Antarctica21 kicked off its 2026-27 season in mid-September with the Magellan Explorer embarking on a cruise to Patagonia and the Chilean fjords.

According to an update shared by the company, the 100-passenger ship sailed from Puerto Montt for an itinerary that will allow guests to discover the landscapes and wildlife of the region.

Starting in mid-October, the vessel is scheduled to offer cruises to other regions, including the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

The Magellan Explorer will then arrive in Antarctica in November for a series of fly-cruises from King George Island in the South Shetland Islands.

Guests start their expedition cruises in the Chilean city of Punta Arenas before taking a two-hour flight to Frei Station, where they board the vessel.

The itineraries then explore the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island for a flight back to Chile.

According to Antarctica21, the itineraries are weather-dependent but “sail along ice-filled fjords and among icebergs,” allowing guests to witness seabirds, penguins, seals, whales and more.

The Magellan Explorer will continue to offer similar expedition cruises in Antarctica through late March 2027.

Antarctica21’s season will also feature the debut of the Magellan Discoverer, which was built at the ASENAV shipyard in Chile.

The 100-guest vessel is set to welcome its first guests on December 15, kicking off its maiden season of fly-cruises to Antarctica.

The newbuild replaces the Ocean Nova, which operated seasonally for the company under a charter agreement.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the ship will feature a dedicated science lab that will be operated through agreements with Chilean scientific institutions.

Other highlights of the design include sensors that will continuously collect water temperature, salinity and air quality data throughout Antarctic seasons.