Oceanwide Expeditions Launches 2025-2026 Antarctic Cruises

Published on Nov 3, 2025, 8:51 am CST

4 min read

Key points

Oceanwide Expeditions began its 2025-2026 Antarctic season with a Puerto Madryn departure on a Falklands, South Georgia, Antarctica Photographic Special
Three vessels, m/v Hondius, m/v Ortelius, and m/v Plancius, operate from Ushuaia and Stanley to the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea
Unique Deep South and Weddell Sea trips join returning favorites such as Falklands-South Georgia-Antarctica and Learning & Discovery voyages
A 27-night Remote Weddell Sea Explorer departs January 22, 2026, after setting a non-icebreaker 'farthest south' mark last season
New Basecamp style adventures add kayaking, camping, snowshoeing, and longer hiking options in the Deep South

Impact

Season Window: Departures span late 2025 through early 2026 with multiple embarkation points in Argentina and the Falklands
New Itineraries: Weddell Sea and Deep South routes expand options for travelers seeking rarely visited waters below the Antarctic Circle
Who Should Book: Photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and active travelers who want small-ship landings and activity add-ons
Booking Tip: Verify embarkation port, activity availability, and minimum fitness requirements before purchase
Weather & Flexibility: Expect itinerary adjustments due to ice and weather, choose flexible fares and insurance that cover changes

Oceanwide Expeditions opened its 2025-2026 Antarctic program with an early season departure from Puerto Madryn, Argentina, on a Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica Photographic Special. The boutique polar line will field three veteran expedition ships, m/v Hondius, m/v Ortelius, and m/v Plancius, on routes that range from classic peninsula sailings to exploratory journeys across the Weddell Sea and far below the Antarctic Circle. First sailings for Hondius and Plancius originate in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Stanley in the Falkland Islands, respectively, with additional dates through early 2026.

What changed

Beyond its returning "greatest hits," including Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica combinations and Learning & Discovery voyages, Oceanwide added several Deep South options in the Weddell Sea. These itineraries push deeper into ice-choked channels, with landings and zodiac cruises planned when conditions allow, and they target wildlife encounters that differ from the standard peninsula circuits.

Signature voyage: Remote Weddell Sea Explorer

The headline trip is the Remote Weddell Sea Explorer, a 27-night itinerary scheduled to depart January 22, 2026. Last season, this routing set a new "farthest south" achievement in the Weddell Sea for a non-icebreaker passenger vessel, a reminder that these long expeditions are genuinely exploratory and dependent on ice and wind windows. Travelers should expect a flexible plan that may include South Georgia and seldom-visited high-latitude features such as the Larsen Ice Shelf region if conditions cooperate.

Activity-forward "Basecamp" in the Deep South

For guests who prefer more time off the ship, the line is offering a Deep South Basecamp format that layers optional adventures, such as kayaking, snowshoeing, longer guided hikes, and, conditions permitting, a supervised night of camping on the ice. These add-ons carry capacity limits and are always weather-dependent, so prospective guests should confirm availability at the time of booking.

Vessels and embarkation

Hondius, Ortelius, and Plancius are small expedition ships designed for Antarctic landings with quick zodiac deployment. The program is structured around embarkations from Ushuaia on the island of Tierra del Fuego and from Stanley, reducing crossing times to key wildlife areas while giving travelers more regional air options. Because seasonal winds and Argentine domestic schedules can affect positioning, Oceanwide publishes live "Dates & Rates" that show cabin inventory by sailing, which is useful for aligning activity interests with specific hulls and dates.

How it works (background)

Antarctic expedition cruising trades fixed, port-heavy schedules for dynamic routing. Captains and expedition leaders adjust daily plans around ice charts, wind, and wildlife presence to maximize shore time. Longer voyages, like the 27-night Weddell Sea Explorer, increase the probability of reaching remote features, yet they also widen the range of potential detours. Travelers who choose these deep-south itineraries should plan for variable sea states, pack with layers and waterproofs, and treat the unpredictability as part of the value proposition.

Traveler takeaways

If your goal is classic penguin colonies and dramatic peninsula scenery with a balanced activity load, the returning Falklands-South Georgia-Antarctica or Learning & Discovery voyages fit well. If you want maximum exploration, ice, and the chance to venture below the Antarctic Circle, the Weddell Sea and Deep South set offers more time in remote waters. Either way, protect your plans by booking flexible air, allowing buffer nights in Ushuaia or the Falklands before embarkation, and purchasing insurance that covers weather-related changes. Finally, pre-book limited-capacity activities like kayaking early, and reconfirm them in your cruise documents.