by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:35 AM ET, Thu July 9, 2026
Amid strong demand, luxury expedition cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages is expanding its Fly the Drake Expeditions for the 2027-28 season, offering six departures and two expedition styles for travelers.
Both itinerary styles provide private charter flights, a one-night hotel stay in Punta Arenas before and after the expedition and six full days in Antarctica. Flying the Drake Passage takes around two hours, in comparison to the two-day crossing by ship.
"The Drake Passage is a rite of passage for many travelers, offering an unforgettable journey between two worlds," said James A. Rodriguez, President and CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages. "However, for those with more limited vacation time, our Fly the Drake expeditions provide the luxury of maximizing your experience with options like our Drake Express or Drake Fly and Sail, allowing you to reach your Antarctic adventure faster while still enjoying the comfort of our purpose-built yachts and traveling with a small community of curious, like-minded explorers. It's an ideal choice for anyone eager to embrace the wonders of this far-flung destination without sacrificing the essence of the expedition."
The Drake Express Expedition includes a seven-night round-trip voyage from King George Island, bypassing the two-day Drake Passage in both directions via private charter flights from Punta Arenas, Chile to Antarctica.
The departure dates for this itinerary include November 28, 2027; December 5, 2027; February 12, 2028; and February 19, 2028.
The second expedition style, The Drake Fly & Sail Expedition, offers one opportunity to sail the iconic Drake Passage from Chile before the Antarctic cruise portion, then return from King George Island to Punta Arenas via private charter flight.
This itinerary offers two departures: November 19, 2027 and February 3, 2028.
Limited space remains available for December 2026 Drake Express departures, including the December 7 and December 14 departures.
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