For more than 35 years, Chilean expedition line Australis Cruises has taken passengers through some of the most remote and dramatic landscapes on earth. It offers four or eight-night sailings, either one way or return, though most people sail one way as part of a wider Patagonia trip. Its compact, white-and-navy, 200-passenger ships, Ventus Australis (launched 2018) and Stella Australis (launched 2010), are specially designed to navigate the narrow channels of Tierra del Fuego.
Between September and April, the ships chart a unique route between the Chilean port of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, sailing through pristine Patagonian fjords and hidden glaciers. There are daily excursions on Zodiac boats, including a stop at Cape Horn, the famously treacherous headland at the very tip of South America.
Ventus Australis and Stella Australis are almost identical in layout meaning this review can be applied to both vessels.
Overall score 8/10
Style and Character 7/10
Ventus Australis looks more like a sleek expedition vessel than a large mainstream cruise ship. Australis has gone for a function-first look with a polished finish, and it works: expect comfy leather sofas, carpeted floors, and calm lighting throughout the ship. There are five floors, with panoramic views from the fifth-floor Darwin Lounge and its well-stocked central bar. A sole dining room lined with porthole windows occupies the first floor, while cosy lounges with huge windows fill non-cabin space on the third floor (where you’ll find Yámana Lounge, a great place to read) and fourth floor (home to the Sky Lounge).
Cabins 7/10
Although there are no balconies, the views from every cabin are breathtaking. Premium cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows, and I sat watching in awe from my bed as Peale’s dolphins jumped from the water.
Cabins (there aren’t any suites) are the size of a small hotel room, and smart rather than luxurious. Each has leather furniture and tasteful wooden chests lined with maps of Patagonia, two wardrobes and a sizeable (albeit slightly ferry-chic) bathroom. Don’t expect amenities such as a TV or in-room coffee machine.
Food and Drink 8/10
All meals are served in the dining room in one sitting, with guests assigned to a set table. Breakfast is a substantial buffet (expect home-made pastries and fresh fruits), while lunch and dinner are four-course table-service affairs, with brilliant waiters and options to swap out for preferred dishes. On my sailing, the team even made daal for one group missing the taste of home.
The menu leans into local specialities such as steak and congrio (conger eel), and offers good vegetarian options. Portions on my sailing were generous, and the dining room hummed with conversation and laughter as passengers made friends over unlimited, high-quality Chilean and Argentinian wines.
For pre- and post-dinner cocktails mixed by friendly bartenders, head to the Darwin Lounge.
Service and Facilities 7/10
There were 66 staff members (to 71 passengers) on my sailing, all incredibly knowledgeable about Patagonia and warm, friendly, and efficient. Case in point? Dishes and drinks arrived within minutes, and with a genuine smile.
You won’t find a pool, spa or cinema on board and there’s also no Wi-Fi service. The remote location means there’s no mobile data coverage either, which ensures complete digital disconnection. As one crew member put it: “You have Wi-Fi at home, here you have connection to Patagonia and nature.” Come prepared with downloads should you want a film to watch in your cabin.
Entertainment and Excursions 8/10
Entertainment consists of a handful of pre- and post-dinner talks and group activities including a quiz and a “glacier alley” viewing party. Evenings are mainly for heading to the bar or out on deck to gaze at the view, as the sun doesn’t set until around 10pm. There are no other ships in sight, or any other evidence of humanity, so it feels like sailing into the unknown.
Rather than disembarking at ports, Australis offers complimentary daily Zodiac expeditions – a real highlight of the trip. Excursions included the magnificent Pia Glacier off the Beagle Channel, the Tucker Islets (where thousands of Magellanic penguins nest) and a walk through Wulaia Bay. I signed up for the latter and learnt about llao llao – the sweet-tasting mushrooms once eaten there by the indigenous Yámana people – before trying them straight from the tree. Crew guides invited us to join in a “Patagonia Moment” – a minute spent standing in silence observing our surroundings and breathing the pure air.
Although the destinations are adventurous, excursions are very accessible and the focus is emphatically on safety.
Value for Money 8/10
You’ll have to fork out for flights and transfers but, once onboard, everything is included.
Access for guests with disabilities?
There is no lift, so the ship is not wheelchair-friendly. Crew are happy to assist guests with limited mobility although there aren’t any adapted cabins.
Family-friendly?
Families are welcome, and children and babies can join Zodiac excursions, but there are no dedicated play areas or activities.
About our expert
Naomi Ackerman
Naomi has travelled to more than 50 countries, and writes in-depth destination guides, reviews and features. She loves nothing more than exploring new places and getting to know people around the world.