Exploring Antarctica’s Spring
11 Days / 9 Nights On Board
Ushuaia to Ushuaia
Antarctica Awakens After a Long Winter Slumber
With a strong focus on exploring the Peninsula in all its incomparable glory, this voyage offers an immersive Antarctica adventure at a time of year when the continent is a pristine, just-waking-up hub of activity. As winter gives way to spring, prepare yourself for a trip into a pristine and lively environment populated by penguins courting mates, building nests, and tending to their eggs; where the passing of newly adrift icebergs dazzles the eye; and where fiery sunsets are the stuff of photographers’ dreams. All at a time of year when your chance of spotting another ship in the water is at its lowest, and the continent feels all your own.
Expedition Dates
| Ship | Arrive | Board | Disembark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Albatros | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 23, 2026 |
Activities:Â Kayaking, Photography, Citizen Science, Snowshoeing
Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in & Explore Ushuaia
- Day 2: Embarkation
- Days 3-4: Drake Passage
- Day 5: South Shetland Islands
- Days 6-8: Antarctica in the Spring
- Day 9-10: Drake Passage
- Day 11: Disembarkation
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.
Day 2: 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!
Days 3–4: 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.
Day 5: South Shetland Islands
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a rugged display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife returning to their busy daily activity after the long winter break. Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins will be a common sight, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring, perhaps stopping for a walk along the black sands of Deception Island. Whether on land or sea, in a Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.
Days 6–8: Antarctica in the Spring
Welcome to Antarctica in all its springtime glory. Untouched. Pristine. Getting busy. For the next three days, prepare to be amazed as we observe numerous species of penguins coming ashore and getting acquainted, building nests, and tending their eggs. Marvel at the winter sea ice that mantles these frigid seas, feast your eyes on glorious icebergs beginning the springtime march, and, as always, be on the lookout for seals and whales in the water. At day’s end, take in the miraculous sunsets that are a special treat this time of year. Visits to active scientific bases and historic landing sites may also be on the agenda
Days 9–10: 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.
Day 11: 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
| Ship | Starting From | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2026 Early Booking Discount | Ocean Albatros | $10,195 | Book Now! |
Activities
Sign up at time of booking - 20% non-refundable deposit required.
Sign up on board. Available to all guests on all voyages.
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.
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.
All Voyages Include:
- One Hotel Night
- Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages with dinner
- World Class Cuisine
- Complimentary coffee/tea station
- Certified Emergency MD and Clinic
- Voyage Photographer
- Professional Photography Coach
- Dedicated Passenger Service Manager
- Expedition jacket on loan, custom down jacket to keep
Ship Facilities:
- Two Jacuzzis with panoramic views
- Sauna, SPA, gym
- Multiple observation decks
- Fine dining restaurant
- 24/7 Bistro
- Private balconies with most cabins
- Generously-sized communal spaces
- Spacious bar and lounge area
- Elevator serving all passenger decks
- Library with computers
- Citizen Science Area
All Staterooms Feature:
- Exterior views
- Fridge
- Flat Screen TV
- Telephone
- Safe to store your valuables
- Independent temperature controls
- Toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- USB socket
