Ring in the new year with a Christmas and New Year's Antarctica cruise on board the MS Fram sailing via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkneys on route to Antarctica. This special Antarctica holiday cruise features traditional Norwegian Christmas dinners, musicians onboard, Christmas carols, gifts from Hurtigruten given out by Santa Claus, and a fabulous Christmas breakfast. You are invited to this unforgettable holiday, all set against a backdrop of icebergs and penguins. White Christmas is guaranteed.This Antarctica cruise also includes exploration guides, lectures, and PolarCirkel boat landings.

Day 1: Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Go to the airport for your early morning flight to Ushuaia. You will be welcomed at the airport by a local guide and taken on an excursion to Ushuaia National Park. You embark MS Fram in the late afternoon before departure from the island of Tierra del Fuego.

Day 2: At Sea
During the sail to the Falkland Islands, acquaint yourself with the ship and your fellow travellers, follow our on board lecture series, enjoy the fresh air out on deck or simply relax in our keep-fit area or panorama lounge as we make our way south. The lectures will be about this archipelago of 700 islands. It's an ecosystem that supports an astounding array of sub-Antarctic species which you will most certainly enjoy. [B/L/D]

Day 3-4: The Falklands
The ship will call at Stanley, the capital of the Falklands. Explore on your own, or take a guided tour. Optional excursions are also available including: Sounders Island which features miles of spectacular colonies of Black-browed albatross and Rock Hopper penguins. West Point Island-known for its wildlife, Fur seals, and sea lions-boasts the highest sea cliffs in the archipelago. Thanks to a unique sub-Antarctic ecosystem, more than 70 animal and bird species live on these islands. The landscape is majestic, with cliffs and gentle beaches. Despite their surroundings, however, the settlements have a typical British atmosphere. [B/L/D]

Day 5-6: At Sea
While at sea, you'll be offered on-board lectures about South Georgia. The alpine-peaked island of South Georgia has a variety and density of wildlife that will overwhelm even the most blasé visitor. The largest king penguin colonies in the world are flanked by groups of fur and elephant seals. The history of South Georgia is evident – you will learn about long abandoned whaling stations and the poignant highlight for many a visitor, the grave of Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. [B/L/D]

Day 7-8: South Georgia
Disembark at abandoned whaling station Grytviken. Wander through the town and visit the South Georgia Museum. At the cemetery, you are likely to spy young Elephant seal pups, King and Gentoo penguins, and timid Pintail ducks. You'll also visit Cooper Bay, known for its Macaroni and Chinstrap penguins. [B/L/D]

Day 9: At sea
En route to the South Orkneys you will start feeling the cold and crisp Antarctic air. As we sail, you’ll notice the majestic wandering albatross following the ship, utilising the winds around the vessel. The likelihood of observing whales at this point will also be very good. You will hear lectures on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica[B/L/D]

Day 10: South Orkneys
The South Orkney Islands lie in the Scotia Sea, east of the Antarctic Peninsula. They were discovered by American and British sealers in 1821 and have since served as a base for Scotch, French and Argentine sealing and scientific expeditions. As we pay our annual and only visit to these remote and isolated shores, we hope to make a rare landing. Your Christmas/New Year's cruise will take you by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica where we will arrive in the morning. [B/L/D]

Day 11-14: Antarctica
When you believe you have seen it all, Antarctica will make you re-consider. The last untouched place on Earth, with its crisp air, icebergs and endless, white mountain ranges. Antarctica is an endless white wilderness full of fantastic impressions of nature. We will concentrate on exploring the areas around the Antarctic Sound and the South Shetland Islands where we hope to find everything from giant Weddel Sea tabular icebergs to volcanic islands and large rookeries of penguins. The ice, wind and weather dictate life in Antarctica as well as our route. Every voyage is unique and our experienced crew will make all voyages an experience of a lifetime. The final choice of landings will be made in the course of the voyage.We will learn the history of the great explorers as we travel in their footsteps and see the landscapes as they saw it.
You'll board PolarCirkel boats and, depending upon the weather, make a number of landings including:
- Whaler's Bay with its warm springs and black volcanic sand.
- Half Moon Island is a rookery for Chinstrap penguins, and home to Kelp gulls, terns, skuas and sheathbills.
- Yankee Harbor, home to seals and some 4,000 Gentoo penguin pairs.
- Almirante Brown in Paradise Harbor has views of snowy peaks, ice cliffs, and sculpted bergs.
- Port Lockroy. At this British base, postcards postmarked "Antarctica" can be purchased.
- Neko Harbor's water has a fine mirror finish, flecked with bits of berg.
- Petermann Island, inhabited by the southernmost colony of Gentoo penguins.
- Cuverville Island boasts the largest known colony of Gentoo penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Wilhelmina Bay, a feeding ground for whales and seals.
- Antarctic Sound where huge mile-long tabular icebergs can be seen.
- Brown Bluff where Weddell seals are regular visitors.

Day 15-16: Drake Passage
The ship will pass Cape Horn, southernmost point in South America. You will enjoy onboard lectures regarding Cape Horn and Antarctica. [B/L/D]

Day 17: Ushuaia Disembarkation-Buenos Aires
You'll disembark at Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. Transfer to your flight to Buenos Aires. There are a number of optional excursions to choose from when you arrive Buenos Aires. [B]

Rates from USD 8190 per person in an inside cabin, including charter flights. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book

The 2007-built, 240-passenger, 12700-ton exploration ship MS Fram. Click here for more information and photos of the ship and cabins/suites.

MS Fram's deck plan

For other Antarctica programs, click here.