Scheduled to debut in November 2026, Antarctica21’s new Magellan Discoverer will build on the success of its sister ship, Magellan Explorer, which launched in 2019, while introducing a few changes.
Like Explorer, Discoverer will accommodate 76 guests on air cruises and 96 on sea voyages — as the line is known for routes that skip the Drake Passage. The new ship will increase its expedition staff and crew members to 67, up from 60, in an effort to enhance the personalized experience.
“The decision to build Magellan Discoverer followed the tremendous success of our first custom-built ship, Magellan Explorer, which allowed us to deliver a uniquely personalized Antarctic experience,” said Jaime Vasquez, president of Antarctica21. “We saw clear market demand for our specialized air-cruise model — a style that eliminates the long, rough crossing and brings guests directly into the heart of Antarctica. Magellan Discoverer completes our fleet of small ships, entirely under our control, allowing us to offer even more immersive boutique expeditions.”
Ship Specifications
Discoverer will measure approximately 308 feet in length (compared to Explorer’s 298 feet) and 56 feet in width (versus 53 feet), with a shared draft of about 14 feet. The new vessel will carry an ice class rating of PC6 and operate a fleet of 10 Zodiacs.
Under construction at the Astilleros y Servicios Navales S.A. shipyard in Chile, Discoverer is being positioned as the first hybrid-electric polar cruise ship built in the Americas. Its hybrid-electric diesel engines will replace Explorer’s standard diesel engines, though both ships will cruise at a speed of 14 knots in open water.
Additional sustainability features include Corvus energy-storage battery packs, quieter azipod propulsion units, a heat recovery system and selective catalytic reduction designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Onboard Accommodations
All staterooms and suites will feature balconies, ranging from a 280-square-foot Deluxe Veranda Cabin (or Single Veranda Cabin) to a 560-square-foot Triple Veranda Suite (or Family Veranda Suite). To make an even larger premium family option, a connecting 409-square-foot Grand Veranda Suite and Deluxe Veranda Cabin can be reserved in tandem.
Both the entry-level staterooms and mid-level suites will sport a sitting area and a balcony, while top-tier suites offer a two-room suite configuration. All accommodations feature ample wardrobe space and heated bathroom floors.
Compared to Explorer, Discoverer will feature higher ceilings, larger surface areas and extra seating.
Public Amenities
The ship’s interiors will be curated by Tomas Tillberg Design, which conducted on-site visits to Magellan Explorer and Antartica21’s Explorers House in Punta Arenas to better understand the brand’s aesthetic and values.
Public venues will consist of an observation lounge complete with bar service, featuring Chilean and international beverages, panoramic seating, a sauna, a fitness center, a library stocked with Antarctic volumes, a wet lab for citizen science programming, a retail shop, multi-purpose meeting rooms, a single-seating main restaurant and an open-air barbecue for when weather permits.
Cuisine will include regionally inspired menus paired with premium Chilean wines mid-day and in the evening. Breakfast and lunch will be served buffet-style, while dinner will be plated. Self-service coffee, tea and snacks will be available throughout the day in the lounge and library.
New to Discoverer is a 360-degree wraparound deck for even greater immersion. The ship will also feature a forward observation deck, an accessible bow and a Zodiac embarkation area equipped with hangers, lockers and additional seating.
Guests will have Wi-Fi access as well as a local intranet with daily programs and international news via the Antarctica21 mobile app.
