After loving Viking's Midnight Sun cruise through Norway's fjords to the Arctic Circle we decided to explore the other end of the world and around Cape Horn. This is a new dedicated cruise path for Viking beginning in December, 2019. We traveled from Santiago to Buenos Aires beginning late January, 2020. After reading some rather negative reviews here regarding ports and excursions, had to put in my two cents.

South America does have its world class cities, one of which will be either your embarkation or disembarkation point. The remainder of the cruise is through rugged, spectacularly beautiful nature with very few settlements or roads. You will stop in small, sometimes run down and poor port towns where a bit of travel is needed to get out to experience the awesome surrounding national parks or more charming villages. The further South you go, you have the opportunity to learn about the amazing early explorers who arrived by sailing ships through uncharted and unexplored waters. Two of the towns are jumping off points for Antarctic Expeditions and can be exciting for that activity. All of them have their own unique history and lifestyle. This is a cruise where research prior to traveling would be beneficial to enhance ones enjoyment and understanding.

With numerous sea days and the potential for changing or rough weather, it may not be the cruise for everyone. The best time to travel here is exactly when Viking sails - December through February. Consider the location of Chile. The weather travels west to east, there is absolutely nothing, no landmass to stop or moderate the weather or seas approaching so far South. The good news is that if it does blow or the seas are up, it usually lasts for only a day in the summer whereas in the winter weather systems could last for days or weeks. It is possible that some excursions could be cancelled in Punta Arenas because of the fierce Patagonia winds, you may not see the volcano peaks in Puerto Montt due to low hanging clouds, the ship may only get close to Cape Horn but cannot round it and the tenders may not land in the Falklands even with only 30 knot winds. The swimming pools on board may close if it becomes too rolly and you may be banned from going out on the deck during certain conditions. However the Viking ocean vessels handle the seas extremely well and the Captain has your well being and comfort first and formost in his decision making. This South American itinerary is an adventure, an exciting learning experience if you are open to it and should be embarked upon without prior expectations. Read more