MV Magellan Discoverer

The 2026-built Magellan Discoverer cruise ship (currently on order/under construction) is a polar-class expedition vessel owned and operated by the Chilean Antarctica Air Cruise company Antarctica21 (fka Antarctica XXI/fleet).

The shipbuilder is ASENAV Shipyard (in Valdivia, Chile). ASENAV also built the sistership Magellan Explorer (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 1037488) will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau.

Currently, Antarctica21 also operates two chartered cruise ships (Ocean Nova and Hebridean Sky) plus the UK-built BAE-146 aircraft. The high-wing aircraft (manufactured by BAE Systems) has capacity 71 passengers (16 reserved seats) and is operated by Aerovias DAP (1980-founded Chilean airline) operating domestic flights (charter and scheduled) from Punta Arenas.

Note: In the case of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel's current location will be impossible. You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and ice-breaking research ships in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All states and their fleets are listed there.

Decks and Cabins

Magellan Discoverer staterooms (50 total) are in all 5 categories. The ship also offers single-occupancy cabins. All passenger accommodations are spacious, with sizes ranging between 20-40 m2 (220-440 ft2).

Double cabins are fitted with 2 lower / twin beds (convertible to a double bed). A total of 42 cabins are with large Picture Window and private balconies. All cabins (except Deck 3's fore-located Portholes) are with step-out balconies. Of all staterooms, only 8 are with Porthole Windows (2 small, round-shaped, non-opening windows).

Most double cabins have 2 twin beds convertible to King-size (double bed). All other staterooms are with 2 twin beds convertible to Queen-size (double bed). All staterooms offer as standard amenities lounge/sitting area (2 armchairs, coffee table, writing desk with chair), HDTV (satellite reception), wardrobe, phone, hairdryer, electronic safe box (in the closet), wall-mounted reading lamps, ceiling LED lighting, en-suite bathroom (WC, separate shower, single-sink vanity, premium bath products, bathrobes, slippers), bedside cabinets, EU-USA combo electrical outlets (with USB port), individually controlled air-conditioning.

Cabin balconies are accessed via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors. King-size bed is sized 2x2 m (82x78 inches). A twin bed is sized 1x2 m (41x78 inches).

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 passenger-accessible and 3 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Dispite its max capacity for 96 passengers, on fly-cruises, the ship's max passenger capacity is limited to 76.

The public areas include a forward-facing Observation Lounge (enclosed with floor-ceiling windows), Observation Deck (outdoor viewing area), Sun Deck (aft location, with an outdoor BBQ bar area), single-seating capacity dining room restaurant, meeting room (featuring an interactive science lab), gift shop, gym (fitness room with panoramic windows), sauna room, library (stocked with books in multiple languages and Antarctica literature), infirmary (medical clinic). The bow section is passenger-accessible and used for wildlife viewing during the voyage. Adventure activities (sea kayaking, snowshoeing) are optional and available at extra cost.

The main dining room offers buffet breakfasts and lunches, along with table service dinner. Premium Chilean wines are available with lunch and dinner. Drinks and snacks are shared during welcome and farewell parties. Express lunches as well as 24-hour water, tea, and coffee are also offered. In addition to the cuisine, the ship's bar offers Chilean domestic drinks and international favorites.

The ship's interior spaces were designed by the Chilean studio Enrique Concha & Co. The ship offers local intranet with daily programs and international news. Wireless internet costs extra and WiFi is available throughout.

On the Observation Deck are located two tenders (lifeboats) and also the fleet of all 10 Zodiacs (large-capacity inflatable boats) used for landings and for passenger tendering ashore. Magellan Discoverer also offers various polar activities, such as hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking at additional cost.

The Navigation Bridge (aka Wheelhouse) and the adjacent officers' quarters are forward-midship on deck 6.

Itineraries

Magellan Discoverer's Maiden Voyage is currently scheduled for December 2026.

The company Antarctica21 operates on regularly scheduled roundtrips to Antarctica leaving from homeport Punta Arenas (Chile). On wildlife viewing excursions can be seen penguins (Gentoo, Macaroni, Adelie, Chinstrap), whales, seals, various seabirds.

Antarctica21 cruise itineraries and destinations include Aitcho Island, Cuverville Island, Deception Island, Half Moon Island, Livingston Island, Petermann Island, Lemaire Channel (aka Kodak Gap), Paradise Bay (minke whales), Wiencke Island (Port Lockroy).

The seasonally chartered by Antarctica21 airplane is used for fly-cruises as its short runway requirements make it perfect for Antarctic landings.

Flying to Antarctica with Aerovias DAP includes roundtrip flights from Punta Arenas to Chile's largest Antarctic base "Eduardo Frei Montalva" on King George Island. The first flight was on February 12, 1989. In 2007, Aerovias DAP leased one BAE 146 airliner from the UK company Flightline. Antarctica flights started in early 2008. Currently, Aerovias DAP carries out around 3/4 of all air traffic between South America and Antarctica, using two BAE 146-200 planes (model 1981, cost GBP 11 million) plus one smaller plane (Beechcraft "Super King Air" / model 300).

All fly-cruise deals are inclusive of 2-hour flights from Punta Arenas to King George Island Antarctica via BAE 146/AVRO RJ. The company's privately owned plane has a capacity of 75 passengers and can land on short runways.