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.