South America Expedition Cruises: A Practical Guide to Oceanwide Expeditions' Southern Ocean Itineraries

What This Inventory Covers

In our inventory, the South America expedition cruise category is served exclusively by 1 operator — Oceanwide Expeditions — with 69 confirmed departures across the upcoming seasons. Itineraries range from 9 to 43 nights, giving travellers a wide spectrum of commitment and geographic coverage. The most common itinerary length in our inventory is 10 nights, which represents the baseline for reaching the core sub-Antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula destinations. Departures are available in January, February, March, April, October, November, and December, with March standing out as the busiest departure month in our inventory. Embarkation takes place from two Argentine ports: Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn. Ushuaia, situated at the southern tip of Patagonia, is the primary gateway for Antarctic-bound voyages, while Puerto Madryn serves as the starting point for itineraries that incorporate Atlantic island destinations such as Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena.

The Ships: Capacity, Character, and What They Mean for Your Trip

Oceanwide Expeditions operates three vessels in this region in our inventory, each with a distinct guest capacity that directly affects the expedition experience: **m/v Plancius** (Oceanwide Expeditions) — capacity: 108 guests **m/v Ortelius** (Oceanwide Expeditions) — capacity: 108 guests **m/v Hondius** (Oceanwide Expeditions) — capacity: 170 guests Travellers considering ship size as a decision factor should weigh the following: m/v Plancius and m/v Ortelius, each carrying 108 guests, operate with smaller Zodiac landing groups, which typically translates to more time ashore per passenger at wildlife sites and landing beaches. m/v Hondius, with a capacity of 170 guests, offers a broader range of onboard amenities and is well-suited to travellers who prioritise comfort and social atmosphere alongside expedition activity. None of the departures in our inventory currently offer at least one cabin at no single supplement, so solo travellers should factor in the standard single supplement when calculating total trip cost.

Itinerary Highlights: Where These Voyages Go

The destination portfolio across Oceanwide Expeditions' South America departures in our inventory is extensive. Core highlights include: - **Ushuaia** — the embarkation hub and a destination in its own right, framed by the Beagle Channel and Tierra del Fuego - **South Georgia** — a sub-Antarctic island known for its dense wildlife colonies and dramatic mountain scenery - **Falkland Islands** — a British Overseas Territory with accessible wildlife and distinctive colonial history - **South Shetland Islands** — a volcanic archipelago that serves as the northern gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula - **South Orkney Islands** — a remote group rarely visited outside expedition cruising - **Tristan da Cunha** — one of the most remote permanently inhabited islands on Earth, accessible only by sea - **Saint Helena** — a mid-Atlantic island of significant historical importance, reachable on the longer Atlantic crossing itineraries - **Sailing the Atlantic Ocean** — the open-ocean passages themselves are an integral part of the longer voyages, offering opportunities to observe pelagic seabirds and marine mammals Travellers considering coverage versus duration should note that shorter itineraries (around 10 nights) typically focus on the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, while itineraries extending toward 43 nights incorporate South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands, and the Atlantic island chain including Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena.

Departure Months: Matching the Calendar to Your Priorities

In our inventory, departures run from October through April, covering the full Austral summer season, with an additional cluster in October and November for the early season. March is the busiest departure month, reflecting strong demand for late-summer Antarctic conditions when sea ice has typically receded and wildlife activity — including penguin chick development and seal pupping — is well advanced. October and November departures (early season) are suited to travellers interested in the beginning of the breeding cycle, when many species are establishing nests and territories. December and January departures fall in the height of summer, with the longest daylight hours in the Southern Ocean. February and March offer the most settled weather windows of the season and are particularly popular for South Georgia itineraries, when king penguin colonies are at peak activity. April marks the close of the Austral summer season; departures in this month are fewer in number and appeal to travellers who prefer quieter conditions and are comfortable with the possibility of more variable weather as autumn approaches in the Southern Hemisphere. According to Oceanwide Expeditions' own expedition philosophy — as reflected in their Basecamp adventure cruise concept — the operator designs itineraries to give passengers meaningful flexibility in how they engage with each destination, rather than prescribing a single activity format for all guests.

Understanding the Full Cost: Pricing and What Is Typically Included

Oceanwide Expeditions' South America expedition departures in our inventory start from $6,000. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking. Expedition cruise pricing in this category is generally structured on an all-inclusive or near-all-inclusive basis. Travellers considering total trip cost should account for the following components that are typically bundled into expedition cruise fares at this tier: accommodation aboard the vessel, all meals, Zodiac landing operations, and the services of an onboard expedition team including naturalists and guides. Flights to and from embarkation ports (Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn), travel insurance, and pre- or post-cruise hotel nights are generally not included and should be budgeted separately. Given that no departures in our current inventory offer a no-single-supplement cabin, solo travellers should request a specific single supplement quote at the time of booking rather than assuming a shared-cabin option is available. The 9-night minimum itinerary represents the entry point for this destination category, and the price-per-night value shifts meaningfully as itinerary length extends toward 43 nights, since longer voyages reach more remote destinations that are otherwise inaccessible.

Physical Requirements and Expedition Readiness

Travellers considering an Oceanwide Expeditions South America departure should assess their physical readiness honestly before booking. Expedition cruising in the Southern Ocean involves Zodiac boarding and disembarkation in open-water conditions, walking on uneven terrain including volcanic rock, snow, and tussock grass, and extended periods on deck in cold, windy, and wet conditions. None of these activities require elite athletic fitness, but a baseline level of mobility, balance, and cold-weather tolerance is necessary. Longer itineraries — particularly those reaching 43 nights and incorporating Atlantic crossings to Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena — involve extended periods at sea. Travellers who are susceptible to motion sickness should discuss this with their physician before departure and consider the sea-state profile of the Drake Passage, which lies between Ushuaia and the Antarctic Peninsula. According to Oceanwide Expeditions' expedition documentation, their Basecamp-style voyages are designed to offer multiple activity tiers simultaneously, meaning passengers with different fitness levels can participate in different ways on the same departure. This makes the fleet accessible to a broader range of travellers than traditional mountaineering or polar expeditions, though the fundamental physical demands of Zodiac operations remain consistent across all itineraries.

How to Choose: A Decision Framework for Prospective Passengers

With 69 departures in our inventory spanning itineraries from 9 to 43 nights across three vessels, the choice can be narrowed systematically: **By destination priority:** Travellers whose primary goal is the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands should focus on the 10-night itineraries, which represent the most common length in our inventory. Those who want to include South Georgia or the South Orkney Islands should look at mid-range durations. Travellers seeking the full Atlantic arc — including Tristan da Cunha and Saint Helena — should plan for the longer end of the range. **By ship preference:** Travellers who prioritise maximising time ashore at wildlife sites should consider m/v Plancius or m/v Ortelius (108 guests each). Travellers who want a broader onboard experience or are travelling in a group should consider m/v Hondius (170 guests). **By departure month:** March offers the highest volume of departures and late-summer conditions. October and November suit early-season wildlife behaviour. December through February covers peak summer daylight. April is for travellers comfortable with shoulder-season variability. **By budget:** The starting price across all Oceanwide Expeditions departures in our inventory is $6,000. Prices and availability are subject to change; final price confirmed at booking. Longer itineraries and higher cabin categories will carry higher fares; travellers should request a full cabin-category breakdown at the time of enquiry. **By solo travel status:** Since no departures in our inventory currently list a no-single-supplement cabin, solo travellers should factor the single supplement into their budget from the outset and confirm availability directly with the operator.

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Inventory data on this page last updated 2026-09-07.

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