A glittering Christmas cruise: when penguins breed and fur seals care for their offspring, exploring the animals in their icy habitats promises memorable moments.
On a flexible course through the white wonderland
Watch penguins, whales, seals and seabirds
Spectacular passages – along majestic glaciers and mighty icebergs
Active experiences: numerous Zodiac rides, landings and hikes
Captivating presentations, precaps and recaps by experts
At anchor
Further information
Experience this bird paradise the Falkland Islands, which is home to around 60 species, at close range during your Zodiac landings. Observe rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, who share their habitat with kelp geese, striated caracaras, king cormorants as well as black-browed and wandering albatrosses.
In South Gorgia live Hundreds of thousands of king penguins side by side with elephant seals and fur seals on the coasts and cliffs – overwhelming natural spectacles that you can observe from a respectful distance after landing on one of the black shores. In addition, trace the footsteps of the explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, who found his final resting place here in 1922.
The South Orkney Islands are a lonely, glaciated world of icy wilderness located in the Scotia Sea. They are home to chinstrap and Adelie penguins, which can be spotted here. With luck, you’ll also see icebergs drifting off the rugged coast. Find out how the polar explorers live at the Argentinian Orcadas Station (depending on weather and authorisation). Experience the South Shetland Islands between ice and awe intensively – on deck as well as by Zodiac. The Weddell Sea is home to stunning ice formations – whether as sparkling blue-and-white sculptures, gigantic tabular icebergs or creaking sheets of dense pack ice. Off the Antarctic Peninsula, your ship sails into the centre of the flooded caldera of Deception Island. Majestic glaciers and gigantic icebergs shimmer in Paradise Bay. The Lemaire Channel is also impressive, flanked by mighty mountains up to 1,000 m (3,281 ft) high. Icebergs ahead: at the bow and on the open deck areas, you can enjoy the best views of the white wonderland. You may even spot the flukes of blue whales, sperm whales and humpback whales as well as orcas.
The itinerary depends on official approval, weather and ice conditions. The described natural experiences, animal sightings and landings are possibilities on these expeditions and are not guaranteed.
At anchor
When the ship is anchored, there is no pier and the ship anchors in open water. The transfer to land is carried out using tender boats or zodiacs.
Golf
You head for the best and most beautiful greens in the world and are looked after by a PGA golf professional
Zodiac
Where even our small and few ships can't get any further, you can continue your adventures safely in robust inflatable boats (weather permitting).
Music
In an almost private atmosphere you can experience artists up close on the high seas or in front of the most beautiful places in the world.
Arrival and departure | optionally bookable
Thu, 18.12.2025
Scheduled flight from Germany to Buenos Aires
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Fri, 19.12.2025
City tour Overnight stay with breakfast
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Fri, 09.01.2026
Buenos Aires Overnight stay with breakfast
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Sat, 10.01.2026
Scheduled flight from Buenos Aires to Germany
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Sun, 11.01.2026
Arrival in Germany
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Extend your trip
<p>Our popular pre- and post-cruise programmes include a wide range of excursions and are usually guided in German language by experienced Hapag-Lloyd Cruises tour guides. Recommended for travelers who like to share their experiences with a group of like-minded people. Experience selected highlights of your holiday destination and enjoy the amenities of a group trip - we take care of transfers, excursions and overnight stays.</p>
Levels of difficulty
The organized land activities that we have planned for you place different demands on your physical fitness. So that you can see at a glance whether the requirement profile of your desired excursion matches your expectations, we have classified the activities in our excursion program into three levels:
easy
These programmes do not place any particular demands on your physical condition. Walks or tours take you along easy footpaths and any stairs are easy to negotiate.
moderat
These programmes place moderate demands on your physical condition. Walking for up to 2 hours (including on cobblestones) and climbing stairs should not cause you any problems. Programmes that include off-road vehicle rides on partially uneven and bumpy roads are not recommended for guests with back problems.
demanding
These programmes require a good level of physical fitness, dexterity and sure-footedness, e.g. for extended tours or city walks (sometimes on uneven surfaces and with many steps) or sporty, active hikes and kayak tours.
Voyage for Young Explorers
For 10- to 17-year-olds during the school holidays: young explorers on board.
Young people look at the world through different eyes: our crew and a renowned expert offer an exciting programme especially for 10- to 17-year-olds on this cruise, awakening young people’s curiosity and encouraging inquiring minds – and giving the entire family an experience they will never forget. Every day of holiday will turn into an adventure.
Extend your stay with the previous cruise INS2518 and save € 1,500 per person (applies to PLATINUM fare).
Special offer for single travellers
The surcharge for single travellers on this cruise is only 25 % on the regular cruise-only price (applies to PLATINUM fare for Cat. 1 – 8).
Included Services
Expedition and knowledge
All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits)
Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides and hikes from/to ship
Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps
Cabin
In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas)
Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
Restaurants
International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast (early-bird and late riser breakfast), bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
For all cases
German ship and expedition management as well as a mostly German-speaking service crew
Harbour and airport fees
Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the PLATINUM and GOLD fares
Spa and fitness
Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge)
OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)
