Thoughts about the cruise on the Negro River aboard the Iberostar Grand Amazon, June 24-28, 2007
Robert and Jean Johnson
The cruise was everything we had hoped for, and more.
The Iberostar Grand Amazon, launched in 2005, was designed and built entirely in Brazil. This is a source of pride for those associated with the boat.
The ship is kept spotless, inside and out. Daily common sight was members of the maintenance crew shining, polishing, washing windows, and painting.
The trip began at the sidewalk where a member of the crew welcomed us by name at our taxi and explained about the crusie. Our bags were ported to the ship, where we were welcomed at check in with a delicious fruit drink.
Our air-conditioned cabin, with a king bed, was spotless, roomy, and well provisioned. A private balcony for every cabin was a particularly welcome feature.
All drinks and food (including the minibar in the cabin) are included in the price. The bar on the terrace was staffed throughout the day and into the evening. The bar in auditorium was staffed during meetings and entertainment.
At a meeting on the first night, a crew member explained matters of safety, outlined daily activities, and provided introductions of the crew—captain, guides, chef and matre d, medical officer, head of housekeeping, head of maintenance. The information was provided in Portuguese and English
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were buffet style, with several entrée choices. In addition, an ala carte menu listed additional choices from the kitchen (galley). A wide variety of cheeses and salads, plus daily home-made bread, guaranteed that nobody would go hungry.
The wine was excellent, as were the wide variety of other drinks available.
Morning and afternoon excursions, on 20-25 person boats powered by dual outboard engines.
The excursions were varied, including a trek through the forest, bird watching, flowers, and trees, and an evening alligator hunt. Piranha fishing was also offered.
Excursion boats sometimes stopped by homes along the river to watch preparation of manioc and purchase local crafts. The trek through the forest employed a local man as a guide.
Guides were friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and concerned about the environment. Guides learned our names. Guides were also talented in other ways, including music; they provided a band concert on the terrace one night. One guide provided concert with Brazilian flutes.
The crew was multilingual—Portuguese, English, French, German, and Spanish. Excursions were guided by English speakers and Portuguese speakers.
Approximately half of the guests were from Brazil. This percentage has been growing over the past several years. On our cruise were people from Brazil, Switzerland, Spain, the United States, and other nations.
Other observation
All the guides were male. On an Antarctica Cruise we took a few years ago, about half of the guides on the Zodiac boats were female. We suggest that the Iberostar Grand Amazonzon integrate more women in into its staff of guides.