Occasionally, very interesting mail and e-mail comes across Travels With Sheila’s desk. One of these is a Cruise West flyer for what sounded to me like a great cruise down into Patagonia. ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I have trekked through Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia as well as cruised down to Antarctica. Both totally unique experiences as well as completely different ways of seeing the southernmost end of the world.

You’ll travel to the “End of the Earth” aboard the 64-cabin Via Australis. All cabins all come with private facilities, low beds, panoramic windows and usual room amenities. The ship has 5 Decks, 2 lounges, dining room, a wide open promenade deck and bridge open to passengers. Cruise West has extremely important selling points if you are interested in cruising but have never done so before:

the famous “Cuernos del Paine” (Horns of Paine) in Torres del Paine National Park 

- One shore activity or sightseeing tour is included in every port;

- All the cabins have large, panoramic windows;

- The cost of your cruise includes $750 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. The taxes/port charges/fees really add up on every cruise;

- On board gratuities are neither required nor expected;

- An optional Land tour into Tores del Paine National Park; and

- The ship is small. This allows you to get into exotic places that the bigger ships can’t access.

- Begin in Buenos Aires, Argentina, eat great food and visit the San Telmo Flea Market if you happen to be there on a weekend.

- Round the “Cape.” Cape Horn is popularly referred to as the “End of the Earth” with its hazardous waters due to strong winds, large waves, powerful currents, and icebergs

zodiacs in Antarctica waters 

the predator Leopard seal had frightening teeth, Danco Island, Antarctica
- See Isla Carlos III situated in the Straits of Magellan where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. There are sea elephants, whales, Magellanic penguins, cormorants, and albatross.

- Magdalena Island is uninhabited by humans and hosts a colony of over 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic Penguins.

- Punta Arenas, the third largest city in the entire Patagonian Region. Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city (loved Ushuaia).Santiago, Chile’s capital city. Valparaiso, Chile was once an important stopover for ships traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Doesn’t it sound great? Check out Cruise West for yourself.