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Highlights of Antarctica 12-Day Expedition Cruise
  Varies pp

  • Duration: 12 Days
  • Destinations: Antarctica, Argentina

Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) | 12 Days | Roundtrip Buenos Aires

Departures available January 2025 - March 2026

 Experience a mesmerising expedition cruise that's all about the frozen continent. Marvel at colossal glaciers and icebergs on this incredible Antarctica expedition cruise. Experience nature's majesty as we navigate ever-changing icescapes on our hybrid-powered ship. Your Expedition Team will bring you close to your stunning surroundings on ice-cruising and landing activities. It's a busy time for the wildlife of Antarctica between November and March. In October and November, penguins court and nest, while December and January are when penguins hatch. February and March offer peak whale-watching opportunities.

AAA Member Benefits and Special Offers:

  • Member Benefits
    • Up to 90 euro onboard credit per person
  • Beat the Heat Promotion
    • Save up to $3,500 on all-inclusive 2025-2026 sailings when you book by November 10, 2024
Call to Book 1-800-529-3222
Included With Your Trip

What's Included? 

Hotel

    • Overnight in Buenos Aires before the expedition cruise, including breakfast


    Flights

      • Flights in economy class between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia

      Transfers

      • Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires before the expedition cruise
      • Transfers between the Ushuaia airport and the ship

      Expedition Cruise

      • A stay in a cabin of your choice
      • Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
      • Wine, beer and spirits available at meals and throughout the day and evening (subject to licensing laws, excludes premium drinks)
      • All day coffee, tea and soft drinks
      • Meals and take-away available throughout the day during Fredheim restaurant opening hours
      • Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
      • A complimentary water bottle to refill on board and take home
      • A polar expedition jacket, a backpack, or another piece of HX kit
      • Professional photos from your trip taken by our onboard photographer
      • Complimentary Wi-Fi. Please note, streaming is not supported
      • Use of sauna, hot tubs, pool, fitness room, lounges and more
      • Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX – though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated
      • Range of included activities 

      Onboard Activities

      • In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the Expedition Team
      • Full access to the ship’s Science Centre
      • Citizen Science Programme allows guests to assist with ongoing scientific research 
      • Professional onboard photographer gives tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
      • Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings

      Landing Activities

      • Escorted landings with small expedition boats
      • Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
      • Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
      Additional Information

      Day 1: The Beat of Buenos Aires

      Start your Antarctic adventure with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires. Home to a proud and diverse community of ‘porteños’, or ‘people of the port,’ this city is a sensuous fusion of faded European splendor and Latin American panache. There are plenty of places to explore, including many ‘parrillas’ serving authentic Argentine steak. This is the renowned hometown of the tango, so maybe you’d like to practice your dance moves.

      Day 2: Early Start in Ushuaia

      Your adventure begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia, where you’ll meet our hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, specially designed for sustainable cruising in polar waters. This bustling port is the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego Province. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Martial Glacier, Ushuaia is a contender for the title of the world’s southernmost city. 

      After a briefing from your Expedition Team, you’ll have time to locate your cabin and explore the comforts and amenities on board.

      Days 3-4: Get Ready for Antarctica

      On the two-day crossing through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with everything you need to make the most of your polar expedition. Visit the onboard Science Center and find out what lies ahead. Listen as experts talk passionately about Antarctica’s history, the science beneath the ice, and the impact of climate change and plastic pollution. Learn how to make your visit as safe and as low-impact as possible and discover the Citizen Science projects you can join. 

      There’s plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the spa and wellness area, enjoy delicious cuisine, and meet fellow travelers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

      Days 5-9: Antarctica: Another World

      Nothing prepares you for your first sight of Antarctica’s immense, frozen beauty. Antarctica will fill you with wonder, surrounded by looming glaciers and icebergs the size of floating cathedrals. Perhaps the most surprising part of Antarctica is the silence. The stillness that reigns is broken every so often by the locals – the wildlife. Whales begin to arrive in greater numbers by December and January. This is also when the first penguin chicks hatch. Seeing those clumsy clumps of feathers running around is always a charming sight. February and March are peak whale watching months, when huge amounts of krill lure whales to the area.

      Nature is king here and we are mere observers. Our experienced Captain will continually monitor conditions to create the best possible itinerary for your adventure. Rest assured that each day will offer something different and thrilling. Join the Expedition Team on landings and while ice cruising. You may even have the chance to kayak among the icebergs. Back on board, the Expedition Team will continue their lectures, helping expand your insight into the frozen continent. Over five magical days, experience this amazing world in a way that will stay with you for a lifetime.

      Days 10-11: Returning to Warmer Waters


      After five incredible days, you’ll have experienced so much in Antarctica. Your head will likely be filled with a swirling kaleidoscope of special memories and impressions. The next couple of days will be a chance to reflect on your adventure to the seventh continent. As your mind tries to conjure up the magical Antarctic scenery, now could be a good time to sift through your photos and videos to recapture a sense of its magnitude. Why not take the chance to unwind in the sauna, or enjoy a few relaxing spa treatments in the wellness area.

      Day 12: Ushuaia and Buenos Aires

      Your expedition cruise ends in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure. Work with you AAA Travel advisor to book an option post-cruise stay before heading home. 

      Departure Dates
      Start: January 1, 2025
      End: March 31, 2026
      Price: Varies pp


      Price My Trip
      Price My Trip
      Product Code: AAA-HX

      All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.

      Guests receive 90 euro onboard credit per person
      for all HX cruises, except on MS Santa Cruz II where guests receive $100 USD
      onboard credit per person. For cruises where the onboard credit is given in
      euro (EUR), the USD equivalent will fluctuate due to the exchange rate at the
      time of usage. The offer is valid for new bookings, and North American
      residents 18 years or older only. The offer is limited to two persons per
      cabin. The onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
      Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their
      purchased sailing will not be refunded the remaining credit.

      Offer applies to bookings made from
      July 1, 2024 to November 10, 2024 (inclusive) for selected HX departures from
      July 3, 2024 and March 31, 2026 (inclusive). Bookings outside of these periods
      do not qualify. Offer applies automatically to valid Tour Codes and only to
      Tour Code components (including voyage and local domestic flights). Offer does
      not apply to optional excursions, pre/post tours, insurance, additional hotel
      accommodation, transfers, international arrival and departure flights, arrival
      and departure packages, and group bookings. Applies to new bookings only and
      will not be applied to any existing or held bookings. Bookings are subject to
      availability and the offer may be limited, amended, or withdrawn at any time
      without prior notice. Offer is combinable with the 1893 Ambassador loyalty
      program and Price Promise. Amount off stated in USD represents a discount
      applied on the “From” price quoted in USD, based per person, and on full
      occupancy of cabin. Single supplements may apply. Single supplements and other
      restrictions may apply. “From” prices are capacity controlled, subject to
      availability and change, and are based on Polar Inside cabins. The following
      pricing and promotions are excluded from and cannot be combined with the offer:
      Group pricing, Tour Operator pricing and promotions (where an agent is
      packaging the HX cruise / components), and third-party travel agent brand
      promotions, special pricing, or loyalty schemes. For trade partners, discount
      applies to bookings made via the FIT System but excludes group bookings. HX
      reserves the right to withdraw or amend the offer at any time, correct any
      errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and to change or update fares and charges
      at any time without prior notice. Otherwise, payment, cancellation, refund, and
      other terms are as per our Booking Terms & Conditions.