South America Pathways: Chilean Fjords & Glaciers

Passionate and alive with an infectious energy, Buenos Aires is a breathlessly romantic city, which blends colonial architecture with a down-to-earth Latin American clamour. Famed for steamy tango interplays and expertly seared steaks, this city is a fiery fiesta for the senses.

Visitors can choose to visit Caminito, the colourful street museum, shop at San Telmo Market, stroll through Recoleta Cemetery or cruise the Tigre River delta. Ships will dock at the Terminal de Pasajeros Benito Quinquela Martin which is a 30 minute drive from the airport and a 10 minute drive to the city centre.

Passionate and alive with an infectious energy, Buenos Aires is a breathlessly romantic city, which blends colonial architecture with a down-to-earth Latin American clamour. Famed for steamy tango interplays and expertly seared steaks, this city is a fiery fiesta for the senses.

Visitors can choose to visit Caminito, the colourful street museum, shop at San Telmo Market, stroll through Recoleta Cemetery or cruise the Tigre River delta. Ships will dock at the Terminal de Pasajeros Benito Quinquela Martin which is a 30 minute drive from the airport and a 10 minute drive to the city centre.

Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, boasts a relaxed atmosphere complemented by a rich cultural tapestry. This city is known for its captivating European-style architecture and broad boulevards like the famous Avenida 18 de Julio, which is lined with shops, cafes, and theatres. Key attractions include the historic Solis Theatre, a beacon of the performing arts, and the vibrant Mercado del Puerto, renowned for its steak and seafood.

The city’s coastline, with its rambla stretching over 20 kilometres along the serene Rio de la Plata, invites leisurely walks and offers ample space for cycling and jogging. Montevideo’s blend of cultural influences is especially evident in its music, particularly in the local tango scene, which visitors can experience in the city's lively milongas (tango clubs).

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

The Falkland Islands, a remote South Atlantic archipelago, offer a unique blend of rugged landscapes and rich wildlife. Stanley, the capital, is known for its quaint British charm, with colorful houses, cozy pubs, and the historic Christ Church Cathedral. The Falkland Islands Museum provides fascinating insights into the islands’ history and culture.

For nature enthusiasts, the islands are a paradise. Visit Volunteer Point to witness one of the world’s largest king penguin colonies. Gypsy Cove offers excellent opportunities for spotting Magellanic penguins and other bird species. The pristine beaches and dramatic coastlines make the Falklands a perfect destination for hiking and wildlife photography.

Your ship will anchor in Port Stanley’s harbor and you'll be tendered ashore. The town center is just a short walk from the tender pier, allowing for easy exploration on foot. This charming capital of the Falkland Islands offers a glimpse into British heritage with its quaint streets and vibrant wildlife. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from visiting the historic Christ Church Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch to exploring the Falkland Islands Museum. Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Gypsy Cove, just 7 km (4.3 miles) away and home to Magellanic penguins and other seabirds.

Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific tumultuously collide, is famed for its formidable ocean passage, once a crucial test for mariners and now a legendary nautical landmark.

Located at the southernmost tip of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, it marks the point where Chile and Argentina converge.

The area's rich history includes visits by famous explorers like Magellan and Darwin and is deeply connected to the indigenous Yaghan people, who flourished here for over 8,000 years.

Sailing around Cape Horn offers an immersive experience of the raw natural beauty and robust history of the area, with a chance to see diverse wildlife and the occasional resident family, maintaining a human presence in this remote outpost.

As alleys go, this one is mighty long. Glacier Alley - or, as it’s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers - stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240-kilometer-long (150-mile-long) Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. Argentina’s Ushuaia and Chile’s Puerto Williams, both common starting points for travelers exploring Glacier Alley, are two of the world’s southernmost towns. As you travel into the Beagle Channel, the vital waterway that allowed ships to avoid the hellish fury of the waters around Cape Horn, you follow the route that the famous HMS Beagle took with a young and then-unknown geologist and evolutionary biologist on board, Charles Darwin.

While fighting the harsh elements, and with no creature comforts like the ones enjoyed today, those early sailors were at least treated to one stunning glacier after another, each flowing down from massive mountain ranges and peaks such as the snowcapped one named for Darwin himself. Even if your journey is shrouded in foggy mist, you can’t miss the cracking sound of the blue ice as it tumbles into the channel or the rush of ice-melt waterfalls. Along with all these natural wonders, a visit to Glacier Alley comes with opportunities to see penguin rookeries, humpback whales and seals.

Located at the southernmost end of South America, Ushuaia is is often called a doorway to Antarctica. The town boasts incredible natural beauty through its national parks like the Tierra del Fuego National Park with cultural institutions like the Museo del Fin del Mundo, or the End of the World Museum. Ships will dock at this port.

Top Things to Do in Ushuaia:

• ride the steam-powered End Of The World Train
• Spend the day walking the Tierra Del Fuego National Park
• Martial Glacier affords spectacular vistas from its 1,050-meter summit

The Beagle Channel, a dramatic waterway at the southern tip of South America, offers an unparalleled gateway to some of the continent's most breathtaking landscapes. This narrow channel, flanked by the rugged peaks of Chile and Argentina, serves as a natural border and a scenic route for ships navigating around Tierra del Fuego. The area is rich in wildlife, including colonies of sea lions, Magellanic penguins, and a variety of seabirds.

Cruise passengers can enjoy the splendor of the channel from the deck, where the views include glaciers tumbling down into the sea and remote lighthouses standing guard over the waters. This pristine environment provides a tranquil yet awe-inspiring backdrop, perfect for contemplative viewing or photography.

Punta Arenas, perched on the southern tip of Chile's mainland, serves as a crucial gateway to the Antarctic, drawing explorers from around the world. This city is steeped in maritime history and is the largest population centre in Patagonia, offering a fascinating mix of cultural influences evident in its architecture and local customs. The Nao Victoria Museum, featuring replicas of historic ships, and the poignant Monumento al Ovejero, celebrating the region’s sheep farming heritage, are key highlights.

The rugged, windswept landscapes surrounding Punta Arenas invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Nearby Torres del Paine National Park offers spectacular trekking opportunities, while the Strait of Magellan provides panoramic sea vistas and a chance to spot diverse marine wildlife, making this region a hub for natural and historical exploration.

The Strait of Magellan, a navigational route located at the southern tip of South America, is steeped in maritime history and dramatic landscapes. This historic waterway, named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first navigated it in 1520, offers a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bypassing the treacherous Cape Horn. Today, it draws visitors with its rugged beauty and the chance to witness a variety of wildlife, including penguins, whales, and dolphins in their natural habitats.

Cruise travelers through the strait can experience the raw, untouched wilderness of Patagonia. The surrounding scenery, characterized by steep cliffs and remote islands, is often shrouded in mist, adding to the mystique of this legendary maritime route. This journey offers a unique perspective on the fierce natural elements that early explorers faced.

One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guía Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. The Kawesqar people have inhabited this region for more than 6,000 years, but the channel was named for a more recent arrival: the Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, who first navigated it between 1579 and 1580.

In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals, including Magellanic penguins, southern elephant seals, dolphins and orcas, can be seen along these shores.

The Cockburn Channel, situated at the southernmost tip of South America, is a dramatic and historically significant waterway that connects the Beagle Channel with the Magdalena Channel. Known for its narrow passages and stunning glacial landscapes, this channel offers an immersive experience into the raw beauty of the Patagonian wilderness. It's a crucial part of the route often taken by ships navigating around Tierra del Fuego.

Cruising through the Cockburn Channel provides spectacular views of towering mountains, ice-capped peaks, and remote glaciers. The area is also rich in wildlife; passengers might spot dolphins, seals, and various seabirds.

Located in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Brüggen Glacier, also known as Pío X Glacier, is the largest glacier in South America and is the only glacier in the world that is continuing to grow. Pío X Glacier currently has a surface area of 786 square miles - as large as Santiago!

Cruising through the Darwin Channel in the Chilean Fjords offers breathtaking views of pristine landscapes. This remote waterway, named after Charles Darwin, is surrounded by majestic mountains, dense forests, and stunning glaciers. As you navigate through this natural wonder, you'll witness spectacular fjords carved by ancient ice, creating dramatic scenery that seems untouched by time.

Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in spotting marine life such as dolphins, sea lions, and various bird species. The channel also provides access to some of the most beautiful and isolated areas of Patagonia, making it a prime location for nature photography and serene contemplation.

Puerto Montt, located in the southern reaches of Chile, serves as the gateway to the Chilean fjords, Patagonia, and the Andes Mountains. This port city is vital for its role in connecting the more remote parts of southern Chile. The Angelmó market, famous for its array of fresh seafood, vibrant handicrafts, and woollen goods, encapsulates the local culture and is a hub for culinary and artisanal exploration.

The nearby Lake District offers dramatic volcanic landscapes and lush forests, making Puerto Montt a central point for accessing natural wonders such as the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where the Petrohué Falls and Osorno Volcano are key attractions. The city’s blend of natural beauty and cultural richness reflects the diverse offerings of the region.

A day cruising at sea offers you the perfect mix of relaxation and activity. Start your morning on the top-level decks with a game of pickleball, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and expansive ocean views. Or, head to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon® to rejuvenate with a therapeutic spa treatment. The Kids Club will keep younger guests entertained with a variety of fun events and activities, while you can unwind by the pool or enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center.

In the evening, delight in a tantalizing meal at one of the ship's restaurants, and afterward, enjoy a world-class performance at the stunning World Stage, adding a touch of culture to your night. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or both, a day at sea will be full of unforgettable experiences.

Santiago, Chile’s capital, is a vibrant city set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes. The historic Plaza de Armas, founded in 1541, is the cultural heart of Santiago, where you can admire the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral and the Central Post Office's architecture. Nearby, the National Museum of Fine Arts showcases Chilean and South American art.

Bellavista, known for its colorful street art and lively atmosphere, is home to La Chascona, the house of poet Pablo Neruda. For a taste of local flavors, the bustling Mercado Central offers a variety of fresh seafood and traditional dishes, making it a culinary highlight of the city.

One of the busiest ports on the western coast of South America, the port of San Antonio is the gateway to Santiago which is around an hour and half away.

Santiago is nestled at the foot of the Andes in the Maipo River Valley and inland lies the sun-kissed wine regions of Casablanca and Maipo Maipo Valley, Chile's renowned wine region.

Stroll down bustling Alameda, the city’s main thoroughfare to steal a look at the ornate 16th century architecture including the famed San Francisco church. Here you can climb the lovely Santa Lucia hill and take in some of the best views of the sprawling city below and the Sanhattan's skyscrapers.