Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed it will return to South America and Antarctica for the 2027-28 winter season, ending a two-year hiatus and putting a major bucket-list region back on the map for travellers who want big landscapes and a strong sense of journey.
The plan centres on Norwegian Star sailing between December 2027 and March 2028, with 15-night cruises departing from Buenos Aires and San Antonio (Chile), plus transatlantic crossings to and from Europe, which opens up some genuinely interesting ways to build a longer, more connected holiday.
What This Return Means for 2027-28 Cruisers
This announcement matters because it restores access to a region that many travellers consider “do it once, do it well”, especially when an itinerary includes a taste of Antarctica alongside Southern South America. It also signals that Norwegian Cruise Line is confident enough to put capacity back into the region after stepping away, which can shape availability and planning for the 2027 to 2028 window.
From a traveller perspective, the most useful takeaway is clarity. With a defined season and a defined ship, you can start thinking about timing, preferred departure port, and the type of pacing you want on a longer cruise, rather than waiting for vague “future plans” to become real.
A Two-Year Hiatus, and Why It Changes Demand
A two-year hiatus tends to create pent-up interest, particularly among repeat cruisers who were waiting for this region to return to a favourite line’s roster. When a destination disappears from a brand’s offerings, travellers often either switch lines, change regions, or postpone the trip entirely, so a return can bring a noticeable rush of early planners.
It also affects how you should think about suite and stateroom availability. On long voyages, travellers are often more particular about balcony space, location, and the day-to-day comfort of their cabin, and that can make the best-located categories move faster once bookings open.
If South America and Antarctica has been sitting on your “next big trip” list, this is the type of announcement that rewards early decision-making, not because you need to rush, but because you want choice.
Why Norwegian Star Makes Sense for This Region
A return to South America and Antarctica is not only about destination names, it is about how the ship supports the experience. Norwegian Star is positioned to deliver longer regional itineraries with a pacing that suits travellers who want big scenery without feeling like every day is a sprint.
The ship choice also matters because longer cruises amplify the importance of onboard comfort. When you’re travelling for 15 nights, the ship becomes part of the destination story, not just the transport between ports.
The “Journey” Feel, Why Longer Sailings Suit a Single Ship
On longer itineraries, travellers often settle into the ship’s rhythm in a way that does not happen on a quick getaway cruise. You get to learn your favourite lounge corner, your preferred breakfast routine, and the pace that makes the trip feel easy rather than packed. That matters in this region because many travellers are balancing active shore days with the desire to rest and soak in the scenery.
A single ship operating a seasonal program can also mean consistency in onboard delivery. Crew routines, regional knowledge, and shore planning often sharpen over a season, which is a quieter advantage if you sail later in the window.
If you enjoy cruises that feel like a cohesive journey rather than a string of separate port calls, this ship and season structure tends to support that style.
Buenos Aires Versus San Antonio, Choosing Your Starting Point
Departing from Buenos Aires can suit travellers who want a city break baked into the trip. Buenos Aires is often a natural pre-cruise add-on because it offers culture, food, and neighbourhood-based exploration that feels rewarding even in a short stay. It also gives travellers time to adjust after long-haul flights before embarking.
Departing from San Antonio (Chile) can be a great match for travellers who want to pair the cruise with time in Santiago or wider Chile, depending on how you like to structure your trip. It also sets up a different style of “bookend”, where post-cruise time in Japan or Europe might come into play if you’re connecting the sailing with other travel.
The best choice is usually the one that reduces stress. Pick the departure that aligns with the flights you can get comfortably, then give yourself enough time on the ground so embarkation feels smooth.
Stateroom Strategy for a Scenic, Changeable Region
This is a region where the right stateroom choice can materially change your enjoyment. Cooler temperatures and shifting conditions mean a balcony can be a quiet viewing platform, even if you are bundled up with a warm drink. It also gives you privacy for scenic moments that feel personal, not crowded.
If you prefer calm sea days and early nights after excursions, consider stateroom locations that support rest, such as quieter corridors or mid-ship areas that can feel steadier for some travellers. On a longer itinerary, small comfort advantages can feel significant by day ten.
It’s also worth thinking about how you use your cabin. If you tend to spend more time onboard reading, resting, or enjoying in-cabin service moments, a bit more space can be a meaningful upgrade, especially over 15 nights.
The Itinerary Highlights From Patagonia to Elephant Island
The destination mix here is what makes the program stand out. The voyages include Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and a stop at Elephant Island in Antarctica, plus ports including Puerto Montt. Even without every port listed, those names tell a clear story, a focus on remote landscapes, big nature, and end-of-the-map geography.
This is the type of itinerary where the “feeling” of place is often the highlight. You are not only collecting ports, you are experiencing how the world changes as you travel farther south, where light, weather, and scenery take on a different character.
Patagonia Stops, Scenery That Rewards Slow Travel
Patagonia is one of those places where travellers often say photos do not capture scale properly. The landscapes tend to feel expansive, with a sense of distance that makes the journey itself part of the experience. For many cruisers, the appeal is not only what you do in port, but the transitions between ports, watching coastlines shift and weather roll in.
From a planning lens, Patagonia stops are best enjoyed with realistic expectations. Some days will be crisp, some days will be windy, and some days will be unexpectedly bright, which is why layering and flexibility matter more than “perfect weather” thinking.
If you like travel that feels grounded in nature rather than shopping streets, Patagonia is a strong match, and it often suits travellers who enjoy excursions that are more scenic and observational than intensely fast-paced.
Tierra Del Fuego, the End-Of-The-World Energy
Tierra del Fuego carries a special kind of allure because it is often framed as the edge of the inhabited world. That framing is not just attraction, it’s a feeling you notice in the geography, the light, and the general sense that you are somewhere far from your normal routine.
For many travellers, this portion of the itinerary is where the trip starts to feel truly different. Even if you have travelled widely, the southernmost regions can feel like a separate chapter, with a stronger sense of wildness and a slower, more reflective travel mood.
It also tends to create memorable sea-day conversations onboard. People talk about what they saw, what surprised them, and how the scenery compares to expectations, which can make the cruise feel more socially connected without forcing any particular vibe.
Elephant Island, the Antarctica Factor Without Overpromising
A stop at Elephant Island is a big headline moment because it places Antarctica on the itinerary in a way that feels tangible. Even a brief Antarctic call can change how travellers experience the voyage, because it introduces an environment that feels stark, powerful, and unlike anywhere else.
At the same time, it’s smart to keep expectations grounded. Antarctic-adjacent conditions can shift, and the experience is inherently shaped by nature, which is part of the appeal if you enjoy travel that feels real rather than scripted.
If Antarctica has been on your list but you want a trip that also includes South American culture and port variety, this kind of itinerary can be a compelling bridge, giving you both the southern frontier feel and more traditional port experiences.
If you’re already imagining what a December 2027 to March 2028 sailing could look like, it helps to compare your options in one place before you get deep into the details. Our Cruise Finder is a simple way to explore dates, routes, and voyage lengths so you can shortlist the sailings that match your pace.
It’s also useful if you’re weighing different trip shapes, such as sailing one way from Buenos Aires versus starting in Chile, or building a bigger journey that includes a transatlantic crossing. Visit Cruise Finder first, then you can narrow your shortlist to the itineraries that feel right for how you actually like to travel.
Lock in Your 2027-28 Plans With Confidence
Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to the region gives travellers a clear window to plan for a rare combination of South American variety and Antarctic atmosphere, anchored by 15-night cruises on Norwegian Star between December 2027 and March 2028. If you’ve been waiting for a practical way to include Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Elephant Island in a single journey, this season creates a strong framework for doing it without overcomplicating the trip.
If you’d like help comparing departures, building sensible flight buffers, and selecting a stateroom that matches your comfort priorities over 15 nights, you can plan your South America and Antarctica cruise with us today.
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