Highlights Of Antarctica

Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Day 2 - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Day 3-4 - Drake Passage
Day 5-9 - Antarctica
Day 10-11 - Drake Passage
Day 12 - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Day 1 Start your trip with the tango
Kickstart your adventure with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires. Aptly called the ‘Paris of South America’, Buenos Aires is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache. Spend the evening at your leisure. Enjoy an authentic steak dinner at one of the city’s many parrillas, or head to Plaza de Mayo to spend time sightseeing at the city’s best-known landmarks.

One day in Buenos Aires just isn’t enough, though. We highly recommend that you arrive a few days early to truly immerse yourself in this seductive and sophisticated city, filled with historic French and Italian architecture.

There is so much to do in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is home to numerous fine and modern art museums, landscaped parks, and one of the world’s greatest opera houses, Teatro Colón. That’s during the day—then comes Buenos Aires’s world-famous nightlife. If you’re in the city of tango, you shouldn’t leave without joining the locals for an informal lesson. For the less bold, enjoy a dance performance.

If you have more time on your hands, why not extend your stay? Take advantage of our Pre-Program and explore wild Patagonia.

Day 2 Beginning at the ‘End of the World’
First thing in the morning, we fly to the so-called ‘End of the World’: the port city of Ushuaia. Here, your voyage truly begins. Your base camp at sea awaits you! Welcome aboard the world’s first hybrid electric–powered expedition ship, the MS Roald Amundsen. On board, you’ll meet the Expedition Team and the crew members, who will take you through a mandatory health and safety meeting, for your safety and that of others. Later that evening, we will launch our journey with a welcome dinner. Afterward, take some time familiarize yourself with our state-of-the-art vessel, designed especially for sustainable voyages in polar waters. As we pass through the scenic Beagle Channel, watch for the rare, endemic Peale’s dolphin and other wildlife.

Day 3-4 The crossing to the seventh continent
The Drake Passage has rightly earned its notorious reputation as a rite of passage for any voyager. It can be rough. It can be choppy. It can be exhilarating! In 2019, a crew of six fatigued men became the first to row across it, skirting drifting ice and huge waves. It took them 13 days. Thankfully, it won’t take you more than two, all in the comfort of MS Roald Amundsen.

During the southbound voyage, prepare yourself for what lies ahead by joining lectures in the dedicated onboard Science Center. The Expedition Team will make sure you are familiar with the IAATO guidelines, which were written to protect both you and Antarctica’s precious wildlife—for example, why we must wear special rubber boots when going ashore. The experts from the Expedition Team are passionate about Antarctica’s history and will shed light on the science beneath its surface—not to mention the far-reaching effects of climate change and plastic pollution. You’ll also learn about how to participate in Citizen Science programs. These projects help research centers around the world document Antarctica’s environment and wildlife. Swing over to the Science Center for helpful tips from our onboard photographer, whose useful advice—for example, how to adjust the white balance on your camera—will greatly improve the quality of your photos. With so many things to do, your two days at sea will fly by.

Like all polar explorers, you’re going to whip up an appetite. Satisfy your appetite in one of our three restaurants, or end the day in the Explorer Lounge enjoying the beverage of your choice. As you stroll through the ship, with its wide, floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll notice how every effort was made to put the stunning scenery at center stage. Whether from the comfort of a hot tub, the infinity pool, or the spectacular sauna, you won’t miss a second of the breathtaking views around you.

Day 5-9 Where nature reigns
You might have read about Antarctica or watched every documentary you could get your hands on. You might even have taken detailed notes in the onboard lectures given the day before. But nothing prepares you for when you see it yourself. Welcome to an endless wilderness of ice, icebergs, and glaciers. A place where nature is king and us mortals mere observers.

Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. Its stillness is broken from time to time by the only locals on the continent.

These of course are the wide range of seabirds, including bitterns, swans, and petrels, who soar in the sky and gather on the shores. In addition to thousands of penguins, you might see seals playing in the water, a breaching humpback whale, or, if luck will have it, even spot an orca. You’ll quickly note that penguins are unafraid of humans—after all, this is their turf. Our Expedition Team will take you ice-cruising and on landings to bring you even closer to the impressive scenery. You may even have the opportunity to kayak among the icebergs in an optional activity. The Expedition Team will continue giving lectures, which help provide insights into the fascinating world we are exploring.

Surrounded by such pristine nature, you will quickly understand the importance of the most commonly given advice on Antarctica: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. That is exactly how we explore. Along every step of the way, whether on ice-cruises or landings, the Expedition Team will ensure that we strictly adhere to all safety and sustainability procedures.

Day 10-11 A return to open waters
After five days of exploration in Antarctica, you may need a little time to absorb this life-affirming experience. The two-day trip back up the Drake Passage will give you that time to reflect. Take the opportunity to participate in the Citizen Science program and analyze samples on a microscopic level. Continue to learn by attending lectures on topics such as climate change or plastic pollution, and we will reflect on our experiences on the frozen continent.

When you feel ready to kick back and enjoy the amenities on the advanced hybrid electric–powered vessel, you can do that, too. Work out in our large gym, jog around our outdoor running track, treat yourself to a massage or facial in the Wellness Center, or simply relax on deck while spotting the numerous seabirds following the ship.

Day 12 All good things…
Your expedition cruise ends where it began: in Ushuaia. Soon, you’ll be back in Buenos Aires. From there, you can head home or take this opportunity to get to know the passionate city of the Porteños. You can also join a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú waterfalls.

Even though it’s time to say goodbye to the crew, the captain, Expedition Team, and your fellow passengers, this ending is really only the beginning. The memories you’ve made are yours forever. Your connection to the frozen continent? Unbreakable. You’re one of us now: an adventurer, a lifelong ambassador for Antarctica

Get the most out of your cruise with activities run by our Expedition Team. They start from the ship, and are available for reservation once you get on board. Activities are subject to change.