This week's arrival of Magellan Explorer marked the commencement of the 2023-2024 season in Ushuaia Argentina, signaling the anticipated influx of 548 vessel calls and approximately 195,000 visitors to Argentina's Tierra del Fuego region.
Local authorities are optimistic that this season, which will run until April 13, 2024, could set new records for both calls and visitor numbers. The calls are distributed among 436 ships bound for Antarctica, 51 traversing two oceans, and 58 regional vessels navigating the renowned channels in the Tierra del Fuego region.
In a brief ceremony held aboard the Magellan Explorer, provincial officials extended their congratulations to Antarctica 21, a local operator celebrating its 20th anniversary. Antarctica 21 includes the vessel Sylvia Earle, scheduled to arrive in Ushuaia in April 2024.
Roberto Murcia, head of Tierra del Fuego ports, expressed his appreciation to the officers and crewmembers for their commitment in supporting Ushuaia as a leading terminal for bi-oceanic and Antarctic expeditions.
Dane Querciali, head of Tierra del Fuego Tourism operations INFUETUR, noted that the arrival of the Magellan Explorer on Sunday reaffirmed Ushuaia's status as the primary gateway for cruises to Antarctica and regional cruising.
Among the midsized vessels, Ventus Australis is expected to make 26 calls in Ushuaia, followed by Ushuaia with 16 calls, Ocean Albatros with 15 calls, and both World Navigator and World Traveller with 14 calls each.
In the large cruise ships category, notable vessels include Celebrity Eclipse with a capacity of 2859 passengers, Princess Cruises with 2670 visitors, and Royal Caribbean International with 2400 passengers.
INFUETUR also highlighted that the cruise industry was gradually regaining momentum following the pandemic, with 509 registered calls and 143,182 visitors during the 2022-2023 season.