Photo: Shutterstock American cruise giant Princess Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation, has announced one of its extensive cruise plans for 2028-2029, which includes more than 250 cruises across North America, Central America and South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Antarctica.
However, behind the impressive numbers lies the most intriguing news in the program: After a 12-year absence, Princess Cruises is returning to the Amazon River, one of the world's most fascinating natural areas, and at the same time launching an extraordinary 64-day journey that will circumnavigate South America and incorporate some of the world's most famous natural areas.
The new program offers short cruises of just four days alongside extended voyages, with an emphasis on unique destinations, longer stays in ports, and visits to areas remote from traditional cruise routes.
One of the main announcements is the resumption of cruises on the Amazon River, for the first time since 2014.
The itineraries will include a scenic cruise along the river and a visit to the city of Santarém, Brazil, in the area where the Amazon and Tapajós rivers meet.
The return to the Amazon is a significant addition to the cruise offerings in South America, which typically combine coastal ports, major cities, and natural destinations in Patagonia and Antarctica.
The company will now allow passengers to combine experiences of tropical rainforests, vast rivers, and South American nature, alongside urban destinations and other natural sites on the continent, during a single cruise vacation.
Another highlight of the program is a new 64-day itinerary around South America, which will be operated by the Coral Princess ship.
This is an extremely long sea voyage, which will connect several completely different regions geographically and climatically: Antarctica, the Amazon River, and the Panama Canal.
The itinerary will combine sailing in the southern natural areas of the continent, alongside the experience of sailing in the Amazon and transiting through the historic Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
In the 2028-2029 season, the company will offer 13 cruises in South America and Antarctica on 11 different itineraries, with visits to 38 destinations in 16 countries.
The cruises in the region will be operated by the ships Coral Princess and Majestic Princess.
Alongside the long voyage, the ships will also offer 17-day cruises to Antarctica and Patagonia and 15-day cruises in the Cape Horn and Patagonian glaciers region.
The new cruise program is not just focused on South America. In the Panama Canal Zone, Princess Cruises will offer 12 cruises on nine different itineraries, ranging from 16 to 20 days, on five ships. Some of the cruises will include a full transit between the two oceans through the canal system, including the new sailing cabins designed for extra-large ships.