Montevideo is a thoroughly modern city with a rich artistic tradition, the reach of the rural estancias is all around you. If ever there were a time you were inclined to indulge, delicious steaks are the specialty of the house in virtually every restaurant.

While at sea, take the time to recharge before the next adventure. Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, taste the delicacies or explore the venues on-board, until we arrive at the next amazing destination. 

Commune with the roughly 2,000 intrepid souls who call this remote former whaling outpost home. As you hike through the rocky, windswept landscape you may observe a few of the island’s flightless residents—including Magellan penguins burrowing underground, and rockhoppers carefully observing you from outcroppings.

Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire, is the most isolated place in the Americas, and Cape Horn is its southernmost point. Named after the Dutch town of Hoorn in 1616, its craggy cliffs and windswept shores are stark, with a rugged beauty that creates a dramatic setting for the collision between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. And, depending on the time of year, you’ll either encounter “hold on to your hat” waves, or gentle currents on a Cape Horn cruise. Visit Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) National Park and discover this lush UNESCO protected ecosystem. Created in the 1940s this 155,906-acre national park is home to diverse flora and fauna.

No city on the planet has a more southerly latitude. As a result, the sun shines for 18 hours during each summer day, providing ample opportunity to view the mix of glaciers, forests and sea, all framed by Mount Martial to the west and Mounts Olivia and Cinco Hermanos to the east. There’s a magnificent wealth of history and culture to discover on an Ushuaia cruise. The town was formerly a missionary base, penal colony, and naval base, but has increasingly become a major tourist destination with many attractions, including restaurants, sight-seeing, and casinos. Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park on a day hike through the wilderness, or hike along the coast and glacial lakes. The End of the World Museum offers a wonderful glimpse into the history and culture that shaped this city and includes collections of artifacts and pieces from the first expeditions, as well as the indigenous people who once inhabited the region. Savor authentic Argentinean specialties made with the freshest seafood, like king crab, seabass, ceviche, and grilled octopus or the ever popular, slow-cooked Fuegian lamb, and delicious regional wines.

This 350-mile journey is a bucket-list experience for most cruisers. Named for the 16th century Portuguese explorer and navigator, Ferdinand Magellan, the Strait of Magellan connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the far Southern Patagonia region of Chile. On a Strait of Magellan cruise, you'll encounter the raw beauty of Tierra del Fuego plains in the distance, the imposing Amalia glacier, stunning Seno Eyre fjord, humpback whales, colonies of Magellanic penguins, and much more. You are certain to leave with amazing memories, and pictures, of the breathtaking scenic highlights as you make your way through this corner of the world.

South America isn't all tropical rainforests. Around Punta Arenas you'll find soaring mountains, beautiful national parks, vast ice fields and towering glaciers. The city itself has been a hub of commerce and trade for generations, thanks to its access to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Trek through Magallanes National Reserve or visit the penguin colony at Seno Otway.

This deep water port was founded in 1865 by Welsh immigrants. Extending out into the Atlantic from Puerto Madryn is the Península Valdés, a wildlife sanctuary where vast numbers of sea elephants, whales and penguins far outnumber the few human visitors who make it out this far.

If South America had purposely created a place to compete with the Riviera, this would be it. Leisurely browse through the chic shops and galleries of Calle Gorlero, or spend a relaxing afternoon people watching from a beachside café while the assorted sun lovers and jet setters around you enjoy one of the continent’s most storied playgrounds.

Your cruise may have ended, but the adventure continues. Take advantage of the fantastic activities in the area. If you're flying out, please keep your departure flight time in mind and plan accordingly.