MV Magellan Explorer

The 2019-built Magellan Explorer is a polar-class expedition vessel owned and operated by the Chilean Antarctica air-cruise company Antarctica21 (formerly Antarctica XXI/fleet). The ship was constructed by ASENAV Shipyard in Valdivia, Chile. Her sistership, Magellan Discoverer, is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

The vessel (IMO 9822516) is Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000728) and registered in Nassau.

Antarctica21’s fleet also includes two chartered expedition vessels (Ocean Nova and Hebridean Sky) plus a UK-built BAE-146 aircraft. This high-wing aircraft, manufactured by BAE Systems, seats 71 passengers (16 seats reserved) and is operated by Aerovías DAP, a 1980-founded Chilean airline providing charter and scheduled services from Punta Arenas.

Note: In periods of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel’s real-time location may not be possible. CruiseMapper’s list of all icebreakers and ice-strengthened research ships is available in the “itinerary” section of our Icebreakers hub.

Decks and Cabins

Magellan Explorer’s staterooms (50 total) span five categories, including dedicated single-occupancy cabins. All accommodations are spacious, ranging from 20 to 40 m² (220–440 ft²).

Double cabins are fitted with two lower twin beds (convertible to a double). A total of 42 cabins feature large picture windows and private step-out balconies. All staterooms—except the forward Deck 3 Porthole cabins—offer private balconies. Only eight cabins are fitted with Porthole Windows (two small, round, non-opening windows).

Most double cabins have twin beds convertible to a King-size bed, while all other staterooms feature twins convertible to a Queen-size bed. Standard amenities include a lounge seating area (two armchairs, coffee table, writing desk with chair), HDTV (satellite reception), wardrobe, telephone, hairdryer, electronic safe (in closet), wall-mounted reading lamps, LED ceiling lighting, and an en-suite bathroom (WC, separate shower, single-sink vanity, premium bath products, bathrobes, slippers). Additional amenities include bedside cabinets, EU-USA combination electrical outlets with USB ports, and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Balconies are accessed via floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. A King-size bed measures 2 × 2 m (82 × 78 in), while a twin bed measures 1 × 2 m (41 × 78 in).

The vessel has six decks, of which five are passenger-accessible and three contain cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Public areas include a forward-facing Observation Lounge (enclosed with floor-to-ceiling windows), an outdoor Observation Deck, an aft Sun Deck with BBQ area, a single-seating dining room restaurant, meeting room with interactive science lab, gift shop, gym (with panoramic windows), sauna, library (with multilingual and Antarctica-focused literature), and an infirmary (medical clinic). The bow is passenger-accessible and used for wildlife viewing. Optional adventure activities—such as sea kayaking and snowshoeing—are offered at an additional cost.

The main dining room serves buffet breakfasts and lunches, and dinner with table service. Premium Chilean wines are offered with lunch and dinner. Snacks and drinks are provided during welcome and farewell gatherings. Express lunches and 24-hour water, tea, and coffee are also available. The bar serves Chilean domestic beverages alongside international selections.

The Chilean design studio Enrique Concha & Co created the ship’s interior spaces. The ship provides a local intranet with daily programs and international news. Wi-Fi Internet is available shipwide at an extra charge.

The Observation Deck houses two tenders (lifeboats) and the full fleet of 10 Zodiac boats used for landings and passenger tendering ashore. Optional polar activities include hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking.

The Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse) and officers’ quarters are located forward on Deck 6.

Itineraries

Antarctica21 operates regularly scheduled roundtrips to the Antarctic Peninsula from its homeport Punta Arenas, Chile. Wildlife commonly seen on expedition landings includes penguins (Gentoo, Macaroni, Adelie, Chinstrap), whales, seals, and numerous seabirds.

Destinations on Antarctica21 itineraries include Aitcho Island, Cuverville Island, Deception Island, Half Moon Island, Livingston Island, Petermann Island, the Lemaire Channel (Kodak Gap), Paradise Bay, and Wiencke Island (Port Lockroy).

The fleet’s seasonally chartered aircraft is used for fly-cruises, as its short-runway capability makes it ideal for Antarctic landings.

Flights to Antarctica (operated by Aerovías DAP) run between Punta Arenas and Chile’s largest Antarctic base, Eduardo Frei Montalva, on King George Island. The first such flight took place on February 12, 1989. In 2007, Aerovías DAP leased a BAE-146 from the UK company Flightline, with air-cruise operations starting in early 2008. Today, Aerovías DAP handles approximately three-quarters of all air traffic between South America and Antarctica, using two BAE-146-200 aircraft plus a smaller Beechcraft Super King Air (model 300).

For September–October 2020, Antarctica21 added new Magellan Explorer sailings visiting Cape Horn, the Falklands (Islas Malvinas), and South Georgia Island. The first 7-night itinerary was roundtrip from Ushuaia (three departures) and included the Beagle Channel, Puerto Williams, Cape Horn, the Drake Passage, Nassau Bay, and the Falkland Islands. The second itinerary (14 nights, Oct 3–17) was roundtrip from Port Stanley and visited South Georgia. Prices started at USD 10,000 per person (double-occupancy Porthole Cabin). Package deals included hotel stays in Chile (Santiago or Punta Arenas) and Antarctica21 flights to the Falklands.

For the 2020–2021 season, Antarctica21 scheduled 40 fly-cruises across four itineraries: 14 “Classic Antarctica Air-Cruises” (7-day, USD 13,500–27,000), 1 “Polar Circle Air-Cruise” (9-day, USD 18,000–34,000), 1 “Antarctica Express Air-Cruise” (5-day, USD 5,800–8,600), and 1 “South Georgia Circumnavigation” (15-day). In addition to Magellan Explorer, Antarctica21 also chartered Ocean Nova and Hebridean Sky.

All fly-cruise packages include a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island via BAE-146/AVRO RJ. The company’s aircraft seats 75 passengers and is capable of short-runway operations.

After approximately 20 months of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Antarctica21 resumed operations with Magellan Explorer on December 16, 2021. The 2021–2022 Antarctic program (Dec–Mar) consisted of 12 itineraries.

Antarctica21’s 2023–2024 fly-cruise program (for Magellan Explorer and Ocean Nova) featured 35 departures: 28 “Classic Antarctica,” 3 “Polar Circle,” 3 “Antarctica Express,” and 1 “Antarctica and South Georgia.”