MV Magellan Explorer successfully completed sea trials. Tests reviewed all the cruise ship’s components, including the bow and stern thrusters, main and auxiliary engines, auto-pilot unit and bridge equipment, fire detection systems, main and auxiliary engines, stabilizers, main and auxiliary engines, and much more.
Final preparations for cruising south are currently underway. Magellan Explorer (owned by the small cruise company Antarctica21 Air-Cruises) is leaving Valdivia Chile on Monday, October 28, and arriving in Punta Arenas on November 1. Once there, provisions and other supplies are due to be loaded and a series of additional training sessions will take place.
On November 8, there will be an official Christening ceremony, after which, the vessel will operate 3 different short shakedown sailings between Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams. On November 28, 2019, the inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart from Punta Arenas for Antarctica via Ushuaia and Cape Horn.