City of many passions

Feel the rhythm of bustling Buenos Aires 

An overnight stay in Buenos Aires is the ideal way to start your Antarctic adventure.  

Home to a proud and diverse community of porteños, or ‘people of the port’, this city is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendour and Latin American panache.  

There are plenty of places to explore, including many parrillas serving authentic Argentine steak. Or maybe you’d like to practise your dance moves in the famous hometown of the tango.  

Why not consider arriving a few days early to see all this vibrant city has to offer, or explore the region on our optional Pre-Programme.

Boarding your base camp at sea

Today you’ll have an early start. We meet in the hotel lobby in the morning to head to the airport for our flight to Ushuaia. The capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province sits on a bay backed by the snow-capped mountains of Martial Glacier, to the north. Although Ushuaia claims to be the world’s southernmost city, two other Chilean cities also lay claim to this dubious title. Your base camp at sea, MS Roald Amundsen, will be waiting here at the port. Once on board, you’ll meet the Expedition Team, who will conduct a mandatory health and safety briefing. Afterward, you will have time to tour the ship and settle into your cabin before we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Your expedition has officially begun!­­

Making the most of the crossing

It takes two days of sailing to reach Antarctica. This is a good thing! Two days is the perfect amount of time to both relax and prepare for the adventures ahead.

To make sure you are ready for the days of exploration ahead of you, the Expedition Team will launch a series of insightful lectures at the Science Center. Each member of the Expedition Team specializes in a different subject. You’ll see that they are walking, talking, treasure troves of fascinating stories and information. Listen and learn as they share information about the local wildlife and the IAATO-approved sustainability protocol you must follow if curious penguins or seals come too close to you. The IAATO guidelines include learning the importance of wearing sterilized rubber boots during all Antarctica landings and why we thoroughly vacuum any foreign particles from our clothes beforehand.

You’ll also appreciate how the ship is equipped with all services and facilities added for your comfort. Work out in the gym and or run along the outdoor track circuit. Steam away the soreness from your workout in the sauna, or let masterful hands relax you during a message in the Wellness Spa. Three different onboard restaurants will delight your palate, while the Explorer Lounge & Bar is always the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine or a bit of bubbly. Just because the expedition is exciting doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious too!

Antarctica: Another World

Experience Antarctica in all its natural majesty

Nothing can quite prepare you for it. Antarctica will fill you with wonder when you see its looming glaciers and icebergs the size of cathedrals. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. It's a stillness that's broken every so often by the locals – the wildlife. 

In the Antarctic summer, that might be penguins tending to their chicks; cormorants, sheathbills, and petrels wheeling through the skies; or even orcas or humpback whales feeding on the krill-rich waters. Antarctica is simply a place where nature is king and the rest of us are mere observers. 

You’ll spend an exciting five days busily exploring several of the possible landing sites. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.  

You'll join the Expedition Team on landings and ice cruises. You can take part in activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, and hiking – and you may even get the chance to go camping overnight. Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, giving you deeper insight into the frozen continent.

The Drake Passage

Discover more about the Falkland Islands 

As you savor your Antarctic experiences, prepare for more adventures ahead as we cruise toward the Falkland Islands. Your Expedition Team will brief you about the history and biology of the islands. In the Science Center, you can look through the microscope at the tiny krill and phytoplankton that sustain so much of the region's wildlife.  

Get tips from our professional photographer to improve your images or join workshops on wildlife painting and tying nautical knots. You can also book a spa treatment, visit the gym, and enjoy the locally sourced, regionally inspired dishes in our restaurants.

Wildlife of the Falklands

Enjoy birding and hiking on these green islands 

The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sand beaches teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica. You can also enjoy a community walk through Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Historic Dockyard Museum.  

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

Our Last Day at Sea

A relaxing day at sea with time to reflect 

Your expedition cruise, taking in the wonders of Antarctica and the wildlife of the Falkland Islands, is nearing its end. As we sail the final leg to Ushuaia, enjoy your final day at sea. 

Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to examine special interests in greater depth. Enlist the help of the Expedition Team to help identify species captured in your photos or simply relax on deck, recalling the highlights of your memorable adventure. End the day in the Explorer Lounge & Bar with the new friends you’ve made on your trip, sharing experiences over a relaxing drink.

Ushuaia and Buenos Aires

From Ushuaia to Buenos Aires 

Your expedition cruise ends in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure. 

Consider joining our optional Post-Program before heading home.