Crossing the Antarctic Circle (Ocean Albatros)

The adventure

Experience the awe-inspiring wonder of an expedition to the White Continent on this 13-day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Circle. See penguins, whales, seals, albatross, giant petrels and more during daily Zodiac excursions and from the deck of your ship, all with an Expedition Team and like-minded adventurers by your side. Cross the famed Drake Passage, visit the South Shetland Islands and achieve the rare feat of crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S. Contribute to research into polar ecosystems by participating in the hands-on Citizen Science program, plus learn about the history, geography and ecology of the unique ecosystems you’ll encounter during onboard activities. This is the voyage of a lifetime!

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Argentina

Day 1Ushuaia, ArgentinaWelcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica! When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for the night. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at your hotel this evening where you’ll meet your fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the southernmost city in the world – in downtown Ushuaia, you'll find plenty of restaurants where you can feast on Argentinian cuisine and maybe pick up a souvenir or two before you board your ship tomorrow.

Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica! When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for the night. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at your hotel this evening where you’ll meet your fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the southernmost city in the world – in downtown Ushuaia, you'll find plenty of restaurants where you can feast on Argentinian cuisine and maybe pick up a souvenir or two before you board your ship tomorrow.

Your journey through

Antarctica

Showing Days 2-8

11-day itinerary

Day 2Embarkation in UshuaiaThis morning, if you’d like to see more of Ushuaia, maybe visit the local leather markets or check out the Maritime Museum. Or simply relax at the hotel until this afternoon, when you’ll be transferred to the port to board your ship. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet your Expedition Team and settle into your cabin. Have a safety and orientation meeting, then sit down with your fellow travellers and the captain for a welcome dinner and toast to the start of your polar adventure!

Embarkation in Ushuaia

This morning, if you’d like to see more of Ushuaia, maybe visit the local leather markets or check out the Maritime Museum. Or simply relax at the hotel until this afternoon, when you’ll be transferred to the port to board your ship. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet your Expedition Team and settle into your cabin. Have a safety and orientation meeting, then sit down with your fellow travellers and the captain for a welcome dinner and toast to the start of your polar adventure!

Day 3At Sea Drake PassageYou’ll spend these next two days at sea, crossing the Drake Passage – the infamous body of water separating the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Over these two days, your Expedition Team will share their expert knowledge with you, preparing you for your Antarctic journey that lies just ahead! Take part in the Citizen Science program, where you can contribute to the recording and understanding of polar ecosystems and how they’re being impacted by climate change. Have your binoculars ready for plenty of seabird-watching – albatross, petrels and prions are all likely sights as you traverse this passage. Keep an eye out for breaching whales, too! Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, officially making your way into Antarctic waters.

You’ll spend these next two days at sea, crossing the Drake Passage – the infamous body of water separating the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Over these two days, your Expedition Team will share their expert knowledge with you, preparing you for your Antarctic journey that lies just ahead! Take part in the Citizen Science program, where you can contribute to the recording and understanding of polar ecosystems and how they’re being impacted by climate change. Have your binoculars ready for plenty of seabird-watching – albatross, petrels and prions are all likely sights as you traverse this passage. Keep an eye out for breaching whales, too! Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, officially making your way into Antarctic waters.

Day 4Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Day 5Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic CircleVenture along the Antarctic Peninsula, into the Gerlache Strait region. Over these five days, you’ll set out on expeditions twice daily – take a Zodiac cruise into the calmer waters of Paradise Bay, see penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, explore historic expedition huts at Damoy Point and be on the lookout for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay. Top it all off with the incredible scenery of the Lemaire Channel, where towering peaks (up to 1000 m high) border this 11-km-long passage filled with icebergs. Weather permitting, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S – a rare achievement that will put you in the company of few adventurers!

Venture along the Antarctic Peninsula, into the Gerlache Strait region. Over these five days, you’ll set out on expeditions twice daily – take a Zodiac cruise into the calmer waters of Paradise Bay, see penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, explore historic expedition huts at Damoy Point and be on the lookout for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay. Top it all off with the incredible scenery of the Lemaire Channel, where towering peaks (up to 1000 m high) border this 11-km-long passage filled with icebergs. Weather permitting, you’ll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S – a rare achievement that will put you in the company of few adventurers!

Day 6Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

Day 7Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

Day 8Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Peninsula to Antarctic Circle

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Your journey through

Argentina

Day 13Disembarkation in Ushuaia, ArgentinaThis morning, it’s time to disembark the ship as your unforgettable Antarctic expedition comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Ushuaia

This morning, it’s time to disembark the ship as your unforgettable Antarctic expedition comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Antarctica

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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