Spirit of Antarctica
Aurora's classic 12-day introduction to Antarctica, sailing round trip from Ushuaia across the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. The December 29, 2026 New Year departure catches the height of penguin chick-hatching season, with daily shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
- Operated by: Aurora Expeditions
- Ship: Sylvia Earle
- Length: 11 nights
- Regions: Antarctica
- Wildlife: Gentoo and chinstrap colonies with newly hatched chicks, humpback whales feeding on krill, leopard seals, and albatross over the Drake Passage
- From: $16,995 per person
- Season: Austral summer (Dec-Jan)
- Next departures: 2026-12-29
- Route: Ushuaia → Drake Passage → South Shetland Islands → Antarctic Peninsula → Ushuaia
The ship
- Sylvia Earle: 130 guests, built 2022
Departures
- 2026-12-29: $16,995
Booking is arranged by an affiliated travel advisor, not by Your Naturalist. Your Naturalist does not operate or sell this sailing; deposits, payment schedules and cancellation terms are the cruise line's own. A request from this page reaches the travel advisor directly, who arranges the sailing with the line, including any current offers the line is running, and assists before and during travel.