What’s it like cruising the Amazon with Rainforest Cruises in Peru?

So what’s it like cruising the Amazon River?

Well, I’ve already told you all about visiting Iquitos, staying in a jungle treehouse, and some of the fun excursions on the Amazon, but now it’s time to tell you about the cruise itself! Getting to experience an Amazon River cruise was a dream come true and the perfect way to end our time in Peru!

Every minute of the day was filled with fun activities like canopy walks, kayaking down the tributaries, and spotting wildlife, and when we weren’t out adventuring, we had a beautiful boat with all the modern comforts to enjoy.

For anyone curious about what it’s like to cruise the Amazon River aboard a luxury river cruise, here’s a little recap of our experience:

Cruising the Amazon River: The Ultimate Adventure Travel in Peru?

The journey on the Amazon River

For our Amazon river cruise, we joined a 4-day luxury tour with Rainforest Cruises aboard the Delfin I. This particular cruise took us into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, which encompasses five million acres of protected, flooded forest in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon.

The setting was absolutely stunning. During the day we would cruise through the chocolate waters of the Amazon and the black waters of its tributaries, and then by sunset, our captain would dock by the shore where we had nothing but unspoilt tropical jungle outside our windows.

Even though we didn’t have 4 full days aboard the boat (you board in the afternoon of the first day, and disembark in the morning of the fourth day), it still felt like the right amount of time to see and do everything we wanted to.

The days were well structured with an array of activities, but more on that later in this post.

The Rooms aboard the Delfin I

The Delfin I only has 4 rooms: 2 master suites with private terraces, and 2 deluxe suites with private pools. We stayed in one of the master suites called the Anaconda Suite and it was a wonderful stay.

The room was bright with floor to ceiling windows, a comfortable king-sized bed with all-white linens, and the entire room felt very spacious and airy.

My favourite feature of the room would have to be the private terrace where you could sit and enjoy a drink while enjoying the ever-changing views.

As for the bathroom, it had a large walk-in shower with piping hot water, bathrobes, fluffy towels, organic toiletries and a hair-dryer, so it ticked all the boxes in terms of comfort.

The meals on the Amazon river cruise

Now let’s talk about the meals we enjoyed while cruising the Amazon River because as you can probably tell from the pictures above, the food aboard the Delfin I was fantastic!

This river cruise had an international menu sure to satisfy every palate, and they featured Peruvian-inspired dishes and used Amazonian ingredients at every meal.

Breakfast was a buffet featuring Peruvian favourites like humitas, tamales, fried plantain, spicy pork sausage, and tropical fruits from the region, but then you also had Western classics like pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, and scrambled eggs. All of this was accompanied by a selection of fresh-squeezed juices at the table, as well as tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Lunch and dinner were three-course affairs, with every plate being its own work of art. Over the course of our 4-day cruise, we ate things like tenderloin steak with cassava ñoquis, steamed catfish with yucca fries, roast beef with pumpkin ravioli, not to mention the barbecue feast we enjoyed on our final evening aboard the boat.

I also liked that dinner was a communal meal with all the guests sitting at one large table. This allowed us to get to know our fellow travellers better and it also created a sense of camaraderie that you don’t always find in group tours.

The activities in the Amazon Jungle

Let’s start with the onboard activities. My favourite place to hang out on the boat was the lounge area on the observation deck. Here they had a few different sitting areas where you could enjoy a game of chess or backgammon. The observation deck also featured a bar, where you could order cocktails throughout the day. Hello pisco sours!

When we weren’t leisurely cruising the Amazon, there was an action-packed schedule that kept us exploring. We went in search of wildlife, kayaked down the tributaries, enjoyed canopy walks through the jungle, fished for piranhas, visited local communities, and so much more.

We averaged 2 excursions per day – one in the morning and another in the afternoon – and aside from that, there was also the option of going out on a nighttime outing.

All of these activities, of course, were optional, so if you wanted to enjoy some more downtime on your trip, that would certainly be possible.

The little details aboard the river cruise

One of the things that set the Delfin I apart, were the small little details that made guests feel extra special.

For example, in the evening they would provide turn-down service while the guests were dining, and then by the time everyone returned back to their cabins, there was chocolate and a bedtime story waiting on the bed. The best part is that the bedtime stories were based on local tales and folklore, and they were set in the Amazon. How cool is that?

I also liked that the rooms had binoculars that guests could take out on the excursions, they had yoga mats in case you wanted to rise early and enjoy a stretch while cruising the Amazon, and they also provided rubber boots if we were heading out on a muddy excursion.

Even though these weren’t essentials that could make or break a trip, it was a nice and thoughtful touch.

The cost of cruising the Amazon

Like I have mentioned, the trip I did aboard the Delfin I was a luxury cruise so it has the price tag to match. That being said, cruising the Amazon River is something that can be done with any budget.

Rainforest Cruises offers a wide range of river cruises – luxury, superior, and comfort – all of which range in size, duration, and destination.

At the time of writing this, they had a cruise on the Brazilian Amazon for as little as $439 USD, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, you could charter an entire boat for $9,999 USD. Clearly there’s something for every budget!

Everything You Should Know Before Booking an Amazon River Cruise: Timing, Packing, and Picking the Right Boat

Below is what I wish someone had handed me before I boarded the Delfin I. Whether you’re eyeing a splash-out luxury vessel or a shoestring hammock boat, these pointers will help you pick the right season, cabin, kit and more.

When to Go: “High Water” vs. “Low Water”

Rule of thumb: Birders and canopy photographers prefer high water for dreamy reflections; families who want to picnic on natural river “beaches” gravitate to low water.

Choosing a Cruise Category That Matches You

Cabin Tip: Port side gets sunrise, starboard gets sunset—ask when you book if you’re picky about golden-hour photos.

Packing List—Beyond the Brochure

Essentials

• Quick-dry trousers (2): lightweight synthetics outperform jeans in swamp humidity.

• Moisture-wicking long sleeves (2): double as mozzie armor.

• Convertible river sandals and closed-toe trail shoes: wet landings are the norm.

• Microfibre towel & sarong: boat towels stay on board for housekeeping.

• 100 % DEET or picaridin spray: jungle mosquitos shrug off citronella.

• Silicone ear plugs: rainforest dawn chorus = 4 a.m. howler-monkey rave.

• Headlamp: night safaris + cabin power cuts.

• Dry sack (10 L): stash DSLR, phone, and passport during skiff splashes.

• Reusable water bottle: most boats supply filtered refills, reducing plastic waste.

Optional Luxuries

• Travel binoculars (8× or 10×) if your boat doesn’t supply them.

• Compact power bank—AC cuts mid-river are common on comfort vessels.

• Packable rain poncho even if ship provides; theirs fit sumo wrestlers.

Health & Safety Basics

• Vaccinations: Check yellow-fever requirements—Peru officially recommends but doesn’t always enforce; Brazil often checks proof at airports.

• Malaria prophylaxis: Incidence is low in the Pacaya Samiria, but consult a travel clinic six weeks out.

• Sun: UV index hovers at 11+. Sunscreen, buff, wide-brim hat, repeat.

• Water safety: Piranhas aren’t your biggest threat—swift currents are. Only swim when guides designate a safe back-eddy.

• Insurance: Buy a policy that covers medical evacuation and river travel disruptions; fog can delay flights out of Iquitos for 48 h.

Money Matters

• Tipping norms: Budget 10 % of cruise cost divided 70/30 between crew and naturalist guides. Cash (USD or PEN) in sealed envelopes on final night.

• On-board extras: Top-shelf cocktails, laundry, and boutique purchases are usually signed to your cabin and settled in USD or credit card.

• Pre-trip ATM: Iquitos cash machines run dry after payday—withdraw in Lima if possible.

Sample Daily Rhythm on Most Cruises

Everything is optional; feel zero guilt swapping a dawn outing for terrace hammock time.

Cultural Encounters—Do’s and Don’ts

• Responsible Gifting: Skip candy or single-use plastic toys. If visiting a village school, bring Spanish-language picture books or sport equipment.

• Photography: Ask before snapping individual portraits; kids love seeing their image on your screen but respect hesitant adults.

• Buying Crafts: Look for seed jewelry or chambira-fiber baskets labelled “Fair Trade” or produced by the Minga Peru women’s cooperative.

90-to-7-day planning timeline

Wildlife watchlist (when & where to look)

FAQs (rapid-fire Q&A about Amazon Cruising)

Will I get seasick?
River boats are stable; most guests feel fine. Skiffs can bump—bring motion tabs if you’re sensitive.

Is there Wi-Fi?
Maybe, and it’s usually slow. Plan to be gloriously offline.

What about kids?
Many ships welcome children; look for itineraries with kayaks/SUPs and cabins that interconnect.

Can I charge devices?
Yes, but outlets are limited. Pack a small power strip and mind voltage/plug types.

What’s the dress code?
Functional by day, smart-casual at dinner on luxury vessels. No one will judge your jungle hair.

Smooth Exits & Flight Logistics

Most itineraries end late morning in Nauta, then shuttle 1.5 h to Iquitos airport for afternoon departures. LATAM and Sky Airline run 2–3 daily flights to Lima. Book a seat on the left side of the plane—Andes peaks in the distance make a killer farewell shot.

Buffer Time: Schedule at least a six-hour layover in Lima if connecting onward; Amazon weather delays are legendary.

Is a Cruise Right for You?

Choose yes if you:

• Crave comfort after dusty Inca-Trail trekking.
• Enjoy naturalist commentary and gourmet fusion plates.
• Don’t mind a fixed schedule and communal meals.

Consider a jungle lodge instead if you:

• Prefer full-day hikes over skiff rides.
• Are on a backpacker budget under US $150/day.
• Want to support community-run eco-projects on terra firma.

Is cruising the Amazon on your bucket list?