Montevideo Welcomes Seven Polar Ships for Antarctic Season Start
During their Montevideo calls, the polar ships take on provisions and drinking water; Ocean Nova and Ocean Explorer are scheduled to continue onward to Ushuaia.
Montevideo received seven polar expedition ships this week at the start of the Antarctic cruise season. One of them, Expedition, embarked 123 passengers. The vessels called at the Uruguayan port for crew changes, supplies and repairs before beginning their itineraries.
Ruben Jokas, head of shipping agency Velmaren, said some passengers arrive by air and spend time in Montevideo before boarding, bringing business to hotels, restaurants, transport providers and shops alongside demand for port services.
The other ships calling were Ocean Albatros, Ocean Nova, Sylvia Earle, Ocean Explorer, Seaventure and Sea Spirit. All seven vessels have reinforced hulls for navigation in polar waters.
Uruguay’s National Ports Administration said Expedition completed part of its preparations in Montevideo. Port captain Luis Varela supervised the ship’s passenger embarkation. The expedition ships also take on provisions and drinking water during their calls.
In the 2024–25 season, 234,865 passengers disembarked in Montevideo, representing 75% of the national total. Cruise visitors spent approximately US$14.6 million in the city, equivalent to 79% of Uruguay’s cruise-visitor spending.
Montevideo’s 2023–24 season recorded 133 cruise calls and 292,648 passengers aboard visiting ships, compared with 129 calls and 260,949 passengers the previous season. Those totals count passengers aboard visiting ships and are not directly comparable with the 2024–25 disembarkation figures.
Ocean Albatros is scheduled to continue from Montevideo to Buenos Aires. Ocean Nova and Ocean Explorer will sail onward to Ushuaia, the principal departure port for Antarctica.
