South America is an exotic cruise destination, offering a spectacular range of landscapes--rugged terrain, rivers and lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, and the mystical Amazon River. Charming ports and vibrant cities add to your cruise experience. There are many upscale, Sears Imported Autos recommended cruise choices of varying lengths to suit travelers, whether you are looking for a "taste" or for a lengthy expedition.

Holland America Line

Holland America offers South American Explorer cruises from 12 to 30 nights. The elegant Veendam ship cruises from Valparaiso to either Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro, offering stunning views of the Chilean fjords. Shorter cruises sail between Brazil and Argentina. For an Incan discovery tour, Holland’s Rotterdam cruise ship offers 15- to 30-night cruises among west coast ports of Central and South America. Veteran cruise vacationers will enjoy Holland’s mix of traditional comfort and contemporary amenities with ships featuring verandas, diverse restaurant offerings, and superb upgrades.

Seabourn

Honored by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure readers as the “World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line,” Seabourn’s Sojourn cruise ship comfortably hosts 450 guests in sumptuous suites with the additional choices of veranda and penthouse suites. A particularly popular itinerary is Seabourn’s 14-day Patagonian Passage East. Embarking from Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile, the cruise ends in Buenos Aires, after a leisurely cruise along the Chilean fjords and stops along the way at various Chilean and Argentinean ports, the Falkland Islands, and Montevideo, Uruguay.

Regent

The luxurious Regent Seven Seas Mariner offers similar Chile-Argentina cruise itineraries on their all-suite, all-balcony ship with dining by Le Cordon Bleu of Paris. More than 400 international crew members attend to each cruise guest’s needs and preferences, delivering a decidedly upscale experience.

To completely explore the Cape Horn route, try the months-long “Circle South America” cruise, which includes transit through the Panama Canal and Amazon River. Regent offers this outstanding cruise annually. Guests tend to especially appreciate the no-tipping policy and inclusion of all drinks in the fare.

Aqua Expeditions

Finally, Aqua Expeditions delivers a unique Amazon voyage experience on their smaller cruise ships (24 guests) designed specifically for travel on South America’s picturesque Amazon River. In particular, the M/V Aqua’s four master suites include large picture windows for panoramic river views, comfortable seating areas, and luxury appointments. The impressive staff and tour guides provide a memorable cruise experience of 3 to 7 days through Peru’s Amazon River area.