When Princess Cruises told its guests in March 2025 that Majestic Princess wouldn’t return to Galveston, Texas, in late 2026 and 2027, it didn’t reveal the reason was because the ship was heading to ice-filled seas.
Now, cruisers have discovered they’ll have a chance to spot penguins and glaciers with the cruise lines’ new South America and Antarctica itineraries for the 2026-27 season – taking place aboard Majestic Princess’ debut in the region.
In addition, for the first time, Princess Cruises will offer scenic cruising through the Beagle Channel Fjords and Glacier Alley, showcasing tidewater glaciers descending from the Darwin Mountains.
“From the natural wildlife, rugged coastlines, and unique culture, the ultimate highlight for our upcoming 2026-27 cruise season is our return to Antarctica, where we offer our guests the rare chance to visit one of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on earth,” said Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer Terry Thornton.
The sailings include extended itineraries ranging from 15 to 33 days between November 2026 and January 2027, with five departures scheduled for Majestic Princess, a Royal Class ship that holds 3,560 guests.
Included in the upcoming season are two overnight scenic experiences in the Antarctic Peninsula and visits to 17 destinations across 10 countries.
“Our award-winning itineraries to South America and Antarctica highlight a place of raw beauty where Mother Nature truly shines,” added Thornton.
Itineraries Across 10 Countries
The 2026-27 South America and Antarctica cruise season includes five itineraries aboard the 141,000-gross-ton Majestic Princess, which just wrapped up an extensive two-week refurbishment and returned to service in the Mediterranean in April 2025.
The 15-day “Cape Horn & Glaciers of Patagonia” itinerary will journey roundtrip from Buenos Aires, Argentina, with scenic cruising through the Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, and Glacier Alley.
After an overnight stay in the Argentine capital, the ship will sail to Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), and the Falkland Islands, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, and San Antonio (Santiago) Chile.
A slightly different option is the 17-day “Antarctica & South America” itinerary, which also will depart from Buenos Aires and includes four full days of scenic cruising in the Antarctic region. Guests will take in views of the Gerlache Strait, Elephant Island, and the South Shetland Islands.
After heading south, the ship will stop in Montevideo, the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, and Punta Arenas before returning to Buenos Aires.
Meanwhile, the 18-day “Brazilian Adventure” will sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Buenos Aires, combining South American ports with a Caribbean crossing.
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This voyage stops in St. Maarten, Dominica, and Barbados, before crossing through the Caribbean to Brazil, where the Majestic Princess will visit Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, along with Montevideo before spending the night in Buenos Aires.
Finally, guests can elect to take the even longer 33-day adventure from Fort Lauderdale that extends to to San Antonio. This voyage calls in 15 ports across the Caribbean and along South America’s eastern coast with a scenic cruising experience around the Cape of Good Horn.
Passengers on all options can expect to see lots of wildlife, such as whales, porpoises, and leopard seals. On land, guests can experience Brazil’s samba scene, Argentina’s tango heritage, and the food and wine cultures of Chile and Argentina.
All itineraries will offer immersive experiences across multiple UNESO World Heritage Sites.
Departures begin November 19, 2026, and extend through January 23, 2027.
