Mare Australis

Mare Australis is an Expedition Cruise Ship that sails through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel and explores one of the wildest and most beautiful regions of the world: Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, at the southernmost tip of the South American continent.

The Mare Australis has 64 cabins distributed into 4 categories, all with standard height beds, panoramic windows, private bathrooms, heating, closet and safety box. It has 10 class AAA cabins, 2 of which have a double bed, 19 class AA cabins, 4 of which have a double bed, 29 class A cabins, 4 of which have a double bed, and 8 class B cabins, 3 of which are equipped with an additional upper berth, thus increasing their capacity to triple cabins. Activities on board are performed in its two lounges and in the dining room. All have large windows with panoramic outside views. On the uppermost deck is a great open-air terrace to admire the wonderful southern landscape. The Mare Australis has an infirmary, a shop, a game room and a small library.

Meals
The expedition programmes include welcome and farewell cocktails; breakfast lunch and dinner, open bar during the whole journey and a cafeteria service. You will enjoy the exquisite food and the most famous Chilean wines. The menu includes international food and typical local dishes, alternating a la carte menus and buffets. Passengers requiring a special diet should request it in advance.

Lectures
During the cruise you will learn about the flora, fauna, history, geography, glaciology and ethnography of this legendary region, through interesting lectures given by the Mare Australis Expedition Team, which will take place on board (with audio-visual support) as well as on land.

Excursions
During the cruise there will be daily land excursions with an average duration of 2 hours. They will consist of walks through trails in the native forests, visits to glaciers and to Cape Horn National Park, including talks on the flora and fauna of the area. Waterproof suits are available for purchase on board if required at US$15 per person and rubber boots are provided free of charge. Groups are formed to embark on zodiac boats, which take you ashore.

Safety
The Mare Australis was built according to SOLAS 2001 and MARPOL 73/78 updated standards for worldwide oceanic navigation and finished in November 2002. It has a classification certificate issued by ABS (American Bureau of Shipping, with the notation of ‘Passenger Vessel’). According to ISM (International Safety Management Code), imposed by IMO (International Maritime Organization), the ship has a SMC (Safety Management Certificate), which guarantees the operation under international safety standards as well as the protection of the environment. The ship has also a complete navigation system (echo sounder, radar, GPS and the modern communication system integrating it to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, GMDSS), emergency generator, fire stations, smoke detectors in every cabin, corridor and lounge and a sprinkler fire suppression system installed in all areas of the ship. The machine room is also equipped with a CO2 fire extinguisher bank for increased fire prevention.

Environment
The protection and preservation of nature is a permanent preoccupation of the M/V Mare Australis. For such purpose, we use specialized processes to prevent damaging the beautiful spots of the region, such as the separation of oil waste and other contaminating fluids, which are later deposited at port; compacting and deposit of garbage at port, and a sewage and solid waste treatment plant.

Please contact us for detailed itineraries and prices.