Antarctic Wonders: roundtrip cruise from Ushuaia ~ Cruise Norway

This voyage takes you across Drake Passage straight to the frozen Antarctic Peninsula - where you'll discover mesmerizing icy wonders like the Gerlache Strait and exceptionally beautiful Antarctic Sound. Step ashore and get up close and personal with the local penguins for that perfect photo opportunity. Journey alongside polar specialists and share in their vast knowledge of these isolates regions.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Ushuaia, Embarkation

Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Martial Range, Ushuaia’s colourful streets and mismatched buildings cascade from the imposing mountains before coming to an abrupt halt at the shores of the Beagle Channel. As one of the world’s southernmost cities, Ushuaia carries its ‘end of the world’ reputation well. The moody weather and dramatic surroundings certainly help. Board your boutique ship before departing for your journey through one of the most captivating wilderness regions of the world.

Day 2-3 | Day at sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 4-7 | Antarctic Peninsula

Among captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent live their Antarctica dream. It's the most accessible part, with scientific bases and incredible scenery, like the photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Mikkelsen Harbour, where among gentoo penguins, snowy sheathbills and skuas, Antarctic Weddell seals haul out.

Day 8-9 | Day at sea

Day 10 | Ushuaia, Disembarkation

Ships

SH Vega

SH Vega was named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage. She sails the seven seas, including the polar regions, in style and comfort. This 5-star expedition ship incorporates elegant Scandi-design with the latest in cruising technology. She has a PC5 ice-strengthened hull and extra-large stabilizers to make your journey as smooth as possible.

What's included

Includd Services:

Charter flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel

Other Inclusions:

Your selected stateroom
All meals onboard
Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise
24-hour room service
Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion per port of call
All expedition landings
Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available)
Gym, sauna, pool
24/7 self service laundry
Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep
In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot
Onboard gratuities & port taxes

Enhance your experience

You have the option of adding some extra special services to your cultural cruise experience (additional charges apply):

Bespoke pre & post land programmes
Additional hotel nights pre or post cruise
Premium and private shore excursions
Kayak and private Zodiac tours
Premium spirits & reserve wine list
Spa & beauty treatments
Laundry services
Retail shop

Amenities in your cabin

Smart HDTV
Minibar with soft drinks & beer
Illy Espresso coffee machine with pods
Kettle and Kusmi tea bags
Towels for cabin, pool and gym
Individually-controlled airconditioning
Bathrobes and bedroom slippers
Toiletries
Personal Safe
Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 binoculars

Excursions

Kayaking With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

2 hours

Level

from

$250

per person

Kayaking in the polar regions will be mainly focused on experiencing the polar regions from water level with all your senses and without any interference from artificial sounds.

Having the unique opportunity to kayak in the world’s last great wildernesses , is often described as a spiritual experience slowing down to the rhythm of the paddles, you are able to observe and soak in the natural wonders of the polar regions like very few have experienced before you. Observe scenery, coastlines, ice formations and polar wildlife from the comfort and silence of your kayak.

Conditions permitting, your Expedition Leader and Kayak guide will make sure you will be kayaking in a safe environment .

Whilst some kayak excursions are designed to allow guests to disembark on shore and discover the area, most of the kayak excursions will be mainly focusing on experiencing the polar regions, from water level, with all your senses as there is no interference with artificial sounds.

The kayaking experience ideally starts after guests have been shuttled by Zodiac to a starting point, then transfer from the zodiac to the kayak by their own means and at the end of the Kayak excursion transfer back to the shuttle Zodiac to be brought back on board.

Besides your kayak guide who briefs the kayaking group before the excursion and afterwards leads the group there is also a Zodiac driver on a safety boat following the kayak group to offer assistance if required.

IMPORTANT

In the interest of allowing all guests the opportunity to experience a kayak tour, guests may pre-book one kayak excursions per cruise.
For those wishing to join more than one kayak excursion, we will collect names for our waiting list whilst on board and do our best to accomodate these requests.
Please note that our kayaks accomodate two guests - if you would lile to share with a friend or family member; please make sure that you specify this with the on board team.
If you are travelling alone, we will find another guest for you to share with.

Practical information

The Antarctic cruise season runs from November to March, during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. Each month offers a unique experience:

November – Early Season: Pristine landscapes, fresh snowfall, and active penguin courtship.
December & January – Peak Season: Warmer temperatures, 24-hour daylight, and hatching penguin chicks.
February & March – Late Season: Best whale watching opportunities and more ice-free waters for deeper exploration.

Antarctica is home to incredible wildlife, including:

Penguins: Emperor, Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and more.
Whales: Humpback, Minke, Orca (Killer Whales), and Blue Whales.
Seals: Weddell, Leopard, Elephant, and Crabeater Seals.
Birds: Albatross, Petrels, Skuas, and more.

No visa is required for Antarctica itself, but depending on your nationality, you may need visas for Argentina or Chile, where most cruises depart from. Swan Hellenic will provide all necessary permits for landing in Antarctica as part of the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) guidelines.

Despite being a frozen continent, temperatures during the cruise season are warmer than many expect, ranging from:

Early Season (Nov - Dec): -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)
Peak Season (Jan - Feb): 0°C to 8°C (32°F to 46°F)
Late Season (Feb - Mar): -2°C to 6°C (28°F to 43°F)
Wind and weather conditions can change rapidly, so layering is key.

• Your passport and a copy of it!

• Cash in the applicable currency. Please check your travel documents for information about card payments on board

• Regular indoor shoes

• Sun protection

• A good pair of binoculars (ask the Cruise Norway team if they are included in your cabin)

• A small waterproof backpack

• Sunglasses with UV filter lenses

• Lip balm with UV protection

• Moisturizer

• Enough medication and other essentials to last through unforeseen delays

• Extra memory cards

• Extra batteries. Battery life can be reduced in cold climates

• Chargers

• Electrical adapters and converters if needed, please check your travel documents for information

• Sea sickness medication

• Sleeping mask

Clothing:
Layering clothes helps to keep you warm and dry. We recommend layering with wool, silk or synthetic fabrics rather than cotton. Dress code on board is casual (expedition style). Clothing should be comfortable and informal, including shoes. Dressing up for meals is not required.

• Summer clothing to wear in Buenos Aires

• Comfortable shoes for exploring South America

• Warm winter jacket

• Wind and water-resistant trousers or ski pants (some cruises require waterproof pants for landings and zodiac cruises, do not wear jeans or similar)

• Long thermal base layer

• Warm hat or headband

• Scarf or fleece tube

• Warm wool jumper and fleece jacket

• Gloves and mittens, fleece and wool

• Warm socks

Swan Hellenic’s Antarctica cruises offer daily landings and Zodiac excursions, depending on weather conditions. Activities may include:

Wildlife Watching: Close encounters with penguins, whales, and seals.
Zodiac Cruising: Exploring icebergs, glaciers, and remote shorelines.
Guided Hikes: Walks led by expert expedition guides.
Photography Workshops: Capture Antarctica’s stunning scenery.
Scientific Lectures: Learn from onboard experts about Antarctic history, geology, and wildlife.

Some cruises may offer optional activities such as kayaking and camping (availability varies).

Crossing the Drake Passage (between South America and Antarctica) can be rough or calm, depending on weather conditions. While some travelers experience motion sickness, Swan Hellenic’s advanced stabilized ships and onboard medical assistance help make the journey more comfortable. Those prone to seasickness may consider bringing medication or using natural remedies like ginger or acupressure bands.

For a smoother journey, some cruises offer a fly-cruise option, bypassing the Drake Passage by flying to King George Island before embarking on the ship.

Wi-Fi is available onboard but can be limited due to satellite connectivity. Internet speeds are slower than standard land-based connections, and usage may be restricted to email and basic browsing. There is no mobile phone service in Antarctica, but satellite phones are available for emergencies.

Antarctic Wonders: roundtrip cruise from Ushuaia

Highlights