South America cruises serve a wide range of fascinating destinations and cultures. On a South America cruise, you could see lush rain forests, towering waterfalls, brightly feathered macaws, snowcapped mountains, fiords or penguin colonies. On a South America cruise, you could explore such glittering places as Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, and learn of lost cities, ancient civilizations and time-honored customs. Most South American cruises are purchased in shorter segments, from 7 to 15 days. The most popular South America cruise includes ports along the east coast and a segment down the Amazon River to Manaus, Brazil.