The Australis experience

Patagonia-specialist adding second purpose-built ship

BY GREG COATES

Macas (r) with Ensemble co-president Lindsay Pearlman

Small-ship adventure cruise line Australis has good news for agents with wanderlust clients interested in sailing to the “end of the world” – it is launching a second ship next year, Ventus Australis, sister ship to Stella Australis (pictured).
Operating September through April, Australis itineraries showcase the natural wonders of Patagonia and Cape Horn, with departures from Punta Arenas, Chile, and Ushuaia, Argentina.
Australis offers three-, four-, five- and seven-night all-inclusive cruises, with itineraries following in the footsteps of Magellan, Drake and Darwin and featuring such destinations as the legendary Strait of Magellan, Cape Horn and the remote islands of Tierra del Fuego.
Dallyce Macas, Canadian representative for Australis, was in Toronto Aug. 17 to verse the trade on all that the expedition cruise company has to offer, with the big news being the launch of Ventus Australis early next year.
She noted Australis’ ships are purpose-built for the fjords of southern Chile and not repositioned during the off-season, and that included shore excursions featuring no more than
12 passengers.
“It’s all about the wildlife. We can talk about the beauty of the ships, but it’s all about the penguins,” she said. “We also enjoy taking in the silence of the area; it’s a very beautiful experience.”
She added that the Patagonia region is also well known for its birding and history.
And how else do we engage our guests, she asked?
“There’s no wireless, no cell phones,” said Macas. “People have to talk.”
Also on hand for the event was airline partner LATAM Airlines, the largest carrier in South America.
For agents, Australis offers a Specialist Program. For details, visit:
www.australisagents.com