New Year at the edge of the Earth: a voyage to the heart of Antarctica aboard the 5-star expedition vessel SH Diana
A voyage to one of the most remote places on Earth — the height of whale season, walks among penguin colonies, Zodiac landings, polar research stations and landscapes that quiet you the moment you see them.
About the cruise
Ready to see the world differently?
Antarctica awaits those who go beyond the familiar.
98% of the surface is buried in ice. Not a single permanent resident. No cities, no roads, no shops. Antarctica is the only continent that belongs not to people but to nature — and that is precisely why what you see here, you will see nowhere else.
Colonies of thousands of penguins within a few steps of you. Humpback whales surfacing alongside the Zodiac. Icebergs the size of apartment blocks, shifting from blue to turquoise. Leopard seals dozing on ice floes. A silence broken only by the cracking of glaciers.
The expedition vessel SH Diana is your five-star home for 12 days: 96 spacious cabins, a restaurant with panoramic views, a spa with sauna, a heated outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi. Everything is designed so you can focus on what matters most — Antarctica itself.
Highlights
What awaits you
on the journey
New Year amid Antarctic ice
The landscapes of Antarctica are reason enough to come. From the Zodiacs you take in the full beauty of shimmering icebergs, watch glaciers draw the horizon, and even climb to the top of a hill where the view defies description.
Continental landings
Step off the Zodiac onto the Antarctic Peninsula, walk on untouched ice and listen as your expedition guides talk through the natural history, climate and exploration of the region. Each landing follows a different route, depending on the weather and ice conditions.
Zodiac safari
In fast inflatable Zodiacs you cruise close to humpback whales, leopard seals and penguin colonies. The kit is included, the experienced skippers manoeuvre through the ice maze, and photographers get high-quality frames.
The polar plunge
Slip into Antarctic waters. The contrast is striking: the first sharp cold, like a thousand fine pinpricks, then an unexpected sense of clarity and freshness — the world around you suddenly looks brighter and more defined.
Sea kayaking among icebergs
Gliding silently in a kayak between vast icebergs you feel like a small part of a primordial world: a crystalline silence is broken only by the splash of water against the hull and the distant crack of ice, while around you fantastic ice giants shift through every shade of blue and turquoise.
Walking among penguins
Walking on crisp snow among bustling penguins you feel a remarkable kinship with nature: they shuffle from foot to foot, cluck softly to one another, and you find yourself slowing to their unhurried, measured rhythm — far from the noise of ordinary life.
Whale season in Antarctica
In January, Antarctic waters host the highest concentration of whales of the season. Encounters with other Antarctic residents — seals, orcas, seabirds and more — are part of nearly every day.
Itinerary
The expedition route
Day 1 · 28 December
Buenos Aires – Ushuaia
Arrival in Buenos Aires
The journey begins with a meet-and-greet at Buenos Aires airport. A private transfer takes you to your hotel. Your first night before the cruise is spent in a 5-star hotel in one of the most prestigious districts of Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is an elegant, cosmopolitan city with a European feel and a famously warm welcome.
Day 2 · 29 December
Ushuaia
Tierra del Fuego
In the morning a transfer takes you from your hotel to the domestic airport for a comfortable flight to Ushuaia — the capital of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world, set on the very edge of Argentina amid towering mountains. A representative meets you on arrival. A transfer takes you to the port for embarkation aboard SH Diana. Boarding is unhurried. During the welcome cocktail you meet the expedition team and the crew.
Days 3–4 · 30–31 December
At sea
Crossing the Antarctic Convergence
Days at sea are an ideal time for seabird and marine-mammal observation from deck. The viewing decks open onto vast horizons. We also recommend you simply enjoy life on board: visit the spa or the gym, share impressions with fellow travellers, or settle into the library with the polar reference works. These days you are also invited to the welcome cocktail with the captain, his officers and the expedition team.
Days 5–10 · 1–6 Jan
Antarctic Peninsula
Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
Vast glaciers, towering icebergs and snow-bound fjords — your Antarctic dream made real. Once we reach the Antarctic continent and its surrounding islands, the active part of the expedition begins. Twice a day we land along the coast in dedicated Zodiac landing craft and discover a world that exists nowhere else. During these days we also organise a polar plunge into Antarctic waters and sea kayaking through a labyrinth of icebergs, among penguins and whales.
Days 11–12 · 7–8 January
At sea
Returning to Tierra del Fuego
After intense days exploring Antarctica, the vessel turns back towards Ushuaia. You are invited to the captain’s bridge to see how the ship is run from the main control point. These days include the farewell captain’s cocktail. The closing days of the cruise are the best time to share impressions with fellow travellers and start planning your next expedition together.
Day 13 · 9 January
Ushuaia – Buenos Aires
Charter Ushuaia – Buenos Aires
The cruise comes to a close as the vessel sails through the Beagle Channel back to Ushuaia — the very starting point of an unforgettable journey to Antarctica. The edge of the South American continent, in the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego, comes back into view. Mountains rise majestically over the harbour of Ushuaia. If you wish, you can plan an optional post-cruise tour of Argentina, including the Iguazú Falls or the Mendoza wine region.
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About the vessel
The SH Diana expedition vessel
An expedition voyage aboard SH Diana is the right choice for those who want to explore the most remote corners of the planet without giving up the comforts they are used to.
SH Diana offers elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 generous cabins. A crew of 140 ensures the highest level of personal service, while the Polar Class 6 reinforced hull and dedicated stabilisers make even the wildest crossings comfortable.
On board
Amenities aboard the icebreaker
Dates and prices
Antarctic cruise cabins
Prices are quoted per person.
Included in the price
Not included
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
An expedition cruise lets you reach remote and difficult-to-access places without giving up a reasonable level of comfort. You see, in person, what most people only see on television.
The whole point is to land — repeatedly — on shores with no infrastructure. That is why expedition vessels are smaller: they reach places that standard cruise ships cannot.
For polar landings you will need warm waterproof clothing: thermal base layers, a fleece, a waterproof jacket and trousers, and warm boots with non-slip soles. Gloves and a hat are essential.
On board — comfortable everyday clothes. For the farewell dinner with the captain you may wish to bring something more formal. We recommend confirming the full packing list at the time of booking.
No special physical preparation is required. General fitness is enough — being able to walk on uneven surfaces and transfer in and out of Zodiac landing craft during shore landings.
Medical restrictions are minimal, but we recommend consulting your doctor, especially in the case of chronic conditions.
Yes — children are welcome from age 6. The expedition gives children a unique educational experience: lectures by polar scientists, wildlife observation and the chance to stand on the Antarctic continent.
We recommend confirming accommodation details and family-friendly aspects of the programme with our manager in advance.
The day starts with a briefing where the team outlines the upcoming landings and weather conditions. Then come the expedition activities: shore landings by Zodiac, wildlife observation and naturalist talks.
In the evening — lectures by polar experts, dinner and informal time together. The programme is flexible and adapts to the weather and ice conditions.
The main factor when choosing your clothing is comfort. Casual and informal clothing is fine. For the evening events — the captain’s cocktail and the farewell gala dinner — we recommend bringing something more elegant.
Unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship.
Yes. A professional ship’s doctor is on board and a medical station is fitted out. Helicopter evacuation is possible if required. We recommend bringing any necessary medication and arranging insurance with evacuation cover.
The IMO ranks ocean cruising among the safest forms of leisure travel. All vessels meet strict international certification, and crews regularly drill emergency procedures.
A full set of safety and rescue equipment is available on board.
The expedition programme may be adjusted depending on ice conditions, weather and decisions of the captain. This is the nature of polar expeditions — nature dictates the route.
The team always aims to deliver the full programme, and any changes are compensated with alternative activities.
Shore and ice landings are made by Zodiac — agile, reliable and safe, the standard for expedition cruises.
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Reviews
What guests say
about our Antarctica cruises
guest rating
our club’s expeditions
Have you ever stepped into a fairy tale? Aleksandr sent us into one. A cruise to Antarctica is a magical world. So many extraordinary creatures: seals and penguins, all of them just steps away, while the icebergs leave you in childlike awe. The cruise was organised professionally, comfortably and with great care.
We loved the cruise to Antarctica — we travelled as a family with our 10-year-old son. Unforgettable impressions. We saw stunning icebergs up close and crossed the Drake Passage — pure magic. I won’t even start on the seals we observed at arm’s length.
I have to share my impressions of the Antarctic cruise. It was something genuinely extraordinary. Everything was perfectly organised, from the route to the service on board. The professionalism of the lecturers and guides who accompanied our expeditions was particularly striking. I am already looking at the next cruise.
A cruise to Antarctica was a long-held dream I finally fulfilled. Everything went flawlessly, from booking to return. None of my other journeys compares — worth every euro, as they say.
I am deeply grateful to the team who arranged our cruise to Antarctica. My husband and I wanted to celebrate our anniversary somewhere unusual, and this trip exceeded our expectations. I have never seen such beauty anywhere. Thank you for the work you do.
Not the cheapest option, but worth every penny. The memories will stay with you for life. We sailed as a family last winter on a two-week Antarctic cruise and absolutely loved it.
We had long dreamed of a journey to Antarctica. This agency offers good cruise prices, an interesting programme, and a great deal already included. When we approached them, we did not even have foreign passports. They arranged everything end-to-end, helped us prepare and explained exactly what to bring.
About the company
The Expedition Cruises Club
A trusted guide to the world of expedition travel — helping you reach the most remote corners of the planet.
“Achievers” with Oscar Konyukhov
Oscar is the son of Fyodor Konyukhov — the Russian explorer who has reached both Poles, summited Everest and sailed solo around the world. Guests on the show are people with global ambitions: polar explorers, entrepreneurs and researchers. Topics include leadership, resilience and the experience of trailblazers.
Operating expedition cruises since 2013. Thousands of clients have visited the most inaccessible places on the planet.
The North Pole, Antarctica, the Arctic, the Russian Far East, the Galápagos, French Polynesia and round-the-world voyages.
A small group means every guest receives personal attention. No crowds — only like-minded travellers.
We work directly with the world’s leading cruise operators. No hidden mark-ups — you pay only what the journey costs.
We work with Poseidon, Swan Hellenic, Ponant and other leading operators — only proven vessels and professional expedition teams.
Our managers stay in touch at every stage — they will help you choose a route, prepare your documents and answer questions at any time.
Officially registered tour operator under Russian law, with mandatory financial liability cover. Russian Tour Operator Registry: РТО 022681
All trips are fully protected — financial responsibility and client insurance are guaranteed by law.
