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.

Here are some other activities you may participate in:

• Swim at the private beach at your Nassau, Bahamas hotel
• 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

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

• Explore the colorful folk art and crafts traditions of the Bahamian capital of Nassau, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network
• Stop by the 1789 Buena Vista Estate in Nassau, where you may sample the rum at the John Watlings Distillery
• Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Dominican Republic during visits to a cheese factory, a bread factory, an artisan’s home, and a tobacco plantation
• Learn about rum production during a tour of a Martinique distillery
• Tour St. Lucia’s Old Sugar Mill, once central to the island’s economy and history
• See the stunning Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre), built with glass from France and marble from Italy
• Browse Manaus’s historic Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, fashioned after the Les Halles market of Paris
• Enjoy expert guest lectures on the histories, cultures, and natural beauty of your various destinations during your time on board the Ocean Explorer

• Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 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

• If you have an SLR, bring zoom lenses of at least 200 mm to capture birdlife. If you’d rather not bring a zoom, you can capture the incredibly diverse flora and fauna with a wider view. For unique perspectives, aim your lens toward reflections in lakes or the river or get close ups of insects, plants, monkeys and other jungle life
• You’ll be spending several days in the rainforest, so bring a protective bag or waterproof pack in case you get caught in a downpour. When not using your camera, keep it sealed in an airtight case or Ziploc bag to prevent fogging. To avoid moisture while you’re shooting, use a UV filter and carry a lens cloth
• Do not shoot with flash as it will frighten the wildlife

• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle, for example. Climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take a selfie! You’ll be glad to have a few portraits of yourself at the distinctive landmarks you’ll find on this journey
• Look beyond the landmarks — sometimes everyday scenes are just as inspiring, and provide a lesson in embracing the unexpected and seizing the moment in front of you

• 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

• 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

• Enjoy entertainment by local performers during special evenings on board ship
• Relax to the tempo of a local band during your visit to St. Lucia’s Old Sugar Mill

This unique journey of exploration and discovery reveals the cultural heart and breathtaking beauty of the Caribbean and the Amazon. We take you beyond the tourist and beach crowds, so you’ll discover the true character of these storied regions. Here’s how:

• Every day on board ship, you have the option to attend a lecture by a prominent expert, so you’ll gain endless insights into topics such as the natural world you’ll be witnessing on shore and the indigenous and colonial cultures that have shaped your destinations. These fascinating talks are designed to pique your curiosity, complement your discoveries, and inspire you to explore deeper
• Our expeditions give you ample time to follow your own interests, whether you want to spend time in a specialty museum or walk into town from the ship’s mooring to explore
• Wherever possible, we’ve arranged opportunities for you to meet the people who call the Caribbean and the Amazon home, from an artisan in the Dominican Republic and a rum distiller on Martinique to the merchants at the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa in Manaus
• Binoculars are provided in your cabin, so you can while away an afternoon on deck getting up-close views of shore-wading birds while we’re docked in the Caribbean’s ports and of cavorting monkeys while cruising the Amazon River

• 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 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 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.