8 best South America cruises for 2025-2026

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Many of South America's top sights are best experienced on a cruise ship. You can take in the lush scenery as you sail down the remote Amazon River, marvel at Chile's breathtaking fjords from the sea and come face to face with rare indigenous species in the Galapagos Islands.

What's more, some sailings venture from Chile and Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula. You'll be able to cross off that bucket-list item of making it to the Seventh Continent while taking in the rare sights of glaciers, icebergs and adorable penguins.

Add in port visits in vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay, and setting off on one of these cruise itineraries provides a great opportunity to see South America's diverse destinations. Plus, your cruise might include jaunts to tropical Caribbean islands or a Panama Canal crossing along the way.

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Cruises to South America are adventuresome, indeed, and most require a decent time commitment, plus long flights to your departure port. If you're planning on sailing away to this region in the next year or two, here are eight of the best South America cruises to inspire you to book your trip and start dreaming.

Silversea Cruises' 12-night Cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires

Silversea Cruises' 388-passenger Silver Whisper visits a winning combination of great beaches and big cities on a cruise down the Atlantic coastline of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The 12-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires sets out a few days after Christmas.

The itinerary begins on Dec. 28, 2025, with an overnight stay in the dazzling city of Rio de Janeiro. Sunbathe on the gorgeous Brazilian beaches during stops at Buzios and Ilhabela and visit the coastal rainforests of Paranagua by foot, coach or boat.

Discover why Balneario Camboriu's skyline, nightlife, beaches and attractions have given it the moniker "the Dubai of Brazil" and why Punta del Este in Uruguay has been compared to Monaco. After taking in the history and sights of Uruguay's capital city of Montevideo, the itinerary winds down with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.

Who should go: Luxury-minded, mature couples seek out Silversea's small luxury ships. If you're looking for elevated dining options and spacious, ocean-view suites, most with private verandas and all with butler service, then Silver Whisper could be the ship for you. The ship is like a boutique hotel at sea but still offers an expanded spa, a multitiered show lounge and four restaurants.

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Windstar Cruises' 10-night Marvels of Ecuador, Peru and the Panama Canal cruise

Small ship line Windstar Cruises is expanding its global reach with its first South America cruises on board the all-suite, 312-passenger yacht Star Pride. Sailings begin in December 2025.

The 11-day Marvels of Ecuador, Peru and the Panama Canal cruise departs Colon, Panama, on Dec. 27, 2025, and transits the Panama Canal the following day. Then it's on to Ecuador, where an overnight stay in Manta gives plenty of time to soak up the city's simple beauty and pretty beaches. Passengers can spend the day strolling the Simón Bolívar promenade and climbing the lighthouse at Santa Ana Hill during another overnight stay in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

During the final overnight stay in Lima, Peru, guests can trek to Chan Chan, the archaeological site of the pre-Colombian Chimu civilization, or wash down lomo saltado (a Peruvian beef dish) with a pisco sour cocktail.

If you dream of spotting blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, you can add on an optional Galapagos Islands overland tour or a trip to awe-inspiring Machu Picchu before or after your cruise.

Who should go: Windstar's smaller vessels appeal to passengers who like a sophisticated yet informal vibe. Guests are mostly well-traveled couples in their late 30s to early 60s who engage in the evening port talks and cultural excursions. Beyond a pool deck, a library and a gym, Star Pride does not offer many diversions on board; passengers are all about debarking on port days and soaking up the culture.

MSC Cruises' 7-night South America cruise

If you're looking for a shorter cruise with a focus on Brazil, check out MSC Cruises' seven-night South America cruise on 6,334-passenger MSC Grandiosa. The itinerary departs on Jan. 7, 14 and 21 and Feb. 4, 2025, from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's cultural and historic center rich with Afro-Brazilian heritage.

Throughout the cruise, passengers can bask in the country's most beautiful beaches in Maceio; check out the ruins in Sao Paulo, one of Portugal's first New World settlements; and spend time in Buzios, a chic coastal resort known as the St-Tropez of Brazil for its beaches, restaurants, bars and boutiques. After spending several relaxing days at sea, the ship returns to Salvador.

Who should go: This Swiss-based cruise line attracts an international mix of passengers, including families, couples and solo travelers, with an average age of 50. MSC's South America itineraries also draw lots of local cruisers. This cruise is perfect for those who want to sample a few Brazilian destinations but also have time to relax on the ship and enjoy meeting shipmates from other countries.

MSC Grandiosa features the MSC Yacht Club, an upscale ship-within-a-ship experience with added amenities, including 24-hour butler service, exclusive venues and priority embarkation. Luxury-minded travelers might consider the upgrade a worthy splurge.

Viking's 14-night Argentina & the Chilean Fjords cruise

Viking's new ocean itinerary for 2025 is Argentina & the Chilean Fjords, a 14-night, two-country itinerary departing from Buenos Aires on Feb. 26 and March 9, 2025, on Viking Polaris and on March 4 and 13, 2026, on Viking Octantis. These two 378-passenger Polar Class sister ships have 189 cabins and are designed for expeditions in remote locations like Antarctica, with ample outdoor and indoor viewing areas.

After an overnight stay in Manaus, Brazil, passengers take a chartered flight to the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina. The sailing explores the rugged Chilean coastline, including the blue glaciers and iceberg peaks in the fjords, with onboard experts to explain the fascinating landscape and geography and point out the colonies of Magellanic penguins and elephant seals.

Guests will also discover the tiny enclave of Puerto Chacabuco, Chile, the gateway to Patagonia, and sail around Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. They'll disembark in Santiago, Chile's port city of Valparaiso, rich with neo-Gothic, neoclassical and art deco architecture.

Who should go: Viking cruises are designed for curious travelers whose interests are piqued by science, history, culture and cuisine. The minimum age to sail is 18, but the voyages are designed for travelers ages 55 and older. You won't find children, casinos, inside cabins or nickel-and-diming, but you will find like-minded passengers who expect to become immersed in the local culture, both on and off the ship.

Holland America's 26-night Amazon Explorer

Guests who seek an Amazon River cruise yet still want the amenities offered on a big ship can embark on Holland America's 26-night Amazon Explorer cruise on 1,432-passenger Zaandam. The nearly monthlong voyage sails round-trip from Miami on Feb. 8, 2025, and from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 24, 2025. (Passengers on the latter cruise can also add a few days on the front end and start from New York City on Nov. 21, 2025.)

The highlights of this voyage are the several days spent cruising the more populous side of the Amazon River in Brazil. Here, passengers will experience the "meeting of the waters," where the dark waters of the Rio Negro flow alongside the sandy waters of the Rio Solimoes, and two equator crossings. In fact, time spent in Macapa will give you bragging rights, as the equator runs right through this Brazilian city.

You'll also visit Santarem, a Brazilian jungle town with crystal clear beaches thanks to the pristine waters of the Tapajos River, and the settlement of Boca da Valeria, Brazil, a small fishing and trading village where guests can learn about the way of life of its 100 inhabitants. Buzzing Manaus is adjacent to jungle pursuits, and in Parintins, dancers and performers in the Boi Bumba show pay homage to the yearly folk festival held in this Brazilian island city. Alter do Chao, a laid-back Brazilian town known as the Caribbean of the Amazon, is a perfect segue to the island stops that follow.

After exploring Brazil and the Amazon, the itinerary continues on to Caribbean ports like beachy St. Maarten, lush St. Lucia and Afro-centric Trinidad and Tobago, as well as remote Devil's Island in French Guiana, home to impenetrable prisons in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Who should go: This cruise is perfect for travelers who want to explore the Amazon from a convenient North American home port and skip the long-haul flights — and those who have time for an almost monthlong cruise. The lengthy itinerary attracts guests who are retired or have a flexible schedule. Expect more leisurely onboard activities and formal dining.

Princess Cruises' 16-night South America and Antarctica cruise

Didn't think you could sail a big ship to Antarctica? Princess Cruises can take you there. New for this season is a 16-night round-trip South America and Antarctica cruise aboard 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess, which departs Jan. 4 and 20, 2025, after an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.

After a few days at sea, the ship will stop in Punta Arenas, Chile, and Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), Argentina, before four days of scenic cruising around the Antarctic Peninsula. Sights there include Elephant Island, the Antarctic Sound, Deception Island, Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel, the South Shetland Islands and Admiralty Bay. On the return from the world's southernmost area, the ship will stop in the Falkland Islands and Montevideo before returning to Buenos Aires.

Who should go: Princess caters to the more traditional cruiser, and passengers skew older. This itinerary is ideal for those who dream of checking off all seven continents but don't have the funds or the stamina for a more strenuous and spendy expedition cruise to Antarctica. Here, you can appreciate commentary from the onboard naturalists and other experts pointing out the geology (and the penguins!) from the comfort of your big ship. Plus, you get to enjoy several attractive South American ports on the way to and from the White Continent.

Crystal's 18-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Peru

Crystal's 18-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Callao (Lima), Peru, is a fabulous way to kick off the new year. The cruise departs Jan. 7, 2025, on 740-passenger Crystal Serenity.

Passengers will visit nine countries and 14 destinations; half the stops in the itinerary are in Central America, with five ports in three South American countries.

The trip includes a long day in Costa Maya, Mexico; stops in Belize and the Cayman Islands; and a Panama Canal transit. Overnights in Cartagena, Colombia, and Guayaquil, Ecuador, round out the itinerary before it finishes up in Lima.

Sea days along the way ensure you're ready to explore at every port. Sample shore excursions include checking out Grand Cayman by helicopter or under the sea on a two-stop wreck snorkel trip.

Who should go: Crystal's itineraries appeal to well-heeled travelers who can appreciate the line's legacy of sophistication, unrivaled service and elegance at every touchpoint. Epicureans will be drawn to the range of upscale dining options (including Umi Uma, Nobu's only restaurant at sea) and Serenity's newly renovated rooms, public spaces and Aurora Spa. As this itinerary spans 2 1/2 weeks, it's geared toward retirees or travelers with a flexible schedule.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 25-night Emerald Reefs & Amazon Adventure

Combine tropical island hopping with Amazonian exploration with Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 25-night Emerald Reefs & Amazon Adventure. The round-trip cruise aboard the all-suite, 490-passenger Seven Seas Navigator departs from Miami.

Love those azure Caribbean waters? You'll experience them during stops in St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Barbados. Then, you'll cruise to South America, where you'll spend seven days sailing down the Amazon River to Boca da Valeria, Manaus, Parintins and Alter do Chao.

Explore quaint, remote towns and turquoise lagoons, as well as the largest river archipelago of the Amazon. Marvel at the architecture in Manaus, which was so glitzy at the turn of the 19th century that it was once referred to as the "Paris of the Tropics."

Before returning to Miami, you'll spend your last full day on the powdery beaches of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

Who should go: This itinerary will intrigue passengers who want to be immersed in the flora, fauna and culture of the Amazon without having to fly there. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the most inclusive cruise lines and, therefore, one of the most expensive. Its well-educated, well-traveled guests prefer upscale vacations and luxury offerings.

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