South America is becoming the new hot destination for American international travel; and its easy to see why. For travelers in search of rugged natural beauty, breathtaking mountain peaks, fjords that seem to stretch forever, world-class cities, indigenous historic peoples and cultures, vast tropical rain forests, and the perfect beaches, South America is a revelation. Add to the fact that their are more flight to the continent departing from more US airports, and the flight times and costs are comparable or even lower than flying to Europe; and you see why taking a vacation to South America is becoming more and more popular.
One of the most popular way more Americans are experiencing South America is on a cruise. From the first time visitor to the continent or on a cruise ship, to the experienced cruiser looking for something different; there are many reasons why opting to embark on a cruise when you want to visit South America is increasing in popularity. The attractions are numerous: you get to visit multiple locations without long bus and train trips, ( the transportation infrastructure in most of the countries is iffy at best). A cruise eliminates the stress of packing and unpacking in an array of hotel rooms plus you can eat and drink to your hearts contents. As well, costs usually are all-inclusive, so you eliminate the need to to hand-over cash or a credit card ten times a day. Add these reasons to the fact that South America is an enormous continent, still relatively difficult to travel around in by land, and a cruise allows you to sample a wide variety of the treasures there; and you see the reason for the popularity of cruising of South America for Americans.
Itineraries
Because this huge continent, which extends from the steamy equatorial tropics to the sub-Antarctic; South America is a number of cruise to big to sample on a single cruise. Fortunately, you have a number of itineraries departing from different countries, that allow you to sample the different nations, cultures and environments of this continent. While you can find everything from specialty cruise to Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands, most American will cruise on one of four primary routes-- which while offering some connection, they also are incredibly different. Around the Cape Horn cruises typically sail between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso Chile, and features lots of fjords, the wild beauty of Patagonia and Cape Horn-- the southernmost point on the continent. Another popular route is between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. You get to experience everything from the beauty of the Brazilian beaches, to the exotic Amazon to the energy of the cosmopolitan vibe of Rio and Buenos Aires.
An Amazon cruise is a voyage of a different color, and I mean literally as well as figuratively ( the river itself changes as you sail from Manaus toward the Atlantic, going from a milky brown to an inky black). Seeing and experiencing the primitive energy of the Amazon is something you will always remember. Another cruise that is becoming very popular is the all-Brazil itinerary, which allows you to experience a detailed sample of the cities, beaches, exotic islands, and stunning rain forests of this incredible nation.
Who, When, How Long
Nearly all the major American based cruise companies; including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Princess all have ships based in South America on a seasonal basis and offer cruises of varied lengths and varied itineraries. Most of the cruises are between 7 and 14 days in length; bbut a popular option is to do back to back cruises of different itineraries on the same ship, which will allow you more time to explore this fancinating part of the world. All the cruises are seasonal, and take place between September and Early May; which being in the Southern Hemisphere, is spring and summer in South America. If your looking for a different types of cruise ship, you can find it here during the season. From traditonal cruise ships from European lines like MSC, to luxury cruise lines like Oceania and Cunard, to specialty cruise companies who explore the continent in more detail and offer a more active and hands-on experience. Many of these specialty and luxury cruises occurs on a limited basis, but all occur during the September to May season.
Being undeveloped in terms of road or public transportation to explore comfortably, cruise ships go where very few hotels exist--and even folks who like a little edge in their travel may be relieved to re-board their ship after spending a day twawling the Amazon's waterways or trudging through the dusty Argentinean pampas. No matter which route tou choose, and no matter howluxurious the ship, this is a more rugged cruise experience, a trip where comfortable walking shoes are more important than black tie and where your adventures outdoors--from paddling canoes up a tiny Amazonian tributary to hiking out of a peninsula to observe penguins, to exploring a desert island--will be the most memorable experiences of the trip.
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