As Australis rounded out its 35th anniversary season in Patagonia, the Chilean expedition cruise line is seeing strong passenger demand, a recovering European market, and a broadening demographic, according to the 2026 Expedition Market Report by Cruise Industry News.

Felipe Castro, who oversees North American sales for the brand, said that sourcing is strong globally, pointing to momentum in Europe, North America and more guests from Australia.

The European rebound in particular has been notable, he said.

The region was slow to come out of the pandemic but has recovered strongly, and Castro described the current trajectory as encouraging on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Europe is doing incredibly well compared to four years ago,” he said. “And the United States is doing well too. We are happy with it.”

The company’s two ships were purpose-built for the routes they operate, meaning shallow drafts for the narrow channels, fjords and straits of Patagonia. They also must stay close to shore, operating with 20 miles of a coastline at all times.

The built-for-Patagonia ships give Australis an edge: it has no competition in the region, but it is a seasonal operation and the ships aren’t realistically suited to be operated elsewhere.

Onboard, guests can expect approximately two landings per day, each offering a menu of activity options depending on the site, from glacier viewing to zodiac excursions and guided shore walks.

“Everyone is not doing the same thing,” added Tanally Gonzalez, customer service and reservation specialist. “You can pick. We get to the same place, but you can choose alternatives.”

Before the pandemic, the average Australis passenger was around 67 years old. That figure has since shifted to approximately 62, and Castro noted a rise in families, honeymooners and younger travelers choosing the destination.

The core guest, however, remains the adventure-oriented traveler who wants substance over spectacle and often has more time to spend in the region than a single sailing allows.

“The normal guest is the one who loves expedition, who loves adventure,” Castro said. “And we have a lot of retirees who have time, they spend not only four days with us, but also 10 to 15 days in the region.”