South America Cruises

Ever felt like channeling your inner Conquistador and sailing off to discover South America? On second thought, you’d be telling everyone you were going to Asia. Instead of that kind of channeling; let’s turn to South America’s water channels and oceans.

So many of South America’s most noteworthy areas are in or on water, making cruising a great way to see more of this astounding continent. When you discover the exciting selection of cruises to and within South America, from luxury to local, you’ll be challenged to choose just one.

Dive into bliss with a snorkel or scuba in the Galapagos, a World Heritage site renowned for some of the planet’s rarest species. Go with the (Orinoco) flow on a leisurely river cruise, or a breathtaking Amazon River cruise, a captivating kaleidoscope of colours and brilliant cacophony of rainforest creatures.

Be dazzled by the pulsating ports of Rio De Janeiro (possibly South America’s most dazzling cruise arrival,) Montevideo (rich in culture and architecture,) or Buenos Aires (the sultry birthplace of the Tango.)

Go straight for adventure on the Strait of Magellan. Cruise to the amazing Antarctic Peninsula or along the Atlantic coastline to admire the Andes Mountains, Lima and Machu Picchu, considered one of the world’s most important archeological sites.

South America’s countries are located in the Southern Hemisphere, so when planning your cruise please keep in mind the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with the exception of Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil are partially in the Northern Hemisphere. No matter what time of year, South America has glorious natural, cultural and historical treasures that make this magical continent a top cruise destination.

Check out our latest South America cruise deals, or contact a cruising specialist for more details.

Cruise types

There are three main types of South America Cruises. (Note that while most Antarctic cruise depart from South America ports - particularly from Ushuaia - information on Antarctica is listed separately).

1. Amazon River Cruises - Many of the major cruise lines have itineraries which visit Manaus. These are either shorter cruises (15nights) from Caribbean ports or longer cruises such as World Cruises and South American exploration cruises. Manaus is situated at the head of the Amazon over 900miles (1500kms) from Belem at the mouth of the river. The river is deep enough to accommodate even the large cruise ships. Smaller ships can get as far as Iquitos. Cruises here operate from October to February.


2. Specialty cruises - Amazon Tours and Cruises offer river cruises between Iquitos and Yurimaquas year round. There are a number of operators who provide Galapagos cruises. These cruises depart from Baltra or San Cristobal in the Galapagos, but most of these cruises are a part of a cruise tour package which include pre or post land tours from Quito. Prices for these cruises normally include the air transfer from Quito to the Islands. Navimag offer a series of cruises through the Chilean Fjords from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales. There vessels are ferries that provide a lifeline to the remote communities in this area but include cabins, a restaurant and common areas so that tourists can enjoy this marvelous area and see places that the cruise ships cannot go. Basic but comfortable.


3. South America Explorer Cruises - These are all the other South America Cruises including routes around Cape Horn and the Strait of Magellan or east coast itineraries between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. These cruises are often 12 nights or longer sailing between December and March. These cruises often include visits to the Antarctic where passengers enjoy the scenery from on board. Smaller ships can also land passengers on some islands and even onto the Antarctic continent.

Cruise seasons

Major cruise lines visit this continent between September and March. For cruises that sail round Cape Horn this is the southern summer and in general cruise ships that do South American itineraries return to Europe or Alaska for the northern summer cruise season.

Specialty cruises operate year round.

Main ports

Cruises to the Amazon and the north of the continent depart from Ft Lauderdale, San Juan, Bridgetown., Rio or Buenos Aires. Additionally the longer cruises can start from as far away as Southampton or Los Angeles.

Cruises around Cape Horn and on the east coast start from Valparaiso, Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro.

Weather

The Equator runs through Ecuador and northern Brazil so much of the continent is tropical. The dry season is fro October to June which is when cruises to the Amazon operate. Cruises from Rio on the east coast also run in this period.

Cruises that go round Cape horn experience a much larger change in weather and temperature. Santiago and Buenos Aires are Mediterranean in climate and enjoy warm summers with mild winters. However cruises that go round the Horn can experience much colder temperatures even in the height of summer. Passengers on these cruises should have some winter clothing just for the days when the ship rounds the horn.

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