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Antarctica Pride All-Gay Cruise 2025
8 nights cruise from Ushuaia, Argentina to Punta Arenas, Chile
February 06 – 14, 2025
Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer
 Let's plant the ever colorful Pride flag on a side of the Earth that remains virtually untouched. An entire continent of windswept expanses, snow-shrouded peaks and haunting emptiness stretching to the far horizon. A place where ice takes on hues of turquoise and iridescent blue so surreal, you feel you've entered a dream world. Where even as you reach for words to describe your sense of awe, you realize none will ever capture the experience of being there.
Antarctic Explorer Express is a condensed version of the longer itinerary. It may seem indulgent to embark on a quick trip to Antarctica, but for travellers who are short on time, a short trip to the Antarctic Peninsula could be just what you are looking for. By flying across the Drake Passage in at least one direction combined with a compacted time in the Antarctic Peninsula, our Antarctic Explorer Express voyage is tailored for travellers seeking a quick adventure to the frozen continent. Enjoy Zodiac excursions to explore rugged coastlines, where unexpected appearances from curious whales is known to occur.
A dream come true - Just imagine...
• Crossing the Drake Passage in full pride & splendor then standing on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula
• Spending the day watching whales breaching alongside your expedition ship
• Exploring Antarctica in a luxurious expedition vessel
• Take part in the gayest of gay polar plunges surrounded by your tribe to cheer you on
• Witness extraordinary wildlife including thriving penguin colonies on the Ice, seabirds, whales and seals dancing through the waves
• Zodiac cruising through mirror-ball-like waters in secluded bays and quiet coves filled with brash ice
• Photograph enormous glaciers & spectacularly shaped icebergs in all the rainbows shades of blue
• Admiring landscapes of ice-clad mountains then hiking to remote vantage points across the mountains,
up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below
• Onboard, enjoy a glass or two of bubbles, as you indulge in one of the ondeck jacuzzi's drifting past icebergs, watching the whales breach in foreground.
• Weather permitting, experience the serene sunset of a 23 hour day, with the stars gently coming out as the moon rises over the icy continent in front of you.
• At the end of the day on the icebergs and zodiacs, and you've packed away your Catwalk inspired waterproof, polar expedition jackets (included to keep of course!), our evenings will be yours to enjoy the specially curated hosted events onboard, relaxing with like minded souls celebrating the experience only gay cruise can present!
• A truly unforgettable must-do LGBT+ celebration on Antarctica waters.
• Bring Your colours of Pride to the white continent - let’s make The Ice Dazzle!
• Everyone is welcome on this once in a lifetime experience
Expedition on a world-class vessel
Land on ice in Antarctica onboard the Greg Mortimer, a world-first new-class ship that brings you closer to the environment, invites communal areas, and has unsurpassed environmental credentials. The Greg Mortimer offers the perfect base camp for adventures at the outer limits of human exploration.
With just over 100 fellow expeditioners per voyage in 76 spacious cabins, all with ocean views, and 85% of cabins have their own balcony. The ship also features a modern lecture lounge, multiple observation areas, zodiac launching platforms, a restaurant serving excellent meals, a gym, a sauna, jacuzzis, a mudroom, and many other amenities.
DINING
Meals are a great time to soak up the expedition camaraderie in our open seating dining area. Share stories with your fellow travellers and ask our expedition team questions that may have come up during the day.
Choose from two restaurants: our main venue serving buffet-style family meals with à la carte dinner and our new reservations-required concept restaurant, Tuscan Grill.
Tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and our chefs offer different menu options and courses for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild.
We also invite you to join your captain and expedition team for informal Captain’s Farewell drinks, with complimentary beverages and cocktail appetisers, followed by a 3 course meal.
BARS & LOUNGES
Communal meeting areas have always played a major role in fostering the warm camaraderie on board our ship. They are the heart of the expedition, where people meet to share tales from the day, swap photos, keep an eye out for wildlife and watch the sun go down.
The bars and lounges on board are refined yet inviting places to gather, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views, and of course friendly bartenders to shoot the breeze with.
GYM, SAUNA & JACUZZIS
In between landings, you are welcome to visit the gym or relax in our sauna, which we highly recommend after the Polar Plunge!
There are also two Jacuzzis on the top outside deck which offer amazing views of the world outside.
Activities Ashore
PADDLING:
When you sign up as a paddler, you get to enjoy regular landings alongside other expeditioners, as well as an additional paddling adventure. You will have a Zodiac dedicated to you and your friends and two guides to look after you and hunt out great sites for a fun paddle in a small group of up to six paddlers.
SCUBA DIVE:
90% of every iceberg is underwater, and the vast majority of Antarctica’s wildlife lives in the water, stepping on land or ice only to rest or breed. Diving in Antarctica offers opportunities to witness spectacular ice formations and diverse marine life.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
On every expedition, you will have the opportunity to increase your knowledge of the craft through lectures and presentations to learn and implement it on shore landings. Learn a range of technical skills and improve your composition. Our destinations offer a range of conditions for photography, from challenging hikes to the best viewpoints to Zodiac cruises that take you into the heart of the action, all with incredible rewards.
SNORKELLING:
Witness wildlife and scenery unlike any other place on earth. Through crystal-clear waters, you’ll discover the amazing mobility and speed of penguins entering and exiting from the ice, marvel at beautiful sculpted icebergs below the water, and witness marine life such as crustaceans, isopods, starfish, and nudibranchs! Passengers who take part will enjoy the opportunity to snorkel daily (weather dependent) for spectacular wildlife viewing.
SEA KAYAKING
in Antarctica is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to immerse yourself in the frozen seventh continent. To the untrained eye, the Antarctic landscape may seem desolate, but Antarctica is one of the most interesting places on earth that visitors yearn to revisit. Led by highly-experienced kayaking guides, our popular sea kayaking in Antarctica is capped at 20 paddlers, so you have the opportunity to experience nature at its wildest.
 Included in this Journey
• All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1.
• One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Punta Arenas on Day 8.
• Charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas.
• Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.
• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.
• Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.
• Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
• All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.
• Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.
• Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).
• One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.
• Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.
• Comprehensive pre-departure information.
• Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.
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Antarctica Pride Gay Cruise 2025
Itinerary
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Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 06 Feb |
Ushuaia, Argentina |
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PM |
| 07 Feb |
Ushuaia, Argentina / Embarkation |
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3 PM |
| 08 Feb |
Crossing Drake Passage |
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| 09 Feb |
Crossing Drake Passage |
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| 10 Feb |
Antarctic Peninsula |
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| 11 Feb |
Antarctic Peninsula |
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| 12 Feb |
Antarctic Peninsula |
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| 13 Feb |
King George Island, Antarctica / Punta Arenas, Chile |
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| 14 Feb |
Punta Arenas, Chile |
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Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Ushuaia, we ask you to make your way to your hotel. Check-in is from 3.00 pm. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby at Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort, Luis Fernando Martial 1650, between 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm, to collect your luggage tags, and confirm if you wish to join our Beagle Channel and Isla de Los Lobos Cruise (sea lion island) tomorrow.
Our team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last minute items.
Expeditioners arriving after 7:00pm will find a welcome pack waiting for them at check-in. We ask you to visit our hospitality desk tomorrow between 08:00am – 10:00am.
The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.
Assigned accommodation: Las Hayas Ushuaia Resort or Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel
Day 2 - Ushuaia, Argentina / Embarkation
This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day. Your morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.
Those wishing to join our afternoon catamaran cruise, meet back at the hotel lobby at 12.45 pm ready to transfer to the port at 1.00 pm. Here we board our catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are often sighted. Our cruise offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain range, in addition to hearing tales of the people and communities of the region.
Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby at 3.00 pm to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.
Once onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.
This evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.
Days 3 - 4 - Crossing the Drake Passage
As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.
Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following our vessel. On sea days, you can enjoy the facilities on board the vessel including the gym, sauna and jacuzzis or relax in one of the observation lounges.
Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on the afternoon of day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks watching for our first iceberg.
The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Time and weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.
Days 5 - 7 - Antarctic Peninsula
It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish.
Your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your voyage from day to day, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities.
We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You will want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.
While ashore we aim to stretch our legs, wandering along pebbly beaches or perhaps up snow-covered ridgelines to vantage points with mountains towering overhead and ice-speckled oceans below. If you have chosen an optional activity, you will have the option to do participate in the activity whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! The polar plunge can take place at any time during the voyage, so listen out for the announcement from the expedition team and get ready for the most exhilarating dip of your life!
In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge (open at the captain’s discretion) for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Listen out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve. Take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of the pristine paradise of the splendid white continent.
Day 8 - Fly King George Island, Antarctica to Punta Arenas, Chile
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our flight (approximately one hour and forty-five minutes) to Punta Arenas, Chile. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced. We hope you become ambassadors for Antarctica telling your family, friends and colleagues about your journey to this magical place, advocating for its conservation and preservation so that they might one day visit the region to experience what you have been lucky to see and do here.
In Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Dreams del Estrecho (or similar)
Note: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote places on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required for safe take-off and landing. We apologise in advance for any possible delays.
Day 9 - Punta Arenas, Chile / Departure
After breakfast, bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers as we continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included). A transfer to the airport is included in the voyage fare.
Note: Should your flight not proceed due to local conditions; you will remain on the ship until it is deemed achievable to return to Punta Arenas.
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