Antarctica Greets the Spring

13 Days / 11 Nights On Board

Ushuaia to Ushuaia

An Untouched Antarctica Greets Our Season’s First Explorers

Our very first voyage of the season, this expedition will give you a taste of what the first explorers must have felt, stepping foot into a pristine, untouched Antarctic environment. Prepare yourself for a trip into a lively environment populated by penguins courting mates, building nests, and tending to their eggs, as Antarctica’s residents get to work after their winter slumber. Marvel at the passing of newly adrift icebergs, and be dazzled by colorful sunsets that most photographers only dream of. This is the time of year when your chance of spotting another ship in the water is at its lowest, giving you the sense that Antarctica is truly all yours.

Activities: Kayaking, Photography, Citizen Science

Expedition Dates

Itinerary

Booking Info

Ocean Albatros

Photo Gallery

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Day 2: Embarkation
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Days 5-7: Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea
Days 8-9: Antarctic Peninsula
Day 10: South Shetland Islands
Day 11-12: Drake Passage
Day 13: Disembarkation

Download Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and explore in Ushuaia

After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.)

Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

All Aboard!

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Drake Passage

Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea

This area boasts some of Antarctica’s most striking scenery, from the vast Adelie Penguin colonies at Hope Bay and Devil’s Island, to the dramatic volcanic cliffs at Brown Bluff. Continuing southward into the Weddell Sea, we encounter immense tabular icebergs and the expansive icepack that nurtures Antarctic krill, the foundation of the food chain. The presence of krill attracts a diverse array of wildlife, including penguins, seals, seabirds, and humpback whales, all of which we hope to see while exploring this icy wilderness.

Antarctic Peninsula

In the days ahead, we venture further west along the Antarctic Peninsula into the Gerlache Strait region. Our Expedition Leader and Captain will plot a route to explore a variety of sites highlighting the area’s staggering natural beauty.

The Gerlache Strait offers a dazzling array of iconic Antarctic experiences. From Zodiac cruises in Paradise Bay, to witnessing penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, each potential stop promises yet another unforgettable encounter. Our wish list includes exploring historic huts at Damoy Point, witnessing humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, and marveling at the jaw-dropping scenery of the Lemaire Channel. Wherever we go on the Antarctic Peninsula, endemic wildlife, tantalizing history and breathtaking natural beauty abound.

Drake Passage

We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

Ushuaia Disembarkation

With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Visiting a Penguin Colony

Activities

Discover Kayaking

Important Details

Prices based on twin occupancy except for Singles (1), Triples (3), and the Brynhilde Suite (4). A limited number of twin cabins may be sold for single occupancy at 1.7 times the twin rate.

See Voyage Inclusions

Traveling With a Group?

Reach out to our Sales team to inquire about groups of 10 or more.

Rates vary by cabin.

A Next-Generation Ship, Decades in the Making

Beneath the sleek exterior of the Ocean Albatros lies decades of learning and adaptation to the challenging Antarctic environment. Its patented and ice-conquering X-BOW offers the highest level of stability and comfort, while granting our passenger-explorers unprecedented access to hard-to-reach (and jaw-dropping to discover) corners of this wonderful and often-elusive environment. Its many on board amenities – including two hot tubs with spectacular 360 views – are designed to maximize your every Polar moment, and its spacious heated mudroom with four exterior doors makes zodiac boarding quick, safe, and effortless.