Inside Antarctica21’s Fleet: Exceptional Vessels, Unique Antarctic Experiences

Traveling to Antarctica is one of life’s most extraordinary adventures, where pristine landscapes and unparalleled wildlife await. Specializing in boutique expeditions that carry fewer than 100 guests, we offer a more personal and mindful way to explore the Last Continent. Our small group sizes mean you'll spend more time on shore, access exclusive landing sites, and enjoy attentive service from expedition teams who know your name and interests.

Now offering expeditions aboard Ocean Nova and Magellan Explorer, we will continue to evolve our fleet with the arrival of the innovative Magellan Discoverer in the 2026-27 season. Whether you prefer classic expedition simplicity, contemporary comfort, or cutting-edge sustainability, there's a perfect vessel for your Antarctic journey.

Ocean Nova

After decades of navigating the Southern Ocean, Ocean Nova will complete its service with Antarctica21 in the 2025-26 season. Built for ice navigation, this vessel offers something increasingly rare: the authentic expedition experience that defined Antarctic exploration for generations. With just 67 guests aboard, Ocean Nova creates the fleet's most intimate atmosphere, where everyone knows each other by name within the first day. The ship's straightforward design focuses on what matters most: getting you close to Antarctica's wonders through seven Zodiac boats ready for daily excursions.

 Life aboard Ocean Nova embraces simplicity and purpose. Choose from three cabin options (Single, Twin, or Triple), each featuring picture windows perfect for watching icebergs drift past. While compact, every cabin includes a private bathroom with a shower and individually controlled heating. The glass-enclosed observation lounge serves as the social heart of the ship, where you can gather to spot whales, attend presentations, or watch the Antarctic landscapes roll by. Ocean Nova proves that authentic expedition character never goes out of style.

 Highlights:

• Most intimate experience with only 67 guests, creating a close-knit expedition family
• Glass-enclosed observation lounge offering 360-degree views for wildlife spotting
• Seven Zodiacs ensure everyone gets maximum time to explore the continent

Magellan Explorer

Custom-built for Antarctic exploration at the ASENAV Shipyards in Valdivia, Chile, Magellan Explorer delivers modern amenities while maintaining the intimate atmosphere essential for meaningful polar adventures. Accommodating 76 guests on air-cruises, this vessel offers seven different cabin categories to match every travel style and budget, from efficient Porthole Cabins to spacious Deluxe Suites with private balconies. The ship strikes a balance between contemporary comfort and adventurous spirit, making it ideal for travelers who appreciate having a range of options.

 Your days on Magellan Explorer blend adventure with relaxation. After morning Zodiac excursions, warm up in the sauna while watching icebergs float by, maintain your fitness routine in the professionally designed Anytime Fitness gym, or gather in the Antarctica Lounge to share stories of the day over Chilean wines. You’re sure to enjoy the panoramic dining room, which ensures you’ll never miss a whale sighting even during dinner. 

With 60 crew members dedicated to your comfort and safety, Magellan Explorer proves that modern amenities enhance rather than overshadow the Antarctic experience.

 Highlights:

• Relaxing sauna with exterior views plus a fully equipped Anytime Fitness gym
• Antarctica Lounge bar serving premium Chilean wines for evening gatherings
• Choice of seven cabin categories, from solo travelers to luxury suite seekers

Magellan Discoverer

When Magellan Discoverer debuts during our 2026-2027 season, it will set sail as South America's first hybrid-electric polar vessel. This revolutionary vessel represents the future of Antarctic exploration, combining everything travelers love about the Magellan Explorer with groundbreaking environmental technology. 

Each cabin features a private balcony (from the 280-square-foot Single Veranda Cabins to the 560-square-foot Family Suites), providing everyone with their own outdoor space to take in the Antarctic landscape. The hybrid-electric propulsion system delivers the quietest, smoothest sailing experience possible, allowing you to observe wildlife without engine noise disturbing the pristine silence of the polar environment.

 Magellan Discoverer’s onboard wet science lab lets you witness real Antarctic research happening alongside your expedition, adding depth to your adventure. With 67 crew and expedition staff dedicated to just 76 guests, service feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship. Being part of the inaugural season means joining an exclusive group of pioneers who will be among the first to experience this groundbreaking approach to exploring the Last Continent.

The construction of the Magellan Discoverer is progressing steadily at the ASENAV shipyards. It is scheduled to be floated on October 24, 2025, and set to start its Inaugural Air-Cruise on December 15, 2026, followed by 15 other fly cruise departures during the 2026-27 Antarctic season. 

 Highlights:

• Private balcony guaranteed for every guest in every cabin category
• Whisper-quiet hybrid-electric engines create the ultimate wildlife watching experience
• Onboard science lab where you can observe real Antarctic research in action

 Each of Antarctica21's boutique vessels carries fewer than 100 guests, ensuring intimate wildlife encounters, access to exclusive landing sites, and the personalized attention that makes polar exploration truly extraordinary.

 If you’re ready to choose your Antarctic adventure, explore our itineraries here.