Delfin Amazon Cruises Relaunches Delfin I With Renewed Focus on Purposeful Luxury
by Laura Ratliff
Photo: Delfin
In the evolving world of high-end expedition cruising, Delfin Amazon Cruises is doubling down on what’s always set it apart: authenticity, intimacy, and a deep-rooted connection to place.
This April, the Peruvian-owned company quietly relaunched its flagship vessel, Delfin I, after a three-month renovation, and the result is a boutique river cruise experience that feels both refreshed and resolutely true to its origins.
The four-suite vessel—two of which now feature private whirlpools—was already one of the most exclusive ships on the Amazon. Now, updated interiors, a redesigned observation lounge, and new solar panels bring the experience in line with the company’s sharpened brand promise: to offer elegant, low-impact travel crafted entirely by and for the region. Aesthetic updates draw from Shipibo art and Amazonian materials like Anacaspi wood, while ceilings are handwoven by local artisans. Every detail reinforces Delfin’s commitment to showcasing the culture and biodiversity of its home waters.
But this relaunch isn’t just about hardware. Delfin is using the occasion to unveil a wider brand evolution, complete with a new look, new storytelling voice, and a renewed focus on community, conservation, and culinary sustainability. “We don’t curate the wilderness. We listen to it,” said co-founder and creative director Lissy Urteaga, underscoring the brand’s shift from luxury as spectacle to luxury as connection.
That ethos extends to the onboard dining program, where Delfin’s chefs now serve a flexitarian, locally sourced menu highlighting Amazonian ingredients and supporting sustainable food systems, a nod to the brand’s Relais & Châteaux affiliation. There’s also a new collaboration with Peruvian designer Giuliana Macchiavello, whose capsule leisurewear line for Delfin supports craftswomen from river communities.
Trade partners will find an overhauled website and multilingual agent portal with real-time availability, enhanced visual content, and refreshed brand materials.
Rates for Delfin I start at $5,000 per person, including meals, excursions, and transfers from Iquitos. Itineraries run three or four nights through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
