A21 Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer

An ultra-modern expedition cruise ship built for icebreaking and adventure!

A polar cruise on board the Magellan Explorer

32 Reviews

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What we love about the Magellan Explorer

Air-Cruise Experts, completing over 200 fly and cruise departures.

Company founded in Punta Arenas, Chile. Antarctica is their neighbor.

Magellan Explorer uses the Explorer's House as a private base in Punta Arenas for its passengers.

Uses a single flight to carry all guests on an expedition to and from Antarctica.

On every journey, the team includes at least 12 expert polar guides and their number one priority is ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.

Magellan Explorer
+20
Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer was purpose-built for Antarctic air-cruises and has an official air-cruise capacity of 76 guests. We see its strongest fit among travellers who want the air-cruise format and a well-equipped ship for their time in Antarctica.

Accommodation is offered across seven cabin categories. Every category except Porthole has a private balcony, so travellers for whom private outdoor space matters should compare the Porthole option carefully with the balcony categories.

A glass-enclosed observation lounge and access to the bow provide two different places to follow the changing polar surroundings. On board, there is also a dedicated presentation room, library, gym, sauna and medical clinic. Ten Zodiacs support expedition operations away from the ship. Together, these features make Magellan Explorer a practical choice for travellers seeking an Antarctic air-cruise on a 76-guest vessel.

Dates & Prices of Magellan Explorer

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Amenities on board the Magellan Explorer

zodiac fleet

Zodiac Fleet

lounge

Observation Lounge

flight

Private Flight to Antarctica

sauna

Sauna

doctor's suitcase

Medical Services

gym

Fitness Center

bar

Bar

conference room

Conference Room

library

Library

-5% for children ≤ 8

Food & Drinks on board the Magellan Explorer

Meals on Magellan Explorer are more ambitious than the ship's compact size suggests. Breakfast and lunch are generally served buffet-style, with hot dishes, salads and, on many days, a station where a chef prepares something to order. Dinner is usually a three-course, menu-served meal. Wide dining-room windows keep Antarctica in view, while the lounge bar is the place for a Chilean wine or cocktail after the evening recap.

Recent travellers repeatedly praise the variety, the restaurant team's attentive service and the care shown with allergies and dietary requirements; several mention that staff quickly learned their preferred drinks. Provisioning in Antarctica is never identical from one departure to the next, and one detailed 2025 reviewer found the fresh fruit and vegetable choice limited, so we would promise thoughtful expedition dining rather than a floating fine-dining resort. Share dietary needs well before departure.

Magellan Explorer's take on sustainable traveling

Magellan Explorer's Tier III diesel engines feed a heat-recovery system that reuses residual engine heat for onboard heating, hot water and freshwater production, while energy monitoring helps optimize fuel use. For shore operations, the ten Zodiacs serving the ship use locally produced synthetic e-Gasoline made from green hydrogen and recycled CO2 under a renewed 2026 supply partnership.

Strict biosecurity procedures support shore visits, and waste is stored and compacted for return from the operating area. Single-use plastic is reduced where practical. These measures do not make a polar voyage impact-free, and the e-fuel claim applies to the Zodiacs—not the ship's main engines—but they are concrete, ship-relevant improvements.

Cabin Categories on board the Magellan Explorer

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Triple Suite

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

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Single Veranda Cabin

Type:

Single

Max. occupancy:

1

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Veranda Cabin

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Deluxe Veranda Cabin

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Porthole Cabin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Deluxe Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Penthouse Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

More info about the Magellan Explorer

Category
Premium
Type
Small Ships
Gross tonnage
Beam
Year built
Capacity
73
Class
Ice Class 1A
Length
90.7 m
Crew members
60
Cruising speed
14 knots
Draft
4.3

Reviews of Magellan Explorer

Marcus S.

Magellan Explorer

Premium

The ship was beautiful. I always thought bigger and better ships were the way to go. But this small ship provided the best stateroom I ever had. The food was good, for sure, and the staff there was always so friendly and accommodating. I'd definitely sail the Magellan Explorer again, given the chance. Source: https://tinyurl.com/25q7pr4d

Aki S

Magellan Explorer

Premium

This was a once in a lifetime trip. Seeing thousands of Penguins and other marine birds was just incredible! Being able to land at South Georgia and the Falkland Islands on the zodiacs was great. And due to the low number of people on this ship, we were all able to disembark at once and usually stay ashore for over 3 hours. As compared to when we went to Antarctica, there were more than 100 people on the ship so we needed to take turns going ashore so we only had a little over an hour each time on shore. The service and meals on the Magellan Explorer was great. Staff, including the expedition, crew, hotel and restaurant members were just outstanding. During sea days and including landing days, the expedition team gave insightful lectures relevant to the areas that we were visiting. All in all, highly recommended.

Sanjit

Magellan Explorer

Premium

Well beyond my expectations. The little things on the ship were well thought off. Food was amazing. Staff was phenomenal. Service was beyond expectations. Would 100% choose this ship again. Source: https://tinyurl.com/2bbnmvbu

Ankita

Magellan Explorer

Premium

The Magellan Explorer exceeded my expectations! I was in a grand suite and it was nothing less than a 5 star suite. The food was excellent and the Kitchen staff took care of my dietary restrictions and allergies. I will without a second thought choose this ship again :) Source: https://tinyurl.com/2auwwnvd

Linda

Magellan Explorer

Premium

The ship could not have been better! The cabin was large & I loved the heated bathroom floor & towel warmer. The cabin steward was very personable & efficient. The food was wonderful! I have an allergy to wheat so I’m gluten free and everyone was very accommodating to my special dietary needs. I would absolutely choose this ship again & have recommended it to many already. Source: https://tinyurl.com/29tn7luk

Preetee

Magellan Explorer

Premium

The ship was great! It is a small ship and felt very intimate. My room was extremely comfortable and I was so glad to have a balcony. The food was tasty and the staff was excellent. I would definitely choose the ship again. Source: https://tinyurl.com/279vrgsl

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