Destination
South America
South America is a continent of dramatic contrasts—from the wilds of Patagonia and the mystery of the Amazon, to the vibrant rhythms of Brazil and the colonial charm of Andean cities. Traveling by small ship offers a seamless and immersive way to explore South America's diverse coastal regions, river systems, and remote islands—connecting you with culture, nature, and history in ways land-based travel cannot. At Small Ship Travel, we curate exceptional small ship cruises throughout South America aboard intimate vessels. Whether you’re sailing past glacial fjords, navigating the Amazon River, or tracing ancient trade routes along the Pacific coast, we match you with cruise lines that prioritize access, enrichment, and authenticity.
We’ve carefully selected cruise lines offering deep cultural immersion, flexible itineraries, and thoughtful onboard experiences across South America’s rivers, coasts, and islands. Silversea Cruises Silversea’s South America voyages blend ultra-luxury cruising with exploration, visiting destinations such as Chile’s fjords, Peru’s coastal ruins, and Brazil’s festive cities. Guests enjoy all-suite accommodations, regionally inspired cuisine, and expert-led cultural excursions. Seabourn Seabourn offers refined small ship itineraries along the Chilean coast, through the Panama Canal, and to remote Patagonian ports, combining onboard elegance with immersive shore experiences. Expect access to world heritage sites, remote landscapes, and expert naturalists. Ponant Ponant’s expedition yachts explore South America’s remote coastal regions, Cape Horn, and the southernmost reaches of Patagonia. Their blend of French hospitality and scientific enrichment makes them ideal for travelers seeking both luxury and discovery. Scenic Ocean Cruises Scenic Eclipse offers all-inclusive, superyacht expeditions to Chile, the Amazon Basin, and South Georgia, with state-of-the-art technology, helicopters, submarines, and a full Discovery Team onboard to deepen your understanding of South America’s most remote regions. Aqua Expeditions Aqua Expeditions offers luxury river cruising on the Amazon, aboard small, design-forward vessels like the Aqua Nera. Their 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries feature wildlife excursions, rainforest walks, and cultural encounters with indigenous communities, all led by expert naturalist guides. Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic Lindblad’s South American expeditions focus on ecological and cultural discovery, with voyages to the Upper Amazon, the Pacific coast, and Patagonia. Guests benefit from National Geographic experts, photographers, and naturalists for an enriching, educational experience. Swan Hellenic Swan Hellenic offers cultural expedition cruises that explore South America’s southern fjords, the Beagle Channel, and the gateway to Antarctica. Their boutique ships feature expert-led lectures, elegant design, and itineraries that blend remote wilderness with meaningful cultural encounters.
South America’s rich biodiversity, geographic extremes, and cultural layers are ideally suited to small ship exploration. With smaller vessels, you can sail closer to wildlife-rich coastlines, dock in lesser-visited ports, and access ecologically sensitive areas such as the Amazon, Tierra del Fuego, and Chilean fjords.
These cruises also provide a more authentic and flexible experience than traditional travel, combining immersive excursions, onboard education, and meaningful cultural interactions. Whether you’re retracing Inca trade routes, watching glaciers calve into the sea, or spotting pink river dolphins, small ship cruises open a deeper window into the continent’s soul.
Sample Experiences Include:
South America’s vast geography means that the best time to cruise depends on the region and the style of journey.
At Small Ship Travel, we believe in matching you with cruise experiences that are culturally meaningful, expertly guided, and thoughtfully curated. Each of our South American cruise partners has been vetted for exceptional service, local expertise, and sustainable practices.
As a Virtuoso affiliate with Travel Experts, a member agency, we offer exclusive perks such as:
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.
Get in the mood for cruising by reading our travel guides, recommendations and cruise reviews.
River cruising offers a seamless and luxurious way to experience Europe’s most historic and scenic waterways, from the fairy-tale castles of the Rhine to the imperial capitals of the Danube and the artistic treasures of the Seine. Unlike ocean cruises, these intimate voyages bring travelers directly into the heart of medieval villages, grand cities, and world-renowned wine regions, allowing for deeper cultural immersion. Along the way, passengers can explore UNESCO-listed landmarks, savor locally inspired cuisine, and enjoy exclusive excursions, from private château tours to classical concerts in Vienna.
