South America Expedition Cruise Lines Compared

South America and the Galápagos Islands draw travellers seeking bucket-list wildlife encounters, remote island landscapes, and polar extremes. This comparison covers five cruise lines available on Gvoya for this region — GO Galápagos, Lindblad Expeditions, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), Silversea, and Ponant — drawing on a live inventory of 3843 in-stock departures across 18 operators, with sailings available every month of the year from embarkation ports including Quito, Baltra Airport, Ushuaia, and Lima. Itinerary lengths range from as short as 3 nights to as long as 65 nights, with 7 nights being the most common length and September the busiest departure month. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

GO Galápagos

GO Galápagos offers Galápagos-focused itineraries starting from $2000, with voyages from 4 nights. The line operates several vessels in the archipelago, including the Galapagos Legend (capacity: 100 guests) and the Coral I & Coral II (capacity: 56 guests each), allowing for a range of group sizes and cabin categories. Itinerary highlights include Santa Cruz Island, San Cristobal Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, Isabela Island, and Genovesa Island — key sites for encountering the region's iconic wildlife such as sea turtles, marine iguanas, and seabirds. The entry-level price point makes Galápagos cruising more accessible relative to other lines in this comparison, though all-in costs including flights, pre- and post-cruise accommodation, and park fees should be factored into the overall budget.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers seeking a dedicated Galápagos experience across a range of budgets, including those joining their first expedition cruise or those with limited time who prefer shorter itineraries from 4 nights.

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions offers South America and Galápagos sailings from $12000, with itineraries from 9 nights. The line operates three vessels in the region: the National Geographic Islander II (capacity: 48 guests), the National Geographic Endeavour II (capacity: 96 guests), and the National Geographic Gemini (capacity: 48 guests). The smaller-capacity ships are designed to access more remote landing sites and support a naturalist-led expedition style. Itinerary highlights span Galápagos island groups as well as broader South American routes. As with all expedition cruising in this region, travellers should account for the full-cost picture — including international flights and in-destination transfers — when assessing overall value.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers who prioritise a naturalist-focused, small-ship expedition experience and are comfortable with a higher starting investment for a more immersive programme.

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions)

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) offers South America sailings from $9000, with itineraries from 13 nights. The line operates the MS Santa Cruz II (capacity: 90 guests) in the region, a vessel well-established in Galápagos waters. Longer voyage lengths — from 13 nights — mean itineraries can cover a broader sweep of the archipelago or combine Galápagos with other South American highlights such as the Antarctic Peninsula or Puerto Williams. Travellers considering longer sailings should weigh the full all-inclusive cost, including any physical requirements for shore excursions and Zodiac landings that are typical of expedition-style itineraries.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers who prefer longer, more comprehensive itineraries and an expedition approach, and who are comfortable with moderate physical activity during shore excursions.

Silversea

Silversea offers South America and Galápagos sailings from $11000, with itineraries from 6 nights. The line is known for an all-inclusive luxury approach, where onboard amenities, dining, and in many cases shore excursions are bundled into the fare — a factor worth considering when comparing headline prices across lines. Itinerary highlights in this region include Galápagos island groups and broader South American routes. The 6-night minimum makes it one of the shorter entry points among the premium lines in this comparison, which may appeal to travellers with tighter schedules.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers who prioritise a luxury, all-inclusive onboard experience and prefer a shorter minimum itinerary length within a premium expedition setting.

Ponant

Ponant offers South America sailings from $7000, with itineraries from 19 nights. The longer minimum voyage length reflects Ponant's tendency toward grand, destination-rich itineraries that may combine multiple South American regions — such as the Galápagos, the Chilean fjords, or the Antarctic Peninsula — within a single sailing. Embarkation ports such as Ushuaia and Lima feature in the line's South American programme. Travellers should consider the physical and logistical commitment of a 19-night voyage, as well as the full all-in cost including international travel, when planning.

Best fit: Well-suited for travellers seeking extended, multi-destination South American voyages and who prefer a French-influenced expedition style with longer time at sea.

South America and the Galápagos offer some of the most distinctive expedition cruising available anywhere, with 3843 in-stock departures across 18 cruise lines and sailings available every month of the year. The five lines compared here — GO Galápagos, Lindblad Expeditions, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), Silversea, and Ponant — differ meaningfully in starting price (from $2000 to $12000), minimum itinerary length (from 4 nights to 19 nights), ship size, and onboard style. No single line suits every traveller: the right choice depends on budget, preferred voyage length, desired level of onboard luxury, and appetite for physical activity during shore excursions. Comparing the full all-in cost — including flights, transfers, and any included excursions — is recommended before drawing conclusions from headline fares alone. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking.

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Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-09-08.

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