Join the brand new purpose-built Magellan Explorer on her inaugural Antarctica cruise. The Magellan Explorer is the latest vessel to join our fleet of Antarctica expedition vessels and is one of the most exciting! Be part of the celebration, onboard while this vessel sails in Antarctica for the very first time! We'll also visit the fjords and islands of Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 1 - Start of the Air-Cruise: Embarkation Day
Your journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon boarding the ship in the afternoon you are welcomed by the Expedition Team. Attend a welcome briefing that provides important information about your voyage. The ship sails along the Strait of Magellan towards the majestic Cape Froward, the southernmost tip of the American landmass, and continues south through the fiords that open along the Magdalena Channel. These areas are home to Magellanic penguins, cormorants and other seabirds.
Day 2 - Explore southern Patagonia
Escorted by Peale’s dolphins, the ship will navigate the Cockburn, Brecknock and Ballenero channels, offering impressive views of the islands that form Tierra del Fuego and its mountain ranges. Learn about these southern lands through an engaging program of shipboard presentations. In the afternoon the ship enters the western side of the Beagle Channel and proceeds through the spectacular Glacier Alley in the De Agostini National Park, where massive glaciers descend from the Darwin ice field into the sea. By the late evening we will call at Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
Day 3 - Beagle Channel
Wake up in the southern-most Argentinean city and enjoy a catamaran tour exploring the Lighthouse at the End of the World and the Sea Lion and Cormorant islands. After spending some free time strolling along Ushuaia’s main street, the ship set sails again towards Port Williams, on Navarino Island. Explore this southernmost town in the world and visit the Anthropological Museum Martin Gusinde, learning about the Yagan people, the canoe nomads who lived in this remote region.
Day 4 - Cape Horn and Drake Passage
After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer.
Day 5 - Drake Passage
As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.
After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land.
Day 6 - Drake Passage and Antarctica
Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony.
Day 7/9 - Exploring Antarctica
Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides.
No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots in the Gerlache Strait that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.
Day 10 - Scheduled return flight from Antarctica
Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).
Day 11 - End of the Air-Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
We recommend organising the last flight of the day if flying out on this date
Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
Carefully selected this Signature Expedition Jacket, BR2 Offshore Waterproof Jackets by MUSTO so you're well protected against the elements and can enjoy your Antarctic expedition of a lifetime to the fullest. Truly waterproof and breathable, this is your foul weather protection when spending a considerable amount of time on the water.
The double cuffs, adjustable hem, double storm flap with a drainage channel over the zip, the high collar and the roll away fluorescent hood work together to keep you completely dry. The sleeves are articulated to allow complete freedom of movement, the fleece-lined collar, hood, and hand warmer pockets add warmth, and the prismatic reflectors provide visibility for safety in low light.
Offering priority boarding, a guaranteed window or aisle seat at the front of the aircraft and an extra level of comfort.
Gain greater mobility and see more of the Antarctic landscape with our hiking and snowshoeing program.
***Please note the cost of Snowshoeing is USD$85 per person per excursion.
See Antarctica from the unique vantage point of a sea kayak. Join a small group of participants and paddle in Antarctica under the leadership of an experienced Kayak Master.
Our Fly/Cruise programs an excellent choice to navigate the Drake Passage quickly. This expedition comprises of 1 or 2 charter flights across the Drake Passage, so you need not worry about crossing the passage by sea. These expeditions are great options and often allow for an increased amount of time around the continent.
Experience Patagonia at close range. Explore the narrow fjords and shallow bays of Fuegian Archipelago discover secluded waterfalls, tidewater glaciers, pristine beaches and rocky shorelines, hike through primeval sub-Polar forest, thousands of penguins, elephant and leopard seals, Andean condors and Caracara falcons.
Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.
On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.
Your flight to King George Island from Punta Arenas is included in the cost of your expedition cabin
Transfers to the ship on the day of your embarkation are included to your pre-cruise hotel. Transfers at the end of your voyage are provided to a central location.
M/V Magellan Explorer, a brand new expedition vessel, will join the Antarctica fleet for the 2019-20 season.
MV Magellan Explorer features 50 passenger suites and cabins in five categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. The cabins are very spacious, ranging in size from 40 m2 (440 sq. ft.) to 20 m2 (220 sq. ft.). All double cabins have two twin beds that can be configured as one queen-size bed, offering great flexibility to our guests. 42 cabins feature a large window and a private balcony, while 8 cabins feature a porthole. All cabins feature a private bathroom and a sitting area.
Public areas include a large, forward-facing observation lounge, an observation deck, a dining room that accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting, two meeting rooms, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests to offer expansive views during exploration. Optional adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.
Specific measures have been taken to minimize MV Magellan Explorer’s carbon footprint, including state-of-the-art engines that meet MARPOL’s stringent Tier III emission standards. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship’s engines and repurposes it to power the ship’s heating system and to warm the water used on board.
Amenities & Services
Public areas include a spacious forward-facing observation lounge and bar that is also used to deliver briefings and educational presentations. The bow of the ship is accessible to guests; together with the outdoor observation deck it offers expansive views and close contact with the natural environment during exploration. The dining room accommodates all guests and expedition staff in a single sitting. There is also a meeting room, a library, a gift shop, a protected outdoor barbecue area, a gym, and a sauna. Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available.
The Vessel's Features
The ship is being built to the latest Polar Code specifications and carries a Polar Class 6 ice-class (Lloyd’s Register PC6). For comfortable navigation, the ship features stabilizers; for maneuverability, she features bow and stern thrusters. For safety in navigation, there is an ice-detecting radar. And to reduce the environmental footprint, the vessel is equipped with an energy-recovery system that recycles the heat produced by the engines to warm up the ship and its water supply.
| Luxury star rating: | 5 |
| Guests #: | 69 |
| Crew #: | 60 |
| Ice Class: | PC 6 |
| Speed: | 14 |
| Refurbished: |
| Year built: | 2019 |
| Length: | 90m |
| Width: | 16 |
| Draft: | 4 |
| Tonnage: | 4900 |
| Registry: | Bahamas |
| Elec Outlets: |
We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
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