Antarctica is the birthplace of the world’s greatest icebergs, huge tabular bergs, so-called because they have broken away from the ice shelves, vast areas of glacial ice pushed out across the Southern Ocean. On our journeys we will have the opportunity to see many of them, as well as to cross the waters made famous by Shackleton’s Endurance.

There are other historical sites too – Paulet Island, where Otto Nordenskjöld’s Swedish expedition survived in 1901-03. The Swedish hut is still standing: today it is surrounded by thousands of Adelie penguins. From Paulet Island the views across the Weddell Sea are stunning.

On floes in the Weddell Sea we may also see Emperor Penguins, the largest of all penguins. It is sometimes possible to make our first landing on Antarctica at Brown Bluff, near Paulet Island. If the ice prevents this landing, we land on the western side of the Peninsula instead, having first explored the South Shetland Islands, where Macaroni, Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins are found in the thousands. Here there also are other birds, as well as seals and chances to see whales. If the weather and landing conditions allow it, we will spend time ashore for hiking activities and exploring the sites.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world on the Beagle Channel. We sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Days 2-3: Drake Passage
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. As we cross the Antarctic Convergence zone, we arrive at the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs.

Days 4-9: Weddell Sea / Antarctic Continent / South Shetland Islands
We sail into the Weddell Sea and visit Dundee Island, where we may have an extensive walk. We also plan to visit Paulet Island, with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenskiöld expedition; Seymour Island, where many fossils have been found; and Snow Hill Island, where polar expeditions as early as 1902 wintered. We may even reach Cape Longing at the Larsen Ice Shelf. In this area we meet huge tabular icebergs from the Ronne Ice Shelf and have good chances to spot Emperor Penguins on ice floes. We turn north and we visit Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Continent.

We then sail south and plan to offer a zodiac cruise around the rarely visited Astrolabe Island, where Antarctic Fulmars, Chinstrap Penguins, Brown Skuas and Blue-eyed Shags breed and Weddell Seals and Antarctic Fur Seals haul out.

In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay we reach the southernmost area of our voyage, where we have again the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent, in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.

At Deception Island, we will attempt to land at Baily Head with a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception Island is a huge volcano, with a crater opening into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, Cape Pigions and Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. We continue to Hannah Point, which has a very rich wildlife featuring Elephant Seals, Cape Pigeons, Southern Giant Petrels, Macaroni Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.

Days 10 and 11: Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage we have another chance of seeing many seabirds.

Day 12: Ushuaia
We arrive Ushuaia in the morning and disembark.

Note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programmes may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary for each voyage will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

Prices and departure dates 2009

Code: ANTOCE006

All prices are in Pounds Sterling.

Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula

Ship		Code		Departs		Nights / days		Prices from
Aleksey Maryshev		AMR27		19 Jan		11 / 12		3,973
Professor Multanovskiy		MLT27*		24 Jan		11 / 12		3,378

* Currently under charter

Notes

All rates are quoted per person in Pounds Sterling, based on twin occupancy. Twin non private and Twin private cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share price.

A 5% discount will be granted for bookings for one or more consecutive voyages.

Prices include:

Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Prices do not include:

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance; excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
A net fuel surcharge of US$20 per person per night

Please note that all dates & rates are subject to change. All voyages will operate subject to a minimum of 30 participants.