HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience
incredible penguin encounters as you get up close to these polar
rockstars
- Take
in this vast frozen wilderness as it changes colour from glassy white
to turquoise and green
- Keep
an eye out for black-browed albatross in the Falklands as we come
ashore to these remote communities
- Listen
to our engaging polar experts and learn tips from our on-board
photographers
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | Oceanview D4 | Oceanview M4 | Balcony D5 | Balcony M5 | Balcony D6 | Suite | Premium Suite |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Oceanview D4 | (Mid-range) Balcony M5 | (High-end) Premium Suite |
ITINERARY
DAY
1 BUENOS AIRES
Argentina's
cosmopolitan capital is known as "The Paris of South America". But this
metropolis is as much about its neighbourhoods (barrios) and cafe
culture. Each district has its own character - none more so than
colourful and lively La Boca, where tango dancers perform in the
streets. Ships dock into the regenerated waterfront barrio Puerto
Madero. Be sure to also visit the handsome district of Recoleta, famous
for the cemetery where Eva "Evita" Peron is buried.
DAY
2-4 AT SEA
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing
ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other
passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head
to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an
expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your
photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional
photographers.
DAY
5 WEST POINT ISLAND & SAUNDERS ISLAND
Black-browed
albatross soar above this rugged weather-beaten island in the west of
the Falklands, while Commerson's dolphins swim below. With a sparse
population of people and sheep, this inhabited island is also home to
fur seals, burrowing rockhopper penguins, magellanic penguins and
imperial cormorants who roost in the jagged cliffs and the striking
Cliff Mountain towering above the dramatic coastal scenery. As you hike
across the moss, keep an eye open for pink-petalled Felton's flowers.
Birdlife is the big draw on this lush sheep-farming island, where
thousands of rams and ewes roam. Settled by British explorers in 1765,
the island's unique scenery includes the beaches at The Neck filled
with the cacophony of rockhopper, gentoo and king penguin colonies, and
you might spot the pillar-shaped nests of black-browed albatross. Nine
of the Falklands' 14 endemic plants, including silvery buttercup and
hairy daisy, grow here and are a real treat.
DAY
6 PORT STANLEY
Anyone
familiar with Britain's trademark red post boxes might spot a
resemblance in this British outpost. Port Stanley, on East Falkland, is
the tiny capital of the Falkland Islands and is small enough to get
around on foot. You can visit The Historic Dockyard Museum devoted to
maritime history and exploration or pop into the post office.
Magellanic penguins gather in hordes at nearby Gypsy Cove, and sea
lions and dolphins frolic in the harbour.
DAY
7-8 AT SEA
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing
ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other
passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head
to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an
expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your
photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional
photographers.
DAY
9-10 SOUTH GEORGIA
Often
called the "Galapagos of the Poles", South Georgia has a number of
landing sites where you get up close to half a million king penguins or
three million breeding pairs of macaroni penguins, making up the
largest population in the world. If you are lucky you will also see
harrumphing elephant seals - from a distance! We also visit Grytviken,
the historic whaling station where legendary British explorer Ernest
Shackleton (1874-1922) is buried.
DAY
11 AT SEA
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing
ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other
passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head
to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an
expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your
photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional
photographers.
DAY
12 SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
While
the South Shetlands' proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea
impassable during winter (April to November), these are the first
islands to see snow melt in spring (March) and the slightly warmer
temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in
Antarctica proper. As we go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses,
lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than
they do with Antarctica.
DAY
13-14 ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Among
captivating glaciers, majestic icebergs and snowy islands, the
Antarctic Peninsula is where most visitors to the White Continent will
live out their Antarctica dream. The Antarctic Peninsula, the most
accessible area of the continent, hosts several scientific bases and
some of the most interesting wildlife scenery, such as the extremely
photogenic Lemaire Channel. Shore excursions might include Petermann
Island, where among Adelie penguins, blue-eyed shags and skuas, huge,
lumbering elephant seals haul out.
DAY
15 SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
While
the South Shetlands' proximity to Antarctica makes the ice-bound sea
impassable during winter (April to November), these are the first
islands to see snow melt in spring (March) and the slightly warmer
temperature means that the fauna is also different from what you see in
Antarctica proper. As we go ashore by Zodiac, notice ferns, grasses,
lichens and native flora that have more in common with Patagonia than
they do with Antarctica.
DAY
16-17 AT SEA
Sea
days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go
by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing
ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other
passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head
to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an
expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your
photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional
photographers.
DAY
18 USHUAIA
Ushuaia
is the gateway to the White Continent. Found at the southernmost tip of
South America in Argentinian Patagonia, the city is often described as
"the End of the World". The city's mountain backdrop rises above the
harbour and entrance to the Beagle Channel. The town itself is walkable
and has a few small museums as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes - a
good place to try Patagonian lamb cooked over open fire pits.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities and port taxes
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Itineraries
are correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change
- Lecture
Programme
- Zodiac
Excurcions
- Polar
Plunge