Stella Australis Review
Very well run vessel delivering an excellent experience in all areas.
Rating by category
Additional details
Enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff handle the shore excursions which are efficiently and professionally run with a strong emphasis on safety. Onboard service was friendly and welcoming at reception and in the dining room and bar. All meals are at one sitting at assigned tables. Food choice and presentation was excellent, mostly buffet, but table service for a pre-ordered main course in the evening. Lots of varied public spaces with good exterior views and wide interior corridors all added to the feeling of comfort onboard.
The itinerary gave a wonderful insight into the region,the shore excursions were highlights but so was just sailing past glaciers and taking in the landscape. Unfortunately we didnt land at Cape Horn due to a strong onshore wind, but we made several passes close inshore so at least I can say I've rounded it.
I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone interested in Patagonia, it is well worth the money.
Cabin Review
Cabin 202 is a cheaper cabin right forward on the starboard side on the Magallanes deck (same deck as Reception). It is fractionally smaller than the A cabins on this deck but not so you'd really notice. It still provides a picture window and a very comfortable double bed and all facilities. If there is any disadvantage it is that it is right alongside the anchor winch so is extremely noisy when the cable runs out or during mooring operations. Anchoring generally only happens once a day in daylight hours for a few minutes so is easy to ignore. However, coming alongside on a delayed arrival at 0100 in Ushuaia the mooring operations took about 15 minutes of continuous winch working which sounded like a large box of spanners being rolled around in an oil drum just outside the door. Having said all that I'd still choose this cabin again as offering all the facilities of an A cabin but at a cheaper price.