17 Night Cruise sailing from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon aboard Azamara Pursuit.

Like her two sister ships, the sturdy Azamara Pursuit is a mid-sized beauty with a deck plan well-suited to the needs of modern voyagers.

You’ll never feel crowded in the comfortable social spaces of our bars, restaurants, lounges, and Cabaret. Nor will you feel like a sardine jammed in around the pool, where our attentive staff is always ready to offer a complimentary bottled water, soft drink or fresh towel. Staterooms feature modern amenities, furnishings, and European linens. And one of the greatest features of this ship is the large number of staterooms with verandas.

There’s nothing better than opening your door to the fresh sea air and views. Azamara’s friendly ships are an altogether wonderful place to call your home away from home!

This voyage is all about Portuguese influences—on both sides of the Atlantic. Beginning in Brazil, we’re taking the reverse route of Portuguese explorers back to Europe. We recommend arriving early to really get a feel for Rio—the colorful city of Carnaval—before we depart for a day at sea.

Arriving in Salvador de Bahia, you’ll find that Afro-Brazilian culture is king. Experience enthralling dance and martial arts displays of capoeira and get your hands on a favorite local snack, acarajé. Next, it’s on to Maceio for a day of beachy bliss and a late stay. Then we visit energetic and lively Recife before our transatlantic crossing gets underway.

Highlights of this cruise:

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Samba on down to Rio, famous for its dramatic landscape and beach culture, easy going except for the four days of frenetic, feather-festooned Carnaval.

From the summits of Sugarloaf and Corcovado, take in breathtaking views of a magnificent bay set against a mountain backdrop. Check out the activity at one or two of the 23 beaches, crowded with sunbathers and swimmers, and also populated by surfers, bikers, and the girl from Ipanema.
Pull up a chair at a churrascaria, and dine on the delicious grilled meat of your choice, washed down with a caipirinha, the national cocktail.

Salvador De Bahia, Brazil
Brazil’s first colonial capital, today Salvador is an energetic, vibrant city rich in Afro-Brazilian culture. African rhythms are a part of Salvador’s local fabric, and you can hear and feel them everywhere—from Capoeira, a mix of martial arts and dance, to Candomble, a religion of ritual and magic that originated in Africa.

Pelourinho, the city’s historic center, is an architectural jewel, with an array of opulent churches—carved and embellished with an abundance of gold leaf. The slaves who built much of Pelourinho were not allowed inside once work was complete. Barred from their creation, they labored at night for a century to build a beautiful church for themselves—Our Lady of the Rosary.

Maceio, Brazil
The capital city of Alagoas is nestled on the east coast of Brazil where warm, tropical climates reign king. Protected by an offshore reef and teeming with palm trees, mangroves, and emerald waters, Maceió is home to miles of beach like you’ve never seen. While the location has been enjoying an era of rediscovery with the local Brazilian population, Maceió is relatively unknown by international tourists—but not by Azamara Club Cruises®.

If it’s culture you seek, it’s culture you’ll find. Maceió is home to a thriving arts scene, mouth-watering cuisine, and a historic center dotted with sweet pastel homes, just begging to be photographed. Folk art enthusiasts can spend the day getting lost amongst the exhibits at the Théo Brandão Museum of Anthropology and Folklore, while a visit to the Museum of Sacred Art Pierre Chalita will leave you with an entirely new take on fine art.

Recife, Brazil
Named for the surrounding coastal recifes (reefs) offshore, Recife is perched on Brazil's northeast coast. The busy seaport is known as the "Venice of Brazil," thanks to its many waterways, bridges, and small islands.

This exciting metropolis is a mix of new high-rises and old colonial structures, with plenty to see and even more to do.

Stroll through the historic heart of the city, Recife Antigo, the 16th Experience the city's vibrant cultural, culinary and music scene, or one of its many impressive beaches, such as Porto de Galinhas, a top tourist destination. Or discover the charming town of nearby Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1530 by the Portuguese.

Mindelo, Cape Verde
Located on the northern part of the island of Sao Vicente, the capital city of Mindelo is considered “Cape Verde's answer to the Riviera”, complete with brightly colored colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and a variety of lively bars, cafés and restaurants. Go to the top of Monte Verde for panoramic views of Porto Grande and Bahia das Gatas Bay, and visit the historic Torre de Belem, which overlooks the city center, and is conveniently located next to the bustling fish market.

Spend the day at one the island’s many beaches—including Laginha, Praia Grande and Calhau—or head to Sao Pedro, renowned as one of the best Cape Verdean beaches for windsurfing. At night, head to the Praca Nova district for an evening of dining, dancing, and local music.

Agadir, Morocco
Tucked near the foot of the Atlas Mountains and surrounded by the rich plains of the Souss Valley, Agadir is a sunny cosmopolitan city where modern architecture meets the shell of a colonial port nearly leveled by a 1960 earthquake.

Today Agadir is one of the most premier sardine fishing ports in the world and a thriving commercial center for citrus export. Newly built in the mid-twentieth century, modern buildings intermingle with white washed buildings along wide French inspired boulevards fringed by lush parkland and mimosa trees. But, the main star of Agadir’s landscape is its lovely stretches of secluded beach that attract tourists from around the world to the shores of this North African resort destination.

Casablanca, Morocco
The gateway to Morocco’s exotic interior and the Imperial Cities of Rabat and Marrakech, Casablanca is a modern city swathed in rich history and vintage romance. Contemporary commercial and industrial buildings juxtapose against narrow cobbled streets, colorful bazaars, and awe-inspiring minarets in the country’s largest city.

An important trading center, Casablanca has passed though many hands as a colonial stronghold for the Romans, Portuguese, and French, absorbing these influences while maintaining its position as the economic heart of the country into its modern independence. Hollywood scenes may paint Casablanca as a dusky, far-off destination, but today the bustling metropolis is the most progressive and cosmopolitan city in Morocco.

Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers.

The city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to Post Modern, and criss-crossed by monument-studded grand boulevards.

Today it is seeking a place on the world stage by hosting, in addition to its own active cultural calendar, film festivals, art, fashion, and design shows, book fairs, marathons, and rock concerts.