But what makes Cape Horn so notorious? A combination of strong prevailing winds - the 'furious fifti

If you’re prepared to go to the ends of the earth, literally, for the ultimate in travel experiences, then a journey beckons on one of our boutique cruises in South America . The expedition cruise ship, which travels regularly between Punta Arenas in Chile to Ushaia cruises family in Argentina, through the extraordinary wildernesses of Patagonia and Tierra Del Fuego, is also an opportunity to round Cape Horn, the northern boundary of the Drake passage and (almost) the southernmost tip of the South American continent. cruises family Considered the Mount Everest of ocean sailing, the Horn is one of the most difficult and dangerous passages in the world, and despite advances in sailing cruises family safety, is still a thrill to encounter.
But what makes Cape Horn so notorious? A combination of strong prevailing winds – the ‘furious fifties’ that whip around the globe largely unencumbered by land – combined with rogue waves up to 30 metres tall and iceberg hazards, often adds up to a perfect storm, one that has been challenging sailors and tattering sails since the Horn’s discovery in 1616. Over 800 ships are estimated to have been wrecked or limped into port after testing her waters. cruises family Boasting rights were given to sailors who had made the trip intact – they were entitled to wear a gold hoop earring in their left ear and eat with one foot on the table.
cruises family The Panama Canal largely put paid to the need for rounding Cape Horn by commercial ships, but it remains an iconic route in sailing culture. Those who complete it under sail as part of a non-stop passage can apply for membership of the International Association of Cape Horners, which includes several crews of notable Round the World yacht races. Some still fall to the Horn’s hazards though, like pioneering cruising sailors Miles and Beryl Smeeton, whose boat narrowly survived not one but two disastrous rogue waves that sent them somersaulting across cruises family the ocean.
For guests cruises family on our boutique cruises in South America , there’s little to fear, although landing on the Cape Horn headland is far from guaranteed, depending on the winds. Even so, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation on board as the Horn comes into sight. You may or may not choose to exercise your right to dine one foot aloft, but here at the end of the world, you will have shared in the ultimate seafaring adventure.