New Year’s Antarctic Circle Crossing

14 Days / 12 Nights On Board

Ushuaia to Ushuaia

Going Where Few Have Gone Before

This is the ultimate explorer’s journey to the Southernmost part of the world. We chart a course along the Antarctic Peninsula with the ambition of being among the very few to cross the Antarctic Circle. Along the way, we‘ll likely encounter some of Antarctica’s most engaging full-time residents – Humpback and Orca whales, seals, and, of course, a variety of those always-entertaining penguins. The farther south we go, the more dramatic sea ice we are likely to encounter, along with incredible wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery. Should we arrive at 66°33’S, we’ll join the small band of Antarctic explorers who can claim they have made it this far south. Celebration ensues!

Activities: Kayaking, Photography, Citizen Science

Expedition Dates

Itinerary

Booking Info

Ocean Victory

Photo Gallery

Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
Day 2: Embarkation
Days 3-4: Drake Passage
Days 5-9: A toast to the Antarctic Circle!
Day 10: South Shetland Islands
Days 11-12: Drake Passage
Day 13: Disembarkation

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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.

A Toast to the Antarctic Circle!

Heading south across the Bransfield Strait, we begin to see the breathtaking outline of the Antarctic Peninsula. Wildlife sightings, including penguins, whales, and fur seals, become more frequent, as do dramatic sculptural icebergs. With an extra day to explore, possibilities abound. We’ll look to visit historic sites like the huts at Damoy Point, keep an eye out for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, and continue our twice daily outings until we reach the crown jewel of this expedition, hoping to enter the jaw-dropping Lemaire Channel by New Year’s Eve. Weather permitting, we’ll cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33’S, an achievement that will put you in rare company. We’ll raise a glass of bubbly to celebrate the achievement, before heading onward toward any number of historic and rarely visited British Survey bases, after which we turn back north.

South Shetland Islands

This archipelago represents the northernmost tip of Antarctica, standing proud against the relentless force of the Southern Ocean. The ice-capped peaks of Livingstone, Greenwich, and King George Islands offer a stunning backdrop to explore. And despite the furious elements, the islands boast a remarkable richness of wildlife, with numerous colonies of Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins dotting the island shores, accompanied by an array of formidable seabirds like the predatory Giant Petrels. Weather permitting, we’ll explore the eerie landscape of Deception Island, an active volcanic crater with black steaming sands and rusting ruins, and immerse ourselves in the history of Yankee Harbour, once a vital anchorage for sealers.

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.

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Traveling With a Group?

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

Rates vary by cabin.

A Thoroughly Modern Ship, Built for Polar Waters

The sister ship of Ocean Albatros, Ocean Victory boasts the same strikingly unconventional profile as its sibling. It’s a look that reflects decades of Polar experience and design refinement, resulting in a vessel ideally suited for the challenges and opportunities of this unique part of the world. From its uber-stable X-Bow to its heated mudroom and four exterior doors that will get you out and exploring quickly and safely, this is the ship that Antarctica – and all would-be explorers – have been waiting for.