October 3, 2026 — Antarctica21 has begun its 2026–27 season and will bring its new 100-passenger ship, Magellan Discoverer, into service with first guests on December 15, 2026.
The Chilean fly-cruise operator started the season in mid-September, when Magellan Explorer left Puerto Montt for Patagonia and the Chilean fjords, Cruise Industry News reports. Antarctic operations continue through late March 2027.
Ships and schedule
| Ship | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Magellan Explorer (100 guests) | Mid-September 2026 | Patagonia and Chilean fjords from Puerto Montt |
| Magellan Explorer | From mid-October 2026 | Falkland Islands and South Georgia |
| Magellan Explorer | November 2026 – March 2027 | Antarctica fly-cruises from King George Island |
| Magellan Discoverer (100 guests, new) | First guests December 15, 2026 | Antarctica; replaces the chartered Ocean Nova |
On a fly-cruise, guests take a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Frei Station on King George Island and board the ship there. Magellan Discoverer has a science lab run with Chilean institutions and sensors that record water temperature, salinity and air quality. The number of departures this season was not published: TBA.
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What it means for airline travelers
- Punta Arenas (PUQ) is the gateway, normally reached through Santiago (SCL). That is two flights from North America, so standby travelers should allow at least two days.
- The flight to Antarctica depends on weather. Leave buffer days at the end of the trip as well, and avoid tight onward connections out of Punta Arenas.
- Booked on Ocean Nova in earlier seasons? That ship is no longer in the program; Magellan Discoverer takes its place.
- Interline and travel-industry rates: none were mentioned.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Antarctica21 Kicks Off 2026-27 Season
