Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent – Ocean Explorer, Dec 19 2025

Itinerary Map

Trip Summary

Dates: 

Dec 19, 2025 -
Dec 29, 2025

Duration: 

11 Days
Adventure
options:
Camping Kayaking Paddleboarding
Pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia!
Starting at: $ 19,495.00

One double bed made up of two twin berths

$25.695

One double bed made up of two twin berths.

$19.495

One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed.

$20.595

One double bed made up of two twin berths and fold out sofa bed.

$21.795

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

$25.695

One twin single.

$27.695

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

$29.795

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

$31.795
About the Antarctica Classic (11 days) itinerary
  • Perfect for first time visitors to Antarctica
  • Witness and explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
  • Learn about the environment and wildlife from onboard lecturers and specialists
  • Witness the abundant wildlife – penguins, seals, whales and more!

* Itineraries on our website are intended only as a guide and you should consult our team for detailed itineraries on specific voyages.

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Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by Expedition Team and ships’ officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. The Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. The team will begin presentations with informative and entertaining lectures on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held.

Arrival to the White Continent, the land of extremes! The most common first reaction to the white continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, as few places are as untouched, unique and enduring as Antarctica. The Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on weather, ice, and opportunity. The route will stress the most scenic bays and channels of the Peninsula with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird colonies and whale feeding areas. Guided hikes with the Expedition Team will have you trekking up a glacier, visiting a research station, or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adélie penguins are found here, along with Fur, Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard Seals. Curious whales, such as Minkes and Humpbacks, are often attracted to Zodiacs as well, giving you a chance to get within reaching distance of these majestic animals. Each day and each landing will present a new collection of creatures to entertain you and keep your camera shutter busy.

The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. A visit may be possible to an active scientific base such as Ukraine’s Vernadsky as well as an historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.

The lecture series and wildlife spotting will continue on the return trip to Ushuaia and while the team will reflect on beautiful Antarctica and its fragile future.

Morning disembarkation allows you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Welcome aboard the Ocean Explorer

Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.

Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

Technical Specs

Cabins & Amenities

  • Two Story Library: Light-filled interior library—at the bow of the ship— allows guests to sit and relax indoors while taking in the surrounding polar landscapes from their choice of two levels.
  • Leading Edge Sustainability: With the latest sustainability technology in polar expedition, the ship features fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the ground-breaking MAGS gasification system that converts waste into energy, eliminating the environmental impact of waste transportation.
  • Ulstein X-Bow: the innovative X-Bow design ensures calm, energy-efficient sailing in rough waters.
  • Dry sauna
  • Gym
  • Jacuzzis

Includes: 

  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
  • All shore landings as per the daily program
  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
  • NEW Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner. 
  • Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • 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.)
  • Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
  • A photographic journal documenting the expedition
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
  • An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
  • Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • NEW 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.)
  • Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader
  • 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 preexpedition 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

Extras: 

  • International airfare
  • Passport and visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation
  • Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance – strongly recommended
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
  • Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
  • Phone and Internet charges
  • 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

Adventure options: Kayaking (USD $1,995)-/ Paddling Excursion (USD $395) – / Camping (USD $495) – 

  • Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience

Price

$16,295.00 -
 $26,495.00

Adventure Options

Price

$12,749.00 -
 $22,449.00

Adventure Options

Price

$12,195.00 -
 $21,495.00

Price

$7,750.00 -
 $13,900.00

Adventure Options

Price

$11,275.00 -
 $20,045.00

Adventure Options

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