Delfin 3 Amazon

The Peru-based Delfin Amazon Cruises is a boutique houseboat cruise operator that owns and operates two Amazon-deployed riverboats—Delfin III (built 2015) and Delfin II (built 2009). These sisterships share a similar design, including exterior styling, interior layout, onboard amenities, services, and stateroom categories. Delfin III, being newer, offers slightly higher passenger capacity.

Both vessels operate itineraries along tributaries of the Amazon River Basin in Peru and are designed with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows for unobstructed rainforest views.

The Delfin fleet is fully owned by Delfin Amazon Cruises, a Peruvian company founded in 2006 by Aldo Macchiavello and his wife, Lissy Urteaga. Aldo manages the company, while Lissy—an interior designer—oversees the ships' interior décor, daily activity planning, and long-term dining concepts in collaboration with the onboard Master Chef.

Internationally, Delfin III is represented and chartered by Avalon Waterways—one of the world's largest river cruise companies. Other charterers include Lindblad Expeditions (partnered with National Geographic) and Abercrombie & Kent (A&K Travel), a UK-based luxury travel brand.

The Lindblad–NatGeo partnership offers guests expedition-style, small-ship cruises focused on exploration. All voyages feature custom itineraries and are led by expert guides, with excursions themed around local history, culture, and wildlife.

Delfin III accommodates up to 44 passengers and 30 crew. The ship has three decks (two with accommodations) and 22 staterooms across four suite categories. Each suite features floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. Public areas include a lounge, plunge pool, spa, gym, and an open-seating dining room.

Standard complimentary amenities and services aboard Delfin III include:

• Non-smoking interiors (cabins and public areas)
• English-speaking Cruise Director and crew; multilingual onboard naturalists
• Bar serving premium spirits
• Multimedia presentations (natural history and nature-themed lectures)
• Onboard cultural performances (traditional music and dance), educational talks, and cooking classes
• Full air-conditioning throughout
• Outdoor viewing deck and open-seating indoor restaurant
• Air-conditioned lounge with nightly live entertainment
• Gym and Rainforest Spa with treatment rooms
• Bar Lounge with indoor/outdoor seating
• Complimentary beverages (coffee, tea, mineral water, soda, local beers, cocktails, free-flow house wine during dinners)
• Outdoor Sundeck with shaded seating, premium loungers, and plunge pool
• Land tours and shore excursions
• Excursion boats with cold towel service, fresh fruit, and refreshments

As both Delfin II and Delfin III operate exclusively in the Upper Peruvian Amazon, Internet service is not available onboard. Cell phone reception is limited to select points along the route. A satellite phone is available for incoming and outgoing calls, billed per minute. Rain gear is provided.

Each ship is equipped with 10-person skiffs for excursions. Passengers can swim directly from the skiffs using a swim ladder. Delfin II and Delfin III are the only Amazon cruise ships in Peru with their own kayak fleets. All cruises are accompanied by certified wildlife experts.

Lindblad–NatGeo Amazon cruisetour itineraries

Beginning in January 2026, the sisterships Delfin II and Delfin III offer two expedition itineraries through a Lindblad–NatGeo charter:

6-day "Upper Amazon River Expedition" – This journey explores Peru’s rainforest, navigating the waterways of the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Led by expert naturalists, guests visit ribereños (Amazonian river communities) and enjoy guided wildlife encounters (e.g., pink river dolphins, monk saki monkeys), plus photography sessions with Nat Geo-certified instructors.

10-day "Wild Peru Escape: Amazon and Machu Picchu" – Combines the 6-day Upper Amazon expedition with land tours to Peru’s UNESCO sites, including two days at Machu Picchu and visits to Lima and Cusco.

The sample itinerary below details an 8-day / 7-night Upper Amazon River cruise on Delfin II, with roundtrip travel from Lima and embarkation in Iquitos. Prices start at approximately USD 7700 per person (double occupancy):

These Amazon cruise packages include two domestic flights (to/from Lima) and two bus transfers (to/from the ship in Iquitos).

Note: For a complete list of river cruise ships and riverboats, visit the "itinerary" section of CruiseMapper’s River Cruises hub. All cruise companies and their fleets are listed there.