Join us on a magnificent Antarctica cruise with the possibility of sighting seven different species of penguins! We are proud to once again sail off to Antarctica on board the small and comfortable expedition ship, Ocean Nova, carrying a maximum of only 78 passengers. We sail from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falkland Islands, home to charming rockhopper penguins and graceful albatrosses.
Antarctica
Expedition Antarctica – The Great Penguin Adventure
21 Days aboard Ocean Nova (PQ). From USD $15,990pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Discover the rugged beauty of West Falkland, with its fascinating wildlife and picturesque landscapes.
- Visit the charming capital of the Falklands, Stanley, known for its British heritage and penguin colonies.
- Explore South Georgia's dramatic landscapes, towering glaciers, and abundant wildlife, including penguins and seals.
- Experience the awe-inspiring landscapes, glaciers, and wildlife of Antarctica’s first islands and the peninsula.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
- Day 2: The expedition cruise begins
- Day 3: At sea
- Day 4: West Falkland
- Day 5: Stanley, East Falklands
- Day 6 and 7: Southern Ocean
- Day 8 to 11: South Georgia
- Day 12 to 14: At sea
- Day 15 to 18: The South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 19 and 20: Drake Passage
- Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Our great Antarctic adventure starts in Ushuaia, beautifully surrounded by snow-covered mountains, where we stay one night at a centrally located hotel. This little town is also referred to as the “End of the World”.
Day 2: The expedition cruise begins
In the morning, you will have the opportunity to explore Ushuaia on your own before meeting your guides and fellow travellers for lunch. In the afternoon, we board the Ocean Nova and sail out through the Beagle Channel – our great Antarctic expedition has begun! If we're lucky, we might even see penguins – keep an eye out for swimming Magellanic penguins in the Beagle Channel!
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3: At sea
We spend a day at sea, accompanied by seabirds such as petrels, fulmars and albatrosses that gracefully follow our ship. Whales and dolphins may also be seen in the surrounding waters, and our polar experts begin their exciting lecture program.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4: West Falkland
Our plan is to explore the western islands of the archipelago, which are isolated and windswept but home to many seabirds and migratory birds, including the black-browed albatross. Weather permitting, we go ashore and explore Saunders Island, a penguin hotspot that is one of the few places on Earth where four penguin species nest side by side. Here we can find gentoo, rockhopper, king and Magellanic penguin rookeries as well as nesting black-browed albatross. You can sit on the white sand beach watching the penguins come and go while the striated caracaras patrol overhead.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5: Stanley, East Falklands
We visit Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. Here, we wander through charming streets lined with small houses and learn how this quiet harbour was once a major port in the 19th century for ships attempting to round the waters of Cape Horn. We also make a stop at Stanley’s famed philatelic museum with its impressive collection of historic stamps.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 6 and 7: Southern Ocean
We sail southeast, bound for South Georgia. The anticipation grows, especially as we cross the Antarctic Convergence and notice a dramatic drop in temperature. Shipboard presentations will continue, featuring the fascinating history and abundant wildlife of South Georgia. Wildlife will guide us to the island – keep a lookout in the ocean for whales, seals, and penguins swimming and diving.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 8 to 11: South Georgia
Majestic mountains, mighty glaciers, and beaches full of king penguins greet us on the island of South Georgia. We arrive at the beginning of summer, when there are few ships in the vicinity, and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are still snow-covered.
For wildlife enthusiasts, South Georgia is a true oasis. Hundreds of thousands of penguins gather at places like St. Andrew’s Bay and Salisbury Plain. Huge elephant seals lounge on sandy beaches, and at this time of year, we may witness dramatic fights for dominance among the males. The island is also home to several other penguin species, including macaroni, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins, along with the playful and feisty fur seals.
South Georgia played a significant role in Shackleton’s legendary expedition. After his ship Endurance sank, he and his crew crossed the treacherous ocean in an open lifeboat to reach the island. We hope to visit Shackleton’s grave at Grytviken, once an active whaling station, now home to a charming museum.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 12 to 14: At sea
We now set sail towards the world’s most remote continent – Antarctica, faithfully accompanied by many seabirds. Our polar experts continue to fill our minds with heroic stories of the early daredevils who explored Antarctica. We also keep our eyes open for the first iceberg, which could appear on the horizon at any time!
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 15 to 18: The South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
This is a true Antarctic expedition cruise, and our exact route over the following days is subject to weather and ice conditions. Below are examples of places we may visit.
We hope to go ashore at Elephant Island, where we will learn more about the famous Antarctic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. In 1916, Shackleton and his crew sought refuge on this island after their ship was crushed by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. Following the loss of their vessel, they reached Elephant Island after a harrowing ordeal on drifting ice floes. They established a camp at a location they named Point Wild, after Shackleton’s commander, Frank Wild. Today, this area is home to nesting chinstrap penguins.
We will spend some time cruising among the South Shetland Islands, just off the Antarctic Peninsula. Dazzling wildlife sightings await us on our excursions to some of the islands, including King George, Half Moon, Barrientos, or Livingston. Adélie, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins thrive here, along with several species of seals. Hopefully, we will also have the chance to visit the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. Along the coastline of the South Shetlands, we keep our eyes open for humpback whales foraging for krill.
Continuing south along the Antarctic Peninsula, we navigate through vast expanses of pack ice covering large parts of the bays, watching as our experienced officers skilfully steer our ice-strengthened ship. We cruise through labyrinths of icebergs, some of which may be occupied by curious penguins. In good ice conditions, we hope to set foot on the Antarctic continent at Hope Bay or Paradise Harbour. The scenery here – from the colossal icebergs to the seemingly endless Antarctic ice sheet – is truly breathtaking.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 19 and 20: Drake Passage
As we leave this magical place and head across the Drake Passage, we spend time reflecting on the incredible experiences of the past days. As we approach the South American continent, it is possible to see whales, dolphins, and seals. We celebrate the conclusion of our Antarctic expedition with a farewell dinner on board.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina
In the early morning, we disembark in Ushuaia and have time to explore this quaint little town at our own pace.
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice and weather conditions. The planned itinerary will be updated throughout the voyage in order to take advantage of favourable conditions. Flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Breakfast included.
- Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
- Day 2: The expedition cruise begins
- Day 3: At sea
- Day 4: West Falkland
- Day 5: Stanley, East Falklands
- Day 6 and 7: Southern Ocean
- Day 8 to 11: South Georgia
- Day 12 to 14: At sea
- Day 15 to 18: The South Shetland Islands & the Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 19 and 20: Drake Passage
- Day 21: Ushuaia, Argentina
Next Departure Date: 09 Nov 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025 | USD$15990pp | ||
| Triple Cabin | USD$15990pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Bunkbed Cabin | USD$18990pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Cabin | USD$20490pp | Contact us | |
| Single Cabin | USD$35990pp | Contact us | |
| 28 Oct 2026 - 17 Nov 2026 | USD$17190pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Cabin
14m², two single beds, one upper single bed, picture window, writing desk with chair, wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, private bathroom with shower.
Twin Bunkbed Cabin
10m², one upper and one lower single bed, picture window, writing desk with chair, wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, private bathroom with shower.
Twin Cabin
10m², two lower single beds, picture window, writing desk with chair, wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, private bathroom with shower.
Single Cabin
8m², one lower single bed, picture window, writing desk with chair, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower
Ocean Nova (PQ) Deckplan
Specifications
- Passengers: 78 maximum
- Staff & Crew: 46
- Lifeboats: 2 fully enclosed capacity of 110 (in addition to 4 life rafts, capacity 100)
- Length: 73.0 m
- Breadth: 11.0 m
- Propulsion: Diesel engines 2,000 horsepower
- Ice Class: 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
- Draft: 3.7 m
- Cruising Speed: 12 knots in open water
What’s included?
- 19 nights on board the expedition ship Ocean Nova
- 1 hotel night in Ushuaia
- Lunch Day 2
- All meals on board
- Coffee, tea, chocolate on board the ship
- All excursions and activities
- 8 polar expert guides
- Guiding ashore and lectures on board
What’s not included?
- Airfare to and from Ushuaia, Argentina
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses on board such as in the bar, the shop or laundry service
- Gratuity to the ship’s crew
Notes
Pre and post cruise extension
For those of you who want to experience the bustling city of Buenos Aires we offer a pre and post cruise extension, including two hotel nights, sightseeing, dinner and flight Buenos Aires – Ushuaia with return. Please contact us for more information.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Antarctica
On any cruise to Antarctica you can expect to experience a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites. Be astounded by the sensory overload of the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.
Downloadable travel guide
Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.
