Antarctic Cruise Adventure (2023)

Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel, where you spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Latin passion and European romance define the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, a dynamic mecca known for its wide-ranging architectural styles, contemporary and historic arts, and culinary pleasures and parrillas (steakhouses). This morning, choose from a selection of included excursions and experience the city’s best treasures, such as a panoramic city tour complete with a tango demonstration alongside local A&K guides. Later this afternoon, meet with your fellow adventurers for a welcome cocktail reception.

Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Meals: B

Fly to the charming port town of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. On arrival, enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Arakur Resort & Spa, enjoying panoramic city and mountain vistas while you dine. Time and weather permitting, take a guided walk in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve or simply relax with a cappuccino and enjoy scenic views of Ushuaia. This afternoon, transfer to your ship and settle in for your first night on board. Wander the decks to become acquainted with the ship, relax in the lounge and mingle with fellow guests in anticipation of your voyage. From your private balcony or the outside decks, take in views as you cruise the beautiful Beagle Channel before heading out to sea.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

The journey south toward Antarctica is an exciting one, furthered by singular, voyage-long access to our knowledgeable Expedition Team and enrichment experts both on board and on shore. Set out into the Drake Passage, a 965-kilometre-wide swath of water where the Southern Ocean currents are squeezed between South America’s southern tip and Antarctica’s northernmost reaches. An important trade route in the 19th and early 20th centuries, its stormy waters and icy conditions once made the journey a difficult one, though the stabilizer-equipped ‘Le Lyrial’ handles it with ease.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement begins to build. Dependent on weather, sea, ice and wildlife conditions, Antarctic expeditions demand spontaneity and no two are ever the same. With that in mind, your Captain and Expedition Team carefully plan your active, curated itinerary and daily excursions that may include the following areas:

Antarctic Sound: At the northernmost tip of the Antarctic mainland, this body of water features some of the best sightseeing on the peninsula and a proliferation of giant icebergs. Noted for its vast numbers of bird species, the sound is home to the largest breeding colonies of Adélie penguins in Antarctica. Look forward to opportunities to land on remote, wildlife-laden islands as well as possible opportunities to experience a continental landing on the northwest tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

South Shetland Islands: Antarctic research stations, remarkable history, amazing geological features and abundant wildlife define these islands off the shore of the Antarctic Peninsula. Your Expedition Team looks for opportunities to visit a wide range of sites: working research stations, volcanic islands and historic sites as well as gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguin rookeries.

Danco Coast: Bordering the South Shetland Islands along the Antarctic continent, the Danco Coast is famed for its scenic, jaw-dropping waterways. From the comfort of ‘Le Lyrial,’ you may sail through some of its most stunning and photogenic channels, straits and bays.

Each cruise day begins with an early breakfast followed by a morning excursion on swift Zodiacs (sturdy inflatable boats). Piloted by expert A&K drivers, each excursion is accompanied by lecturers and joined by groups of no more than 10 guests. After mornings discovering native species and striking terrain, return to ‘Le Lyrial’ for lunch and time to relax. Or observe the wildlife-rich waters that surround you, searching for everything from fin whales, humpback whales and orcas to Antarctic and imperial shags.

By afternoon, set out for the day’s second planned excursion, which may include visiting a scientific research station, hiking on a sheltered beach packed with basking crabeater seals, or circumnavigating colossal icebergs that serve as floating homes to seals and penguins.

After full days of adventure, evenings aboard your luxury cruiser invite you to unwind over cocktails in the cozy lounge before dinner in the elegant dining room. At night, choose to recap the day’s discoveries with your naturalist guides, chat on deck with fellow guests or seize the opportunity to capture photos in the stunning low light characteristic of Antarctica’s long, ethereal twilight.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

Bid farewell to wondrous Antarctica and begin your cruise back to Ushuaia at the southernmost tip of Argentina. The ship’s return through the Drake Passage is an interlude for recap and reflection offering time to compare notes with your expert lecturers on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent. Spend time on board with newfound friends in the comfortable common spaces of ‘Le Lyrial,’ enjoy quiet relaxation on your own private balcony or absorb more fascinating lectures by your captivating Expedition Team.

While cruising through this historic passage, you may spot various species of whales and seabirds, including the elusive albatross and the giant petrel, an opportunistic predator and scavenger nicknamed the “stinker.” The immense albatross is an especially stunning sight to behold — these wandering birds boast a wingspan approaching 3.6 metres and are capable of gliding through the air for hours at a time in search of food.

'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD

‘Le Lyrial’ docks at Ushuaia this morning. After breakfast, bid farewell to your crew and fellow guests before disembarking. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, where you connect to your international flight home.

Meals: B

This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.

Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain.

Buenos Aires/Ushuaia/Buenos Aires Economy Class flights included.

Minimum age is 7 years old.

Categories 4–9 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.

First group event: excursion on Dec 11.

Last group event: disembarkation at 9:00 a.m. on Dec 22.

Note: Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 is required for this journey, including a booster shot if vaccination was received more than four months prior to departure (two months for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Included with this Luxury Expedition Cruise

• An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team
• Pre-Cruise Stay at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotel and A&K-Led Excursion
• Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
• Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
• Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
• Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
• 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
• Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
• Zodiac Excursions Led by A&K Expert Naturalist Driver-Guides
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service on board
• All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
• Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support