The Ultimate Bucket List: Antarctica with OTS & PONANT
"If not now, when?"
Please NOTE this adventure is priced in AUD (Australian dollars)
Most of us are entering our "Go-Go" years—that sweet spot in life where we have the wisdom to appreciate the world’s wonders and the vitality to still explore them. We all have that one list; the "someday" destinations we’ve promised ourselves we would see while we are still active and adventurous.
With this in mind, OTS is thrilled to announce a dream collaboration. We have teamed up with PONANT, one of the world’s most prestigious and sophisticated cruise lines, to host a spectacular group departure to the Great White Continent: Antarctica.

Why Antarctica? Why Now?
Antarctica is the final frontier—a land of cathedral-sized icebergs, curious penguin colonies, and the silent, majestic breach of humpback whales. It is a destination that humbles even the most seasoned travelers. By joining our group, you aren’t just booking a cruise; you are securing a place on a 14-day curated program that begins and ends in the vibrant heart of Buenos Aires.

The OTS Difference: Connection & Community
To be clear: This is not a "themed" or "gay cruise." in any way. It is an open invitation for a small group from our incredible community of OTS travelers to come together.
We have 8 cabins blocked booked for us, 3 can be single, so its a min of 13  and max of 16 for our OTS group.
It’s an opportunity to:

• Reconnect with old friends from past OTS journeys.
• Forge new bonds with like-minded explorers who share your passion for discovery.
• Travel with Confidence knowing OTS has handled the logistics, from the sultry tango halls of Argentina to the icy reaches of the Southern Ocean.

Luxury Meets Exploration
Ponant is synonymous with "French Luxury at Sea." You can expect world-class gastronomy, refined staterooms, and an intimate atmosphere that feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship. After a day of Zodiac excursions and polar photography, you’ll return to a glass of champagne and five-star service.
Join the Expedition
​Don't let your "Go-Go" years slip into "Slow-Go" years without checking off the big one. Space on these boutique vessels is incredibly limited.
Are you ready to step onto the ice?
OTS – Travel Together, Discover Further.
For full detail of the cruise itinerary, and to browse the cabins, ship layout and common areas, click on the button below.
Explore the ship and Deck Plan

19th February "Arrival day"
Buenos Aires (2 nights in the Paris of the south)
You can arrive anytime today and we will be at the hotel to greet you.
Buenos Aires, is the cultural heart of Argentina, "faded grandeur" is how I would describe this city, which remains an all-time favorite travel destination. There is Tango, Art, great food and wine, and of course one of Latin America's most vibrant cities.
We stay in the central district to discover the heart of the city, from where everything is easily accessible.
For those that arrive in time we can meetup for a meal.

20th February
After breakfast we head off on our guided walking trip to discover the best of BA discovering the central city and visiting the famous Recoletta cemetery resting place of Evita.
This evening we will head our to our included Tango, dinner and show, really getting into the "Vibe" of the city.

21st February
Time this morning to head out for a walk or visit a gallery before our scheduled flight in the afternoon to Ushuaia.
(The internal flight number you will need to book will be provided 11 months out when the airline schedules are released) 
Hotel in Ushuaia​

Click here for full cruise details

​22 Feb 28 - Ushuaia
Capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province, Ushuaia is considered the gateway to the White Continent and the South Pole. Nicknamed “El fin del mundo” by the Argentinian people, this city at the end of the world nestles in the shelter of mountains surrounded by fertile plains that the wildlife seem to have chosen as the ultimate sanctuary. With its exceptional site, where the Andes plunge straight into the sea, Ushuaia is one of the most fascinating places on earth, its very name evocative of journeys to the unlikely and the inaccessible…
We will have the whole day here to explore before boarding the ship late afternoon between 4pm and 5pm.
Dinner onboard.
​
Ushuaia
Crossing the Drake Passage -23 Feb 28 > 24 Feb 28 
Use your days spent in the Drake Passage to familiarize yourself with your ship and deepen your knowledge of the Antarctic. The Expedition Leader will first present the IAATO rules of conduct that must be observed during landings in the region and will explain everything you need to know about the zodiac outings. Lectures about the history and wildlife of the Antarctic will be an opportunity for you to learn more about this magical region, where every cruise is a unique experience.  You will experience exceptional sailing moments on board and join the naturalist-guides on your ship’s exterior decks to look out for albatrosses, cape petrels, and other seabirds flying over the Drake Passage.

Antarctic Peninsula 25 Feb 28 > 29 Feb 28
Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments. Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.

Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest zodiac outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula.  Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.

Crossing the Drake Passage - 1 Mar 28 > 2 Mar 28
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage. Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to connect Antarctica to South America. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don't forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.

Ushuaia -Disembarkation - 03/03/28 at 8:00 am
Free day to explore Ushuaia, making your own way to the airport for your onward flight, or join us for our 2 night add-on to explore this fascinating region.

Dates 19th ​February - 03 March 2028
​Starts in Buenos Aires (BUE) 3 nights, and finishes on disembarkation the morning of the 3rd March (10 nights) ​in Ushuaia (USH)
​Total adventure 13 nights / 14 days.

NOW FULL

Waitlisting is advisable for this once in a lifetime adventure.
Waitlists do clear sometimes as peoples lives change, so its a good time to get in line. No deposit is required to waitlist, you just register (using the green booking button below) and wait.
​If a place  becomes available you will be sent an invite and have 48hr to either accept the invitation or let it expire  and then the next inline gets sent the invitation and so on until the place fills.   

Included:- In Buenos Aires

• 2 night's delightful central accommodation in Buenos Aires.
• 1 night hotel in Ushuaia
• 3 breakfasts
• Dinner and Tango show in BA
• 2 morning guided walks to explore the delights of BA
• Recoletta Cemetery entry
• Transfer to the airport for our afternoon flight (AEP) to (USH) and onwards to our hotel.

Included on our Antarctic cruise :-

• Full board from boarding to disembark day
• High-end gastronomy in all restaurants
• All beverages in restaurants, bars, and minibars. All drinks are included (a selection of champagnes, wines and spirits, beers, cocktails, water, soft drinks, hot beverages)
• 24-hour room service
• Unlimited internet access onboard (as conditions permit)
• Evening events, shows, and other entertainment
• Access to the onboard fitness area and hammam & sauna.
• All port and security charges

Included activities may vary depending on the type of exploration:
​
Expedition Voyages:

• One included activity per person, per day, supervised by naturalist guides (hiking, Zodiac outings, etc.) to be booked upon confirmation.
• Lectures by our naturalist guides or destination experts 
• National park and protected area fees
• Accompaniment by a team of naturalist guides on Expedition and Discovery cruises; on land or, during Zodiac outings and/or landings

Not Included

• Visa fee (if any) most nationalities are free.
• Airfare  - from your country to Buenos Aires and back from Ushuaia. 
• Arrival and departure Taxi/Uber to and from airport to our arrival and departure hotel.
• Internal Airfare AEP-USH which should be booked at the same time as you book your international flights. (Budget around U$250) full detail of which flight to book will be provided, when schedules are released. 
• Drinks and meals other than above inclusions.
• Personal spending money.
• Entry fees to optional places of personal interest not listed as included,  e.g. art galleries, museums, night clubs etc. 
• Local tips (Budget 10%) for restaurant meals when not on the ship.
• Extra paid excursions that maybe offered on the ship
• Personal expenses onboard including medical consultations and prescriptions.
• Mandatory gratuities onboard AUD $20pd (or equivalent) to be paid onboard prior to the ships departure. 

OTS Options for the singles

• Solo Travelers: We will have a very limited number (3) single cabins available at a huge discount.
• Share Buddies: For those looking to share the experience (and the cost) OTS will assist in finding compatible "share buddies."

Cost estimate for 2028

• Twin share = AUD $19950 pp (Approx. USD $14050)   Deluxe Stateroom deck 3 lower deck
• Twin share on Prestige Stateroom deck 4 upper deck option at booking will be around AUD $1300pp more.

Single cabin is strictly limited to 3 at the discounted price, after 3 cabins have gone single supplement is double the pp twin share price. 

• Solo cabin & hotel = AUD $24250 (Approx. USD $17050) Deluxe Stateroom deck 3 lower deck​​

Please NOTE this adventure is costed in Australian dollars AUD, and you can pay in your own currency at the rate of exchange on the day, using We-Travel.
OTS will only move forward with this program if there is sufficient deposited interest, to secure our group departure. rates of a min 8 cabins by 01 Feb 2027.
​Don't let this ship sail without you!

Payments
This trip is paid in 4 installment's
Secure my cabin AUD $1500pp (refundable / transferable in the event we do not get the min number for the group booking requirements by 01 Feb 2027)

• 01 February 2027 20% of total payment due
• 01 August 2027 50% of total payment due
• 19 December 2027 final balance due.

Cancelation policy

• From first payment due to second payment due date 50%  of the total booking value
• From second payment due to final payment due: Cancellation fee: 70% of the total booking value. 
• After final payment date: Cancellation fee: 100% of the total booking value.

​It is strongly advised that you have sufficient travel insurance in place.

​Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure.

Ushuaia:
The End of the World (2 night 3 day) optional extension.
Ushuaia is a unique destination—part rugged frontier, part bustling gateway. For your OTS travelers, the goal here is to enjoy the unique "Antarctic vibe," and experience the local flavors.
Day 1: The National Park & The Sunset

• We head into Tierra del Fuego National Park. Focus on the Bahía Ensenada and Lago Roca areas. It’s quiet, breathtaking, and gives us the chance to walk.
• Evening (The Culinary Highlight): Centolla (Southern King Crab). Suggest a dinner at La Cantina Fueguina de Freddy or Volver. These spots are authentic and far better than standard hotel fare.

Day 2: The "Almost Independent" Choice

• Option A (Active): For those with energy, a hike to Laguna Esmeralda. It’s a stunning glacial lake framed by mountains. It’s accessible but feels truly remote.
• Option B (Relaxed): 
  Afternoon (Culture): Spend time at the Maritime Museum & Presidio of Ushuaia. It is housed in an old prison and provides the most fascinating context for why this town exists at the end of the map. It’s a perfect "indoor" activity if the weather turns.

Day 3:-Departure:
Relaxed morning as most flights leave after lunch.
​Self transfer to the airport, for your onward flight home or further afield.
Costing and details for this add-on will be finalized around 10 months out when we finalize the rates.