Cruising the Amazon in Style
For the ultimate Amazon river experience, travelers now have the option of taking a luxury cruise ship, the Iberostar. For those whose first reaction is God no! Not a cruise! think again. The Iberostar does an excellent job getting guests off the boat and out into nature (in addition, of course to pampering them silly). This 75-cabin pocket cruiser started operating in June 2005. The boat offers two programs, a 3-night Solimões cruise or a 4-night Rio Negro cruise. Both are worth taking; for most people it's just a matter of which one fits better into their travel plans. Cabins are beautifully appointed and feature king-size beds, large-screen TVs, a private veranda, and a luxurious bathroom.
All the luxury aside, however, the cruise is actually well set up (better than many of the lodges we have visited) for making the most out of your Amazon experience. There is a well-stocked library with interesting and rare books on the environment and the region, and staff are very knowledgeable (some even have bird books to help identify species, an unheard-of thing in Brazil) and give daily presentations on the fauna and flora of the region. Excursions are made in aluminum launches with twin 240-horsepower motors, allowing you to quickly get to any place of interest. As the boat is constantly moving, you move into far more diverse territory than at a lodge. A cruise is even a luxurious way of experiencing the mosquito-ridden Solimões. The increased presence of insect life on this white-water river (they don't bother you in the daytime when you are out exploring, only around dusk) also attracts more birds and other animals. We have seen some of our best wildlife on and around the Solimões. And it's a lot easier to put up with mosquitoes if you can do so from a fancy cabin, sipping a glass of complimentary champagne. Tip: Operators like Viverde or Brazil Nuts can often book a much better rate than listed on the Iberostar website.
Facilities:
2 restaurants; 2 bars; 2 outdoor pools; room service; smoke-free rooms
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
