HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore
the spectacular Antarctic wilderness in a casual atmosphere of
like-minded travelers
- Experience
abundant wildlife including immense penguin colonies and other
seabirds, seals and even some of the great whales at close range
- Cruise
in comfort along towering icebergs, serrated maritime mountains and
luminous glaciers
- Zodiac
landing craft allow visitation on remote shorelines and otherwise
inaccessible areas
- Ship
allows an "open bridge policy" to observe its sophisticated navigation
equipment and provides an excellent location to view wildlife the
landscape (subject to weather and critical navigation maneuvers)
- Expert
naturalist guides
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple Suite | Porthole Suite | Window Suite | Promenade Suite | Deluxe Suite | Veranda Suite | Penthouse Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple Suite | (Mid-range)
Deluxe Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
Complimentary
Pre-Arrival Day
Don’t
sweat flight delays or missed connections when you begin your adventure
a day early by taking advantage of our optional free pre-arrival night
at the beautiful Arakur Hotel & Resort, a member of the Leading
Hotels of the World. Enjoy the spa, wander the trails, or unwind and
soak in the surroundings.
Day
1: Ushuaia
Today
is all yours: explore some of the sights that Ushuaia has to offer,
from museums to Argentinean leather markets, or continue relaxing at
the lovely Arakur. Our optional evening briefing is a great opportunity
for you to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
Day
2: Embarkation
After
a complimentary buffet breakfast, you’re free to explore
Ushuaia or unwind at the resort until our mid-afternoon transfer to the
ship. Onboard, you’ll be greeted by our Expedition Team and
the Ship’s Officers. A concise safety and orientation
briefing will be followed by the Captain’s welcome dinner.
After dinner, relax and take in the scenery on our early evening sail
through the Beagle Channel, past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant,
and Sea Lion colonies.
Day
3-4: Drake Passage
We
make our way ever closer to the white continent, our Expedition Team
and Marine Mammal experts will be out on deck and on the bridge,
looking for the whales and dolphins that may be seen as we travel
south. They will prepare us with presentations on everything Antarctic,
from wildlife to history, including helpful briefings on environmental
regulations and expedition safety. Eventually, we’ll cross
the Antarctic Convergence where we’ll notice a distinct drop
in temperature as we enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean.
The
length of our journey depends on sea conditions, but we should approach
the South Shetland Islands in the evening of Day 4. We will keep
especially keen watch for Pelagic whales as we approach the
nutrient-rich upwelling areas of the Continental Shelf.
Day
5-7: Antarctica
Exploring
the South Shetland Islands, we may visit Half Moon Island with its
stunning backdrop of mountainous and glaciated Livingston Island. Or
perhaps we will sail the ship into an active volcano with an
opportunity to take a dip in the relatively balmy waters that surround
Deception Island. Bransfield Strait, once the site of an abandoned
whaling station, gives us an excellent chance to see whales, who often
return to its rich waters.
In
the waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula, our Expedition Leader,
Captain, and Marine Mammal experts will create a flexible itinerary
based on weather, ice, and previous sightings to maximize our whale
watching opportunities, while also exploring some of the lesser
travelled areas of the Peninsula. We will aim for the most scenic bays
and channels, with stops at penguin rookeries, seal wallows, bird
colonies and whale feeding areas, as well as sites of historic and
scientific interest.
Day
8-11: Antarctica
Heading
further South, we will be sure to explore the Gerlache Strait and its
surrounding channels and islands. This may include trips to picturesque
Neko Harbor, sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Humpback Whale favored
Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled
Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. We may stop at an
active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or
Ukraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as
U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.
At
this time of year, most areas have amazing marine mammal viewing
opportunities with Weddell, Crabeater and Elephant Seals often found
hauled out to rest along with predatory Leopard Seals and the assertive
Antarctic Fur Seal. Minke and Humpback Whales are frequent visitors
during this season and Orca sightings are also common.
Day
12-13: Drake Passage
As
we leave this magical place and make our way north, heading again
across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage, we will
continue our presentation series and wildlife spotting. Sailing back to
Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel, we celebrate the conclusion of our
expedition with a special slideshow.
Day
14: Ushuaia Disembarkation
Morning
disembarkation lets you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in
Ushuaia for more sights and adventure.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- One
pre-voyage hotel night in designated embarkation city
- Shipboard
accommodations
- All
scheduled shore landings
- All
meals onboard
- Coffee,
tea, cocoa and espresso available 24 hours daily
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktail parties
- House
wine with dinner
- A
pair of boots for use during the voyage
- A
waterproof jacket to keep
- Daily
international news service
- All
port fees
- In
Ushuaia, transport from central location to ship for embarkation
- One
group transfer from ship to airport or central location upon
disembarkation in Ushuaia
- Digital
Voyage Log
