Day 10 – January 4, 2026
Ushuaia, Argentina
(Day 8 on the ship)
John was up bright and early—around 5 am—hoping to capture photos as we cruised through the Beagle Channel. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. It was overcast and cloudy, which put a bit of a damper on those plans.
The Beagle Channel is a dramatic, fjord-like sea passage at the southern tip of South America, winding through the Tierra del Fuego archipelago between Argentina and Chile. It’s one of Patagonia’s most famous waterways and one of only three navigable routes around the southern end of the continent—the others being the Strait of Magellan to the north and the notoriously rough Drake Passage to the south. While ships can travel through the Beagle Channel, it’s known for being far more scenic and sheltered than the Drake.
We arrived in Ushuaia around 10 am, but unfortunately, we were unable to dock due to weather conditions—completely out of anyone’s control, yet still disappointing. John quickly declared that we’ll “just have to come back another time.” 😂 (There was also some chatter that the captain may have overshot the docking spot and wasn’t given a second chance, but who really knows.)
Since we couldn’t get ashore, we met up with Catherine and Scott for lunch and spent some time relaxing onboard. John and I later played Rummikub for about an hour, which turned out to be a fun way to pass the time.
In the evening, we met at 6:30 pm for pre-dinner drinks and then headed to Prime 7, the ship’s steakhouse. I started with the Vidalia onion soup—absolutely delicious—followed by a 6-ounce filet Mignon with creamed spinach. John ordered the lump crab cake to start and then went with surf and turf (a filet Mignon and lobster tail). He also chose a lovely bottle of red wine to go with dinner. To finish, we enjoyed the remaining port from the other night along with complimentary caramel fudge and s’mores fudge—never a bad idea.
After dinner, we headed up to the Observation Lounge to watch the sunset. Scott took some beautiful photos and kindly offered to share them with me—always nice to have a talented photographer in the group!
We’re now officially sailing through the Drake Passage, and it’s been a bit rough. As they say, it’s either Drake Lake or Drake Shake… and we’ve definitely experienced the shake. For anyone prone to seasickness, this is probably not the cruise for you. Personally, I find the motion soothing—especially at night when we’re sleeping.
Tomorrow will be another day at sea as we continue through the passage. We have a cooking class scheduled for 3:30 pm, so we’ll see if the seas are calm enough for that! 😊
A Little About Ushuaia
Ushuaia is widely considered the southernmost city in the world, sitting along the Beagle Channel in Argentine Patagonia. Often called “the end of the world,” it serves as a major gateway for Antarctic cruises and attracts travelers with its snow-capped mountains, rugged landscapes, and access to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The city is also known for wildlife viewing, skiing, and its fascinating history—including a former maximum-security prison that now houses museums.
Founded in 1884 with the establishment of an Argentine naval base, Ushuaia evolved from a remote outpost into a vibrant destination for explorers and adventurers from around the globe. Its sub-polar oceanic climate brings cool summers (roughly 39°F to 57°F) and cold winters that can dip below 14°F—just one more reminder that you’re truly at the edge of the world.
