Buenos Aires

Feel the rhythm of Buenos Aires and get into the spirit of adventureAn overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your Antarctic voyage. Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, the city is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and La... Feel the rhythm of Buenos Aires and get into the spirit of adventureAn overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your Antarctic voyage. Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, the city is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache.  There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practice 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 or explore the region with our optional Pre-Program. Read More

Ushuaia

Set sail from the capital of Tierra del FuegoThe morning begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia. This port city is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province, and it’s set against the magnificently rugged backdrop of the Andes mountains. Ushuaia vies for the title of the... Set sail from the capital of Tierra del FuegoThe morning begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia. This port city is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province, and it’s set against the magnificently rugged backdrop of the Andes mountains. Ushuaia vies for the title of the world’s southernmost city, and it’s from here that many adventures to Antarctica set out—including ours.  You’ll be welcomed aboard your hybrid-powered expedition ship – specially designed for exploring polar waters – and after a briefing from your Expedition Team there will be time to settle into your cabin and explore the comforts and amenities on board. Your adventure has truly begun! Read More

At Sea

Cruising Drake Passage

South Shetland Islands

Experience all the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula as we enter expedition modeNothing quite prepares you for it. Silence and serenity infuse your soul as we sail through the deep blue waters past looming glaciers and cathedral-sized icebergs. Every moment in Antarctica will fill you wit... Experience all the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula as we enter expedition modeNothing quite prepares you for it. Silence and serenity infuse your soul as we sail through the deep blue waters past looming glaciers and cathedral-sized icebergs. Every moment in Antarctica will fill you with wonder.  Large groups of penguins huddle on the ice floes, avoiding the cunning leopard seals that hunt them, and majestic, migrating whales glide past pristine icebergs as they feed on shoals of krill. Look skyward and you may spot some of the 45 species of Antarctic seabirds that live here, including skuas, cormorants, petrels, and terns. Here, nature reigns, and we are mere observers. Our experienced Captain will continually monitor conditions to create the best possible itinerary for adventure, and we’ll spend nine action-packed days exploring several of the many possible landing sites. Each day promises something different and soul-stirring.  Where most journeys to Antarctica end, yours only intensifies, offering unprecedented access to some lesser-explored areas. Remember, this is an expedition voyage! This means we’ll be able to adapt our itinerary depending on the sea and ice conditions, and we’ll endeavor to spend at least one day – or possibly several – in each of the following regions: South Shetland Islands: Typically, the first glimpse of Antarctica for travelers, the South Shetland Islands boast a dramatic landscape across the 20-island archipelago. These rugged isles are not just strikingly beautiful, they are also teeming with wildlife, offering a vibrant, up-close encounter with nature's resilience and diversity. Antarctic Sound: A lesser-visited gem in the region, Antarctic Sound serves as a grand gateway to the Weddell Sea and is home to some of the largest tabular icebergs. This striking corridor of ice and water is also a prime habitat for observing the rare Adélie Penguin and offers a unique snapshot of the grandeur of Antarctica. Gerlache Strait: A centerpiece of Antarctic exploration, the Gerlache Strait offers sheltered waterways ideal for up-close encounters with some of the continent's most iconic sights. This is the area where our ship’s namesake, Roald Amundsen, in 1898 sailed aboard the Belgica before he and the crew became the first humans to overwinter in Antarctica. Frequented by humpback whales and other cetaceans, this area mesmerises visitors with 360-degree views of snow-covered alpine landscapes, providing a truly awe-inspiring backdrop for adventure. The Penola Strait (South of the Lemaire Channel): The Penola Strait, accessed via the French Channel, offers a spectacular maze of penguin-covered islands set against the massive glacier-clad peaks of the continental shoreline. This remote area, often beyond the range of standard voyages, teems with wildlife and presents boundless exploration opportunities. The abundant sea ice not only enhances the beauty but also increases the chance of observing seals and other wildlife. If ice and sea conditions allow, the Expedition Team may choose the breathtaking Lemaire Channel instead of the Penola Strait. The former is often hailed as the world's most picturesque channel, for good reason.  Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, enlightening and entertaining with their insights into the wonders of the frozen continent. Read More

Antarctic Sound

The Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could be rescued... The Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could be rescued. Sites that have to do with this story - like Hope Bay or Paulet Island - are sometimes visited. At Paulet, Hope Bay and Brown Bluff Adelie and Gentoo Penguins breed, as do Kelp Gulls and Cape Petrels, Snow Petrels and Skuas. The Sound’s main attractions are the spectacular tabular icebergs that come from the Larsen Ice Shelf further south. Read More

At Sea

Antarctic Sound

The Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could be rescued... The Antarctic Sound is a stretch of water named after the first ship to have passed through this body of water from the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea in 1902. The Antarctic eventually sank and crew and scientists had to spend quite some time in this area before they could be rescued. Sites that have to do with this story - like Hope Bay or Paulet Island - are sometimes visited. At Paulet, Hope Bay and Brown Bluff Adelie and Gentoo Penguins breed, as do Kelp Gulls and Cape Petrels, Snow Petrels and Skuas. The Sound’s main attractions are the spectacular tabular icebergs that come from the Larsen Ice Shelf further south. Read More

Gerlache Strait

 The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring...  The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring towering icebergs and dramatic mountain landscapes. It serves as a vital navigation route for research vessels and tourist ships visiting the region, offering access to some of Antarctica's most breathtaking sites. The waters of the Gerlache Strait are rich in marine life, including seals, whales, and various seabirds, making it a prime location for wildlife watching. Its unique ecosystem and breathtaking vistas attract adventurers and researchers alike, contributing to our understanding of this remote and pristine part of the world. Read More

Penola Strait

At Sea

At Sea

Gerlache Strait

 The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring...  The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring towering icebergs and dramatic mountain landscapes. It serves as a vital navigation route for research vessels and tourist ships visiting the region, offering access to some of Antarctica's most breathtaking sites. The waters of the Gerlache Strait are rich in marine life, including seals, whales, and various seabirds, making it a prime location for wildlife watching. Its unique ecosystem and breathtaking vistas attract adventurers and researchers alike, contributing to our understanding of this remote and pristine part of the world. Read More

At Sea

Cruising Drake Passage

Ushuaia

Enjoy an expedition finale in Buenos AiresYour expedition cruise ends back where we set out from in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but if you’re still in the mood for some more experiences it doesn’t have to be the end of y... Enjoy an expedition finale in Buenos AiresYour expedition cruise ends back where we set out from in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but if you’re still in the mood for some more experiences it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure.Buenos Aires is a city rich in culture, with some amazing architecture and dining options. If you fancy lingering a while longer, why not join our optional Post-Program before heading home. Read More