HIGHLIGHTS
Departing Ushuaia in
Argentina, we cross the mighty Drake Passage en route for the South
Shetland Islands. Here we will make Zodiac landings at penguin
rookeries, research stations and fascinating lookouts. Continuing
southward, we will explore the Antarctic Sound with its mighty tabular
icebergs and enter the Weddell Sea in search for wildlife.
Sailing onwards between Elephant Island and South Georgia offers a
small glimpse into the passage made famous by Shackleton 100 years ago,
when he navigated the 1300 km course through open seas of Drake Passage
in an effort to save his stranded crew. South Georgia is one of
world’s greatest natural wonders. Wildlife-packed beaches,
active research stations, former whaling stations and a visit to
Shackleton’s final resting place are on our agenda.
On our last leg towards Argentina, we will pay a visit to the
fascinating Falkland Islands. The capital of Port Stanley with its
quaint English architecture will be our first call before venturing
further west for Zodiac landings and wildlife observations on pristine
and sheltered beaches.
After leaving the Falklands, the last seadays can be spend bird
watching from the top deck and attending lectures, workshops and photo
re-caps in one of the ship's lounges.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Nov 01, 2023 | Nov 19, 2023 | 16,343 |
17,590 |
Jan 22, 2024 | Feb 09, 2024 | 0 |
|
Nov 01, 2024 | Nov 19, 2024 | 12,622 |
13,585 |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Nov 01, 2023 | Nov 19, 2023 | 16,343 |
17,590 |
Jan 22, 2024 | Feb 09, 2024 | 0 |
|
Nov 01, 2024 | Nov 19, 2024 | 12,622 |
13,585 |
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARKATION IN
USHUAIA.
Arrive and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s
southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside.
Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw,
natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with
rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy
quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.
Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel,
a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
DAY 2-3: AT SEA. DRAKE
PASSAGE, KING GEORGE ISLAND
Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that
marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds,
heavy sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’.
While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard
our expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built
with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The
most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement
– and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the
Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with
our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. Having crossed the
Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland
chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter
along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall
on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the
Antarctic Peninsula.
DAY 4-7: ANTARCTIC SOUND
AND WEDDELL SEA
Over the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience
at the very tip of the Continent. During these days in the Antarctic
Sound, named in 1902 after the Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain
and the expedition team will keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular
icebergs, born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We aim
to have both continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic
Sound and Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually
large penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.
The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather
and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by
the Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to the guests
through regularly scheduled briefings.
DAY 8-13: DRAKE PASSAGE
AND SOUTH GEORGIA
From the Weddell Sea we continue our journey into the open sea, just as
Ernest Shackleton and his men did more than hundred years ago. Having
lost their ship Endurance deep south in the Weddell Sea they moved
slowly north on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they
reached Elephant Island. From here started one of the most remarkable
boat journeys in the polar history, when Shackleton and five of his men
for two weeks navigated the 720 nautical miles to South Georgia to call
for recovery of the stranded crew on Elephant Island. We on the other
hand will reach the mighty South Georgia after just a few days at sea!
South Georgia offers stunning wildlife experiences with a wealth of
breeding penguins, sea birds, sea lions and seals, all seeking shelter
in this oasis amidst the roaring Southern Ocean. Previous whaling
history pops up in most of fjords we will explorer – not
least in Grytviken the only inhabited settlement on this mountainous
island. Grytviken is also the last resting place for Ernest Shackleton,
after he died on yet another Antarctica voyage in 1922. We will
explorer the fjords of the north coast for 2-3 days and take as many
shore landings as time and the swelling sea will allow us.
DAY 14-15: SOUTH
ATLANTIC, APPROACHING FALKLAND ISLANDS
Days at sea are great for participating in lectures and and other
activities hosted by the expedition team, reading books in the ship
library and watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from
top deck. Or just to relax.
DAY 16-17: PORT STANLEY
AND FALKLAND ISLANDS
During the morning we approach Falkland Islands and in the early
afternoon Ocean Victory/Albatros will cast anchor the sheltered natural
harbor of Port Stanley. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in town
center, and take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.
On the following day we will make landings – weather
permitting – at two of the islands’ many
magnificent wildlife spots.
DAY 18-19: AT SEA TOWARD
SOUTH AMERICA. USHUAIA, DISEMBARKATION
We are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back
to Ushuaia.
After a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning
after breakfast.
Ocean Victory (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, Ocean Victory is the ideal vessel for small-ship cruising due to her sturdy construction.
With a total of 93 comfortable cabins for our guests, almost all with a view of the ocean, we ensure absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 19-day cruise with accommodation in a shared double
stateroom featuring en suite facilities
- All Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition parka
- Rubberboots provided for entire voyage
- Guiding and lectures by our experienced expedition leader
and team
- English-speaking expedition team
- Free photo workshop from experienced photographer onboard
- Full board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- Free tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Welcome and farewell drinks
- Online visual journal access after your voyage with photos,
species list, log and more!
- Taxes and port fees
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the
itinerary
- Single room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals not on board the ship
- Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
- Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned under
’Inclusions’
KAYAKING
Glide through the waters and take in the royal grace of the icebergs,
see the varied birds and seals, and maybe even the whales in their
natural habitat under the supervision of experienced kayak guides, who
will ensure your safety during each outing.
LECTURES
Our primary focus is knowledge, and we apply this to every aspect of a
journey. From the staff that forms our expedition team, to the routes
our ship follows, and of course, the program onboard.
This allows us to provide comprehensive voyages, for our guests to not
only enjoy breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife, but to also
get a better understanding of each location and everything they see;
From the flora and fauna they come upon during each landing, to the
culture and history of each place being visited. This adds to the
overall experience, and becomes a memory our guests will cherish back
home.
PHOTOGRAPHY
We always have a dedicated expedition photographer onboard to document
the voyage and share their passion for photography through lectures and
during landings and zodiac cruises.
The Polar Regions are filled with mesmerizing landscapes and amazing
wildlife; and the expedition photographer is available to help elevate
your photographic capabilities to beautifully capture the magical
moments of your voyage.
WILDLIFE OBSERVATIONS
One of the greatest pleasures of our expeditions, is being able to
experience the Polar regions' wildlife from a safe distance,
respectfully enjoying their beauty in their natural habitat.
Depending on which voyage you've chosen to embark on, there's certainty
you will have the opportunity to spot a great variety of species, from
seabirds to mammals distinctive of the Polar regions, and other more
exotic animals.
ZODIAC
Essential for expedition cruises, Zodiacs are robust boats that can go
up on a beach, a rocky outcrop, a river bank or even an ice floe push
through bergy bits of ice floating in the water. This is definitely one
on the assets that distinguishes this way of exploring from more
conventional cruises.