Weddell Sea Luxury Cruises, Antarctica

Sail to the unspoiled Weddell Sea and Larsen Ice Shelf

WEDDELL SEA & LARSEN ICE SHELF LUXURY CRUISE

Weddell Sea luxury cruises offer an incredible opportunity to witness Antarctica’s iconic wildlife and landscapes by visiting the quickly disappearing Larsen Ice Shelf. The adventure begins in Ushuaia, the charming Argentine town that sits on the Southern tip of the American landmass. You will explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, visit the penguin rookery on Martillo Island, and discover the highlights of the colorful town center. Then, begin your Weddell Sea and Larsen Ice Shelf luxury cruise aboard the Commandant Charcot by sailing across the Drake Passage. During your time cruising in Antarctica, you will embark on daily hiking, zodiac, or kayaking excursions to discover the dramatic landscapes of the far south. During your downtime aboard, attend lectures by expert naturalist guides, participate in discussion groups, and enjoy the amenities of the luxurious ship. After passing the South Shetland Islands, you will encounter the regal icebergs and massive ice plates that mark the entrance to the Weddell Sea. Cruise through the eerily still area, glimpsing the seals and seabirds that call the Weddell Sea home before arriving at the Larsen Ice Shelf, which is breaking apart at an alarming rate. After discovering the importance of this impressive site, you will reverse course and return northward, crossing the Drake Passage and arriving in Ushuaia once more.

A Taste of Blue Parallel's Insider Access

  • Private, custom-made adventures in Argentine Patagonia
  • Overall personal logistical assistance before and after cruise
  • Custom-made pre- and post-cruise extensions designed by experts in the region

The Discovery

  • Ushuaia
  • Drake Passage & South Shetland Islands
  • North Antarctic Peninsula & Antarctic Sound
  • Weddell Sea & Larsen Ice Shelf

The Adventure

  • Hiking
  • Wildlife
  • Ice floes & shelves
  • Polar explorations
  • Kayaking

DURATION

14 days

WHEN TO GO?

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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LUXURY CRUISE TO WEDDELL SEA AND LARSEN ICE SHELF ABOARD THE COMMANDANT CHARCOT

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Note: This private tour to Antarctica is an example, as all of our luxury journeys are custom-made.

Note: This private tour to Antarctica is an example, as all of our luxury journeys are custom-made.

Ushuaia (2 nights)

Upon your arrival in Ushuaia, head straight to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will begin your discovery of the far southern latitudes with your expert guide. In the national park, canoe down the Lapataia River from Lake Roca. Along the way, admire the region’s unique flora, such as evergreen beech, winter’s bark, and fire bush, before arriving at Laguna Verde, one of the most breathtaking spots in the national park. 

The following day, head to the penguin rookery on Martillo Island, where you will marvel at the bustling colony of Magellanic Penguins at their breeding site. Then, continue to a delicious picnic lunch on Gable Island, the largest island in the Beagle Channel, before taking a light hike to spot seabirds such as petrels, skuas, cormorants, seagulls, and albatross.

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Luxury Cruise to the Weddell Sea, Antarctica (11 nights)

During your final morning in Ushuaia, explore the highlights of the town’s colorful center before boarding Le Commandant Charcot in the afternoon. This luxury vessel features elegantly designed common areas and staterooms that will provide a comfortable journey toward the South Pole in the days to come. In addition, the ship boasts an indoor pool, spa, and fitness area, along with indoor and outdoor lounges and multiple dining options. 

The adventure begins as your captain steers you across the Drake Passage. As you cruise further and further south, your expert naturalist guides will organize lectures to provide you with interesting facts and background about the enigmatic Antarctic region that you’re about to experience. 

After navigating the Drake Passage, you will arrive at the South Shetland Islands. There, discover a dreamlike landscape of jagged volcanic rock that contrasts against gentle snow-covered slopes. As you get your first taste of Antarctica during land, zodiac, and kayaking excursions, witness firsthand the many animal species that reside on the island, including seals, penguins, terns, and giant petrels. Next, continue across the Antarctic Sound to arrive at the North Antarctic peninsula. There, you will marvel at the enormous drifting icebergs and plates of floating ice that mark the gateway to the Weddell Sea. 

The following day, you will cruise across the unearthly Weddell Sea. This area is characterized by a stark, silent landscape of towering ice punctuated by the Weddell seal calls, which congregate in the area alongside penguins and wandering albatrosses. Finally, on the seventh day of the cruise, arrive at the Larsen Ice Shelves, which are critical in preventing erosion of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. However, cracks in the ice shelves have become more common over the past few decades, and large portions have separated from the main ice mass. After you explore the Larsen Ice Shelves, you will return northward, passing once more through the ice floes of the Weddell sea and the Drake Passage before disembarking Le Commandant Charcot in Ushuaia.

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Map showing the itinerary for a luxury cruise of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, beginning and ending in Ushuaia
DESTINATIONS TRAVEL TIME
USHUAIA USHUAIA 11 nights / 12 days

MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS

Contact us to tell us more about your preferences and your ideal trip to Antarctica's Weddell Sea.
We will create a tailor-made itinerary for your review.

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PRICE REFERENCE

Recommended stay 14-17 days
Price reference

Please contact us

Note: Prices will vary based on the specifics of your itinerary and the number of passengers in your party

What is included in your luxury Weddell Sea cruise, Antarctica tour:

  • Luxury accommodations at
    • Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa or Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa (Ushuaia)
    • Stateroom aboard Le Commandant-Charcot (Antarctica Cruise)
  • Services of Blue Parallel hosts and specialized guides throughout the journey
  • All special events, guided tours, excursions, outdoor activities, entrance fees
  • A Blue Parallel team composed of a personal travel expert, and a “behind the scenes” logistical expert who monitors every step of your luxury tour. The team is on call 24-hours a day during a trip
  • All internal transportation
  • Most meals
  • A Blue Parallel customized travel kit that you will receive prior to departure

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