Sunday, July 13, 2025
On Earth, there is a place where time appears to stand still. Where icebergs cleave from glaciers and tumble into the frigid waters below. Welcome to the heart of your unforgettable Australis cruise experience, one of the world’s last frontiers… Patagonia.
Australis Cruises provides a unique opportunity to explore the stunning southern fjords of Patagonia, traversing the same wild byways navigated by early explorers centuries before. Guests can explore this pristine part of the world on a selection of intimate, small-ship cruises on Ventus and Stella.
Sailing four nights between Punta Arenas in Chile and Ushuaia in Argentina, these journeys offer a flight into the wild, unspoiled corners of the continent where nature is the star.
A Unique Connection with Patagonia
Patagonia is one of those places where silence means something – it’s all so much more than just impressive scenery. There are no distractions here — no Wi-Fi, no cellphone service, no world outside to break the beauty around you. And with the cruise signal allowing only crew members access the internet, no one remembers tweet to any one as they all live in the moment.
For a traveler it’s as if you’ve gone to another world. With finicky weather and tides, the group has only half a day’s itinerary and allows spontaneity to dictate. Whether on a nature cruise or hiking in the untouched wilderness, the journey is a real escape.
Small-Ship Adventures: Intimate and Immersive
Unlike big cruise ships, Australis’ small vessels are able to go places that big ships can’t. These are intimate expeditions, for the journey, not the destination. Over nine days on the roundtrip I saw just five boats, two yachts and the other sister ship. Most excursions are made in Zodiacs, which bring guests up close to glaciers, seabirds, sea lions, and penguins. They are passionate, knowledgable crew who bring you into the wonder of this unforgiving land on each trip.
Zodiac outings are an adventure in and of themselves. They are bundled in layers, with With each ride, you’ll get up close and personal with the raw beauty of Patagonia — something a bigger ship just can’t match. The sensation of steering through uncharted waters with massive cliffs and distant glaciers all around is surreal.
Cape Horn: A Bucket List Ticking Destination if Ever There was One
Cape Horn is a destination as legendary as any on this journey. For me, and others, reaching this infamous spot at the edge of the earth is the pie’ce de resistance of life list experiences. Cape Horn, notorious for savage weather and shipwrecks, is the northern limit of the Drake Passage. The sailors risk the unpredictable conditions to take passengers to dry land.
When the weather is good, visitors ascend the 200 steps to a monument and lighthouse above. On both tours I met the family of the lightkeeper, who brings me watercolor paintings and other souvenirs for sale. But then, as weather turned bad, the captain would give the signal to return to the ship. In the wet, cold and in some places very muddy conditions, the deprivation brought fellowship among the passengers.
Living in the Moment in Patagonia
Once back onboard, the Darwin Lounge is a refuge for conversation and relaxation. While guests swap stories about their adventures, a free bar serves a selection of cocktails and blended drinks. No one checks their watch; no one has to. Time doesn’t matter much here, and when you are really living in the now.
On such itineraries, the pace of life slows, facilitating not just a more meaningful time getting to know fellow travelers, but also the places visited. Be it swapping stories over a drink or quietly watching a whale rise to the surface in the distance, the vibe here promotes a feeling of calm and introspection.
A Journey Beyond the Ordinary
Australis Cruises:Not just a Patagonia trip, but a step back from the hectic rhythm of everyday life to make friends with nature. From calvings of icebergs to encounters at close quarters with wildlife, it is an experience of a lifetime that remains with you long after you return from the adventure.
There’s an adventure, and then there’s off-the-beaten-path adventure So for all those in search of a leviathan of a journey – one that is altogether standing in a category of its own – look no further than Patagonia aboard Australis Cruises.
