Routes with a true expedition feel
On a half-circumnavigation of Antarctica, you’ll travel from South America through Antarctica to New Zealand or Australia—or vice versa. Those who combine both routes will circumnavigate the entire continent on this itinerary. Both route options pass through the remote Ross Sea, which is visited by relatively few expedition ships, and are among the longest and most remote Antarctic expeditions.
Unlike traditional Antarctic voyages, which usually travel from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula and back, half-circumnavigations connect regions of the continent that are far apart. Over the course of several weeks, the route follows large sections of the Antarctic coastline and passes through remote ocean areas all the way to the Ross Sea.
64.055 €
World premiere: Complete circumnavigation of Antarctica in 2028 | Le Commandant-Charcot
52.286 €
Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica from New Zealand to Tierra del Fuego | MS Greg Mortimer
28.870 €
Half circumnavigation of Antarctica from Ushuaia to Christchurch | HANSEATIC spirit
Possible Highlights During Your Antarctic Half-Circumnavigation
- Three continents in one trip: South America, Antarctica, New Zealand
- "The End of the World": Starting point or destination in Ushuaia, one of the southernmost departure points for Antarctic expeditions
- Crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33′ South
- Crossing the International Date Line
- The Ross Sea, home to one of the world's largest marine protected areas
- The massive Drygalski Glacier in Terra Nova Bay, which extends far out into the Ross Sea
- Wildlife, with opportunities to spot emperor penguins, Adélie penguins, Weddell seals, leopard seals, humpback whales, orcas, and numerous species of seabirds
Ross Sea, Antarctic Circle, and the Date Line
The Ross Sea is home to one of the world’s largest marine protected areas: the Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area, which was established in 2016 and has been in effect since 2017. Expedition ships can generally only venture far into the Ross Sea during the Antarctic summer. You can read more about this unique region and the expedition options available there on our page about Ross Sea trips.
On your journey through Antarctica, you’ll also cross the Antarctic Circle at 66° 33′ South—a special milestone on a trip that takes you far beyond the classic routes along the Antarctic Peninsula. You can find more information about this and other itineraries that include the Antarctic Circle on our Antarctic Circle expeditions page.
Another special moment: crossing the International Date Line, which largely follows the 180th meridian. Here, the calendar date suddenly changes by one day. If you travel from South America toward New Zealand, you’ll skip a calendar day—on the way back, you’ll experience the same day twice instead.
Key Facts About Our Antarctic Half-Circumnavigations
| Duration | 33 to 34 days, depending on the route |
| Ports of Departure/Arrival | Ushuaia (Argentina), Dunedin, or Lyttelton/Christchurch (New Zealand) |
| Travel Time | January through March |
| Number of passengers | Max. 140 to 199 guests, depending on the ship |
| Language | English; on the route with the MS HANSEATIC spirit, the service is bilingual (German/English) |
All itineraries are operated by expedition ships that carry significantly fewer passengers than traditional cruise ships and are designed for voyages in polar waters: the MS Greg Mortimer and the MS HANSEATIC spirit.
If you're thinking about taking a half-circumnavigation of Antarctica, it's worth having a quick chat: We'll go over the route, direction, cabin selection, and timing, and give you our honest opinion on which ship best meets your expectations. Get in touch now—no obligation.
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