Title
Atlantic Odyssey incl. Antarctic Peninsula to St. Helena
Start – End
Tripcode
PLA31A26
Language
English speaking voyage
Ship
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Ushuaia - St Helena
Nights / Days
32 nights
Antarctica - Whale watching
In search for the giants of the seas
Cruise south to the frozen southern continent. Watch as the clearing mist reveals some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. Experience one of the most pristine regions in the world first-hand and enjoy the possible close encounters with spouting whales, lounging seals, and the penguins that may very well be just as curious about you as you are about them.
Dates: | 23 Mar - 1 Apr, 2026 |
Ship: | m/v Plancius |
Embarkation – Disembarkation: | Ushuaia – Ushuaia |
Duration: | 9 nights |
This far-ranging expedition voyage sails the breadth of the Atlantic, visiting several of the remotest islands in the world!
The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.
Dates: | 1 Apr - 24 Apr, 2026 |
Ship: | m/v Plancius |
Embarkation – Disembarkation: | Ushuaia – St Helena |
Duration: | 23 nights |
Short description
The Atlantic Odyssey cruise visits some of the remotest islands in the world, crossing the migratory paths of Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas, other birds, and a variety of whales as they make their annual expeditions north for the breeding season.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
Day 2 – 3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.
Day 4 – 7: Entering Antarctica
Sites you may visit include:
Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.
Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you could sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There is also a possibility you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals.
Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags.
Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren – This is a great place to spot humpback whales. You also may embark on a Zodiac cruise ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape peopled with icebergs, you may encounter even more whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.
Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.
Day 8 - 9: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
Day 10: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your voyage begins where the world drops off: Ushuaia, Argentina, said to be the southernmost city on the planet, located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, we embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego (nicknamed “The End of the World”) and sail the mountainous Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Day 2 – 4: Sea route to South Georgia
Today we are en route to South Georgia. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, which is a natural boundary formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic waters, we enter the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the bird life changes, too: A variety of albatrosses and petrels show up, along with Cape pigeons and southern fulmars.
Day 5 – 7: South Georgia sights
Our aim today is to visit some of the world’s top king penguin rookeries. This time of year you have a good chance of seeing these animals nesting on eggs, with their chicks nearby. The rookeries are sometimes overflowing, with penguins traveling to and from the beach.
Possible visits in this region include:
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – Here you can see not only the massive king penguin colony, but also elephant seals and limitless fur seal pups playing in the surf.
Grytviken – We also have the opportunity to check out this abandoned whaling station, where king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do! You might also see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave here.
Cooper Bay – This is a fine place for a Zodiac cruise, and this bay also houses a rookery of macaroni penguins. King penguins, pintails, and giant petrels may also appear here.
Moltke Harbour – Located in Royal Bay, this scenic spot gives you the chance to see the huge king penguin colony that lives here.
Day 8– 12: Once more to the sea
A pleasant tailwind often accompanies the vessel through the westerlies, and on both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, you might see large numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Day 13: The quest continues at the great Gough Island
Today we plan to approach Gough Island for a Zodiac cruise in Quest Bay, if the weather permits. Here you might see northern rockhopper penguins and sub-Antarctic fur seals. In previous years, it has been possible for us to circumnavigate most of Gough Island’s 33-mile circumference, taking in this area’s splendid scenery and abundant wildlife.
Day 14 – 17: Tristan da Cunha and all the pretty birds
The remote islands of Tristan da Cunha are famed for their plentiful bird populations, which include rockhopper penguins, several species of albatross, petrels, skuas, terns, and many others. Our goal during this stage of our voyage is to visit the small settlement on the west side of the main island, but we might also land at Seal Bay on the south side of Tristan da Cunha or at Sandy Point on the east side.
In these stunning locations, you could encounter such exotic wildlife as yellow-nosed albatrosses and sub-Antarctic fur seals, all while exploring a rarely visited spot. We also intend to land at Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island, both of which offer great views of beautiful seabirds ranging from yellow-nosed albatrosses to brown noddies.
Two days are reserved at Tristan da Cunha in case of bad weather, but please remember that nature determines our itineraries here: Since beginning the Atlantic Odyssey cruise in 1998, adverse weather led to the cancellation of 35% of Tristan da Cunha landings. If we have to divert for safety reasons, we will find good alternatives.
Day 18 – 21: Subtropical seas and seabirds
Seabirds and dolphins indigenous to this region often follow the vessel.
Day 22 – 24: St. Highlights of Saint Helena
After we land at Jamestown on Saint Helena Island, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the area’s local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic bird life. You can pay a visit to Longwood House, where Napoleon died in exile; walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder, if you’re feeling ambitious; or snorkel the shallows offshore, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.
Please note: You have the option to disembark and fly home from Jamestown, if flights are available. In the evening, we will depart for Ascension Island and Praia, Cape Verde, where you can also disembark. Make sure to book voyage PLA33-26 if you want to fly out from Praia.
m/v Plancius
Our most longstanding vessel, Plancius is a classic choice for some of our most popular polar voyages. Full ship info »
Cabins & Prices
Prices are displayed with discounts applied if you book berths or cabins on all cruises.
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Sharing berth
6030 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
6700 USD
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
14940 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
16600 USD
Single cabin
12699 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
14110 USD
Sharing berth
7470 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
8300 USD
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
15750 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
17500 USD
Single cabin
13388 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
14875 USD
Sharing berth
7875 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
8750 USD
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 13,5 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Complete cabin
16920 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
18800 USD
Single cabin
14382 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
15980 USD
Sharing berth
8460 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
9400 USD
Superior
- Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
18090 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
20100 USD
Single cabin
15377 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
17085 USD
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Sharing berth
8145 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
9050 USD
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m²
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
20430 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
22700 USD
Single cabin
17366 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
19295 USD
Sharing berth
10215 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
11350 USD
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
21330 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
23700 USD
Single cabin
18131 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
20145 USD
Sharing berth
10665 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
11850 USD
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 13,5 m²
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Complete cabin
23130 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
25700 USD
Single cabin
19661 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
21845 USD
Sharing berth
11565 USD
Share your cabin with others for the best price.
12850 USD
Superior
- Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
Complete cabin
24750 USD
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
27500 USD
Single cabin
21038 USD
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
23375 USD