The Celebrity Equinox cruise ship, one of the largest in the world, will finally arrive at the port of Ushuaia in a historic event for Antarctic tourism.

After a year of absence from our region, the return of the Celebrity to Ushuaia marks an important milestone for the local tourism industry. This gigantic cruise ship, featuring eleven restaurants and four swimming pools, will arrive with approximately 3,145 passengers and 1,400 crew members, all eager to discover our beautiful corner of the world.
In addition, for visitors disembarking from the Celebrity in Ushuaia, our company ushuaiatravel.com offers a variety of excursions and specially designed Shore Programs to help you make the most of your experience at the End of the World. Without a doubt, the ship’s stay throughout Saturday, December 13, represents a unique opportunity both for visitors and for our local economy.

So, when a Celebrity cruise ship docks in Ushuaia, its approximate dimensions are:

  • Length (overall): ~ 315 m
  • Gross tonnage: ~ 122,000
  • Passenger capacity: ~ 2,850, making its visit a truly meaningful event for the region.

The arrival of the Celebrity Equinox in Ushuaia

 

In an exciting return, the Celebrity, in this case the Equinox will once again dock in our port after two years without operating in the area. This Maltese-flagged naval marvel, belonging to Celebrity Cruises, is truly impressive.

The arrival of the Eclipse was only made possible thanks to the recent work carried out by the City of Ushuaia together with the company, which allowed the port to reach the 9-meter draft needed to receive this giant of the sea. Without a doubt, it was an effort worth making, as it carries approximately 4,300 people on board — around 3,000 tourists and the rest crew members.

For us, in ushuaiatravel.com, this arrival represents a unique opportunity to offer our exclusive excursions and Shore Programs. During their stay — which includes an overnight stop in our port — passengers can enjoy unforgettable experiences such as visits to the National Park, navigations through the Beagle Channel, and walks along Patagonian trails, all specially designed for cruise passengers.

On the other hand, this cruise ship not only brings people from all over the world but also fellow Argentinians, who can experience our region from a privileged perspective. Its arrival is expected its arrival is expected for 12/13/2025. and it will be a landmark moment for the city. It will mark the beginning of a series of calls during the 2025–2026 season.

However, the most remarkable aspect is the positive impact that each visit from the Celebrity has on our local economy and the strengthening of Ushuaia’s position as the gateway to the White Continent.

Tourism and Economic Impact on the City

The visit of the Celebrity cruise to our port represents much more than a simple tourist arrival. The economic impact is extraordinary, considering that cada turista que desembarca gasta aproximadamente US$ 150 on local products and services. During a similar weekend, more than six thousand cruise passengers generated nearly one million dollars in our local economy.

The benefits for our city are immediate. This influx boosts several sectors such as:

  1. Restaurants and local gastronomy
  2. Shops and souvenir stores
  3. Excursions and museums
  4. Local transportation

Likewise, Ushuaia strengthens its position as the gateway to Antarctica, with figures showing that more than 90% of Antarctic cruise maritime traffic uses our port. Without a doubt, this season sets a new record for Antarctic tourism in our region. utiliza nuestro puerto. Sin duda, esta temporada marca un nuevo récord para el turismo antártico en nuestra región.

Sustainability in Cruise Tourism

The arrival of large vessels at the port of Ushuaia — with the official statics already indicating that the 2025–2026 cruise season is projected to bring more than 550 calls to the local port — requires a responsible approach that works hand in hand with the surrounding nature. That is why our company operates under a sustainability policy, ensuring that passenger disembarkation does not create permanent negative impacts.

Our policy is simple: we promote low-impact excursions (controlled groups, guided hiking, respectful wildlife viewing), avoid sensitive areas outside permitted hours, and encourage respect for the environment. In this way, visitors enjoy the beauty of Tierra del Fuego without compromising it, and our operation remains aligned with the conservation goals the region requires.

 

Practical Tips for Cruise Passengers

If you are considering traveling on the Celebrity EQUINOX and disembarking in Ushuaia, we recommend bringing warm, durable clothing: even during the austral spring and summer, the wind and the proximity to the sea make the wind-chill factor quite low. Pack a light waterproof fleece or jacket, non-slip footwear such as trekking boots (especially if you plan to join an ice or forest excursion), and a small backpack with a water bottle, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The arrival season is usually concentrated between October and March/April, a period in which weather conditions allow for safer navigation and exploration. As for disembarkation, many cruise ships will arrive early in the morning and remain in the city for between 6 and 10 hours before continuing their journey; therefore, a half-day excursion is ideal for discovering the essentials without rushing. We recommend our Beagle Channel wildlife-watching tours, or the outing to the local glacier for those seeking something more in-depth. By traveling with a knowledgeable local guide, you can be confident that you will make the most of your brief stay in Ushuaia.

Actividades y excursiones para los cruceristas

Passengers from the Celebrity Equinox cruise ship discover in Ushuaia a wide range of unforgettable experiences. At ushuaiatravel.com we have renewed our excursions specially designed for those who want to make the most of their stopover.

One of the most popular activities is the Beagle Channel navigation, where cruise passengers can marvel at sea lion colonies and spot seabirds in their natural habitat. During this journey, visitors also admire the historic Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, often mistakenly referred to as the “Lighthouse at the End of the World.”

Another must-see experience is the tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park, located just 11 km from the city. Here, our participants can enjoy the famous End of the World Train, which once transported prisoners who were sent to gather firewood.

For food lovers, we organize Argentine wine tastings and exquisite cuts of meat. In addition, the city has prepared various cultural activities, including tango shows and exhibitions of regional products.

Traveler Testimonials and Anecdotes

“I will never forget the moment when the local guide pointed out a condor flying over the valley while the ship at the dock glistened in the sun — it was magical,” said María and Juan, a couple from Seville who chose us during their Antarctic cruise stopover.

“We thought it was just a simple outing, but we ended up walking along snowy trails with views of the channel and learning about Fuegian flora thanks to our guide. Highly recommended!” shared Thomas, from Germany.

Estas experiencias no son excepcionales: gracias al compromiso de nuestra empresa de brindar excursiones personalizadas para cruceristas, hemos podido adaptarnos a horarios flexibles, asegurar traslados rápidos desde el muelle y ofrecer rutas que muestran lo mejor de Ushuaia sin perder tiempo. Estos recuerdos reales refuerzan que más allá de llegar en barco grande, lo importante es lo que haces en tierra — y nosotros nos aseguramos de que sea memorable