There are many reasons to take a South America cruise<\/a>, from ports rich in culture to shore excursions that immerse you into each destination. Many places offer experiences like these though, so what is it about this continent that deserves a top spot on your travel wish list? Here\u2019s why a South America cruise is a unique experience:<\/p>\n<\/div> When you join us on an unforgettable journey to South America, you open yourself up to visiting breathtaking World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. Designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves are part of an esteemed collection representing the best of human heritage and the natural world. These sites and wonders are recognized for having outstanding universal value to humanity, and a South America cruise delights guests with the opportunity to explore 16 of them.<\/p>\n Imagine walking the steps of Machu Picchu<\/a> (pictured above). You\u2019ll be captivated by this ancient citadel, with its steep terraces, intricate stone construction and natural grandeur. Are you a wanderluster for natural wonders? Picture yourself at Iguaz\u00fa Falls, with its misty waterfalls, emerald-green rainforests and ever-present rainbows. The enchanting list goes on and on.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> There are many sights to behold on a Holland America Line cruise to South America. You may find yourself marveling at tumbling blue glaciers. Marine wildlife will likely make you smile as they splash around and play with each other. Prepare to be in awe as you sail along the Chilean Fjords<\/a> with remote mountains and surrounding ice fields contributing to its natural beauty. If the wanderlust in you craves extra time on board, you\u2019ll want to consider the South America & Antarctica cruise itineraries. This will have you cruising the bays, islands and inlets of the \u201cWhite Continent,\u201d where you\u2019ll bask in the beauty of towering icebergs and untouched landscapes. Plus, there are the penguins in Antarctica<\/a>. Let\u2019s say that again: penguins!<\/p>\n A Holland America Line cruise gives you the opportunity to both see the world from your doorstep and immerse yourself in amazing destinations throughout the journey. What does that mean when exploring South America? Swim with sea lions on a shore excursion<\/a>. Discover the unique sights, sounds and experiences in ports and capitals. Enhance your ultimate vacation with an overland adventure in the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands, journeying to a land lost in time with giant Gal\u00e1pagos tortoises. You could also venture nearly 8,000 feet above sea level and spend extra days in Cusco \u2013 the former capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to Machu Picchu \u2013 on an overland adventure. Another way you can find delight in destinations is by diving into authentic cultural experiences. Visit an indigenous Ember\u00e1 tribe. Meet a real Chilean huaso <\/em>(a.k.a. cowboy). Learn to craft a traditional Panama hat, or enjoy an intimate dinner at an Argentine \u201cclosed-door restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Your taste buds will delight in the cruise dining<\/a> experience, where our cuisine goes beyond the plate. With native fresh fish and ingredients sourced directly from those who know them best, our\u00a0destination dining tells the story of each region through unique flavors. Peruvian ceviche <\/em>or\u00a0Patagonian toothfish, anyone? Yum! And if you\u2019re looking for even more authentic tastes of the region, you\u2019ll want to check out some of the shore excursions with delicious culinary tours. Just imagine sampling Peruvian pisco<\/em>, Argentine asados <\/em>(roast meats), Uruguayan olive oil and other tasty tidbits.<\/p>\n Our perfectly sized ships are your home away from home. We\u2019re dedicated to providing gracious, genuine and warmly attentive onboard service. That means experiencing the grandeur of cruising with the personal care and connection that make anyplace feel like home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Are you packing yet? Which unique experience has you ready to sail the seas to South America<\/a>? Check out our YouTube video<\/a> and share what excites you most in the comments below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1984,"featured_media":72194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,31],"tags":[4249],"class_list":["post-72193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-inspiration","category-where-to-travel","tag-south-america"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1984"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72193"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72211,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72193\/revisions\/72211"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/iguazu-falls-south-america-cruise.webp\" "\\"Iguazu")
<\/span><\/div>Soak up the beauty of Iguaz\u00fa Falls.<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Spectacular Scenery<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Immersive Experiences<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Penguins](\"https:\/\/www.hollandamerica.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/penguins-antarctica-cruise-holland-america-line.webp\" "\\"Antarctica")
<\/span><\/div>Enjoy the views of penguins as they rest on Antarctica’s icy-blue landscape.<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Fresh Regional Cuisine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Award-Winning, Personalized Service<\/strong><\/h3>\n