HIGHLIGHTS
Expedition cruises that plan to traverse into the Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea allow their guests for real adventure as the giant ice shelves often changes the routes. The rewards are great though, as the pristine waters and krill rich environment invite many penguins and whales. When Ocean Victory returns to Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia, depending on weather conditions, we might pass close to the mythical Cape Horn - the southernmost point on South America; a celebrated maritime landmark.
This cruise offers a unique experience including Shore landings, excursions, lectures and Zodiac safaris, to help you enjoy a matchless expedition experience. Onboard our brand new strong ice-strengthened expedition vessel, Ocean Victory, we are sure to get close to the dramatic coastlines. Zodiac cruising and shore landings are an important and considerable part of the planned itinerary, hopefully enabling all expedition guests to set foot on the Antarctic continent, as well as the many surrounding islands.
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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Rates are listed per person
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| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
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ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL 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 embark the ship Ocean Victory, our home for the coming days.
Our
journey begins as we navigate through the calm waters of the Beagle
Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
DAY
2-3: AT SEA. DRAKE PASSAGE, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
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, 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 start exploring the Antarctic islands of the
South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we
will encounter along the way.
With
the patented X-BOW design, the Ocean Victory will offer you a smoother
sailing across the Drake passage, and due to the speed of the vessel,
we might be able to do a first landing or activity in the South
Shetland Islands on the afternoon of day 3, weather permitting.
DAY
4-5: ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
The
next couple of days, we will explore the Antarctic islands of the South
Shetland chain.
Landfalls
could include: Deception Island, an extinct volcano with waters warm
enough for a polar swim; and Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's
storm petrels and chinstrap penguins.
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 guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
DAY
6-8: ANTARCTIC SOUND, WEDDELL SEA AND ELEPHANT ISLAND
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
Weddell Sea takes its name from the early British explorer James
Weddell, who by hunting seals through a break in the ice in 1823 got to
the southernmost point at his time. As we enter the Weddell Sea of
today, we grow accustomed to giant floating icebergs and witness the
sheer quantity of sea ice in these waters. Apart from penguins, the
wildlife here includes Weddell and elephant seals and seabirds.
Humpbacks feed in the nutrient-rich waters (caused by the upwell of
cold water from the ocean depths), so there are opportunities to see
whales, as well as the Antarctic's largest predator, the solitary
leopard seal.
Landfalls
could include: Devil Island, where we would experience a large colony
of Adélie penguins; Brown bluff; with abundances of wildlife
living on the beaches under the basalt cliffsides and Esperanza Base
with its year-round Argentinian research station.
Because
of the considerable sea ice and enormous bergs in the Weddell Sea,
navigation through this remote nature is at the edge of what is
possible; your captain and expedition leader are well aware that
shifting ice means that no individual part of this area can be
guaranteed as accessible at any time, so they will work together to
find the most magnificent opportunities. This is part of the
wonder of this part of the world, and you'll be visiting an area few
humans have ever seen.
We
plan to finalize our Weddell Sea/Antarctic Sound adventure by
navigating to Elephant Island, home to elephant seals, maybe even along
parts of the same route as Shackleton's daring lifeboat escape (this
route is only possible if conditions allow it!). While a landing is
unlikely, we hope to see where the Elephant island party waited for
rescue boat to reach them at Point Wild. A famous part of expedition
history, that seems adequate to end our Antarctic explorations this
time around.
DAY
9-10: DEPART ANTARCTICA - AT SEA
We
depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the
calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En-route, we will cross
Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark
and the southern tip of South America.
During
our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board
which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow
travelers equally passionate for discovering the world, enjoy the
lectures by our expedition team on board, visit our shop, unwind in the
spa or enjoy the ship's facilities designed to provide a comfortable
relaxing time.
DAY
11: BACK TO USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION
This
morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our expedition
cruise, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return
home.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 11-day
cruise with accommodation in a shared outside double stateroom with
private facilities
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition
parka
- Rubber
boot rentals
- Guiding
and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- Special
Photo Workshop
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Visual
Journal link after voyage including voyage log, gallery, maps, species
list and more!
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks
- Free
tea and coffee 24 hours' daily
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Taxes
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
- Transfer
to/from the ship
- Anything
not mentioned under 'Inclusions'
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
cruises & Shore Programs
- Lectures
- Photography
- Kayaking
