The Prices of Cruise Tours and Packages to South America
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If you're dreaming of setting sail on the open sea and combining that with guided tours from the ports, ocean cruise tours offer an unbeatable way to explore South America in style and comfort. From vibrant cities to stunning coastal landscapes, ocean cruise tours combine relaxation with adventure as you hop from one incredible destination to the next. With all-inclusive options, entertainment onboard, and excursions waiting at every port, these cruise tours make it easy to enjoy a hassle-free getaway. In this article, we'll break down the costs of ocean cruise tours, highlight some of the best options available in South America, and point you toward popular destinations that make sailing the seas so irresistible.
To help you get the most value out of your ocean cruise experience in South America, we've thoroughly analyzed the top options available. We looked at typical price ranges, itineraries, amenities, and overall quality to uncover the cruises that truly deliver exceptional experiences. Whether you're seeking budget-friendly fun or luxurious escapes, we've found options that make ocean cruising an incredible value. So, pack your bags, grab your sunglasses, and get ready to hit the high seas for the adventure of a lifetime.
Why does South America appeal to cruise passengers?
South America appeals to cruise travelers with its vibrant ports, diverse excursions, and rich culture. Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, and Salvador are popular with beach lovers. South America's inviting climate, welcoming locals, and variety of activities make it a top cruise destination.
How much do cruise packages in South America cost?
The average price per day for cruise tours in South America is $1,076, based on our analysis of 9 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $661 to $1,881 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $727 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $1,613 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Cruises in South America
Budget-Friendly Cruises
Budget-friendly and affordable cruise tours in South America average $727 per day, with daily prices from $661 to $845. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Antarctica Classic here.
Mid-Range Cruises
For typical cruise tours in South America that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $888 per day. Daily prices range from $850 to $926. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Galapagos & Amazon (Archipel I).
Luxury Cruises
Luxury cruise tours in South America average around $888 per day, with daily costs ranging from $1,336 to $1,881. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, Operated by Quark.
Which tour companies offer cruise tours and packages?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer cruise tours in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Exodus Adventure Travels
Exodus Adventure Travels is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Italy, France, Spain, and India. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, kayaking, island hopping, and cooking classes.
See All Tours from Exodus Adventure Travels
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
Via Natura Ecuador
Focusing on Ecuador, Via Natura Ecuador is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Most of the tours provided by Via Natura Ecuador are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. They specialize in wildlife viewing tours, ensuring you'll have an enjoyable experience.
See All Tours from Via Natura Ecuador
Ocean Cruise Destinations in South America
Wondering where ocean cruise tours visit in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
A few of the most popular places visited by tours in South America include Ushuaia, Quito, Guayaquil, and Punta Arenas.
Cruise Tours and Packages vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're trying to decide whether to book an organized tour or plan the entire adventure yourself, keep in mind the following factors for each style of travel.
Organized Tours
Pros- On the cruise ship, you can relax and enjoy the on-board activities.
- Your hotel room moves with you as you travel.
- The ship provides the food and fun.
- Tour guides provide expert knowledge, advice, transportation, and logistical planning.
- Tours that extend from the cruises allow for even more in-depth exploration without any hassle or stress.
- You might not get to spend as much time as you like at each destination
- Some excursions cost extra
Independent Travel
Pros- You have total control over the plan.
- You can focus on the destinations instead of cruise ship activities.
- You'll need to plan the entire itinerary on your own, and make all of the bookings separately.
- Costs are uncertain.
- You might have trouble getting tickets to the most popular events or sights during the busy season.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided cruise tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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