Southern Atlantic Crossing

Admire Montevideo’s landmarks, parks and gardens, then enjoy a visit to the Carnival Museum and murga performance. Take a panoramic drive to Independence Square. See the monument dedicated to national hero José Gervasio Artigas, the Government House and the Solís Theater, before continuing along Avenida 18 de Julio to the Legislative Palace, an impressive building made of Uruguayan marble. Equally impressive is the Batlle y Ordóñez Park, where you will find the La Carreta Monument, the Constituents’ Obelisk and the Centenario Stadium, where soccer’s first FIFA World Cup took place in 1930. Return to the Ciudad Vieja for a visit to the Carnival Museum, an institution that showcases artifacts and preserves the traditions of this beloved festival. Admire the exhibits and enjoy a lively performance of murga, a popular form of musical theater, accompanied by a snack and refreshment.

Immerse yourself in a traditional Uruguayan family-run working ranch nestled along the coastline. After a short city tour around Montevideo, head to Estancia La Rabida, an authentic Uruguayan estate. Witness the sweeping agricultural landscapes that end dramatically at the edges of high clifftops and swoop down to the coast of the Plata River below. After a tour of the ranch, relax as you sit down to a traditional asado (barbecue) feast accompanied by a variety of fresh salads and regional wines. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to interact with your local hosts for an unforgettable experience that provides an authentic glimpse into the ranching lifestyle in Montevideo. Enjoy traditional song-and-dance performances, see an array of wildlife and local bird species, and learn about daily gaucho life, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Enliven your taste buds at one of Montevideo’s most outstanding wineries, Viña Juanico. The fertile soil and microclimate of the Juanicó region have made the area renowned for its viticulture. The Viña Juanico was founded by Don Francisco Juanico in 1840, when he broke with the traditional farming methods of the area and built an underground cellar. Today, the Viña Juanico’s 700 acres of vineyards produce up to 1.5 million gallons per year using a management system based on organic agriculture principles. At the winery, tour the vineyards, state-of-the-art production plant and explore its cellars, which date back to 1840, and witness its collection of oak barrels where the family’s treasured wines mature. Enjoy a tasting of a selection of fine wines, accompanied by delicious platters of cheese and cold cuts, before retuning to your ship.

Discover the sights of Colonia del Sacramento during a motor coach and walking excursion. Founded by the Portuguese in 1680, Uruguay’s oldest city was the focus of a power struggle until it was awarded to Spain in a treaty. Pass landmarks such as the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos—a bullfighting ring—during the scenic 133-mile coach portion of your tour. Walk the Barrio Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with buildings, cobblestone streets and stone walls that retain their colonial-era charm. During your stroll, you will see many of these sights, including the Portón de Campo, with its stone gate and wooden drawbridge; Bastion del Carmen, one of the city’s oldest buildings; and the famous Calle de los Suspiros, or “Street of Sighs,” often used as a setting in historical films. After lunch, explore at your leisure before returning to your ship.

Explore the artistic heritage of Uruguay during an excursion to two museums exhibiting national artists. Start with a tour of the historic sights of the Old Town at the former city gate, the last remaining portion of the defensive wall that once surrounded this area. See the wide pathways, manicured lawns and mausoleum of hero José Artigas at Independence Square before passing the well-preserved colonial-era buildings surrounding Constitution Square. Stop outside the Solís Theater, the oldest of its kind in South America, and the neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral. Visit the Joaquín Torres García Museum, home to the works of Uruguay’s most influential artist. Then see the Blanes Museum, a beautiful mansion exhibiting the works of Uruguayan artists, and the Visual Arts Museum, which opened in 1850 and houses the most comprehensive collection of Uruguayan art in the country.

Enjoy a performance of the sultry tango after a scenic tour of Montevideo’s monuments, parks and gardens. Tango mixes African rhythms with European music to create an expressive dance in which partners maintain harmony and connection with each other and the music. Developed during the late 19th century in the poorer neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the tango has since become a popular musical style worldwide. Visit a long-established venue near the River Plate. Sip a refreshing beverage while enjoying a traditional tango performance. Prior to your show, travel through the Old Town and see expansive Independence Square and its towering monument and mausoleum to national hero General José Gervasio Artigas, Estévez Palace—home of the country’s president—and more. Drive through the Prado neighborhood, then stop at the idyllic Batlle y Ordóñez Park for photos of its La Carreta Monument and Constituents’ Obelisk. You will also see the Fallen Soldiers Monument at Army Square.

Stroll through an eclectic mix of architecture and historic sites during a walking tour of Montevideo’s old town. The area has undergone a major transformation during the past decade, becoming the city’s premier nightlife center while still retaining its old-world charm. Meet your guide and head to Independence Square, the limit between the old and the new city. View the mausoleum of national hero General José Gervasio Artigas at Independence Square and Salvo Palace. Visit the Solís Theater, the oldest of its kind in South America. See the well-preserved colonial-era buildings surrounding Constitution Square and tour the interior of the 18th-century neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral. After, browse the stalls of the nearby market before strolling along the narrow street toward Zabala Square, the only fenced square in Old Town. Walk past the Port Market en route back to your ship.

Grab your guidebook and binoculars as you head into the wetlands around Montevideo in search of local birdlife. Meet your naturalist guide and drive to the reserves on the western edge of the city. Along the way, your birding specialist will offer insight into the richness and diversity of the local avian population that inhabits these ecologically important environments. Your journey will take you to protected areas such as Santiago Vázquez—located at the mouth of the Santa Lucía River—and the coastal marshes and lagoons of Pasqual and Penino beaches. You will visit several bird-watching viewpoints at each destination. Keep your eyes peeled and listen for species such as ibis, gilded sapphires, green kingfishers, green-barred woodpeckers, and freckle-breasted thornbirds. Replenish your energy in the field by nibbling on a selection of tasty Uruguayan pastries.

Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine as our Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure. In the morning, you will travel by mini-coach to the local market to handpick ingredients under the guidance of our Chef. Later this evening, you will dine on regional dishes prepared by our experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. As you and your fellow guests enjoy this delicious creation at The Kitchen Table, you will also observe the art of plating with each dish. From fresh market fare to cooking techniques and elegant presentation, experience firsthand how your ship’s world-class culinary staff brings distinct, local flavors from the market to your taste buds. It is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, interact and dine with the masters.

Experience Uruguay’s rich heritage with visits to historic markets and museums, and savor a traditional lunch. Meet your guide and head to the historic Montevideo Agricultural Market. Built during the early 20th century, this recently refurbished market offers a wide variety of products and services. You may want to purchase and sample a torta frita, or fried cake. Afterward, visit the Torres García Museum, where you will explore the intriguing works of Uruguay's most influential artist, Jaoquín Torres-Garcia, before heading to the Artigas Mausoleum, a monument to Uruguayan national hero José Artigas. Then, enjoy lunch at Facal, one of the oldest bars in the city. Try its famous chivito—a delicious sandwich of thinly sliced steak with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise and olives—and sample two different Uruguayan wines.

Revel in the lively rhythms of the candombe during a visit to the rehearsal space of legendary practitioners. The candombe is a folk dance set to the beat of drums and is often performed at Carnival, mainly by Uruguayans of African ancestry. Originating in the Barrio Sur more than 200 years ago, candombe has been declared an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. You will travel to the rehearsal space of the award-winning Uruguayan comparsa, or candombe group, called Cuareim 1080. Upon arrival, gain insight into the roots of this cherished tradition. Sip a glass of wine as you have an opportunity to get a close-up look at the costumes, hats and drums used by the group. Then, your hosts will put on an exuberant demonstration of candombe. Immerse yourself in its infectious rhythms and dance movements. Afterward, return to your ship.

Experience a taste of artisanal products and admire works of renowned artists during this full-day excursion. Journey 85 miles to the outskirts of Punta del Este for an esteemed winery and dairy farm that is renowned for its cheeses, dulce de leche and more. Sample these products, accompanied by a glass of wine, before continuing to the Ralli Museum. Stroll through this popular private museum, browsing its collection of paintings and sculptures by Latin American artists, including sculptures by Salvador Dalí. Then, visit the famous Casapueblo, a residence, atelier and museum hand built by the artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. Admire the dazzling white complex situated on a rocky bluff overlooking the ocean and stroll through its rooms displaying Vilaró’s work. Cap your journey at a local olive producer with a guided tour, as well as a delicious lunch and olive oil tasting.

Savor an authentic Uruguayan tasting experience during a visit to an artisan brewery and restaurant. Embark on a scenic drive to a local brewery, where you will be warmly greeted by your host. A renowned young chef set up the brewery in conjunction with his wife, incorporating some of her family’s brewing secrets from Germany. After a tour of the facility, you will take your seat and prepare to have your taste buds tantalized. Begin with a tasting of meat brochettes, presented on sizzling iron skillets. You will then progress to sample a variety of meats, from breeds such as Hereford (the oldest in Uruguay), prairie-fed Angus from the Lavalleja region, and Aberdeen Angus from Rocha. As you savor each, your knowledgeable host will explain the distinctive flavor differentials between them. Cap your meal with a sweet treat before returning to your ship.

Visit a historic vineyard and attend a winemaking master class where you will learn the art of blending. Meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to the Spinoglio Winery for a tasting experience and lesson in winemaking. The Spinoglio family has been crafting the art of wine blending for three generations. Arrive at the 19th-century estate, where you will be warmly greeted by your hosts and be taken on a tour of the wine cellars. A knowledgeable winemaker from the family will share their time-honored secrets regarding the art of winemaking and introduce you to the subtle nuances of the Tannat- and Merlot-style varietals. Enjoy a platter with a selection of cheeses, cold meats, olives, nuts and bread, accompanied by estate wines. Afterward, return to your awaiting ship.

Tour the cellars of a revered winery and learn to weave textiles from a local artisan. Travel to Uruguay’s most vibrant wine region to visit the cellars of Sacromonte Craft Wines and learn how a Peruvian-born viticulturist has revived his family’s winemaking tradition. Montevideo’s’s microclimate and geology make for a unique terroir. Upon arrival at this century old winery, your expert sommelier will guide you through a tasting of award-winning wines paired with tapas to enhance each one’s flavor profile. Discover the winery’s tried-and-tested methods of production, then see a demonstration of traditional weaving using handlooms from the Peruvian Andes. You will have the opportunity to try your hand at using the loom yourself. At the end of your visit, you may take a small piece of art with you as a memento, before returning to your ship.