Christmas in Antarctica - 13 Days

Onboard Seaventure – 139 passengers

The Ultimate “White Christmas” Experience. Celebrate the holidays in the most spiritually uplifting place on earth. Exploring this pristine, otherworldly continent is always a moving experience, but at Christmastime, Antarctica takes on the feeling of the world’s most naturally majestic cathedral. Come with us as we celebrate the holidays surrounded by panoramic glaciers, towering icebergs, and the always-playful wildlife of the Antarctic Sound, Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula. Our team ensures that the spirit onboard is festive and fun, delivering a white Christmas — and an Antarctic experience — that you’ll cherish forever.

Voyage Highlights

  • A memorable Christmas Day exploring the beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Wildlife encounters with penguins, whales, seals and seabirds
  •  Zodiac cruising through the Antarctic Sound amongst colossal tabular icebergs

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia
No need to stress about missed connections or flight delays as you arrive with an extra day to unwind and enjoy Ushuaia’s finest luxury hotel, the Arakur Resort & Spa. Relax in the infinity pool, explore the hiking trails surrounding the resort, or head out and discover the southernmost city in the world.

Day 2: Explore Ushuaia
Explore the sights of Ushuaia, visit the museums and Argentinean leather markets, or continue relaxing at the hotel. The optional evening briefing is a great opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Day 3: Embarkation
After a final morning exploring Ushuaia or unwinding at the resort, our mid-afternoon transfer will take you to the beautiful MS Seaventure. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will greet you on board, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and Captain’s welcome dinner. You’re on your way to Antarctica!

Day 4–5: Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts in the lounge to immerse yourself in all things Antarctic, from its fascinating wildlife to its adventurous history; choose to participate in our renowned Citizen Science program; or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching your first glimpses of wildlife. Grab your binoculars to identify the many seabirds that follow the ship.  As we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctic waters, you’ll start to notice the cooler temperatures, your cue to get ready for that first iceberg sighting, an unforgettable moment on every journey.

Day 6 – 7: Antarctic Sound & Weddell Sea
We maneuver through the amazing channels and wildlife rich waters of the Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea, the perfect place to spend a memorable holiday season. The Antarctic Sound is well known for its huge tabular icebergs and the Weddell Sea offers a unique geography unlike anywhere else on earth. Here we enjoy the abundance of wildlife such as Adélie penguins and seals as we keep on the lookout for hunting Orca.

Day 8 – 9: Antarctic Peninsula
We will make landfall on the peninsula, experiencing marvelous encounters with wildlife as we stroll the stunning shores and adventure around the region’s spectacular bays and harbors. We’ll also have an opportunity to attempt a sea ice landing, as well as stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites.

Day 10: South Shetland Islands
The volcanic South Shetland Islands offer amazing abundance and beauty, so we’ll hop into our inflatable Zodiac boats and spend as much time as possible exploring. Be prepared to marvel up close at nature’s glory!

Day 11-12: Drake Passage
Time to leave this magical place inspired, exhausted, and most likely changed forever. We make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We’ll have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and photography awards ceremony, then a final meal together.

Day 13: Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, and perhaps some new friends for life, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Please note the itinerary and route map are only tentative outlines of what you may experience. No specific itinerary, routing or landing sites can be guaranteed in advance. Where the ship actually sails will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, the weather & ice conditions and the captain & expedition leader. Every trip is different, which adds to the excitement of expedition cruising in the polar regions.

Route Map

Cabin Descriptions

Owner's Suite

Seaventure has 2 Owner’s Suites located on Deck 7. Suites feature a sitting area with sofa, 1 fixed queen size bed, a 58 sq. ft. (5.4m2) private balcony, complimentary minibar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe to store valuables, bathroom with luxury toiletries and hair dryer. 

331 sq. ft. (30.8m2) – total combined space for cabin & balcony 

Veranda Stateroom

Located on Deck 6 featuring a sitting area, minimum 39 sq. ft. (3.6m2) private balcony, complimentary minibar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe to store valuables, bathroom with luxury toiletries and hair dryer. Most cabins can be arranged with either 1 queen or 2 single beds however staterooms 615, 616, 617 & 618 have 2 fixed twin beds.

Cabins with 2 fixed twin beds (615 , 616, 617 & 618) have 167 sq. ft. of interior space with a 57 sq. ft. balcony. All other Veranda cabins have 188 sq. ft. of interior space and a 39 sq. ft. balcony. 

Window Stateroom

Located on Deck 5 & Deck 4 these are the most abundant cabins onboarded featuring a sitting area, window, complimentary minibar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe to store valuables, bathroom with luxury toiletries and hair dryer. Most cabins can be arranged with either 1 queen or 2 single beds. 

188 sq. ft. (17.5m2)

Porthole Stateroom

The six Porthole Staterooms are on Deck 3 featuring a sitting area, portholes, complimentary minibar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe to store valuables, bathroom with luxury toiletries and hair dryer. Most cabins can be arranged with either 1 queen or 2 single beds. 

188 sq. ft. (17.5m2)

Triple Stateroom

Window Staterooms with an extra single bed and a sitting area. Cabins 409 & 411 can be arranged with either 1 queen + 1 single bed or 3 single beds, making them better suited for families. Includes complimentary minibar, flat screen TV, telephone, safe to store valuables, bathroom with luxury toiletries and hair dryer. 

188 sq. ft. (17.5m2)

Deck Plan

deck plan

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions: 

  • Two pre-voyage hotel nights with breakfast in Ushuaia 
  • Transfer from airport in Ushuaia (USH) to group hotel IF arriving on Day 1 of itinerary, and providing we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 15 days prior to departure 
  • Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation 
  • Shipboard accommodations 
  • All meals on board 
  • Beer/wine/soft drinks at lunch and dinner 
  • Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day 
  • All scheduled landings and excursions 
  • Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects 
  • Expedition jacket (yours to keep) 
  • A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage 
  • 500MB WiFi card for use on your personal devices 
  • All port and landing fees 
  • Digital Voyage Log 
  • On All-Access Antarctica itinerary only (Nov 19 2024 and Dec 8 2024), all adventure options including, but not limited to, kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing 
  • Group transfer from ship to airport, hotel in Ushuaia, or central location following disembarkation. Please note we cannot drop at Airbnbs / private homes which are often inaccessible for our transfer vehicles.
 

Exclusions: 

  • Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival or departure other than those specified above 
  • Transfer from airport to group hotel, unless arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary 
  • Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Ushuaia other than those specified above 
  • Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage 
  • Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board 
  • Alcohol and soft drinks, except as listed above in inclusions 
  • Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls or WiFi, except as listed above  
  • Staff/crew gratuities