What Is 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise & Who Is It Best For?

The 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise is a fly-cruise Antarctica expedition that lets travelers fly directly from Punta Arenas to King George Island, avoiding the two-day Drake Passage crossing.

Why Choose the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise

Every Antarctica itinerary offers a different balance of travel time, exploration, and adventure. Here are the reasons many travelers choose the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise over a traditional expedition cruise. 

1. Skip the Drake Passage

Fly over the Drake Passage instead of spending two days at sea, making the journey faster and more comfortable.

2. Smaller Ship, Easier Exploration

A smaller ship like Ocean Nova offers a more intimate atmosphere, quicker embarkation for excursions, and easier access to remote landing sites.

3. Flexible Daily Exploration

Every day is shaped by real-time conditions, allowing the expedition team to choose the best landing sites, wildlife viewing opportunities, and Zodiac excursions.

4. More Time in Antarctica

With fewer transit days, you'll have more opportunities for Zodiac cruises, guided shore landings, wildlife encounters, and exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.

5. Learn from Polar Experts

Travel alongside experienced expedition leaders, naturalists, and wildlife specialists who share insights into Antarctica's history, geology, wildlife, and fragile ecosystem throughout the voyage.

What the Expedition Experience Is Really Like

Your Antarctica experience begins shortly after arriving on King George Island, where you'll board Ocean Nova and start exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.

Rather than following a fixed schedule, the expedition team adjusts the itinerary to take advantage of guided shore landings, wildlife encounters, best landing sites, and expert-led presentations.

Your journey will typically include:

• Daily Zodiac cruises to remote landing sites
  
• Guided shore landings led by experienced polar experts
  
• Close encounters with penguins, seals, whales, and seabirds (season permitting)
  
• Scenic views of glaciers, icebergs, and snow-covered mountains
  
• Educational presentations on Antarctic wildlife, history, and conservation
  
• Small expedition groups that provide a more immersive experience

If you're considering the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise, it's also worth comparing it with other Antarctica explorer cruise deals to understand how ship size, expedition style, and route differ before choosing the itinerary that best matches your travel goals.

Is the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise Right for You?

The best Antarctica expedition isn't always the longest or the most expensive—it's the one that matches your travel style, expectations, and available time. Your vacation length, comfort with sea travel, activity level, and preferred journey experience all play an important role. 

Here's how to determine whether the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise aligns with your travel goals.

This expedition is ideal if you:

✔ You're visiting Antarctica for the first time.

✔ You want to avoid sailing the Drake Passage.

✔ You have 10–12 vacation days.

✔ Wildlife encounters and Zodiac excursions are your priority.

✔ You prefer a small voyage ship with fewer guests.

It may not be the best choice if:

✖ You want to visit South Georgia or the Falkland Islands.

✖ You enjoy longer ocean voyages.

✖ You're looking for an ultra-luxury expedition experience.

Day-by-Day Experience: What Your Antarctica Expedition Really Looks Like

No two Antarctica expeditions are exactly alike—and that's part of what makes the experience so special. While the overall journey follows a planned route, your expedition team continuously evaluates weather, sea conditions, wildlife activity, and landing opportunities to create the best possible daily itinerary.

Before You Reach Antarctica

Your journey begins in Punta Arenas, Chile, where you'll meet your expedition team, attend a pre-departure briefing, and prepare for your charter flight to King George Island.

Arrival in Antarctica

After landing on King George Island, you'll transfer by Zodiac to Ocean Nova, your expedition ship and home for the coming days.

From this point onward, the experience truly begins.

Rather than following a rigid timetable, the captain and expedition leader continuously evaluate:

• Weather conditions
  
• Sea ice movement
  
• Wildlife activity
  
• Landing site availability
  
• Safety conditions

Their goal is simple: give you the best possible Antarctica experience each day.

Daily Exploration

Most expedition days include two guided excursions—one in the morning and another in the afternoon—although the schedule depends entirely on local conditions.

A typical day may include:

• Zodiac cruises through iceberg-filled bays
• Guided shore landings at remote Antarctic sites
• Penguin colonies and seal viewing
• Whale sightings (season permitting)
• Scenic glacier and mountain photography
• Talks from naturalists, historians, and polar experts

Between excursions, you'll enjoy meals onboard while sailing toward the next destination.

How Zodiac Landings Work

One of the most memorable parts of any Antarctica expedition is traveling by Zodiac, a sturdy inflatable boat designed for polar exploration.

Zodiacs allow you to:

• Reach remote landing sites that larger ships cannot access
• Cruise close to glaciers and icebergs
• Observe wildlife from sea level
• Safely transfer between the ship and shore

Your expedition team provides a safety briefing before every excursion and assists you during boarding and landings.

Before every landing, guests also follow mandatory biosecurity procedures, such as cleaning boots and equipment, to help protect Antarctica's fragile ecosystem from outside contaminants. These measures are required under expedition guidelines and play an important role in preserving the continent's unique environment.

Why the Itinerary Can Change

Unlike traditional vacations, Antarctica doesn't operate on a fixed schedule.

Landing locations may change because of:

• Weather conditions
• Sea ice
• Wind
• Wildlife activity
• Environmental regulations

These changes are part of true expedition travel. Your expedition leaders continually adapt the itinerary to make the most of weather, wildlife, and landing opportunities while keeping every excursion safe.

All shore landings follow IAATO guidelines designed to protect Antarctica's fragile environment.

Why Ocean Nova Is Well Suited to This Expedition

The Ocean Nova is a purpose-built expedition ship designed specifically for polar exploration. Unlike larger cruise ships, Ocean Nova carries fewer passengers, allowing faster Zodiac operations and more efficient shore landings when conditions permit.

Its ice-strengthened design and compact size make it well-suited for navigating the Antarctic Peninsula.

Its compact expedition design allows it to:

• Access landing areas that larger vessels may not reach
• Carry fewer guests for a more intimate onboard atmosphere
• Speed up Zodiac boarding and shore operations
• Spend more time exploring rather than waiting for large passenger groups

For many travelers, this means more time experiencing Antarctica and less time queuing for excursions.

What Makes the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise Different from Traditional Antarctica Cruises?

Wildlife You May Encounter

One of the biggest reasons travelers choose the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise is the opportunity to experience Antarctica's incredible wildlife up close. While every expedition is different, the Antarctic Peninsula is home to some of the continent's most iconic species and breathtaking landscapes.

Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed because Antarctica is a wild environment, but every expedition is planned to maximize opportunities while following strict environmental guidelines.

• Penguins 

Observe Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguins as they build nests, care for chicks, or gather in large colonies, depending on the time of year.

• Seals 

Watch Weddell, crabeater, elephant, and Antarctic fur seals resting on beaches, sea ice, or drifting ice floes.

• Whales 

From late summer onward, humpback, minke, and occasionally orcas are often seen feeding in Antarctic waters.

• Seabirds 

Spot albatrosses, petrels, skuas, cormorants, and other seabirds that thrive in the Southern Ocean.

• Icebergs & Glaciers 

Beyond wildlife, you'll cruise past towering glaciers, floating icebergs, dramatic snow-covered peaks, and pristine polar landscapes that define the Antarctic experience.

What's Included in the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise?‘

The 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise includes most of the essential services needed for your Antarctica expedition, allowing you to focus on the experience rather than the logistics. While inclusions may vary slightly by departure and operator, your expedition typically covers:

What's Typically Included

✔ Charter flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island

✔ Accommodation aboard Ocean Nova

✔ Daily meals and onboard dining

✔ Guided Zodiac cruises and shore landings (weather permitting)

✔ Services of experienced expedition leaders, naturalists, and polar guides

✔ Educational lectures and onboard presentations

✔ Loan of waterproof expedition boots (on most departures)

✔ Required permits and landing fees where applicable

What's Usually Not Included

✖ International flights to and from Chile

✖ Pre- or post-expedition hotel stays in Punta Arenas

✖ Travel insurance and emergency evacuation coverage

✖ Personal expenses, beverages, and onboard purchases

✖ Crew gratuities and optional services

Travelopod Tip: 

Always review the detailed inclusions before booking. Some operators include extras such as airport transfers, expedition jackets, or hotel nights, while others offer them as optional add-ons. Compare what's included—not just the headline price. It helps understand the true value of each Antarctica expedition.

How to Choose Between the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise and Other Antarctica Itineraries 

Choosing an Antarctica expedition isn't just about price or ship—it's about selecting the itinerary that best matches your travel goals, available vacation time, and the experience you want on the White Continent.

At Travelopod, we don't recommend the same expedition to every traveler. We compare routes, operators, ships, flight logistics, activity levels, and expedition styles to help you choose the itinerary that's the best fit—not simply the most popular one.

When You Should Choose the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise

✓ You want to skip the Drake Passage by flying directly to Antarctica.

✓ You have 10–12 vacation days and want to reduce transit time on the continent.

✓ This is your first Antarctica expedition.

✓ Wildlife, glaciers, Zodiac excursions, and shore landings are your top priorities.

✓ You prefer a small expedition ship with fewer guests.

✓ You want a faster, more efficient Antarctica experience.

When You Should Consider Another Antarctica Itinerary

✓ You want to experience sailing across the Drake Passage.

✓ You have 16–24+ days available for a longer expedition.

✓ You're returning to Antarctica and want to explore beyond the Antarctic Peninsula.

✓ Visiting South Georgia or the Falkland Islands is a priority.

✓ You're looking for an ultra-luxury ship with more onboard amenities.

✓ You enjoy spending more time at sea as part of the journey.

Our Recommendation

If your goal is to experience Antarctica for the first time, the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise is one of the most practical and rewarding itineraries available. 

Its shorter overall itinerary, small expedition ship, and immersive daily excursions make it one of the best options for newcomers to Antarctica travelers.

If you're interested in destinations beyond the Antarctic Peninsula—such as South Georgia's king penguin colonies or the Falkland Islands—or you're looking for a longer voyage with additional expedition days, another itinerary may be a better fit.

Travelopod Insight: We compare expeditions across leading operators—including ship size, landing opportunities, expedition teams, cabin categories, activity options, and flight logistics—so you book the itinerary that matches your travel style, not just the one with the lowest price.

Why Travelers Book This Expedition Through Travelopod

Choosing the right Antarctica expedition involves much more than comparing prices or selecting a ship. Our specialists help you compare operators, understand itinerary differences, coordinate international flights to Chile, and evaluate which expedition best matches your travel style, timeline, and budget.

When you book with Travelopod, you benefit from:

• Independent ship and operator comparisons across leading Antarctica expedition companies.
  
• Flight planning expertise, including connections to Punta Arenas and pre-expedition travel logistics.
  
• First-hand Antarctica knowledge that helps you understand what each itinerary actually feels like—not just what's listed in the brochure.
  
• End-to-end planning, from expedition selection to hotels, transfers, insurance guidance, and ongoing support before departure.

Because Antarctica is often a once-in-a-lifetime journey, our goal is to help you choose the expedition that's right for you—not simply the first itinerary available.

FAQs

1. Is the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise worth it?

Yes, especially if you're looking for a faster and more comfortable way to reach Antarctica. Flying directly to King George Island lets you begin your expedition almost immediately, making it an excellent choice for first-time visitors and travelers with limited vacation time.

2. Do you completely avoid the Drake Passage on the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise?

Yes. Instead of sailing across the Drake Passage, you'll fly between Punta Arenas and King George Island on a charter flight before boarding your expedition ship.

3. How much time do you actually spend in Antarctica?

Most departures include up to six days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, depending on weather and sea conditions. During this time, you'll enjoy Zodiac cruises, guided shore landings, wildlife viewing, and educational presentations led by the expedition team.

4. Is the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise suitable for first-time Antarctica travelers?

Yes, its shorter duration, small-ship experience, and guided expedition activities make it one of the easiest introductions to Antarctica for those planning their first expedition.

5. How physically demanding is this expedition?

The activity level is moderate. You'll need to board Zodiac boats, walk on uneven rocky or snowy terrain, and occasionally climb short slopes during shore landings. Most travelers with average mobility and a reasonable level of fitness can comfortably participate.

6. What wildlife can I expect to see on this expedition?

Depending on the month and local conditions, you may encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, Weddell and crabeater seals, humpback and minke whales, skuas, petrels, cormorants, and other Antarctic seabirds. Every expedition is different, making each wildlife experience unique.

7. How does the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise compare with a traditional Antarctica cruise?

The biggest difference is how you reach Antarctica. Traditional itineraries sail across the Drake Passage, while the 66 Degrees South Fly Cruise uses a charter flight to King George Island. This saves several travel days and provides more time for Antarctic exploration, making it ideal for travelers who value efficiency or prefer not to spend extended time at sea.