February 6, 2023

Launch your adventure with an overnight stay in the exotic city of Buenos Aires and spend the austral summer evening at your leisure. Locals have come to call it the ‘City of Fury’, which perfectly sums up the Argentine capital’s Latin fervor. This romance and passion is clear and strikes with each beat of the fiery tango. Head to a local bar to catch a can’t-miss dance performance before savoring a sizzling cut of beef in one of the many great steakhouses on which the city prides itself. Time permitting, take in some beautiful French and Italian architecture, such as the pretty-in-pink palatial mansion Casa Rosada and the National Museum of Fine Arts, home to works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso.

We recommend coming a few days early to have more time to explore the city. You can also join our Pre-Program to explore wild Patagonia.

February 7, 2023
Estimated time of departure is 7:00 PM

It’s an early rise for our flight to Ushuaia. There, your comfortable expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you. As the plane begins its descent into Argentina’s southernmost city, you might catch birds-eye views of the Tierra del Fuego province and spot the fjords and glaciers in Alberto de Agostini National Park to the west.

Once you check in on board the ship, the time will come for us to embark on our journey to Antarctica. After the brief mandatory safety meeting, you will meet the Expedition Team and key crew members. Then comes the welcome dinner, which is an excellent time to start getting to know your fellow explorers. Afterward, head for drinks in the bar or stroll around and get acquainted with your new home for the next couple of weeks.

February 8, 2023 - February 9, 2023

Before we relish in the infinite wonders of Antarctica, first comes the infamous Drake Passage, a.k.a. the ‘Rite Of’ Passage. These turbulent waters were reportedly discovered by chance in the 16^th century, when heavy winds forced one of Sir Francis Drake’s ships southward. These waters are as unpredictable today as they were back then. Conditions can vary wildly from rough and shaky to placid like a lake.

It takes approximately two days to cross the Drake Passage. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming adventure. In the Science Center, the Expedition Team members will give expert lectures on topics such as the Antarctic Treaty, tales of past polar expeditions, and the area’s rich biodiversity, ranging from the massive to the microscopic. Other key presentations will explain how to stay safe during landings and the importance of not disturbing local wildlife, whether they be pods of feasting whales or families of lazy seals. You will also learn about IAATO guidelines and the reason behind the special sterilized boots we use on shore. Also, we will discuss the importance of vacuuming our backpacks and clothes before our landings in Antarctica. The Citizen Science programs, should you wish to participate, will give you further insight into the frozen continent’s intricate ecosystem as you participate in current science research projects.. Our ethos is the more you know, the more you’ll appreciate the unique experience you can only live in Antarctica.

Throughout your journey, you will grow increasingly fond of the ship, a warm and cozy sanctuary after each day of exploration. Whether your idea of relaxation is hitting the gym or being pampered at a spa, MS Fridtjof Nansen offers both. If the gym, outdoor running track, or the Wellness Center aren’t enough, try out the infinity pool, the sauna, and an outdoor hot tub. You are also sure to enjoy the ship’s three exquisite onboard restaurants, which will satisfy any craving.

February 10, 2023 - February 20, 2023

Over eleven magical days, you are about to explore the seventh continent of Antarctica. Of all our expeditions and destinations, this is the longest period we offer in one place. Antarctica is so special and magnificent that it deserves the maximum amount of time possible. The Expedition Team will guide you on landings and ice-cruising to get even closer to the amazing icescapes and wildlife. You might also have the opportunity to enjoy optional activities like snowshoeing and kayaking. Let’s not forget that you can participate in Citizen Science projects to help scientists all over the world better understand the wildlife and ecology of Antarctica.

Other cruise operators are content to just sail by and never bring their guests to set foot on the ice. Your expedition with us, however, will bring you ashore and on multiple small boat (RIB) ice-cruises, whenever weather and sea ice conditions are right. Thus, prepare to marvel at the massive ice fronts, icebergs, glacial walls, and frozen mountains—all in the safest and most sustainable way possible. Under the guidance of our experienced Expedition Team, you will also observe bustling colonies of everyone’s favorite flightless birds, some of which may be as curious to see you as you are to see them. With the otherworldly scenery of Antarctica as a backdrop, your first small step on each landing marks one giant leap in your adventure story.

Together, we will go places few have been before, and might even attempt to venture beyond a few possible landing zones on the Antarctic Peninsula, past the Antarctic Circle, and deep into the hidden corners of the continent. Weather and sea ice permitting, we will sail as far as the polar circle at 66°33’ South and beyond, on to Marguerite Bay. Rarely visited even by other expeditions, this wide bay is covered in ice for most of the year and is usually only accessible in the late austral summer season—but there is no guarantee even for that. Whales are known to frequent the area, while the icy islands are havens for Adélie penguin rookeries and other polar birdlife. Numerous scientific research bases are located around Marguerite Bay, where we will try to land if conditions allow, including the modern base on Horseshoe Island and the historic ruins on Stonington Island.

February 21, 2023 - February 22, 2023

After ten days of adventure in Antarctica, we’ll head back north toward civilization and warmer weather. Our two-day crossing back through the Drake Passage will allow you to pause and fully absorb your amazing experience.. Share your most vivid highlights with fellow expedition members who, after sharing these experiences, have gone from strangers to lifelong friends. Take art classes, learn to tie different sailor’s knots, and be active in the gym and toasty in the sauna. Or spot seabirds from the deck. Hopefully the Expedition Team’s lectures will have you identifying many of Antarctica’s winged wonders on your own!

February 23, 2023
Estimated time of arrival is 8:00 AM

Back at Ushuaia, our journey together comes to a close. From the port, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. If you don’t want your adventure to stop just yet, you can choose to join a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú Falls.

It’s been an exciting adventure and we hope you enjoyed every moment of it. Cherish the memories and photos from our journey, and we hope you will be motivated to be an Ambassador of sorts for Antarctica moving forward by advocating the need to protect this fragile ecosystem. In this way, you will also understand more fully why sustainable expedition cruises are so important.

Aside from being able to boast about crossing the Antarctic Circle, you’ll most importantly have first-hand knowledge of how fragile these polar environments are and the risks posed by climate change. Let’s do everything we can to preserve the beauty of these habitats for generations to come.