Santiago

The sights of Santiago de Chile Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza d... The sights of Santiago de Chile Welcome to Santiago, Chile’s bustling capital. With its colonial-era architecture, award-winning restaurants and fascinating museums, it’s the perfect place to start your expedition cruise. There’s a lot to see, from the Mercado Central market to the Plaza de Armas and the Presidential Palace. Check out the Sky Costanera, which offers panoramic views of the city from 1,000 feet up.  You may want to arrive a few days early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes. Read More

Punta Arenas

Board your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas You'll have an early start today as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits you. Once you’ve boarded, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team. As well as being yo... Board your expedition cruise in Punta Arenas You'll have an early start today as we depart Santiago and fly to Punta Arenas, Chile’s southernmost port. Your expedition ship awaits you. Once you’ve boarded, get settled in, explore the ship, and meet your Expedition Team. As well as being your guides, hosts and local experts, they’re also your travel companions for the next three weeks. Friendly and welcoming, they’ll answer any questions you may have during your Antarctic adventure. Read More

Sailing through the Strait of Magellan

Through the Strait of Magellan With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar.  You can also join... Through the Strait of Magellan With our course set for the Falkland Islands, soak up the mesmerising views all around you as you cruise through the Strait of Magellan. You can take in the scenery from the deck, the outdoor hot tub or the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar.  You can also join your Expedition Team in the onboard Science Center to listen to lectures, participate in Citizen Science projects and more. Whether it’s marine biology, Antarctic survival, oceanography or photography, your Expedition Team offers fascinating insights into the places you’ll see on your journey, and you’ll feed off their enthusiasm. Read More

New Island

Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come.  ... Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come.  You'll also enjoy a community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Historic Dockyard Museum.  Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them. Read More

West Point Island

Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come.  ... Enjoy birding and hiking in these green islands The Falkland archipelago is filled with seamless horizons and white sands teeming with birdlife. Only the occasional farm dots the landscape. You’ll find grassy hills and wildflowers, in contrast to the vast whiteness of Antarctica to come.  You'll also enjoy a community walk of Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Historic Dockyard Museum.  Our landings, hikes and excursions are, as always, guided by the conditions. We hope to visit albatross and penguin colonies, which are often found sharing space with seals, and getting as close as we can without disturbing them. Read More

Saunders Island

Saunders Island is the fourth-largest of the Falkland Islands in the western portion of the archipelago. The island’s topography is unusual, being made up of three peninsulas linked by narrow necks, and three big upland areas. Today the island is run as a sheep farm, but has historical imp... Saunders Island is the fourth-largest of the Falkland Islands in the western portion of the archipelago. The island’s topography is unusual, being made up of three peninsulas linked by narrow necks, and three big upland areas. Today the island is run as a sheep farm, but has historical importance as the location of the first British settlement in the Falklands. Saunders’ wildlife is also impressively varied. It is possible to see Gentoo and King Penguins in the open dune and sand-flat area, while Rockhopper Penguins (with the odd pair of Macaroni Penguins in between them), Imperial Shags and Black-browed Albatrosses frequent Mount Richards, the highest point on the island at 457 m (1500 feet). Other key bird species are the Black–throated Finch, Ruddy-headed Goose and Falkland Steamer Duck. Read More

Carcass Island

Port Stanley

Tiny Stanley, capital of the Falklands, seems in many ways like a British village fallen out of the sky. Many homes are painted in bright colours, adding visual appeal to this distant outpost. Not far offshore, the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth, is one of the many vessels remaining as a sile... Tiny Stanley, capital of the Falklands, seems in many ways like a British village fallen out of the sky. Many homes are painted in bright colours, adding visual appeal to this distant outpost. Not far offshore, the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth, is one of the many vessels remaining as a silent testimonial to the region's frequent harsh weather conditions.The islands, also known by their Spanish name of Islas Malvinas, are home to arguably more tuxedo-clad inhabitants of the penguin variety than human residents. Various species, such as Gentoo, Magellanic and the more elusive King penguins, either live here permanently or use the Falklands as a stopover on their migration route. Darwin found the islands' flora and fauna fascinating - no doubt you will, too. Read More

Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean

Cruising the South Atlantic Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.  Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everyt... Cruising the South Atlantic Sailing from the Falklands, we spend two days cruising towards beautiful South Georgia. You can look forward to seeing an archipelago filled with diverse wildlife.  Meet up with the Expedition Team as they prepare you for what lies ahead. They’ll tell you everything they know about South Georgia, including the area’s wildlife, polar history, geology, glaciology, and stories of Norwegian whalers.  The Expedition Team will also talk about the IAATO environmental guidelines and sustainability rules that we follow to make your visit as safe and low-impact as possible. Read More

Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean

Cape Rosa, South Georgia

Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds, and seals. In fact, it’s an Important B... Visit a wildlife watcher’s paradise South Georgia’s abundant wildlife has earned it the nickname ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’. Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds, and seals. In fact, it’s an Important Bird Area, home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas, and terns.  You'll spend four days exploring this remarkable area. We’ll also try to reach Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. We’re always guided by nature, responding to daily conditions to bring you the best possible experience. While our itineraries are always flexible, they’re even more so during peak breeding seasons when the wildlife is most vulnerable to disturbance. When opportunities allow, we’ll land and wildlife watch. When our presence could disturb the animals, we’ll choose another place to visit and as always, these decisions are made by your Expedition Team and are based on lifetimes of combined experience in these destinations. Sometimes we’ll land, sometimes we’ll cruise, it’s all part of the adventure!  Read More

Prion Island, Bay of Isles, South Georgia

Godthul, South Georgia

Grytviken

Fortuna Bay, South Georgia

Stromness

St Andrews Bay, South Georgia

Time to relax and reflect After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far. Antarctica is a symbol of global cooperation, dedicated to peace, science and wildlife conservation. Protected by the Antar... Time to relax and reflect After visiting the Falklands and South Georgia, take some time while we head towards Antarctica to relax and reflect on your journey so far. Antarctica is a symbol of global cooperation, dedicated to peace, science and wildlife conservation. Protected by the Antarctic Treaty, it remains free of military conflict, preserving its pristine environment for future generations.  As a hub for scientific research on climate change and ecosystems, it offers unique insights into nature's resilience. Why not join one of our Citizen Science programmes to help collect data for global research projects.  Read More

Cruising

Cruising

Antarctic Sound

Experience Antarctica in all its natural majesty  Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch upright from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Na... Experience Antarctica in all its natural majesty  Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Icebergs, sculpted by nature, float in the straits. Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins watch upright from the shores. Countless seabirds wheel overhead. Nature is in charge. While we’re here we’ll explore several possible landing sites, on and around the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Wherever we go and whatever we do, each day will offer something different and thrilling.  We might sail into a flooded volcanic caldera or land in icy bays, where remnants of whaling paraphernalia lie abandoned. You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint. Bird enthusiasts should look skywards for Antarctic seabirds such as skuas, petrels and terns. Through onboard lectures and onshore talks, you'll learn more about this precious habitat and how we can all protect it for the future Read More

South Shetland Islands

Some 770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers in the ea... Some 770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers in the early 19th century, and because of its proximity to South America, it still is the most visited by scientists and tourists. Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins all breed here. In addition, because it is the warmest part of the continent, large moss beds as well as orange, black, grey and green lichens grow –even hair grass and pearlwort manage to survive. Leopard seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, Southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals can be seen in the water and on the beaches. Read More

Gerlache Strait

 The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring...  The Gerlache Strait is a narrow body of water located in Antarctica, separating the Antarctic Peninsula from various islands to the west, including the Palmer Archipelago. Named after the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, this strait is renowned for its stunning scenery, featuring towering icebergs and dramatic mountain landscapes. It serves as a vital navigation route for research vessels and tourist ships visiting the region, offering access to some of Antarctica's most breathtaking sites. The waters of the Gerlache Strait are rich in marine life, including seals, whales, and various seabirds, making it a prime location for wildlife watching. Its unique ecosystem and breathtaking vistas attract adventurers and researchers alike, contributing to our understanding of this remote and pristine part of the world. Read More

South Shetland Islands

Some 770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers in the ea... Some 770 kilometers (478 miles) south of Cape Horn, the South Shetland Islands are usually the first land seen in Antarctica. Separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait, nine major islands make up the group. The region was the first to be exploited by sealers in the early 19th century, and because of its proximity to South America, it still is the most visited by scientists and tourists. Chinstrap, Adelie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins all breed here. In addition, because it is the warmest part of the continent, large moss beds as well as orange, black, grey and green lichens grow –even hair grass and pearlwort manage to survive. Leopard seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, Southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals can be seen in the water and on the beaches. Read More

Cruising

Looking for land ahead As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north over the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas.  This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the on... Looking for land ahead As we say goodbye to the frozen continent, MS Fram turns to take you north over the Drake Passage and towards Punta Arenas.  This is the perfect time to go through your pictures and relive your experiences in the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. Enjoy the onboard comforts. Relax in the hot tubs or sauna or unwind in our Explorer Lounge & Bar. When the Drake Passage is behind us, we’ll enter the scenic Beagle Channel, surrounded by mountains plunging straight into the icy water. Watch for Patagonian wildlife as we sail through this wild and remote area.  Read More

Puerto Williams

Cruising

Punta Arenas

Onwards from Punta Arenas Your expedition cruise of the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica comes to an end in Punta Arenas. From here, you'll catch a flight back to Santiago de Chile, where you will enjoy another overnight stay.