Antarctica Complete Expedition — Christmas & New Year 2026/2027

If you have the time, this is one of the best ways to see Antarctica properly.

Some Antarctica trips are designed to get you to the continent and back as efficiently as possible.

This is not that trip.

Antarctica Complete is a longer, deeper polar expedition sailing December 17, 2026–January 8, 2027, roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard the Douglas Mawson. This voyage is designed to include the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, which is why it stands out for travelers who want more than a quick seventh-continent checkmark. Aurora describes this voyage as encompassing the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falklands/Malvinas, with the opportunity to attempt crossing below the Antarctic Circle, conditions permitting.

The Polar Expedition Balcony Stateroom Category B is currently showing at $42,495 per person.

Why this itinerary matters

Antarctica is not one trip.

If your goal is simply to say you saw Antarctica, a shorter itinerary may be enough. But if you want the bigger story — the ice, the wildlife, the scale, the subantarctic islands, the penguin colonies, the historic sites, the Zodiac cruising, and the feeling of being in some of the most remote places on earth — this longer itinerary is the kind of trip worth understanding before you book anything.

This voyage is scheduled over Christmas and New Year, which makes it especially memorable for travelers looking for a true once-in-a-lifetime holiday season. The expedition highlights include Zodiac cruising through ice-covered landscapes, visiting penguin colonies, watching for whales, and exploring places rich with human history and wildlife. South Georgia is especially compelling during this time, with king penguins sitting on eggs, chicks hatching, and juveniles moulting and fledging.

The ship: Douglas Mawson

The voyage sails aboard Douglas Mawson, a purpose-built expedition ship with a maximum capacity of 130 on expedition, with 86 cabins across 8 decks. For Antarctica, ship size matters because smaller expedition ships allow for a very different experience than large cruise ships that can only sail past.

Activities and experience

Included expedition experiences may feature:

• Zodiac cruising
• Trips ashore
• Walking
• Wildlife watching
• Bird watching
• Marine mammal spotting
• Photography
• Lectures on wildlife, history, environment, and destinations
• Scenic cruising
• Polar plunge

Sea kayaking and snowshoeing are still currently available as optional add-on activities at additional cost. Availability may change.

Who this trip is a strong fit for

This is a strong fit for travelers who want:

• A deeper Antarctica experience
• Antarctica plus South Georgia and the Falklands
• Penguin colonies, whales, seabirds, and dramatic polar landscapes
• Small-ship expedition travel
• A major milestone or once-in-a-lifetime holiday-season journey
• More time in the region instead of the shortest possible Antarctica trip

WanderWise Take

This is not the Antarctica trip I would suggest for someone who simply wants the cheapest way to say they saw the continent.

This is the trip I would talk about with someone who says, “If I am going all the way to Antarctica, I want to get as much out of the journey as possible.”

The price reflects that. At $42,495 per person for the Balcony Stateroom Category B, this is a serious investment. But for the right traveler, the value is in the route: Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falklands in one expedition.

Expedition itineraries are always subject to weather, sea state, ice, and other conditions. Flexibility is part of the experience, not a footnote. Aurora notes that this itinerary is a guide only and may change based on conditions beyond the operator’s control.

Pricing and availability can change quickly.

To learn more or request a quote, contact:

Amanda Cahill
WanderWise LLC
Amanda.Cahill@envoyage.com