Antarctica Expedition Cruise: The Spirit of Antarctica

After arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina and checking into your included hotel, you’ll visit the hospitality desk to collect your cabin luggage tags and connect with our ground operations team. They’ll be available to share any important pre-embarkation updates and can offer recommendations on nearby dining, ATM locations, or places to pick up last-minute essentials from a local pharmacy or supermarket.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. 

Enjoy breakfast and check out of your hotel. In the morning, you have the option to join the Lake Escondido tour. The tour follows a scenic drive through glacial valleys, forests, waterfalls, and rivers in the Andes. We will travel northeast out of Ushuaia, passing peat bog valleys to Garibaldi Pass for panoramic views of Lake Escondido and, weather permitting, Fagnano Lake. We then descend to Fagnano Lake’s shore to visit a local ranch, where you can enjoy a traditional Fuegian lamb barbecue and some free time before returning to Ushuaia for embarkation.

If you prefer, you may spend the day at leisure before transferring to the ship.

Once onboard, you will have time to settle into your cabin before mandatory briefings. As the ship departs, we will gather on deck to begin our journey with stunning views of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. This evening, join your fellow travelers and the expedition team for a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of your Antarctic adventure.

As we begin the Drake Passage crossing, you’ll have time to settle into life at sea and adjust to the ship’s motion. The expedition team will prepare you for your first landing by covering wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, and our lecture program will begin to introduce Antarctica’s history, wildlife, and environment.

Wildlife viewing starts early, with seabirds such as albatrosses and giant petrels often following the vessel, perfect for watching and photography. During sea days, you can also enjoy onboard facilities such as the gym, wellness centre, or one of the observation lounges.

As we approach the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, anticipation builds as everyone gathers on deck to watch for the first icebergs. Once we cross below the Antarctic Convergence, the ocean changes dramatically, surrounded by floating ice formations—your first iceberg sighting is sure to be unforgettable. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Arriving in Antarctica is a moment you’ll never forget—spotting your first iceberg and breathing in the crisp, pure air is truly unforgettable. Once there, the western Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands offer endless exploration, with long daylight hours and the freedom to fill your days as you wish.

On land, you can stroll beaches or climb snow-covered ridges for dramatic views, and optional activities are offered when conditions allow. For the brave, the polar plunge provides a thrilling chance to immerse in Antarctic waters.

We may also cruise narrow straits or linger in bays to watch whales, and you can enjoy the observation lounge or visit the bridge for uninterrupted views. Listen for the rumble of glaciers and take a quiet moment to absorb the beauty of this pristine, icy wilderness.

Optional add-on activities include snorkeling, sea kayaking, camping, and paddling for travelers seeking a deeper level of adventure and immersion in Antarctica’s pristine environment.

Enjoy a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands before we begin our return crossing of the Drake Passage to South America.

During the voyage, lectures and film presentations will help round out your Antarctic experience, while there is still time to take in the beauty of the Southern Ocean and its wildlife. This is also a moment to reflect on your journey and share your stories with fellow travelers. We hope you leave inspired to advocate for Antarctica’s conservation and preservation so others can one day experience its wonders.

As we near South America, the Captain may sail close to Cape Horn, weather and schedule permitting.

In the early morning, we cruise through the Beagle Channel before arriving quietly in Ushuaia, where you will disembark. Say farewell to your expedition team and fellow travelers as you continue your onward journey, carrying with you a renewed appreciation for the power of nature.