MV Stella Australis

The 2010-built MV Stella Australis cruise ship is owned and operated by the Chilean travel company Australis Cruises Patagonia. The expedition vessel was ordered by and purpose-built for Australis, and shares her design with the sistership MV Ventus Australis (launched in 2018).

The vessel (IMO number 9534676) is Chile-flagged (MMSI 725017800) and registered in Punta Arenas.

The ship features a yacht-like design and is fully capable of navigating the Chilean Fjords and Patagonia’s narrow channels, shallow bays, and rugged waterways at the southern tip of South America. These areas are the cruise line’s exclusive operational region (September through April). Stella Australis operates one-way or roundtrip itineraries of 3 to 7 nights departing from Ushuaia (Argentina) or Punta Arenas (Chile).

Australis Cruises is owned by the Patagonia-based Menendez family. In the late 1800s, the family’s businesses included seal hunting and sheep ranching. Today the company operates two expedition vessels (Stella Australis and Ventus Australis). The former fleetmate Via Australis was sold to Lindblad Expeditions in 2016 and renamed National Geographic Endeavour II. The company, currently managed by three brothers, acquired its first ship (Terra Australis, formerly Savannah) in 1990 and began operating weekly roundtrips from Punta Arenas. In 2002, Mare Australis was introduced. Around that time, the opening of Murray Channel to commercial navigation enabled itineraries to Cape Horn via a direct route.

The Australis fleet specializes in the remote archipelago of Tierra del Fuego—one of Patagonia’s most secluded regions. Itineraries operate between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas and include scenic navigation in the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan. Australis is among the few cruise operators permitted to land passengers at Cape Horn National Park, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve.

Decks and Cabins

Stella Australis’ 100 staterooms are relatively spacious for an expedition ship and equipped with either a double bed or two twins. Décor is modern and nautical, in white and blue tones. Bathrooms are shower-only (with WC and sink vanity). All cabins have picture windows, with Cabo de Hornos Deck accommodations featuring near floor-to-ceiling windows.

Although the ship lists six cabin categories (two grades on each of the three stateroom decks), there are only two actual layouts. Standard Cabins measure 16 m² (175 ft²), while the four midship Superior Cabins measure 20 m² (220 ft²) and include larger double beds.

The vessel has five passenger decks, three of which contain staterooms.

Shipboard facilities

The Patagonia Dining Room (ship’s lowest deck) is lined with picture windows. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while dinner is served and features a mix of international and regional specialties. Chilean and Argentine wines are included with lunch and dinner.

Public spaces include three lounges used for lectures, socializing, and sightseeing:

• Yamana Lounge – a forward-facing observation lounge
• Sky Lounge (aft) – venue for lectures on Patagonia’s history, wildlife, and landscapes (presented in English and Spanish)
• Darwin Lounge (upper deck) – the largest lounge, with a bar, cocktail tables, armchairs, and expansive windows

Magallanes Deck (Deck 2) houses the Lobby with Reception, Gift Shop, and Library. Reception offers 24-hour guest services. The shop sells branded merchandise, clothing, accessories, and outdoor gear. The Library holds polar-themed travel guides and reference books.

The top-deck Darwin Lounge doubles as the main venue for enrichment programming, including daily lectures and documentary screenings covering Antarctica, wildlife, glaciology, geology, and indigenous cultures. Daily trivia games are also held here. Complimentary snacks (chips, cookies) and a self-serve fridge with soft drinks and beer are available at Darwin Bar.

The crew is primarily local. The Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge is open to visitors most of the time.

Room service is not offered. USD is the onboard currency.

The vessel carries six Zodiacs (inflatable motorized boats) used for tendering and shore landings.

There is no dress code, and the company advises against bringing formalwear. Recommended clothing includes a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sweater, and waterproof outerwear (gloves, pants, hiking shoes/boots). There is no Captain’s Dinner or formal event that requires dressing up.

Australis Cruises itineraries

Australis operates a set of three one-way “Patagonian Explorer” expeditions between Ushuaia and Punta Arenas.

For the 2024–2025 season, two itineraries are scheduled:

4-night/5-day “Fjords of Tierra del Fuego” (both ships) – departs Punta Arenas, visiting Ainsworth Bay/Tuckers Islets (replaced by Brookes Glacier in September and April), Glacier Alley/Pia Glacier, Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay, and ending in Ushuaia.

4-night/5-day “Patagonian Explorer” (both ships) – departs Ushuaia, visiting Cape Horn/Wulaia Bay, Porter Glacier/Pia Glacier, Condor Glacier/Aguila Glacier, Magdalena Island (replaced by Marta Island in September and April), ending in Punta Arenas.

These routes can be combined into 8-night/9-day B2B (back-to-back) cruises roundtrip from either Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

Past itineraries have included:

• 3-night/4-day Ushuaia → Punta Arenas (Stella Australis): Ushuaia, Cape Horn–Wulaia Bay, De Agostini Sound–Aguila Glacier, Magdalena Island/Marta Island, Punta Arenas.
• 4-night/5-day Ushuaia → Punta Arenas (Ventus Australis): Ushuaia, Cape Horn–Wulaia Bay, Pia Glacier–Garibaldi Glacier, De Agostini Sound–Aguila Glacier–Condor Glacier, Magdalena/Marta Island, Punta Arenas.
• 4-night/5-day Punta Arenas → Ushuaia (both ships): Punta Arenas, Ainsworth Bay–Tuckers Islets/Brookes Glacier, Pia Glacier–Glacier Alley/Brookes Glacier, Cape Horn–Wulaia Bay, Ushuaia.

These itineraries were combinable into 7- or 8-day B2Bs from either homeport.

Prices for the 2023–2024 season ranged from USD 1500 to USD 6500 per person (double occupancy).

Australis fares include all shore excursions (guided Zodiac landings, 1–2 per day, lasting up to half a day), onboard enrichment programming, meals and beverages (coffee, tea, juices, and wines at lunch and dinner). Gratuities are not included; suggested tipping is USD 15 per person per day (envelope provided in staterooms on the last cruise night, with optional credit card payment).