Australis - An Awesome Adventure Niche

with Helen Hewetson

Recently, a small group of industry folk gathered at YTO's
Terroni Restaurant to learn more about Australis, a vacation cruise company
specializing in expedition trips in and around Cape Horn and Patagonia.

We're here at the invitation of Dallyce Macas, Canadian Representative
for Australis, but the real star of the show is Mauricio Alvarez, the company's
charismatic Expedition Team Leader. It's as if his job is really more of a calling
than a career. Not only does he work directly with the ship's captains to plan
routes during the company's September to April season, but he's also in charge
of all programming, ship excursions, research programs, safety – you name it,
he's the guy.

The company's 3, 4 and 7 night programs navigate the
stunning, narrow southernmost waterways of Chile and Argentina. Clients can
explore the Patagonian channels, the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel,
or experience the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cape Horn, on either the 136 pax
MV Via Australis, or the 210 pax MV Stella Australis. Recently the company has
added a scientific research element for small groups of pax to participate in
if they wish.

As we munch on thin-crust pizza, Caprese salad and creamy,
perfectly tasty pasta, Alvarez explains that it took him years to convince the
company to allow him to conduct scientific research on board (he is researching
everything from water quality to the distribution of flora and even
ethnographic studies on the region). Now, clients love the program and the
company has found that it really cements their bond with the customer – they
are able to follow along with the research and feel a deep connection as a
result.

Not only does Alvarez take deep pride in his work with
Australis and his research, but in his spare time – in between making replica
bark canoes or independently researching regional cartography - he's also a
Discovery Channel star! Look out for him on “Mighty Cruise Ships" and he is also
featured in National Geographic Traveler magazine.

It's clear that Alvarez is one of the reasons Australis is
such a special brand. Our small group is captivated by his descriptions of the
wildlife and new routes and the types of experiences clients might have. We know that quality of experience and novelty
are both important and we all know there are heaps of land-based trips in this
area - but for travellers looking to do something totally different, or to go to
the tip of Cape Horn (a checkbox on many travel lists),
Australis is a particularly special
way to go.