In February 2025, Oceanwide Expeditions made headlines by reaching farther south in the Weddell Sea than any non-icebreaker vessel in history. Now they're offering the same voyage for the 2025-26 season, and here's the surprising part: twin cabins are 25% off.
That puts Twin Porthole cabins at $24,750 (down from $33,000) and Twin Window at $25,950 (down from $34,600) for this 28-day expedition departing January 22, 2026. Several cabin categories, including Triple Porthole and Superior, have already sold out.
What Makes This Voyage Different
Most Antarctica cruises stick to the Peninsula. This one starts in South Georgia, pushes through the rarely visited South Sandwich Islands, explores Neuschwabenland (Queen Maud Land), and then attempts to go as far south as physically possible in the Weddell Sea.
The itinerary includes visits to the Riiser-Larsen, Brunt, and Filchner-Ronne ice shelves, massive formations that most Antarctica travelers never see. After pushing south, the vessel charts back through the Weddell Sea, visiting Peninsula sites tied to early exploration, before stopping at Elephant Island on the return to Ushuaia.
This is genuinely remote Antarctica. The kind of itinerary that requires nearly a month because you're going places that take time to reach.
The Shackleton Connection
Polar historian Stephen Scott-Fawcett FRGS will be onboard for the entire voyage, bringing Shackleton's legendary expedition to life through lectures and discussions. The route follows the wake of one of history's most famous Antarctic journeys, adding serious educational depth beyond wildlife viewing.
For anyone who's read about Shackleton's Endurance expedition, this voyage traces that same territory with expert context throughout.
The Reality Check
A few things to understand: "record attempt" doesn't mean guarantee. Weather dictates everything in the Weddell Sea, and ice conditions change daily. Oceanwide succeeded in February 2025, but each season is different.
Also, 28 days is a significant commitment. This isn't a quick Peninsula loop. It's an expedition for travelers who want to see Antarctica's most remote regions and have the time to do it properly.
The 25% discount applies only to Twin Porthole and Twin Window cabins. Quadruple Porthole remains at $26,500 with no discount mentioned. Given that several categories are already sold out, available inventory is moving.
Why This Pricing Makes Sense
Discounts on longer voyages to extreme regions are unusual. These expeditions cost more to operate and typically attract experienced Antarctica travelers willing to pay premium pricing. A 25% reduction on a 28-day voyage to the deep Weddell Sea represents genuine value for travelers who've been waiting for access to these areas.
This is the kind of itinerary that appears on bucket lists for serious polar enthusiasts. The combination of South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, record-breaking south attempts, and Shackleton's route with an expert historian creates something beyond the standard Antarctica experience.
If you've been to the Peninsula before and want to see the Antarctica that fewer than one percent of visitors reach, this voyage delivers that. And right now, it's 25% less than it should be.