cape horn cruise reviews

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Cruises through Cape Horn, Chile (Cruising)

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Cape Horn Cruising Guide

Experience what it’s like to journey to the end of the world as you cruise past Cape Horn. Located on the southernmost tip of South America in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, Cape Horn is the place where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. For centuries, adventurous explorers and daring sailors, including Ferdinand Magellan and Charles Darwin, navigated its famous choppy waters on their way from Europe to the East.

With the creation of the Panama Canal, the lengthy route was no longer a necessity. Instead, visitors flock to Cape Horn on a South America cruise to witness its stunning natural beauty and endemic wildlife. Discover this remote area of the world while on a cruise that sails around South America’s breathtaking Patagonia and marvel at snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes, towering glaciers, and unrivaled landscapes during an unforgettable journey to one of the far corners of the planet.

Things to Do During a Cape Horn Cruise

See where two oceans meet.

When you sail to Cape Horn, you get to visit the exact spot where the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean meet. Due to patterns of water currents, this mingling between the oceans can create rocky waves at certain times of the year and surprisingly calm waters at other times.

Look for Whales

When you cruise around Cape Horn, you’ll be sailing around one of the best places to view sea mammals, including sea lions, penguins, and whales. In the Patagonia region, you can expect to see a few different kinds of whales in the water, like orcas, humpback, and blue whales. Bring your camera along and snap photos of these majestic animals as they swim with their calves, feed in groups, and perform riveting breaching displays in the water.

Spot Penguins

Another animal you can’t miss seeing during a cruise around Cape Horn is the Magellanic penguin. Named after Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, these penguins are some of the largest of their kind and typically have two black stripes running down their stomachs. Over one million Magellanic penguins live in Patagonia, making it more than likely that you’ll see some of these flightless birds during your journey.

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Culture & history of cape horn.

Cape Horn is named after the city of Hoorn, the birthplace of explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten, who was the first man to sail through Cape Horn in 1616. During the ensuing centuries, the passageway became a popular shipping route, since it was the only way ships were able to travel from Europe to the Far East and back, until the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. Cape Horn was once considered one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the world, and it is believed that over 10,000 seafarers lost their lives attempting to cross it. The Cape Horn Monument shaped like an albatross on Isla Hornos is dedicated to those who lost their lives off the coast of Cape Horn. 

Find Cruises to Chile's Cape Horn (Cruising) Port

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Notorious for welcoming guests with strong gusts of wind, icebergs, and rocky waters, Cape Horn's dark black cliff (known as the "Horn") has enchanted travelers since the 1600s. This alluring cape just south of Tierra del Fuego once served as the gateway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Before the Panama Canal was built in 1914, sailors had to brace themselves for a long journey around South America. On his voyage in 1892, Charles Darwin wrote, "On our weather-bow this notorious promontory in its proper form—veiled in a mist, and its dim outline surrounded by a storm of wind and water." Today, Cape Horn's grandeur still draws daring explorers from across the globe.

Most travelers agree that embarking on a cruise to this natural wonder is an extraordinary experience. One TripAdvisor user raves, "Rounding Cape Horn was almost a spiritual event, as this is the southernmost land mass north of Antarctica." However, previous visitors warn that the wind and seas can be brutal: Be sure to hold on to your hat as you pass Cape Horn’s windy perch.

The best way to view Cape Horn is by sea. Victory Cruises offers four-night excursions that round Cape Horn and sail through Drake Passage (the waterway that leads to Antarctica) starting at $1,120 USD per passenger. If you would prefer to admire Cape Horn from the air, Aerovías DAP offers daily one-hour flights from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams, which is located just north of Cape Horn. To learn more about how to navigate between Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, consult our guide to Getting Around Chilean Patagonia .

Popular Tours

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More Best Things To Do in Chilean Patagonia

#1 Southern Chilean Patagonia

Occupying the southernmost area of the country, Southern Chilean Patagonia (SCP) draws visitors looking to admire the breathtaking landscape. Most visitors flock to Chile's southernmost province—also known as Magallanes (named after 16th-century conquistador Ferdinand Magellan)—to admire Patagonia's breathtaking landscape. From Magallanes' capital city, Punta Arenas , you can journey to Torres del Paine to admire its striking jagged peaks or head to Isla Magdalena to snap photos of thousands of Magellanic penguins scurrying along the shoreline.

Southern Chilean Patagonia is beyond secluded—separated by the Strait of Magellan and two soaring ice caps—but that only adds to its mystique as the gateway to Antarctica. The best way to reach Southern Chilean Patagonia is by plane from Santiago to Punta Arenas. It's also easy to access this region from Southern Argentine Patagonia . Cancha Carrera is a popular border-crossing, located between Torres del Paine and El Calafate (Argentina). Just be sure to acquire a visa before crossing; you can do so at an Argentine consulate in Santiago or before leaving home. For further details on how to navigate Southern Chilean Patagonia, consult our guide to Getting Around Chilean Patagonia .

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Cruise to Cape Horn (Cruising), Chile

Cape horn (cruising) shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in cape horn (cruising).

Take in Chile's Southernmost View

Enjoy the ride past Hornos Island, then marvel at the rugged coastlines that define this isolated idyll. Get the "money shot" as the captain signifies you're passing Cape Horn itself, and zoom in on the Chilean Naval Station, a humble wooden structure that's home to a picturesque lighthouse. Cruising amid these isolated straits definitely makes you feel like you're at the end of the world!

Set Your Sights on Local Wildlife

Speaking of birds, you can also see rockhopper penguins when you look down on Hornos Island's beaches, and you may see an albatross when you look up. Search for humpback whales when you look down off the dock, ideally during lulls when the water is not so rough. Then, try to spot sea lions lazing on the rocks — their mousy color often camouflages them — or consider bringing binoculars if you hope to be able to see king crabs from afar. Searching for wildlife is one of the best things to do in Cape Horn, Chile.

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Scenic Cruising Cape Horn

It may be the most notorious ocean passage in the world, and for centuries it evoked dread in the hearts of sailors. But those who survived a trip around Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific slosh violently into each other, had bragging rights for life. Along this passage, the Tierra del Fuego, or "land of fire," where Chile and Argentina converge at the bottom of the world, got its name from early sailors who saw the fires of the people who lived here burning on shore. For some 8,000 years, until as recently as the end of the 19th century, this was the home of the Yaghan and other indigenous groups. 

Magellan and Drake left their mark and names here, as did Darwin, who sailed through here on the HMS Beagle . The great clipper ships of '49er lore later fought their way through fierce waves carrying gold between California and the East Coast in that era before the Panama Canal. Just as Richard Henry Dana, Jr., described in his masterful  Two Years Before the Mast , published in 1840, a journey today around the Cape at the very bottom of the Tierra is shaped by capricious weather, as powerful winds and shallow waters can produce waves that reach as high as 30 meters (100 feet).

Chilean Fjords & Cape Horn

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• Visit the tip of South America, Cape Horn
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Full Itinerary

Day 1: santiago | valparaíso, chile | embark, day 2: at sea.

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Puerto Montt

Day 4: castro, day 5: at sea, day 6-8: inner fjords.

• 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Day 9: Punta Arenas

Day 10-11: chilean fjords.

• 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Day 12: Cape Horn

Day 13: disembark in ushuaia | fly to buenos aires.

• 1 Breakfast

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STRAIT OF MAGELLAN CRUISE (WITH CAPE HORN)

I always wanted to go on a Strait of Magellan cruise, but after reading “ Over the Edge of the World ” by Laurence Bergreen, I became obsessed with these magical places described.

The book tells the riveting story of Ferdinand Magellan’s 43,000-mile (69,800 kilometers) circumnavigation of the earth as he searched for the riches of the Spice Islands.

Magellan’s voyage was incredibly dangerous. Only 1 ship out of the original 5 returned and only 18 sailors from the original 270 lived to tell the tale. Who would have signed up for this voyage if they had known they only had a 6.6% chance of survival!

Along the way, the voyage suffered several mutinies, hurricanes, hunger, unfriendly natives, turbulent sea conditions and more. Magellan himself was killed by natives in the Philippines as he tried to “convert” them to Christianity.

The book also describes some of the most spectacular scenery in this, the southern tip of South America where the waters of the South Atlantic and the South Pacific meet.

The flora, fauna and native populations were meticulously recorded by the ship’s chronicler, the Italian, Antonio Pigafetta, one of the few who survived the voyage.

I wanted to see what these sailors saw and to imagine what it was like to sail the turbulent waters of the Strait of Magellan in their wooden 16th century ships.  Be careful what you wish for!

HOW TO GO ON A STRAIT OF MAGELLAN CRUISE

The Strait of Magellan is also called the Straits of Magellan as well as the Magellan Strait. The starting point for those wanting to experience a Strait of Magellan cruise is the town of Punta Arenas.

Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, is an unlikely mixture of faded European gilded-age splendor, wild-western U.S.  frontier town, immigrant melting pot, and modern-day adventure expedition kick-off point.

The town was once a mandatory stop-off point for ships traveling to and from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Ships docked to load and unload cargo and passengers, and the town prospered.

In 1914 the opening of the Panama Canal cut transit time between the oceans by 8,000 miles, and Punta Arena’s fortunes declined.

Nevertheless, there are still many traces of past grandeur evident in the city’s buildings, parks, and cemeteries.

The local cemetery is an especially interesting repository of Punta Arena history. It has been ranked as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world , certainly among the most dramatic cemeteries in Latin America . 

In 2012 this delicately landscaped necropolis was designated a National Monument of Chile.

The official name of the local cemetery is the Cementerio Municipal de Punta Arenas Sara Braun. Sara Braun, who donated the land for the cemetery, was a Latvian immigrant who traveled to Punta Arenas in the early 1900s.

She eventually became the richest woman in Patagonia through shrewd investments and advantageous marriages.

Apparently, Ms. Braun was as eccentric as she was rich because before her death she dictated that the main doors of the cemetery be locked forever. To this day the only entrance to the cemetery is through the side door.

Another legend has it that the tomb of a native from the local Onas tribe produces miracles. The tomb is constantly covered in flowers and coins donated by local inhabitants in gratitude for the native’s miraculous interventions.

Many travelers come to Punta Arenas to board a  Strait of Magellan cruise. The ships also traverse the turbulent waters of the Beagle Channel and other waterways of Tierra del Fuego. 

It was in this little town of eclectic architecture and improbable legends that we boarded the Ventus Australius for a 4-night Strait of Magellan cruise.

This are the same waterways explored by Ferdinand Magellan as he circumnavigated the globe and Charles Darwin as he researched the region on his ship, The Beagle.

Australis is an expedition cruise company with a focus on exploring the area of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego commonly referred to as the “end of the world.”

These are the unspoiled channels and waterways at the very tip of the South American continent.

The ship caters to smaller groups, 200 is the maximum number of passengers. It sails between Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia , Argentina, the “town at the end of the world.”

The ship’s accommodations are ample and offer comfortable cabins with ocean views. The meals are tasty and varied and like any good South American cruise ship, the wine flows. But the real highlights are the shore excursions.

All shore excursions require passengers to suit up – mostly in the early morning when the wildlife is most active. The safety gear is mandatory as is the safety and sustainability talk to ensure we leave nothing but footprints in the pristine environment.

Passengers take off on Zodiacs, weather permitting, and are taken to several stops on the itinerary, some including short hikes.

One of the stops is a colony of Magellan Penguins you can only view from the Zodiacs in order not to disturb the colony. If this is your first time in the area, a visit to these penguin colonies will certainly be a highlight of the cruise.

If you are lucky, your Zodiac will be accompanied by dolphins swimming alongside you as you speed over the frigid waters of these southern oceans. You might also see sea lions and elephant seals lounging on outcrops.

Where to stay in Punta Arenas before your cruise.

The first Strait of Magellan cruise land excursion takes place in a primeval forest with lush foliage that has been in the area for millennia.

Along the way, you sail through the stretch of the Beagle Channel known as Glacier Alley with towering glaciers on both sides. This area forms part of the Chilean fjords in southern Patagonia.

It’s fascinating to see the massive glaciers tumbling to the edge of the water.  This entire region is famous for its glaciers, among them the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier in the adjacent country of Argentina.

One of the highlights on our Strait of Magellan cruise would have to be a shore excursion to the majestic Pia Glacier. Passengers can hike around the Pia Glacier area right at the base of the glacier.

Want to feel tiny and insignificant amidst the spectacular grandeur of earth’s natural marvels?  Then stand next to a glacier and look up.

The captain warned on several occasions that although the ship was not built to sail in ocean waters, we would have to sail on the ocean for a short time and that the waters would be turbulent. 

Up until then, we had felt barely a ripple on the ship. The night we ventured into the ocean near Cape Horn the ship tossed and lurched to the point that one had to hold on to railings in order to stabilize.

The waters were so turbulent that we were not allowed to disembark on Cape Horn. However, we were able to navigate around this landmark.

I could not help but imagine how if we, in our modern sturdy ship with a professional crew, were lurching in the turbulent waters how it must have been for the crews of the early explorers on the Magellan ship.

Why not combine a cruise through the Strait of Magellan with other South American destinations? Below are some posts to get you on your way. 

Don’t forget to read up on this fascinating place before you go.

Would you like to go on a Strait of Magellan cruise?  Let us know your thoughts.

Updated July 2023.

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Cape Horn/Drake Passage... How rough is it?

By terigo , December 21, 2010 in Holland America Line

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Trying to find an itinerary that is totally new for us.

One thing DH and I have never done is go around Cape Horn.... I've been fearful of how rough the waters will be.

Until DH retires, a couple of weeks is about all the time we can do at one time.....

We are looking at the 16 day South America Explorer or the 17 day South America and Antarctica Explorer (which I assume would be much rougher than the other) next winter on the Veendam... what has the experience been like for those that have done either of these?

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Hate to say this but it really varies depending upon the weather. Some people have reported it to be smooth as glass, other's have experienced extremely rough passages.

Our passage was moderate, in our opinion, but the captain was overly cautious and we didn't get to round cape horn (we also didn't get to dock in Ushuaia but that was a different screw-up). We went 'close' (close enough to use the telephoto lens for a shot of the monument) but not around.

you should be prepared for the harshest conditions possible (cold, snowy, windy, very rough seas) and then if it isn't as bad, enjoy the calm passage.

Hate to say this but it really varies depending upon the weather. Some people have reported it to be smooth as glass, other's have experienced extremely rough passages. Our passage was moderate, in our opinion, but the captain was overly cautious and we didn't get to round cape horn (we also didn't get to dock in Ushuaia but that was a different screw-up). We went 'close' (close enough to use the telephoto lens for a shot of the monument) but not around.   you should be prepared for the harshest conditions possible (cold, snowy, windy, very rough seas) and then if it isn't as bad, enjoy the calm passage.

Agreed, you can get anything from Lake Drake to the Drake shakes, and you need to be prepared for all. In fairness, though, that is true anytime at sea. Just look to this years events with with Clelia II in Drake, Prinsendam in Scotland, and Brilliance of the Seas off Egypt. Anytime you are at sea, anything pretty much can happen regardless of the size of seaworthyness of the ship.

The seas down there, as others have said, can vary between flat calm to downright mean.

The morning we arrived at Cape Horn, on Dec 26, 2003, seas were calm, and they were the same way during the Drake Passage transit. I was just a bit disappointed. You just never know how they will be until you get down there.

Indeed - There was a post a year or so back of Prinsendam attempting to make the transit, being hit by a great wave, enduring all kinds of damage and being forced back to Ushuaia where they settled down and restocked the ship with glassware, etc...

...when they made the transit a couple days later, the seas were smooth as glass.

As the others have said, you never know. We had 40+ foot seas from The Falklands to Antarctica ( that was an experience :eek:) and the Drake Lake (could have been in the Caribbean) coming back up to Cape Horn.

As one who gets seasick VERY easily, I was happy our M.D. suggested I take a combination of meds. That combination did wonders.

We're planning on a return cruise to Antarctica and I don't have any qualms about seasickness.

Delete - ooops, wrong cape report. Our bad transit was Cape of Good Hope, not Cape Horn.

My "old salt" husband never gets seasick and LOVES the movement of the ocean... Me? I start to turn green at the rhythmic rolls of a post storm sea.

Looks like, if we do this, it is going to be a crapshoot.

So now I have to figure out if I am a gambler or not....

CowPrincess

We shared a lunch table one day with folks who'd done that trip, and they'd been evacuated to sit in the halls with all the cabin doors closed.... less chance they'd be hurt by flying "stuff".

I want to do that cruise at some point, but am reluctant given the good chance of bad seas :eek:

That is one of my dream cruises, a definite bucket list thing but something to be done when I'm nowhere near the bucket.

Honestly, I would be SEVERELY dissapointed if there were calm seas. When going towards the continent where few have been, it is supposed to be rough, supposed to be a challenge of spirit and ship! Just imagine actually seeing an albatross in flight in nature, not many folks can claim that.

And as long as no fool shoots the albatross, we'll be fine! If they do, it is getting hung around my neck!

I'm more likely to do the cruise given the chance of rough seas!

I'm more likely to do the cruise given the chance of rough seas! ;)

Be sure to try the Madagascar-Capetown Cape of Good Hope transit in early spring! Amsterdam had just passed us in those same waters last March. There were far more good sailors on our MV Discovery trip who made every meal and looked happy, than those of us who sadly realized we did not have such good sea legs after all. I think the ship doctor was up all night making cabin calls and giving calming shots. Up and down and side to side - 2 weeks straight - cork-screwing- as someone here called it.

I was on the Amsterdam (Rio - Santiago, with Antarctica) in '04/'05 and Drake Passage was almost flat calm going down. Coming back north, there were very large swells and the ship seemed almost 'deserted'... LOL. When we got to Cape Horn it was like a mill pond and the weather was beautiful.

It all depends on the weather - so you never know.

You just never know.

We went 'round Cape Horn, Mar 06, on Regal Princess, and it was a disappointment, as it was almost dead calm.

It did get rougher (and very windy), further North along the Chilean coastline.

Is there anyone that has been on an itinerary that included the Drake Passage, had rough seas, regretted going, was frightened and would never consider it or anything like it again?

Is there anyone that has been on an itinerary that included the Drake Passage, had rough seas, regretted going, was frightened and would never consider it or anything like it again?   B

Yeah... I would like the answer to that as well!

Can't tell you scary it was!! We all admitted later that we didn't think we were going to make it. The captain said it was the worst storm he'd seen in 27 years at sea. 98 foot swells and 110 mph winds!@!

I'm sure there will be many posts to follow. We just got home today.

Can't tell you scary it was!! We all admitted later that we didn't think we were going to make it. The captain said it was the worst storm he'd seen in 27 years at sea. 98 foot swells and 110 mph winds!@!   I'm sure there will be many posts to follow. We just got home today.

Glad you're back home, safe and sound. Was it worth the "ride"?

Oh, I'm glad you're okay. Captain P. van Maurik told us while on the Westerdam

last week that the Veendam had been through a terrible storm but had made it to Usuaha. I'd be interested in hearing details from anyone who experienced this.

Nancyquilts

We've gone that way three times, including one to Antarctica. Never had a problem.

MightyQuinn

Looks like, if we do this, it is going to be a crapshoot. So now I have to figure out if I am a gambler or not....

We’ve sailed these waters twice. We crossed the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica on the 165-passenger expedition ship World Discoverer (Dec ’97). We had the Drake Lake on the way down but the Drake Shake on the way back. The ship rolled & pitched relentlessly for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a day or so. Many passengers & crew were down for the count. We were queasy for several hours on the last day, which unfortunately for me, meant being in rough shape for our flight back home from Falklands .

On HAL Amsterdam (Mar ’09), we had a blustery passage around Cape Horn with heavy rains, high seas & fierce winds. It was too miserable to be outside so many people gathered in the Crow’s Nest to witness the passage & to hear on-board commentary. The lecturer described ours as a “classic” rounding of the Horn. The ship rocked a bit but it wasn’t particularly noticeable. Our actual time in rough seas was measured in hours not days & it was all over pretty quick. Some people were unstable on their feet but most were just fine.

You just never know what you’ll get. But it’s such an awesome cruise destination that I think it’s well worth whatever measures you need to take against potential seasickness. We’re both good sailors who like to feel the motion of the ocean, but we now routinely take ginger capsules every morning & have Bonine at the ready, just in case. Of course, YMMV!

Yes, the storm was rough, and as described above, high winds and huge waves for more than 24 hours.

At the peak of storm we were asked to stay in cabins and kitchen shut down. We were brought sandwiches to cabins by our stewards who worked so hard to keep us going and give reassurance at this difficult time.

We were on deck 9 in an aft verandah on end, and felt the movement a lot. Fortunately neither my husband nor I felt panicky and actually did some walking about the ship (before being asked to stay put)

Every time we returned to the cabin it was a new adventure. Once a glass was shattered all over the rug-must have hit something on way down. Another time the ice bucket all over floor--br-r-r.

Contents of refrigerator rolling all over got us to secure all--shoes under doors as a wedge, pillows wedging drawers, etc.

We did not 'round the horn', but we did get to Ushuaia, a day late, and Punta Arenas, a day late but of course had to give up a port which was Puerto Montt.

The storm, to me , was part of the experience. While I did not like having to stay in my cabin or missing a port, I have cruised often enough to know this happens and reasons not always as evident as they were there.

The captain handled the episode magnificently, constantly on the PA system with updates and (when possible) reassurances of our ultimate safety.

I was not completely aware beforehand of the extremely cold temperatures nor just how bad the seas could be--but I still would have taken this trip.

The glaciers were magnificent, the mountains majestic and overall had a unique experience of South America.

Who is the Veendam's captain? (just curious :) )

We rounded the Horn on Ryndam several years ago and it was like a mill pond!

More recently we sailed to Antarctica on an expedition ship with 160 pax. Drake Passage was "Drake Lake" going but was rougher coming back.

We chose low deck amidships and felt nothing but some on higher decks were tossed around a bit but there were no injuries.

Antarctica is SPECTACULAR!

luxurysailer

We rounded The Horn on 1 November 2004 on the Amsterdam; and, somewhat disappointingly, it was like sailing in a bathtub. We had sailed west-to-east through the Beagle Channel then looped back southwest to The Horn. We sailed past The Horn, but we didn't actually traverse Drake's Passage all the way.

Bear in mind that a line extending from Santiago, Chile to Montevideo, Uruguay is approximately on the 40th degree of south latitude. South of that line down to The Horn is the area known as the "roaring forties" and "howling fifties." It's called that for good reason. Back up in the inside passage between Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas we encountered some very rough seas with winds exceeding 70 mph. In order to get out of the rough seas Captain van Zaane had to request permission from HAL headquarters to go through an area which provided only three or four feet clearance for the bottom of the hull. He got it, and we went through during the night without incident.

As several others have indicated, you've go to be prepared wherever you are. In addition to the area mentioned above, we've encountered heavy seas in The Caribbean, off the Canadian Maritimes/New England during the tail end of a hurricane, and crossing The Tasman Sea. Stay informed regarding the weather that is expected to be encountered, have a good supply of meclizine, and take it at least 12 hours prior to expected heavy seas if at all possible.

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Stella Australis 5-day... - Cape Horn

• South America    
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• Magallanes Region    
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Stella Australis 5-day Once-in-a-Lifetime Active Cruise at the End of the Earth

We took the 5-day cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. This is shorter than the roundtrip cruise, but I was surprised to find that it seemed that most people had opted for the shorter one-way trip. This review is quite a bit longer than I usually post because the experience was so good despite information being spotty before our departure. I hope the detail provided here will be helpful and will help alleviate any anxieties others may have when considering this cruise. CRUISE ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE: We sailed Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. The cruise terminal is several km from Punta Arenas airport, but our driver had no problem finding the terminal once we provided him the address on our Australis payment receipt. Arrivals are processed from 1-4 pm, with boarding scheduled at 6:00 pm. If you have your passport and have completed the required documents sent to you by Australis, check is quick and easy. Bags are tagged, run through security and stored. Early check-ins have a couple of options. You can remain in the terminal and use the provided WiFi, or you can use the time to explore Punta Arenas for a couple of hours. Punta Arenas is an historic town of some size so browsing especially along the shoreline of the Strait of Magellan is a fun activity. We were most anxious about our disembarkation in Ushuaia. Breakfast served between 8-9 am as usual and passengers are expected to disembark no later than 9:30. Our flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires did not depart until 3:20 pm. What to do? Once we left the ship as independent travelers, we picked up our luggage at the bottom of the ramp, and then carried it ourselves through customs and out of the port area. Total distance, perhaps 200 m. We then carried, pulled it and dragged our luggage a long block up a steep hill and found the Australis office where we checked our luggage for $10 an item. At that point, life got better. We spent two hours walking around Ushuaia before returning to the Australis office, using their facilities, and then catching a cab to the airport. The agents at the office were extremely polite and helpful; however, Australis could definitely improve its service by offering independent travelers an add-on luggage transfer to their office for storage. The start of our cruise was a bit bumpy as the ship was not allowed to come into port until near midnight due to high waves caused by excessive wind. Instead of boarding at 6:00 pm Sunday as scheduled, we boarded at midnight and occupied our room at 1:00 am., Monday. The cruise line should be credited for handling the situation as well as could be expected, by busing all awaiting guests to a very nice local hotel where we were treated to a buffet set up just for us. A major logistical nightmare was accomplished in very short order. Staffer Lorena Álvarez demonstrated remarkable composure providing bi-lingual updates throughout the evening in a way that kept the customers calm and on her side. I am quite sure several members of the crew had little or no sleep that night. I can’t speak from the viewpoint of those passengers who were on the ship that could not docked at least 12 hours later than planned with the need to reschedule all sorts of arrangements. The word among our group was that Australis assisted those passengers in rescheduling flights and making new hotel arrangements, but, because the situation was an act of God, they assumed none of the costs resulting from the incident. I did not confirmed this. The cruise caters to multiple languages and attempts to meet the informational needs of all aboard. Excursions are divided by language and informational announcements are offered in almost every language on board, with Spanish, English and German the most popular. Cruises are all-inclusive. Your final payment is made prior to the cruise and aside from souvenirs you may choose to purchase, everything else is paid for: meals, excursions and alcohol. However, tipping is encouraged at a rate of $15 per person per day. The cruise is booked as 5 days even though it is actually 3 days of touring with Day1 being late afternoon arrival and Day 5 being departure right after breakfast. Even so, $150 seemed to be a common tip for a cabin with two people. The easiest way to leave a tip is to use your credit card at the 2nd-floor reception area. FYI, we also provided a $20 USD tip for our waiter, Leonardo, who is so friendly and attentive. I can only speak for our cabin which was #418, a AAA cabin. I was frustrated when I made our reservation almost a year in advance. This was the first time I was not allowed to select my specific cabin when booking a cruise. I was guaranteed AAA, but all I could do was request king bed, center of the boat away from stairwells and elevators on the starboard side. When my cabin was finally assigned about 6 weeks prior to sailing, it had a twin-bed AAA cabin situated at the extreme front of the ship directly next to the stairs on the port side. The exact opposite of what was requested. I was not happy and after a couple of pointed email exchanges, we were moved to midship port into a cabin originally configured for two twin beds. We missed on the side, but they agreed to reconfigure the cabin for a king bed, and the result was a very satisfactory cabin with a comfortable and an approx. 6’ x 6’ floor to ceiling window. The side of the ship makes little or no difference as the cruise is through narrow channels that are picturesque on both sides. Mornings, the ship drops anchor and moves about 360, providing each cabin a view of the entire surroundings. Cabins are clean and modern but without televisions or WiFi. There is no WiFi anywhere on board. There are several electrical outlets (2 or 3 prong posts in a row); however, we found it helpful to have two power strips. A shelf along the wall across from the bed, a chair and one bedside table are the only furniture aside from the bed. There is about 6’ of carpet between the bed and the outside wall, plus the bed sits high enough to allow opened suitcases to be slid under for storage. A narrow closet is present for hanging clothes and another narrow closet with 6 shelves is present for storage. The bathroom has a shower and a sink with plenty of space below it for storage. WHAT TO WEAR: The dress around the ship and in the dining room is business casual except for the Captain’s dinner which tended to be a bit more formal for some and no different for others. Hi temps for our mid-January cruise were low-mid 50’s during the day, and this was considered warm for the time of year. EXCURSIONS: The ship drops anchor and transfers to and from shore are managed by using tenders, motorized rubber rafts. Excursion transfers to and from the ship take perhaps 5-10 minutes each way, and we never got a drop of water on us the entire trip. There are at least two crew members assisting you every time you get into or out of a raft. It is suggested that you dress with 2-3 layers and it is good to have a backpack that will allow you to put on or take off a layer on the fly. Crew wear waterproof pants and boots because they often need to stand in water to assist passengers, but we did not encounter a need for boots or waterproof pants at any time during our cruise. You almost certainly will encounter mud and slick rock on your hikes and walks requiring shoes that provide a good grip and that provide a solid (not mesh) toe to keep your toes and feet dry. I always carried a plastic bag for my camera, but it was never needed. Once onto a raft, people were taking pictures the entire transfer. Especially around the glaciers. UV can be an issue and light rain can occur at any moment, so a hat is essential. Winds are always present so a hat (sock hat?) that is not susceptible to flying off is a good choice. The guides and excursions are top-flight. The guides are all young, engaging, energetic and work well as a team. Every excursion requires a transfer to shore via Xodiac raft. The raft pilots are generally older men who have other jobs aboard ship (including ship helmsmen) and are very serious about their jobs. You sense that guides and pilots maintain a clear respect for one and coordinate their responsibilities to ensure safe passage for the guests. Five excursions are included in the price for the cruise’s three active days. Day 2: Leaving from Puerto Arenas, a 1-hour morning excursion is provided to a small island to visit Magellan penguins via the Xodiac rafts. Rafts were loaded by language (same method used throughout) with the rafts coordinated so as not to interfere with one another or the wildlife. Rafts are not allowed to land, but are grounded very close to the penguins and serve as great places from which to observe and photograph the penguins up close An afternoon excursion takes passengers ashore for a nature hike through a very nice forest at the foot of a glacier. Day 3: Glacier visit: Passengers are transferred to a observation point on land that places them in position for the viewing and photography of a sizeable glacier that is right in front of them. A brief overview of the area geologic history is provided by the guide, After the excursion to the glacier, the ship departs and passes through Glacier Alley for close up viewing of 5-6 glaciers that line the narrow passage on both sides for over an hour. Day 4: Passengers are transported to Cape Horn to visit the monument at the “End of the Earth” as well as the lighthouse that is still maintained by a keeper and their family on the island. The final excursion offered in the afternoon of Day 4 is a landing at Wailua Bay. In addition to this excellent schedule of excursions are 1-2 60-minute daily lectures that are very informative and professionally done. The ship also provides an on-line network of all lectures and maps that can be viewed in the cabins. Very helpful resources for those keeping journals. Each day of the trip was fully packed with meaningful activities to provide the best cruise experience possible. However, be advised that every day is dependent upon weather and sea conditions. We felt very fortunate to have ideal days with smooth seas, partly cloudy/sunny skies for our mid-January cruise, but this is not the case for all cruises. Despite having to insist on the location and set up of our cabin and the late start on Day 1, everything else on the cruise was top-flight, providing a once-in-a—lifetime experience and memories!!

It's really dangourous and boring! I almost DIED!!!!!!!! this article is just so useless! as far as i care, no one should go on the cape horn!

We arrived Cape Horn early in the morning. We came from Ushuaia and it was cold and rainy. When we arrived we saw the Lighthouse and the Building of the Lighthouse family. The sun came out and the sea was relatively calm. The captain decided, due to the good weather conditions to sail around the island. Then we also saw the monument with a shape of an albatross. The rock was in sunlight and looked magic to us. We thought of all the drowned sailors and passengers on their way to the new world. It was simply impressing.

We did the cruise on the Ventus last March from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. It was everything we hoped for! The excursions were so much fun and well executed. The cruise was more expensive than we usually pay for vacations, but worth every dollar.

Wonderful trip around Cape Horn, lucky enough to have had a smooth sailing. Weather was calm but the sky was very cloudy the day we were there

We weren't able to stop at Cape Horn as not part of our itinerary, but awesome experience sailing around it. After reading various reviews over the years, we knew it could have been rough seas, but were pleasantly surprised at the smooth sailing around the Horn. As a precaution, we did go to our doctor before the trip, who prescribed the patches to put behind our ears. We put on, but thankfully, they weren't needed. Awesome experience to sail through where the two oceans join together. Clear day, so could see the lighthouse and chapel from our ship, as well as the memorial to all the sailors over the centuries who lost their lives rounding the Horn.