41 nights · Argentina · Departs Buenos Aires (Argentina) · Visiting Ushuaia, Drake Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel, Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco, Valparaiso-Santiago, Iquique, Callao-Lima, Manta, Panama City, Panama Canal, Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale · Aboard Viking Cruises on the Viking Polaris
Image courtesy of Viking Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Viking Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Viking Polaris |
| Duration | 41 nights |
| Port calls | 17 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $41,085 per person |
| Year built | 2022 |
| Guests | 378 |
| Cabins | 189 |
| Crew | 260 |
| Length | 203 m |
| Beam | 24 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Buenos Aires is a city of broad boulevards, grand theatres and late dinners, with a distinctly Argentine pulse. From the port, explore La Boca’s vivid lanes or San Telmo’s antique market. Recoleta adds belle époque architecture; Palermo brings leafy parks, galleries and restaurants. Make time for a steakhouse and a tango performance, two traditions that give the capital its lasting character.
Ushuaia sits between the Beagle Channel and the snow-streaked Martial Mountains, at Argentina’s far southern edge. Its harbor has long served as a gateway to Antarctica, while the town itself rewards a slower look. Ride the End of the World Train into Tierra del Fuego National Park, or tour the former prison museum. Here, wild landscapes begin just beyond the last streets.
Few sea crossings carry the weight of the Drake Passage. Here, the Atlantic and Pacific meet between Cape Horn and Antarctica, and conditions can change quickly. Some voyages pass in calm water; others encounter the swells that made this route legendary. Watch from deck for albatrosses and petrels, then settle into the ship’s routines. The passage is no mere transfer: it is the first clear measure of Antarctica’s scale and remoteness.
The Antarctic Peninsula brings you within reach of Antarctica’s most dramatic scenery: mountain-backed glaciers, blue icebergs and sheltered bays. Most voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia, then explore by expedition ship and Zodiac, weather permitting. Watch for gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, seals and whales. Shore visits follow strict environmental rules, and plans can change with conditions. Expect few comforts ashore; the reward is a rare encounter with a continent still governed by ice and weather.
Few sea crossings carry the weight of the Drake Passage. Here, the Atlantic and Pacific meet between Cape Horn and Antarctica, and conditions can change quickly. Some voyages pass in calm water; others encounter the swells that made this route legendary. Watch from deck for albatrosses and petrels, then settle into the ship’s routines. The passage is no mere transfer: it is the first clear measure of Antarctica’s scale and remoteness.
Few names in navigation carry the weight of Cape Horn. On Hornos Island, Chile, it marks the southern end of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Here, Atlantic and Pacific waters meet near the Drake Passage. Landing depends on weather and sea conditions, so many visitors view the island from ship. Ashore, a lighthouse, small chapel and Albatross Monument recall the mariners who navigated this formidable route.
Ushuaia sits between the Beagle Channel and the snow-streaked Martial Mountains, at Argentina’s far southern edge. Its harbor has long served as a gateway to Antarctica, while the town itself rewards a slower look. Ride the End of the World Train into Tierra del Fuego National Park, or tour the former prison museum. Here, wild landscapes begin just beyond the last streets.
Few names in navigation carry the weight of Cape Horn. On Hornos Island, Chile, it marks the southern end of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Here, Atlantic and Pacific waters meet near the Drake Passage. Landing depends on weather and sea conditions, so many visitors view the island from ship. Ashore, a lighthouse, small chapel and Albatross Monument recall the mariners who navigated this formidable route.
Beagle Channel cuts through the southern reaches of Tierra del Fuego, dividing the main island from smaller islands. Along Chile’s western shore, steep, forested slopes and glacier-carved valleys rise above cold, clear water. Named for HMS Beagle, the passage rewards deck watching, with chances to spot sea lions, cormorants and dolphins. For travellers bound toward Cape Horn, it is a striking introduction to Patagonia’s far-southern maritime world.
South of Puerto Montt, Chile’s fjords form a maze of islands, channels and snowbound peaks. Glaciers descend from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, while temperate rainforest reaches the water’s edge. Watch for dolphins and seabirds from deck; shore landings, where offered, reveal remote coastlines at close range. These are working waterways as well as wild scenery, best appreciated slowly, with camera ready and plans flexible.
At the edge of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas feels like a city built for crossing oceans. Its broad avenues and ornate mansions reflect the fortunes of sheep farming and trade. The Maggiorino Borgatello Museum traces Patagonia’s natural and human history. Climb Cerro de la Cruz for views across the harbor and rooftops. From here, boats reach Magdalena Island, home to thousands of Magellanic penguins.
South of Puerto Montt, Chile’s fjords form a maze of islands, channels and snowbound peaks. Glaciers descend from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, while temperate rainforest reaches the water’s edge. Watch for dolphins and seabirds from deck; shore landings, where offered, reveal remote coastlines at close range. These are working waterways as well as wild scenery, best appreciated slowly, with camera ready and plans flexible.
Puerto Chacabuco is a working port on Chile’s remote Aysén coast, where forested mountains rise from the fjords. Most visitors come for the journey inland: Coyhaique, the regional capital, lies about 80 kilometres away by road. From there, Patagonia opens into river valleys, glaciers and the Río Simpson National Reserve. Near the harbour, watch daily life unfold in one of Chile’s least-visited regions.
South of Puerto Montt, Chile’s fjords form a maze of islands, channels and snowbound peaks. Glaciers descend from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, while temperate rainforest reaches the water’s edge. Watch for dolphins and seabirds from deck; shore landings, where offered, reveal remote coastlines at close range. These are working waterways as well as wild scenery, best appreciated slowly, with camera ready and plans flexible.
Valparaíso is Chile’s most characterful port, a steep-sided city rising above the Pacific in a mosaic of color. Ride a historic funicular into the hills, where murals, stairways and bright houses reward unhurried exploration. In the UNESCO-listed historic quarter, grand 19th-century architecture recalls the era when ships rounded Cape Horn. Visit La Sebastiana, poet Pablo Neruda’s house, then return to the waterfront for fresh seafood and broad Pacific views.
Iquique lies between the Pacific and the Atacama, where desert meets a broad, surf-lined coast. Its historic centre recalls the nitrate boom, with ornate wooden façades along Baquedano Street. Plaza Prat’s clock tower anchors the district. Browse the ZOFRI free-trade zone, or linger over seafood by the waterfront. Inland, the UNESCO-listed Humberstone and Santa Laura saltpeter works reveal the harsh history behind the city’s prosperity.
Callao is Peru’s working maritime gateway, but its appeal extends beyond the harbour. From here, Lima’s historic centre and museums are within reach. In Callao, explore the imposing Real Felipe Fortress, built to defend the port, then visit La Punta for Pacific views. Stay for ceviche and discover a city shaped by trade, naval history and the ocean.
Manta is Ecuador’s principal Pacific port, where fresh tuna signals a city shaped by the sea. Visit the fish market, then explore the waterfront and discover how fishing built Manta’s identity. Nearby Montecristi is famed for Ecuadorian toquilla-straw hats, often mistakenly called Panama hats. Choose a Pacific beach escape, or linger over grilled seafood before returning to the ship.
Balboa sits at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, where ocean-going ships begin their passage between continents. From the port, Panama City’s skyline rises beyond the canal’s working waters. Visit Casco Viejo for restored colonial streets, independent cafés and views across the bay. Or follow the Amador Causeway toward the Biomuseo and sweeping views of ships awaiting transit. Balboa rewards travelers who look beyond the canal to a capital shaped by trade, history and the sea.
Few journeys change your sense of scale like a passage through the Panama Canal. This 50-mile waterway links the Atlantic and Pacific, lifting ships through locks and across Gatun Lake. Watch the gates close, water rise, and a vast vessel move within inches of concrete walls. On deck, the engineering is the spectacle; beyond it, rainforest edges the route. Bring binoculars, and stay outside for the crossing.
Cozumel, off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, pairs clear Caribbean water with a lively island town. San Miguel de Cozumel offers cafés, shops and a waterfront promenade within easy reach of the cruise piers. Beyond town, reef excursions reveal why divers travel here, while San Gervasio preserves the island’s Mayan history. Choose a beach day, a guided snorkel or a drive around the coast; each shows a different side of Cozumel.
Port Everglades puts Fort Lauderdale within easy reach of the city’s waterways, beaches and cultural attractions. A short drive brings you to Las Olas Boulevard, where galleries, restaurants and boutiques line a walkable stretch. Visit the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for a glimpse of old Florida, or head west toward the Everglades. Fort Lauderdale’s broad Atlantic beaches offer an easy counterpoint to the city’s lively dining scene.
Published September 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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