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Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

Travel with the pioneers of fly & cruise Antarctic voyages, flying in both directions and bypassing a 2-day sail on the Drake Passage. Regular departure dates (Dec - Feb) to choose from. Explore Antarctica aboard a trusty 68-passenger expedition ship renowned for its manoeuvrability and ice capabilities.

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Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

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Trip type

Fly & Cruise

Trip length

8 Days

From

$11,495 -$21,995

Ship Comfort

Expedition

Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise - 8 Days - $11,495

Trip Summary and Itinerary Map

  • 4 full days in Antarctica = 8 planned ‘off ship’ excursions
  • We like this ship's small size, simple Scandinavian lines & the Panoramic Lounge's 200 degree views
  • Antarctic operational experience since 2003
  • Expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:6, which is low and market leading
  • Kayaking and snowshoeing (additional cost)
  • One of very few air-cruise trips to offer reserved plane seating
  • Includes pre-flight hotel night in Punta Arenas and house wines with meals
  • Exclusive access to Explorers House – your home-from-home private club & expedition centre while in P. Arenas

Landmarks potentially visited on Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

Operator's Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive to Punta Arenas

Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.


Day 2: Fly to King George Island   

A smooth two-hour flight takes you efficiently from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane and the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. A short hop by minibus takes you to the water's edge. Here the adventure begins in earnest as you don your lifejacket and board your Zodiac rib for the ride to your expedition vessel, which is anchored in the bay.


Days 3 to 6: Antarctic Peninsula   

Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs while enjoying the company of seabirds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations and enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests.

No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.


Day 7: Fly back to Punta Arenas

Return to King George Island and bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program.)


Day 8: Return home

After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.


NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Furthermore, it's important to understand that the charter flight(s) to/ from Antarctica are particularly prone to weather, which requires a flexible flight schedule.

Why our customers love Swoop

Expert impartial advice at no extra cost

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Choosing the right voyage is complicated, Swoop makes it easy. We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee.

The Antarctic Experts. No Compromises

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Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.

The only B Corp certified Antarctic specialist

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We want to protect Antarctica for future generations - which is why we became a certified B Corp and set up our own conservation fund. So your adventures can be a force for good.

A full concierge service, unlike booking direct

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We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it. With a dedicated Antarctic co-ordinator & support throughout - you’re in safe hands.

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What our customers think of Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise trips scored 4.7/5 from 35 reviews

So hard to pick, there are two moments that really stick out: 1. Watching a three or four story piece of ice calve from the glacier 2. Seeing all the wildlife

Travelled: March 2024

Sabrina -

Cruising on the zodiacs through icebergs and glaciers, seeing wildlife right in front of us

Travelled: February 2024

Shari -

The first time I saw an iceberg from the plane window we we first arrived. Even though it looked like a piece of Swiss cheese, I was excited like a kid on Christmas morning.

Travelled: February 2024

Nikki -

I loved seeing all of the wildlife and the icebergs.

Travelled: February 2024

Lorraine -

Seeing a bright, sunny clear day on the Antarctic peninsula full of penguins, seals, and humpback whales with the high plateau in the distance and sculpted icebergs floating by along with my family.

Travelled: February 2024

Rebecca -

Jumping into the southern ocean on my birthday.

Travelled: February 2024

Patrick -

The incredible skies late in the evening at sunset

Travelled: February 2024

Bobbi -

Connection made ,community feeling, penguins

Travelled: January 2024

Erjing -

Kayaking around Danco Island through brash ice with the only sound being calving of glaciers all around. Magical

Travelled: January 2024

Nigel -

Cruising through the icy water & tracking on the snowy track towards the Penguins' nests.

Travelled: January 2024

Teh Chong -

Seeing the penguin colonies

Travelled: January 2024

Howard -

landed on the peninsular.

Travelled: January 2024

Anonymous -

Close encounter with two humpback whales while kayaking.

Travelled: December 2023

Stephen -

Sitting quietly in a zodiac with the engine turned off watching whales. Polar plunge into the Antarctic, surfacing and seeing a horizon of beautiful glaciers and mountains.

Travelled: December 2023

Tamra Anne -

Experiencing the wildlife in their natural environment.

Travelled: December 2023

Wes -

Kayaking with the whales

Travelled: February 2023

Arnold -

Choose one? We spent an incredible afternoon on the zodiacs following whales in the Gerlache Strait - what an incredible experience. We were fortunate enough to have several groups of whales in the area, with one whale breaching within 20 yards from our zodiac.

Travelled: February 2023

Jeff -

Kayaking through sea ice adjacent to icebergs

Travelled: January 2023

Denise -

Zodiac trip through icebergs. Amazing shapes and colors, and penguins swimming and leaping among the bergs.

Travelled: January 2023

Inge -

First touch of the 7th Continent

Travelled: January 2023

Daniel -

Review:

The very experienced crew are super friendly and make you feel at home straight away.

Loli Figueroa Polar Specialist

Prices, Departures and Inclusions

Prices quoted below are per person based on two people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.

2024

2025

2026

Triple Twin Window Single
December 2024 Save up to 13%
2-Dec-2024 Save 13%
$11,495
$9,995
*
Save 11%
$13,795
$12,295
Save 8%
$17,795
$16,295
Enquire
7-Dec-2024 Full Full Full Enquire
12-Dec-2024 Save 13%
$11,495
$9,995
*
Save 11%
$13,795
$12,295
Save 8%
$17,795
$16,295
Enquire
17-Dec-2024 Save 13%
$11,495
$9,995
*
Save 11%
$13,795
$12,295
Save 8%
$17,795
$16,295
Enquire
22-Dec-2024 $13,595 $15,795 $21,995 Enquire
27-Dec-2024 $13,595 $15,795 $21,995 Enquire
January 2025 Save up to 11%
17-Jan-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
22-Jan-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
27-Jan-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
February 2025 Save up to 11%
1-Feb-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
6-Feb-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
11-Feb-2025 Save 11%
$13,595
$12,095
Save 9%
$15,795
$14,295
Save 7%
$21,995
$20,495
Enquire
December 2025 Save up to 17%
2-Dec-2025 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
7-Dec-2025 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
12-Dec-2025 Full Full Full Enquire
17-Dec-2025 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
22-Dec-2025 $13,595 $15,795 $21,995 Enquire
27-Dec-2025 $13,595 $15,795 $21,995 Enquire
January 2026 Save up to 15%
17-Jan-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
22-Jan-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
27-Jan-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
February 2026 Save up to 15%
8-Feb-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
13-Feb-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
18-Feb-2026 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire

* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $11495

Additional Notes

The 13-Feb-2026 departure is reserved for Mandarin speakers.


Due to popularity of this trip, early booking is strongly advised (12-18 months in advance).  


Passengers who book to share a Twin Cabin are accommodated in single rooms at the hotel in Punta Arenas for which there's a mandatory supplement on top of the voyage price of USD $790 (2024/25 season) or USD $830 (2025/26 season).

Single Supplement And Child Policy

This ship has a good number of dedicated single cabins for solo travellers. Please contact us for details. There is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.

Children aged 8 years or more are permitted if accompanied by a fully responsible adult. A 5% discount on the rate per person is offered for children between 8 and 12 years of age.

Optional Adventure Activities

Enhance your trip with the following add ons. Limited places per activity.
Get in contact to check availability.

Activity Cost Additional Information
Add on icon Kayaking Kayaking $895 All departures. Kayaking competency required. Must be booked prior to departure. Subject to availability. For voyages departing November 2025 to March 2026, the kayaking program price is $695 per person and operated with two groups rather than one (as in the 2024-25 season). Only 20 spots total are available during each voyage. Booked kayakers will go out on paddle sessions in two separate groups of 10 guests each. Please note that these operate on an alternating basis, so Group 1 will kayak while the other group follows the normal off-ship program of landing or zodiac cruising, then at the next kayaking opportunity (likely the next day) Group 2 will kayak instead. With this process, each group of 10 guests enjoy 1 to 2 kayaking excursions during the duration of the expedition, if weather permits.
Add on icon Snowshoeing Snowshoeing $85 All departures, as long as snow conditions allow. Snow shoes provided. Available for booking on board the ship.

Includes

  • Airport/ hotel transfers as indicated
  • Hotel accommodation in P. Arenas on day 1 and 7
  • Charter flights P. Arenas/Antarctica return
  • Access to Explorers House expedition centre in P. Arenas pre and post-voyage
  • Voyage aboard the vessel as indicated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation and meals on full board basis
  • Complimentary drinks offered during meals
  • Welcome dinner including drinks
  • All guided shore excursions and zodiac activities
  • Educational lectures by expert onboard polar guides
  • Access to an onboard doctor and basic medical services
  • Loan of rubber boots for the voyage's duration
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • IAATO passenger fee

Excludes

  • Parka jackets are not provided
  • Any flights to/ from voyage start and end points
  • Any additional pre/post land services, including meals
  • Transfers not specified in the itinerary
  • Optional adventure activities (e.g. kayaking)
  • Visa, passport and any vaccination expenses
  • Airport arrival or departure taxes
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature - laundry, bar tab, etc
  • Customary staff gratuity at the end of the voyage
  • Additional onboard purchases (i.e. gift shop)

Questions about this Voyage?