October 6, 2026 — Antarctica21’s new 100-guest expedition ship Magellan Discoverer has completed sea trials and remains on schedule to carry its first guests to Antarctica in December 2026.
The ship was built by the ASENAV yard in Valdivia, Chile, which describes it as the “first hybrid-electric expedition ship to be built at a shipyard in the Americas.” The trials tested navigation, safety and technical systems. Delivery is due later in 2026.
Ship facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 100 guests, all cabins with private balconies |
| Size | 5,900 tons |
| Hull | Polar Class 6 |
| Propulsion | Hybrid-electric with a Corvus battery package |
| Sister ship | Magellan Explorer (2023, same yard) |
| Delivery | Late 2026; exact date TBA |
| First guests | December 2026; exact date TBA |
Antarctica21 sells fly-cruises: guests take a chartered flight to King George Island and join the ship there, skipping the Drake Passage. The new ship will also sail Patagonia and the Chilean fjords. Fares were not published.
What it means for travelers
- Do not fly in on a tight schedule. The trip starts with a charter flight to Antarctica that will not wait. Arrive in Chile at least two days ahead.
- Leave room on the way home. Flights to and from King George Island depend on weather, so keep your return flight flexible.
- December and January are peak season for flights to southern Chile. Confirm the gateway city and meeting date with Antarctica21 before booking flights.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Magellan Discoverer Completes Sea Trials in Chile
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