Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ small expedition ships, the Bremen and Hanseatic, can travel a particularly long way upstream according to the cruise line, giving their passengers a first-hand experience of the wonders of the Amazon both on board and during extensive Zodiac rides.

The shallow draught of these two ships enables them to travel the more than 4,000-kilometre-long passage from the mouth of the Amazon in Belem/Brazil to Iquitos/Peru and back.

A total of 12 robust Zodiacs (small motorized inflatable boats) can carry the 164 guests aboard the Bremen on numerous detours into the fascinating Amazonian environment. The slightly larger Hanseatic, with  184 passengers, has 14 zodiacs on hand to take guests exploring.

After Manaus, the Amazon narrows and flattens – but the ship’s shallow draughts allow both cruise ships to continue on to Iquitos.

Amazon expeditions with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises are extremely popular and operate all year round.

The two Bremen cruises for 2014 are already fully booked, however, the 2015 season will see both ships cruise the Amazon for the first time.

An example itinerary starts at $8,760 per person, on the Bremen, sailing 18 days from Peru to Brazil in April 2015.