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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 - $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
  • 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

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 sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. Onboard 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.

Customer review background image

What our customers think of Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise

Original Fly & Cruise Expedition Cruise trips scored 4.6/5 from 20 reviews

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

Travelled: January 2023

Inge -

Christmas morning. Waking up to kayak in water surrounded by ice chunks. A minke whale pops up right as we are switching the zodiacs. The sun came out for the first time and it was magical.

Travelled: January 2020

Katie -

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 -

The impressive silence (except for the sounds of breeding penguins) in the area, being so close to wildlife and respecting that for a full 100%

Travelled: January 2020

H&F -

Seeing tens of thousands of penguins going about their business, and realizing that I was irrelevant.

Travelled: February 2020

Francis Fuqua -

Loved everything. Being welcomed by penguins and ignored by seals was priceless. Traversing the LeMaire Strait on a clear, blue, calm day with mirror-like reflections of snowy peaks in the water was stunning. The guests on the cruise were highly compatible and the ship crew and expedition staff were wonderful.

Travelled: February 2021

Elizabeth Hess -

Sitting in a kayak surrounded by 10+ humpback whales in Fournier Bay

Travelled: February 2020

Zach -

The highlight was having the opportunity to fulfull my bucket list in ,of my husband. The landscapes are breath-taking and the wildlife interesting. Watching the penquins walk, run, fly, swin was delightful. Seeing whales jump about was a sight to be seen ! Beautiful birds everywhere !! There were 65 folks on the tour - 4 continents, 7 languages. I was the oldest passenger. Many of the young chinese ladies, told me that I was their inspiration which made me feel good. They were delightful !! Biggest surprise was the rough waters the first night out, going through the Bransford Straight. I was very sea sick as were many folks !! A big surprise to say the least. The magical moment is simply the beauty of the land.

Travelled: February 2021

Lula Whitworth (Gayle Goad- agent) -

While in the front of a kayak surrounded by cocktail ice to watch a Humpback adult and calf breech in unison while they swam directly towards us.

Travelled: February 2020

Lynn -

Kayaking with the whales

Travelled: February 2023

Arnold -

Getting on shore on the Peninsula, and spending countless hours at that shitty airport in Santiago

Travelled: December 2022

JP -

Kayaking and having whales literally feet from us. Absolutely incredible.

Travelled: January 2023

Jesse -

First touch of the 7th Continent

Travelled: January 2023

Daniel -

Kayaking through sea ice adjacent to icebergs

Travelled: January 2023

Denise -

The scenery was astonishing, especially as we were sailing down the peninsula.

Travelled: December 2022

James -

Looking out the windows of Antartica and seeing this vast wilderness I had only experienced through magazine pictures, documentaries or books. To see the size, color and the real life of Antartica with my own eyes...to think of life day to day of penguins, whales breaching, and the breathtaking moment a glacier calves and you see it...it moves your soul.

Travelled: January 2020

Robin -

Seeing Orca's off the ship on Christmas night

Travelled: January 2023

Michael -

Zodiac ride through the Lemaire channel

Travelled: January 2023

Marissa -

The scenery…every day

Travelled: December 2022

Roger -

Walking on the Antarctic Continent Kayakiing with Humpback whales Observing the penguins in their rookeries Zodiac expeditions through the ice fields Lectures on board First class Magellan Explorer experience - small, personal, first class!! All the wonderful people we met! By the way, your rating scale inhibits an outstanding rating only because it was not life changing. It was beyond amazing though!

Travelled: December 2022

Ken B -

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 2 people sharing. Cabin availability changes all the time so please contact us for up-to-date details and information on specific cabin availability.

2023

2024

2025

Triple Twin Window Single
December 2023 Save up to 17%
2-Dec-2023 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
7-Dec-2023 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
12-Dec-2023 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
17-Dec-2023 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
22-Dec-2023 $13,495 $15,595 $21,995 Enquire
27-Dec-2023 $13,495 $15,595 $21,995 Enquire
January 2024 Save up to 15%
17-Jan-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,595
$13,595
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
22-Jan-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,595
$13,595
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
27-Jan-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,595
$13,595
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
February 2024 Save up to 15%
1-Feb-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,595
$13,595
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
6-Feb-2024 Full Full Full Enquire
11-Feb-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,595
$13,595
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
December 2024 Save up to 17%
2-Dec-2024 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
7-Dec-2024 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
12-Dec-2024 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
17-Dec-2024 Save 17%
$11,495
$9,495
*
Save 14%
$13,795
$11,795
Save 11%
$17,795
$15,795
Enquire
22-Dec-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
27-Dec-2024 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
January 2025 Save up to 15%
17-Jan-2025 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
22-Jan-2025 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
27-Jan-2025 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
February 2025 Save up to 15%
1-Feb-2025 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
6-Feb-2025 Save 15%
$13,595
$11,595
Save 13%
$15,795
$13,795
Save 9%
$21,995
$19,995
Enquire
11-Feb-2025 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

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 $595 (2023/24 season) or USD $790 (2024/25 season). 

Single Supplement And Child Policy

For those travelling solo and want their own cabin, this ship has a good number of dedicated single cabins, please contact us for details. However, there is no single supplement for passengers willing to share a cabin.

Children aged 8 years or more are admitted if accompanied by a fully responsible adult. A 5% discount on the rate per person is offered for children up to 8 - 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.
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
  • 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?