That's when Scarlett began investigating the Amazon, where he found leisure cruise operators were, more or less, sailing up the middle of the river and stopping at major ports, turning around at Manaus, about halfway up the river. And we've got to know a lot of people on the river. Not only do we do business with them, we bring medications, fix their generators or outboard motors, we bring in school supplies so they can open up their schools. Passengers use the Explorer as a base to explore all facets of the Amazon. On a typical day, clients get a wake-up call about 5.30am, gather their binoculars, cameras, hats and sunscreen and board one of 11 rubber Zodiacs, designed to take 18 passengers, but here holding up to 10.
Excursions take place early in the morning or at dusk when animals are more active.
A naturalist is in each Zodiac, and each boat will have its own flavor depending on the naturalist's special interest. The parties travel apart but are in radio contact, so that word can spread of any spectacular sighting. During the heat of day, passengers return to the ship, for lunch, to sit by pool, nap, or participate in lectures. In the evening, it's cocktails, de-briefing and a film. Sometimes there are night safaris, under spotlight.