Antarpply - Classic Antarctica - 11D/10N

Itinerary Map, courtesy of AntarpplyShip: The USHUAIA - Originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), the USHUAIA has been refurbished to accommodate a maximum of 84 passengers in 41 comfortable twin cabins and suites. The ice-strengthened polar vessel USHUAIA is very well appointed and provides ample deck space and an open bridge policy.
The full complement of inflatable landing craft ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities on the otherwise inaccessible coastline.
All cabins include a desk and ample storage space. Public areas feature a large dining room (one sitting), an observation lounge and bar, a conference room with modern multimedia equipment, a well-stocked library, a changing room and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in Antarctic navigation and have a great love of nature. We provide a specialist team of international expedition leaders and lecturers, all extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. Our chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits.


Accommodation:
Suites: 5 Outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two lower berths, lounge, TV, DVD player and fridge. Suite 201 features two double beds. Suite 202 one double bed and a sofa bed. Suite 203 features two lower single beds. Suites 204 and 207 feature three lower single beds. Suite 207 has portholes.
Superior: 10 Twin outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two lower berths. Cabins 205 and 211 feature portholes. Cabin 301 features one double and one single bed.
A cabins: 6 Twin outside cabins with portholes on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two berths (upper/lower).
B cabins: 12 Twin outside cabins with portholes on deck E and semi-private facilities, two berths (upper/lower).
C cabins: 8 Twin inside cabins on the lower deck (D) with semi-private facilities, two berths (upper/lower).
N.B. Semi-private facilities: Two cabins share one bathroom accessible from both cabins (Shower and WC). Each cabin is also equipped with its own washbasin.

Rates from: Nov 2008 – March 2009: $3,990.00 USD per person based on double occupancy. Nov 2009 – March 2010: $4,790.00 USD per person based on double occupancy.

Included: Voyage aboard the USHUAIA as indicated in the itinerary; All meals throughout the voyage aboard the USHUAIA; 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 program; Comprehensive pre-departure material; Detailed post-expedition log.

Not Included: 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 (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages (guidelines will be provided).

Note: A fuel surcharge may be added to the rate.

Departures: 2008: Nov 28 ; Dec 8 ; Dec 18.
2009: Jan 7 ; Jan 17 ; Feb 6 ; Feb 26 ; Mar 8 ; Mar 18 ; Nov 7 (10D/9N rates from $4,310.00) ; Dec 10 ; Dec 20 ; Dec 30.
2010: Jan 9 ; Jan 19 ; Jan 29 ; Feb 8 ; Feb 18 ; Feb 28 ; Mar 10 ; Mar 20.

AntarcticaDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 - Embark the Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. Soon your expedition begins as we sail along the famous Beagle Channel in the tracks of FitzRoy and Parker King.
  • Days 2 & 3 - Sir Frances Drake gave the name to these perilous waters and the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, the key to the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, Antarpply Expeditions’ lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The USHUAIA’s open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures will be offered as well.
    The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3.
  • Days 4 to 8 Exploring South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula - The South Shetland Islands are home to vast penguin rookeries. Chinstrap and Macaroni Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island and the chance to swimming in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove are truly remarkable experiences. King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.
    The Antarctic Peninsula’s remarkable history will provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see Weddell, crab eater and leopard seals as well as Minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range.
    We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day. Possible landing sites may include: Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins. Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.
  • Days 9 & 19 At sea crossing the Drake Passage, Northbound - Time for more whale and seabird spotting. Enjoy lectures and take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.
  • Day 11 Ushuaia - We arrive at Ushuaia and disembark the USHUAIA after breakfast.

Insure My Trip We provide, through “Insure My Trip”comparison site, travel insurance policies from Access America, AIG Travel Guard, CSA Travel Protection, Global Underwriters, HTH Worldwide, International Medical Group, MEDEX, MedjetAssist, MultiNational Underwriters, On Call International, RBC Travel Protection, Seven Corners, Travel Insured, Travelex and TravelSafe. Click to compare the policies available.

Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, Antarctica, Educational, Nature / Ecology, Antarctica, Exploration Cruise