Atlas Ocean Voyages expands Antarctica programme for 2028/29 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Atlas Ocean Voyages has unveiled its Antarctica programme for the 2028/29 season, offering 25 expedition cruises between October 2028 and March 2029. The new schedule provides travellers with a wider choice of itineraries, including additional departures combining flights and sea crossings of the Drake Passage. Longer voyages will also explore destinations beyond the Antarctic Peninsula, extending to the Antarctic Circle, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

A significant expansion concerns the company's Drake Fly & Sail programme, which will double from two departures in 2027/28 to four in the following season. These nine-night expeditions combine a crossing of the Drake Passage by ship with a charter flight in the opposite direction. Travellers seeking to avoid the sea crossing entirely can choose seven-night Drake Express itineraries, while traditional expedition cruises continue to make the journey by sea in both directions.

The programme reflects growing diversification within the Antarctic expedition cruise market, where operators are developing different approaches to reaching remote polar destinations. Alongside conventional voyages from South America, flight-assisted itineraries offer alternatives for travellers with limited time or concerns about the often challenging conditions in the Drake Passage. Atlas Ocean Voyages is also expanding opportunities for longer exploration, with itineraries designed around wildlife encounters, remote landscapes and specialist-led activities.

More options for crossing the Drake Passage

The Drake Passage, separating South America from Antarctica, remains one of the defining elements of a traditional Antarctic expedition. Its frequently rough seas can make the crossing demanding, although conditions vary considerably between voyages.

Atlas Ocean Voyages will offer three different approaches during the 2028/29 season, allowing passengers to choose between the classic maritime experience and alternatives incorporating flights.

The four Drake Fly & Sail departures will last nine nights and include one sea crossing and one charter flight. This arrangement retains part of the traditional expedition experience while reducing the time spent navigating the passage.

The Drake Express programme takes a different approach. Two seven-night expeditions will use flights in both directions, with six full days allocated to exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. These itineraries are intended for travellers who want to maximise their time in Antarctica within a shorter overall journey.

Nine-night Antarctic Discovery voyages will continue to cross the Drake Passage by ship in both directions, following the more conventional route to the Antarctic Peninsula.

James A. Rodriguez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Ocean Voyages, said the expanded programme would provide different ways of experiencing the destination while retaining the company's emphasis on smaller expedition groups and expert guidance.

“Our 2028/29 season offers guests more ways to experience this transformative destination, while preserving what defines an Atlas Polar Expedition: intimate exploration, expert-led discovery and highly personalized service aboard our yachts,” Rodriguez said.

Longer expeditions reach remote destinations

Beyond the Antarctic Peninsula, the new programme includes two 12-night expeditions designed to cross the Antarctic Circle at approximately 66 degrees 33 minutes south latitude.

These voyages will feature seven expedition days exploring remote Antarctic waterways, coastal landscapes and wildlife habitats. The itineraries offer opportunities to travel farther south than most conventional Antarctic Peninsula cruises, although the precise routes and landing locations will depend on prevailing ice and weather conditions.

An 18-night Grand Antarctica expedition departing on 7 January 2029 will combine the Antarctic Peninsula with South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

South Georgia is particularly well known for its large king penguin colonies and dramatic mountainous scenery. The Falkland Islands offer additional wildlife experiences, including extensive seabird populations and coastal landscapes that differ considerably from those encountered on the Antarctic Peninsula.

The longer itinerary allows travellers to experience several distinct environments within the Southern Ocean during a single expedition.

Selected departures will also coincide with major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day.

The season includes a historical anniversary. On 16 November 1928, polar explorers Hubert Wilkins and Carl Ben Eielson departed from Deception Island on a pioneering powered flight over Antarctica.

Exactly 100 years later, an Antarctic Discovery expedition departing on 16 November 2028 will commemorate the event, connecting the development of modern expedition tourism with the early history of Antarctic aviation.

Wildlife encounters and expedition activities

Antarctic wildlife experiences change considerably throughout the southern summer. Early-season voyages may coincide with penguin courtship and nesting, while later departures offer opportunities to observe growing penguin chicks and increasing whale activity.

Atlas Ocean Voyages will continue to adapt its daily expedition programmes to weather, sea conditions, ice coverage and wildlife movements. Guided shore landings and Zodiac excursions form part of the experience, with activities adjusted according to local conditions.

Each expedition will be accompanied by a multidisciplinary team of up to 17 specialists covering subjects such as wildlife, geology, polar history and the Antarctic environment.

Additional activities, including sea kayaking and Antarctic camping, will be available on selected departures.

The expedition packages include a hotel stay before departure, charter flights where applicable, destination briefings, educational programmes, guided landings, Zodiac excursions and expedition equipment. The company's traditional Polar Plunge experience is also included.

To mark the programme launch, Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering savings of up to 10% alongside a choice of additional benefits. Depending on the booking, these may include air travel savings of up to US$2,000 per suite, a hotel package or enhanced Wi-Fi access.

Travellers booking by 31 December 2026 can also secure the currently published fares before revised pricing takes effect on 1 January 2027.

With the expanded programme, Atlas Ocean Voyages is broadening its Antarctic offering across different journey lengths and travel preferences. The combination of shorter flight-assisted expeditions, traditional sea crossings and extended Southern Ocean itineraries gives travel advisors additional options when matching polar experiences to their clients' available time, interests and expectations.

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