Amazon River cruises

Often referred to as the ‘Eastern gateway to the Amazon’, Belém is a fascinating city in the Brazilian state of Pará. Founded in 1616, it offers an enchanting blend of history and culture. Discover its neoclassical architecture or visit the Ver-o-Peso Market. Here, the air is thick with the scent of Amazonian fruits, herbs and spices, while stalls sell local ceramics and traditional remedies, some of which are believed to possess mystical properties.

This remarkable city must be seen to be believed. It’s hard to imagine that a sprawling metropolis of 2.6 million people is nestled in the heart of the Amazon jungle, surrounded by dense, biodiverse rainforest.Founded in the 17th century, the city prospered during the rubber boom, which funded the construction of striking landmarks. Picture Belle Époque architecture bathed in the warm glow of a Brazilian sunset. The city’s most fascinating building is the Amazon Theatre, an opulent opera house crowned by a distinctive yellow dome, constructed from 36,000 tiles imported from Alsace.Another major draw is the chance to see the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark currents of the Rio Negro flow side by side with the pale, sandy-coloured Amazon River for miles, creating an eye-popping visual contrast.

Nestled in the Brazilian state of Pará, Santarém is best known for the striking point where the Tapajós River merges with the paler waters of the Amazon River.For visitors, it’s an excellent place to enjoy an in-depth look at the region’s history. In Museu de Santarém, housed in a yellow waterfront mansion, you can see clay artefacts dating back 6,000 years, as well as paintings by local artists.The city is also a starting point for adventures into the jungle itself. Insightful tours will take you in search of dolphins, toucans, monkeys and more.

This riverside town is often dubbed the ‘Caribbean of the Amazon’, thanks to its immense natural beauty, pristine beaches and inviting blue waters for swimming. It’s perhaps best known for Ilha do Amor (Island of Love), which boasts a particularly breathtaking stretch of white sand beach.Because it’s primarily frequented by Brazilian tourists rather than international visitors, Alter do Chão retains a rustic charm and laid-back vibe. You’ll find quiet spots to sip coconut water or cold beer while enjoying the sound of Amazonian birdsong.That said, there are still opportunities to explore the region’s unique flora and fauna. For instance, a visit to Jardim de Vitórias-Régias da Dulce offers the chance to see Amazon water lilies and taste them in local cuisine.

Chances are, if you’re embarking on an Amazon cruise in Peru, your voyage will begin or end in Iquitos. One of its many unique features is that it’s the largest city in the world that is inaccessible by road, only reachable by water or air.It’s well worth the effort to get here, thanks to its magnificent tiled mansions and mouth-watering culinary scene, among other attractions. Be sure to try Patarashca, a local delicacy where whole fish are wrapped in bijao leaves and grilled to perfection.Other must-see sites include Casa de Fierro (designed by Gustave Eiffel), the Museum of Indigenous Amazon Cultures and the Historical Ships Museum, housed on a 1906 Amazon River ship.

Most Amazon River cruises in Ecuador either begin or end in El Coca, a small town located at the confluence of the Coca and Napo Rivers, just a 30-minute flight from the capital, Quito.Officially known as Puerto Francisco de Orellana, after the 17th-century explorer, the town is more commonly called El Coca. Though it only dates back to the 1950s and doesn’t carry the same historical legacy as some other Amazonian port cities, it still has much to offer.As an important ecotourism hub, El Cola is a gateway to the Amazon’s incredible biodiversity. Visitors can enjoy kayaking or canoeing on the river and embark on wildlife excursions, with opportunities to see toucans, monkeys, pink dolphins and even elusive jaguars and pumas if you’re lucky.

Explora Journeys aim to create a relaxed energy within their passengers. Through exemplary service and high-quality surroundings, their itineraries are specifically designed to inspire exploration and discovery, broaden your horizons and trigger new connections. Your journey will be characterised by calm, unity, elegance, and joy – also known as The Ocean State of Mind, an elusive and sought-after mantra.

Regent promises to deliver The Most Inclusive Luxury Experience, offering an all-inclusive, ultra-luxury experience that is Unrivalled at Sea™. Guests will be able to explore more than 550 destinations around the world while enjoying the unrivalled space, elegance, and comfort of The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet®. Regent will tend to every detail of their journey from start to finish, so guests can be pampered by the warm, Heartfelt Hospitality™ delivered by the crew. 

Oceania Cruises has built a reputation for its approach to small ship luxury. Onboard its intimate, upscale vessels, food sits firmly at the centre of the experience, with refined dining that ranks among the best at sea. Beyond that, the adults-only line is known for its destination-led itineraries, favouring lesser-visited ports and longer stays ashore.   

Wellness should be about balanced indulgence, not self-sacrifice - that's the philosophy behind Silversea's new programme called Otium, named after the Roman leisure time dedicated to bathing, talking, singing, drinking, eating and relaxing. The easygoing regime includes a 24-hour room-service menu of comfort food, as well as new spa treatments, relaxing baths and hot chocolate served on your balcony.

Holland America Line, which has been sailing for 150 years, visits 400 ports in 114 countries every year. Dutch heritage shines through in some of the $4million-worth of artwork to be seen onboard, complimenting the luxurious cruise experience. Live music remains HAL's forte, with venues including the Rolling Stone Rock room and BB King's Blues Club. For foodies, a wide range of restaurants serve the finest of fayre.

For decadent luxury that sails hand-in-hand with personalised experience and in-depth access to world heritage, may we introduce Seabourn Cruises. Blending nimble power and grace with beautifully designed spaces, Seabourn ships can be likened to lavish resorts. Except, uniquely, the staff already know you just as they also remember your favourite drink.

Crystal Cruises - originally founded in 1988 - offers a range of stylish luxury and expedition cruises, bringing a sense of occasion and high-end service to far-flung parts of the world. For over three decades, Crystal has gained awards and accolades by the shipload – and it’s not hard to see why.Operating a fleet of impressive ships decked out with opulent décor and contemporary innovations, Crystal Cruises takes comfort and adventure to the next level. From succulent dining to perfectly-organised onshore excursions, not to mention helicopter trips and submarine expeditions, the cruise line boasts of serious attention to detail, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.

Known for its river cruises, CroisiEurope also offers ocean voyages on two small ships. Guests boarding the 130-passenger La Belle des Oceans (formerly Silversea's Silver Discoverer) can follow in Napoleon's footsteps, visit the hilltop villages of Balagne, and enjoy dinner at a traditional inn. Meanwhile, the 197-guest La Belle de l'Adriatique offers itineraries that take in local traditions.

Viking began as a river cruise line and entered the ocean-cruise market with the launch of the 930-guest Viking Star. Viking has already made an indelible mark on the sector with its fleet of stylish, near-identical, adult-only ships. The cruise line currently has 10 ships in its fleet.

Uniworld is one of the most luxurious river cruise lines in existence, operating a fleet of 13 unique, opulent and lavish six-star river ships. The company was founded in 1976, becoming part of the Travel Corporation in 2004 – a group which also includes luxurious Red Carnation Hotel. The cruise line operates on the waters of Europe, Arica and Asia, and each Uniworld ship is inspired by its destination.

Avalon's suite ships in Europe and Southeast Asia boast wall-to-wall windows that transform cabins into open-air balconies, and there are also river-facing beds to make the most of passing views. The line’s Active & Discovery sailings have optional action-packed experiences alongside traditional shore tours. Avalon Waterways also offers short-break cruises of three and four nights.