Ventus Australis: A Neat New Vessel Cruises Through Patagonia And Tierra Del Fuego
Nicely appointed with a small metal sculpture of a ship hull sitting on the coffee table, the intimate Yámana Lounge was designed as a quiet space. With ample-sized windows and 180-degree-views, the aft lounge—named for an indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego—is just the place to take in the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel's spectacular Glacier Alley as you sail along on the brand new Ventus Australis.
The new Ventus Australis was designed specifically for the shallow waters of Tierra del Fuego and... [+] the Beagle Channel.
The aptly named Ventus—"Southern Wind" in Latin— joins its sister ship Stella to ply the waters between the Tierra del Fuego port cities of Punta Arenas in Chile and Ushuaia on the Argentine side. With the ship being free of a casino, floor show and pool/hot tub, nor even having wifi, phone or TV connections, your trip will be nicely free of distractions over your four or eight-day journey at the bottom of the earth.
While tucked into a sofa in the Yámana Lounge, you can study the detailed GPS nautical charts on one of the big screens that each of the ship lounges have. Or, from the bookshelves in the ship's concierge area first select a locally-themed title, such as Uttermost Part of the Earth, E. Lucas Bridges' classic late-19th-century adventure of growing up as one of the first Europeans in Tierra del Fuego; the fascinating tale mixes a tone of friendship with, and deep respect for, the three main indigenous peoples of the area, along with that antiquated settlers' superiority complex of the day.
When you ultimately do want company, the ship's open bar Darwin Lounge is the place to swap stories with guests from far-flung places, most of whom have long dreamed of heading down here, and some of whom come to spend long months on South American treks.
The Darwin Lounge has nearly 360-degree views which means that during one of the evening nature/culture lectures guests' attention may be drawn away at the sighting of a whale or a pod of dolphins swimming merrily alongside the Ventus.
Somewhere in between the vibes of the quiet Yámana and the Darwin, the Sky Lounge feels more like a large living room with stylish lounge chairs and low-slung couches in a circular conversational arrangement. You'll soon make it your spot for a late-afternoon coffee and snack pick-me-up and the place to sink in with a book into a leather director's or modernist chair next to a reading lamp.
Modern and comfy, and with huge windows, Ventus Australis staterooms have a decided city hotel feel... [+] to them.
When looking for your stateroom, you'll find the number displayed in an attractive porthole-style frame. None of Ventus's bright, carpeted staterooms have balconies, yet none are needed in this cool clime, nor especially with your room having windows that reach almost floor-to-ceiling and allow you to take in every inch of the rugged scenery passing by.
The cabin's steamer trunk-inspired nightstand is designed with brass buttons, wood elements and leather corners, while its drawer is lined with an antique-style map of the waters through which you're sailing.
That same retro explorer-design style applies to your desk and mirror, and right down to a holder on the desktop that's made for the gift canteen that each passenger receives. Likewise, a leather sling chair looks like it came from a movie set from a bygone era, while nautical-themed reading lamps are by Ralph Lauren.
Simulated fabric wallpaper and plenty of closet space make the staterooms as comfy and attractive as a small hotel room. Even more than the huge mirror, the heated bathroom rack is most welcome after a damp excursion after which you can't wait to peel off your soaking gear.
One of several lounges on the Ventus Australis, the Yámana is the ship's quiet zone.
Guests are assigned tables in the ship's spacious dining room where breakfast and lunch are buffet affairs. The à la carte dinner menu serves everything from ceviche and fish, such as grilled swordfish or salmon with ratatouille, to braised Magellanic lamb and Patagonian beef.
The 210 Ventus passengers come largely from North America, followed by a strong contingent onboard from other English-speaking countries, as well as a fair number of Germans, French, and Spanish-speakers from various nations.
The ship's popular bridge and engine room tours are a chance to learn how this Chilean-made vessel was engineered with a shallow draft to operate especially in these waters. Once you've been below, you'll appreciate even more the Australis cruise line's policy on environmental standards (found here), such as waste treatment practices both onboard and on excursions.
Australis is the only cruise line conducting the same passages through Tierra del Fuego, which means that from your perch in the Ventus's tranquil Yámana Lounge you’ll truly have these legendary waters all to yourself.
The Sky Lounge is one of three public spaces on the Ventus Australis.
Travel Notes:
For North American travelers not yet that familiar with Latin America's largest airline, LATAM flies to 140 destinations in 25 countries. LATAM's New York evening departure to Santiago, Chile, in a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with 2x2x2 seating in Business Class means arriving fresh in the morning.
Ventus Australis passengers then fly domestically to either Punta Arenas to embark on the ship or to Puerto Natales if they plan to first visit the famous Torres del Paine National Park.
Upon disembarking the Ventus Australis in Ushuaia, Argentina, guests can fly LATAM from that city to Buenos Aires and beyond.
But the old prospecting town of Ushuaia—originally home to the Yámana people—is worth exploring in its own right. And right on the Beagle Channel some miles outside of town, the decade-old Los Cauquenes spa resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
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