Antarctica Complete

Arrive in Ushuaia, where a representative meets you and transfers you, along with your fellow expeditioners, to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you're already in Ushuaia, make your way to the hotel. Check-in starts at 3:00 pm. This afternoon, visit the hospitality desk in the hotel lobby between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to collect your luggage tags and confirm if you wish to join the Lake Escondido pre-embarkation tour tomorrow. The team will provide details about your embarkation day, answer any questions, and offer information about dining options or last-minute items.

If you arrive after 7:00 pm, you'll find a welcome pack at check-in. Please visit the hospitality desk tomorrow between 8:00 am and 10:00 am.

The rest of your time is free to enjoy at your leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Assigned accommodation: To be advised.

Enjoy breakfast and check out this morning. Ensure your cabin luggage is tagged with your name and cabin number, then take it to reception. Your luggage will be transferred to the port and placed in your cabin. Keep valuables with you throughout the day.

Those joining the Lake Escondido tour, meet in the hotel lobby at 8:45 am. The tour offers a scenic drive through valleys, forests, and waterfalls, with views of Lake Escondido and Fagnano Lake, depending on weather. You’ll visit a local ranch and enjoy a Fuegian lamb barbecue before returning to Ushuaia for embarkation.

Alternatively, enjoy free time and meet at the hotel lobby or pier parking lot for the transfer to the ship.

Once onboard, settle into your cabin before important briefings. As the ship departs, gather on deck for stunning views of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner to kick off your Antarctic adventure. 

As you cross the Drake Passage, get comfortable with the motion of the sea. The expedition team prepares you for the first landing with wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and starts lectures on Antarctica’s history, wildlife, and environment.

Your wildlife experiences begin as seabirds, including albatrosses and giant petrels, follow the vessel. On sea days, enjoy the onboard facilities like the gym, sauna, and jacuzzis, or relax in the observation lounges.

By day four, excitement builds as you approach the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, keeping an eye out for the first iceberg. Once below the Antarctic Convergence, the ocean takes on a new feeling, with floating ice sculptures all around. Your first iceberg sighting will stay with you. Weather permitting, you may attempt the first landing in the late afternoon.

Arriving in Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spotting your first iceberg and breathing in the crisp, fresh air will stay with you forever.

The western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands are yours to explore, with 18-24 hours of daylight each day. Your expert expedition team will tailor the journey based on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife sightings.

You’ll embark on two daily Zodiac excursions to explore ice cliffs, penguin rookeries, and historic sites. Ashore, stretch your legs on beaches or hike snow-covered ridgelines for stunning views. If conditions allow, enjoy optional activities or even a polar plunge!

In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, take in the views from the observation lounge or bridge. Watch glaciers carve and take in the wonders of Antarctica.

On this voyage, you'll cross the Antarctic Circle, a major milestone celebrated with a toast on deck. As you cross, the landscape and wildlife will shift, and you'll likely spot whales and penguins feeding their chicks.

Attend informative lectures to learn about South Georgia as we sail across the Scotia Sea. You may want to relax in the sauna or stay active in the gym; the choice is yours on how you want to enjoy days at sea. 

Sea and weather conditions determine your arrival time in South Georgia today.

As you near the rugged island of South Georgia, think of Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775 and believed it to be the northern tip of a great southern continent! In reality, it is a small island, only 176 km (110 mi) long, but with a 3,000 m (9,842 ft) snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest wildlife congregations, and a fascinating human history, South Georgia is an island of incredible riches.

On approach, jagged mountain peaks rise steeply, and seabirds soar around the ship. You’ll sail down the coast, taking in the spectacular glaciated scenery. This enchanting coastline is yours to explore!

If time and weather permit, you might pass close to Shag Rocks, a fascinating group of jagged rocky islets protruding from the sea near South Georgia.

As you approach the rugged island of South Georgia, think of Captain James Cook, who arrived here in 1775 and believed it to be the northern tip of a great southern continent. In reality, South Georgia is a small island, just 176 km (110 mi) long, but with a 3,000 m (9,842 ft) snow-capped mountain range, some of the world’s largest wildlife congregations, and a fascinating human history, it is an island of incredible riches.  

Jagged mountain peaks rise steeply as you draw closer, and seabirds soar around the ship. You’ll sail along the east coast, taking in spectacular glaciated scenery while enjoying some shelter from the westerly winds. This enchanting coastline is yours to explore! Keep an eye out for South Georgia’s mesmerizing kelp forests, their fronds swaying rhythmically on the water’s surface.  

Zodiacs take you from ship to shore, where you can visit some of the world’s largest king penguin colonies, walk among fur seals and elephant seals (always keeping your distance and following your guide’s advice), and explore pebbled streams and grassy glacial outwash plains. You’ll also have the chance to visit remnants of South Georgia’s whaling stations and pay respects to Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose legendary voyage of survival is deeply tied to this island. If you’ve chosen an optional activity, you can take part when conditions allow.  

Beyond Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, you may ship cruise through fjords with towering cliffs of ancient stone or into deeply indented bays with dramatic glacier fronts. Find a comfy spot in the observation lounge or head to the bridge (Captain’s call) for uninterrupted views of South Georgia’s majestic coastline.  

Between the Falklands-Malvinas and South Georgia, you are captivated by the endless flight of seabirds circling and following the ship. The onboard lecture program continues with engaging presentations from our team of experts. You can also explore the ship's facilities, borrow a book from the well-stocked library, or stay active in the fitness center.

Sea and weather conditions will determine our arrival time into the Falklands~Malvinas today.  

The Falklands-Malvinas comprises two large islands (East and West Falkland), with over 700 islands scattered off the coast. All but seven of these are uninhabited, with windswept coastlines, white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. These beautifully barren islands are true wildlife havens, sheltering an impressive diversity of birdlife, including the largest black-browed albatross colony on earth. The cold, nutrient-rich waters surrounding the islands make this a prime location for spotting marine life.  

The Falklands-Malvinas features two main islands, East and West Falkland, along with over 700 smaller islands scattered off the coast. All but seven are uninhabited, boasting windswept coastlines, white sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters. These beautifully barren islands are wildlife havens, home to an incredible diversity of birdlife, including the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony. The cold, nutrient-rich waters around the islands also make them ideal for spotting marine life.

You explore many beautiful areas across the Falklands~Malvinas, each offering a unique perspective on this remarkable archipelago. Your experienced expedition team, who know this region well, use their expertise to plan your voyage each day, tailoring activities to the prevailing winds, weather, and wildlife opportunities.

Landings or Zodiac excursions are typically offered twice daily. Though you are north of the Antarctic Convergence, it can still be quite chilly, so layer up before Zodiac cruises through rocky coves or along sea cliffs, keeping watch for seals, sea lions, dolphins, and penguins. Zodiacs also transport you ashore, where you visit albatross colonies, penguin rookeries, and may even enjoy traditional English tea and scones at a local cottage.

Weather permitting, you land in historic Stanley, the capital of the Falklands~Malvinas. This charming town exudes British character, with terraced houses, pioneer cottages, and an iconic red telephone box. Explore colorful buildings housing cozy cafes, English pubs, souvenir shops, a post office, and the fascinating Historic Dockyard Museum, which features exhibits on the islands’ maritime history, natural history, and ties to Antarctica.

As you sail towards Ushuaia, use your time to edit photos, enjoy the ship’s facilities, or attend final lectures. Celebrate the end of your unforgettable voyage with new friends at a special Captain’s farewell dinner.  

With lectures and film presentations completing your Antarctic experience, there’s still plenty of opportunity to soak in the magic of the Southern Ocean and its incredible wildlife. Reflect on and discuss everything you’ve seen and experienced. As an ambassador for the Antarctic region, you’ll share your journey with family, friends, and colleagues, inspiring them to support its conservation and preservation—ensuring that they, too, might one day experience the wonders you’ve been lucky to witness.

During the early morning, you cruise up the Beagle Channel before quietly docking in Ushuaia, ready to disembark around 8:00 am. Say farewell to your expedition team and fellow travelers as you continue your onward journey, hopefully carrying a renewed appreciation for the immense power of nature.  

If you’re continuing your travels in the region, transportation to your hotel is arranged for guests who have booked accommodations or are staying in downtown areas near the port. If your flight departs before 12:30 pm, you’ll be transferred directly to Ushuaia Airport. For flights departing later, you’ll have the chance to explore Ushuaia before an afternoon airport transfer. Transfer details will be communicated onboard before disembarkation.  

Note: To allow for potential delays, avoid booking flights from Ushuaia before 12:00 pm on disembarkation day.