- Explore the many sights of Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina
- Discover the quaint charm of Montevideo, Uruguay and browse its art galleries
- Spot southern right whales and other marine wildlife in Puerto Madryn
- Learn more about the intriguing history of Elephant Island, Antarctica
Polar Horizons: South America and Antarctica Cruise
Highlights
From the electrifying energy of Buenos Aires to the stark wilderness of Antarctica, this epic cruise takes you on a journey you will cherish for a long time. Discover the rugged beauty of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, and pause to take in the otherworldly landscape of Antarctica, with its majestic glaciers and diverse wildlife. Channel the explorer in you, and prepare for an adventure like no other!
Activity level
- Relaxed
- Easy Going
- Moderate
- Active
- Very Active
Moderate
Tour Includes
4 countries
- Argentina
- Chile
- Uruguay
- Antarctica
Sightseeing
- Buenos Aires
- Montevideo
- Puerto Madryn
- Punta Arenas
- Chilean Fjords
- Ushuaia
- Paradise Island
- Elephant Island
- Stanley (Falkland Islands), aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Star
Cruise Accommodations
- 14 Nights
- Cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Star
Hotel Accommodations
- 3 Nights on Land portion
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 3 Breakfasts and 1 Dinner on land portion. All meals and select drinks on the cruise
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Board your flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Welcome to Buenos Aires, Argentina! If you booked your flight with YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Later in the evening, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and tango show at La Ventana, a popular tango house. (D)
Double Tree By Hilton or similar
Spend the first half of the day exploring the Argentinian capital on your own or join your fellow travelers on an optional add-on excursion. Later in the evening, join us for an introduction to Argentinian cuisine and culture, as you sip on a welcome drink with your fellow travelers. This will be followed by wine and appetizers. Next, create your own empanada with a choice of filling, and get a chance to see how the experts use the “repulgue” technique to make them. Then comes the best part: an opportunity to savor some of Argentina’s best steak that takes 24 hours to prepare. Have it with a side of Malbec wine straight from the wineries of Mendoza and some cuartirolo cheese, dulce de batata (made with sweet potato) and dulce de madera (made of a special kind of Argentinian wood). Try your hand at making alfajores, a dessert with dulce de leche, biscuit, coconut shavings and more. End the evening by learning more about “mate”, the national tea, and make one yourself and share it with your fellow travelers. (B, D)
Experience the best of Buenos Aires with our guided city tour on the way to your cruise embarkation point. From the stately Teatro Colon, a seven-storied theater, to Santo Telmo, the city’s oldest neighborhood filled with art galleries and historic mansions, there’s no shortage of incredible sights in Buenos Aires. Board your NCL Star cruise ship in the afternoon, and prepare for an adventure like no other as you begin your journey towards Antarctica! (B, D)
Today, you’ll make a stop at Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. This welcoming coastal city has an unmistakable European touch, and you can see it in its distinct architecture. Browse its art galleries, the historical old town and stroll down La Rambla, a riverside promenade lined with parks, bars and restaurants. (B, L, D)
Puerto Madryn in Argentine Patagonia is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Peninsula Valdes. It’s also the perfect place to spot marine life such as southern right whales that swim in these waters from June to December. (B, L, D)
Perched on the edge of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is a bustling port city in Chile. Considered the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, the city is home to several museums including the Maritime Museum, Salesian Museum and more. (B, L, D)
Ushuaia is often referred to as the city at the end of the world, and with good reason. It’s the world’s southernmost city! Here, the rugged Andes mountains tower over the Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fugo archipelago. (B, L, D)
Today, you will glide along the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean to Paradise Bay, about 150 miles off the tip of the Antarctic mainland. Take in sweeping views of majestic glaciers and if you’re lucky, you could spot whales, penguins and crabeater seals. (B, L, D)
The rocky Elephant Island rises up from the Southern Ocean, and is home to elephant seals and penguins. Here, you can see the wreckage of a large shipping vessel in Hampson Cove, and the Endurance Memorial Site, which marks British explorer Ernest Shackleton’s eventful journey to the island in 1916. (B, L, D)
Today, you will cruise to Stanley, the capital city of the Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Learn more about the picturesque city’s maritime history at the Dockyard Museum, and don’t miss the Lady Elizabeth Shipwreck. (B, L, D)
Disembark from your cruise ship and make your way to your hotel. Enjoy some free time on your final night in Buenos Aires. (B)
Double Tree By Hilton or similar
Add-On: Tigre & Parana Delta Boat Tour With Lunch
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
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Balcony Cabin
With room for up to three guests, Norwegian Star staterooms have two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and a pull out sofa to accommodate one more. Along with a sitting area, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a private balcony with an amazing view. Approx. Size: 203 sq. ft.
Cabin Category: BA
Inside Cabin
These staterooms come with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed additional bedding to accommodate up to two more guests. You’ll have easy access to everything fun and exciting on board. Approx. 142 sq. ft.
Cabin Category: IA
Oceanview Porthole Window Cabin
Norwegian Star Oceanview Staterooms come with two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed and additional bedding to accommodate up to two more guests, as well as a porthole that offers a great view. You’ll be right near everything fun and exciting on board. Size: 159 sq. ft.
Cabin Category: OF
Norwegian Star Deck Plans
FAQs
Unfortunately, additional nights are not available from YMT Vacations for this tour. Your YMT Sales Consultant will confirm the specific hotel related to your departure date, and you can then contact the hotel directly to arrange an extended stay.
Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability).
No, none are required.
Yes, this cruise tour will have a YMT cruise host on board the ship to assist YMT guests.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Discover the charms of Tigre and Parana Delta on this half-day tour. Drive towards San Isidro, 17 miles away from Buenos Aires, and take a look at the majestic mansions and aristocratic houses by the Rio de la Plata. Then proceed to Tigre, replete with summer homes, rowing and yacht clubs – a weekend getaway for Argentinians. Take a leisurely one-hour boat ride along the Parana Delta. Glide down streams, channels and rivers, as you sail past islands lush with vegetation. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving back to Buenos Aires.
Inclusions
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Lunch
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1 hr boat ride on Parana Delta and channels, rivers and streams
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Tour of San Isidro and Tigre
Duration: Approx. 6.5 Hours (Morning/Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate/Active
Price: $199 USD
Discover two architectural icons of the city – Colon Theatre and El Ateneo Bookstore. Your first stop for the day is Colon Theatre, one of the best known opera houses in the country, and a cultural landmark since its construction in 1908. As you tour the theatre, you’ll see crystal chandeliers and opulent decor of the Salon de Oro (Hall of Gold). The theatre can easily accommodate 2,500 people, leaving enough space for about a 1,000 to stand around!
If you like literature and unearthing quaint bookstores, you’ll love our next stop: El Ateneo Grand Splendid, one of the biggest bookstores in all of South America. The building has a rich history dating back almost 100 years. It used to be a theatre where popular shows were staged, before being converted to a movie theater in the 1920s, screening some of the earliest talkies in Argentinian cinema. You’ll then cross the famous Cafe Tortoni, and have lunch at a local restaurant.
Inclusions
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1 hour guided tour of Colon Theatre
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Visit to El Ateneo Bookstore
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Lunch at a local restaurant
Note: We recommend comfortable walking shoes
Duration: Half Day, Approx. 6 Hours (Morning)
Activity Level: Moderate/Active
Price: $209 USD