7 Night South America Cruise
Itinerary
Salvador de Bahia
Brazil
Day 1According to Salvador's adopted son Jorge Amado, "In Salvador, magic becomes part of the every-day." From the shimmering golden light of sunset over the Baía do Todos os Santos, to the rhythmic beats that race along the streets, Salvador, while no longer Brazil's capital, remains one of its most captivating cities. A large dose of its exoticism comes down to its African heritage—at least 70% of its 2,675,000 population is classified as Afro-Brazilian—and how it has blended into Brazil's different strands, from the native Indians to the Christian colonizers. Salvadorans may tell you that you can visit a different church every day of the year, which is almost true—the city has about 300. Churches whose interiors are covered with gold leaf were financed by the riches of the Portuguese colonial era, when slaves masked their traditional religious beliefs under a thin Catholic veneer. And partly thanks to modern-day acceptance of those beliefs, Salvador has become the fount of Candomblé, a religion based on personal dialogue with the orixás, a family of African deities closely linked to nature and the Catholic saints. The influence of Salvador's African heritage on Brazilian music has also turned the city into one of the musical capitals of Brazil, resulting in a myriad of venues to enjoy live music across the city, along with international acclaim for exponents like Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Daniela Mercury. Salvador's economy today is focused on telecommunications and tourism. The still-prevalent African culture draws many tourists—this is the best place in Brazil to hear African music, learn or watch African dance, and see capoeira, a martial art developed by slaves. In the district of Pelourinho, many colorful 18th- and 19th-century houses remain, part of the reason why this is the center of the tourist trade. Salvador sprawls across a peninsula surrounded by the Baía de Todos os Santos on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The city has about 50 km (31 miles) of coastline. The original city, referred to as the Centro Histórica (Historical Center), is divided into the Cidade Alta (Upper City), also called Pelourinho, and Cidade Baixa (Lower City). The Cidade Baixa is a commercial area—known as Comércio—that runs along the port and is the site of Salvador's indoor market, Mercado Modelo. You can move between the upper and lower cities on foot, via the landmark Elevador Lacerda, behind the market, or on the Plano Inclinado, a funicular lift, which connects Rua Guindaste dos Padres on Comércio with the alley behind Cathedral Basílica. From the Cidade Histórica you can travel north along the bay to the hilltop Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim. You can also head south to the point, guarded by the Forte Santo Antônio da Barra, where the bay waters meet those of the Atlantic. This area on Salvador's southern tip is home to the trendy neighborhoods of Barra, Ondina, and Rio Vermelho, with many museums, theaters, shops, and restaurants. Beaches along the Atlantic coast and north of Forte Santo Antônio da Barra are among the city's cleanest. Many are illuminated at night and have bars and restaurants that stay open late.
About this cruise
The cruise experience on MSC Seaview is all about connecting you with the world outside, from the sea to the sky. Whether you’re sunbathing by one of the pools, strolling around the seafront promenade, dining under the stars or enjoying a relaxing massage in the lavishly appointed MSC Aurea Spa, you’re always surround by superb views.
Available dates
Stateroom Options
- InsideFROM£651 pp
- OceanviewFROM£787 pp
- BalconyFROM£878 pp
- SuiteFROM£1,228 pp
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No Booking Fees
No Hidden Fees
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dining
Silver Dolphin
Located on Deck 6.
Silver Dolphin
Located on Deck 6.
Silver Dolphin
Located on Deck 6.
Silver Dolphin
Located on Deck 6.
Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi
Designed with award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, our Pan-Asian restaurant offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Chef Yamaguchi, creator of Hawaiian fusion cuisine, combines his Japanese heritage with a love for the freshest ingredients. And he brings his creative flair to every detail, from creating the recipes and suggesting the perfect wine pairings to selecting the right chinaware and the ideal music to enhance the dining experience.
Asian Market Kitchen by Roy Yamaguchi
Designed with award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, our Pan-Asian restaurant offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Chef Yamaguchi, creator of Hawaiian fusion cuisine, combines his Japanese heritage with a love for the freshest ingredients. And he brings his creative flair to every detail, from creating the recipes and suggesting the perfect wine pairings to selecting the right chinaware and the ideal music to enhance the dining experience.
Ocean Cay Restaurant
A luxury fish restaurant that offers a mouth-watering proposal of sophisticated fish and shellfish made with the freshest ingredients, including scallop 'a la Gallega' with Iberian ham, fideuá of king crab and confit duck and rosemary salt roasted sea bass.
Ocean Cay Restaurant
A luxury fish restaurant that offers a mouth-watering proposal of sophisticated fish and shellfish made with the freshest ingredients, including scallop 'a la Gallega' with Iberian ham, fideuá of king crab and confit duck and rosemary salt roasted sea bass.
MSC Seaview
MSC Cruises
FROM
£651 pp
- What's included?
- The below amenities and services are included in your selected cruise fare. By choosing a promotion during the booking process you may be entitled to additional amenities or services, depending on the particular offer.
Included benefits
Bella Experience
Fantastica Experience includes all Bella benefits, plus:
Aurea Experience includes all Fantastica benefits, plus:
- MSC Yacht Club (Available on board MSC World Europa, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia):
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