Fred Olsen Cruise Lines unveils 78-night South American voyage

Balmoral, one of the line’s smaller vessels, will cruise to Antarctica for the first time 

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced a South American and Antarctica grand voyage for 2023. The 78-night South American exploration offers the chance to sail the mountainous Chilean fjords and experience the rugged, icy coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Balmoral, one of the line’s smaller vessels, will set sail from Southampton on 5 January 2023 to circumnavigate South America and – for the first time in the company’s history – cruise to Antarctica. Balmoral’s size allowed for the addition of ports including Havana in Cuba and Hamilton in Bermuda. 

Shore excursions include the chance to learn to tango in Buenos Aires or spend time with a gaucho cowboy on ranches in Argentina and Uruguay. There will also be opportunities to delve into the history of the Incas at Machu Picchu and experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands in extended overland tours from Peru and Ecuador respectively.

Martin Lister, head of destination experience and itinerary planning at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “At Fred Olsen we are proud to sail our own course and we have really enjoyed curating this extra special cruise. In just one sailing, guests can witness Antarctica’s rugged, icy coastline, admire the many thundering waterfalls in Unesco-listed Iguazu National Park and cruise among the towering mountainous landscape of the Patagonian fjords in Chile.

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“This itinerary also offers some exceptional opportunities to spot native wildlife, with Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins to be found in the coves and on the beaches of the Falkland Islands and at Point Wild on Elephant Island. Guests will also have the chance to visit the Galapagos Islands and discover the vast range of wildlife found there, on an extended tour from Ecuador.”

Balmoral’s 78-night Exploration of South America and the Antarctic cruise, departs from Southampton on 5 January 2023. Prices start from US$12,300 per person.

For the full itinerary and further information, click here.