Brazil is a vast country, and a cruise is a fantastic way to make the most of your visit, whether it's an ocean voyage skirting the coast or a river cruise along the mighty Amazon. The capital, Rio de Janeiro, is renowned for its raucous carnival and the iconic views of Christ the Redeemer, but there are plenty of other coastal cities with a lot to offer, such as Salvador de Bahía, with its fascinating Afro-Brazilian culture, or the pristine beaches of Fortaleza. Brazil also offers superb opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts, from the Amazon rainforest to the wetlands of the Pantanal.

Argentina stretches from the dramatic Iguazu Falls, straddling the north eastern border with Brazil, all the way down to the wild and desolate landscapes of Patagonia in the south, where ancient ice fields sit atop the jagged peaks of the Andes. The capital, Buenos Aires, is an intoxicating, cosmopolitan place, while the Mendoza wine region is a must-visit for oenophiles. Many Argentina cruise itineraries also visit the Falkland Islands, home to penguins, seals and contentious territorial claims.

Itineraries can range from 10 night journeys between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, often timed to coincide with carnival in February or March, to much longer journeys around South America during the best of the weather between October and March.