Rio de Janeiro is a metropolis in southeastern Brazil, where samba music can be heard year round. A seaside city, Rio is world-famous for its beaches, such as Copacabana. Atop Mount Corcovado, stands a major icon of the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the 125-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer statue. The city's lively Carnaval festival is one of the largest in the world with flashy costumes and parade floats.

The name comes from the Portuguese Ilha Grande and means "Big Island". Ilha Grande is one of the most famous Brazilian islands and is part of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The Ilha Grande offers 86 spectacular beaches and a national park with an Atlantic rain forest, home to numerous rare species.

Located approximately 45 miles away from São Paulo is the city of Santos, Brazil. Cruise passengers will be able to take a lot from the coastal town. Visitors can soak up the sun or hang ten at pristine beaches like Enseada Beach and Astúrias Beach. Museum-lovers also have some entertainment options. The Museu do Mar is a fascinating maritime museum, and the Museum of Modern Art has plenty of thought-provoking exhibitions. Considering that Santos is a coffee port, visitors should definitely take some time to enjoy some of the best brewed coffee in the world.

The port city of Porto Belo is located on the Brazilian coast and boasts a very rich vegetation. Porto Belo is a dream destination for nature lovers, with many spectacular areas in the jungle suitable for diving. The city region also has numerous souvenir shops.

The Rio Grande rises in the Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) and flows south through the U.S. state of New Mexico for over 3000km. It is one of the top five longest rivers in North America and serves as a natural border between Texas and Mexico.

Located on a narrow peninsula in southeastern Uruguay is the seaside city of Punta del Este. The city is famous for its beaches, such as Brava Beach, which is the perfect surf spot, and Mansa Beach on the west coast, which is great for family outings due to its tranquil, shallow waters. Punta del Este is designated as a “resort city” as the area is filled with stately villas, yacht harbors, luxury apartment buildings by the sea, and fine dining restaurants, easily making it the most expensive city in all of Uruguay.

Montevideo is the seaside capital of Uruguay, boasting beautiful beaches such as Playa de los Pocitos and La Rambla. The city's old town, Ciudad Vieaja, features both colonial houses, like Casa Rivera, as well as glamorous art deco architecture. Montevideo's main square, Plaza de la Independencia, will lead you to plenty of picture-perfect landmarks: Palacio Salvo, Solís Theatre, the Obelisk of Montevideo, and much more!

Overnight

As the booming capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is one of the most well-known South American cities. The presidential palace Casa Rosada as well as other beautiful 19th-century buildings surround the Plaza de Mayo in downtown Buenos Aires. When you're in town, be sure to shop for high-quality leather, eat out at a parilla, an Argentine steakhouse, and dance the night away to the fiery rhythms of tango!