STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACQEASE
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina
SHIP: Ocean Adventurer
Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Circle
Standard
Explore Antarctica and its southern depths of the Antarctic Circle on this 14 day cruise. A truly remarkable place, Antarctica offers you pristine scenery and a wonderful array of wildlife as you cruise down the peninsula to 66°33' S where most expeditions do not offer. Enjoy a glass of champagne at this point where few have been, taking in the almost untouched surroundings and solitude of this magnificent locations.
*Offers are correct at the time of publishing and are available for sale on selected cabins and departure dates until 04 July 2023 or sold out. Discounts are subject to change, availability will be confirmed at time of booking. Current in market offers may be combinable and Shackleton Club Past Passenger and multi trip discounts may be applied subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change based on currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, and other external factors. No discount applies to any transfer packages, additional activities or pre/post services. Please enquire for Single and Triple Cabin promotions. The advertised prices may also include a 'Pay in full at time of booking' which is a 5-10% early payment bonus. Further conditions may apply, contact us for more information.
You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port town at the tip of South America. This Argentine town is an ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.
As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the Beagle Channel. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities of landscapes and seabirds. Eventually, the channel opens up to the Southern Ocean, and onwards to Antarctica.
The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, get to know your fellow shipmates and chat with your Expedition Team.
You will spend this time preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures presented by your Expedition Team. You’ll learn about everything from safety procedures to the history of whaling in Antarctica.
With the Drake Passage left in our wake, we make our approach to Antarctica. Get your cameras ready as the continent’s coastline will make its first appearance, signaling the start of your adventure in the realm of the Antarctic. You’ll see plentiful icebergs floating by and be fixated on the surface of the ocean as curious whales spout and breach before your eyes.
As exciting as it can be from on board the ship, your true exploration occurs when you disembark and set foot on the great continent. There are several potential landing sites we may visit, including Neko Harbour, Orne Harbour or Paradise Harbour. While weather dictates which specific landing sites we can visit, each one presents a new collection of wildlife and natural attractions.
Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the beauty of Antarctica. Watching penguins waddling on the beach and listening to the crackling and crumbling sounds of icebergs and glaciers will become your daily entertainment, while kayaking with whales and camping in Antarctica are a couple of optional activities available on selected voyages (at an extra cost).
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula do not reach this far south, which is officially noted at 66°33' S. If conditions allow us to cross this famed line, you and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne! Make a toast and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people.
By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur or Weddell seal. Terms like bergy bits and pancake ice will seem normal, yet there are still many tales to be told. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, and your Expedition Team will continue offering presentations while giving you time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced.
As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of lectures as well, perhaps with a slideshow of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage.
Today you’ll say goodbye to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers, disembarking in the morning to catch your homeward flights.
Built in 1976 in Yugoslavia, the Ocean Adventurer underwent extensive conversion and refurbishment in 1999 with a further extensive upgrade in 2017. This comfortable ship carries a maximum of 132 passengers, accommodated in 66 cabins all with private en-suite facilities, exterior views and each equipped with a TV and DVD player. The ship also features a large multi-purpose lounge and presentation room, bar, spacious window-lined dining room and exercise room. There are ship-to-shore satellite communications with email and wireless internet access on board. The Ocean Adventurer with its ice-strengthened hull was designed specifically to carry travellers to the remotest corners of the world. It is equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs for shore transfers, landings and Zodiac cruises. There are also 4 partially enclosed lifeboats on board. Why we like it "This purpose built expedition ship carries just 132 guests. There are refined public spaces and generous cabins all with private facilities. The ship is sturdy at sea and strong in the ice. This is one of our favourite ships to charter due to the all-round nature of the vessel. Excellent international crew and exceptional food put this ship in the “must recommend” bracket!"
Ice Class:
Length: 101 metres
Breadth: 16.2 metresMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 12 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:132
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
TripleFeatures:- A Triple Cabin has two lower berths and one upper berth, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | AUD 20,600Unavailable Enquire Now
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SuiteFeatures:- A Suite has a double bed, windows with exterior views, private facilities. | 25 % off AUD 42,700 AUD 32,025Available Enquire Now
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Lower Deck TwinFeatures:- A Lower Deck Twin cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 20 % off AUD 26,900 AUD 21,520Unavailable Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin PortholeFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Porthole cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 20 % off AUD 27,700 AUD 22,160Unavailable Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin WindowFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Window cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and two windows with exterior views. | 20 % off AUD 30,800 AUD 24,640Unavailable Enquire Now
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SuperiorFeatures:- A Superior cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Note: this cabin has either corner or parallel bed configuration. | 25 % off AUD 32,400 AUD 24,300Available Enquire Now
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DeluxeFeatures:- A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. | 25 % off AUD 32,400 AUD 24,300Available Enquire Now
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Owner's SuiteFeatures:- An Owner's Suite has a double bed and private sitting room. One features a large panoramic window facing aft, and the other two suites face port and starboard. Cabin 403 has a bathtub; other Owner's Suites have showers. | 25 % off AUD 45,800 AUD 34,350Available Enquire Now
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TripleFeatures:- A Triple Cabin has two lower berths and one upper berth, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 16 % off AUD 22,900 AUD 19,305Available Enquire Now
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Lower Deck TwinFeatures:- A Lower Deck Twin cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 28 % off AUD 27,200 AUD 19,698Available Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin PortholeFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Porthole cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 27 % off AUD 28,600 AUD 20,769Available Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin WindowFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Window cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and two windows with exterior views. | 27 % off AUD 31,500 AUD 22,988Available Enquire Now
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SuperiorFeatures:- A Superior cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Note: this cabin has either corner or parallel bed configuration. | 27 % off AUD 32,900 AUD 24,059Available Enquire Now
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DeluxeFeatures:- A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. | 27 % off AUD 32,900 AUD 24,059Available Enquire Now
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Owner's SuiteFeatures:- An Owner's Suite has a double bed and private sitting room. One features a large panoramic window facing aft, and the other two suites face port and starboard. Cabin 403 has a bathtub; other Owner's Suites have showers. | 26 % off AUD 46,500 AUD 34,463Available Enquire Now
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SuiteFeatures:- A Suite has a double bed, windows with exterior views, private facilities. | 26 % off AUD 43,700 AUD 32,321Available Enquire Now
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TripleFeatures:- A Triple Cabin has two lower berths and one upper berth, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 16 % off AUD 20,800 AUD 17,415Available Enquire Now
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Lower Deck TwinFeatures:- A Lower Deck Twin cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 32 % off AUD 25,100 AUD 17,028Available Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin PortholeFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Porthole cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. | 32 % off AUD 25,800 AUD 17,532Available Enquire Now
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Main Deck Twin WindowFeatures:- A Main Deck Twin Window cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and two windows with exterior views. | 32 % off AUD 28,600 AUD 19,548Available Enquire Now
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SuperiorFeatures:- A Superior cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Note: this cabin has either corner or parallel bed configuration. | 31 % off AUD 30,100 AUD 20,628Available Enquire Now
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DeluxeFeatures:- A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views. | 31 % off AUD 30,100 AUD 20,628Available Enquire Now
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Owner's SuiteFeatures:- An Owner's Suite has a double bed and private sitting room. One features a large panoramic window facing aft, and the other two suites face port and starboard. Cabin 403 has a bathtub; other Owner's Suites have showers. | 30 % off AUD 42,900 AUD 29,844Available Enquire Now
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SuiteFeatures:- A Suite has a double bed, windows with exterior views, private facilities. | 31 % off AUD 40,100 AUD 27,828Available Enquire Now
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Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
Beer and wine during dinner
All shore landings per the daily program
Leadership throughout the voyage by experienced Expedition Leader
All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
Formal and informal presentation by Expedition Team and special guests as scheduled
A photographic journey documenting the expedition
Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
Parka to keep
Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
A hairdryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Comprehensive predeparture materials, including a map and an informative Antarctica Reader
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
All gratuities
Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500,000.00 per person
Group transfer in Ushuaia from the airport to the pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night's pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, with breakfast
Group transfer from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
Group transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from the ship to the local airport
EXCLUSIONS:
International airfare
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance
Excess baggage fees on international flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned above
Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified
Phone and internet charges
Additional overnight accommodation
Optional adventure activities
Available upon request
Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions
Departure dates, seasonality, availability & currency fluctuation