Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure
Trip type
Fly & Cruise
Trip length
8 Days
From
$15,995 -$32,395
Ship Comfort
Comfort & Adventure
Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure - 8 Days - $15,995
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
- 4 full days in Antarctica = 8 planned ‘off ship’ excursions
- We like this ship's exclusivity – with only 76 guests and spacious suites (balconies available)
- Antarctic operational experience since 2003
- A low expedition staff to guest ratio of 1:6
- Kayaking and snowshoeing (on select departures at additional cost)
- One of the very few air-cruise trips to offer reserved plane seating
- Includes pre-flight hotel night in Punta Arenas and complimentary drinks with meals
- Exclusive access to Explorers House – your home-from-home private club & expedition centre while in P. Arenas
Start from Punta Arenas and end at Punta Arenas
Landmarks potentially visited on Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in 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 programme.)
Day 8: Return home
After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.
PLEASE NOTE: While choosing to fly to/from Antarctica is the most expedient option, it's also more weather dependent than travelling by ship across the Drake Passage. Charter flights to/from Antarctica operate on a very flexible schedule to accommodate the changeable weather conditions. As a result, flight timings may be brought forward or delayed to ensure safe operating conditions. To discuss in more detail, please get in touch.
This itinerary is for guidance only, as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions as well as taking advantage of impromptu wildlife opportunities.
Why our customers love Swoop
The Antarctic Experts.
No Compromises
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.
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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.
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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
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.
What our customers think of Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure
Original Fly & Cruise Luxury Adventure trips scored 4.7/5 from 59 reviews
Nature, wildlife trips beat every other travel experience, especially something as immersive as this.
Travelled: March 2024
Alysha Vazirally - India
10/10 - The expedition staff and the ship’s crew were excellent and all so nice. Cabin was great. Food was great. Excursions were great.
Travelled: February 2024
David DeMaria - USA
10/10 - Excellent staff from the engine room up to the bridge. Everyone full of answers to our questions. Food and service 5 star quality!!! I can't think of 1 negative thing on this expedition.
Travelled: February 2024
Terry Goodyear - Canada
10/10 - Great crew, great adventure, excellent weather made for opportunities for many excursions and sights.
Travelled: February 2024
Ali Begeja - USA
10/10 - The attention to detail was incredible. Everything was explained thoroughly by the expedition team. They were very helpful and knowledgeable. The precision of getting on and off the zodiacs was impressive.
Travelled: January 2024
Stephanie Litz - USA
10/10 - The ship's crew and staff went out of their way to make sure you had an amazing experience. If weather was going to be bad, they would change where we were going on a dime. The ship was clean and simple and beautiful. I would recommend the fly and cruise to everyone.
Travelled: January 2024
Karen Aydt - USA
10/10 - No Drake...... 2 hours.... Very well organized.
Travelled: January 2024
Craig Collins - USA
10/10 - The voyage exceeded my highest expectations in terms of quality, luxury and adventure. The crew, hospitality staff and expedition staff were all outstanding. The service was on par with a top-tier hotel.
Travelled: December 2023
Timothy Kleiman - USA
It was an excellent trip. Service standards of the hotel side are fantastic. The scenery is awesome.
Travelled: December 2023
Anthony Charlemagne Cham Yu - Philippines
10/10 - It was a great mix of learning, adventure, and just enjoyment.
Travelled: December 2023
Jeanette Karon - USA
10/10 - The cruise was beyond anything I expected or have ever done. The entire staff of the ship was incredible, friendly, approachable, helpful & knowledgeable. Everything was very well organized & well thought out. It could not have been better!
Travelled: December 2023
Linda Karon - USA
Most memorable moment? Seeing icebergs and jumping in the Southern Ocean.
Travelled: December 2023
Patrick Auer - USA
Most memorable moment? Standing on a ridge on the Antarctic Peninsula with the sun shining down. Standing next to a penguin colony with no civilization close. The water smooth with ice floating.
Travelled: December 2023
Michelle Anderson - USA
Expedition team clearly loved where they were and what they were doing; they were focused on safety as well as providing an up-close encounter with the continent and its fauna. The whole of the team was fantastic.
Travelled: February 2023
Saebom Lee - USA
10/10 - I was so glad to find a fly vs water option across the Drake Passage. It was a deal breaker in both the time element, and for me, motion sickness.
Travelled: February 2023
Carolyn Ferraro - USA
10/10 - So easy to fly over, the flight was very smooth and painless. Even though the whole trip is very weather dependent, and plans can change in an instant, the team is very communicative and upfront about it, and to me, it just added to the sense of adventure. The expedition guides were all fantastic.
Travelled: February 2023
Aaron Stewart - USA
Well organized - daily tours, lectures, diversity of activities, knowledgeable guides, great service and options to return to ship when you wanted/needed
Travelled: February 2023
Larry Mcgrath - USA
10/10 - Everything was perfect, the food, the service, the animals, the entire experience.
Travelled: February 2023
Tom Aldrich - USA
The expedition team were great. There wasn't a question we couldn't get answered and their individual knowledge was impressive. All the lectures were informative and we enjoyed all of them.
Travelled: January 2023
Robert Wenze - USA
The cruise was truly an exciting adventure every day with a friendly and knowledgeable expedition staff.
Travelled: January 2023
Gary Puhl - USA
LOVED the team- they had amazing energy, knowledge and expertise about the continent and wildlife, and focus on safety throughout
Travelled: December 2022
Marissa Bych - USA
10/10 - Talented and experienced expedition staff: guided kayak and Zodiac adventures by experienced and knowledgeable eco-tourism staff. High energy but low key adventures. Hiking on land to penguin rookeries with an option to snowshoe - WOW.
Travelled: December 2022
Kenneth Bych - USA
Whether hiking up to the penguins or being among the humpback whales while they came up for air or just looking at the different icebergs and their colors, the Antarctic scenery and wildlife was amazing.
Travelled: December 2022
Mary Buchino Johnson - USA
10/10 - It was a luxury adventure, and the treatment by the cruise staff for our honeymoon was literally indescribable, short of feeling like royalty.
Travelled: December 2022
Tyler Steffenson - USA
Mike, Karen, Willy, Sophie, Annaliese, Ken, Bill, and the rest of the expedition staff were so professional and knowledgeable and everyone had a very clear skill set they brought to the table
Travelled: December 2022
Tyler Steffenson - USA
10/10 - best run trip I have ever taken.
Travelled: December 2022
Susan Rothchild - USA
The expedition team were extraordinary. I was blown away by their professionalism, knowledge, and kindness. Truly amazing people.
Travelled: December 2022
Carol Smith - USA
The entire experience was well planned with necessary information given to trip participants in a timely manner. And besides logistics, the number and variety of off-ship excursions were outstanding, allowing us to see and experience so much of what Antarctica has to offer even in a short visit.
Travelled: January 2022
Fred Delcomyn - USA
Temper your expectations. Don't think every day is going to be filled with gorgeous sunshine, as photos tend to suggest. If you concentrate on the incredible landscapes and fantastic wildlife, you will have an unforgettable adventure even if the weather is not the best.
Travelled: January 2022
Fred Delcomyn - USA
Most memorable moment: clear blue skies, zero wind, flat ocean with icebergs floating around everywhere, in a zodiac with penguins popping up all over us, and a seal belly-flopping up on an iceberg 20ft from us
Travelled: January 2022
Todd Mackey - USA
Beautiful new boat. Very comfy and nice.
Travelled: January 2022
Todd Mackey - USA
Awesome team!!! Very knowledgeable and accessible.
Travelled: January 2022
Todd Mackey - USA
Having experts with us to explain the ecology and processes made such a difference.
Travelled: December 2021
Chris Dixon - UK
They are inspirational. Alison encouraged me on the science boat, Wendy explained the bird life and I enjoyed a survey with her. Nigel was so amazing on the zodiac when we had our day of many many humpback whales! Hadleigh was the best leader, completely and it was easy to put all our trust in him.
Travelled: December 2021
Chris Dixon - UK
I prefer a smaller expedition experience, with more excursions. I also really appreciated the flight over the Drake Passage that saved us 4 days and enabled us to sail on a smaller ship.
Travelled: December 2021
Jeannette Shull - USA
The epitome of a vessel to ply the waters in Antarctica. Unmatched staff. The food service, world class. The lectures onboard, fantastic.
Travelled: December 2021
Ray Applebaum - USA
From the moment we arrived in Antarctica on the jet, I realized that I had landed in a world that I could have never have envisioned being in. It was certainly life changing.
Travelled: December 2021
Ray Applebaum - USA
I can't say enough good things about the the expedition team. That were genuinely excited to be on the cruise with us and it showed.
Travelled: December 2021
Jeannette Shull - USA
Antarctica is like no other place on earth.
Travelled: February 2020
Patty (Patricia) Hunt - United States Of America
Everything went very smoothly from check in to check out. There was always staff available to help. The personnel on the trip were all terrific from the hospitality workers to the guides. They were very friendly and knowledgeable.
Travelled: February 2020
Carol Clarke - United States Of America
I’m still thinking about the privilege of taking this adventure which I guess means that it has at least enhanced my perspective.
Travelled: December 2019
Donald Emeigh - United States Of America
The ship was fantastic; perfect size and beautifully appointed. My cabin and cabin mate was excellent, couldn't have been better. For folks with motion sickness or disabilities, I would highly recommend this trip by air and sea. All worked out as expected. All documents were in order. Ange was great with reservations.
Travelled: February 2019
Jane Alexander - United States Of America
An extraordinary trip so unique was hard to have had expectations. It was like leaving the planet. The ship, the food, the crew, the fellow passengers, the daily agenda on and off the ship (and a stretch of good weather) made this trip not only informative but totally enjoyable!
Travelled: February 2019
Peter Sherin - United States Of America
Everywhere you looked was a unique picture-moment. Encountering the humpback whales while in the zodiacs was incredible. Beautiful - exceeded my expectations.
Travelled: February 2019
David Sherin - United States Of America
Each day was magical! We saw an avalanche and even an iceberg turning over!
Travelled: February 2019
Irina Prishchepa - United States Of America
The ship's service and efficiency were great. The staff were enthusiastic and always aimed to please with a great depth of knowledge.
Travelled: February 2019
Cary Poropatich - United States Of America
Antarctica transcended me to a new, almost surreal, world of majestic landscapes and wildlife, unlike any other place that I had experienced.
Travelled: February 2019
Dennis Roy - United States Of America
The ship and expedition staff were the most professional and informative group. They all worked well together and went out of their way to interact with the passengers. The best part about the team was how quickly they adjusted to weather conditions. This allowed us to not miss out on our landings and expeditions.
Travelled: December 2018
Terrie Mandina - United States Of America
We highly recommend the kayaking to anyone making this trip. The kayaking staff was so great we immediately felt at home in the water. You gain an entirely different perspective on the wildlife while in the water. Plus you will get spectacular photographs from a completely different viewpoint. We still had time at the end of each kayaking excursion to also go hiking. So we had the best of both worlds.
Travelled: December 2017
Chris & Amy - Florida
Our trip was so wonderful! I would definitely recommend our ship. The food and our cabin was amazing. The service staff were amazing as well. The entire experience was just top notch.
Travelled: December 2017
Lori - Texas
The trip was exceptional! One of the things I most enjoyed and was a surprise to me was hearing a leopard seal singing into an iceberg underwater! I didn't know they did that, and it was such a beautiful sound. The expedition team were phenomenal and went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful time and were well-informed.
Travelled: January 2017
Colette - UK
Review:
About The Ship
Your vessel among icebergs
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
The bridge
Views from a cabin balcony
Relax in the lounge
The restaurant
Views of Antarctica from the dining room
Polar library
Onboard fitness centre
Onboard sauna
Views from the ship's balcony
Lunch on deck, Antarctica
The vessel after dark
Your vessel in Antarctic waters
Your expedition vessel
- The first small ship (under 100 passengers) built specifically for Antarctic expedition travel since 2003
- Limited to a maximum of only 76 passengers per fly & cruise departure or just 96 guests per sailing voyage, Antarctic exploration doesn't get much more personal
- Hugely spacious, well appointed suites, many with floor to ceiling windows and outside balconies
- Adventure activities, such as kayaking and snowshoeing, are available to guests (on select departures)
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.
2024
2025
2026
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $15995
Additional Notes
For departures from November 2024 - March 2025 Grand Suite cabins will be renamed as Suites.
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).
While choosing to fly to/from Antarctica is the most expedient option, it's also more weather dependent than travelling by ship across the Drake Passage. Charter flights to/from Antarctica operate on a very flexible schedule to accommodate the changeable weather conditions. As a result, flight timings may be brought forward or delayed to ensure safe operating conditions. To discuss in more detail, please get in touch.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
This ship has a good number of dedicated single cabins for those travelling solo. 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 on this trip 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 |
|---|---|---|
Kayaking
|
$995 | 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 $895 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 1-2 kayaking excursions during the duration of the expedition, if weather permits. |
Snowshoeing
|
$85 | Select departures. Snowshoes provided. Available for booking on board the ship (depending on conditions). |
Includes
- Airport/ hotel transfers as indicated
- Hotel accommodation in P. Arenas on days 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
- Welcome dinner including drinks
- Complimentary drinks offered during meals
- 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
- Standard internet service. (Guests booked in Penthouse Suites will enjoy complimentary premium internet service.)
- 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?
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