I think it’s just that there’s nothing left of you after 3 nights of piranhas and mosquitos.

There’s always Tarzan, right?

Have you done cruise through Panama Canal, I havent but have wanted too. IIRC KSWL said that was her daughter's plan for her 'planned elopement'. Do you remember that?

Tarzan was supposed to be in Africa, I think, but they may have made Tarzan movies in South America as well.

I do remember that! Still miss KSWL --- does anyone know anything about her?

I have a friend who travels to Panama a lot on business, TBH she does not really recommend it as a tourist destination. I view going thru the Panama Canal as an engineering curiosity, and going thru the Amazon as a wildlife mecca, so totally different to me?

The more I research, a lodge may do just as a well, esp as a replacement for a short cruise.

I have never done an Amazon River cruise. However, I have traveled many times to Ecuador and once to Peru. I would suggest Ecuador as my first choice. First they use the US dollar as their currency, second it feels and statistically is safer than Peru. Lastly it is one of the most diverse ecologically places on earth. There are more species of butterflies and frogs than anywhere else.

I think a lodge would be wonderful. A cruise is only going to give you a taste where a lodge will allow you to explore. I have also been to Venezuela and Panama a long time ago and to me nothing beats being able to go from the Andes to the jungle in a couple of hours as I have done in Ecuador.

If going into the Amazon research which shots you will need. Yellow Fever is still a real concern as is Malaria and other mosquito driven illnesses.

Keep us informed, this sounds like a wonderful trip.

I saw the title of this thread and thought, "Is there anything Amazon doesn't sell?! Now a travel site, too?".

My mom did, probably about 20 years ago, plus or minus. My recollections of the trip was that it wasn't a large boat (maybe a dozen passengers?) and I think she was the only female passenger. But she did have a memorable (in a good way) time.

A friend did a short Amazon cruise, 3 days I think. It was on a tour along with Machu Picchu. The tour was through National Geographic. She enjoyed it. Looking at the photos I was disappointed, it all looked the same. An Amazon cruise had been on my must do list. While I will not rule it out, after seeing the photos I am unlikely to make a trip specifically to take the Amazon cruise.

TBH I thought the Galapagos was a bit of a letdown too. Generally, seeing wildlife is a lot harder than the brochures make it look. You need time, perseverance and luck.

From what i have read, the Pantanal in better for wildlife. Still investigating.

Thx everyone

I am surprised that you were disappointed with the wildlife in the Galapagos, mntnrd. That really is too bad. Were you on a cruise there? When we did our one week cruise several years ago we were amazed at the wide variety of wildlife that we saw, and how it so vastly differed on each island we visited. It was the only place I ever visited that made me look like a "good" photographer, because all of the wildlife was so close and unafraid that the animals didn't move when I came up close for a photo op.

I don't know anyone who did an Amazon cruise, but I do know someone who took an Amazon adventure trip (kayaking and the like). She loved it, but I was a little put off by all the pre-trip vaccines she had to get.

@llitm, I love your take on the title! Gave me a good laugh this morning.

I visited the Amazon in the 1980s at Leticia, Colombia. We went off on small boats for the day. It was a great experience, but there wasn't much to see.

My inlaws fairly recently did but I don't seem to have the itinerary in my email. I'll ask them about it.

Oh they only researched it. My FIL said his preferred itinerary would include Manaus which is a big (2m+), very isolated city. He found there were many options from very small to large luxury operators. He said if he were to undertake it that he would find a travel agent who was very experienced in the area because he couldn’t pick a clear “winner.”

On a personal note, I always have a lot better “luck” spotting wildlife when accompanied by an experienced field biologist !

Thank you so much for following up on that for me, Robo! I appreciate it. Manaus does sound interesting I agree, but when I google it autofills with a lot of headlines about safety (lack of).

I find the same problem I have had before. Whenever you research a location, it is foregone conclusion you are going. It is hard to find an article recommending against going somewhere; there is apparently no money in writing that.

Hmmmm. How adventurous are you...would you SWIM in the Amazon?

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=598775