Antarctica21, which specializes in air-cruise Antarctica trips that bypass the notorious Drake Passage, is getting a new expedition ship later this year. The 73-passenger M/V Magellan Explorer will make its maiden voyage on November 28, 2019.
"With the introduction of Magellan Explorer, we now have a modern vessel custom-designed for our unique Antarctic fly-and-cruise operations," said Jaime Vasquez, Antarctica21's chairman of the board. "We have operated air-cruise travel to Antarctica since 2003, and this new ship is the culmination of our extensive experience in this field."
Antarctic21 guests are flown from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in Antarctica on a private BAE 146/AVRO RJ jet, which accommodates 75 passengers and is specially designed to land on short runways. The flight takes about two hours, compared to the two days it takes to cruise through the turbulent, nausea-inducing Drake Passage.
The company also announced its 2020-21 expedition schedule with 40 air-cruises. In the 2020-21 season, the Magellan Explorer will explore Antarctica 18 times with four itineraries. Fourteen voyages on the new ship will feature the seven-night "Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise," one voyage will feature the nine-night "Polar Circle Air-Cruise," which crosses the Antarctic Circle, and one itinerary is a five-night "Antarctica Express Air-Cruise." The season will also include a new 15-night South Georgia circuit.
In addition to Magellan Explorer, Antarctica21 will operate the 67-passenger Ocean Nova and the 75-passenger Hebridean Sky. "Classic Antarctica" rates range from $13,495 to $26,995 per person; "Polar Circle" rates range from $17,995 to $33,995 per person and "Antarctica Express" rates range from $5,795 to $8,595 per person. Antarctica21 does pay travel agent commissions.
Triple cabins are also available on all voyages at reduced rates. In addition to daily programs presented by Antarctic experts, guests have the option to book sea kayaking, hiking and snowshoeing excursions.
Under construction since 2016, Magellan Explorer is now being completed at the ASENAV shipyard in Valdivia, Chile. The interiors, created by the Chilean interior design firm Enrique Concha & Co., will be unveiled in November 2019.
Antarctica21 has also partnered with U.S.-based Anytime Fitness, the only fitness company with gyms in all seven continents, to design and outfit the fitness center aboard the stylish Magellan Explorer.
Other features of Magellan Explorer include: expansive observation decks; state-of-the-art navigation equipment for detecting ice; retractable stabilizing fins that reduce the ship's movement caused by waves; a double hull; two main engines with a total power of 3,440 kW to guarantee plenty of propulsion and bow and stern thrusters of 500 KW each to allow the ship to be extremely agile.
Specific measures have been taken to minimize Magellan Explorer's carbon footprint. The ship is equipped with energy-efficient engines and meets MARPOL's Tier lll emission standards, the most stringent standards in the industry. To minimize fuel consumption, a waste-heat recovery system recycles the heat produced by the ship's engines and repurposes it to power the ship's heating system and to warm the water used on board.
"Our fly-cruise model avoids the tempestuous Drake Passage and provides a fast and comfortable travel option," said Francesco Contini, executive vice president-sales and marketing, Antarctica21. "We look forward to offering our travelers a new level of sophistication with the launch of the beautiful Magellan Explorer."
In 2003, Antarctica21 pioneered the Antarctic air-cruise model due to a desire to make Antarctica accessible to travelers looking to avoid the stormy Drake Passage. Operating only small ships carrying a maximum of 75 guests, Antarctica21 offers boutique-style wilderness adventures that fly directly to Antarctica where guests board their expedition ship.
A member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), Antarctica21 has completed over 180 Antarctic air-cruises and prides itself on offering an optimum balance between active exploration and high-quality hospitality.
For further information, visit antarctica21.com, call 877-994-2994 or reach out to your local travel agent.
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