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Princess Cruises is charting an ambitious course through South America and Antarctica over the coming years, rolling out a series of longer voyages, new itineraries and expanded deployment that aim to blend big-ship comfort with expedition-style scenery in some of the world’s most remote waters.
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Majestic Princess Takes Center Stage in 2026–27
Publicly available deployment details for the 2026–27 winter season indicate that Majestic Princess will become the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to dedicate a full program to South America and Antarctica. The 3,560-guest vessel is scheduled to operate a series of sailings that combine marquee cities such as Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro with days of scenic cruising off the Antarctic Peninsula.
Industry reports describe five core itineraries built around the southern summer, typically ranging from around two to nearly three weeks at sea, with sailings expected to run from late 2026 into early 2027. These programs are designed to appeal to guests seeking extended voyages that balance days in port with long stretches of open ocean and fjord sailing.
The shift to a larger ship reflects a broader trend among mainstream cruise brands positioning select vessels on longer, once-in-a-lifetime routes. For Princess, it marks a significant amplification of its long-standing presence in the region, where the line has traditionally relied on smaller ships such as Sapphire Princess.
2025–26 Season Builds Momentum With Sapphire Princess
Before Majestic Princess arrives, Princess is using the 2025–26 season to deepen its footprint with Sapphire Princess, a 2,670-passenger ship that has become closely associated with the line’s Antarctica and South America offerings. According to published coverage of the upcoming program, Sapphire Princess is scheduled to operate multiple Antarctic sailings from key South American gateways, including Buenos Aires.
These voyages typically run between roughly two and three weeks and feature scenic cruising through areas such as the Gerlache Strait and around islands on the northern fringe of the Antarctic Peninsula, weather and ice conditions permitting. Reports indicate that Sapphire Princess will offer more Antarctic-focused itineraries than any other single ship in the company’s fleet, underscoring Princess Cruises’ commitment to the region.
Beyond polar scenery, the 2025–26 schedule is expected to include calls in classic South American ports, visiting segments of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and major Atlantic and Pacific cities. That mix allows guests to pair urban culture and cuisine with glacier-cloaked landscapes on a single extended holiday.
New 2027–28 Season Extends the Adventure Curve
Princess Cruises’ expansion is set to continue later in the decade. According to a March 2026 media announcement distributed via newswires and shared across industry channels, the company has unveiled a dedicated 2027–28 South America season once again centered on Majestic Princess. The program is described as featuring six departures across four distinct itineraries between October 2027 and January 2028.
These future sailings are positioned to highlight both Antarctic scenery and high-profile South American attractions, with marketing materials emphasizing UNESCO-listed sites and Patagonia’s dramatic landscapes. While specific port sequences can evolve closer to departure, the broad outline points to an ongoing focus on combining immersive coastal cruising with land-based exploration.
The decision to publish details more than a year in advance reflects strong interest in longer, destination-driven voyages. It also offers travelers additional lead time to plan complex trips that may involve international flights, pre- or post-cruise stays and specialized shore excursions in remote regions.
Itineraries Blend Iconic Cities, Fjords and Antarctic Waters
Across the announced and previewed seasons, Princess Cruises’ South America and Antarctica sailings are structured to showcase both headline cities and remote wilderness. Public itinerary descriptions highlight routes that string together ports such as Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and Valparaiso with visits to the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn and the Beagle Channel.
On Antarctic-focused departures, scenic cruising days take center stage. Information published by the line notes plans to navigate areas including the Gerlache Strait, Elephant Island and the South Shetland Islands when conditions allow. These routes are intended to offer guests views of tabular icebergs, glacier-clad peaks and abundant wildlife from the comfort of a large, amenity-rich ship.
Complementing time at sea, many itineraries include extended port calls that enable guests to explore local culture, food and history. Reports indicate that onboard programming will feature destination-focused activities such as regional cuisine, live performances and specialist talks designed to provide context for the landscapes and communities visited along the way.
Balancing Big-Ship Comfort With Responsible Antarctic Access
Princess Cruises positions its South America and Antarctica season as a way for guests to experience polar scenery without sacrificing the amenities of a contemporary cruise ship. Fleet features such as multiple dining venues, entertainment lounges, spas and spacious deck areas provide a contrast to the expedition-style experiences traditionally associated with Antarctic travel.
At the same time, publicly available information shows that the company is a member operator within the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, an organization focused on promoting safe, environmentally responsible travel to the region. That membership signals alignment with widely recognized guidelines on topics such as wildlife viewing, waste management and visitor numbers ashore.
For travelers, the evolving South America and Antarctica program offers an expanding menu of options, from early-season voyages that focus on warmer-weather ports to peak-summer sailings skirting the edge of the Antarctic continent. As Majestic Princess and Sapphire Princess rotate through the region in the coming years, Princess Cruises is positioning its itineraries as a blend of classic ocean cruising and bucket-list expedition scenery.