The ship left Ushuaia , Argentina on November 11th , 2007 , on a 19-day cruise intended to trace the route of 20th century explorer Ernest Shackleton through the Drake Passage ( an area typically stormy with rough seas ) . Explorer departed from Ushuaia , Argentina on November 11 , 2007 on a 19-day cruise intended to trace the route of 20th century explorer Ernest Shackleton through the Drake Passage ( an area typically stormy with rough seas ) .