12-Days Highlights of Antarctica Expedition Cruise

The Beat of Buenos Aires

Feel the rhythm of bustling Buenos Aires
Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache. An overnight stay here is the ideal way to start your adventure.

There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practise your dance moves in the famous hometown of the tango.

Why not consider arriving a few days early to see all this vibrant city has to offer.

Early Start in Ushuaia

Setting off from the bottom of the world
Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off Iceland’s southern coast. It has a fascinating history and still bears the scars of the powerful volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed the island.

Visit Eldheimar, a museum that features an excavated home frozen in time, and learn more about the eruption and its aftermath. Don’t pass up the chance to climb Mount Eldfell to the volcano’s summit, where you’ll have incredible views of the town below.

Get Ready For Antarctica

Cross the Drake Passage
On the two-day crossing through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with everything you need to make the most of your polar expedition.

Visit the onboard Science Centre and find out what lies ahead. Listen as experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the science beneath the ice, and the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. Learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible and discover the Citizen Science projects you can join.

There’s plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the spa and wellness area, enjoy delicious cuisine, and meet fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

Antarctica – Another World

Setting off from the bottom of the world
Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Antarctica will fill you with wonder, surrounded by looming glaciers and icebergs the size of floating cathedrals. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. The stillness that reigns is broken every so often by the locals – the wildlife.

Whales begin to arrive in greater numbers by December and January. This is also when the first penguin chicks hatch. Seeing those clumsy clumps of feathers running around is always a charming sight. February and March are peak whale watching months, when huge amounts of krill lure whales to the area.

Nature is king here and we are mere observers. Our experienced Captain will continually monitor conditions to create the best possible itinerary for your adventure. Rest assured that each day will offer something different and thrilling.

Join the Expedition Team on landings and while ice cruising. You may even have the chance to kayak among the icebergs.

Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, helping expand your insight into the frozen continent. Over five magical days, experience this amazing world in a way that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Returning to Warmer Waters

Heading back north across the Drake Passage
After five incredible days, you’ll have experienced so much in Antarctica. Your head will likely be filled with a swirling kaleidoscope of special memories and impressions. The next couple of days will be a chance to reflect on your adventure to the seventh continent.

As your mind tries to conjure up the magical Antarctic scenery, now could be a good time to sift through your photos and videos to recapture a sense of its magnitude. Why not take the chance to unwind in the sauna, or enjoy a few relaxing spa treatments in the wellness area.

JOURNEY’S END

Your expedition cruise concludes in Ushuaia, where you disembark and say farewell to the ship, Expedition Team and new friends.

An included flight returns you to Buenos Aires, bringing your journey from the edge of South America to the White Continent full circle. Carry home powerful memories of immense ice, extraordinary wildlife and days shaped by nature.

If your schedule allows, extend your stay in Argentina or add an optional post-voyage program to explore more of the region. However you continue, Antarctica is likely to remain with you for many years after the final flight.