Seven Seas Splendor
December 20, 2023

Callao, Lima, Peru, docks at Callao Port, 12 kilometers from Lima’s center, with taxis for 20-minute rides. Lima, population 9 million, features Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral. Travelers visit Larco Museum for pre-Columbian artifacts. Local markets sell ceviche. Excursions to Pachacamac, 45 minutes south, explore Inca ruins. Peak season December to March; taxis 10-20 PEN. Dining includes lomo saltado at Miraflores cafes. Souvenirs feature alpaca textiles.

Pisco, Peru, provides docking at Pisco Port. Travelers explore the Paracas National Reserve and Tambo Colorado’s Inca ruins. Excursions visit Ballestas Islands’ wildlife. Local markets sell pisco sours. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures desert landscapes and marine life. Dining onboard includes lomo saltado, a Peruvian favorite. Souvenirs, like alpaca textiles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Inca history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Pisco’s coastal and historic charm offers a vibrant Peruvian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders, archaeological sites, and local culture, making Pisco an engaging destination for exploring Peru’s coastal heritage.

Coquimbo, Chile, has docking at Coquimbo Port with excursions to La Serena. Travelers explore La Serena’s colonial churches and Elqui Valley’s vineyards. Excursions visit Isla Damas’ penguins. Local markets sell pisco. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather. Photography captures Pacific shores and Andean foothills. Dining onboard includes pastel de choclo, a Chilean dish. Souvenirs, like lapis lazuli, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Atacama history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate. Binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Coquimbo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Chilean stop, blending history with scenic beauty.

San Antonio, Chile, offers docking at San Antonio Port. Travelers explore Maipo Valley’s vineyards and Pomaire’s pottery villages. Excursions visit Valparaíso’s colorful hills. Local markets sell empanadas. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures vine-covered hills and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes pastel de choclo, a Chilean favorite. Souvenirs, like clay crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Chilean history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance vineyard walks. San Antonio’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Chilean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wine culture and scenic beauty, making San Antonio an engaging destination for exploration.

Puerto Montt, Chile, offers docking at Puerto Montt Port. Travelers explore Petrohué Falls and Osorno Volcano. Excursions visit Chiloé Island’s churches. Local markets sell curanto. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Andean lakes and Pacific vistas. Dining onboard includes empanadas de pino, a Chilean favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Mapuche history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance waterfall hikes. Puerto Montt’s natural charm offers a vibrant Chilean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic lakes and cultural heritage, making Puerto Montt an engaging destination.

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile, offers docking at Puerto Chacabuco Port. Travelers explore Aysén’s fjords and San Rafael Glacier. Excursions include kayaking in Patagonia’s rivers. Local markets sell empanadas. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for fjord tours. Photography captures glacial landscapes and Andean vistas. Dining onboard includes pastel de choclo, a Chilean favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Patagonian history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while binoculars enhance glacier spotting. Puerto Chacabuco’s wild beauty offers a vibrant Chilean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of glacial scenery, outdoor adventures, and Patagonian charm, making Puerto Chacabuco an engaging destination for exploring Chile’s southern wilderness.

Laguna San Rafael, Chile, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with zodiacs to glacial waters. Travelers explore San Rafael Glacier’s ice cliffs. Excursions spot seals via boat. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather. Photography captures glaciers and Patagonian fjords. Dining onboard includes empanadas, a Chilean favorite. Souvenirs, like glacier prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover glacial ecology. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cold climate. Binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Laguna San Rafael’s icy beauty offers a dramatic Chilean stop, immersing travelers in its glacial splendor.

Cruise Chilean Fjords, no docking; ships cruise Patagonia’s channels. Travelers spot humpback whales. Zodiacs explore tidewater glaciers. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season November to March; weather unpredictable. Photography captures fjord cliffs. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include penguin postcards.

Returning to Cruise Chilean Fjords — see Day 11 above for port info.

Punta Arenas, Chile, offers docking at Punta Arenas Port. Travelers explore Plaza Muñoz Gamero and Nao Victoria Museum. Excursions visit Magdalena Island penguins. Local markets sell calafate jam. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Patagonian landscapes and Strait of Magellan vistas. Dining onboard includes asado, a Chilean favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Selk’nam history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cold climate, while sturdy shoes enhance island hikes. Punta Arenas’ wild charm offers a vibrant Chilean stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of maritime history and scenic wildlife, making Punta Arenas an engaging destination.

Cruise Cape Horn, no docking; ships round Tierra del Fuego's cape. Travelers spot albatross. Zodiacs explore Hornos Island. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season November to March; weather unpredictable. Photography captures Drake Passage views. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include albatross postcards.

Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, offers docking at Ushuaia Port. Travelers explore Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Museum. Excursions include Beagle Channel cruises. Local markets sell asado. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures glaciers and Southern Ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes king crab, an Argentine favorite. Souvenirs, like penguin crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Yamaná history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cold climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park hikes. Ushuaia’s wild charm offers a vibrant Argentine stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of rugged landscapes and maritime history, making Ushuaia an engaging destination.

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, offers docking at Stanley Port. Travelers explore Gypsy Cove and Falkland Islands Museum. Excursions include penguin-watching at Volunteer Point. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures penguin colonies and South Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb, a Falkland favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover British colonial history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance coastal hikes. Port Stanley’s wild charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of wildlife and maritime history, making Port Stanley an engaging destination.

Puerto Madryn, Argentina, offers docking at Puerto Madryn Port. Travelers explore Punta Tombo’s penguins and Valdes Peninsula. Excursions include whale-watching tours. Local markets sell alfajores. The peak season, December to March, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures wildlife and Patagonian vistas. Dining onboard includes asado, an Argentine favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tehuelche history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance peninsula hikes. Puerto Madryn’s wild charm offers a vibrant Argentine stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine wildlife and scenic coasts, making Puerto Madryn an engaging destination for exploration.

Punta del Este, Uruguay, offers docking at Punta del Este Port. Travelers explore Casapueblo’s artistic retreat and La Mano sculpture. Excursions include wine tours in Garzón. Local markets sell dulce de leche. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures modernist architecture and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes chivito, a Uruguayan favorite. Souvenirs, like leather crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Uruguay’s history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance beach walks. Punta del Este’s chic charm offers a vibrant Uruguayan stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of artistic landmarks, scenic beaches, and coastal culture, making Punta del Este an engaging destination for exploration.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, offers docking at Buenos Aires Port. Travelers explore La Boca and Recoleta Cemetery. Excursions visit Tigre Delta. Local markets sell empanadas. The peak season, December to March, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures colorful barrios and Río de la Plata vistas. Dining onboard includes asado, an Argentine favorite. Souvenirs, like tango crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peronist history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Buenos Aires’ vibrant charm offers a lively Argentine stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and scenic rivers, making Buenos Aires an engaging destination.