Caribbean and the Amazon - Southbound

The city of Bridgetown metropolitan is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics and convention center in the Caribbean region. Embark your luxurious vessel, the SeaDream, this afternoon for an early evening departure.

Enjoy two full days to explore your new home and enjoy the numerous onboard amenities. Pamper yourself in the luxurious spa, work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, relax with a good book or chat with new friends.

Devils Island (French: Île du Diable) is the smallest and northernmost island of the three Îles du Salut located off the coast of French Guiana. It has an area of 14 hectares (34.6 acres). It was a notorious French penal colony until 1946. The rocky, palm-covered island is 40 meters (131 ft) high. The penitentiary was first opened by Emperor Napoleon III's government in 1852, and became one of the most infamous prisons in history. In addition to the prison on the island, prison facilities were located on the mainland at Kourou. Over time, they became known collectively as "Devil's Island" in the English-speaking world, while they are known in France as the bagne de Cayenne, Cayenne being the main city of French Guiana. Used by France from 1852 to 1946, the inmates were everything from "political" prisoners (for example, anarchist Clément Duval) to the most hardened of thieves and murderers. A great many of the more than 80,000 prisoners sent to the harsh conditions at disease-infested Devil's Island were never seen again. Other than by boat, the only way out was through a dense jungle; accordingly, very few convicts ever managed to escape.

The SeaDream yacht will anchor off near Ile Royal and offer tender service for those quests wishing to explore the island. Île Royale (Royal Island) is the largest and westernmost island of the three Îles du Salut. As the largest island, with an area of 28 hectares, it was used as the center for administration when the islands were used as a penal settlement. With an elevation of 66 meters, the island is the highest of the group. It contains a museum and a hotel (L'Auberge des Îles du Salut). You will be able to spot many ‘Agoutis’ which are rodents that look like huge tailless rats or squirrels.

A variety of entertainment choices will be presented today, as well as the many luxurious options that await you.

Port details pending.

Port details pending.

Alter do Chão is a village 33km west (or a 45 minute bus ride from the Amazon port City of Santerem along one of the only roads in the state of Pará, Brazil. One of most beautiful places in the whole of the Amazon Basin, the town of Alter do Chão is well worth traveling out of your way for. Situated approximately half way between Belem and Manaus, this picturesque town makes a perfectly relaxing break on a journey between the two. Alter is easily accessible by taking a scenic 45 minute bus from Santarem, however Santarem itself is only accessible by plane or boat.

Surrounded by lush forest, the small town sits on the Tapajós a tributary of the Amazon, at the entrance to Lago Verde. It is not without good reason that this town is known as the Caribbean of the Amazon as it is one of the world’s most beautiful river beaches. The photogenic highlight of the town is Ilha do Amor (“island of love”) a sandbar that slowly extends across the lagoon towards the town as river levels recede during the dry season. Although still attractive in the wet season this spit flanked by the lagoon and the river is what makes Alter unique.

Parintins is a city in the far east of the Amazonas state, Brazil. It is located in the municipality of the same name, which is part of a microregion also named Parintins. The population for the entire municipality was 109,150 (2005) and its area is 5,952 km².[1] The city is located on Tupinambarana island in the Amazon River. Parintins is known for a popular folklore festival held there each June called Boi-Bumbá.

Manaus (Portuguese pronunciation: [maˈnaws]) is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination. Disembark this morning for your continued journey home.