Celebrating New Year’s in Antarctica

From Ushuaia to Ushuaia

Tour Overview

Swap fireworks and crowded countdowns for ice-blue horizons, echoing glaciers, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This New Year, celebrate in Antarctica—the planet’s most beautiful, untamed, and inspiring frontier.

Your journey begins in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. After a warm welcome, you’ll transfer to a hand-selected premium hotel, tucked into the wild Patagonian landscape. Take time to unwind, breathe in the crisp southern air, or explore this legendary gateway to Antarctica before the real adventure begins.

Next, step aboard the state-of-the-art Ocean Albatros. As the ship slices through the Drake Passage, keep your binoculars close—albatrosses and seabirds glide effortlessly alongside as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, where the air sharpens and the ocean signals you’ve reached a different world.

Navigate the hauntingly beautiful channels of the Antarctic Sound and the wildlife-rich waters of the Weddell Sea—prime territory for unforgettable encounters. Come face-to-face with thriving colonies of Adélie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, lounging Elephant and Fur seals, and majestic whales surfacing in icy silence.

Welcome the New Year in spectacular style, surrounded by one of the most beautiful and inspiring places on Earth - Antarctica. 

Viva's Best Bits...

Take advantage of Ocean Albatros’s powerful ice-breaking design to uncover the hidden wonders of Antarctica, from ice formations & wildlife to pristine channels.

"Kayak with whales, glide past immense glaciers & enormous icebergs - sign up early for the unique opportunity to enjoy kayak in Antarctica" Rachel, Team Viva

Learn from an on-board photographer and ready your lens to capture Antarctica’s residents—elephant seals, majestic whales, and playful penguins.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Ushuaia

After a friendly welcome at the airport, we'll transfer you to one of our partnered premium hotel resorts nestled in the breathtaking Patagonian nature, where you can take some time to unwind or go explore the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.

Our optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers.

Overnight in Ushuaia

Day 2
Embarkation

Spend your morning relaxing at the hotel, visiting a museum, or exploring the shops in Ushuaia, before our mid-afternoon escort to the ship. Our Expedition Team and ship staff will welcome you on board and get you settled in, followed by a safety and orientation briefing and our Captain’s welcome dinner. We’re on our way to Antarctica!

Day 3-4
Drake Passage

Join the Polar Experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering Citizen Science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica’s waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.

Day 5
Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea

We maneuver through the mysterious channels and wildlife-rich waters of the Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea, the perfect place to ensure an unforgettable holiday adventure. The Antarctic Sound is well known for its huge tabular icebergs, and the Weddell Sea offers a unique geography unlike anywhere else on earth. Here we’ll take in the abundant wildlife such as Adélie penguins and seals as we keep on the lookout for hunting Orca.

Day 6-7
Happy New Year, Antarctica!

Time to put our explorer’s spirit to full use. Antarctica offers astounding landscapes and wildlife encounters at every turn, as the last truly unspoiled place on earth, populated only by its original wild inhabitants. Prepare yourself to encounter numerous species of penguins, seals, and whales, who will be there to share the holidays with us along the rugged coastlines and in the sea. We’ll also take full advantage of every opportunity to visit some of the several active scientific bases and historic landing sites on the peninsula. And as we cross over from 2026 to 2027, we’ll raise a glass to the last truly wild place on the planet.

Day 8
South Shetland Islands

Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Here, you can expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife, including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, and it’s not uncommon to share the water’s edge with Elephant and Fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. So, we’ll settle into our Zodiacs and spend most of our day exploring. And kayakers, it’s time to get your first taste of gliding just inches off the pristine Antarctic water. Whether on land or sea, in Zodiac or kayak, be prepared for a fully immersive introduction to this incomparable part of the world.

Day 9-10
Drake Passage

We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. We have one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.

Day 11
Disembark in Ushuaia

With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.

What’s Included

Accommodation
  • Included Copy 20 1 night Hotel accommodation in Ushuaia
  • Included Copy 20 9 nights’ accommodation onboard Ocean Albatros
  • Included Copy 31 Cabin upgrades available
Food
  • Included Copy 20 Breakfast at hotel in Ushuaia & All meals while on-board your cruise
  • Included Copy 20 Coffee/tea/cocoa 24 hours daily
  • Included Copy 20 Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
Fees & Services
  • Included Copy 20 All scheduled landings and excursions
  • Included Copy 20 Briefings and lectures by our Expedition Leader and Team
  • Included Copy 20 Expedition jacket on loan, custom down jacket to keep
  • Included Copy 20 Use of rubber boots on loan for excursions.
  • Included Copy 20 Certified Emergency MD and Clinic
  • Included Copy 20 Professional Photography Coach
  • Included Copy 20 Citizen Science - real-world scientific research.
  • Included Copy 20 Access to Sauna, Spa, gym, Jacuzzi and spacious bar
  • Included Copy 20 Participation in the Polar Plunge
  • Included Copy 7 Any airfares,travel insurance, laundry, gratuities and personal expenses
  • Included Copy 7 Gratuities for the Expedition Team and crew (Recommended $20 USD per person per day)
  • Included Copy 31 Optional Activities: Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Camping (additional charge, Limited availability)
Transportation
Ocean Albatros

Ocean Albatros

175 Passengers

Activities

  • Included See whales breaching just meters away on your Zodiac Exploration
  • Included Experience the raw beauty of Antarctica on foot with an expert-led hike
  • Included Experience optional activities: Camping, Snowshoeing and Kayaking (additional cost)
  • Included Citizen Science - help us with real-world scientific research.
  • Included Wildlife encounters: colonies of penguins, playful seals, majestic whales, and variety of birds
  • Included Capture the best of Antarctica with tips from an on-board photographer
  • Included Celebrate the New Year in the Most Beautiful and Inspiring Place on Earth.
  • Included Land ashore and explore the white continent of Antarctica.
  • Included Land ashore and explore the white continent of Antarctica.
Tap here for dates & prices
Duration

11 days

Price from

$12,695 USD

Per person, twin share

Triple cabin, 26 Dec 2027

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