THU 17 DEC  – AUCKLAND/SANTIAGO/BUENOS AIRES

Depart on Latam Airways from Auckland at 7.10pm. Connecting flight in Santiago, departs  at 5.36pm, arrive Buenos Aires at 7.20pm. The "Paris of South America," is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the Rio de la Plata, known for its European-influenced architecture, rich cultural scene, and lively nightlife. A light dinner at the hotel this evening. Stay Libertad Hotel or similar, Buenos Aires, 2 nights. Included: D

FRI 18 DEC – BUENOS AIRES SIGHTSEEING  

Discover the best of Buenos Aires, from the Plaza de Mayo, Torre Monumental, San Telmo, La Boca, the city parks and  Recoleta cemetery, with its towering marble mausoleums including that of Eva Perón. Tonight an intimate Tango show accompanied by a traditional menu and local wines. Experience one of the most influential and famous dances of modern history that originated on these streets. Included: B, D

SAT 19 DEC – BUENOS AIRES/CRUISE 22 DAYS

Leisurely breakfast before transferring to the Oosterdam for embarkation early afternoon on your South America & Antarctica cruise.

Board your ship OOSTERDAM. In the early 20th century, Buenos Aires, Argentina, gained immense wealth when it began shipping its pampas-raised beef around the world. It quickly entered the club of great world cities, and a slew of attractions and architectural jewels soon arose. Included: B, D

***Cruise Included Daily: B, L, D

MON 21 DEC - MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo boasts the Ciudad Vieja, with its grid of streets on a peninsula.  The colonial heart has recently undergone a renaissance—restaurants, bars and clubs are opening in historic buildings that have been meticulously restored. Montevideo’s downtown is a treasure trove of Art Deco buildings. Of all the cities of Latin America, perhaps none are as approachable as Montevideo.

TUE 22 DEC - PUNTE DEL ESTE, URUGUAY

Punta del Este is sometimes referred to as the ‘Hamptons of South America’, or the continent's own St.-Tropez. A gorgeous coast and a safe port city, it is the preferred getaway for wealthy Uruguayans and Argentines. Enjoy shopping at upscale boutiques, exploring the local art scene, try your luck at a casino and taste fresh-from-the-sea specialties at Punta del Este's restaurants.

WED 23 DEC - AT SEA

THU 24 DEC - PUERTO MADRYN, ARGENTINA

Traces of the city's British roots remain—you can find restaurants that still serve afternoon tea. But for most travelers today, Puerto Madryn is best known as the gateway to the Península Valdés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to significant populations of seals, sea lions and whales just offshore. While the natural wonders and the region's fauna are the main draws, it's worth spending some time exploring the restaurant-lined promenades and beaches that have made the city an increasingly popular resort destination.

FRI 25 DEC - CHRISTMAS DAY AT SEA

SAT 26 DEC - STANLEY, FALKLAND ISLANDS, ISLAS MALVINAS

The world's southernmost capital, Stanley is located in the Falklands archipelago. Stanley is proud of its British heritage, evidenced everywhere from its red telephone boxes to its pubs. The Falklands were first claimed by the English in 1765. During the early years of their colonisation, the Falklands were used as a base for ships hunting sperm whales for oil, followed by those hunting seals for fur. Today in this remote British territory, fishing and tourism are what drive the economy.

SUN 27 DEC - AT SEA

MON 28 DEC/THU 31 DEC - ANTARCTICA CRUISING

After a day and a half crossing the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica, we arrive at the White Continent. On your Antarctic Expedition you will sail through the bays and islands of the Palmer Archipelago, off the northern tip of the long Antarctic Peninsula, which reaches out toward South America. Encircled in a landscape of snow and ice in every direction, your ship will slowly navigate the iceberg-dotted waters. The surroundings are hauntingly quiet as well, an aspect of the continent that comes as a surprise to many first-time visitors. Along the way, the ship's naturalists will point out the birds—terns, petrels, and gulls—found on the coast and on small islets at stops like Dallmann Bay. As you pass dark, rocky Cuverville Island, you’ll see some of the 6,500 pairs of gentoo penguins that make their home there, the largest known colony in the world. Continuing on to Paradise Harbor, you'll have a chance to observe not only gentoo and chinstrap penguins but possibly humans as well: Both Argentina and Chile have manned research stations here.

FRI 01 JAN - AT SEA

SAT 02 JAN - DRAKE PASSAGE & CAPE HORN

One of the southernmost points in South America—Cape Horn has played a major role in navigational history. It marks the entrance to the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Until the Panama Canal opened in 1914, this was one of the planet’s major shipping routes. Strong winds, currents, waves and icebergs made the passage fairly treacherous in the days of sailing ships.  Hornos, the island where Cape Horn is located, may look desolate and treeless, but it’s home to a vast number of gulls and other seabirds.

SUN 03 JAN - USHAIA, ARGENTINA,

Dramatic, fantastical, otherworldly—this is the end of the world, for real. Positioned at the southernmost tip of Argentina, this memorable port town is cradled between the pristine—and towering—Martial Mountains and accessed by the picturesque Beagle Channel (which was named for Darwin’s famed vessel). Founded in 1884, the far-flung spot welcomed missionaries, gold prospectors and naval officers before becoming known primarily as a penal colony. After its closure under the infamous Argentine leader Juan Perón, the large jail was reconfigured to house one of the city’s most popular museums. Other current in-town attractions include a maritime museum and a museum dedicated to the region’s natural history, as well as restaurants preparing the marquee offering—local king crab.