Are there any cruises to South America that depart from the United States?

We just did a South America Cruise a few months ago. And when I was searching for cruises I found that YES, there are some cruises that depart from the US going to South America, BUT they are not round trip. SO you have to fly back, which is almost as expensive as flying round trip.
Here’s one that leaves from San Diego, CA: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000nAYG8jBVExSnU51lC0lTZfZ:12hdhu6tq?packageCode=RD15F012&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&state=

Here’s one that leaves from Ft Lauderdale, Fl: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000nAYG8jBVExSnU51lC0lTZfZ:12hdhu6tq?packageCode=RD14F014&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&state=

Here’s one that leaves from Port Canaveral, Fl: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000nAYG8jBVExSnU51lC0lTZfZ:12hdhu6tq?packageCode=MA15F009&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&state=

Here’s another leaving from Ft Lauderdale: http://www.celebritycruises.com/search/vacationItinerary.do;jsessionid=0000PH9pquehZ0ZIxjmznSTcPky:12hdebebp?packageCode=IN14F017&backPageName=Itinerary+Search+Results

There are some cruises that go both ways, i.e., return to the US from South America. But that would be as expensive as flying round trip AND take twice as long to get back.

Then there is another BIG expense in cruises to South America, in addition to the fact that they are for the most part 12 to 14 days, and so cost more. There are hefty VISA fees for both Chile and Brazil. The VISA fee for Chile for US citizens is $ 130. per person, payable on arrival at the airport. For two people it will be about $ 260.

The VISA fee for Brazil is $ 140. per person for US citizens but you MUST apply no sooner than 90 days before your planned entry date and there are some strict requirements for applying like the application for each person MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and include a US Postal Service money order, and include a postage paid Express mail return envelope. So the total cost for two people for Brazil VISA’s will be about $ 350 if you do it yourself, and more if you have a VISA service do it.

So you need to also factor these fees into the cost of your South America cruise also.