Epic Highs & Unwelcome Lows I Had Cruising South America!

Published June 20, 2026


Description

South America cruising delivered some of the most spectacular sights I have ever experienced — but also a few costly, frustrating, and very unexpected lows.

On my recent 31-night South America cruise, I filmed live updates from eight of the region’s most popular cruise ports and scenic cruising days, capturing what it was really like in the moment. From leaving the ship for two and a half days to visit Machu Picchu, to standing among penguins in the remote Falkland Islands, sailing past Cape Horn, Glacier Alley and the astonishing Brüggen / Pío XI Glacier, this trip had moments that were genuinely epic.

But it was not all breathtaking views and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

In this video, I also reveal the South America ports and excursions that disappointed me, surprised me for the wrong reasons, or left me questioning whether the cost and effort were really worth it, and a few ports that sounded more exciting on paper than they felt in reality.

I visit and discuss Lima, Machu Picchu, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Cape Horn and other Scenic Sailing Highlights, the Chilean Fjords, Punta Arenas, Magdalena Island, General San Martín, Puerto Montt, Coquimbo and La Serena — sharing the highs, the lows, the watch-outs, and what I would do differently next time.

South America is one of the most varied and dramatic cruise regions in the world, but it is also unpredictable, expensive in places, and not always easy to get right. Here’s what I discovered.

For bonus & exclusive content (including videos, articles, eBooks and more) become a channel member or patron:
---------------------------------------------------
* Patreon Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers
* YouTube Channel Member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_qE-Obs2ocdmPXY0TIU-cw/join

Check out my cruise-themed T-shirts and products:
---------------------------------------------------
* TeePublic Store: https://tipsfortravellers.dashery.com
* Teespring Store: https://tips-for-travellers-youtube.creator-spring.com
* Fourthwall: https://gary-bembridge-1-shop.fourthwall.com

Book Cruise Port Excursions
* Venture Ashore: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/excursions
* Shore Excursions Group: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/shoreexcursions

My social media:
---------------------------------------------------
* Blog: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com
* Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/garybembridge
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tipsfortravellers
* Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/garybembridge
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bembridge

ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 120 cruises I have done to date.

#cruisetips #CruisingTips #cruisetipsandtricks
00:00 Start
00:47 Lima / Macu Picchu
05:05 Falkland Islands
09:19 Ushuaia
13:25 Scenic Sailing Highlights
16:56 Punta Arenas
21:02 Nazca Lines / General San Martin
23:33 Puerto Montt
27:38 Coquimbo / La Serena

Want to see more from Tips For Travellers?

Visit their profile to discover more cruise content and videos.

View Profile Subscribe on YouTube

Discussion

Start the Conversation

Be the first to share your thoughts on 'Epic Highs & Unwelcome Lows I Had Cruising South America!'.

Your email will not be published
Already have an account? Sign in