Ocean Cruises Up the Amazon
From the Caribbean to the heart of the rainforest on a big ship.
Get Free South America River Cruise QuotesNot every Amazon cruise is on a small river ship. Some of the most memorable are ocean voyages that turn in from the Atlantic and sail all the way to Manaus.
How an Amazon Ocean Voyage Works
These voyages typically start in Florida, Puerto Rico or another Caribbean port, sail south through the islands, cross the bar at the mouth of the Amazon and continue upriver for several days. River pilots board to guide the ship. Calls along the river usually include Santarem, near the clear-water Tapajos; Alter do Chao, with its river beaches; Parintins, famous for its June folklore festival; and tiny riverside settlements such as Boca da Valeria. The voyage ends or turns around in Manaus, often with an overnight there.
Who Is Going in 2026–27
Holland America Line
A long Amazon voyage from Fort Lauderdale in November 2026, via Caribbean ports and across the Amazon bar.
Viking
A December 2026 sailing from San Juan that reaches the mouth of the Amazon after a week and continues upriver.
Explora Journeys
Voyages that begin or end in Manaus in early 2027, linking the Amazon with the Caribbean.
Schedules change and new voyages are added, so ask our advisors for the current list. For shore tours at Amazon and other South American ports, see South America Shore Excursions; for South America by ocean ship generally, Cruising South America.
Ocean Ship Questions
Can a big cruise ship really sail up the Amazon?
Yes. The lower Amazon is deep and wide enough for ocean ships to sail about a thousand miles inland to Manaus, with river pilots on board. Ships call at river towns such as Santarem, Alter do Chao, Parintins and Boca da Valeria along the way.
Is an ocean ship better than a river ship on the Amazon?
It depends on what you want. An ocean ship gives you big-ship comfort and a long voyage that may include the Caribbean, but it stays on the main channels. A small river ship reaches narrow tributaries and flooded forest and spends far more time on wildlife.
What to Expect on Board and Ashore
- Sea days: several days of open-ocean and river sailing, ideal for lectures on the Amazon and its wildlife.
- Tender ports: many river stops have no pier, so you go ashore by tender boat.
- Heat and humidity: plan shore time for the morning and bring light, long-sleeved clothing.
- Health: ask your doctor about yellow fever vaccination and malaria precautions for the river stops.
- Manaus: if the ship overnights, use the time for the Meeting of the Waters and the opera house.
Sail Up the Amazon on an Ocean Ship
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