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A21 Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer Cruises

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

A polar cruise on board the Magellan Explorer

19 Reviews

Premium

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.

Polartours
Magellan Explorer
Magellan Explorer

Welcome aboard the Magellan Explorer, an ultra-modern expedition cruise ship built for the Antarctic. An Antarctic trip aboard the Magellan Explorer is unlike the rest. Instead of boarding your cruise ship right away and spending long days crossing the Drake Passage to get to the Antarctica, you’ll take a two-hour plane ride from Punta Arenas straight to the continent itself. This flight will save you time, and you’ll be able to head straight to the Antarctic action. A Magellan Explorer is a pioneer air-cruise is designed for adventure and with your comfort in mind.

To manage environmental impact, the Antarctic Treaty limits the numbers of visitors on shore to maximum 100 at one time. A Magellan Explorer air-cruise comfortably accommodates only 73 guests so everyone can go ashore at the same time. This means that you will spend more time ashore, rather than waiting your turn to disembark the ship. The Magellan Explorer cruise ship offers 7 different categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. All cabins except for the Porthole cabins have a private balcony for your enjoyment. All cabins feature a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, a private bathroom, a sitting area, and heated floors.

The Magellan Explorer cruise ship also features a beautiful glass-enclosed observation lounge deck for guests to awe over the incredible Antarctic views. Guests are welcome to take part in the polar discussions in the presentation room with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment. The polar cruise ship also offers a library, a boutique gym built by the professionals at Anytime Fitness, a sauna, and a medial clinic.

The Magellan Explorer comes equipped with a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats, perfectly suited for an Antarctic adventure and a closer look at the flora and fauna. The observation deck aboard the cruise ship also leads to the bow of the ship where guests and crew can better spot marine wildlife.

A Magellan Explorer air-cruise is the most modern way to explore the amazing Antarctic region. Time-saving, comfortable, and intimate, this air-cruise rethinks polar exploration for those who have a limited amount of travel time.

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Amenities on board the Magellan Explorer

gym

Fitness Center

bar

Bar

zodiac fleet

Zodiac Fleet

lounge

Observation Lounge

conference room

Conference Room

flight

Private Flight to Antarctica

sauna

Sauna

doctor's suitcase

Medical Services

library

Library

Magellan Explorer's take on sustainable traveling

In addition to maintaining an unwavering commitment to the most rigorous international standards in all our operations, we develop our products in an environmentally responsible manner, ensuring carbon neutrality in all our activities through the reduction and offsetting of emissions.

For example, the Magellan Explorer achieves carbon emission reduction through energy efficiency and carbon offsetting initiatives. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art heat and water recycling system and has implemented strict biosecurity protocols for each of its sea voyages and air-cruises. Additionally, the Magellan Explorer has minimized the use of plastic on board to the absolute minimum.

Cabin Categories on board the Magellan Explorer

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Penthouse Suites

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Veranda Cabin

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Deluxe Veranda Cabins

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Triple Suite

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

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Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Single Cabin

Type:

Single

Max. occupancy:

1

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Porthole Cabin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

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More info about the Magellan Explorer

Category
Premium
Type
Small Ship
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

Aki S

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

October 2024

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.

Marion K

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

It was an AMAZING journey through one of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever scene (if not the most). The boat was top of the line, the professional crew incredibly professional, knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. The service crew took well care of us during all the journey. The kayak pack is specially recommended and if you are lucky you will also a face to face hunch whale experience you will remember as your top wildlife adventure for life (copied from Trip Advisor)

Cristian Coudeu

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

Impressive trip, a beautiful destination that thanks to A21 becomes unforgettable. The concern for every detail, the professional level of the team, the joy with which they do their work make this experience something unique. Discovering Antarctica with A21 is a dream that we should all have. (copied from Trip Advisor)

Till K

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

We booked the 2.5 week trip incl. Antarctic peninsula and South Georgia. We received good information on clothing, recommended literature, itinerary etc. previously. The one night in Punta Arenas extended due to fog around the antarctic landing strip to three days, with an OK emergency program. The difficulty to get to Antarctica shows that it a somehow adventurous place and not normal tourism. Once arrived on board, we were welcomed nicely and shown the beautiful new vessel, the Magellan Explorer. The expedition staff and the crew are very friendly and professional. The cabins and excellent, all have balconies, mini bars are refilled all the time. Food on boards in really good and varied every day. Wine is OK. The expeditions are what you came for. Protocols are very strict, in order to protect wild life. Whats you see is totally amazing, in Antarctica the icebergs and white sceneries, later on in South Georgia the immense amount of king penguins, seals with puppies, etc. During the days of pure navigation, you can spot whales, albatrosses etc., and get very interesting lectures of Antarctic related topics (history, political situation, animals, etc.). Lecturers are excellent professionals, some are also funny. What could be improved? On our specific trip, the three days lost in the beginning were cut off just from the Antarctic peninsula part of the trip, nothing from South Georgia. Could have been more balanced. And in general, on zodiac tours without landing, people could be grouped by interest (photographers have other needs than the rest, some older people get cold earlier than some younger, etc.). Overall… a trip of the lifetime. I intend to do the pure Antarctic trip with the same company and the same vessel. (Copied from Trip Advisor)

Enzo R.

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

We travelled on the December 6-13, 2021 Classic Antarctica trip on Magellan Explorer, during the pandemic. We flew to Antarctica on Day 1 of the itinerary because it was not clear if we could fly as scheduled on Day 2. That created a bit of a commotion, also because a group of passengers in the end couldn't go due to one of their members testing positive for Covid during the pre-trip screening done by Antarctica21. After we left Punta Arenas for Antarctica, everything went very well. Being in Antarctica is wonderful, like a paradise. Magellan Explorer is in excellent condition and service is excellent. The food is very good, with a lot of variety. Excellent service in the dining room. The wines are very good and abundant. The gym is very good, as is the sauna. We had a barbecue dinner on the top deck and that was a hit, a very happy occasion for everyone. The landings and excursions were very good. The Expedition Team is excellent, very professional and well prepared. The zodiacs are impeccable. On the ship we enjoyed great presentations but we noticed that sometimes other guests seemed tired, which must have been a bit demotivating for the presenters. We didn’t see the officers much. As part of the Covid protocols, there was practically no contact with them. Our last day in Antarctica was a bit of challenge. There was some uncertainty on what to do with our luggage, when we would disembark, etc. Once we did disembark, we had to wait a long time in the open air before boarding the aircraft. It was windy and cold, with no shelter or bathroom. It was nothing compared with what early explorers experienced but any Antarctic traveler should be prepared for some discomfort. In the end, it was quickly forgotten and the good memories of a special trip is what remains. (Copied from Trip Advisor)

Christopher Horta

Magellan Explorer Antarctica Cruises

Premium

It was a 14-day trip through Antarctica and the Georgian Islands, the trip was incredible, the attention of the cleaning staff, the incredible meals, very good, the incredible landscapes, far exceeded expectations. Fully recommended for people who like landscape and wildlife photography above all, penguins, seals, sea lions, whales, killer whales, birds, etc. As advice to future travelers, be patient because boat trips are long, enjoy the benefits offered on the boat, but take advantage of resting in the moments when you are sailing from one side to another. (Copied from Trip Advisor)

Similar Ships

Magellan Discoverer
Premium

Magellan Discoverer

Anticipating a new era of Antarctic exploration, the Magellan Discoverer is the highly anticipated sister ship to the Magellan Explorer. With over 20 years of expertise, this ship builds on the pioneering success of fly-cruise expeditions, designed for those who seek comfort, adventure, and efficiency. The Magellan Discoverer allows guests to bypass the Drake Passage via a direct two-hour flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Antarctica, letting travelers spend more time immersed in the continent’s stunning landscapes. This new vessel will host a small, intimate group of 73 guests, all of whom can disembark at once, maximizing time spent ashore. Each expedition includes a skilled team of 12 expert polar guides, dedicated to creating an unforgettable and safe experience. Accommodation options include seven cabin categories with private balconies (except for Porthole cabins), providing a cozy retreat with heated floors, yacht-inspired furnishings, and personal sitting areas for relaxation after a day of discovery. Guests can also enjoy an elegant glass-enclosed observation lounge, where they can appreciate the dramatic scenery of Antarctica while staying warm, as well as a lecture room for insightful presentations. Onboard amenities include a library, a sauna, a gym by Anytime Fitness, and a medical clinic. The ship’s fleet of 10 Zodiacs offers up-close encounters with the Antarctic shores and wildlife, while the observation deck leads to the bow for optimal marine-life viewing.


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