your journey, you will have opportunities for swimming in the warm waters of the Caribbean, exploring ancient ruins in South America, and sightseeing in some of the best cities on the East Coast. There will also be opportunities for taking kayaks or bicycles off the ship to explore your beautiful surroundings. But your deluxe ship and hotels all offer plenty of soothing amenities such as pools, spa facilities and more, to help you feel refreshed. Here are some other activities you may participate in:

• Enjoy the infinity pool on board the Ocean Explorer
• Walk among the ghostly prison ruins of Devil’s Island, one of history’s most feared penal colonies
• Explore bustling markets along the Amazon River in Manaus
• Set out on a piranha fishing expedition on Lake Maica
• Get a good workout at your ship’s gym and the fitness centers of your hotels
• Utilize your free time to explore destinations by foot — or borrow one of the bikes on board

From the Gilded Age mansions of Newport and Boston’s Freedom trail to the historic fortress of St. Kitt’s and the Amazon’s oldest pueblo, dive deep into the history and iconic sights of the famed cities and lesser-known locales that make up this exciting itinerary.

• Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Lima, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, Pitons of St. Lucia, and Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison; plus Nassau, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
• Tour La Pagerie on Martinique, the childhood home of French Empress Josephine
• Visit Barbados’s Sunbury House, the 1650 manse that today is a repository of artifacts, including the Caribbean’s largest collection of carriages and the first optical machinery in the West Indies
• Explore the historic grounds of France’s notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island, French Guiana
• Tour the city of Manaus, built by the rubber barons of the late 19th century
• Follow in the footsteps of Paul Revere, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and other revolutionary heroes as you walk sections of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail
• Revisit the very beginning of the American Revolution in Lexington and Concord, featuring Minuteman National Park
• See the elegant Gilded Age mansions along Newport’s Bellevue Avenue, including a tour of The Breakers, originally built in 1893 as a summer residence for the Vanderbilt family
• Visit the Tabernacle – one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most iconic landmarks – and its surrounding cluster of candy-colored, gingerbread cottages
• Pay your respects to the victims of the World Trade Center attack at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City
• View some of Charleston’s most historic attractions such as the Citadel, Rainbow Row, and more
• Explore America’s earliest colonial roots in Jamestown and Williamsburg, a restored 18th-century living history museum
• Stroll along Charleston’s stunning waterfront, take in the exquisite architecture, and visit historical attractions, including Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
• Enjoy a tour of Wilmington, including visits to The Bellamy Mansion and the USS North Carolina, a World War II battleship
• Barbados nature & history tour
• Enjoy expert guest lectures on the histories of your various destinations during your time on board the Ocean Explorer

Soul-stirring beauty greets you at every turn, from the emerald islands and azure waters of the Caribbean to the lush jungles of the Amazon. You will also have unique opportunities to experience natural treasures along the east coast of the U.S.

• See monkeys, flamingos, lorikeets, and other Bahamian wildlife during your visit to Aradastra Gardens
• Take in the lush beauty and turquoise waters of St. Kitts during a scenic two-hour ride on an open-air train
• Marvel at an endless parade of colorful tropical blooms at the Botanical Gardens of the Dominican Republic, Martinique, and St. Lucia
• Witness pools of gurgling hot springs at the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, on St. Lucia
• Cruise past St. Lucia’s iconic landmark, the twin volcanic spires of the Pitons
• Venture into a glittering world of crystallized limestone, stalagmites, and stalactites in Harrison’s Cave on Barbados
• Embark a small boat to view the remarkable Meeting of the Waters, where the differently colored Amazon and Tapajós rivers flow alongside each other for several miles
• Take in the tranquility of Lake Maica, a natural outlet of the Amazon, and cast a line to fish for the notorious piranha
• Enjoy scenic cruising along the Amazon River, its dense rainforests hugging the river’s shores and harboring all manner of wildlife, from monkeys to a rich array of birds
• Watch for whales as your ship approaches Provincetown, where humpbacks, minke, and other species can often be spotted off their feeding grounds at George’s Bank. Celebrate the biodiversity of the Cape Cod National Seashore Park
• Enjoy the windswept beauty of Martha’s Vineyard during a tour that showcases some of the island’s most scenic locations
• Explore the wetlands, forests, and lush gardens of Magnolia Plantation during your tour on board the estate’s Nature Train
• Delight in the coastal habitats and Willow Pond Nature Trail at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island

The Amazon boasts countless ecological zones that are home to over 1,200 species of birds, from the tiniest hummingbirds to multihued toucans. Have your binoculars (included with your cabin) and your cameras ready to catch the action! Head onto the deck as we approach and depart several ports, when you are most likely to spot graceful, winged creatures perched in coastal vegetation.

• Watch in the trees for Amazonian 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!
• Rise with the sun to catch birds at their most active, crisscrossing the river in flight
• Spot raptor species such as the harpy eagle high in the trees, and waders like the roseate spoonbill low on the banks as they survey the shores for their next meal

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

• 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

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 he or she can 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 he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call 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 on board

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 My Portfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.