Day 1

All Aboard in Longyearbyen!
Begin your journey in Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views, and a polar bear warning sign reminding visitors of their wild new location. Your expedition ship Ocean Albatros awaits you in the harbor; toast your departure from civilization as you sail into the Arctic wilderness, on course for adventure!

Day 2

Kongsfjorden Region, Northwest Svalbard
During the Arctic “night,” we sail past Prins Karls Forland to the stunning Kongsfjord, framed by glaciers and the dramatic Three Crowns mountains. The first stop is Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost settlement, known for its scientific stations and historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings.

Day 3

Northwest Svalbard
North West Svalbard, a National Park since 1973, preserves a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling. First visited by William Barents in 1596, the area became a hub for Dutch and English whalers. Their haunting remnants, such as the blubber ovens, and graves of young sailors at Smeerenburg, remain visible. Now heavily protected, the region has been reclaimed by nature, hosting Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears, making it once again a pristine wilderness and haven for wildlife.

Day 4

Into the Ice
The Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard is a vast, everchanging wilderness, shifting seasonally and stretching beyond the North Pole to Alaska and Siberia. Though seemingly barren, this icy habitat supports diverse wildlife, from fish and seabirds, to seals, belugas, and bowhead whales, and is the preferred hunting ground of polar bears. The Ocean Albatros navigates through ice channels to explore this remote environment, hunting for wildlife, ending the day cruising toward the Hinlopen Strait between the islands of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet.

Day 5

Northeast Svalbard
From the Arctic ice, the journey continues into Hinlopen Strait, where towering cliffs host some of the world’s largest seabird colonies, crowded with guillemots and fulmars amid predatory skuas and gulls. The unearthly polar deserts of northeast Svalbard are surrounded by iceberg-studded seas, where vibrant marine life thrives. Walruses rest onshore, belugas frolic in pods, and scampering shore birds feast on the beaches, showcasing Svalbard’s rich biodiversity despite the harsh Arctic conditions.

Day 6

East Svalbard
In Eastern Svalbard, cold polar waters meet the weak last gasp of the Gulf Stream, and the ocean remains icy even under the midnight sun. On Edgeoya, evidence of past large-scale walrus and beluga hunting contrasts with today’s strict wildlife protections and extensive nature reserves. Highlights we may visit include the geological marvels and walrus colonies at Andreetangen and Kapp Lee, or the vast bird colonies at Sundneset, before we return toward the main island of Spitzbergen via Sorkapp.

Day 7-8

South Svalbard
After rounding the southern tip of Spitsbergen, the expedition enters the greener, warmer fjords of Bellsund and Hornsund, nourished by Atlantic currents. These fertile valleys support reindeer, Arctic foxes, nesting seabirds, and drifting icebergs from nearby glaciers. Rich in wildlife and history, the area offers highlights like the grassy meadows of Vårsolbukta and the historic sites of Calypsobyen and Bamsebu, making it one of Svalbard’s most diverse and captivating regions.

Day 9

West/Central Spitzbergen
During the night we will enter Forlandssundet, the strait which separates Prince Karls Forland from Spitsbergen. Our destinations may include Poolepynten (Poole Point), a small headland named after the British whaler Jonas Poole. Today the area is inhabited by herds of walruses who can be seen (and smelled!) from a distance. The large mammals flaunt their tusks and whiskers, as well as their considerable bulk. The remote beaches, rugged mountains, and tundra plains of the region positively beg to be explored! From Forlandsundet, we will return southwards during the afternoon into Isfjorden, all the while on the lookout for wildlife and spectacular views as we return to civilization.

Day 10

Longyearbyen Disembarkation
On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive back in Longyearbyen. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic!
After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew of Ocean Albatros and your fellow Arctic explorers, return to Svalbard Airport and join your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime.

Day 1

Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.) Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Day 2

All Aboard!
Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3-4

Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5

South Shetland Islands
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a rugged display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife returning to their busy daily activity after the long winter break. Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins will be a common sight, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring, perhaps stopping for a walk along the black sands of Deception Island. Whether on land or sea, in a Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Day 6-8

Antarctica in the Spring
Welcome to Antarctica in all its just-waking-up-from-winter glory. Untouched. Pristine. Getting busy. For the next couple of days, prepare to be amazed as we observe numerous species of penguins coming ashore and getting acquainted, building nests, and tending their eggs. Marvel at the winter sea ice that mantles these frigid seas, feast your eyes on glorious icebergs beginning the springtime march, and, as always, be on the lookout for seals and whales in the water. At day’s end, take in the miraculous sunsets that are a special treat this time of year. Visits to active scientific bases and historic landing sites may also be on the agenda.

Day 9-10

Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.


Day 11

Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Day 1

Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.) Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.



Day 2

All Aboard!
Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3-4

Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5

South Shetland Islands
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring. And kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches off the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Day 6-8

Glorious Antarctica
Here’s our chance to explore any number of picturesque bays and landing sites, while maneuvering through iceberg-rich channels and into wildlife-rich waters. We’ll likely be joined by numerous species of enchanting penguins, seals, and whales, both in the sea and along the rugged coastlines. And there will be great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites during our typical two-a-day outings. A night of camping under the stars is also an unforgettable highlight for those who sign up. Our focus is always on the longest and most adventurous off-ship experience, so be prepared to take in all that Antarctica has to offer.


Day 9-10

Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.


Day 11

Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Day 1

Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.) Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.



Day 2

All Aboard!
Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3-4

Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5-7

Merry Christmas, Antarctica!
Time to put our explorer’s spirit to full use. Antarctica offers astounding landscapes and wildlife encounters at every turn, as the last truly unspoiled place on earth, populated only by its original wild inhabitants. Prepare yourself to encounter numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales, who will be there to share the holidays with us along the rugged coastlines and in the sea. We’ll also take full advantage of every opportunity to visit some of the several active scientific bases and historic landing sites on the peninsula. This voyage promises to be a holiday memory you’ll cherish forever. Our team always has something fun planned for Christmas Day.

Day 8

South Shetland Islands
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins; and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring. And kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches off the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.


Day 09-10

Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.


Day 11

Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

Day 1

Arrive and explore in Ushuaia
After a friendly welcome at the airport and a transfer to the luxurious Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa, take some time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. (In the unlikely event that you can't be accommodated at the Arakur, you'll unwind at another of Ushuaia's top luxury hotels.) Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.



Day 2

All Aboard!
Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3-4

Drake Passage
Join our Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5-6

South Shetland Islands
The South Shetlands are 12 islands separated from the Antarctic Peninsula by the Bransfield Strait. Significant volcanic activity has sculpted a geology – and a diverse natural beauty – unlike anywhere else on Earth. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. And this time of year is feeding time for Humpback whales, so don’t be surprised if you’re joined by a number of them on your day’s adventure.

Day 7-8

Antarctica (and Whales) Await
On to the Antarctic Peninsula, where we’ll explore any number of stunning bays and famed harbors, maneuvering through majestic channels as we continue to travel these wildlife-rich waters, passing a number of glorious icebergs along the way. We’ll have great opportunities to stop at several active scientific bases and historic landing sites as we direct our attention and our cameras toward numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales along the rugged coastlines and in the sea. As always throughout this journey, be on the lookout for the impressive population of Humpback, Minke, and Orca whales feeding in the water.

Day 9-10

Drake Passage
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again crossing the legendary Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.


Day 11

Ushuaia Disembarkation
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.