Cruceros Australis

FAQS

1) What sorts of clothes should I take?
2) What is included in the cruise rate?
3) When do we embark?
4) What will we see during the cruise?
5) What is seen in each of the expeditions?
6) What kind of lectures are there on the cruise?
7) Do we always disembark at Cape Horn National Park?
8) Are penguins seen throughout the whole season?
9) Is there a shop on board?
10) Should we tip on board?
11) What will the climate be like?
12) Are pets allowed?
13) Are there safety boxes available?
14) Are passports and visas necessary?
15) Is there any insurance policy?
16) What is the kind of electricity on board?
17) Which is the official language?
18) How can I pay on board?
19) Is there first aid care?
20) Are there hair dryers on board?
21) Are there elevators on boards?
22) Is smoking allowed on board?
23) Are there any additional costs?
24) Is there Internet connection on board?
 
1) What sorts of clothes should I take?

We want your stay on our cruise ship to be comfortable. We recommend sports clothing for both women and men. Summer nights and sometimes during the days the Patagonia climate is cold. We recommend sweaters, jackets, pants and rain garments during the excursions. For exploring and walking, gloves and a pair of firm shoes or boots are suitable.

What sorts of clothes should I take
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2) What is included in the cruise rate?
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Free Bar.
• Daily land excursions as scheduled by the ships.
• Whisky and hot chocolate during the excursions.
• All activities inside the ship.
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3) When do we embark?

• USHUAIA:
Check in starts every Wednesday and Sunday from 9:00 hrs. to 16:00 hrs. at 245 San Martín Street. Boarding time is from 17:00 hrs. to 18:00 hrs. Departure is at 20:00 hrs. Passengers must be on board at least one hour before the departure.

• PUNTA ARENAS:
Check-in starts every Saturdays and Wednesday from 13:00 hrs. to 17:00 hrs. at 990 Magallanes Street. Boarding time is from 18:00 hrs. to 19:00 hrs. Mare Australis departure is at 20:00 hrs. Via Australis departure is at 20:00 hrs.
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4) What will we see during the cruise?

• Navigation through the legendary Strait of Magellan and Beagle Channel.
• Navigation through the glaciers and fjords of the Darwin Mountain Range.
• The areas declared by the United Nations as the most virgin ones in the world.
• Flora and Fauna of great beauty: native forests, sea lions, elephant seals, cormorans, exotic flowers, southern dolphins, etc.
• One of the largest penguin colonies in the southern hemisphere.
• The mythical Cape Horn.

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5) What is seen in each of the expeditions?
• Ainsworth Bay
• Tucker Islet
• Ushuaia
• Cape Horn
• Wulaia Bay
• Pía Glacier
• Magdalena Island
• Punta Arenas
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6) What kind of lectures are there on the cruise?

• Navigation routes
• Flora and fauna of the Magellan region
• Glaciology
• The Beagle Channel
• Marine mammals
• The Strait of Magellan
• Magellan penguins
• Aborigins of Patagonia
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7) Do we always disembark at Cape Horn National Park?

Disembarkation at Cape Horn National Park is subjet to weather conditions. Disembarkation success rate for this excursion last season was 70%.

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8) Are penguins seen throughout the whole season?
No, penguins normally can be seen from early October through early April. Then, they migrate to the North.
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9) Is there a shop on board?
On our ships you will find nice shops where you will find exclusive designs in sports wear, souvenirs and different gift items, specially created for Cruceros Australis.
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10) Should we tip on board?
Tips are at the discretion of the passenger. We suggest US$ 15 per night per passenger, to be deposited at the reception lounge on the last day of the cruise.
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11) What will the climate be like?
During the Cruise season, the temperature fluctuates between 5 and 15 degrees centigrade (41 and 59 Farenheit degrees)
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12) Are pets allowed?
We regret not being able to accept pets on board.
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13) Are there safety boxes available?
The ships are not responsable for loss of money, travellers checks, jewels or other valuables. For your comfort and security we have safety boxes in each cabin.
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14) Are passports and visas necessary?

Visa/Passport requirements vary according to passenger’s country of origin, so that this must be verified by yourself at the time of making the reservation.

Each passenger is responsible for carrying the necessary documents to enter Argentinean and Chilean territory. Minors not traveling with both parents must carry an authorization of the absent parent signed before a notary public.
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15) Is there any insurance policy?

The Cruise Lines (Transportes Marítimos Terra Australis S.A. and Transportes Marítimos Vía Australis S.A.) are provided with civil responsibility insurance policies in order to fulfill potential losses or damage that may be caused to passengers and their ownings on board the vessels. Said responsibility is governed by the conditions of the ticket agreement and by the pertinent regulations of the Commercial Code of the Republic of Chile, Book Three .
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16) What is the kind of electricity on board?
Cabins are equipped with 220 volt plugs. In bathrooms, there are plugs for both 220 volts and for 110 volts.
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17) Which is the official language?
Official languages on board are Spanish and English. However, you may find guides speaking French, German and Italian.
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18) How can I pay on board?
Items purchased at the shop such as souvenirs, videos, sportswear and others can be paid with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners credit cards, travelers checks, US dollars, Euros, Chilean pesos or Argentinean pesos.
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19) Is there first aid care?
We have, on board of the vessel, personnel prepared to provide first aid attention and care to passengers, should it be required.
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20) Are there hair dryers on board?
On Via Australis you will find hair dryers on each cabin bathroom. On Mare Australis you may ask for it at Reception.
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21) Are there elevators on boards?
The ship does not have elevators or equipment necessary for the handicap.
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22) Is smoking allowed on board?
Smoking is only allowed in the ship's outer decks due to chilean law 20.105, which forbids smoking indoors.
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23) Are there any additional costs?
Passengers who travel in the Ushuaia - Punta Arenas route must pay an emigration fee of Arg $30.- (US$10.- approx.), in accordance with Argentina´s decree 1025/05. This tax must be paid directly in Ushuaia at the moment of check in for the cruise.
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24) Is there Internet connection on board?
We do not have Internet service on board.
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