Ocean Realm

Right near the top of the list of exciting but cheap cruises to take the family on are Amazon riverboat cruises. Don’t misunderstand; Amazon cruises aren’t cheap by many people’s standards but compared to a trip on a luxury liner through the Caribbean or Mediterranean, you can get a lot more for what you spend by going to the Amazon. The region also offers sights and panoramic vistas not available anywhere else.

The Amazon contains millions of species of life. Insects, birds, mammals and reptiles swarm and breed on a regular basis, their numbers kept in check only by the balance of nature where every creature hunts another. The dangers of this place are real and will be explained by your cruise coordinator. Follow the recommendations and regulations closely because they will keep you safe throughout your trip. There is much to see and do but safety measures must be observed.

Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve is a common stop for most Amazon River cruises. This reserve contains a lodge where you can stop for the day or stay overnight and experience the jungle sounds that man has been listening to since he first came into existence. The rain forest offers a glimpse into what life was like millennia ago. A portion of his part of the world has still been virtually untouched. Hopefully it will stay that way.

The fabulous scenery makes an Amazon River cruise worth the investment of time and money, but there is also a history there that goes back thousands of years before the settlers from the west reached the shores of North and South America. You can see the remains of this culture for yourself by visiting pre-Inca ruins in Northern Peru - Moche, Lambayeque, Chimu and Chachapoyas. You’ll be astounded by the obvious age and condition of cities and temples that pre-date even Chinese civilization in the Far East.

Why visit the Amazon on a cruise? The rain forest is an endangered species that will not be around much longer if something isn’t done to stop mankind from systematically destroying it. Wouldn’t you go back in time to see dinosaurs or fields teeming with buffalo if you could? The Amazon Rainforest is in the condition that it has always been for millennia and will give you a glimpse of what the world was like at the dawn of time. Seeing that is worth the trip.

Sarach Van Rensbury is a travel lover and avid travel writer, focussing on a number of travel topics including cruises.