Amazon River Cruises
Sail a thousand miles into the rainforest on an ocean ship, or explore the upper river by small boat.
Get Amazon Cruise QuotesTwo Very Different Ways to Cruise the Amazon
“Amazon cruise” can mean a big ocean ship sailing a thousand miles upriver into the heart of Brazil, or a small riverboat nosing along tributaries in the Peruvian rainforest. Both are remarkable; they suit very different travelers.
Ocean ships to Manaus
Ocean cruise ships enter the river from the Atlantic and sail upstream to Manaus, the Brazilian city in the middle of the rainforest. These voyages are long, often three to four weeks, and usually start and end in Florida or a Caribbean port.
Expedition riverboats
In the upper Amazon, small riverboats carrying a few dozen guests explore narrower waterways, with skiff outings, guided rainforest walks and wildlife spotting. Many depart from the Iquitos area in Peru.
Ocean Voyages Up the Amazon
The Amazon is deep enough for ocean ships to travel far inland. A typical voyage crosses from the Caribbean to the river mouth in Brazil, then spends several days sailing upstream with calls at river towns such as Santarém, Alter do Chão, Parintins and Boca da Valeria, before an overnight in Manaus. The return leg follows the same river back to the Atlantic, often with Caribbean islands at either end.
For example, Holland America Line has a 27-night Amazon voyage on Volendam from Fort Lauderdale in late 2026 that includes an overnight in Manaus. Lines that sail the Amazon vary from season to season; luxury lines and Explora Journeys also plan Amazon voyages for 2026–27.
What You Will See
River communities
Stilt houses, floating villages and riverside markets show how people live with the river’s seasonal rise and fall.
Wildlife
Sloths, monkeys, macaws and river dolphins are among the animals guides look for; sightings are never guaranteed.
Life on board
Long stretches of river cruising make for relaxed days, lectures on the rainforest and evenings watching the forest from the deck.
Manaus itself is worth time ashore: its opera house, built during the rubber boom, and the nearby “Meeting of the Waters,” where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-colored Solimões flow side by side, are the usual highlights.
Practical Points for an Amazon Cruise
- Health requirements: ask your doctor or a travel clinic about recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever, and antimalarial advice well before you sail. Brazil and other countries may set entry requirements; check them for your itinerary.
- Heat and humidity: expect hot, humid days and sudden heavy showers. Light, quick-drying clothing, sun protection and insect repellent are essential.
- Gentle pace: river towns are small, and some calls use tenders. Shore time is about nature and local life rather than shopping.
- Sea days: the trip to and from the river mouth includes several days at sea; ocean Amazon voyages suit travelers who enjoy them.
If a small-boat river journey appeals more than an ocean liner, the Official River Cruise Directory covers river cruising worldwide.
Explore the Amazon by Ship
Tell us whether you prefer an ocean voyage to Manaus or a small riverboat. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will explain the Amazon choices for your dates and quote them free.
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