Buenos Aires, Argentina - The capital of Argentina throbs with creative energy. In this melting pot of cultures—native American, Spanish colonial, Italian, French, British, and more—the local Porteños greet you warmly with a kiss. Connoisseurs of culture find 300 theaters and 160 museums. Explore the French neoclassical Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo, near the port, or Teatro Colón, an opera house with interiors as beautiful as the acoustics, in the Centro. You'll shop till you drop in Buenos Aires, a leader in design. Find clothing, jewelry, and art at lavish Galerías Pacifico, near the port, or browse the fashionable Recoleta quarter for exclusive boutiques. Shop elegant Calle Florida, bustling with bustling with office workers by day and street performers at night. Look for native leather, antiques, and crafts. Eat and drink like a king on your cruise to Argentina, from elegant 19th-century bars to contemporary cafés and restaurants. Discover maté, the local tea, and don't miss the renowned steaks and excellent Malbec wines. Find pizza, pasta, and ice cream on every corner. For dessert, try alfajores, chocolate-covered double-decker cookies filled with dulce de leche.

Montevideo, Uruguay - Montevideo is a thoroughly modern city with a rich artistic tradition, the reach of the rural estancias is all around you. If ever there were a time you were inclined to indulge, delicious steaks are the specialty of the house in virtually every restaurant.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Christ the Redeemer, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, stands atop the Corcovado peak. Survey the city from a platform below the 125-foot statue or hop on a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and get a different perspective of Rio and the Christ. Feel a rush to your senses from the awesome activity on world-famous beaches Ipanema and Copacabana. If the quiet side of Rio is what you seek, a visit to the lush botanical garden—home to some 8,000 species—will delight you!

Buzios, Brazil - This peninsula beach resort, made popular in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot, boasts more than 20 beaches, with those to the west experiencing calmer water than the east-facing Praia's, which are ideal for surfers and windsurfers. Boating, scuba diving and surfing are the most popular activities here, with excellent schools for novices wishing to learn. When the sun dips, enjoy delicious, fresh seafood at one of the popular pay-by-the-kilo restaurants before drinking and dancing the night away at one of the town's popular bars or nightclubs.

Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil - Though Rio de Janeiro gets the credit as the cultural heart of Brazil, a stop in São Paulo on a cruise won’t disappoint travelers looking for a buzzy, cosmopolitan, and simultaneously artsy city. São Paulo is more than Brazil’s financial district, though its bustling industries certainly deserve their soaring skyscrapers. It’s also a foodie paradise that offers nearly every kind of cuisine. The romantic, colonial-style historic district and some of the best art and cultural institutions in the world are traveler favorites.

Don’t miss museums like the Pinacoteca or the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, both of which embody the city’s art scene. Stop to peer at Edifício Copan, one of the city’s oldest and most beloved buildings. Sports lovers have to check out the Museu do Futebol, a museum completely devoted to soccer and the way the sport has shaped Brazilian culture. Stand in awe of Brazilian soccer prodigy Pelé at a dedicated exhibit, or take a guided tour to learn more about the sport than ever before. Coffee enthusiasts have to tour the Museu do Cafe, which even includes barista classes and samples of the area’s signature espresso.