Cruises to South America

A region known for its passion, raw energy and scenic delights, South America is a place like no other. Diverse and spectacularly beautiful, its attractions range from Chilean fjords to lively cities, exuberant people and captivating wildlife. A cruise to South America will be one that lasts in your memory forever.

Columbus, Darwin, Pizarro – the list of explorers who travelled through South America is almost as long and diverse as the land itself. A Royal Caribbean cruise can allow you to follow in their footsteps…

Royal Caribbean has an amazing selection of cruises to South America and with an area so large and so much to see it could be difficult to make a decision of which to cruise to embark on.

Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires is a good place to start with. The capital city of Argentina is so strongly influenced by European culture it’s known as the ‘Paris of South America’. More than just the main Argentina cruise port; Buenos Aires is also a stylish, sophisticated city whose broad tree-lined boulevards and elegant mansions are reminiscent of Paris at its most romantic.

Manta is a new port of call for Royal Caribbean cruises and is a picturesque and important port in Ecuador’s Manabi province. Located in a dry tropical forest it enjoys a warm pleasant climate and its wide Pacific Ocean beaches stretch for miles along the peaceful shores. A great place to enjoy the refreshing evening breeze is by taking a stroll along the waterfront Malecon (jetty).

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The 120ft Christ the Redeemer stature makes up part of its background and is a sight you will never forget. Famous for its colourful carnival and its fabulous beaches, as well as the dramatic entry to its cruise port, Rio de Janeiro in the south-eastern corner of Brazil has much more to offer than sun and sand.

The Chilean Fjords are a truly beautiful part of the country set within the southern west portion of Chile. An amazing sight will behold you when you sail from Puerto Montt into waters framed with snow-capped volcanoes, deep forests and hot springs. Make sure you look out for the wide variety of local wildlife such as the soaring Andean condor, orcas, seals and penguins.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina has two slightly unusual attractions: the wildlife and the Welsh! Close by in Punta Loma, there is a protected reserve for sea lions (or "lobos" - as they are called in Argentina). It is very enjoyable to watch hundreds of them jostle for space on the rocks and then companionably scratch each other's backs with their fins once settled.

On the way to a huge penguin colony, several hours' drive north of the port and deep into the Patagonia region, there is the chance to stop off for a traditional Welsh High Tea in Gaiman. Funnily enough Welsh is still spoken here 150 years after Welsh Nationalists were first invited to settle in Patagonia.