MSC World Cruise - February 2025 Highlights

Описание: We ended last months update with the sad news that we failed in our second attempt in as many years to reach the Falkland Islands and get to personally see the elusive King Penguins (darn you afoul southern winds). However where there is rain, there is often a rainbow and ours ended with news of an extra day being added to our next port of call at Ushuaia, Argentina, the ‘end of the world’.

But first we sailed to witness the dreaded Cape Horn. Many sailors lost their ships, cargo and even lives attempting this transit, but we were granted a pleasant breezy and sunny afternoon. It was clear enough that even at our offshore distance, we could see the lighthouse and monument. We took a moment to remember all the sailors of old braving the turmoilstrous seas as they attempted the same feat with limited charts, power, and weather conditions. Later we saw a nautical chart marking locations of lost ships. Over 800 of them floundered and sank while trying to round the cape with more than 10,000 people having lost their lives as a result.

On Sunday the 2nd we docked in Ushuaia, Argentina and toured the prison and maritime museum. Our second day was spent hiking the Esmeralda Lagoon Trail with a few new friends.

The seas showed some fury as we left the channel for the Pacific Ocean. Our ship was tossed by 50 knot headwinds as we tried to make way to our next port. After a day the captain announced what we all dreaded, we would miss Puerto Chacabuco, Chile, and as such would continue to sail through the Chilean Fjords, adding both some beautiful scenery as well as some buffering from the high sea state.

On Friday the 7th we reached Puerto Montt, Chile. This coastal fishing village was the starting point of our excursion to the Osorno Volcáno and the inspiring vista views of the neighboring Calbuco Volcano and Lake Llanquihue. A side trip to the Petrohué Waterfalls in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park gave the ground perspective of the volcanic region.

On Sunday the 9th we sat at anchor outside of Valparaiso, Chile waiting for a space at the pier for our ship to dock. We missed our excursions that day, but went on a private biking tour of Vina del Mar the second day. Kathleen our guide was very knowledgable and entertaining.

We set sail west for a 5 day stretch of sea days. After the first day we passed the Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez Island Chain of Chile. From 1704 to 1709, the island was home to the marroned Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, who inspired Daniel Dafoes’ fictional novel, Robinson Crusoe.


After a few rough days of bobbing, we arrived on the 15th at Hanga Roa, the main Port of Rapa Nui aka Easter island. Seeing the Moai statues had been a bucket list item for us and their visual beauty and history did not disappoint.

Three more days of calm sailing brought us to an anchorage on the 18th in Bounty Bay in the Pitcairn Islands. Although we did not land on the island, 20 of its 47 inhabitants boated out to our ship to peddle their wares. The island, consisting of its one and only town, Adamstown is populated by the descendants of Flechter Christian and the other mutineers of the HMS Bounty.

Arriving in Papeete, Tahiti in French Polynesia on Friday the 21st, we were given two days to explore the island. Wanting to see and do as much as possible, we opted for renting a car and touring the island on our own. This proved to be infinitely valuable as we drove about 400km circling the island twice and allowing us to share the time with new cruising buddies we gained on board.

Day 1 included snorkeling in a protected reef area and some sights around the island such as waterfalls and beaches as well as a historical lighthouse at Venus point, from Captain Cook days. In the evening we attended a French Polynesian Luau that was both vibrant and energetic.

Day 2 we followed a repeat path making it to some missed sights including the 2024 Olympic surfing village, an island vista that looks toward the larger island and a few beautiful grottos. The foliage in the grottos was dense so green. It was like a small paradise tucked away just for us.

We circled the islands overnight anchoring in Moorea, French Polynesia on Sunday. Our goal was to do more snorkeling, but we added a twist by renting electric scooters with our friends to get around the island. We didn’t have time to circle the island so selected a few beaches to explore. The combination of surf and breeze was perfect in this small beautiful island.

After a day of sailing we arrived at the first of our two stops in the Cook Islands, Aitutaki with a giant turquoise lagoon vibrant with sea life, and multiple smaller outlying islands.

Our final stop for the month was to the southern and most populous of the Cook Islands , Rarotonga. We rented a few e-bikes and circled the island twice, climbing to waterfalls and playing on its pristine white sand beaches.

Next: New Zealand & Australia