South America has some of the world's most exiting cruise destinations, including the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon River and Antarctica cruises.

When the cruise season ends on the northern hemisphere, the season starts in South America, although some of the destinations are year round, like the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon River. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many opportunities for adventures, possibilities to experience extremely diverse landscapes, natural wonders, diverse wildlife, remains form ancient cultures and bustling cities as on a cruise in South America.

Some of the most popular cruise destinations are primarily for small cruise ships or smaller boats. Among these are Amazon River cruises with starting points in four different South American countries: Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Also Galapagos Island and Antarctica cruises are typically on relatively small cruise ships or boats. Although the ships may be smaller than the normal cruise ship, you can still find cruise trips in all categories from the very luxurious to the more basic.

Cruises along the coasts of South America are also very popular, not only because of the landscapes and wildlife you will see, but also because of the cities where you will stop, like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Santiago in Chile or Lima in Peru. Among the more popular itineraries along the coast is cruises that navigate through the Patagonian channels and around Tierra del Fuego. Most of these cruises have their starting and terminating point in South America, but some will come from as far away as Europe or Asia.

When you plan to go on a South America cruise, be sure to investigate entry regulations and visa rules for the countries you plan to visit. The climate can be a little rough at times especially in the southern parts, so bringing the right kind of clothes can be important for your enjoyment. In some parts of South America the cruise season is relatively short so booking well in advance is recommended.