Enjoy the Diversity of a Fall South America Cruise

Posted on Friday, February 26, 2010

Discover scenic fjords, glacial splendor and Latin rhythms on Holland America Cruises' exceptional South America itineraries. There's time to savor a hassle-free vacation that blends iconic sites with off-the-beaten-path destinations in this continent of infinite wonder.

Nothing tops these 12-Day, 2010 South America Passage cruises for spectacular beauty and dramatic marine history.

From magnificent Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in Chile to southernmost Ushuaia and the Falkland Islands' Stanley with its fascinating parade of penguins, these voyages encompass intriguing ports of call with unparalleled scenic cruising. Considered by many to be the highlight and most memorable aspect of a South America cruise, larger-than-life landscapes and seascapes present unforgettable grandeur.

Sailing aboard the elegant ms Veendam through the ice-capped fjords of the Chilean Fjords, guests revel in some of the world's most impressive scenery. From lush islands and small harbors to dense forests and thermal springs, diverse wonders of this extraordinary continent unfold. And navigational history comes alive as guests sail the Darwin, Cockburn and Beagle Channels, the Strait of Magellan and round Cape Horn.

Long a major milestone and trade route for clipper ships, Cape Horn is steeped in history. It marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, which Magellan's fleet first circled, and is a true rite of passage for many sailors. The trade route changed with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, but many sailors continue to sail this route, sometimes as part of a circumnavigation of the globe.

12-Day South America Passage sailings between Valparaíso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires – from $1,199 Sail dates: 11/2, 11/14, 11/26; 12/8/10; 1/23; 2/4/11.