Manaus, Santarém and More Gain Cruise Spotlight as Seabourn and Others Takes Luxury Travellers Into the Amazon, a Detailed Traveller Guide

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Manaus, Santarém and more are gaining fresh cruise spotlight as Seabourn and others takes luxury travellers into the Amazon. The Amazon journey offers travellers a detailed traveller guide to remarkable destinations, river experiences and local culture. Moreover, Manaus and Santarém give this luxury cruise a distinctive Amazon character, while more destinations add depth to the journey. For travellers seeking an unforgettable Amazon adventure, Seabourn’s luxury cruise brings new ways to explore Brazil. Therefore, Travel And Tour World urges readers to explore this detailed traveller guide, discover the destinations, understand tourism trends, and uncover the food, experiences and cruise alternatives shaping travel across Manaus, Santarém and the Amazon.

Seabourn Amazon Cruise 2028 Extension: Detailed Traveller Guide, Cruise Alternatives, Destinations, Food and Tourism Data

A 30-Day Amazon Journey

The Seabourn Amazon Cruise 2028 will give travellers a round-trip route from Miami into Brazil’s Amazon region. Seabourn Quest is scheduled to depart Miami on November 18, 2028, and return on December 18, covering 30 days. The itinerary visits 15 destinations across seven countries, combining Caribbean ports with Amazon River exploration.

From Caribbean Islands to Brazil

Travellers will visit Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, Bequia, Grenada and Port of Spain before reaching Brazil. The Amazon section includes Macapá, Santarém, Boca da Valeria, Parintins and Manaus, with scenic cruising along the Amazon River. The return journey includes Devil’s Island in French Guiana, Castries, Gustavia and St. John before Miami.

Two Nights Around Manaus

Manaus is a major highlight, with the itinerary allowing an overnight stay. Seabourn promotes the voyage around deeper exploration, remote Amazon villages, smaller ports and regional cuisine. The recently refreshed Seabourn Quest offers ocean-front suites, most with private verandas, complimentary dining and Wi-Fi.

Manaus is strengthening its international cruise role. In March 2026, the city received 1,108 tourists and about 742 crew members aboard MS Marina. Authorities estimated around R$9 million in local economic activity.

Why Travellers Should Consider It

For international tourists, the round-trip Miami format simplifies planning. The journey combines Caribbean scenery, Amazon landscapes, riverside communities and Brazilian culture within one extended holiday. Seabourn is introducing the voyages during its 40th anniversary year in 2028, positioning the Amazon as a deeper, experience-led luxury travel destination.

Brazil International Tourism Comparison

The figures come from Brazilian tourism authorities and related government statistical publications. The 2022 figure covers January-November, while the other figures shown are annual totals where available.

Amazonas Tourism Shows Stronger Visitor Engagement

Amazonas is also showing significant tourism momentum.

Amazonastur recorded more than 381,000 tourists in the state during 2023. That represented a 4.75% increase over the 363,000 visitors recorded in 2022. International tourism was particularly strong, with approximately 65,000 foreign visitors and a reported 370% increase in international tourist flow.

Tourism generated approximately R$942.2 million in direct economic activity in Amazonas in 2023. That was 29.03% higher than the R$730.2 million recorded in 2022. Accommodation and food services generated R$2.051 billion in state GDP during 2023.

The average tourist stay also increased significantly.

Visitors stayed approximately seven days in 2023, compared with five days in 2022. Amazonastur therefore recorded a 40% increase in average length of stay.

For 2025, Amazonastur reported 379,662 tourists between January and October. This represented a 14.15% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Because this is a January-October measurement, it should not be treated as a full-year 2025 figure.

Amazonas Tourism Data

This comparison is deliberately conservative. Missing official annual figures are not replaced with estimates.

Where Travellers Should Spend Their Time

Manaus

Manaus should be treated as the cultural and practical centre of an Amazon cruise.

The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism identifies the city as a major gateway for rainforest tourism, freshwater cruises and indigenous-community experiences. Major attractions include Teatro Amazonas, Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa, Porto de Manaus and Ponta Negra.

The municipal tourism authority also highlights the city’s historic architecture, museums, riverfront attractions and regional cuisine.

Travellers with an overnight should avoid spending the entire visit onboard.

A practical plan is to visit Teatro Amazonas first, followed by the historic centre and Mercado Adolpho Lisboa. A river excursion to the Meeting of the Waters can then occupy another part of the day.

The Meeting of the Waters is especially valuable because the dark Rio Negro and lighter Solimões meet near Manaus before continuing as the Amazon system.

Santarém and Alter do Chão

Santarém provides access to an entirely different Amazon experience.

Alter do Chão combines the Tapajós River, Lago Verde, beaches, forest and traditional Borari culture. The municipal tourism authority describes the destination as an important natural and cultural attraction in western Pará.

For active travellers, the Serra Piroca trail is an option.

The municipal tourism authority describes the route as approximately two kilometres, reaching an elevation of 110 metres. The round trip takes around two hours and provides panoramic views of Lago Verde, forests and surrounding waterways.

Travellers should use appropriate footwear, carry water and follow local guidance. The local tourism authority also recommends qualified guides for the trail.

Boca da Valeria

Boca da Valeria offers a very different experience from Manaus.

Seabourn describes it as a small river community positioned where the Valeria River meets the Amazon. Its appeal is the opportunity to observe everyday life in a remote riverside settlement.

Travellers should approach community visits respectfully.

Photography should be undertaken with sensitivity, particularly around residents and private homes.

Parintins

Parintins adds a strong cultural dimension.

The city’s Bumbódromo is the centre of the famous Boi-Bumbá tradition. The municipal government says the festival’s cultural complex was recognised as cultural heritage by IPHAN in 2025.

The Bumbódromo can accommodate more than 35,000 people, according to the municipal tourism authority. It hosts the major annual festival and other cultural events.

Travellers visiting outside festival season can still explore the cultural history of the venue and the city’s artistic traditions.

What Travellers Should Eat

Amazonian cuisine is one of the strongest reasons to extend a cruise stay.

Manaus’s municipal government identifies fish such as jaraqui, tambaqui, pacu, matrinxã, tucunaré and pirarucu among the region’s important culinary products.

Travellers should consider trying grilled or fried tambaqui, pirarucu dishes and jaraqui served with regional accompaniments.

Tacacá is another important experience. The dish combines tucupi, jambu, shrimp and cassava-based ingredients. Manaus’s municipal government also highlights dishes using tucupi, banana, farinha and regional fish.

Cupuaçu, açaí and other Amazonian fruits are useful choices for travellers wanting lighter regional flavours.

The Mercado Adolpho Lisboa is particularly useful for understanding the ingredients behind Amazonian cuisine. The Ministry of Tourism identifies products including tapioca flour, açaí, tucupi and cupuaçu-based foods at the market.

Amazon Food Guide

Five Other Cruise Lines Offering Comparable Amazon Experiences

Viking

Viking provides one of the closest comparisons to Seabourn’s Caribbean-to-Amazon concept.

Its published From the Caribbean to the Amazon itinerary lasts 22 days, starts in San Juan and covers eight countries with 11 guided tours. The advertised fare starts from US$11,499.

The route combines Puerto Rico, Barbados and French Guiana with Brazilian Amazon destinations.

The itinerary includes Santarém, Parintins and Manaus. Viking allocates two days to Manaus and two days of Amazon River cruising. It also includes Belém, giving travellers an opportunity to combine the Amazon with historic urban Brazil.

The traveller should use Manaus for architecture and cultural sightseeing. Viking specifically highlights the Rio Negro Palace, Opera House and Old Town.

Parintins is particularly attractive for culture-focused travellers because Viking includes a Boi-Bumbá performance experience.

Belém provides another culinary and cultural dimension, with the Ver-o-Peso market and colonial architecture.

For travellers comparing Viking with Seabourn, the major distinction is itinerary structure. Viking’s published route begins in San Juan, while Seabourn’s 2028 programme is designed around round-trip Miami travel. Viking therefore suits travellers wanting a longer Caribbean-Amazon combination without beginning in Florida.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises offers a substantial Amazon itinerary aboard Oceania Insignia.

Its published Amazonian Spirit voyage lasts 21 days, running from Rio de Janeiro to Miami. The March 19-April 9, 2027 sailing includes Amazon River cruising and calls at Alter do Chão, Boca da Valeria, Manaus, Parintins and Santarém. The advertised fare starts from US$6,299 per guest.

The itinerary provides an unusually useful comparison because Manaus receives an overnight stay. The ship arrives on March 28 and departs on March 29, giving travellers additional time in the city.

Oceania’s published excursions include the Teatro Amazonas, historic mansions, the Indian Museum, rainforest trails and the Meeting of the Waters.

The itinerary also includes four Amazon-focused destinations after entering the river system: Alter do Chão, Boca da Valeria, Manaus and Parintins, followed by Santarém.

For food-focused travellers, Oceania’s wider brand positioning around cuisine makes this option attractive for combining Amazon excursions with a culinary-oriented cruise experience.

Compared with Seabourn, Oceania provides a different direction of travel. The Amazon segment begins after Rio de Janeiro and finishes with Caribbean calls before Miami, rather than starting and ending in Miami.

Silversea

Silversea is another luxury operator with Amazon-related South American itineraries.

Its published South America programme includes voyages featuring the Amazon River and Manaus. Silversea’s fleet is strongly focused on intimate luxury, with ships ranging from 51 to 364 suites. The company describes its fleet as all-suite and says its service model provides nearly one crew member for every guest.

Its expedition ships include Silver Cloud, with capacity for 254 guests and 212 crew, and Silver Wind, with 274 guests and 239 crew.

Silversea’s model is particularly suited to travellers who prioritise smaller ships and destination-focused experiences.

The line also promotes its S.A.L.T. culinary programme and says its ships offer multiple dining concepts.

For an Amazon trip, this makes regional food an important part of the overall experience.

Travellers considering Silversea should distinguish between a dedicated Amazon river expedition and a longer South American voyage that incorporates Amazon ports. Current Silversea material confirms Amazon River and Manaus programming, but individual departure dates and routes should be checked before booking because the schedule varies by season.

Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions offers the most specialised alternative for travellers who want to spend their holiday primarily inside the Amazon rather than combine it with a long ocean voyage.

Its Peruvian Amazon programme operates the Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera. Aqua lists Aria Amazon with 32 guests and 26 crew, while Aqua Nera accommodates 40 guests and has 40 crew.

The company offers three-, four- and seven-night Amazon river cruises and focuses on tributaries and rainforest exploration around the Peruvian Amazon. Activities include jungle walks and wildlife searches for species such as pink river dolphins, black caimans and anacondas.

Aqua also describes its approach as responsible tourism, with conservation and community support integrated into its operations.

The 2027 and 2028 programme includes 10-night Peruvian Rivers and Rainforest Discovery itineraries and 15-night combinations that add Machu Picchu. The published 2028 itineraries depart on January 19 from Lima and include Iquitos, the Amazon River, Nauta and Puerto Prado Forest.

This option is best for travellers who want intensive rainforest exploration rather than a Caribbean cruise.

It is also geographically different from Seabourn because Aqua concentrates on the Peruvian Amazon rather than the Brazilian Amazon and Miami-Caribbean route.

PONANT

PONANT provides another small-ship comparison for travellers interested in Amazonian waterways.

Its destination material includes Amazonia locations such as Guajará and Mucurui. PONANT describes excursions around the Amazon tributaries using small boats, including Zodiac operations in the region.

The main attraction for a PONANT-style Amazon journey is expedition scale.

Instead of relying on a large ship, the experience can focus on smaller landing points and access to waterways that are difficult for larger vessels.

Travellers should note that PONANT’s Amazon offering is not directly equivalent to Seabourn’s newly announced 30-day Miami round trip. The routes, ship deployments and departure dates differ.

PONANT’s broader model emphasises French-style hospitality, refined dining and expedition travel.

For travellers comparing the brands, PONANT is therefore better suited to guests who prioritise expedition atmosphere and smaller-scale exploration.

The most important booking step is checking the exact Brazilian itinerary because Amazonian port calls can differ substantially between individual voyages.

Cruise Comparison Table

The figures are itinerary-specific rather than fleet-wide averages. Cruise prices also change according to cabin category, sailing date, promotions and availability.

Five-Year Visitor Comparison for Travellers

A direct five-year annual comparison for the Amazon cruise ports themselves is not consistently published in one official dataset. Therefore, the most reliable comparison uses Brazil’s international-arrival series, supplemented by Amazonas-specific statistics where available.

The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, Embratur and Amazonas government data show a clear post-pandemic upward trajectory, although the state and national datasets use different measurement periods and definitions.

A Practical 10-Day Amazon Extension Plan

Travellers adding a land stay around a cruise can use the following structure.

This plan should be adapted to the ship’s actual arrival and departure times.

How Much Time Should Travellers Allow?

For a cruise-only visit, Manaus can provide a concentrated cultural experience.

An overnight stay is significantly better than a short daytime call because travellers can combine the historic centre with an evening meal and additional river activities.

Travellers wanting rainforest lodges, extended jungle excursions or deeper community experiences should add several days before or after the cruise.

This is particularly relevant because Amazonastur recorded a seven-day average stay in 2023, compared with five days in 2022.

The data suggests that longer visits can support more meaningful destination experiences while increasing visitor spending across hotels, restaurants, guides and local services.

What the Numbers Mean for Future Amazon Cruising

The tourism statistics point toward a broader opportunity.

Brazil’s international arrivals increased from fewer than 1 million in 2021 to more than 9.2 million in 2025.

Amazonas also recorded more than R$942 million in direct tourist revenue in 2023, demonstrating the economic importance of visitor spending.

Cruise companies are responding with different models.

Seabourn is connecting Miami and the Brazilian Amazon in one luxury round trip. Viking combines the Caribbean with Amazon and Brazilian cultural destinations. Oceania links Rio de Janeiro, Amazon ports and Miami. Aqua Expeditions focuses intensely on the Peruvian rainforest, while Silversea and PONANT provide smaller-ship luxury and expedition alternatives.

For global travellers, the most important difference is therefore not simply price.

It is the amount of time spent inside the Amazon, the size of the ship, the number of river destinations, the level of luxury and whether the itinerary includes Miami, the Caribbean, Brazil or Peru.

The Seabourn Amazon Cruise 2028 stands out because it combines those elements into a single round-trip journey from Miami, while allowing travellers to spend extended time in Manaus and experience several Amazon communities along the way.