Springtime Expedition to Antarctica

Home to a vibrant mix of cultures, Buenos Aires is shaped by its proud porteños—“people of the port”—and reflects a compelling blend of European elegance and Latin American energy.

Explore the city’s dynamic neighborhoods, dine at traditional parrillas offering authentic Argentine steak, or try your steps in the birthplace of tango.

Your Expedition Ship will be ready and waiting for embarkation.

In the days ahead at sea, deepen your understanding of the remarkable regions you soon explore.

The Expedition Team will begin a lecture series covering oceanography, geology, ornithology, and regional history, while the Science Center offers interactive, hands-on sessions.

Use binoculars to spot rare seabirds like wandering albatrosses and petrels. Between sessions, take advantage of onboard amenities including hot tubs, a panoramic sauna, and a fully equipped gym.

The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sand beaches teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape amid grassy hills and wildflowers. Enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and Historic Dockyard Museum.  

Your landings, hikes, and excursions are, as always, subject to weather conditions. You can hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and get as close as you can without disturbing them.

After the Falkland Islands, spend two days cruising toward beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.  

Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.   

As you approach, the Expedition Team will talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that you follow when visiting. You leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures.

South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname “Serengeti of the Southern Ocean.” Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds, and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area and home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.  

During your three days in the area, land as often as you can to explore the wilderness and observe the wildlife. You can also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Your expedition route will as always be guided by nature, and you adapt to daily conditions to seek out the best possible experience.

While the itineraries are always flexible, they’re even more so during peak breeding seasons, when the wildlife is most vulnerable to disturbance. When opportunities allow, land here and observe the wildlife. When your presence could disturb the animals, choose another place to visit. As always, your Expedition Team makes these decisions based on lifetimes of combined experience in these destinations. Sometimes you land, sometimes you cruise—it’s all part of the adventure!

After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while you head toward Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far.   

Antarctica is a symbol of global cooperation, dedicated to peace, science, and wildlife conservation. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty, it remains free of military conflict, preserving its pristine environment for future generations.  

As a hub for scientific research on climate change and ecosystems, it offers unique insights into nature's resilience. You can join the Citizen Science programs to help collect data for global research projects.

Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins stand erect as they watch from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge. 

Spend four exciting days exploring several possible landing sites on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever you go and whatever you do, each day will offer something different and thrilling. 

You might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint. 

Bird enthusiasts should look skyward for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels, and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, learn more about this precious habitat and how you can all protect it for the future.

Five unforgettable days in Antarctica are over, and your ship will now embark upon your final adventure together: the Drake Passage. Known for its potentially high winds and strong currents, the passage can also be silent and still, inspiring the nicknames “The Drake Shake” and “The Drake Lake.”  

But don’t worry—even if you experience rough seas, your ship is perfectly equipped for this leg of the adventure exploring the Southern Ocean. During the crossing, the Expedition Team will recap your experiences, keeping your head in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica a little while longer.

Your Antarctica and Patagonia expedition cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, catch a flight to Santiago de Chile and then your connecting flight home, taking with you a wealth of fantastic memories.