Antarctic Peninsula from King George, 14 January 2029 (6 nights)

Considered the gateway to Antarctica, King George Island is a fascinating port of call on expedition cruises to this remarkable region. Home to the only airstrip in the South Shetlands and located just 120 km from Antarctica itself, this remote island is over 90% glaciated – meaning, the conditions are harsh and temperatures rarely climb above a couple of degrees Celsius. That, though, is enough to give King George Island the mildest climate in Antarctica, making it a fantastic place to spot several species of seal, seabird, and penguin. It’s also one of the many reasons why this island is home to several research stations, which are permanently staffed by scientists from nations such as Brazil, Chile, Peru, Russia, and China. The Chilean research base, Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, acts as a permanent village and is where the airstrip is located. Meanwhile, Russia’s Bellingshausen Station is home to one of the few permanent structures on King George Island: a Russian Orthodox church, which is permanently staffed by a priest. Somewhere you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at jaw-dropping desolate landscapes and admire resilient wildlife, while also enjoying interesting insights into what life is like in one of the world’s southernmost settlements, King George Island is a destination unlike any other.

A stunning archipelago of ice-covered islands in the Drake Passage, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a sensational expedition cruise destination and among the many exciting places you’ll have the chance to explore during a voyage to Antarctica. Home to a number of significant scientific research stations, but largely uninhabited beyond that, these islands surprisingly support vegetation, despite the fact that they boast an average temperature of below zero for eight months of the year and remain over 80% covered in snow and ice during the summer season. So, while here, you’ll have the chance to admire some sensational, unique landscapes, with dramatic snow-capped rocky regions and glaciers among the features dominating these southern islands. You’ll also have the chance to observe several species of seal, penguins, and seabirds here – all of which feed in the surrounding waters. Interestingly, these islands are also home to the southernmost flying insect: Parochlus Steinenii. Although, you won’t need to worry about being swarmed by bugs when you disembark; instead, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a truly unforgettable adventure!

A stunning archipelago of ice-covered islands in the Drake Passage, just north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands are a sensational expedition cruise destination and among the many exciting places you’ll have the chance to explore during a voyage to Antarctica. Home to a number of significant scientific research stations, but largely uninhabited beyond that, these islands surprisingly support vegetation, despite the fact that they boast an average temperature of below zero for eight months of the year and remain over 80% covered in snow and ice during the summer season. So, while here, you’ll have the chance to admire some sensational, unique landscapes, with dramatic snow-capped rocky regions and glaciers among the features dominating these southern islands. You’ll also have the chance to observe several species of seal, penguins, and seabirds here – all of which feed in the surrounding waters. Interestingly, these islands are also home to the southernmost flying insect: Parochlus Steinenii. Although, you won’t need to worry about being swarmed by bugs when you disembark; instead, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a truly unforgettable adventure!

Considered the gateway to Antarctica, King George Island is a fascinating port of call on expedition cruises to this remarkable region. Home to the only airstrip in the South Shetlands and located just 120 km from Antarctica itself, this remote island is over 90% glaciated – meaning, the conditions are harsh and temperatures rarely climb above a couple of degrees Celsius. That, though, is enough to give King George Island the mildest climate in Antarctica, making it a fantastic place to spot several species of seal, seabird, and penguin. It’s also one of the many reasons why this island is home to several research stations, which are permanently staffed by scientists from nations such as Brazil, Chile, Peru, Russia, and China. The Chilean research base, Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, acts as a permanent village and is where the airstrip is located. Meanwhile, Russia’s Bellingshausen Station is home to one of the few permanent structures on King George Island: a Russian Orthodox church, which is permanently staffed by a priest. Somewhere you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at jaw-dropping desolate landscapes and admire resilient wildlife, while also enjoying interesting insights into what life is like in one of the world’s southernmost settlements, King George Island is a destination unlike any other.