The Magellan Discoverer, presented as the first hybrid-electric cruise ship built in the Americas, has left the Asenav shipyard in Valdivia, Chile, for the last time and will be delivered to the company Antarctica21 on Friday, October 30, 2026. It can carry 96 passengers, will make its maiden voyage to Antarctica on December 15 from Punta Arenas, and fares start at about US$15,000 per person, according to the company.
"Our NB 193, the Magellan Discoverer, sailed from Asenav's facilities for the last time," Germán Schacht, the shipyard's business development and marketing manager, told PortalCruceros on October 26. The ship went to Corral Bay for its final sea trials before sailing some 1,020 nautical miles to Punta Arenas, according to Chócale.
The Magellan Discoverer in numbers
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Shipyard | Asenav, Valdivia (hull NB 193) |
| Operator | Antarctica21 |
| Length / beam / height | 94 m / 17.2 m / 30.5 m |
| Passengers | Up to 96 |
| Crew | 67 |
| Polar class | Polar Class 6 and IMO Tier III |
| Range | Up to 60 days without resupply |
| Reinforced bow | Ice up to 80 cm thick |
| Fuel savings | About 25% |
| Emissions reduction | Up to 30% |
| Construction time | About 33 months |
Sources: Asenav, via PortalCruceros (October 26, 2026) and Chócale (October 24, 2026). The system combines diesel generation, electric propulsion and batteries, which according to the shipyard also reduces underwater noise, a sensitive issue for Antarctic marine wildlife.
The Magellan Discoverer's timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| October 26, 2026 | Last departure from Asenav's yard on the Calle Calle River, toward Corral Bay |
| Friday, October 30 | Delivery to Antarctica21 and departure for Punta Arenas |
| Early November | Naming ceremony and inauguration in Punta Arenas |
| December 15, 2026 | Maiden voyage to Antarctica from Muelle Prat in Punta Arenas |
Sources: PortalCruceros, Chócale and Canal 9 Bío Bío (October 26), which quotes Antarctica21 CEO Verónica Peragallo. According to that report, sailing from Punta Arenas to Antarctica takes about three days.
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See advertising optionsHow much a trip on the Magellan Discoverer costs
Fares start at about US$15,000 per person, roughly CLP 15 million, Antarctica21's representative told Radio Bío Bío. The report does not say what that price includes or how long the trip lasts, so check directly with the company. With the dollar at around CLP 985, as we explain in the dollar near 1,000 pesos, the price in pesos varies with the exchange rate.
A small ship next to the expedition cruisers already sailing the south
With 96 passengers, the new ship belongs to the small expedition cruise segment. Here is how it compares with another hybrid ship that sailed through Chilean Patagonia this week:
| Ship | Built in | Length | Passengers | Propulsion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magellan Discoverer (Antarctica21) | Valdivia, Chile (Asenav) | 94 m | 96 | Hybrid-electric |
| MS Fridtjof Nansen (HX Expeditions) | Norway | 140 m | 530 | Hybrid |
Sources: Asenav via PortalCruceros and Chócale; HX Expeditions via PortalCruceros and Paislobo Prensa (October 2026). The ship first touched the water a year ago, at its launch in Valdivia, and its equipment has been installed since then, according to Canal 9 Bío Bío. It also has an onboard science lab for experiments on the Antarctic ecosystem.
Why it matters for tourism in Chile
- Chilean shipbuilding: more than 500 people, including staff, contractors and suppliers, worked on its construction, according to Chócale. Meganoticias reported on October 19 that the work amounted to about US$90 million.
- Punta Arenas as a gateway to Antarctica: the ship joins the Antarctica21 fleet, which has operated the Magellan Explorer since 2019.
- Cruise season under way: the south is already welcoming expedition ships, such as the MS Fridtjof Nansen, which opened the season in Puerto Natales. See also the Valparaíso cruise season.
- Valdivia: if you pass through the shipyard's city, check things to do in Valdivia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Magellan Discoverer?
It is a hybrid-electric polar expedition cruise ship built by Asenav in Valdivia for Antarctica21. It carries up to 96 passengers.
Where does it leave for Antarctica from?
From Muelle Prat in Punta Arenas. The maiden voyage is scheduled for December 15, 2026.
How much is a ticket?
From about US$15,000 per person, according to Antarctica21. Details of each program should be checked with the company.
