Antarctica Wonders

Depart on your overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina — the gateway to the world's most extraordinary wilderness.

Welcome to Buenos Aires — the "Paris of South America." Resplendent with Belle Époque buildings, sidewalk cafés, and green spaces, there's a fiery Latin passion here that's hard to resist. Spend the day exploring at your own pace. Highlights include La Boca, a colorful, creative neighborhood with a must-do art walk, and San Telmo, a former aristocratic quarter now home to boutique hotels, antique shops, and legendary tango clubs. Tonight, settle into your included overnight hotel and rest before the adventure begins.

Board your included flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia — the southernmost city in the world and the gateway to the seventh continent. The Captain and crew warmly welcome you aboard your Swan Hellenic luxury ship, where every guest enjoys a private balcony suite. Toast the start of your once-in-a-lifetime expedition as you depart South America and cruise through the scenic Beagle Channel, named for the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his famous voyage of discovery. Admire dramatic Andean mountain views from your private balcony or the ship's open decks. Meals: B, D

Wake up in your own time as you cruise across the Drake Passage — the infamous waterway connecting South America to Antarctica. Order breakfast through complimentary room service, or head to the lounge to meet fellow guests. Join your Discovery Team in the ship's lecture theater for an introduction to your polar expedition — they'll explain how your Zodiac excursions will work in the days ahead. Meals: B, L, D

A second day crossing the Drake, and Antarctica is now just over the horizon. Attend lectures from your Discovery Team — specialists in history, biology, geology, glaciology, and photography — who will deepen your understanding of what lies ahead. Browse the library, unwind in the spa and gym, or simply watch the Southern Ocean roll past from your private balcony. Meals: B, L, D

Step onto your balcony to see icebergs sculpted by nature and glacial mountains rising thousands of meters from the ocean. Antarctica has arrived. From here there's no fixed itinerary — your Captain and Discovery Team choose each landing based on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions, making the most of up to 18–20 hours of daylight. The continent is a birdwatcher's paradise too, home to more than 40 species — keep your eyes peeled for wandering albatrosses, shearwaters, and giant petrels. Meals: B, L, D

Every day in Antarctica brings something different. You might cruise by Zodiac past towering icebergs, step ashore at a historic refuge hut like Portal Point, or visit a penguin rookery hundreds of thousands strong at a site like Deception Island's flooded volcanic caldera — your Captain decides based on conditions on the day. Wherever you land, expect countless "pinch me" moments. In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the ship's included restaurants or a quiet moment in the library. Meals: B, L, D

Around 12 million penguins live on the Antarctic Peninsula — Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, and the very rare Emperor among them. Guided by your Discovery Team, you'll witness colonies up close: hear their mighty calls and watch as they clumsily waddle and interact with each other. Whales are another majestic encounter — minke, humpback, or orca. Watch them from the ship's open decks or at water level from a Zodiac. Meals: B, L, D

Conditions permitting, your Captain may guide you through a dramatic passage like the Lemaire Channel — often called "Kodak Alley" for its picture-perfect views of rocky mountains and glowing blue icebergs. It's also a fitting day for the Polar Plunge, a rite of passage for the adventurous few who brave the freezing Antarctic waters. Ask your Discovery Team for photography tips to capture it all from a Zodiac or the ship's decks. On a standard 12-day voyage, this is your last full day among the ice — but extended departures continue exploring further south from here, with some voyages spending up to four additional days in Antarctica before turning for home. Meals: B, L, D

Cruising the Drake Passage back toward South America, there is plenty of time to relax and reflect on the moments you've experienced. Order room service to start the day, or head up to the lounge for a light breakfast with fellow guests. In the evening, settle in with a glass of wine, beer, or your spirit of choice — all included — and share stories from the journey. Meals: B, L, D

Book a final treatment at the ship's spa, catch up on laundry with the complimentary self-service facilities, or simply enjoy the open decks as South America comes back into view. Tonight is a time for last dinners, final toasts, and warm farewells with the friends you've made at the bottom of the world. Meals: B, L, D