Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Trip type
Cross Polar Circle
Trip length
13-14 Days
From
$16,195 -$39,395
Ship Comfort
Comfort & Adventure
Crossing the Antarctic Circle - 13-14 Days - $16,195
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- 6-9 full days exploring Antarctica (depending on your voyage length)
- Join the exclusive club of Antarctic Circle visitors
- Travelling on a small ship with a maximum of just 132 guests means faster logistics for getting off the ship
- Antarctic operational experience since 1992
- A low expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:8 to ensure a high level of personalisation
- Explore the polar sea kayaking, snorkelling diving or snowshoeing (additional cost)
- Complimentary parka jacket, post-voyage digital photo book and drinks with dinner
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met and transferred to your included downtown hotel (if you have taken preferred flights only).
Day 2: Exploring Ushuaia and Embarkation
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, your luggage will be collected for loading onto the ship and you have free time to explore the city. Ushuaia, capital of Tierra del Fuego, is located at the shores of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Martial Mountains, giving you a unique landscape in Argentina of mountains, sea, glaciers and forests.
There is an optional included afternoon catamaran cruise this afternoon. Meet back at the hotel lobby at 12.45 pm ready to transfer to the port at 1 pm. Here, you will board a comfortable catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago look out for colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants on the rocky outcrops. Gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are also often sighted. Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at the hotel lobby at 3.45 pm to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.
As the ship pulls away from port, gather on the deck to commence your adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego. You'll have time to settle into your cabin before the briefings. Over the first evening, get to know your fellow passengers, crew and expedition team at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.
Day 3: Drake Passage Crossing
As you sail across the Drake Passage, make the most of your time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. The expedition team prepare you for the first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, and start their educational lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica's history, wildlife and environment.
Your wildlife experiences begin immediately as you enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in the wake of the ship. They rise and fall effortlessly, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.
Day 4: Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands
Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on day four , the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks, watching for the first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once you are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Weather permitting, the team may attempt your first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.
Days 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Circle
The experienced expedition team and Captain will use their expertise to design the voyage from day to day. This allows them to make best use of the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
Because you are so far south, you will experience approximately 18-20 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. You will generally make landings or Zodiac excursions two, and occasionally three, times a day; cruising along spectacular ice cliffs, watching whales that are feeding near the surface, and landing on the continent and its off-shore islands to visit penguin rookeries, seal haul outs, historic huts, and other favourite spots along the Peninsula. There will be plenty of time for sleep when you get home!
During this voyage, the ship will attempt to cross the invisible line of the Antarctic Circle at latitude 66 degrees South - this is certainly a special highlight for everyone and there may even be the opportunity to celebrate with a toast on the deck. In order to reach the Antarctic Circle, the ship will motor south every night and during meal times or when we are not ashore exploring.
As you reach and cross the circle, you may notice subtle changes in the Antarctic land and icescapes, and also in the distribution of wildlife. The waters at this time of year are rich with krill and so keep a look out for whales, particularly humpbacks and minkes.
Days 11-12: Drake Passage Crossing
Today you enter the Drake Passage for the return journey to South America. With lectures and videos to complete your Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what you have seen and experienced.
Day 13: Disembark in Ushuaia
During the early morning, you will cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 0800, weather permitting. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage.
At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 1200 on the day of disembarkation in case there are any delays.
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise. Furthermore, it's important to understand that the charter flight(s) to/from Antarctica where applicable are particularly prone to weather, which requires a flexible flight schedule.
Why our customers love Swoop
Expert impartial advice at no extra cost
Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.
The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises
Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist
We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.
A full concierge service, unlike booking direct
We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.
What our customers think of Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle trips scored 4.3/5 from 35 reviews
Review:
About The Ship
Patented X-Bow design
Your vessel at sea
Wildlife spotting from the bridge of the vessel
Dining room
Observation deck
Lecture lounge
Elephant Island bar
Onboard gym suite
Polar library
Viewing icebergs and wildlife
The view over the bow of the vessel
Kayaking from the vessel
A Zodiac adventure
Your expedition vessel
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
- With its sleek X-bow lines and groundbreaking design, few new polar ships have created such excitement.
- Zodiac platforms specially designed for quick boardings and more time exploring
- State-of-the-art stabiliser system and polar code 6 ice rating
- Large, comfortable cabins
With her slick lines, small number of guests, well-priced balcony suites and onboard hot tub, this is one of the hottest ships in Antarctica right now.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Antarctica
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Prices quoted below are per person based on 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $16195
Additional Notes
The 21-Dec-2024 departure is a special Christmas voyage lasting 14 days, with the extra day spent exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
The 16-Jan-2025 and 29-Jan-2026 departures are 13-day sail-fly voyages cutting out the Drake Passage crossing in one direction. Your trip begins in Ushuaia with a pre-cruise night included. You will sail across the Drake Passage and spend 7 days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. On Day 12 you will disembark the ship at King George Island and fly back to Punta Arenas, Chile (a 2 hour flight) where you have a post-cruise hotel night included.
The 23-Feb-2025, 29-Nov-2025 and 16-Dec-2025 departures are 13-day sailing voyages, starting and ending in Ushuaia.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
For those travelling solo who would like their own cabin, the single supplement is 1.5 times the cost of a single berth. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.
Children aged 8 years old or over are welcome. There isn't any concession on pricing. Please contact us for details.
Optional Adventure Activities
Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.
| Activity | Cost | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
Kayaking
|
$1,295 | An immersive full sea kayaking program for those who want to kayak multiple times (as often as weather and ice conditions allow). Prior kayaking experience to at least intermediate level is required and you must be able to do a wet exit to participate. Subject to weather and ice conditions. Booking in advance is essential. Available on select departures. Cost varies from USD $1295-1330. |
Polar diving
|
$1,260 | Available on select departures. Prior cold water diving experience is mandatory. |
|
Polar snorkelling
|
$640 | Available on select departures. Cost varies from USD $640-800. No experience required. Dry suit provided. |
Photography
|
Complimentary | All departures. |
Snowshoeing
|
$320 | Available on select departures. Cost varies from USD $320-370. |
|
Paddling
|
$640 | Available on select departures. A gentler option staying closer to shore and using inflatable kayaks, in a group of maximum 6 participants. Includes multiple outings, subject to suitable weather and ice conditions. Suitable for novices and only offered in calm conditions. Booking in advance is essential. |
Includes
- Overnight hotel accommodation in Ushuaia on Day 1
- A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
- An experienced team of destination specialists and activity leaders
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks reception
- Complimentary use of fitness centre
- Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- Accommodation during the voyage on full board basis
- Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
- All shore excursions and zodiac activities
- Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
- Complimentary WiFi
- Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
- Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Port taxes and any entry fees to historic landing sites
- A digital photo book produced with photos and ship logs from your voyage
Excludes
- Flights to and from points of embarkation/disembarkation
- Any additional services before and after your voyage
- Transfers not specific to the itinerary
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
- Optional adventure activities
- Optional activity surcharges
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
- Airport arrival or departure taxes
- Items of a personal nature: laundry, beverages, etc
- Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)
- Gratuities for ship crew
