Our tip
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Beach on the tip of Key Biscayne is a great place to get away from the crowds and spot some wildlife.
From Miami to Manaus
An Extended Journey of Caribbean Charms & Amazonian Wonders
From Miami to Manaus
An Extended Journey of Caribbean Charms & Amazonian Wonders
Voyage Itinerary
29 January
Setting sail from Miami
Miami is a pulsating modern city, a cultural crossroads where Cuban émigrés rub shoulders with affluent New Yorkers topping up on winter sun, and where you're just as likely to hear Spanish or Caribbean patois being spoken as you are English. Downtown Miami is a destination in its own right, with a host of world class galleries including the fantastic MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), but it's still Miami Beach that draws the biggest crowds. The Art Deco district around South Beach is very much back in vogue, with new restaurants, bars and luxury developments sprouting up all over the place.
30 January - At sea
31 January
Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata
1 February - At sea
2 February
Sint Maarten: Philipsburg
Philipsburg is the gateway to an intriguing little Caribbean island with a dual personality: the Dutch side, St. Maarten, is the livelier of the two, with shopping malls, casinos and more of a nightlife scene, while French-speaking St. Martin is a more refined (and more expensive) affair, with a laid-back, continental air and a host of exclusive resorts and restaurants.
3 February
Guadeloupe: Terre-de-Haut
Eight tiny islands make up the Iles des Saintes, a sparsely inhabited archipelago off the southern coast of Guadeloupe. The most interesting island is hilly Terre-de-Haut, almost entirely populated by the fair-skinned descendants of Breton sailors and home to a beautiful bay reminiscent of a mini Rio de Janeiro.
4 February
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre (Saint Kitts)
Laid back and low key, Saint Kitts is an island typified by rolling green hills, characterful beach bars and the lingering remnants of the sugar cane trade that once dominated here. Attractions include the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill fortress, the 18-mile Scenic Railway and the faded Georgian elegance of the capital, Basseterre.
5 February
Puerto Rico: San Juan
Founded by the Spanish in 1521, Puerto Rico’s capital is the second oldest European settlement in the Americas. Modern San Juan is a bustling city, home to over a third of the island’s population, but the cobbled streets of the Old Town remain the biggest tourist draw.
6 February
Saint Barthélemy: Gustavia
Gustavia is the chic and petite capital of Saint Barths, a tiny French Caribbean island that’s renowned as a haunt of the rich and the famous. You can certainly live well here if you’ve got the means, with an array of gourmet restaurants and luxury boutiques aimed squarely at the A-list. The beautiful beaches, on the other hand, are free and open to all.
7 February
Martinique: Saint Pierre (Martinique)
8 February
Barbados: Bridgetown
There’s more to Barbados than just beaches; the delightful architecture of the old garrison in Bridgetown, the capital, is fully deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status, and the island interior is littered with old sugar plantations and natural wonders such as Harrison’s Cave.
9 February to 10 February
Trinidad and Tobago: Port of Spain
Trinidad’s main industries are oil and gas rather than tourism, and this is reflected in Port of Spain’s skyscrapers and urban sprawl, quite a contrast with other Caribbean capitals. It's a bustling melting pot famed for its boisterous carnival, but beyond the city limits lies a beautiful island of waterfalls, rainforests and colourful birdlife.
11 February to 12 February - At sea
13 February
Brazil: Macapá
Bisected by the Equator, the city of Macapá commands a strategic position on the northern side of the Amazon estuary, and is the site of an impressive 18th century Portuguese fort. There is also a pleasant riverfront area cooled by ocean breezes, and the surrounding region is rich in birdlife.
14 February
Brazil: Santarém
Santarém is situated at the ‘Wedding of the Waters’, where the Amazon and Tapajós rivers meet. A former rubber boom town, the city is now a focus for the controversial soybean industry. Activities on offer nearby include canoeing, wildlife walks and day trips to the laid back town of Alter do Chão.
15 February
Brazil: Boca da Valéria
The tiny village of Boca da Valéria, with its picturesque little church and wooden stilt houses, is home to a remote indigenous community, at the point where the Valéria and Amazon rivers meet. The villagers are used to welcoming cruise ship visitors, but stepping ashore here is still a memorable experience.
16 February to 17 February
Arriving in Manaus
Manaus is a remarkable place, a sweltering, steamy city in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest. Situated near the confluence of the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers, surrounded by thick jungle, the city is a major port in spite of its location some 1,000 miles from the sea.
Don't miss
The meeting of the waters of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões is really something: different colours, different speeds and different temperature too.
The ship
Explora I
- Capacity:
- 922 Guests
- Style:
- Aiming for the feel of a 'luxury resort at sea' these ships offer sleek and stylish décor, spacious public areas and accommodation, and an abundance of choice.
Explora I launched in 2023 with Explora II following in 2024, and these luxury all-inclusive resort-style vessels marked the entrance of new cruise line Explora Journeys into the luxury cruise market.
What we love
These identical ships feature spacious accommodation, generous outdoor areas, a huge choice of restaurants, an attractive guest to crew ratio of 1.25 to 1, three outdoor pools and a fourth with a retractable glass roof, these ships really have it all.
inclusions
- Meals in a choice of venues including room service
- Open bar policy throughout the ship
- Onboard entertainment and enrichment programme
- WiFi
- Onboard gratuities
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in Miami
Glamorous, hip, or so cool you freeze? Lots of choice… but we really like the Betsy.
See more of Florida
If you have a few days get down to the Florida Keys – magnificent.
Where to stay in Manaus
You may enjoy the Tropical Manaus Ecoresort, a few miles outside the city. To be frank in Manaus hotel quality is poor.
Excursions from Manaus
Go to Presidente Figueiredo to see the falls and enjoy extraordinary scenery and a taste of the rainforest.
How can we help?
Our frequently asked questions
From cruise tips to travel protection, here are some of our most-asked questions
visit our faqs
Will I save by booking with Mundy Cruising?
Absolutely. You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line and enjoy more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.
Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?
From flights and transfers to hotels and tours, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and also offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24hr emergency contact, so we offer complete peace of mind.
What are the benefits of a small luxury ship?
Because small ships are able to reach smaller ports of call and provide a higher level of service than their big ship counterparts, we believe that small ship cruising is the very best way to travel. Usually they offer more space per person, and an attentive team to make sure you have the very best experience. Small ship cruising offers the very best of the best.
cruise news
Latest news and travel inspiration
News, trip reports, cruising advice and industry insight brought to you from our expert team.
Why Mundy?
Who we are
Founded in 1970, we have sold more luxury cruises for more years than anyone else in the UK.
Mundy Cruising was the very first cruise specialist in the UK. We have been making the best cruise holidays even better since 1970.
How? Simply by offering our clients more expertise, more personal service, more unique ideas, more fascinating add-ons, more fabulous freebies and more peace of mind.
We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.
