BIRTHDAY SALE: Highlights of Antarctica: All-inclusive Expedition Cruise (17 Jan 2023)

Day 1 - Buenos Aires - Arrival Day
Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, the lovely capital of Argentina. Check out the well-preserved Italian and French architecture, order delicious beef in one of the many great steakhouses and maybe practise your dancing moves in the famous hometown of tango. Make sure to embrace the heat from this sensuous city, because it is about to get much colder.

If you would like more time to explore the city, we recommend coming a few days early. Or how about extending your stay with an optional Pre-Programme to explore wild Patagonia?

Day 2 - Buenos Aires / Ushuaia

Late nighters beware, we fly early in the morning to Ushuaia where hybrid-powered expedition ship awaits you. This port city competes with Chilean Puerto Williams for the seemingly coveted title of the southernmost city in the world. The Martial Glacier sits north of the city, creating an impressive mountain backdrop for the ‘end of the world’.

After a mandatory health and safety meeting on board the ship, kick off your journey with a welcome dinner hosted by the Expedition Team. You can then spend some time getting to know the ship that will be your home for the next several days.

Days 3 & 4 - Drake Passage

Crossing to another continent
In order to get to Antarctica, we have to cross the infamous Drake Passage. It was named after the English sea captain and privateer Sir Francis Drake who discovered it by chance in 1578 when his ship was taken south by heavy winds. Since there is no landmass at this latitude, wind and water roam freely, making it hard for ships to sail here. But don’t worry, even the ‘Drake Shake’ isn’t a big deal for our modern expedition ship.

It takes two days to cross the roughly 1000-km-wide Drake Passage. So, you’ll have some time on your hands, which is definitely a good thing as there is plenty to do to get ready for your Antarctic adventure. The Expedition Team will start their lecture programme in the Science Center, drawing on decades of experience to teach you how to make your visit as safe and as sustainable as possible. As per IAATO guidelines, we will all wear sterilised rubber boats when ashore and ensure we vacuum our clothing beforehand to remove any possible foreign contaminants.  You will also learn about the various hands-on Citizen Science projects you can get involved in, all of which feed into live research and current science.

Work out in the indoor or outdoor gym, or order a spa treatment in our Wellness Area. There are also three superb restaurants on board where you can enjoy delicious meals that are a treat for your eyes and your taste buds. But even with all these mod cons, don’t forget to head out on deck from time to time to look for your first iceberg, and to spot wildlife like whales,  numerous types of petrels and albatrosses.

Days 5 to 9 Antarctica

Where nature reigns supreme
Welcome to Antarctica. Being here, surrounded by icy waters, glaciers and icebergs big as cathedrals will probably make you feel like you’ve landed in a completely new world. Antarctica is magnificent, mesmerising and massive. You might need to stop for a moment to be able to take it all in. That awe-inspired silence is inevitably broken though when you see the first signs of wildlife like penguins, whales or seals and enthusiastic cheers erupt spontaneously all across the ship.

Just as the icescapes of Antarctica change through its seasons, so does its wildlife. In late spring from October to November, there will be much more snow, making the landscapes seem even more pristine. This forms the backdrop of penguin courting and nest building. Whales are still few and far in between during this time, most of them still on their way and beginning to arrive in greater numbers by December and January.  Arrival of more whales marks the height of summer which is  also when the first penguin chicks hatch. Seeing the clumsy clumps of feathers run around and is always a charming sight. February and March are the peak of whale-watching opportunities, when large amounts of krill lure them to the area.

When we get here, the Expedition Team will seize every chance to take you ice-cruising and on landings to get closer to the impressive scenery and wildlife. Spotting penguins from the ship is already an experience, which becomes even more wonderous when you go ashore to see them. It’s the same if a seal or whale suddenly appears next to you when cruising in our smaller explorer boats or when kayaking as part of an optional activity. Needless to say; keep your camera close at all times. To enhance your feeling of discovery, the Expedition Team will talk expertly about fascinating subjects like the frozen continent’s history, the biology of local wildlife, and glaciology.

Days 10 &11- Drake Passage

A return to civilisation
After having explored remote and wild Antarctica over five days, we will be due to sail back for home. By this point, both your head and your heart will be filled with lifelong memories. You’ll hopefully also have captured many of these special moments on your camera. Crossing back over the Drake Passage, you’ll probably spend the next couple of days going through those pictures just to try and stay in Antarctica a little longer. The Expedition Team will also be doing the same as they recap the journey’s many experiences over in the Science Center.

Day 12 - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires

Your expedition cruise reaches its end as we return to Ushuaia. From here, you join a transfer to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires and a second chance to experience the Argentine capital.

You will now have travelled to the bottom of the world and back. You’ve journeyed to the fabled Seventh Continent and have enchanting stories and photos of penguins to prove it. Antarctica will likely hold a place in your heart which few other places can match. Together with the other explorers who have been there, may we do all we can to preserve its unique beauty.

Our team can assist you with hotel reservations in Buenos Aires and beyond

Departing 17 - 28 January 2023

• Polar Outside Cabin from WAS 11,020 NOW $8,900 per person twin share
• Arctic Superior Cabin from WAS $12,050 NOW $9,900 per person twin share
• Suites from WAS $15,135 NOW $11,900 per person twin share

Great Single Traveller pricing:

• Polar Outside Cabin from $9,131 per person single traveller
• Arctic Superior Cabin from $10,131 per person single traveller
• Suites from $12,131 per person single traveller

Call our team on 1300 414 198 to learn further about this tour. We can assist with flights to and from Buenos Aires to your home port.

Polar Outside Cabin:

The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the middle decks with windows, most are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements and TV for excellent and high standard accommodation. Can accommodate two to four passengers.

Arctic Superior Cabin:

Arctic Superior class cabins are comfortable and roomy accommodation and most have balconies. Flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa beds, TV and other features make this one of our most popular categories. Our Arctic Superior concept includes a kettle, tea and coffee. Can accommodate two to four passengers.

Expedition Suite:

These suites are large, well-appointed cabins with expansive windows and most have balconies. Some have a private outdoor hot tub. The suites feature flexible sleeping arrangements with comfortable sofas, sitting areas and TV. They can accommodate up to four passengers. Expedition suites are exclusively in upper and mid-deck locations. Our Expedition Suite concept includes a bathrobe, espresso maker, and more. An exciting welcome gift awaits all suite guests in their cabin.

Do I need to bring my passport?

Yes. Please ensure that your passport is valid for more than six months after you return to your home country. Remember to check if you require a visa.

What currency should I bring on the trip?

On the Expedition ships, the currency used is Euros.

Argentinian pesos are used in Argentina, Chilean pesos are used in Chile. US dollars may be exchanged into local currency at either banks or Money Exchange kiosks, at the open market exchange rate of the day. Some shops might accept US cash, though this is not a common practice. You can also withdraw cash from ATM's using your credit card and PIN code.

When visiting the Falkland Islands, local pounds (FIP) are used as well as pound sterling. When landing in Antarctica, some bases do accept USD cash only. In Port Lockroy, the following currencies are accepted: GBP, USD, Euro, and major credit cards (for purchases above 100 USD).

Can we pay with cash and credit card on board?

We accept Visa, American Express, Diners or MasterCard and regret that our system does not support Maestro Card.

How do the landings operate in Antarctica?

All landings are dependent on the weather and ice conditions. Unfortunately, with the unpredictable weather in these polar zones, we can make no guarantees that landings will occur each and every day of your voyage.

What if there is a medical emergency?

In case of a medical emergency in Antarctica, the only method of evacuation is by plane to the city of Punta Arenas, Chile, as there are no hospital facilities in Antarctica. This is very expensive and dependent on favourable weather conditions. Therefore, comprehensive travel/health insurance policy that also covers medical evacuation is obligatory.

Are your ships wheelchair accessible?

We are happy to welcome guests who are not fully mobile and most ships have at least one cabin equipped for travellers using a wheelchair.