Penguins and Real Estate Investing
Antarctica Feb 12 – Mar 7, 2027
Proudly Sponsored by
Penguins and Polar Bears Guiding
& MBC REI
Explore Antarctica and Network with Real Estate Leaders on a Once In a Lifetime Adventure Cruise!
Join Penguins and Polar Bears Guiding, LLC and MBC REI, LLC for a truly unique expedition with Oceanwide to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica—some of the most remote and breathtaking places on Earth.
Encounter penguins, seals, and whales in their natural habitats.
Experience the raw beauty of the polar wilderness and its stunning natural treasures.
Learn the deep history of this place from our private professional guide and see places where history was made.
For many, this alone creates the trip of a lifetime.
However, for us, this is more than just an adventure.
It’s an opportunity to connect deeply with fellow real estate investors in an inspiring setting.
Join multiple private roundtable sessions where you’ll engage in meaningful discussions about real estate investing across various asset classes and philosophies. This is not a passive conference; it’s an interactive experience designed to spark new ideas and lasting business relationships.
The networking doesn’t stop with our group.
You will have the opportunity to meet other passengers who share your adventurous spirit, many of whom have fascinating stories of their own.
Use this opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with them.
You will return home with a lifetime of memories and many new friends.
What’s Included
- Night in Ushuaia prior to the cruise
- Group dinner in Ushuaia
- The 23 day Oceanwide cruise
- All food while on ship
- Zodiac cruising and most shore excursions
- Lectures by Oceanwide staff
- Rubber boots
- Private group receptions and roundtables
- Private group guide
- Customary gratuities for the cruise
- Prescheduled group transfer from vessel to airport in Ushuaia directly after disembarkation
Proposed Itinerary
As this is an adventure travel trip at the far reaches of the planet, our actual itinerary will depend on a variety of factors including weather conditions. The following is a tentative itinerary for planning purposes and is subject to change without notice, including at any time during the trip.
Feb 12: Meet at Hotel
Feb 13: Board the Hondius
Feb 14: At Sea
We are at sea all day as we head towards the Falkland Islands. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we will have five hours of private sessions focused on real estate investing.
Feb 15: Falkland Islands
Our first shore excursion happens today. Get out there, enjoy being on land, and get to see the first penguins of the trip. (1 PD)
Feb 16: Falkland Islands
After exploring Stanley and getting insights into the history of the Falkland Islands, we will have a private networking event after dinner.
Feb 17 & 18: At Sea
We are at sea all day as we head towards South Georgia. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we have five hours of private sessions each day focused on real estate investing.
Feb 19 – 22: South Georgia
Our days in South Georgia will be filled with penguins and seals. We will continue to network in informal groups during meals and after dinner. We will have a private reception after dinner on the 22nd as we depart South Georgia for Antarctica. (1 PD)
Feb 23: At Sea
We are at sea all day as we head towards Antarctica. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we have five hours of private sessions each day focused on real estate investing.
Feb 24: South Orkney
As we head through the South Orkney Islands, if weather permits we may be able to get off the ship. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we will have five hours of private sessions focused on real estate investing.
Feb 25: Elephant Island
At Elephant Island, if weather permits we may be able to get off the ship and do a zodiac cruise to see where Shackleton’s men waited for rescue. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we will have five hours of private sessions focused on real estate investing.
Feb 26: Around the Peninsula
As we get our first glimpse of the Antarctic Peninsula, if weather permits we may be able to get off the ship. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we will have five hours of private sessions focused on real estate investing.
Feb 26: South Shetland
As we go through the South Shetland islands, if weather permits we may be able to get off the ship. Perhaps taking time to hike on an active volcano. Given we expect a full day, there are no private activities planned for the day.
Feb 28 – Mar 4: Antarctica
We expect days full of excursions and activities as we explore the continent. As a result, there are no private activities planned for most days. On our final day, we will have a private reception after dinner as we bid farewell to the icy continent. (3 PD)
Mar 5 – 6: At Sea
We are at sea as we head back towards South America. In addition to the activities the rest of the passengers have, we will have five hours of private sessions focused on real estate investing.
Mar 7: Disembark and Head Home
It is time for our adventure to come to an end. However, we will have created treasure trove of memories and made new friends that return home with us. Safe travels to all!
Packing List
In order to ride in the zodiacs – which you need to do to participate in any shore excursions – you are required to have waterproof jackets and trousers. The expedition team will not let you onboard without them, and do not provide them, so don’t forget to bring them with you (or have them rented before you arrive in Ushuaia)!
While Antarctica is a unique environment, the general packing advice is similar to other cold regions – take warm clothing that you can easily add or remove in layers. Similar to packing for a ski trip, you should consider thermal underwear, warm socks, fleece, gloves, neck gaiter, hat, etc. Since you may get wet, consider bringing duplicate items – for example, multiple pairs of gloves. All outer layers should be both waterproof and windproof for maximum comfort.
Rubber boots – required for the zodiacs and extremely valuable for the terrain encountered on most excursions – will be provided by Oceanwide. These boots are comfortable and are preferred for hiking due to the potentially muddy terrain and easy cleaning. As a result, we never bring our own hiking boots. If you have a pair of waterproof hiking boots that you love, don’t mind getting covered in mud and guano, and are willing to clean with a harsh disinfectant between each excursion (due to the environment protocols that must be followed) – you can bring your own pair. But it is not something that we recommend.
If you do not own appropriate expedition wear, you can rent it in Ushuaia for an additional cost. We recommend using New Headings as they work with Oceanwide. Information about how to connect with them will be provided once your final booking has been confirmed.
Beyond warm clothes, we recommend bringing:
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars (for wildlife viewing)
- Camera (to record your memories)
- Bathing suit (for polar plunging)
- Anti seasickness bands or medication as appropriate (we recommend the reliefband Sport )
- Ski googles (for blustery days)
As wireless tends to be spotty at the best of times, we do not recommend bringing a computer. Do not expect to get much work done from the ship – between our private sessions and the normal guest activities, you will be quite busy. If you can afford the time off, this can be a great time to disconnect from daily life and experience one of the most majestic places on earth.
Recommended Reading
The areas we are travelling through are filled with history. If you want to learn more about the region in anticipation of the trip, we suggest:
- Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
- Madhouse at the End of the Earth
- The Worst Journey in the World
And to learn more about South Georgia, check out the South Georgia Heritage Trust.
Travel Requirements
You are responsible for your own travel to and from our starting / ending point – Ushuaia, Argentina.
Flights
While it is at the southernmost tip of South America, there are multiple ways to get to Ushuaia. Starting in the US, we typically fly into Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE). From there, most flights to Ushuaia (USH) depart from the second airport in the city, Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery (AEP). You should plan for at least 4 hours to move between airports as you need to clear customs, get your luggage, travel between airports, and then check in and go through security again. Our preference is to spend 1-2 night in BA between the two flights. This gives time to recover from the first long flight and reduces stress in case of flight delays, customs delays, heavy traffic, etc. BA is an interesting city to visit, having great wine and steaks and a plethora of cultural attractions, so take the time to enjoy it while you are there.
Our adventure begins on Feb 12, 2027. Please arrange your flights to arrive before 3:00 pm, so you have time to get to the hotel and unpack before our group dinner. You won’t want to miss this first opportunity to meet your fellow travelers.
We recommend booking your flight out of Ushuaia to depart after 1:00 pm. Better yet, stay an extra night in Ushuaia. Similar to the trip down, you may also want to spend a night in Buenos Aires if you have to change airports.
Visas
As of the time of this writing, US citizens do not require a visa to enter Argentina. Please check with the US Dept. of State prior to departure to make sure that you meet all requirements.
For citizens of other countries, please check with your consulate to determine if you need a visa or not.
Passports
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after entry. We recommend having your passport renewed before your trip if it expires prior to 12/1/27.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required both for entry into Argentina and for boarding the ship. The policy must cover medical evacuation of at least $100,000 per person. While there are some cruise specific options, we highly recommend including this coverage as part of a broader travel insurance policy given the potential for other travel interruptions such as flight delays or cancellations to impact your trip. We typically use American Express travel insurance, but please choose whomever works best for you as long as they provide the minimum level of medivac coverage.
Personal Expenses
You are responsible for any personal charges such as excess baggage fees, any appropriate visa / passport fees, any applicable arrival or departure taxes, non-group meals, laundry, beverages (other than included by Oceanwide or during hosted events), and internet.
Booking Information
We will be sailing on the Hondius, with Oceanwide Expeditions. However, please don’t book directly with them. In order to get all of the benefits of this trip, including an extra night in Ushuaia at the start of the trip and access to our private sessions, you must book directly with us.
Twin Porthole Cabin: $42,500 USD – We are matching the base price charged by Oceanwide for the most common cabin. This price is for 2 people, and includes your time on the ship as well as 1 night in the hotel prior to departure.
Based on availability, other cabin types may be reserved for an additional fee. Please reach out to events @mbc-rei.com if interested in upgrading.
Payments & Dates
Note that a 3% fee will be added to credit card charges. To avoid this fee, you can pay using ACH.
7/11/26 $10,000 Non-Refundable Deposit Due
We require a down payment of $10,000 to hold a cabin for you, with final payment due 3 months prior to sailing.
If you pay in full at least 8 months before sailing, you will receive a $100 per cabin shipboard credit.
If we are unable to meet our minimum cabin commitment by 09/11/2026 we will have to cancel the event. If that occurs, we will give you the choice to have your payment fully refunded or have your cabin booked directly with Oceanwide if you want to continue with the trip despite the cancellation of our real estate event. To maintain your flexibility, we recommend you do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have a sufficient number of guests.
10/11/26 Completed Passenger Booking Form Due
4 months prior to departure, in order to complete the reservations with Oceanwide, we need a completed passenger booking form for every person who is going to be on-ship.
11/11/26 Final Payment Due
It’s almost time to go!
3 months prior to the trip, we need your final payment to confirm the cabins with the ship.
Additional Expenses
You are responsible for any personal expenses incurred during your trip. This includes, but is not limited to, any meals or alcohol not explicitly covered by our team.
If you wish to purchase additional excursion packages, such as the diving excursion offered by Oceanwide, please let us know when you provide your deposit and we will work with the company to reserve your spot.
You are encouraged to book additional accommodations before or after the trip if you want to explore Ushuaia or Argentina on your own.
Children
Children older than 3 are permitted onboard the ship, however, keep in mind this is adventure travel at the far reaches of the planet. There are limited entertainment options onboard, few other children to play with, the wireless is unreliable, and excursions can be cold and strenuous. Please seriously consider whether or not your children will enjoy this trip prior to booking with them. If you do chose to bring your child, reach out so we can explore other cabin options that may be more appropriate than the standard twin porthole.
FAQ
Do we need to tip?
Your trip cost includes customary gratuities for both the ship and any hosted events. If you feel that you have received exceptional service and wish to express that yourself, you are encouraged to tip the service provider directly.
Can I get a different class of cabin?
If there are cabins of your desired category available, you certainly upgrade to a different one. Please reach out to us at events @mbc-rei.com to discuss options.
What currency will be used?
Argentina uses the Argentinine Peso (ARS). The Falklands and South Georgia are both British colonies and use the Pound. Most stores in all locations will accept US dollars as well as credit or debit cards. In Argentina, we have sometimes obtained a more favorable exchange rate when using cash (USD) to pay bills. Note that American Express is not widely accepted, so you should plan to take a Visa or Mastercard if you are paying by credit card. Onboard the ship, the default currency is the Euro. However, charges will be made to your cabin and you can pay any outstanding tab at the end of the voyage with your Visa / Mastercard or in cash (USD or Euros are both accepted).
Do we need any special immunizations for this cruise?
At the time of writing, there are no vaccination requirements for the areas of Argentina that we will be visiting. You may want to review the CDC website and talk with your doctor to ensure you understand the recommended vaccinations (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/argentina).
Is this trip tax deductible?
We are not tax professionals so cannot give tax advice. Please consult with your tax professional to determine if you may consider part or all of this event tax deductible as a business expense. Based on our proposed schedule, we plan for 5 personal days (identified as PD in the itinerary) and 12 days with at least 5 hours of business events. Counting weekends and travel days, we expect most people to have 21 business days on this trip.