3 October to 6 October - At sea

7 October

Saint Kitts and Nevis: South Friars Bay

The beach at South Friars Bay is a lovely sweep of golden sand at the southern end of St Kitts, although it can get a little busy when the larger cruise ships are docked on the island. There are several bars and restaurants along this half-mile stretch, with watersports equipment and loungers available to rent.

8 October

Montserrat: Montserrat

Montserrat garnered global attention in 1995 when the Soufrière Hills volcano erupted, burying the island’s capital, Plymouth. Although an exclusion zone is still in place in the south, visitors are often surprised by how lush and unspoilt the rest of the island is, home to a colourful variety of birdlife.

9 October

Saint Lucia: Rodney Bay

The majority of Saint Lucia’s hotels are clustered around the broad sweep of Rodney Bay, where you’ll find some of the best beaches on the island and a host of lively bars and restaurants. At the northern end of the bay is Pigeon Island and historic Fort Rodney, well worth a visit for the splendid views.

10 October

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.

11 October

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.

12 October to 13 October - At sea

14 October

French Guiana: Devil's Island

The Iles de Salut, a trio of islands more popularly known as Devil’s Island, were the site of a French penal colony which gained notoriety thanks to the harsh treatment of inmates. As well as the overgrown ruins of the prison, which closed in 1953, the islands are today also home to a surprisingly rich variety of wildlife.

15 October to 17 October - At sea

18 October

Brazil: Fortaleza

Situated on Brazil’s northeastern coast, the sprawling city of Fortaleza is best known for its beaches and nightlife, and it’s also a major seaport. There isn’t a huge amount in the way of sights, though the Mercado Central is good for shopping and there are some nice beach bars along the Praia do Futuro.

19 October

Brazil: Natal

Natal takes its name from the Portuguese word for Christmas, since the city was founded on Christmas Day in 1599. The local tourist industry is focused mostly on the region’s beautiful beaches, and a buggy ride along the huge sand dunes is a popular activity.

20 October - At sea

21 October

Brazil: Salvador

Colourful Salvador is Brazil’s third biggest city and a vibrant centre for Afro-Brazilian culture, with frequent festivals that fill the streets with music and dancing. The historic core of the old city is the biggest tourist magnet, where elegant, brightly hued colonial buildings line the cobbled streets.

22 October to 23 October - At sea

24 October

Brazil: Búzios

Once just a sleepy fishing village on a picturesque peninsula, Búzios was put firmly on the map by Brigitte Bardot, who holidayed here in the 1960s. These days it’s an upmarket beach destination, with a host of luxury hotels, sophisticated restaurants and chic boutiques.

25 October

Brazil: Paraty

Paraty is a beautiful colonial town to the west of Rio de Janeiro, surrounded by stunning beaches and set against a backdrop of jungle-covered mountains. The cobbled streets are closed off to traffic, which makes wandering amongst the pretty whitewashed buildings all the more enjoyable.

26 October

Arriving in Rio de Janeiro

The carnival capital of the world, Rio de Janeiro needs little introduction. We can think of few cities in the world that are able to compete when it comes to location: hugging the beautiful sandy shore and surrounded by jungle-clad islands and mountains, including the iconic Corcovado, the setting for Brazil’s most vibrant city is simply breathtaking.