Cruising: SOUTH AMERICA
HAPPY FEET BY JANE ARCHER It is my lucky day. As I wander from the cliff to the beach at Bluff Cove, a lone King Penguin strides out of the water, shakes himself and walks along the beach. Right in front of me. I am in the Falkland Islands, on day six of a two-week voyage from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso in Chile on P&O Cruises’ Adonia. This is easily the most popular cruise in South America; a soft adventure that ticks off many diverse places and experiences including getting so close to the mighty Amalia and PIOX Glaciers – the latter covering an area larger than Santiago de Chile. We sailed through the Chilean
fjords and around Cape Horn. We went ashore in Puerto Madryn, Argentina, where I toured the bleak Valdes Peninsula, home of ostrich-like rheas, llama-like guanacos and gauchos (cowboys), and Punta Arenas in Chile, which reminded me of a Wild West frontier town.
“Those cruising around South America see many countries without having to repack. In 13-17 days they can do the highlights of Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, cruise around Cape Horn and through the Chilean Fjords”
WENDY LAHMICH, DIRECTOR OF SALES HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Antarctica but feeling less
adventurous can join a sightseeing- only voyage with Holland America Line or Celebrity Cruises. Landings are made via small boats, with passengers mostly disembarking onto beaches and rocks. Richard Meadows, Holland America Executive Vice-President Marketing, Sales and Guest Programmes said: “South America is a favourite with our guests because it offers everything in one region, from exotic ports of call to well-known cities, and from the warmth of the Amazon to the snow- capped glaciers of Antarctica.” Ships cruise in South America during the UK winter, which is
summer in the southern hemisphere (but the Falklands and Antarctica will still be cold).
The most popular trip is a two-
week cruise between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso but there are many other itineraries that variously take in Brazil, Peru and transit the Panama Canal. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea and Swan Hellenic are circumnavigating the continent this winter – a fantastic two-month journey – but there are shorter sectors for those without the time or money for such a long trip.
What’s new Cruising: Seabourn (
seabourn.co.uk) is
cruising to Antarctica for the fi rst time this winter. The 450-passenger Seabourn Quest has been fi tted with an ice-strengthened hull and will be sailing four cruises from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso that include fi ve days in Antarctica and a visit to the Falkland Islands. From £8,962pp, cruise-only. Swan Hellenic’s (
swanhellenic.com) Minerva is circumnavigating South America from January to March 2014. Options include a 23-day Spirit of Brazil cruise from Buenos Aires to Manaus from £3,350pp including fl ights, shore excursions and gratuities. Silversea (
silversea.com) has bought a 100-passenger vessel to sail in the Galapagos. The Silver Galapagos enters service in September, sailing two seven-night island-hopping itineraries. Butler service, drinks and gratuities are included in the price. Avalon Waterways (
avaloncruises.co.uk)
Left, clockwise from top left, Rio’s stunning bay, Compagnie du Ponant among the ice, a Silversea snack, tapestry. Facing, the Bremen (top) and Cartagena in Colombia
Falkland Islands
A C O M P L E T E L Y U N I Q U E W I L D L I F E E X P E R I E N C E International Tours & Travel | Tailor-made holidays to the Falklands & more
www.falklandislands.travel | Tel: +500 22041
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76