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"Ventus Australis" has been announced as the
name of the new ship being built for Patagonian cruise line, Australis, which
offers 'bottom of the world' expedition voyages to Cape Horn and the glaciers
and fjords of Tierra del Fuego.
Latin for southern wind (Australis – southern; Ventus - wind), the new,
210-passenger Ventus Australis is being constructed at a shipyard in Valdivia in
southern Chile ahead of her launch in late 2017 for Australis' 2017/18 summer
season of cruising in Patagonia.
Tailor-made for cruising on the southern tip of South America, Ventus Australis
will replace the smaller, 136-passenger Via Australis, which was built in 2005
and sold recently to Lindblad Expeditions.
Ventus Australis will be a twin sister to the 210-passenger Stella Australis,
launched in 2010, which will continue to offer expedition voyages through the
channels and fjords of southern Chile during the next 2016/17 summer season
until her new fleet-mate joins her for Australis' 2017/18 program.
When she commences service, Ventus Australis will offer four-night cruises from
Ushuaia in Argentina to Punta Arenas in Chile or return – the two southernmost
towns in the world.
Australis is the only operator to offer regular cruises through the region, with
the family-owned Chilean cruise line also offering more opportunities for
travelers to step ashore on fabled Cape Horn than any other line.
From September to April each year, Australis operates regular three to
seven-night expedition cruises from Ushuaia and Punta Arenas through the
mountain and glacier-lined fjords of Tierra del Fuego, the Magellan Strait and
Beagle Channel. Included in fares are zodiac excursions ashore to places like
Cape Horn, Wulaia Bay and Pia Glacier. An average of seven massive tidewater
glaciers can be seen on most Australis sailings while wildlife along the way
includes elephant seals and Magellanic penguins.
Like Stella Australis (Latin for southern star), Ventus Australis will offer
cabins with extra-large panoramic windows (almost floor to ceiling) so guests
can enjoy vistas of spectacular scenery bathed in extended summer daylight. All
guests will be offered complimentary, guided excursions and nature lectures as
well as a free open-bar. Cuisine aboard includes local dishes as well as Chilean
and Argentine wines. English and Spanish are spoken onboard.
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