![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20151119-Antarctica-Nikon-559-scaled.jpg)
Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition - 14 Days
Aboard Ocean Explorer– 138 passengers
Setting foot on the 7th Continent is a polar achievement relatively few people experience in their lifetime. Even more rare is the incomparable milestone that’s achieved when a traveler crosses the iconic Antarctic Circle. Navigating south of 66°33′ S is—for most guests—the highlight of the 14-day itinerary Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, which rewards passengers daily with views of dramatic ice formations, humpback whales swimming alongside the ship, leopard seals diving beneath your Zodiac, penguins sliding off icebergs into crystal waters, or giant petrels soaring above the crackling sea.
Tour Dates
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Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2025 (14 days)
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Mar 4 - Mar 17, 2025 (14 days)
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Feb 9 - Feb 22, 2026 (14 days)
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Enjoy the mountains or sample handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
Day 2: Embark
As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the historic Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin traveled, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.
Days 3 and 4: Crossing the Drake Passage
Your days at sea are filled with presentations led by your Expedition Team on photography, wildlife, glaciology, and history. In between presentations, spend time on deck looking for wildlife, or chatting with your shipmates over a drink at the bar.
Days 5 to 7: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the Antarctic Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is beyond words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every visit to Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience.
Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the elusive leopard seal. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each landing, whether you are exploring the Antarctic terrain, visiting a historic research base or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with five different species of seals. Zodiac and ship cruising can offer opportunities to view some of the larger local marine mammals more intimately, such as Antarctic minke and humpback whales. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the astounding beauty of Antarctica. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers and watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, while sea kayaking, paddle excursions, or camping are optional activities available on select voyages (at an extra cost).
Days 8 and 9: Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is both a memorable experience and impressive achievement, as few travelers reach so far south. If conditions allow us to cross this famed latitude of 66°33 ́ S, we’ll toast the first explorers who ventured here, and you can raise a glass and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people. This is raw Antarctica, home of the midnight sun, Weddell seals, and your best chances of encountering sea ice—the foundation of the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Days 10 and 11: Northbound Along the Peninsula
By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, crabeater and Weddell seal. Terms like ‘bergy bits’ and ‘pancake ice’ will become part of your vocabulary, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue looking out for species of seabirds, seals and whales that may have eluded you on your journey south.
Days 12 and 13: Crossing the Drake Passage
As you re-cross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of presentations as well, with a slideshow of the adventures you’ve shared and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage. Be sure to take some time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced so far.
Day 14: Disembark in Ushuaia
Today, you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights or continue your travels on your own.
EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.
Route Map
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1710434685-antarctic-cc-ant2025-26-map-768x1005.jpg)
Trips and Rates
Please note, rates are Per Person in USD
Transfer Package is $1,195/person on Svalbard Explorer or $895/person on Three Arctic Islands and not included in the cabin cost.
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a dedicated Single cabin (Studio Single or Studio Veranda Single) at the prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in Deluxe Veranda Fwd, Veranda Stateroom and Veranda Suite
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Deluxe Veranda Fwd, Veranda Stateroom and Veranda Suite and 2x the per person price for all higher categories
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $795/person – requires experience
- Paddling (one-time): $195/person
Single Travelers:
- Can book into a dedicated Single cabin (Studio Single or Studio Veranda Single) at the prices listed above
- Can book into a share cabin in Deluxe Veranda Fwd, Veranda Stateroom and Veranda Suite
- Can book a twin cabin at solo occupancy at 1.7x the per person share price in Deluxe Veranda Fwd, Veranda Stateroom and Veranda Suite and 2x the per person price for all higher categories
Adventure Options:
- Kayaking (full program, multiple paddles): $995/person – requires experience
- Paddling (one-time): $295/person
- Camping: $295/person
Availability & prices are subject to change at anytime. Please contact us for the real time availability & prices.
Cabin Descriptions
![Ocean Explorer Owner's Suite](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/01-Owners-Suite-2.jpg)
Owner's Suite
This palatial, airy apartment offers stunning views from its large private veranda on the highest cabin level (deck 7). The luxurious suite features a large master bedroom, living room and dining area and two large master bathrooms, among other amenities. One double bed made up of two twin berths plus a fold out sofa bed.
443 square feet (41.2 sq. m.)
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OEX_Cabin_Explorer-Suite_IMG_1143-2-scaled.jpg)
Penthouse Suite
This unique 2-room suite is located on Deck 7 and is approximately 269 sq. ft (25.0 sq. m.) in size. It has one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and the outer sitting area is furnished with a sofa-bed. Walk-out from either room to a double sized balcony. There are also 2 TV’s, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. And an additional powder room in the outside sitting area.
![Ocean Explorer Junior Suite](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/03-Junior-Suite.jpg)
Junior Suite
Located on Deck 6 and approximately 298 sq. f. (27.7 sq. m,) in size. These 2-room suites have one double bed that can be configured into two singles in the inner bedroom and an outer sitting room furnished with a sofa-bed, and activity table for two. From the bedroom there a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a double sized walkout balcony. There are also 2 TV’s, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with bathtub, vanity and heated floor.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OEX_Cabin_Deluxe-Veranda_IMG_1222-2-scaled.jpg)
Veranda Suite
Located throughout the ship and approximately 205 sq. ft. (19.2 sq. m,) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and sitting area furnished with a sofa-bed. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OEX_Cabin_Deluxe-Veranda-Fwd_IMG_1198-3-scaled.jpg)
Veranda Stateroom
Located throughout the ship and approximately 208 sq. f. (19.3 sq. m,) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles, and sitting area furnished with two club chairs and a reading table. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor. Note: 611 and 612 do not have the club chairs and a reading table.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OEX_Cabin_Deluxe-Veranda-Fwd_IMG_1211.jpg)
Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom
Located on Deck 4 and approximately 182 sq. f. (16.9 sq. m,) in size, these cabins have one double bed that can be configured into two singles. There is a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a walkout balcony. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OEX_Cabin_Studio-Veranda-Suite_IMG_1190-2-scaled.jpg)
Studio Veranda Single
Designed for one. This unique cabin is located on Deck 7 and approximately 238 sq. f. (22.1 sq. m.). It has one twin bed with a floor to ceiling glass view that opens to a generous walkout balcony. There is also TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OEX_Cabin_Studio-Double_IMG_1254-scaled.jpg)
Studio Single
Designed for one. These cabins are located on Deck 3 and approximately 166 sq. ft. (15,4 sq. m,) in size, with one double bed and a porthole view. There is also a desk and chair, TV, state of the art ‘infotainment’ system and private bathroom with shower, vanity and heated floor.
Deck Plan
![Ocean Explorer ship deck plan](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OEX-Deck-Plan-as-of-August-6-2024-scaled.jpg)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Leadership throughout your voyage by experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- An official expedition parka to keep
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
- All shore landings as per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage. Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals
- Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting your expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Passport and applicable visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
- Meals unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights and domestic flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities