Central & South America Cruises

The hottest new cruise kids on the block, it’s easy to see Central and South America’s appeal. Bid the tourists farewell and step into the shoes of a traveller to explore Patagonia’s glaciers and the silencio of Antarctica’s ice fields. Cross the peaks of the Andes and things heat up – from Argentina's sultry tango moves to the Amazon’s steamy rainforests. Or joinayacht and cruise culture whichboasts more sophistication than St Tropez. With a coastline that is longer than the distance between Damascus and Marseilles, cruising is the only way to reach this variedcontinent's hidden corners.

Central & South America Cruises Cruiselines
Costa Cruises ~ Crystal Cruises ~ Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ~ Holland America Line ~ Hurtigruten ~ MSC Cruises ~ P&O Cruises ~ Princess Cruises ~ Regent Seven Seas Cruises ~ Royal Caribbean International ~ Voyages of Discovery

Cruise North

If it's culture you want cruise north to Peru’s lost Inca Empire, starting with 16th-century Callao and Arica – gateway to the cloud forests surrounding Machu Picchu. Next up is Rio de Janeiro’s buzzing port crowned by the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain. Follow samba sounds upstream to indigenous villages lining the Amazon, and beyond to Mexico’s Mayan cities and the Caribbean’s white beaches.

Cruise Season

Most cruises in South America sail from November to May. Climates can change quickly so pack extra layers, especially if heading south.

Cruise South

It all begins in tango capital Buenos Aires. Cross the River Plate to Montevideo’s Gaucho country, pausing at Puerto Madryn in Argentina to see colonies of sea lions and penguins – as well as the odd whale tail… Choppier seas and chillier climes await, as you weave through Patagonia’s remote fjords to Ushuaia’s snow-peaked mountains in Tierra del Fuego and reach Antarctica’s in-your-face wilderness.

Essentials

Pack walking boots for your cruise in South America – you’re going to need them. And for Antarctica, you’ll need waterproofs and winter clothing, as it can get very chilly!

Shore Excursions

Outdoor adventure is big in these parts, whether it’s kayaking an Amazonian tributary, hiking icy paths to spot penguins, or a hair-raising wildlife tour in the jungle.

Top Trends

Off-the-beaten-track cruises in South America for independent travellers include the Galapagos Islands and Antarctic