Patagonian Explorer – Ushuaia to Punta Arenas

The 200-guest Stella Australis is a modern expedition cruise ship equipped with the latest navigation and safety technology. Cruising in Chile's famed Patagonia region, she features a spacious open top deck for admiring the spectacular southern scenery, as well as a gift shop, game room, infirmary and small library. Three lounges are styled with modern audiovisual equipment for the most engaging naturalist lectures.

Stella Australis Review

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Stella Australis review includes a detailed description of the small ship including a deck plan and photo gallery. Please read our review below then contact our cruise experts to compare the Stella Australis with other small cruise ships sailing Patagonia cruises.

Choose the Stella Australis for a comfortable yet adventurous experience paired with excellent service in a relaxed atmosphere. An onboard doctor is an added bonus. The distinguished success of Stella Australis resulted in the creation of her sister ship, Ventus Australis. Both share the honor of being one of the privileged passenger vessels able to cruise through the fjords of Tierra del Fuego, disembark at fabled Cape Horn and regularly visit the Cóndor Glacier. Note that this ship does not offer WiFi service.

Dining Aboard Stella Australis

The expedition programs include welcome and farewell cocktails; breakfast, lunch and dinner; open bar during the whole journey; and a cafeteria service. Aboard Stella Australis, enjoy exquisite food and the most famous Chilean wines. The menu includes international food and typical local dishes, alternating a la carte menus and buffets. Passengers requiring a special diet should request it in advance. Seating is open, with tables seating as low as four people and up to ten, so you can enjoy a more intimate meal or socialize with a larger group.  

Activities Aboard Stella Australis

During the cruise there are daily land excursions with an average duration of two hours. They consist of walks through trails in the native forests, visits to glaciers and to Cape Horn National Park, including talks on the flora and fauna of the area. An especially limited stock of waterproof trekking jackets and trousers are available for purchase on board if required. Groups are formed to embark on Zodiac boats, which take you ashore.

The shore excursions aren’t the only time for education; the top notch onboard lectures are a highlight of the Stella Australis experience. During the cruise learn about the history, geography, glaciology and ethnography of the legendary Patagonia region, through interesting lectures given by the Stella Australis expedition team, which will take place on board (with audio-visual support). The Stella Australis also offers an exercise room on the Darwin Deck., and a doctor sailing alongside you.

Sustainability Aboard Stella Australis

The protection and preservation of nature is a permanent preoccupation of the M/V Stella Australis. She uses specialized processes to prevent damaging the beautiful spots of the region, such as the separation of oil waste and other contaminating fluids, which are later deposited at port; compacting and deposit of garbage at port; and a sewage and solid waste treatment plant. 

Cabins & Stella Australis Deck Plan

There are 100 Stella Australis cabins across five categories, all with lower beds, a picture window, private bathroom, heating, closet and safe deposit box. While 96 cabins each measure 178 square feet, 4 Superior cabins on the Cabo de Hornos and Tierra del Fuego Decks each measure 220 square feet. Standard double beds aboard Stella Australis measure 5 x 6 feet, and standard twin beds measure 3.5 x 6 feet. Twin beds can be put together upon request.

The 200-guest Ventus Australis is a comfortable expedition vessel cruising in Chile's famed Patagonia region. Similar to her sister ship, Stella Australis, she features gourmet dining with an all-inclusive bar, three lounges, expansive open top deck and 100 spacious cabins with large windows for admiring the spectacular southern scenery.

Designed to maneuver Patagonia's narrow fjords and glacial channels, Ventus Australis—"Southern Wind” in Latin—features the latest regulations regarding safety at sea and protecting the marine environment. These sister ships are two of the very few passenger vessels that can venture through the narrow fjords of Tierra del Fuego and disembark at fabled Cape Horn.

Ventus Australis Review

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Ventus Australis review includes a detailed description of the small ship including a deck plan and photo gallery. AdventureSmith’s Patagonia experts have been aboard nearly every expedition vessel in the region. Please read our review below then contact our small ship cruise experts to compare the Ventus Australis with other small cruise ships offering Patagonia cruises.

Choose the Ventus Australis if you seek an exceptional cruise experience in Patagonia aboard a tailor-made small ship in the region, with an onboard doctor as an added bonus. Note that this ship does not offer WiFi service. Ventus Australis builds on the success of her sister ship: same size, same number of cabins, same arrangement of lounges, and as expected, the same high levels of service, naturalist guiding, cuisine and safety as travelers have experienced aboard the Stella. The differences are in the decor, with the newer, more contemporary Ventus featuring a more stylish feel including driftwood sculptures and regional artwork.

Common Areas Aboard Ventus Australis

Ventus Australis offers plenty of space to take in the breathtaking beauty of the region, whether it's from the warmth and comfort of one of the three interior lounges that feature floor-to-ceiling windows or the large panoramic top deck where you can fully appreciate the remarkable natural environment. The Darwin Lounge is the the place to swap adventure stories. Offering nearly 360-degree views with an open bar, the Darwin Lounge is also used for nightly lectures on the next day’s tours. The smaller Sky Lounge offers all-day self-service coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices and pastries while the forward-facing Yamana Lounge is a quiet, intimate space with games, tables and sofas for reading or enjoying the view.

Dining Aboard Ventus Australis

Aboard Ventus Australis enjoy gourmet dining with buffet breakfasts and lunches and four-course dinners that blend continental and Chilean cuisine in the large Patagonia Dining Room. The all-inclusive bar features a wide selection of liquors, local craft beers and exquisite Chilean wines. 

Activities Aboard Ventus Australis

During the cruise there are daily shore excursions from Zodiac boats. Excursions vary by itinerary but typically include walks through trails in the native forests while discussing flora and fauna, visits to glaciers and, when conditions allow, disembarking at Cape Horn National Park. On board, the expedition team hosts daily lectures and slideshows about the flora, fauna, history, geography, glaciology and ethnography of the legendary Patagonia region. Additionally, a doctor sails alongside you for added security while exploring remote regions.

Sustainability Aboard Ventus Australis

The protection and preservation of the environment is an essential focus of Ventus Australis. Specialized processes to prevent damaging the pristine natural area the vessel cruises in were given great consideration, such as the separating and compacting of garbage to deposit at port, an onboard sewage and solid waste treatment plant and excursion boats with more environmentally friendly four-stroke engines. Guides with small groups (20 or fewer travelers) stay on established trails to minimize any impact on local fauna.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Ventus Australis

The 100 Ventus Australis spacious cabins are divided into five categories, all with lower beds, a picture window, private bathroom, heating, closet and safe deposit box. The majority of cabins (96) measure 177 square feet each, while the 4 Superior cabins on the Cabo de Hornos and Tierra del Fuego Decks measure 220 square feet each. Bed configurations include twin or matrimonial, depending on the cabin.