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Small expedition cruises offer an intimate and immersive way to explore South America’s breath-taking landscapes and incredible biodiversity. Unlike larger cruise ships, smaller expedition vessels typically accommodate less than 200 passengers and have much higher ratios of crew to passengers.
Their size also means they can navigate to remote areas, providing access to destinations that are otherwise difficult to explore, such as the Galápagos Islands, Patagonia’s fjords, the Amazon River, and even Antarctica, which can be reached from Argentina or Chile.
One of the biggest advantages of smaller cruises is the personalised experience they offer. Passengers enjoy a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere, and much greater interaction with the crew, expert guides and naturalists onboard – not to mention their fellow passengers. By the end of an expedition cruise, it often feels like one big floating family!
Expedition cruises normally include daily guided excursions on water and land, such as boat rides, hiking, kayaking and cultural visits, allowing passengers to fully engage with their surroundings. Wildlife encounters are another highlight – whether spotting sea lions in the Galápagos, pink river dolphins in the Amazon, or penguins in Antarctica, small cruises allow for incredible, up-close experiences whilst minimising disturbance to the natural habitat.
Delfin Amazon Cruises
Peruvian Amazon: 8, 28, 44 passengers / 3 & 4-night cruises
Cruise the Upper Peruvian Amazon in style on one of Delfin’s three luxury boats. Designed in the typical river-boat style, Delfin’s vessels each offer a series of routes through the winding banks of the Amazon, Marañon and Ucayali rivers. Activities range from birdwatching to piranha fishing, jungle walks, visiting local communities, and swimming with the iconic Amazonian pink dolphins.
At just 8 passengers, Delfin I is the most exclusive luxury riverboat cruising the Peruvian Amazon today. Perfect for an intimate rainforest experience, the vessel consists of just 4 luxury suites with private panoramic terraces, and 2 of these (the Master Suites) boast a jacuzzi for the ultimate treat. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow close-up encounters with the surrounding nature, and on the top deck, guests will find a lounge area, bar and library which are the perfect places to relax.
Australis
Cape Horn & Patagonia: 200 passengers / 4 & 8 night cruises
Australis offers breathtaking journeys through the Chilean Fjords, one of the world’s most pristine and remote landscapes. These exclusive expedition cruises navigate the stunning waterways of Patagonia, revealing glaciers, snow-capped mountains, untouched wilderness and unique wildlife, including Magellanic penguins, sea lions, and Andean condors. Expert guides provide insightful commentary on the region’s rich history and ecology.
Built for expedition cruising, both Stella Australis and Ventus Australis feature reinforced hulls for navigating narrow fjords and glacial waters safely. They accommodate a maximum of 200 passengers, and all lounges and comfortable cabins have exterior windows, with stunning views of glaciers, wildlife and the dramatic landscapes.
Integrity
The Galápagos Islands: 16 passengers / 5 & 7-night cruises
Integrity offers spacious, elegantly furnished cabins, panoramic windows, en-suite bathrooms, and modern amenities. Passengers enjoy gourmet dining, a comfortable salon, a sundeck with hot tub, and expert-guided excursions that offer an unparalleled way to explore one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.
Its small size allows access to remote visitor sites with fewer crowds, ensuring close encounters with the archipelago’s extraordinary wildlife, including giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas. Integrity is equipped with snorkelling gear and a fleet of sea kayaks, perfect for exploring the Islands’ shorelines, inlets, bays, and tranquil coves. Enjoy serendipitous moments sighting whales, orcas, penguins, and schools of dolphins. The naturalist guide can adjust the timing of shore visits and activities to reflect wildlife movements, weather, and the group’s interests.
AE Expeditions
Antarctica: 130, 148 passengers / 8-24 night cruises
AE Expeditions have been pioneers of experiential travel for over 34 years. Their purpose-built small ships, immersive activity programme and expert Expedition leaders help passengers to experience the uncharted territories of Antarctica in depth.
They prioritise the destination, wildlife and experience; travelling off the beaten path to explore the unexpected each day. Every voyage is different, guided by ice flows, tides, and nature. The expedition team’s deep local knowledge allows them to choose the best plan for each day to get up close to the wildlife and unique scenery.
A Certified B Corporation™ and proudly Carbon Neutral, AE Expeditions, their small ships feature cutting-edge Ulstein X-BOW® technology, and every voyage blends adventure, conservation and education. So you can explore the world while helping to protect it.
