Happy Gay Travel
Antarctica Base Camp Gay Adventure Cruise

Oceanwide Expeditions Gay Cruise

Gay Antarctica Cruise

Antarctica Base Camp
Gay Adventure Cruise

Oceanwide Expeditions m/v Ortelius

13 Days From/To Ushuaia, Argentina

March 17 – 29, 2026

 

Go Outdoors

 

G Adventures Antarctica Tours & Cruises

 

Regatta Outdoors

 

Original Penguin Menswear

 

Craghoppers

 

Ellis Brigham

 

Berghaus Outdoorwear

 

Simply Hike

 

Boundary Supply

 

Gay Antarctica CruiseHappyGayTravel Vimeo ChannelAntarctica Basecamp - The Best activity voyage in Antarctica! Live the explorer’s dream during this 12-night gay group cruise through the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage. Our March 2026 destination is the rarely visited Eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, called the Weddell Sea. The Weddell Sea has the clearest water on earth and an abundance of wildlife. In 2026 this is a Basecamp Cruise featuring free hiking, kayaking, photo workshop, and even snorkeling for the intrepid.

Quote or Reservation

Gay Adventure in Antarctica

Journey to the world’s most remote continent from Ushuaia, Argentina. Sail down the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica.

We will have the opportunity to trek the icy and rocky landscape as often as possible. This rugged and savage wilderness is teeming with extensive wildlife. Be on the lookout for rookeries of penguins and various seals as we glide past the icebergs, massive mountains, and ice shelves along the coast.

 

Gay Antarctica cruise adventure

 

We will have the chance to explore rare human vestiges such as an old whaling station on Deception Island. Perhaps you’ll even want to join the Polar Plunge with a dip the icy waters.

The ship is from the renowned Oceanwide Expeditions, with a fleet of 108 to 174-passenger Expedition Ships. Since it is not a private charter, we will be part of a fun, friendly group from around the world. This is truly a voyage of a lifetime during which, weather and ice conditions permitting, we will encounter the ever-changing world of Antarctica.

 

Antarctica Gay Adventure Cruise

 

The Weddell Sea Explorer Basecamp voyage offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the wildlife-rich Weddell Sea. During this expedition in one of the most remote regions of the world, we will do all kinds of activities such as kayaking and a photography workshop. Given the location and time of year, all these activities depend on weather, ice and wildlife conditions. If some activities prove impossible, they will be replaced by other activities and landings. This trip is a true expedition for the real adventurers.

 

Antarctica Gay Adventure Cruise

 

Antarctica Gay Adventure Cruise Highlights

Journey to Earth's most remote continent!

See some of the most stunning wilderness on earth.

View extraordinary concentrations of versatile wildlife such as penguins, seals and giant petrels.

Glide alongside icebergs, as glacier fields rise up to rugged mountains.

Ride a Zodiac raft to shore, then walk on the continent, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Maximize your time ashore – with only 108 passengers, everyone interested can enjoy every shore visit.

Enjoy this once in a lifetime trek with a friendly group of gay men, lesbians and friends. (Please note that this is not a charter, so our group will be among other passengers on the ice-strengthened m/v Ortelius.)

 

Gay Antarctica cruise adventure - whale

 

Antarctica Gay Adventure Cruise Itinerary

 

Day 1 - End of the world, start of a journey
Antarcrica gay cruise- Neko HarborOur voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America.

Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

 

Days 2 - 3 - Path of the polar explorers
Gay Antarctica cruise adventureOver the next two days on the Drake Passage, we enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.

Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape petrels, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

 

Days 4 - 10 - Entering the Weddell Sea
Antarctica gay cruise - penguinsThe great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds.

We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions:

Antarctic Sound
Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here.

Brown Bluff
Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice.

Antarctica gay cruise - lavender iceHerbert Sound
We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge.

Devil Island
This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.

Erebus and Terror Gulf
Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.

 

Days 11 - 12 - Back Across the Drake Passage
Antarctica gay cruise excursionAfter several exhilarating days exploring the ice-covered land of Antarctica, we start our way back across the Drake Passage. Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

 

Day 13 - Back to Mainland South America
Our journey ends with early morning arrival in Ushuaia Harbor. A mid-morning transfer will be provided to Ushuaia Airport for flights around noon or later, or you can stay in downtown Ushuaia to begin your next adventure.

 

Antarctica gay cruise on mv Ortelius

 

Oceanwide Expeditions m/v Ortelius

Ortelius was originally the Marina Svetaeva. Built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, it served as a special-purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. Later it was re-flagged and renamed after the Dutch/Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598), who in 1570 published the first modern world atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum or Theater of the World. At that time his atlas was the most expensive book ever printed. Ortelius is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.

 

Ortelius Antarctica gay cruise

 

The vessel has the highest ice-class notation (UL1, equivalent to 1A) and is therefor suitable to navigate in solid one-year sea ice as well as loose multi-year pack ice. Ortelius can accommodate up to 108 passengers and has an abundance of open-deck spaces. It is manned by 24 highly experienced nautical crew members, 20 hotel staff, eight expedition specialists (one expedition leader, one assistant, and six lecturer-guides), and one doctor.

 

Ortelius dining room

 

Please be aware that a small number of cabins may have a partially obstructed view due to the size of the windows and the design requirements of the ship. For example, some windows may be partly obstructed in the lower half by a gangway. The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge. Though our voyages are primarily meant to offer our passengers an exploratory wildlife program with as much time ashore as possible, Ortelius offers all the comforts of a standard hotel - along with a bar and lecture room. Flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities. As such, Ortelius carries 10 Zodiacs with 60hp Yamaha engines.

 

Ortelius dining room

 

Passengers on a typical voyage range from in their 30s to their 80s, with the majority usually between 45 - 65. Our expeditions attract independent travelers from around the globe who are characterized by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie that develops on board is an important part of the Oceanwide experience, and passenger group include several nationalities.

 

Ortelius at Prion Island, South Georgia

 

In keeping with the spirit of expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from deck - which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside in a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.

 

Oceanwide Expeditions Ortelius Antarctica gay cruise

 

Antarctica gay cruise on Oceanwide Expeditions Ortelius

 

Included:

• Voyage aboard the m/v Ortelius vessel as indicated in the itinerary

• Shared accommodations aboard our Expedition ship;

• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea;

• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac;

• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff

• Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes;

• Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia;

• Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation);

 

Gay Antarctica

 

• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme;

• Comprehensive pre-departure material

• During our “Basecamp” departures, all offered activities as well as our standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises) are free of charge.;

• Lectures, videos, slide and film shows;

• Resident on-board medical officer;

• Gay group host (pending minimum participation) and assistance from local guides;

• Assistance with flights and extra nights in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia available upon request;

• We provide complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.

 

Antarctica gay travel

 

Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Ushuaia (we strongly suggest arriving at least one day, and preferably two days before sailing and departing 12:00 noon or later on final tour day);

• Visa, entry fee and passport fees (US, Canadian and Australian citizens must pay a Reciprocity Fee BEFORE departure from home; citizens of most other countries do not need visas);

• Airport departure taxes;

• Transfers from Ushuaia Airport to hotel and from hotel in Ushuaia to ship;

• Hotel nights in Ushuaia, Buenos Aires or other locations in Argentina;

 

Oceanwide Expeditions Antarctica

 

• Warm weather clothing other than rubber boots and showshoes that the ship loans while on board;

• Alcoholic drinks;

• Meals ashore

• Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges;

•The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided);

• FUEL SURCHARGE: Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge if world fuel prices are significantly higher than budgeted when cruise prices were put in place.

 

Antarcrica gay cruise

 

Trip FAQ

When and where does the Antarctica cruise start and end?
The cruise starts and ends in the southernmost city in the world, the Beagle Channel port of Ushuaia, Argentina. The tour dates show the date the ship departs from Ushuaia and the date it returns to the port.

We strongly urge you to arrive in Ushuaia at least two days before the tour starts, since it is nearly impossible to catch up to the cruise if you miss the sailing. There are a lot of things to do around Ushuaia in your extra time.

 

What flights are required to get there?
Most travelers will fly between their home airport and Buenos Aires (the international airport is EZE). Aerolineas Argentinas and American Airlines fly non-stop between Miami and Buenos Aires several times a week, and various other North American and European carriers fly to Buenos Aires from other hub airports. Most flights between North America and Argentina are overnight in both directions, but there are now a handful of morning departures from each end.

Within Argentina, all travelers will need to fly the four-hour flight between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, at the southern tip of the country. At this time, Aerolineas Argentinas is the only airline flying this route.

Anyone visiting Iguazu Falls before or after the cruise will also need to reserve the two-hour flight between Buenos Aires and Iguazu.

Flights are not included in the tour package, but we would be happy to assist with flights.

 

What about additional travel between my home and Ushuaia?
Since nearly everyone will need to take a long flight to Buenos Aires, then a 4-hour flight to Ushuaia, we encourage you to consider spending at least a day or two in Argentina's vibrant capital while you are passing through.

You may also want to take a few more days and take in the amazing waterfalls of Iguazu Falls. Please contact us if you'd like suggestions about how best to plan extra time to explore more of Argentina.

 

Gay Antarctica cruise

 

What is the Activity Level of This Tour?
Antarctica is a challenging and remote destination. You should be physically fit and ready to deal with uncertain weather and seas, able to hike comfortably and able to deal with extremes in temperature.

 

What if I am traveling alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself.

 

What cabins are available on the Orteliuss?
There are several cabin types on this ship. We are holding several TWIN PRIVATE WINDOW cabins for our group, with upgrades to Superior and reductions for Twin Porthole cabins available. Prices per person based on double occupancy. Please note that for guests asking us to match them with a roommate or roommates to share a cabin, roommates are matched by gender, but may or may not be traveling as part of gay group.

 

Antarctica camping on the ice

 

What is the Camping on the Ice option?
(Not oofered on our March 2026 Weddell Sea Basecamp Cruise)
Our cruise offers an exciting 'open air' camping option, providing an intensive experience of the Antarctic wilderness for a limited number of participants. The camping is on the Antarctic Peninsula or nearby islands. The camping group will be taken ashore after dinner, and returns to the ship just before breakfast. We'll be ashore up to 10 hours, but it will never get completely dark during December-February cruises.

Polar sleeping bags and sleeping mattresses will keep campers dry, warm and comfortable during the night in the open air of Antarctica. Depending on the weather, you will have the option of sleeping in a 3-person tent or using individual waterproof, breathable bivouac bags (lightweight alternative to tents) to sleep under the open sky.

Our Basecamp cruises include one night on the ice for all interested participants, at no additional charge. For other cruises, one night on the ice can be reserved in advance (subject to availability), but the expedition team will offer more camping occasions when the ship will remain close to shore overnight and weather conditions permit. On shore a camp will be made in a place where wildlife will not be disturbed.

 

Antarctica camping

 

According to international regulations we are not allowed to take stoves, fuel nor food ashore, in order to prevent the spreading of diseases and seeds of alien plant species. (The exception is that our guides are able to carry emergency rations and survival gear, drinking water and medical supplies.) Toilet facilities are extremely limited since everything must be taken back to the ship. Details will be sent to those who select this option. Upon departure everything that was carried ashore must be returned to the ship.

Our tour director on a recent cruise said: "Camping on the Antarctic Continent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you've never tried winter camping, this will definitely be a unique experience in many ways. (In December) there was daylight for about 20 hours, with a dusk-like darkness for the other 4 hours.

You have the choice of sleeping under the sky (no stars) or in tents. Most folks on a clear night choose to sleep out in the open providing it is not too windy.

The ship provides all the necessary equipment to provide comfort – a warm sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. The excursion starts after dinner and you will be back on the ship in time for breakfast the next morning around 7:30. There is nothing quite like the stillness and sheer beauty of a night out in the Antarctic wilderness. It's a special experience and one you will remember forever."

 

 

Antarctica gay cruise - Adelie penguins

 

 

Antarctica Travel Guide

 

 

Quote or Reservation

 

 

Antarctica Gay Adventure Cruise 2026 Prices

Cabin Description
Double Occupancy
Per person
$ (USD)
Single Occupancy
Per person
$ (USD)
Ortelius porthole twin cabin

Twin Private Porthole Window Cabin. Cruise Only.

$ 11,950

$ 20,315

Ortelius twin cabin

Twin Private Window Cabin. Cruise Only.

$ 12,600

$ 21,420

Ortelius deluxe cabin

Twin Private Deluxe Cabin. Cruise Only.

$ 13,500

$ 22,950

Ortelius superior cabin

Superior cabin, Cruise Only.

$ 14,400

$ 24,480

Quote or Reservation

 


Min. Deposit: $3,500 pp ($4,500 for Single Stateroom). Balance Due not later than 90 days before departure

Price does not include payment card charges.

The following cancellation policy applies for cruises on the mv Ortelius.
Up to and including 90 days prior to departure: 20 % of the total cruise price
from 90 days up to and including 31 days prior to departure: 50 % of the total price for the cruise plus selected land options
from 30 days up to and including the day of departure : 100 % of the total price for the cruise and selected land options

 

Special Airfares

 

Kiwi - Start of Journey

 

 

 

Pre/Post Tour Hotels

 

Book Ushuaia, Argentina gay friendly hotels at Gay2Stay.eu

 

Ushuaia, Argentina Hotel reservations at Hotels.com

 

Ushuaia, Argentina hotels at Booking.com

 

Prestigia Hotels

 

 

 


LATAM Airlines Flight Hub

 

Search & compare flights at Skyscanner Travelocity Expedia Travelex Insurance Lovehoney Maps International Online Map Store

[Top]   [Home]   [Cruises]   [Lesbian Cruises]   [About Cruising]   [Tours and Vacations]   [About Vacations]
[Resorts]   [Travel Destinations]   [Travel Tips/FAQ's]    [Insurance]   [Shopping]
happy@happygaytravel.com   [Request Info]    [Links]   [Site Map]   [Privacy]   [Contact Us] reservations@happygaytravel.com


Web Page © Happy Travel, Ltd. Logos and Images ©
Adonis Holiday, HE Travel, etc.
Website Created by Happy Travel