Expedition Brazil: From the Amazon Delta to Bahia Shores
Step aboard for a journey through Brazil’s rich tapestry of culture, history, and nature. From the vibrant riverbanks of the Amazon to Bahia’s golden sands, experience a land of rhythmic beats, colonial charm, and tropical beauty. Wander through UNESCO-listed towns, explore remote coastal wonders, and immerse yourself in the warm embrace of Brazil’s captivating spirit.
This luxury cruise, Expedition Brazil: From the Amazon Delta to Bahia Shores, begins in the Amazonian port city of Belem. The voyage immediately plunges into the wild heart of the north, cruising through the Breves Narrows before calling at Afua on the Amazon River.
After crossing the Equator and several days at sea, the journey continues along the captivating Brazilian coast, making stops at the historic city of Itaqui (São Luís), the dynamic coastal capital of Fortaleza, and the beach resort town of Cabedelo (João Pessoa). Throughout the voyage, travellers will have the opportunity to explore Belem’s bustling markets, witness the historic colonial architecture of São Luís, and experience the lively urban centres of the Northeast coast. The journey culminates in Salvador da Bahia, the soul of Afro-Brazilian culture, where centuries of history echo through cobblestone Pelourinho.
Onboard, enrich your voyage with photography workshops capturing tropical light, expert lectures on Brazilian ecosystems and culture, and library moments framed by endless ocean vistas.
Once one of South America's most prosperous cities, known as ‘tropical Paris’, today Belém remains a thriving port and is the gateway to the Amazon. The opulence of Belém’s golden era is showcased at the neoclassical-style 1874 Theatro da Paz on the Praça de República. Pretty green spaces are shaded by mango trees and the historical centre has plenty of wonderful museums. The bustling Ver-o-Peso market is Latin America's largest open-air market.
Navigating Brazil's Breves Narrows, upriver from Belem in the Thousand Islands region, is a mesmerising Amazonian journey. This natural passage, surrounded by towering walls of lush vegetation, creates a secluded green canyon in the heart of the jungle. Enigmatic wildlife such as scarlet macaws, and equatorial flora such as giant Victoria water lilies flourish. The welcoming locals, known as ribeirinhos, offer warm hospitality.
Fortaleza is Brazil's fifth-largest city, located on the northeastern coastline in the state of Ceará. Its history includes a Dutch outpost in 1654, later retaken by the Portuguese and renamed Fortaleza (fortress). Among the highlights are the Praia do Futuro beach, forró, traditional music and dance at the ornate, Art Nouveau-styled Theatro José de Alencar, or shopping for hammocks and handmade lace and embroideries at the Central Market.
With a rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is a vibrant city where African and South American cultures blend. Salvador served as Brazil's first capital from 1549 to 1763, and its UNESCO-listed historic centre, Pelourinho, bursts with cobblestone streets and colourful colonial buildings. Jorge Amado, a beloved literary figure, is celebrated at his former home, now the museum A Casa do Rio Vermelho.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Oceanview D4
Balcony D5
Balcony M5
Suite
Premium Suite
Oceanview M4
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship
Length: 115 metres
Passenger Capacity: 158
Built: 2020/2021/2022
The SH Vega is a boutique, ice-strengthened expedition ship designed for exploring the world’s most remote destinations in refined comfort. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines sleek Scandinavian design with advanced cruising technology, including a Polar Class PC5 hull and extra-large stabilisers for smooth sailing in challenging waters. With space for just 158 guests and 122 crew, she offers an intimate and personalised experience, where every detail is considered – from elegant observation lounges and stargazing decks to fine dining venues and a spa with panoramic views. Her facilities include a heated outdoor pool, open deck jacuzzi, gym, and library, ensuring the journey is as rewarding on board as it is ashore.
Accommodation ranges from stylish oceanview staterooms to expansive premium suites, all appointed with contemporary comforts such as a flame-effect fireplace, Illy espresso machine, luxury toiletries, and even complimentary binoculars for wildlife spotting. Private balconies in many cabins provide a front-row seat to breathtaking landscapes, while world-class dining, attentive service, and thoughtful touches like a welcome bottle of Champagne enhance the sense of occasion. Whether navigating polar ice or sailing into sunlit harbours, the SH Vega offers a blend of adventure, elegance, and home-like warmth.
Inclusions
• Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk)
• Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included - please enquire)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (where included - please enquire)
• All meals onboard
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and selected alcoholic beverages, available 24 hours per day
• Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call (kayaking not included – however this can be pre-booked)
• In polar regions: Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka to take home and use of rubber boots for wet zodiac landings.
Exclusions
• Kayaking, private tours, special arrangements, and private Zodiac tours on request and based on availability.
• Additional shore excursions are also offered (excluding polar regions, where all excursions are Zodiac-based and included). At each destination/ port of call, one pre-selected shore excursion will be included free of charge. All other excursion offers will be available at additional cost.
• Premium wines and spirits from the bar menu
• Purchases from the ship’s boutique, laundry expenses, premium WiFi packages, and spa treatments
• Visas where required, travel insurance, flights, domestic transfers, and any hotel requirements pre- or post-cruise, unless otherwise stated within the itinerary description.
Luxury Expedition
Highlights
• Venture into Breves Narrows, discover scarlet macaws and giant Victoria water lilies, and enjoy ribeirinhos warm hospitality.• Explore Lençóis Maranhenses' white sand dunes sculpted by the wind and filled with rain-fed, crystal-clear blue lagoons.
• Discover Belém’s vibrant soul through its bustling markets and historic streets, alive with rich culture and flavours.
Our Associates Include
