Seabourn Cruise Line has been forced to modify the itinerary of its upcoming “Wild Guianas to the Amazon Basin” voyage, as extreme drought conditions in the Amazon River have affected sailing routes.
The cruise, on the ship Seabourn Venture, will no longer end in Manaus, Brazil, as originally planned, but will now disembark in Belem, Brazil, due to insufficient water levels in the river.
In a communication sent to guests just three days before departure, the luxury cruise line explained that the decision followed an assessment of the river’s navigational conditions.
The unprecedented drought has made it impossible for the ship to safely reach Manaus, a key point in the original itinerary.
Guests who arranged their flights and post-cruise accommodation through Seabourn will have their bookings adjusted to reflect the new disembarkation point in Belem.
Those who made independent travel arrangements will need to revise their plans but will be reimbursed for any reasonable additional costs.
The 14-day cruise departed from Bridgetown, Barbados, on 7th October 2024. It will include stops in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Devil’s Island, French Guiana, before arriving at Macapa, Brazil, on 14th October. The voyage will then continue along the Amazon River, with stops in Santarem and Parintins.
The revised itinerary still offers four full days of Amazon exploration between 16th and 19th October 2024.
Activities, including Zodiac and kayak excursions, will be led by the ship’s expedition team, offering passengers opportunities to explore the river’s wildlife, communities, and remote landscapes.
The original plan allowed for two Amazon exploration days, followed by a visit to Parintins and disembarkation in Manaus.
Seabourn Venture, which entered service in 2022, is designed specifically for expedition cruises, and its onboard programmes include guided tours into the heart of the Amazon.
Despite the changes, Seabourn has reassured passengers that the voyage will still offer a deep exploration of the river and its tributaries. Depending on conditions, there may even be a nighttime expedition by Zodiac.
As compensation for the disruption, the company is providing guests with a $1,000 onboard credit per suite.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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