Experience an epic holiday adventure to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, celebrating the arrival of the new year in the world’s most remarkable wilderness alongside A&K’s passionate Expedition Team. Enjoy additional family programming led by A&K Young Explorers Guides and unforgettable holiday festivities on board, all while experiencing otherworldly landscapes on daily Zodiac excursions.
Journey Highlights
Featured Experts
Peter Clement, Naturalist & Zodiac Driver
Born and raised on a sheep ranch in the Falkland Islands, Peter is intimately familiar with the landscapes of the Southern Ocean. He has been voyaging on expeditions since 1978 and with A&K since 1992.
Kristin Wornson, Young Explorer's Guide
Kristin has served as a research associate and Young Explorers Guide since 2005. On this cruise, she leads a rich and varied program of activities for young guests both on and off the ship.
Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel.
Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Explore Buenos Aires with your local guides, choosing from excursions that include a guided tour with a tango demonstration or a tour of the city’s vibrant street art scene. In the evening, join your fellow guests and A&K staff for a welcome cocktail reception.
Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Meals: B
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Take a guided trek in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve before boarding your luxurious expedition cruiser for the next 15 days of adventure. Watch with your family from the comfort of your own private balcony as ‘Le Lyrial’ heads out to sea.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, A&K’s Expedition Team begins its exciting lecture series, covering everything from penguins to the formation of sea ice to thrilling personal accounts of living in Antarctica. Photography enthusiasts of all ages enjoy time with A&K’s Resident Photo Coach, on hand to share tips and answer questions. Young guests — even teens, who may enjoy their own teens-only group — are invited to join Young Explorers Guides for onboard adventures ranging from a scavenger hunt to nautical knot-tying with a former British Royal Marine Commando. The cool waters in these parts are rich in krill, making them a favourite with local wildlife searching for food. Alongside your naturalist guides, spot various species of whales and seabirds from ‘Le Lyrial’s’ deck.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
Today, your luxury expedition ship arrives in the remote Falkland Islands. Conditions permitting, you may visit the tiny capital of Stanley, where you can stroll its charming streets and explore its surrounding wilderness areas. This evening, partake in memorable holiday festivities as you sail toward South Georgia.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
Experience a Christmas Day like no other as you find yourself at sea heading toward one of the most beautiful places on earth. As you approach South Georgia, deckside sightings of whales and other wildlife become more frequent. Time spent cruising is once again filled with fascinating lectures by your Expedition Team as well as exciting family-friendly programming led by Young Explorers Guides. The open ocean is a treasure chest bursting with life — scan the seas to spot marine mammals and seabirds as the ship cruises the nutrient-rich waters past the islands of Shag Rocks islands.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
Explore South Georgia, the Southern Ocean’s crown jewel of wildlife. South Georgia is a nearly submerged continuation of the Andes Mountains, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores — ideal for exploring with your naturalist guides on Zodiacs (sturdy inflatable boats). Weather and ice conditions permitting, excursions over the next three days include stops along the northeast coastline of the island, where you may have the chance to visit vast colonies of king penguins and southern elephant seals. You may also explore iconic historic sites with your A&K historian, who shares tales of the whaling era and the heroic age of exploration. You also learn about the life and exploits of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose final resting place is right here on South Georgia Island, at Grytviken.
'Le Lyrial': Meals: BLD
Cruise the Scotia Sea while your expert lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia and hint at what’s to come in Antarctica. Young Explorers Guides arrange for engaging activities that include dissecting loligo squids, creating Japanese fish prints with an ink rubbing and a special visit to the ship’s high-tech bridge to see how ‘Le Lyrial’ is controlled. As the end of the year approaches, celebrate with onboard festivities and the anticipation of Antarctica.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
Begin an unforgettable New Year with incredible landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands. Weather and ice conditions permitting, your Expedition Team takes advantage of the best opportunities to set out on Zodiacs and explore the continent’s iconic shores, which teem with gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins. Meanwhile, a parent-free Zodiac ride beckons younger guests, who receive a lesson from their naturalist guide on how to drive the nimble boats while cruising past ice floes, whales and napping leopard seals. Antarctica’s stunning geography enhances the excitement of your experience here as dramatic snow-capped mountains, shimmering glaciers and iceberg-strewn channels compete for your attention.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
Bid farewell to Antarctica as ‘Le Lyrial’ points north toward Ushuaia. Enjoy time with the new friends you’ve made and observe more marine life from the decks with your naturalist experts, while younger explorers participate in family-friendly activities with their dedicated guides.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: BLD
After breakfast, disembark ‘Le Lyrial.’ Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires, where you board your 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.
Categories 4–9 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
First group event: excursion on Dec 21.
Last group event: disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jan 6.
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).
This journey features the following Preferred Accommodations:
Palacio Duhau is a superb city hotel and a member of the legendary Park Hyatt portfolio. The building itself is hugely impressive. The ex... Read more
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
Dec 20, 2023 - Jan 6, 2024 Special Special Special Special Special Special Special Special Special |
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Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Classic Balcony Stateroom - Category 1 | Price AU$30,830pp was AU$36,465 | Single Supplement AU$26,400 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Deluxe Balcony Stateroom - Category 2 | Price AU$35,055pp was AU$40,690 | Single Supplement AU$29,570 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Premier Balcony Stateroom - Category 3 | Price AU$37,165pp was AU$42,800 | Single Supplement AU$31,160 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Prestige Balcony Suite - Category 4 | Price AU$51,955pp was AU$57,590 | Single Supplement AU$48,160 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Premier Two-Room Balcony Suite - Category 5 | Price AU$61,110pp was AU$66,745 | Single Supplement AU$56,865 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Privilege Two-Room Balcony Suite - Category 6 | Price AU$64,630pp was AU$70,265 | Single Supplement AU$60,205 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Available | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Grand Deluxe Two-Room Balcony Suite - Category 7 | Price AU$72,380pp was AU$78,015 | Single Supplement AU$67,570 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Limited Availability | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Grand Privilege Three-Room Balcony Suite - Category 8 | Price AU$82,940pp was AU$88,575 | Single Supplement AU$77,600 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Limited Availability | Enquire |
Cabin Class Le Lyrial: Owner's Balcony Suite - Category 9 | Price AU$85,760pp was AU$91,395 | Single Supplement AU$80,275 | Internal Air (From) Included | Availability Limited Availability | Enquire |