With the 2025 expedition season gearing up on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, one of our favourite small-ships, the 32-passenger Eco Abrolhos is debuting a new, refreshed look for her Lower Deck cabins.
Ideally suited to friends travelling together, those on a budget or even single travellers (due to the low single supplement), Lower Deck cabins offer a comfortable home-away-from-home as you experience the Kimberley Coast aboard a true small ship. The cabins feature upper and lower berths, a porthole, air-conditioning, and importantly, a private en suite.
Normally priced at $13,115 per person twin share, we’ve got a handful of cabins available on selected 2025 dates on offer at $11,500 per person, twin share or $12,500 for single travellers.
If you’re after a bit more space, there’s still a handful of Queen Staterooms and the ever-popular King Bed Deluxe Staterooms available across the 2025 Eco Abrolhos Kimberley Season, with some keen pricing on offer, so give our team today a call to find out the best deals currently on offer.
The Eco Abrolhos expedition itinerary takes all guests on a complete Kimberley journey – starting at Broome and finishing at Wyndham or vice versa. By visiting the key sites regularly, the Eco crew know the hotspots, where’s safe to swim, where the wildlife lives, the best fishing holes and where to find the largest variety of birdlife.
Their 13-night journeys are not just thrown together on the run. These expeditions are planned over 18 months in advance to correspond exactly with the best tides and moon phases for each voyage. The longer duration also enables Eco Abrolhos to set off on a spring tide (the largest tides) and finish 14 days later also on a spring tide. This planning is critical to provide the ship the greatest water depth (and assistance from the currents) to get into places like the Berkeley and King George rivers and provide guests the maximum “Wow factor” and water movement at iconic locations such as Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, all of which are at the start or end of each expedition.
To find out more about Eco Abrolhos and her 2025 Kimberley Cruises, or to take advantage of these special prices, call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80.
If an expedition cruise on the Amazon River takes pride of place on your travel bucket list you’ll have a lot of important decisions to make when researching and planning your adventure. So, check out our two-minute guide for answers to the top questions about cruising the Amazon River.
There are three key questions you will need to answer when working out which Amazon River cruise will best suit you:
· Which part of the Amazon to focus on?
· Which river ship to select?
· High or low water itineraries?
Here’s all the expert advice you need.
Which Part of the Amazon River to Cruise?
Did you know that the Amazon River and its tributaries flow for 6,437 kilometres through six countries before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean? That’s a lot of river to explore, however the best expedition and river ships concentrate on exploring three main areas of the Amazon region; In Peru, a section of the river near Iquitos, Brazil’s Amazon near Manaus, and the Napo River (a tributary of the Amazon) in Ecuador.
Whilst there is not a lot of difference between the scenery, flora and fauna and wildlife in each region, there are some considerations to make.
Firstly, the Brazilian Amazon River is the widest and most commercially developed. You’ll see lots of boat traffic and also be sharing the river with large cruise ships carrying thousands of travellers. Most Brazilian cruises depart from Manaus, a heaving city of more than two million, and expeditions often include stops in other local communities such as Santarem and Parintins. Brazilian Amazon itineraries are considered to place more emphasis on people and cultures than similar cruises in Peru or Ecuador, which tend to be very focused on nature and wildlife.
The major drawcard of a Brazilian Amazon cruise is the ‘Meeting of the Waters’, near Manaus, where two major tributaries - the light brown Solimoes River and the blackwater Negro River - come together and run alongside each other for several miles without merging.
The Peruvian section of the Amazon is quieter and less developed than the Brazilian section, and also has some of the most luxurious ships to choose from. Most options sail out of the small city of Iquitos (a short flight from Lima), or the nearby town of Nauta. There are no scheduled port stops on these cruises; instead the ships ply the tranquil waters of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, with the itinerary changing from trip to trip to take advantage of water levels and wildlife viewing opportunities. Of course, one of the great things about choosing an Amazon cruise in Peru is that you can easily combine your trip with visits to two of Peru’s other world famous sites; the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
The third region where you can consider a cruise is Ecuador. A couple of operators run expeditions into Yasuni National Park, which is located on the Napo River, one of the tributaries of the Amazon River proper. Highlights of the cruise include fantastic wildlife viewing, including clay licks that attract thousands of colourful parrots and macaws. If this option is appealing to you, why not combine your Amazon cruise with an expedition in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands – speak to our expedition cruise specialists for more details!
Which Amazon River ships are best?
After you’ve chosen which part of the Amazon you want to concentrate on, it’s then a matter of choosing the best ship. But it can be hard to differentiate between all the various choices and that’s where the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists comes in.
We’ve done all the hard work for you and selected just the very best ships in each region. That means you can rest assured that you will be travelling with an experienced operator, with the best guides, relevant accreditations and safety standards and of course the highest quality ships. Here’s the river ships we recommend for Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.
The 16-passenger motor yacht Tucano was built in the tradition of the steamboats that navigated the Amazon in the late 19th century. Tucano is not a luxury vessel like some of its counterparts in the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Amazon, and some of the cabins are larger than the others, but most travellers agree that the boat is comfortable and elegant. Tucano prides itself on offering the most authentic experience in the Brazilian Amazon and Rio Negro.
The Delfin fleet of three ships offers something for everyone. Our favourite is the intimate eight passenger Delfin I, check out those jaw-dropping cabins! The Delfin II and III are larger vessels, accommodating around 40 guests each and also provide an outstanding expeditions into the heart of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
The 32 passenger Aria Amazon was designed by famed Peruvian architect Jordi Puig. The word that best describes this ship is ‘style’. Aria Amazon features extremely generous dining and lounging areas, including an outdoor river facing jacuzzi. Floor to ceiling windows face the Amazon River in the ship’s 16 Design Suites, each measuring 23 square metres (250 square feet).
The latest addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet is the stylish 40-passenger Aqua Nera, launched in 2020. Aboard the Aqua Nera, award-winning architects Noor Design crafts every space to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites convey a sense of Amazon tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama.
The 40-passenger Anakonda riverboat is the only luxury boutique Amazon cruise winding its way through Ecuador's 'El Oriente' Amazon region. Anakonda features an expansive observation deck complete with loungers and an outdoor Jacuzzi. A comfortable al fresco lounge offers panoramic views along the river and is an ideal spot for cocktails, relaxation, reading or simply enjoying the view. Anakonda's expert naturalist guides and special travel concierge go out of their way to ensure you a personalised cruise experience.
When to cruise the Amazon? High or Low Water Itineraries
The time of year you cruise the Amazon can have a large bearing on what you can expect to see. The reality is, that being in the rainforest you can expect regular rainfall, which is why we no longer call the two seasons the “wet” and the “dry”. Instead, we can look at the seasons as either “high water” (January to May) or “low water” (the rest of the year).
If travelling in the “high water” period, you can expect to see many birds and monkeys in the branches of the flowering trees lining the river banks, attracted by fruits and blooming flowers after the major tropical downpours. Given the landscapes may be flooded and quite wet, you might expect to spend less time hiking ashore during this period.
After the major tropical storms have subsided, the river waters again begin to subside, and the ‘low water season’ means travellers can expect to see the sandy beaches that line the Amazon, and enjoy plenty of opportunity to travel ashore with local guides to explore on foot.
If Antarctica has always been on your travel bucket list, but fares have kept this destination out of your reach, last-minute travellers can make big savings on upcoming Antarctica expeditions when they cruise with one of the leaders in global polar cruising Oceanwide Expeditions.
There’s a number of exciting expeditions to choose from, departing from Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn aboard Oceanwide’s fleet of three expedition ships, the state-of-the-art Hondius and classic vessels Plancius and Ortelius. Itineraries on offer include the Basecamp Hondius voyage, which is designed for active adventurers, Ortelius’s voyage into the heart of the Weddell Sea in search of Emperor Penguins and Plancius’s comprehensive 21-day Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica.
For a limited time, you can make big savings off normal prices on these expeditions, and on selected departures each traveller will also receive complimentary Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars, valued at $600, to make that penguin spotting even easier!
Basecamp Hondius – Departing Ushuaia 01 November 2024
SAVE UP TO 40% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars
Designed specifically for more adventurous travellers, Oceanwide’s 13-day Basecamp programmes offer a range of daily activities including kayaking, zodiac adventures, mountaineering, Antarctic camping, snowshoeing and more.
On this incredible adventure, you’ll cruise aboard the state-of-the-art Hondius. Launched as the world’s first Polar Class 6 expedition ship, Hondius is truly designed to take you deep into the polar regions, and with a maximum capacity of just 170 expeditioners, you’ll have plenty of time to get onto the ice to explore.
Basecamp Hondius
Ship: Hondius
Departs 01 November 2024
13 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Last-minute Prices
All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)
Twin Porthole – USD $7,500
Twin Window – USD $7,750
Twin Deluxe – USD $7,800
Superior – USD $8,050
Junior Suite – USD $8,300
Grand Suite with Balcony – USD $9,200
Sign up to our newsletter to be among the first to hear about special deals
Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica – Departing Puerto Madryn 18 October 2024
SAVE UP TO 35% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars
This comprehensive itinerary covers the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least six species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!
Accommodating just 108 expeditioners, the classic Plancius was originally launched as a polar research vessel, before being reconfigured as an expedition ship taking adventurers to the polar regions. Regularly refurbished, she offers comfortable onboard facilities and excellent access into all corners of Antarctica.
Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica
Ship: Plancius
Departs 18 October 2024
21 Days Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia
Last-minute Prices
All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)
Quad Porthole – USD $9,650
Triple Porthole – USD $10,750
Twin Porthole – USD $10,750
Twin Window – USD $11,700
Superior – USD $13,500
Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin – Departing Ushuaia 20 November 2024
SAVE UP TO 20% on remaining cabins
A true expedition, Ortelius’s Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near rarely-visited Snow Hill Island. You will also have the opportunity to tour the area via Ortelius’s helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adélies and Gentoos.
The ice-strengthened Ortelius accommodates just 108 expeditioners, and travels with helicopters, allowing exploration further from the mother ship. This helicopter capability gives you the rare chance to see the famed emperor penguin rookery south of Snow Hill Island, numbering around 4,000 breeding pairs. The thrilling helicopter flights make this search possible, enabling you to land in locations otherwise inaccessible this early in the season.
Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters
Ship: Ortelius
Departs 20 November 2024
11 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Last-minute Prices
All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)
Quad Porthole – USD $9,700
Twin Porthole – USD $11,050
Twin Window – USD $11,500
Superior – USD $12,650
Antarctica Discovery & Learning – Departing Ushuaia 30 November 2024
SAVE UP TO 30% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars AND FREE Kayaking
For those travellers with limited time, this Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands expedition aboard the polar-strengthened Ortelius delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.
On this trip, Ortelius’s 108 adventurers will have the opportunity to take part in an Antarctic Navigational Workshop. Be part of a true polar expedition at locations such as Wauwermans Islands (close to Anvers Island), where the ship’s navigational experts will chart and make depth measurements while you explore the area in zodiac boats and kayaks. Navigation workshops and presentations about historic Antarctic voyages are also part of this exciting activity-based expedition.
Antarctica Discovery & Learning
Ship: Ortelius
Departs 30 November 2024
11 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Last-minute Prices
All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)
Quad Porthole – USD $7,900
Twin Porthole – USD $6,300
Twin Window – USD $6,550
Twin Deluxe – USD $7,000
Superior – USD $7,500
To book your 2024 Oceanwide Expeditions Antarctica cruise call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below and one of our team will contact you shortly to discuss this special offer.
Have a question or would like a call back from our Antarctic experts?
Terms & Conditions: All offers are valid for new bookings only made from 31 July 2024 on selected cruise dates until sold out or withdrawn. The offers may not be combined with any other deal. Prices are cruise only from cruise departure point and do not include return airfares or pre / post cruise hotels. All prices are per person, twin share (unless specified) in United States Dollars (USD).
SAVE UP TO 15% ON 2026 ARANUI 5 FRENCH POLYNESIA CRUISES
For over 30 years one of the most unique ways to experience the islands of Tahiti and beyond has been a cruise aboard the ‘half cargo / half passenger’ ships operated by Aranui Cruises. They have been taking avid adventurers on one of the most fascinating voyages anywhere on the planet and Aranui 5, the crown jewel in their pursuit of the ultimate passenger-freighter, will take you to far-flung corners of French Polynesia. Along the way, the ship will stop to resupply tiny communities living far from civilisation with everyday items such as new refrigerators, televisions and motor vehicles.
Schedules for the 2026 Aranui 5 cruising season have just been released, and there's Earlybird Savings of 10% and 15% available when you book and deposit your 2026 French Polynesia by 31 December 2024.
Throughout your Aranui 5 cruise, all your meals and scheduled excursions are included as you discover the magic that attracted Paul Gauguin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Thor Heyerdahl and Jacques Brel to this remote region. The ship’s gracious Polynesian staff and crew, many of whom are from the islands you will visit during the cruise, will welcome you as family and delight in introducing you to their centuries-old customs. Onboard, you will also enjoy getting to know knowledgeable lecturers and guides as they share the French Polynesian culture with you as you explore these captivating islands.
Check out Aranui 5’s 2026 schedule below. There’s a series of the ever-popular 12-day Marquesas Islands cruises on offer, plus four Discovery Cruises to the rarely-visited Austral Islands.
Aranui 5's 2026 Cruise Schedules
The following departures are available with these special fares. All cruises depart from and return to Papeete.
2026 Earlybird Fares for the 12-day Marquesas Islands Cruise
Save up to $2,986 per couple!
All prices are in Australian Dollars, and are per person, twin share, unless otherwise stated. These Earlybird Fares are valid for new bookings only on 2026 cruises made between 26 July and 31 December 2024 or until sold out.
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
$13,996 Per Person
ROYAL SUITE
$11,106 Per Person
PREMIUM SUITE
$10,182 Per Person
JUNIOR SUITE
$9,974 Per Person
SUPERIOR DELUXE
$9,823 Per Person
DELUXE
$9,114 Per Person
STATEROOM
$7,419 Per Person
SINGLE STATEROOM
$10,160 Per Person (no Single Supplement)
CLASS C DORMITORY
$4,630 Per Person (no Single Supplement)
2026 Earlybird Fares for the 13-day Austral Islands Discovery Cruise
Save up to $4,692 per couple!
All prices are in Australian Dollars, and are per person, twin share, unless otherwise stated. These Earlybird Fares are valid for new bookings only on 2026 cruises made between 26 July and 31 December 2024 or until sold out.
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
$13,857 Per Person
ROYAL SUITE
$10,997 Per Person
PREMIUM SUITE
$10,084 Per Person
JUNIOR SUITE
$9,695 Per Person
SUPERIOR DELUXE
$9,479 Per Person
DELUXE
$8,796 Per Person
STATEROOM
$7,412 Per Person
SINGLE STATEROOM
$10,149 Per Person (no Single Supplement)
CLASS C DORMITORY
$4,625 Per Person (no Single Supplement)
To book your 2026 Aranui Cruises French Polynesia cruise call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below and one of our team will contact you shortly to discuss this special offer.
Have a question or would like a call from our experts?
Read the Review: Marilyn & Bob have just returned from their 12-day Marquesas Islands cruise aboard Aranui 5, read their review.
It used to be that a cruising expedition in the Amazon Rainforest required not just a sense of adventure, but also the ability to ‘rough it’ on ships that had seen much better days. But now in 2024 - with new ships featuring all the mod cons seemingly being launched every year - you can still have all the adventure of an Amazon expedition, whilst travelling on some of the most stylish small ships in the world.
So, we got to thinking about which of these ships offers the most spectacular suites that will leave you picking your jaw up from the floor whilst simultaneously adding an Amazon expedition to your travel bucket list! We’ve done all the hard work for you and narrowed down the choices to rank what we think are the five most opulent suites on the Amazon tin 2024!
Here’s our countdown – be warned though, the WOW factor is high!
Coming in at Number 5 on our countdown is the only ship that’s not found in Peru, the stylish Anakonda. Launched in 2013, the 40-passenger Anakonda is a luxury boutique Amazon riverboat that winds its way through Ecuador's 'El Oriente' Amazon region, operating in the upper basins of the Napo and Aguarico Rivers, taking in Limoncocha Wildlife Reserve and Yasuni National Park - Ecuador’s largest protected animal reserve.
Anakonda’s four spacious Deluxe Suites come in at a generous 24 square metres in size (around 260 square feet) and feature floor to ceiling windows providing panoramic views of the passing river and rainforest. Each Deluxe Suite offers a choice of bedding configuration, a private balcony an en suite with whirlpool bath.
Designed by the innovative Peruvian architect Jordi Puig, all 16 Design Suites on the Aria Amazon measure a spacious 23 square metres (250 square feet), meaning there’s plenty of room to sit back and relax. Floor to ceiling windows offer uninterrupted viewing of the passing river scenery, polished timber flooring adds to the ambience and of course each suite has individually controlled air-con. The en suite bathrooms feature a rain shower and luxurious, organic bath amenities incorporating the latest eco-sensitive technology.
Soft lighting, natural fibres and neutral hues create a relaxing and luxuriously comfortable enclave where one’s only challenge may be to decide whether to gaze upon the Amazon from atop the California king size bed, dressed with 100% Peruvian cotton high thread count sheets or while lounging on the cozy window-side day bed, binoculars in hand.
Drawing inspiration (and her name) from the black water lagoons of the Peruvian Amazon, the award-winning Aqua Nera boasts exquisite design by renowned architects Noor Design. Like her sister-ship Aria Amazon, Aqua Nera’s interiors exude refined elegance, marrying contemporary design with local heritage and vibrant cultures of Portugal, Spain, and Peru.
Launched in 2021, Aqua Nera’s 20 Design Suites feature premium fittings and bedding, as well as central air-conditioning and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to admire the endless beauty of the Amazon River while the beautifully-appointed en suite features a spacious walk-in shower and overhead rain-shower.
The 44-guest Delfin III was launched in October 2015 - making it one of the most modern riverboats operating in Peru's Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. The Owner’s Suite has the most spacious interior of all the cabins. Located on the second deck in the front of the ship, guests will enjoy breathtaking views of the expansive river through 180 degrees of floor-to-ceiling windows. Added amenities include: one complimentary 30-minute spa treatment per guest, stocked minibar, scented bath upon request and complimentary laundry.
Awaken to a breathtaking vista from the comfy bed, complete with luxurious Peruvian linens and European duvet. A cosy sofa is positioned to allow for reading, whilst keeping a close eye on the passing scenery. A standalone bathtub really turns up the feeling of luxury.
For several years now it’s been our favourite Amazon suite, and even with the arrival of some new contenders we still think Delfin I’s Deluxe Suite has more WOW factor than any of its nearest rivals.
With interior space measuring 34 square metres (360 square feet), there is plenty of space to enjoy, even before you consider the additional 32 square metres on the private terrace. The cool water plunge pool is a real jaw-dropper and makes Delfin I the first and only river vessel with this luxurious feature.
Located on the main deck, the two spacious Deluxe Suites feature a king size bed that are wrapped by 180° panoramic windows stretching from floor to ceiling, a mini bar, in-suite seating area with a sofa bed, fine Peruvian cotton linens, environmentally friendly amenities, silent A/C units, hot water, hair dryer, safe deposit box and internal communications system. Delfin Amazon Cruises is the first cruise line to become an exclusive Relais & Châteaux member, in recognition of their outstanding service and commitment to excellence.
