Posted on November 2, 2004 - by Ralph Grizzle
South America Cruises Sizzling
Cruising’s newest hotspot: South America. But don’t start packing your bags just yet. Getting on a South America cruise can be as difficult as getting a table at New York’s perennially overbooked Balthazar Restaurant. “I have never seen a cruise destination sell as well as South America has this year,” says Julie Taggart, of East Town Travel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Why the sudden surge in popularity down south? Perceived safety, good value, great shopping and something completely different for Caribbean-weary cruisers. Not only are exchange rates favorable (meaning dinner ashore or shopping won’t cost you an arm and a leg) but also, from the Amazon to Antarctica, South America offers a breadth of experiences seldom found in other cruise regions.
Most South America cruises run 11 days or longer. Itineraries typically offered:
From Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro either north to (and up) the Amazon River or south around Cape Horn to Valparaiso, Chile. Offered by many of the major cruise lines, these itineraries also feature extended overnights aboard ship in major cities.
Antarctica: Small-ship operator Quark Expeditions specializes in voyages to the icy continent from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, as well as from New Zealand and Australia.
Galapagos: Celebrity Xpeditions, operated by Celebrity Cruises, is the newest entrant to offer cruises to these exotic nature islands.
Some ships depart U.S. ports. Holland America Line’ Prinsendam, for example, offers a 34-day voyage from Fort Lauderdale to the Amazon with port stops at Caribbean islands.
Despite ships sailing full, cruise lines do offer special rates for those who plan nine months to a year ahead. Newcomer Oceania Cruises offered two-for-one rates and free airfare this season for itineraries ranging from 12 days to 18 days. It’ too early to say whether those offers will be repeated — look for announcements in early January.
