Antarctica & South American Fjords

Today, depart from Australia (or New Zealand) to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, be welcomed by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel.

Buenos Aires is a vibrant and passionate city, often called the Paris of South America, where European elegance meets Latin flair. The Argentine capital buzzes with life, from grand boulevards and historic architecture to lively tango halls, leafy plazas, and world-class steakhouses that showcase the city’s rich cultural spirit.

Please note:
• Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation which you will receive prior to departure.
• For those departing from Perth, you may depart on day -1 (two days earlier). Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive prior to departure.
• Some customers may experience an extended layover. Lounge passes may be purchased at your own expense.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: In-Flight

This morning, after breakfast, embark on a city tour of Buenos Aires and discover the charm and magic of this vibrant metropolis. Begin at Plaza de Mayo, a key site in Argentina's political history, surrounded by iconic buildings. Here, you'll learn about the area's significance before heading to San Telmo, one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, known for its cobblestone streets, antique shops and picturesque architecture. Next, explore the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca, famous for its tango culture and vibrant Caminito Street.

You’ll also visit important landmarks such as La Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace, known as The Pink House), the Cabildo (the colonial town hall), and the Neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, where Argentina’s founding father, José de San Martín, is laid to rest. Finally, admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. Stop at Eva "Evita" Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognisable icons.

After the city tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to continue exploring this eclectic city before embarking on an evening filled with entertainment and engagement.

This evening, prepare for a standout experience, beginning with a visit to the Secreto Tango Society. This newly opened underground venue offers a rare, intimate look into the world of tango. Secreto Tango provides a private, immersive experience where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the dancers’ world. The city’s most celebrated tango performers, both dancers and musicians, come together to deliver a performance charged with passion, precision, and storytelling. From the first note of the bandoneon to the intricate footwork on the dance floor, witness the emotion, drama, and elegance that make tango a symbol of Argentine culture.

After the tango, continue to the Argentine Experience, one of Buenos Aires’ most celebrated culinary adventures. Far more than dinner, it’s an interactive, immersive journey through Argentina’s rich food culture. Learn to make empanadas using the traditional repulgue folding technique, and craft a fresh chimichurri, connecting directly with Argentine culinary traditions.

The menu unfolds as a multi-course tasting journey, featuring 16 dishes that showcase Argentina’s diverse flavours. Start with delicate bites like Patagonian trout tartar, move through comforting local favourites such as chorizo, pork flank steak, and chard fritters, and culminate in a Beef Tasting, highlighting Argentina’s world-famous beef with tenderloin and slow-braised osso buco, paired with seasonal vegetables and boutique wines. The evening concludes with a Dessert Tasting, celebrating Argentina’s love for dulce de leche.

Please note: There may be a short gap between the tango show and dinner; both venues are located nearby in a beautiful neighbourhood perfect for a leisurely stroll, allowing you to soak in the city’s charm.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Today enjoy free time before being transferred to the cruise port to board Holland America’s Oosterdam ship for a 22-night adventure to the Falkland Islands, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords and beyond.

Holland America's Oosterdam
The Oosterdam, the second in Holland America's distinguished Vista Class, blends high style with inviting comfort. You'll find thoughtful upgrades and captivating artwork throughout the ship. Beyond the expansive ocean views and spacious staterooms, there's a wealth of activities to enjoy onboard. Every stateroom ensures your comfort with daily housekeeping, complimentary 24-hour room service, premium Elemis bath products, luxurious bathrobes, ample storage, fresh fruit upon request, a TV with on demand movies and programming, and more.

Please note:
•The ship will be docked in port overnight and depart the following evening at 18:00. Enjoy the evening in Buenos Aires and continue exploring this eclectic city.
•The following cruise itinerary makes suggestions for activities visitors can enjoy during leisure time in each port. Additional charges may apply.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Depart: 18:00

In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Since that time, Buenos Aires continues to fascinate and entertain visitors, both for its chaotic energy and for its sheer urban beauty. The Belle Époque grandeur and enormous tracts of greenery continue to be a drawcard. Any list of things to do in Buenos Aires would begin with its many walkable neighbourhoods: Palermo especially stands out, thanks to creative residents who have pushed the restaurant scene well beyond beef. Portenos, as the locals are called, may be of Spanish, Italian, Jewish or Middle Eastern descent, a mix of cultures which is reflected in the city's dialect, foods and pastimes.

Looking beyond the city's sights, Buenos Aires is known as the birthplace of tango, and fans come here from around the world to take part in or watch the milongas (dance events). Argentines are world leaders in polo, and as the sport gains global celebrity, it draws the interest of more and more travellers.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Docked Arrives: 8:00 - Departs the following day

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, may not have the hustle and bustle of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, yet it shares that city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent steak houses. There is a relaxed feel to this more low-key counterpart with a surprising mix of neighbourhoods. The Ciudad Vieja, with its grid of streets on a peninsula separating the Río de la Plata from the harbour, is the colonial heart. It has recently undergone a renaissance with restaurants, bars and clubs opening in historic buildings that have been meticulously restored. Montevideo’s downtown offers a treasure trove of Art Deco buildings, while the newer eastern suburbs may evoke Miami, USA. Gleaming skyscrapers and open-air cafés overlook beaches that run for miles.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Departs: 15:00

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy a sea day to explore the onboard activities and amenities. Why not catch a show at the World Stage or Rolling Stone Lounge, or try your hand at pickleball before enjoying a sundowner at one of the onboard bars (charges apply).

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrives: 9:00 - Departs: 17:00

To a Spanish speaker, the name of Puerto Madryn, a city of some 94,000 in northern Patagonia in Argentina, may look odd. That second word doesn't appear to be Spanish, because it's not. Love Jones-Parry, a prominent Welsh landowner, traveled to Patagonia in 1862 to determine whether the area was appropriate for Welsh settlers. When his ship was blown off course, he named the bay where it landed Porth Madryn, after his estate in Wales. In 1865, a group of 162 Welsh immigrants (other sources put the figure at 150), encouraged by Jones-Parry's favourable reports, sailed to Argentina to establish the settlement known today as Puerto Madryn.

Traces of the city's British roots remain you can find restaurants that still serve afternoon tea. But for most travellers today, Puerto Madryn is best known as the gateway to the Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to significant populations of seals, sea lions and whales just offshore. While the natural wonders and the region's fauna are the main draws, it's worth spending some time exploring the restaurant-lined promenades and beaches that have made the city an increasingly popular resort destination.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00 (times subject to weather conditions)

The world's southernmost capital, Stanley is located in the Falklands archipelago, consisting of two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with smaller islands nearby. Stanley is proud of its British heritage, evidenced everywhere from its red telephone boxes to its pubs. The Falklands were used as a base for ships hunting sperm whales for oil, followed by those hunting seals for fur in the early days of colonisation. Today in this remote British territory, fishing and tourism drives the economy.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, your Holland America ship will arrive at the White Continent.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Thanks to its location on one of the southernmost points in South America, Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route’s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast.

Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, “rounding the Horn” remains a challenge for the many yacht races that pass through its icy waters. Hornos, the island where Cape Horn is located, may look desolate and treeless, but it’s home to a vast number of gulls and other seabirds.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Ushuaia Docked Arrives: 9:00 - Departs: 15:30
Dramatic, fantastical, otherworldly—this is the end of the world, for real. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine—and towering—Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel). Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego region, which is best described as a spectacular collection of superlative natural wonders. It’s a veritable kaleidoscope of glittering glaciers, snowcapped mountains, dense forests, sparkling lakes and windswept plains spread across an archipelago of rugged islands.

The town itself is a maze of streets lined with low-slung buildings that all seem to meet at its heart, the port. Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony. After its closure under the infamous Argentine leader Juan Peron, the large jail was reconfigured to house one of the city’s most popular museums. Other current in-town attractions include a maritime museum and a museum dedicated to the region’s natural history, as well as restaurants preparing the marquee offering local king crab.

Daylight Cruising Glacier Alley (Cruising Only)
As alleys go, this one is mighty long. Glacier Alley or, as it’s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers—stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240 kilometre long Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. Argentina’s Ushuaia and Chile’s Puerto Williams, both common starting points for travellers exploring Glacier Alley, are two of the world’s southernmost towns. As you travel into the Beagle Channel, the vital waterway that allowed ships to avoid the hellish fury of the waters around Cape Horn, you follow the route that the famous HMS Beagle took with a young and then-unknown geologist and evolutionary biologist on board, Charles Darwin. Even if your journey is shrouded in foggy mist, you can’t miss the cracking sound of the blue ice as it tumbles into the channel or the rush of ice-melt waterfalls. Along with all these natural wonders, a visit to Glacier Alley comes with opportunities to see penguin rookeries, humpback whales and seals.

Beagle Channel (Cruising only)
Running through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Beagle Channel is a scenic and wonderfully calm strait that has become a hugely popular cruise destination. Named in 1830 after a charting voyage by the HMS Beagle—the ship that later became famous for carrying English evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin on his five-year journey of discovery the channel is one of a trio of navigable passages around the tip of South America. Some 240 kilometres long, the channel extends from Nueva Island in the east to Darwin Sound and Cook Bay in the west.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Punta Arenas Docked Arrives: 10:00 - Departs: 22:00

If Punta Arenas exudes an "edge of the world" air, it's not without reason. This windblown city near Chile's southernmost tip sits on the Strait of Magellan, which itself is positioned squarely between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The city has played—and continues to play an important role in geographic, political and economic affairs in South America's so-called Southern Cone, which is formed by Chile and neighbouring Argentina. Too many travellers rush through Punta Arenas, treating it as a pit stop on their way to the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and other attractions in Patagonia, but there's plenty in this city and its environs to experience, too. From penguin spotting on Isla Magdalena and kayaking the Strait of Magellan to visiting area farms and then indulging in surf-and-turf specialties (here meaning fresh seafood and asado, or Chilean barbecue) at local restaurants, Punta Arenas is worth a stopover all its own.

Strait of Magellan (Cruising only)
Before the Panama Canal, there was the Strait of Magellan. This cinematic channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans cuts between the mainland tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego island. It was the passage of choice for seafaring transport between these two oceans until the Panama Canal shortened the distance by thousands of miles in 1914.

The first European to traverse its waters, all 560 kilometres in length and up to 32 kilometres in width of them, was Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan, who did so in 1520 in the name of Spanish exploration. Magellan surely sailed mouth agape at the impressive glacial and mountainous scenery, the undiscovered colonies of Magellanic penguins, pods of humpback whales and schools of Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins—all surely equally agog with the presence of man in this Patagonian paradise. With photogenic Punta Arenas as its main port, the Strait of Magellan is a bucket-list voyage for intrepid adventurers the world over.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Scenic cruising Sarmiento Channel (Cruising only)
One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guia Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. The Kawesqar people have inhabited this region for more than 6,000 years, but the channel was named for a more recent arrival: the Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, who first navigated it between 1579 and 1580. The Chilean mainland lies to the east, and the islands of Esperanza, Vancouver and Piazzi flank the channel to the west. As elsewhere in the Chilean fjord region, the ragged coastline is cut with inlets set among snow-covered mountain ranges. In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals, including Magellanic penguins, southern elephant seals, dolphins and orcas, can be seen along these shores.

Scenic cruising Amalia or Brujo Glacier (Cruising only)
Ice and weather. That’s what it all comes down to as ships make their way through this part of the world. On Chile’s coast along the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, ice buildup and quixotic weather conditions heavily dictate which routes ships can take. Even when passage is safe around the popular Amalia, El Brujo or numerous other breathtaking glaciers found here, misty rain or soupy fog might be the order of the day. And it can always shift in a flash, as glassy waters erupt into choppy waves or, more happily, shrouded peaks become flooded with sunlight sparkling off the ice fields, letting you relish a momentary peaceful stillness in the air.

From the comfort of your ship deck, marvel at the different appearances of the glaciers, from fields pocked with lumps of ice to smooth watery rivulets, all in hues of blue too numerous to describe. The truly lucky get to witness sunrise or dine at sunset while anchored in the deep fjords or narrow channels along the coast. But any time of the day, enjoy a backdrop of snowcapped peaks and look out for small Peale’s dolphins and sea lions as well as terns, albatrosses and other seabirds going about their daily business around you.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Much like the Norwegian coastline, the west coast of Chile is sliced by dramatic inlets, or fjords, lined with rugged mountains and glacier-covered valleys. This spectacular stretch of coastline starts near the Reloncavi Estuary (roughly halfway down the long spine of Chile) and extends south to the very end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. It's a distance of some 1,500 kilometres, as the crow flies. Travel here, however, is never in a straight line instead ships follow meandering paths along the many fjords and channels.

The area is known for its desolate beauty and not surprisingly it's home to many of Chile's national parks, including Alerce Andino, Hornopiren and Vicente Pérez Rosales, as well as the Llanquihue National Reserve and the Cochamo Valley. Early Spanish explorers came here in search of the mythical City of the Caesars, whose people were believed to be rich in gold and diamonds. Though the city was never found, the explorers added much to the world's navigational knowledge and at the same time established shipping routes that have been used ever since. Similarly, the riches that travellers to the region today discover are measured not in ounces or carats but in gasps of wonder at the stunning scenery of this windswept, dramatic land and its unusual animal residents.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 7:00 - Departs: 15:00

The tiny town of Puerto Chacabuco, with just over 1,000 residents, sits at the head of the Aisen Fjord. Even residents will acknowledge that there isn’t much to see in the town itself, which only recently bothered to put up street signs; the largest building is a fish-processing plant. It won’t take much more than a quick stroll to explore the entire municipality. Though this modest port may be lacking in compelling attractions, it is the gateway to some of the most beautiful sights in this part of Chilean Patagonia.

Many visitors choose to drive to the provincial capital, Coihaique, or Puerto Aisen, a city that straddles the Aisen River and is less than 20 minutes by car from Puerto Chacabuco. In both you can find options to shop for handicrafts and excellent local restaurants. To experience the natural beauty of the region, head to the Rio Simpson National Reserve for stunning vistas, pristine waterfalls and crystal-clear canyon rivers which are especially famous for their fantastic fly fishing and their enormous brown and rainbow trout. It doesn’t take long to get from Puerto Chacabuco to these nearby sights, so avoid the temptation to stay on board your ship and instead put on your walking shoes and go witness some of the wonders of this part of Chile.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00

Puerto Montt, the capital of the Los Lagos region of Chile, is often called the gateway to the country’s glacial lakes, volcanic landscapes and surrounding national parks. The port is also home to an over 100 year old German settlement as well as to indigenous communities of Mapuche people. Adventure travelers often base themselves here and in Puerto Varas when planning treks to Chiloé and Patagonia. Even a short visit, however, provides a fascinating look into Chile’s diverse cultures and offers a taste of the country's stunning scenery.

From a stroll around Puerto Varas overlooking Lake Llanquihue, one of Chile’s largest lakes, to a meal in the fishing village of Angelmó of the practically still-snapping catch of the day, washed down with a traditional German-style white wine, Puerto Montt is a fascinating introduction to southern Chile and the people who make their home in one of the world's most photogenic landscapes.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Disembark: 07:00

Disembark at the port of San Antonio and transfer to Vina del Mar, Chile’s “Garden City.” This sun-soaked coastal gem is famed for its golden beaches, lush parks, and vibrant flower-lined avenues.

In the afternoon, depart from the hotel and travel to the captivating port city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. This colourful city is famous for its winding streets, vibrant alleys, and staircases that climb its dramatic hills. Explore iconic landmarks such as Plaza Sotomayor and the monument honouring Chile’s naval heroes, before taking in breathtaking panoramic views over the bay from Paseo 21 de Mayo. Immerse yourself in the charm and energy of this artistic, hillside city.

Continue to Vina del Mar, known for its scenic pedestrian avenues, manicured gardens and sparkling beaches. Afterwards be returned to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to explore the beauty of this seaside town.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll be transferred to Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital, a dynamic city set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Once arrived, embark on a city sightseeing tour where you will first head to Plaza de Armas (translates to ‘square of weapons’) which, in colonial times, a gallows served as the square's grisly centrepiece. Today, there’s a fountain celebrating libertador (liberator) Simon Bolivar, shaded by more than a hundred Chilean palm trees.

Tour through the civic district, with ministerial buildings surrounding the government house, the Palacio de la Moneda. The final stop in the historical area is a tour of the old and stately neighbourhoods, a place full of an exquisite architectural variety brought by mainly European immigrants. Then observe magnificent panoramic views of the city and mountains before heading to the western area to see the great architectural contrast. A thriving and contemporary city with impressive buildings of daring styles that represent a seal of modernity to this big city.

Afterwards, be returned to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pullman Santiago El Bosque or similar, Santiago

Meals included: Breakfast

Today at the appropriate time be transferred to the airport in preparation for your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).

Please note: Due to flight availability, departure flights may be very late night or early morning on Day 30.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Sit back, relax and reminisce on the memories created over the past weeks on your trip to Antarctica and South America.

Meals included: None

Once arrived in Australia, make your own onward travel arrangements.

Meals included: None

Today, depart from Australia (or New Zealand) to Santiago, Chile.

Upon arrival in Santiago, be welcomed by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel.

Santiago is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city, where modern skyscrapers sit alongside historic colonial buildings. The Chilean capital pulses with energy, from bustling plazas and lively markets to world-class museums, vibrant neighbourhoods, and nearby vineyards, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Please note:
• Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation which you will receive prior to departure.
• For those departing from Perth, you may depart on day -1 (two days earlier). Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive prior to departure.
• Some customers may experience an extended layover. Lounge passes may be purchased at your own expense.

Overnight: Pullman Santiago El Bosque or similar, Santiago

Meals included: In-Flight

Today you’ll leave behind the sounds of the city for the charming seaside town of Vina del Mar.

Once arrived, embark on a city tour discovering the nearby port city of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. This colourful city is famous for its winding streets, vibrant alleys, and staircases that climb its dramatic hills. Explore iconic landmarks such as Plaza Sotomayor and the monument honouring Chile’s naval heroes, before taking in breathtaking panoramic views over the bay from Paseo 21 de Mayo.  Immerse yourself in the charm and energy of this artistic, hillside city.

Continue to Vina del Mar, known for its scenic pedestrian avenues, manicured gardens and sparkling beaches. Afterwards be returned to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to explore the beauty of this seaside town.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Depart: 18:00

Today enjoy free time before being transferred to the cruise port to board Holland America’s Oosterdam ship for a 22-night adventure to the Falkland Islands, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords and beyond.

Holland America's Oosterdam:
The Oosterdam, the second in Holland America's distinguished Vista Class, blends high style with inviting comfort. You'll find thoughtful upgrades and captivating artwork throughout the ship. Beyond the expansive ocean views and spacious staterooms, there's a wealth of activities to enjoy onboard. Every stateroom ensures your comfort with daily housekeeping, complimentary 24-hour room service, premium Elemis bath products, luxurious bathrobes, ample storage, fresh fruit upon request, a TV with on demand movies and programming, and more.

Please note: The following cruise itinerary makes suggestions for activities visitors can enjoy during leisure time in each port. Additional charges may apply.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Enjoy a sea day to explore the onboard activities and amenities. Why not catch a show at the World Stage or Rolling Stone Lounge, or try your hand at pickleball before enjoying a sundowner at one of the onboard bars (charges apply).

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00

Puerto Montt, the capital of the Los Lagos region of Chile, is often called the gateway to the country’s glacial lakes, volcanic landscapes and surrounding national parks. The port is also home to an over-100-year-old German settlement as well as to indigenous communities of Mapuche people. Adventure travellers often base themselves here and in Puerto Varas when planning treks to Chiloe and Patagonia. Even a short visit, however, provides a fascinating look into Chile’s diverse cultures and offers a taste of the country's stunning scenery.

From a stroll around Puerto Varas overlooking Lake Llanquihue, one of Chile’s largest lakes, to a meal in the fishing village of Angelmo of the practically still-snapping catch of the day, washed down with a traditional German-style white wine, Puerto Montt is a fascinating introduction to southern Chile and the people who make their home in one of the world's most photogenic landscapes.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 10:00 - Departs: 18:00

The tiny town of Puerto Chacabuco, with just over 1,000 residents, sits at the head of the Aisen Fjord. Even residents will acknowledge that there isn’t much to see in the town itself, which only recently bothered to put up street signs; the largest building is a fish-processing plant. It won’t take much more than a quick stroll to explore the entire municipality. Though this modest port may be lacking in compelling attractions, it is the gateway to some of the most beautiful sights in this part of Chilean Patagonia.

Many visitors choose to drive to the provincial capital, Coihaique, or Puerto Aisen, a city that straddles the Aisen River and is less than 20 minutes by car from Puerto Chacabuco. In both you can find options to shop for handicrafts and excellent local restaurants. To experience the natural beauty of the region, head to the Rio Simpson National Reserve for stunning vistas, pristine waterfalls and crystal-clear canyon rivers which are especially famous for their fantastic fly fishing and their enormous brown and rainbow trout. It doesn’t take long to get from Puerto Chacabuco to these nearby sights, so avoid the temptation to stay on board your ship and instead put on your walking shoes and go witness some of the wonders of this part of Chile.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Much like the Norwegian coastline, the west coast of Chile is sliced by dramatic inlets, or fjords, lined with rugged mountains and glacier-covered valleys. This spectacular stretch of coastline starts near the Reloncavi Estuary (roughly halfway down the long spine of Chile) and extends south to the very end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. It's a distance of some 1,500 kilometres, as the crow flies.

The area is known for its desolate beauty and not surprisingly it's home to many of Chile's national parks, including Alerce Andino, Hornopiren and Vicente Pérez Rosales, as well as the Llanquihue National Reserve and the Cochamo Valley. Early Spanish explorers came here in search of the mythical City of the Caesars, whose people were believed to be rich in gold and diamonds. Though the city was never found, the explorers added much to the world's navigational knowledge and at the same time established shipping routes that have been used ever since. Similarly, the riches that travellers to the region today discover are measured not in ounces or carats but in gasps of wonder at the stunning scenery of this windswept, dramatic land and its unusual animal residents.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Scenic cruising Amalia or Brujo Glacier (Cruising only)
Ice and weather. That’s what it all comes down to as ships make their way through this part of the world. On Chile’s coast along the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, ice buildup and quixotic weather conditions heavily dictate which routes ships can take. Even when passage is safe around the popular Amalia, El Brujo or numerous other breathtaking glaciers found here, misty rain or soupy fog might be the order of the day. And it can always shift in a flash, as glassy waters erupt into choppy waves or, more happily, shrouded peaks become flooded with sunlight sparkling off the ice fields, letting you relish a momentary peaceful stillness in the air.

From the comfort of your ship deck, marvel at the different appearances of the glaciers, from fields pocked with lumps of ice to smooth watery rivulets, all in hues of blue too numerous to describe. The truly lucky get to witness sunrise or dine at sunset while anchored in the deep fjords or narrow channels along the coast. But any time of the day, enjoy a backdrop of snowcapped peaks and look out for small Peale’s dolphins and sea lions as well as terns, albatrosses and other seabirds going about their daily business around you.

Scenic cruising Sarmiento Channel (Cruising only)
One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guia Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. The Kawesqar people have inhabited this region for more than 6,000 years, but the channel was named for a more recent arrival: the Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, who first navigated it between 1579 and 1580. The Chilean mainland lies to the east, and the islands of Esperanza, Vancouver and Piazzi flank the channel to the west. As elsewhere in the Chilean fjord region, the ragged coastline is cut with inlets set among snow-covered mountain ranges. In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals, including Magellanic penguins, southern elephant seals, dolphins and orcas, can be seen along these shores.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Strait of Magellan (Cruising only)
Before the Panama Canal, there was the Strait of Magellan. This cinematic channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans cuts between the mainland tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego island. It was the passage of choice for seafaring transport between these two oceans until the Panama Canal shortened the distance by thousands of miles in 1914. The first European to traverse its waters, all 560 kilometres in length and up to 32 kilometres in width of them, was Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan, who did so in 1520 in the name of Spanish exploration.

Punta Arenas
Docked Arrives: 6:00 - Departs: 18:00
If Punta Arenas exudes an "edge of the world" air, it's not without reason. This windblown city near Chile's southernmost tip sits on the Strait of Magellan, which itself is positioned squarely between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The city has played—and continues to play—an important role in geographic, political and economic affairs in South America's so-called Southern Cone, which is formed by Chile and neighbouring Argentina. Too many travellers rush through Punta Arenas, treating it as a pit stop on their way to the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and other attractions in Patagonia, but there's plenty in this city and its environs to experience, too.

Cockburn Channel (Cruising only)
As you near the southern tip of South America, traveling along the Chilean or Pacific coast, you'll know that you're approaching the Cockburn (pronounced "CO-burn") Channel when you see the twin rocks that guard its entrance. The channel flows between the Brecknock Peninsula (the westernmost edge of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego) and a number of islands, including Clarence Island with its irregular coastline of dramatic sounds that reach deep into its interior. The channel is part of the route that connects the Strait of Magellan to the Beagle Channel, while along both sides of the waterway is one of the crown jewels of Chile’s network of parks: Alberto de Agostini National Park.

Beagle Channel (Cruising only)
Running through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Beagle Channel is a scenic and wonderfully calm strait that has become a hugely popular cruise destination. Named in 1830 after a charting voyage by the HMS Beagle the ship that later became famous for carrying English evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin on his five-year journey of discovery the channel is one of a trio of navigable passages around the tip of South America.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Daylight cruising Glacier Alley (Cruising Only)
As alleys go, this one is mighty long. Glacier Alley or, as it’s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers—stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240 kilometre long Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. Argentina’s Ushuaia and Chile’s Puerto Williams, both common starting points for travellers exploring Glacier Alley, are two of the world’s southernmost towns. As you travel into the Beagle Channel, the vital waterway that allowed ships to avoid the hellish fury of the waters around Cape Horn, you follow the route that the famous HMS Beagle took with a young and then-unknown geologist and evolutionary biologist on board, Charles Darwin.

While fighting the harsh elements, and with no creature comforts like the ones enjoyed today, those early sailors were at least treated to one stunning glacier after another, each flowing down from massive mountain ranges and peaks such as the snowcapped one named for Darwin himself. Even if your journey is shrouded in foggy mist, you can’t miss the cracking sound of the blue ice as it tumbles into the channel or the rush of ice-melt waterfalls. Along with all these natural wonders, a visit to Glacier Alley comes with opportunities to see penguin rookeries, humpback whales and seals.

Ushuaia Arrives: 14:00 - Departs: 20:00
Dramatic, fantastical, otherworldly—this is the end of the world, for real. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine and towering Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel). Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego region, which is best described as a spectacular collection of superlative natural wonders. It’s a veritable kaleidoscope of glittering glaciers, snowcapped mountains, dense forests, sparkling lakes and windswept plains spread across an archipelago of rugged islands.

The town itself is a maze of streets lined with low-slung buildings that all seem to meet at its heart, the port. Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony. After its closure under the infamous Argentine leader Juan Peron, the large jail was reconfigured to house one of the city’s most popular museums. Other current in-town attractions include a maritime museum and a museum dedicated to the region’s natural history, as well as restaurants preparing the marquee offering local king crab.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Thanks to its location on one of the southernmost points in South America Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route’s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast.

Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, “rounding the Horn” remains a challenge for the many yacht races that pass through its icy waters. Hornos, the island where Cape Horn is located, may look desolate and treeless, but it’s home to a vast number of gulls and other seabirds.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, your Holland America ship will arrive at the White Continent.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00 (times subject to weather conditions)

The world's southernmost capital, Stanley is located in the Falklands archipelago, consisting of two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with smaller islands nearby. Stanley is proud of its British heritage, evidenced everywhere from its red telephone boxes to its pubs. The Falklands were used as a base for ships hunting sperm whales for oil, followed by those hunting seals for fur in the early days of colonisation. Today in this remote British territory, fishing and tourism drives the economy.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Docked Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00

To a Spanish speaker, the name of Puerto Madryn, a city of some 94,000 in northern Patagonia in Argentina, may look odd. That second word doesn't appear to be Spanish, because it's not. Love Jones-Parry, a prominent Welsh landowner, traveled to Patagonia in 1862 to determine whether the area was appropriate for Welsh settlers. When his ship was blown off course, he named the bay where it landed Porth Madryn, after his estate in Wales. In 1865, a group of 162 Welsh immigrants (other sources put the figure at 150), encouraged by Jones-Parry's favourable reports, sailed to Argentina to establish the settlement known today as Puerto Madryn.

Traces of the city's British roots remain you can find restaurants that still serve afternoon tea. But for most travellers today, Puerto Madryn is best known as the gateway to the Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to significant populations of seals, sea lions and whales just offshore. While the natural wonders and the region's fauna are the main draws, it's worth spending some time exploring the restaurant-lined promenades and beaches that have made the city an increasingly popular resort destination.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 10:00 - Departs: 19:00

For years, Punta del Este was one of those places that travel writers would describe as “sleepy.” With a population of laid-back permanent residents numbering just under 10,000, there wasn't a lot going on in this town in the remote southeastern corner of Uruguay. But then the news got out. Punta del Este began to be referred to as the Hamptons of South America, and more alluring still. as the continent's own St.-Tropez. In other words, Punta del Este was a gorgeous coast and a safe and moneyed port city: perfect for a vacation. It's the preferred getaway for wealthy Uruguayans and Argentines and many have second homes here. The population swells with these part-time residents and sun-seeking vacationers during the winter, when quiet Punta del Este cedes to its alter ego of glitzy, glamorous resort town. In addition to soaking up sun on the beautiful beaches and swimming in turquoise waters, visitors enjoy shopping at upscale boutiques, exploring the local art scene, trying their luck at a casino and tasting fresh-from-the-sea specialties at Punta del Este's restaurants.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Docked Arrives: 7:00 - Departs: 18:00

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, may not have the hustle and bustle of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, yet it shares that city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent steak houses. There is a relaxed feel to this more low-key counterpart with a surprising mix of neighbourhoods. The Ciudad Vieja, with its grid of streets on a peninsula separating the Rio de la Plata from the harbour, is the colonial heart. It has recently undergone a renaissance with restaurants, bars and clubs opening in historic buildings that have been meticulously restored. Montevideo’s downtown offers a treasure trove of Art Deco buildings, while the newer eastern suburbs may evoke Miami, USA. Gleaming skyscrapers and open-air cafés overlook beaches that run for miles.

Please note: Port arrival and departure times are subject to transit windows.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrives: 8:00

In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Since that time, Buenos Aires continues to fascinate and entertain visitors, both for its chaotic energy and for its sheer urban beauty. The Belle Époque grandeur and enormous tracts of greenery continue to be a drawcard. Any list of things to do in Buenos Aires would begin with its many walkable neighbourhoods - Palermo especially stands out, thanks to creative residents who have pushed the restaurant scene well beyond beef. Portenos, as the locals are called, may be of Spanish, Italian, Jewish or Middle Eastern descent, a mix of cultures which is reflected in the city's dialect, foods and pastimes.

Looking beyond the city's sights, Buenos Aires is known as the birthplace of tango, and fans come here from around the world to take part in or watch the milongas (dance events). Argentines are world leaders in polo, and as the sport gains global celebrity, it draws the interest of more and more travellers.

Please note: The ship spends the night in port in Buenos Aires, with disembarkation the following day.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Today you’ll disembark the ship and be met by a tour representative that will take you on a tour to discover the magic of Buenos Aires.

Begin at Plaza de Mayo, a key site in Argentina's political history, surrounded by iconic buildings. Here, you'll learn about the area's significance before heading to San Telmo, one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, known for its cobblestone streets, antique shops and picturesque architecture. Next, explore the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca, famous for its tango culture and vibrant Caminito Street.

You’ll also visit important landmarks such as La Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace, known as The Pink House), the Cabildo (the colonial town hall), and the Neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, where Argentina’s founding father, Jose de San Martín, is laid to rest. Finally, admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. Stop at Eva "Evita" Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognisable icons.

After the city tour, you will be taken to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to continue exploring this eclectic city before embarking on an evening filled with entertainment and engagement.

This evening, prepare for a standout experience, beginning with a visit to the Secreto Tango Society. This newly opened underground venue offers a rare, intimate look into the world of tango. Secreto Tango provides a private, immersive experience where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the dancers’ world. The city’s most celebrated tango performers, both dancers and musicians, come together to deliver a performance charged with passion, precision, and storytelling. From the first note of the bandoneon to the intricate footwork on the dance floor, witness the emotion, drama, and elegance that make tango a symbol of Argentine culture.

After the tango, continue to the Argentine Experience, one of Buenos Aires’ most celebrated culinary adventures. Far more than dinner, it’s an interactive, immersive journey through Argentina’s rich food culture. Learn to make empanadas using the traditional repulgue folding technique, and craft a fresh chimichurri, connecting directly with Argentine culinary traditions.

The menu unfolds as a multi-course tasting journey, featuring 16 dishes that showcase Argentina’s diverse flavours. Start with delicate bites like Patagonian trout tartar, move through comforting local favourites such as chorizo, pork flank steak, and chard fritters, and culminate in a Beef Tasting, highlighting Argentina’s world-famous beef with tenderloin and slow-braised osso buco, paired with seasonal vegetables and boutique wines. The evening concludes with a Dessert Tasting, celebrating Argentina’s love for dulce de leche.

Please note: There may be a short gap between the tango show and dinner; both venues are located nearby in a beautiful neighbourhood perfect for a leisurely stroll, allowing you to soak in the city’s charm.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to explore the many wonders of this city of many contrasts.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast

Today at the appropriate time be transferred to the airport in preparation of your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).

Please note: Due to flight availability, departure flights may be very late night or early morning on Day 30.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Sit back, relax and reminisce on the memories created over the past weeks on your trip to Antarctica and South America.

Meals included: None

Once arrived in Australia, make your own onward travel arrangements.

Meals included: None

Today, depart from Australia (or New Zealand) to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, be welcomed by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel.

Buenos Aires is a vibrant and passionate city, often called the Paris of South America, where European elegance meets Latin flair. The Argentine capital buzzes with life, from grand boulevards and historic architecture to lively tango halls, leafy plazas, and world-class steakhouses that showcase the city’s rich cultural spirit.

Please note:
• Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the day before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation which you will receive prior to departure.
• For those departing from Perth, you may depart on day -1 (two days earlier). Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive prior to departure.
• Some customers may experience an extended layover. Lounge passes may be purchased at your own expense.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: In-Flight

This morning, after breakfast, embark on a city tour of Buenos Aires and discover the charm and magic of this vibrant metropolis. Begin at Plaza de Mayo, a key site in Argentina's political history, surrounded by iconic buildings. Here, you'll learn about the area's significance before heading to San Telmo, one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, known for its cobblestone streets, antique shops and picturesque architecture. Next, explore the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca, famous for its tango culture and vibrant Caminito Street.

You’ll also visit important landmarks such as La Casa Rosada (the Presidential Palace, known as The Pink House), the Cabildo (the colonial town hall), and the Neoclassical Metropolitan Cathedral, where Argentina’s founding father, José de San Martín, is laid to rest. Finally, admire the celebrated Recoleta Cemetery, a true labyrinth of ornate mausoleums. Stop at Eva "Evita" Peron’s grave, one of the country’s most recognisable icons.

After the city tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to continue exploring this eclectic city before embarking on an evening filled with entertainment and engagement.

This evening, prepare for a standout experience, beginning with a visit to the Secreto Tango Society. This newly opened underground venue offers a rare, intimate look into the world of tango. Secreto Tango provides a private, immersive experience where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the dancers’ world. The city’s most celebrated tango performers, both dancers and musicians, come together to deliver a performance charged with passion, precision, and storytelling. From the first note of the bandoneon to the intricate footwork on the dance floor, witness the emotion, drama, and elegance that make tango a symbol of Argentine culture.

After the tango, continue to the Argentine Experience, one of Buenos Aires’ most celebrated culinary adventures. Far more than dinner, it’s an interactive, immersive journey through Argentina’s rich food culture. Learn to make empanadas using the traditional repulgue folding technique, and craft a fresh chimichurri, connecting directly with Argentine culinary traditions.

The menu unfolds as a multi-course tasting journey, featuring 16 dishes that showcase Argentina’s diverse flavours. Start with delicate bites like Patagonian trout tartar, move through comforting local favourites such as chorizo, pork flank steak, and chard fritters, and culminate in a Beef Tasting, highlighting Argentina’s world-famous beef with tenderloin and slow-braised osso buco, paired with seasonal vegetables and boutique wines. The evening concludes with a Dessert Tasting, celebrating Argentina’s love for dulce de leche.

Please note: There may be a short gap between the tango show and dinner; both venues are located nearby in a beautiful neighbourhood perfect for a leisurely stroll, allowing you to soak in the city’s charm.

Overnight: Libertador Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Today enjoy free time before being transferred to the cruise port to board Holland America’s Oosterdam ship for a 22-night adventure to the Falkland Islands, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords and beyond.

Holland America's Oosterdam:
The Oosterdam, the second in Holland America's distinguished Vista Class, blends high style with inviting comfort. You'll find thoughtful upgrades and captivating artwork throughout the ship. Beyond the expansive ocean views and spacious staterooms, there's a wealth of activities to enjoy onboard. Every stateroom ensures your comfort with daily housekeeping, complimentary 24-hour room service, premium Elemis bath products, luxurious bathrobes, ample storage, fresh fruit upon request, a TV with on demand movies and programming, and more.

Please note:
•The ship will be docked in port overnight and depart the following evening at 18:00. Enjoy the evening in Buenos Aires and continue exploring this eclectic city.
•The following cruise itinerary makes suggestions for activities visitors can enjoy during leisure time in each port. Additional charges may apply.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner

Depart: 18:00

In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Since that time, Buenos Aires continues to fascinate and entertain visitors, both for its chaotic energy and for its sheer urban beauty. The Belle Epoque grandeur and enormous tracts of greenery continue to be a drawcard. Any list of things to do in Buenos Aires would begin with its many walkable neighbourhoods, Palermo especially stands out, thanks to creative residents who have pushed the restaurant scene well beyond beef. Portenos, as the locals are called, may be of Spanish, Italian, Jewish or Middle Eastern descent, a mix of cultures which is reflected in the city's dialect, foods and pastimes.

Looking beyond the city's sights, Buenos Aires is known as the birthplace of tango, and fans come here from around the world to take part in or watch the milongas (dance events). Argentines are world leaders in polo, and as the sport gains global celebrity, it draws the interest of more and more travellers.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Docked Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 23:00

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, may not have the hustle and bustle of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, yet it shares that city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent steak houses. There is a relaxed feel to this more low-key counterpart with a surprising mix of neighbourhoods. The Ciudad Vieja, with its grid of streets on a peninsula separating the Rio de la Plata from the harbour, is the colonial heart. It has recently undergone a renaissance with restaurants, bars and clubs opening in historic buildings that have been meticulously restored. Montevideo’s downtown offers a treasure trove of Art Deco buildings, while the newer eastern suburbs may evoke Miami, USA. Gleaming skyscrapers and open-air cafes overlook beaches that run for miles.

Please note: Port arrival and departure times are subject to transit windows.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 16:00

For years, Punta del Este was one of those places that travel writers would describe as “sleepy.” With a population of laid-back permanent residents numbering just under 10,000, there wasn't a lot going on in this town in the remote southeastern corner of Uruguay. But then the news got out. Punta del Este began to be referred to as the Hamptons of South America, and more alluring still as the continent's own St.-Tropez. In other words, Punta del Este was a gorgeous coast and a safe and moneyed port city: perfect for a vacation. It's the preferred getaway for wealthy Uruguayans and Argentines and many have second homes here. The population swells with these part-time residents and sun-seeking vacationers during the winter, when quiet Punta del Este cedes to its alter ego of glitzy, glamorous resort town. In addition to soaking up sun on the beautiful beaches and swimming in turquoise waters, visitors enjoy shopping at upscale boutiques, exploring the local art scene, trying their luck at a casino and tasting fresh-from-the-sea specialties at Punta del Este's restaurants.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy a sea day to explore the onboard activities and amenities.

Why not catch a show at the World Stage or Rolling Stone Lounge, or try your hand at pickleball before enjoying a sundowner at one of the onboard bars (charges apply).

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrives: 9:00 - Departs: 17:00

To a Spanish speaker, the name of Puerto Madryn, a city of some 94,000 in northern Patagonia in Argentina, may look odd. That second word doesn't appear to be Spanish, because it's not. Love Jones-Parry, a prominent Welsh landowner, traveled to Patagonia in 1862 to determine whether the area was appropriate for Welsh settlers. When his ship was blown off course, he named the bay where it landed Porth Madryn, after his estate in Wales. In 1865, a group of 162 Welsh immigrants (other sources put the figure at 150), encouraged by Jones-Parry's favourable reports, sailed to Argentina to establish the settlement known today as Puerto Madryn.

Traces of the city's British roots remain, you can find restaurants that still serve afternoon tea. But for most travellers today, Puerto Madryn is best known as the gateway to the Peninsula Valdes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to significant populations of seals, sea lions and whales just offshore. While the natural wonders and the region's fauna are the main draws, it's worth spending some time exploring the restaurant-lined promenades and beaches that have made the city an increasingly popular resort destination.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00 (times subject to weather conditions)

The world's southernmost capital, Stanley is located in the Falklands archipelago, consisting of two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with smaller islands nearby. Stanley is proud of its British heritage, evidenced everywhere from its red telephone boxes to its pubs. The Falklands were used as a base for ships hunting sperm whales for oil, followed by those hunting seals for fur in the early days of colonisation. Today in this remote British territory, fishing and tourism drives the economy.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, your Holland America ship will arrive at the White Continent.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

*Antarctica visits are subject to weather and ice conditions.

Happy New Year's Eve!

On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds terns, petrels, and gulls found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbour, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

Please note: You will not be docking in Antarctica, you'll be cruising through and not leaving the ship.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Thanks to its location on one of the southernmost points in South America. Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. The Strait of Magellan to the north was discovered first, but that route’s narrow width was challenging to navigate. Cape Horn, discovered by the Dutch in 1615, became the primary route for trade ships traveling from Europe or the east side of the Americas to the American West Coast.

Cape Horn marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships. Even today, “rounding the Horn” remains a challenge for the many yacht races that pass through its icy waters. Hornos, the island where Cape Horn is located, may look desolate and treeless, but it’s home to a vast number of gulls and other seabirds.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Ushuaia Docked Arrives: 9:00 - Departs: 15:30

Dramatic, fantastical, otherworldly, this is the end of the world, for real. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine and towering Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel). Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego region, which is best described as a spectacular collection of superlative natural wonders. It’s a veritable kaleidoscope of glittering glaciers, snowcapped mountains, dense forests, sparkling lakes and windswept plains spread across an archipelago of rugged islands. The town itself is a maze of streets lined with low-slung buildings that all seem to meet at its heart, the port. Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony.

Daylight Cruising Glacier Alley (Cruising Only)
As alleys go, this one is mighty long. Glacier Alley or, as it’s more elegantly known, Avenue of the Glaciers stretches along a good portion of the celebrated 240 kilometre long Beagle Channel in the vast territory of Tierra del Fuego. Argentina’s Ushuaia and Chile’s Puerto Williams, both common starting points for travellers exploring Glacier Alley, are two of the world’s southernmost towns. As you travel into the Beagle Channel, the vital waterway that allowed ships to avoid the hellish fury of the waters around Cape Horn, you follow the route that the famous HMS Beagle took with a young and then-unknown geologist and evolutionary biologist on board, Charles Darwin.

While fighting the harsh elements, and with no creature comforts like the ones enjoyed today, those early sailors were at least treated to one stunning glacier after another, each flowing down from massive mountain ranges and peaks such as the snowcapped one named for Darwin himself. Even if your journey is shrouded in foggy mist, you can’t miss the cracking sound of the blue ice as it tumbles into the channel or the rush of ice-melt waterfalls.

Beagle Channel (Cruising only)
Running through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Beagle Channel is a scenic and wonderfully calm strait that has become a hugely popular cruise destination. Named in 1830 after a charting voyage by the HMS Beagle, the ship that later became famous for carrying English evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin on his five-year journey of discovery the channel is one of a trio of navigable passages around the tip of South America. Some 240 kilometres long, the channel extends from Nueva Island in the east to Darwin Sound and Cook Bay in the west. Its western end lies within Chile, and its eastern end forms a segment of the border between Chile and Argentina.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Punta Arenas Docked Arrives: 10:00 - Departs: 22:00

If Punta Arenas exudes an "edge of the world" air, it's not without reason. This windblown city near Chile's southernmost tip sits on the Strait of Magellan, which itself is positioned squarely between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The city has played and continues to play an important role in geographic, political and economic affairs in South America's so-called Southern Cone, which is formed by Chile and neighbouring Argentina. Too many travellers rush through Punta Arenas, treating it as a pit stop on their way to the stunningly beautiful landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park and other attractions in Patagonia, but there's plenty in this city and its environs to experience, too. From penguin spotting on Isla Magdalena and kayaking the Strait of Magellan to visiting area farms and then indulging in surf and turf specialties (here meaning fresh seafood and asado, or Chilean barbecue) at local restaurants, Punta Arenas is worth a stopover all its own.

Strait of Magellan (Cruising only)
Before the Panama Canal, there was the Strait of Magellan. This cinematic channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans cuts between the mainland tip of South America and Tierra del Fuego island. It was the passage of choice for seafaring transport between these two oceans until the Panama Canal shortened the distance by thousands of miles in 1914.

The first European to traverse its waters, all 560 kilometres in length and up to 32 kilometres in width of them, was Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan, who did so in 1520 in the name of Spanish exploration. Magellan surely sailed mouth agape at the impressive glacial and mountainous scenery, the undiscovered colonies of Magellanic penguins, pods of humpback whales and schools of Commerson’s and Peale’s dolphins—all surely equally agog with the presence of man in this Patagonian paradise. With photogenic Punta Arenas as its main port, the Strait of Magellan is a bucket-list voyage for intrepid adventurers the world over.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Scenic cruising Sarmiento Channel (Cruising only)
One of the main channels in Patagonia, the Sarmiento Channel runs in a north-south direction, starting at the Guia Narrows and finishing at the southern edge of Victoria Pass, where it joins the Smyth Channel. The Kawesqar people have inhabited this region for more than 6,000 years, but the channel was named for a more recent arrival: the Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, who first navigated it between 1579 and 1580. The Chilean mainland lies to the east, and the islands of Esperanza, Vancouver and Piazzi flank the channel to the west. As elsewhere in the Chilean fjord region, the ragged coastline is cut with inlets set among snow-covered mountain ranges. In many places, massive glaciers run down to the sea. All kinds of marine animals, including Magellanic penguins, southern elephant seals, dolphins and orcas, can be seen along these shores.

Scenic cruising Amalia or Brujo Glacier (Cruising only)
Ice and weather. That’s what it all comes down to as ships make their way through this part of the world. On Chile’s coast along the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, ice buildup and quixotic weather conditions heavily dictate which routes ships can take. Even when passage is safe around the popular Amalia, El Brujo or numerous other breathtaking glaciers found here, misty rain or soupy fog might be the order of the day. And it can always shift in a flash, as glassy waters erupt into choppy waves or, more happily, shrouded peaks become flooded with sunlight sparkling off the ice fields, letting you relish a momentary peaceful stillness in the air.

From the comfort of your ship deck, marvel at the different appearances of the glaciers, from fields pocked with lumps of ice to smooth watery rivulets, all in hues of blue too numerous to describe. The truly lucky get to witness sunrise or dine at sunset while anchored in the deep fjords or narrow channels along the coast. But any time of the day, enjoy a backdrop of snowcapped peaks and look out for small Peale’s dolphins and sea lions as well as terns, albatrosses and other seabirds going about their daily business around you.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Much like the Norwegian coastline, the west coast of Chile is sliced by dramatic inlets, or fjords, lined with rugged mountains and glacier-covered valleys. This spectacular stretch of coastline starts near the Reloncavi Estuary (roughly halfway down the long spine of Chile) and extends south to the very end of the continent, at Tierra del Fuego. It's a distance of some 1,500 kilometres, as the crow flies. Travel here, however, is never in a straight line—instead ships follow meandering paths along the many fjords and channels.

The area is known for its desolate beauty and not surprisingly it's home to many of Chile's national parks, including Alerce Andino, Hornopiren and Vicente Pérez Rosales, as well as the Llanquihue National Reserve and the Cochamo Valley. Early Spanish explorers came here in search of the mythical City of the Caesars, whose people were believed to be rich in gold and diamonds. Though the city was never found, the explorers added much to the world's navigational knowledge and at the same time established shipping routes that have been used ever since. Similarly, the riches that travellers to the region today discover are measured not in ounces or carats but in gasps of wonder at the stunning scenery of this windswept, dramatic land and its unusual animal residents.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 7:00 - Departs: 15:00

The tiny town of Puerto Chacabuco, with just over 1,000 residents, sits at the head of the Aisen Fjord. Even residents will acknowledge that there isn’t much to see in the town itself, which only recently bothered to put up street signs; the largest building is a fish-processing plant. It won’t take much more than a quick stroll to explore the entire municipality. Though this modest port may be lacking in compelling attractions, it is the gateway to some of the most beautiful sights in this part of Chilean Patagonia.

Many visitors choose to drive to the provincial capital, Coihaique, or Puerto Aisen, a city that straddles the Aisen River and is less than 20 minutes by car from Puerto Chacabuco. In both you can find options to shop for handicrafts and excellent local restaurants. To experience the natural beauty of the region, head to the Rio Simpson National Reserve for stunning vistas, pristine waterfalls and crystal-clear canyon rivers which are especially famous for their fantastic fly fishing and their enormous brown and rainbow trout. It doesn’t take long to get from Puerto Chacabuco to these nearby sights, so avoid the temptation to stay on board your ship and instead put on your walking shoes and go witness some of the wonders of this part of Chile.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Tender Port Arrives: 8:00 - Departs: 17:00

Puerto Montt, the capital of the Los Lagos region of Chile, is often called the gateway to the country’s glacial lakes, volcanic landscapes and surrounding national parks. The port is also home to an over 100-year old German settlement as well as to indigenous communities of Mapuche people. Adventure travellers often base themselves here and in Puerto Varas when planning treks to Chiloe and Patagonia. Even a short visit, however, provides a fascinating look into Chile’s diverse cultures and offers a taste of the country's stunning scenery.

From a stroll around Puerto Varas overlooking Lake Llanquihue, one of Chile’s largest lakes, to a meal in the fishing village of Angelmo of the practically still-snapping catch of the day, washed down with a traditional German-style white wine, Puerto Montt is a fascinating introduction to southern Chile and the people who make their home in one of the world's most photogenic landscapes.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats - wheelchair access limited. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America’s Oosterdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Disembark: 07:00

Disembark at the port of San Antonio and transfer to Vina del Mar, Chile’s “Garden City.” This sun-soaked coastal gem is famed for its golden beaches, lush parks, and vibrant flower-lined avenues.

In the afternoon, depart from the hotel and travel to the captivating port city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. This colourful city is famous for its winding streets, vibrant alleys, and staircases that climb its dramatic hills.

Explore iconic landmarks such as Plaza Sotomayor and the monument honouring Chile’s naval heroes, before taking in breathtaking panoramic views over the bay from Paseo 21 de Mayo. Immerse yourself in the charm and energy of this artistic, hillside city.

Continue to Vina del Mar, known for its scenic pedestrian avenues, manicured gardens and sparkling beaches. Afterwards be returned to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll have the day at leisure to explore the beauty of this seaside town.

Overnight: Pullman San Martin or similar, Vina del Mar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you’ll be transferred to Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital, a dynamic city set against the stunning backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

Once arrived, embark on a city sightseeing tour where you will first head to Plaza de Armas (translates to ‘square of weapons’) which, in colonial times, a gallows served as the square's grisly centrepiece. Today, there’s a fountain celebrating libertador (liberator) Simon Bolivar, shaded by more than a hundred Chilean palm trees.

Tour through the civic district, with ministerial buildings surrounding the government house, the Palacio de la Moneda. The final stop in the historical area is a tour of the old and stately neighbourhoods, a place full of an exquisite architectural variety brought by mainly European immigrants. Then observe magnificent panoramic views of the city and mountains before heading to the western area to see the great architectural contrast. A thriving and contemporary city with impressive buildings of daring styles that represent a seal of modernity to this big city.

Afterwards, be returned to the hotel where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pullman Santiago El Bosque or similar, Santiago

Meals included: Breakfast

Today at the appropriate time be transferred to the airport in preparation for your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).

Please note: Due to flight availability, departure flights may be very late night or early morning on Day 30.

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Sit back, relax and reminisce on the memories created over the past weeks on your trip to Antarctica and South America.

Meals included: None

Once arrived in Australia, make your own onward travel arrangements.

Meals included: None