Departure ports

Middle East, Africa, and South America

Ships depart from these ports in certain seasons, for a cruise in the Arabian Gulf, along the Brazilian coast, or to Antarctica. They are not departure ports for a Caribbean cruise.

Middle East, Africa, and South America

Some of these ports are used only in certain months. Others are where an expedition cruise starts. A world cruise may stop in one of them and continue.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Sailing regions: The Arabian Gulf, with longer sailings toward the Red Sea and India.

Flight access: Emirates has the hub. flydubai covers the shorter routes. Most long-haul airlines serve Dubai.

Time: 12:11 PM local · GMT+04:00

Currency: UAE dirham. Cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, and shops.

See Asia Cruises

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

Sailing regions: The Arabian Gulf.

Flight access: Etihad has the hub. A transfer from Dubai is about 1.5 hours.

Time: 12:11 PM local · GMT+04:00

Currency: UAE dirham. Cards are accepted.

See Asia Cruises

South Africa

Cape Town

Sailing regions: Southern Africa, and segments of world cruises.

Flight access: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Qatar, KLM, and Air France. South African Airways flies the region. Check whether a US nonstop is operating on your dates.

Time: 10:11 AM local · GMT+02:00

Currency: South African rand. Cards are accepted in town. Small markets are easier with rand.

See World Cruises

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Sailing regions: The Brazilian coast, in the southern summer. Ships dock on Guanabara Bay. Sugarloaf and Corcovado are in the city.

Flight access: LATAM, Gol, and Azul, plus American and United.

Time: 5:11 AM local · GMT-03:00

Currency: Brazilian real. Cards are accepted in town. For cash, use reais.

See South America Cruises

Argentina

Buenos Aires

Sailing regions: The South American coast, and longer runs toward the Chilean fjords.

Flight access: Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM, plus American and United.

Time: 5:11 AM local · GMT-03:00

Currency: Argentine peso. Cards are accepted. Some visitors pay in US dollars, and that rate changes.

See South America Cruises

Argentina

Ushuaia

Sailing regions: Antarctica. You board the expedition ship here. You can walk the waterfront to the old prison museum. The landings farther south are by Zodiac.

Flight access: There is no long-haul flight into Ushuaia. Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSMART connect from Buenos Aires.

Time: 5:11 AM local · GMT-03:00

Currency: Argentine peso. Cards are accepted in town. The ship to Antarctica usually bills in US dollars.

See Expedition Cruises

The cruise fare is usually billed in US dollars. On shore, prices are in the currency named on that city’s card. US cash works in the United States and Puerto Rico. Elsewhere, including Canada, a shop that takes US bills usually sets a worse rate than your bank. If you want cash, order the local currency from your bank before you leave. A travel card with no international transaction fee is the other way to pay.

Cabin categories

The fare is for a category, not always for a specific cabin number. A balcony on one line is not the same size, or the same inclusion, as a balcony on another.

Inside: No window. This is usually the lowest fare.
Oceanview: A window or a porthole. It does not open onto a balcony.
Balcony: A private outdoor space. Some lines call the same category a veranda.
Suite: A larger room, often with a sitting area. Drinks, a butler, or priority boarding depend on the line. Read the fare.
Guarantee: You book the category. The line assigns the cabin number later, and it can be a better cabin in that same category.

Not sure which port fits?

Tell us the coast you want. We will match the port, the sea days, and the flight.

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