Bright lights are just part of the attraction at the world-renowned Carnival in Rio de Janeiro Photo: Sergio Luiz

Phil Reimer reports from Canada.com about the cruises through the Panama Canal,  Rio for Carnival next year and more.

Are the Panama Canal or South America in your cruise plans for 2015-16? If so, Celebrity has just come out with its schedule of cruises for that period.

You will find full details at celebritycruises.com.

There is nothing like the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and one of Celebrity’s sailings — on the Infinity — will allow you to join the fun for two nights and three days in January 2016.

It’s a 14-night cruise that will sail to Argentina, stopping in Buenos Aires. Other ports are Sao Paulo, Ilhabela, Buzios, Punta del Este and Montevideo (Uruguay).

Capt. Kevin Oprey

Those re-positioning cruises to South America offer a chance to visit Peru’s Machu Picchu on two sailings, December 5 and March 13. The main cruises in South America will be two weeks long and will start and finish in Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, Chile.

Celebrity does have one Antarctica trip out of Buenos Aires that will take in Schollart Channel, Dalhan Bay, Paradise Bay, the Gerlache Strait and Elephant Island.

Panama Canal cruises will operate from southern Florida to San Diego and included on these 15-night cruises is a two-day visit to Panama.

Bookings open today.

And finally, the picture on your left is from Cunard of Captain Kevin Oprey, standing beneath the hull of his ship, the Queen Mary 2. Just kind of an interesting shot that I thought you might enjoy.

All for now.