Coastal Brazil onboard a luxury motor yacht

The Hanse Explorer, a five-star expedition cruise vessel for just 12-passengers, gives the guests on board the feeling they are travelling with a group of friends on their own luxury private yacht rather than on a conventional cruise. Special prices are available on the 29 November 2007 14-night departure sailing along the Brazilian coast from Belém to Rio de Janeiro.

Setting sail from Belém this 15-day voyage on board the Hanse Explorer along the coast of Brazil to Rio de Janeiro, sails through mangrove-covered deltas and tranquil coves to stunning colonial outposts and vibrant city streets. The protected national marine park of Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll offers some of the finest diving in the world and the vessel is set up with all the diving equipment needed. Among caverns and coral formations, there are spinner dolphins, reef sharks, turtles and rays. Cruising Rocas Atoll at low tide is spectacular with its seascape of lagoons and tidal pools teeming with fish.

Time has stood still in Olinda where the narrow cobbled streets are home to magnificent Baroque churches, pastel coloured houses and shady plazas. Steeped in history it is no surprise that Olinda has UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status. Among the clear waters and coral reefs of the Archipelago dos Abrolhos all kinds of rare fish, sea turtles, birds and possibly also humpback whales taking refuge from the icy Antarctic winter may be seen. From the delightful colonial town of Paraty the ship sails on to the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro where the guests disembark.

Departure dates for the cruise: Belem, Brazil 29 November 2007 - Rio de Janeiro, 13 December 2007.

Usual Price: £4,400 per person for the cruise.
Discounted Price: £3,999 per person sharing a twin cabin (for the cruise) plus £950 per person for return flights from London to Brazil including two nights hotel accommodation.

What’s included: Everything onboard the ship including meals with wine, guided shore and zodiac excursions, and transfers.

Alternatively, there is a 9-night voyage, embarking in Rio de Janeiro and disembarking in Buenos Aires. Usual price for the cruise is £2200; the discounted price is £1999 per person sharing a twin cabin. The flight package with two night's hotel will be around £950 per person.

ABOUT THE VESSEL
The luxury 48-metre expedition motor-yacht Hanse Explorer, has been designed to explore the remote corners of the world, from the polar regions to warmer waters. The ship will carry a full complement of experienced crew whilst offering on board training to a small group of officers, engineers and hotel staff.

All six interior-designed guest cabins are luxuriously and tastefully fitted and come complete with powerful rain shower systems in the en-suite bathrooms. The cabins are also equipped with the latest technology including satellite phone and a large flat screen, ideal for working on digital photographs. An outside dining area provides the most incredible backdrops whilst eating superb cuisine. The atmosphere onboard is relaxed and informal.

The operator for this expedition is Germany based Oceanstar. For more information, visit Oceanstar.de.