Ventus Australis

capacity

210

year built

2017

length

292 feet

beam

48 feet

The 210-guest Ventus Australis is a luxury expedition vessel cruising in Chile’s famed Patagonia region. Similar to her sister ship, Stella Australis, she features gourmet dining with an all-inclusive bar, three lounges, expansive open top deck and 100 spacious cabins with large windows for admiring the spectacular southern scenery. 

Designed to maneuver Patagonia’s narrow fjords and glacial channels, Ventus Australis—”Southern Wind” in Latin—features the latest regulations regarding safety at sea and protecting the marine environment. These sister ships are the only passenger vessels that can venture through the narrow fjords of Tierra del Fuego and disembark at fabled Cape Horn.

Ventus Australis Review

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Ventus Australis review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. AdventureSmith’s Patagonia experts have been aboard nearly every expedition vessel in the region. Please read our review below then contact our small ship cruise experts to compare the Ventus Australis with other small cruise ships offering Patagonia cruises.

Choose the Ventus Australis if you seek an exceptional cruise experience in Patagonia aboard the most modern, tailor-made small ship in the region. Ventus Australis builds on the success of its sister ship: same size, same number of cabins, same arrangement of lounges, and as expected, the same high levels of service, naturalist guiding, cuisine and safety as our travelers have seen aboard the Stella. The differences are in the decor, with the newer more contemporary Ventus has furnishings with more luxurious, stylish feel featuring driftwood sculptures, regional artwork, and large leather sofas and comfortable chairs.

Common Areas Aboard Ventus Australis

Ventus Australis offers plenty of space to take in the breathtaking beauty of the region, whether it’s from the warmth and comfort of one of the three interior lounges that feature floor-to-ceiling windows or the large panoramic top deck where you can fully appreciate the remarkable natural environment. The Darwin Lounge is the the place to swap adventure stories. Offering nearly 360-degree views with an open bar the Darwin Lounge is also used for nightly lectures on the next day’s tours. The smaller Sky Lounge offers all-day self-service coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juices and pastries while the forward-facing Yamana Lounge is a quiet, intimate space with games tables and sofas for reading or enjoying the view.

Dining Aboard Ventus Australis

Aboard Ventus Australis enjoy gourmet dining with buffet breakfasts and lunches and four-course dinners that blend continental and Chilean cuisine in the large Patagonia Dining Room. The all-inclusive bar features a wide selection of liquors, local craft beers and exquisite Chilean wines. 

Activities Aboard Ventus Australis

During the cruise there are daily shore excursions from zodiac boats. Excursions vary by itinerary but typically include walks through trails in the native forests while discussing flora and fauna, visits to glaciers and when conditions allow and disembarking at Cape Horn National Park. Aboard, the expedition team hosts daily lectures and slideshows about the flora, fauna, history, geography, glaciology and ethnography of the legendary Patagonia region.

Sustainability Aboard Ventus Australis

The protection and preservation of the environment is an essential focus of Ventus Australis. Specialized processes to prevent damaging the pristine natural area the vessel cruises in were given great consideration, such as the separating and compacting of garbage to deposit at port, an onboard sewage and solid waste treatment plant and excursion boats with more environmentally friendly four-stroke engines. Guides with small groups of 20 or less stay on established trails to minimize any impact on local fauna.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Ventus Australis

The 100 Ventus Australis spacious cabins consist of six categories, all with lower beds, a picture window, private bathroom, heating, closet and safe deposit box. 96 cabins measure 177 square feet, while the 4 Superior cabins on the Cabo de Hornos and Tierra del Fuego Decks measure 220 square feet. Bed configurations include twin or matrimonial, depending on the cabin.