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The Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the wildlife-rich Weddell Sea. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.
Highlights
• Free camping
• Kayaking, snowshoe/hiking
• Mountaineering, photo workshop
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Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Our voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
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Day 2-3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, we enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
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Day 4-10: Entering the Weddell Sea
The great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds.
We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions:
Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here.
Brown Bluff - Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice.
Herbert Sound - We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge.
Devil Island - This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.
Erebus and Terror Gulf - Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.
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Day 11-12: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Our return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, we’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to us now, and us to them.
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Day 13: There and back again
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia with memories that will accompany you wherever your next journey lies.
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Please Note:
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed of our vessel is 10.5 knots.
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17 March, 2026 to 29 March, 2026
2 portholes
2 upper / lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
2 portholes
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
2 portholes
1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
2 windows
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
3 windows
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Small sofa
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
2 windows (minimum)
1 double bed
1 single (sofa) bed
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
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05 December, 2026 to 17 December, 2026
2 portholes
2 upper & lower berths
Small sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
2 portholes
1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
Small sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
2 portholes
2 single beds
Small sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
1 window
2 single beds
Small sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
2 windows
2 single beds
Sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
2 windows
1 double bed
Sofa
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
1 double window
1 double bed
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
1 double window
1 double bed
Sofa
Private balcony
Private shower & toilet
Flatscreen TV
Desk & chair
Telephone and WiFi
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Cabinet
Wardrobe
Safe
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Hondius
Hondius
Vessel Type: Polar Class Expedition Ship
Length: 107.6 metres
Passenger Capacity: 170
Built: 2019
Hondius is a purpose-built Polar Class 6 expedition ship designed to operate safely and efficiently in the Arctic and Antarctica. Its ice-strengthened hull, advanced navigation systems, and powerful twin engines support fast repositioning and reliable performance in challenging polar conditions. Interiors follow a clean, mid-century modern style, with accommodation for 170 guests across a wide range of cabin types, from suites with balconies to porthole cabins for groups. Public spaces include an expansive observation lounge and a dedicated lecture room used for workshops and briefings, reinforcing the vessel’s focus on education and discovery rather than traditional cruise entertainment.
The ship is engineered for low environmental impact, using modern power management, LED lighting, and biodegradable materials. Shore access is prioritised through two gangways, an indoor Zodiac boarding area, and a large fleet of rigid-hull inflatables that support quick landings and near-shore exploration. With 70 crew, guides, and staff on board, Hondius offers the comfort of a well-run hotel while maintaining the flexibility required for wildlife encounters, shifting ice, and rapidly changing weather, ensuring maximum time in the field and minimal time at sea.
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Ortelius
Ortelius
Vessel Type: Expediton
Length: 91m
Passenger Capacity: 108-123
Built / Refurbished : 1989 / 2015
Ortelius is a fully ice-strengthened Polar Class UL1 vessel built for demanding expeditions in one-year and multi-year sea ice. Originally constructed in 1989 for the Russian Academy of Science, its robust engineering and wide open-deck spaces make it well suited to deep-field exploration in the Arctic and Antarctica. The ship carries 108 passengers and operates with a substantial team of nautical crew, hotel staff, expedition leaders, and lecturers, supported by a fleet of ten Zodiacs for frequent shore landings and wildlife access. Interiors are functional and comfortable, offering standard hotel amenities alongside a lecture room and bar.
The vessel is designed for maximum time ashore and flexible routing, prioritising nature observation over traditional cruise programming. Some cabins may have partially obstructed views due to structural requirements, but the best vistas are always outside on deck or from the bridge. Ortelius offers stable performance, reliable ice navigation, and a straightforward, expedition-focused environment, making it a strong choice for travellers who want direct contact with polar landscapes without unnecessary embellishment.
