Antarctica Cruise : Classic Antarctica
Offering a wide range of comfortable amenities, the Ushuaia will leave you with a memorable voyage to beautiful Antarctica. You will enjoy the many shore landings with the vessel's Zodiacs as well as various lectures from the on board nature and historical experts.
C Cabin
8 Twin inside cabins on Lower Deck D with bathroom shared between two cabins, upper and lower births.
This breathtaking voyage will lead you into the beautiful landscapes of Antarctica. You will explore the South Shetland Islands and its rich wildlife as well as set foot on the continent at the Antarctic Peninsula. You will see countless penguins and other seabirds and fauna throughout the adventure all with the guidance of our knowledgeable nature experts.
Day 01 : Depart from Ushuaia
Embark the MV Ushuaia in the afternoon, where you will meet your expedition and lecture staff. After settling into your cabin sailing will begin along the famous Beagle Channel and the breathtaking Mackinlay Pass.
Day 02-03 : Crossing the Drake Passage
Drake Passage was originally named after the famous explorer Sir Frances Drake and marks the Antarctic Convergence. The convergence is where the cold polar waters sink beneath the northern warmer waters creating a rich volume of nutrients which accounts for the rich biodiversity in the region. The Drake Passage is also the northern limit for many Antarctic seabirds which are an impressive sight as we cross into the polar region. There will be various guides on deck to help you identify such birds as the famous albatross, which will follow us during our passage. You will also have the opportunity to join the crew on the bridge to learn about navigation, watch for whales, and simple enjoy the stunning view. The crossing of Drake Passage will mark the first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains of the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago of twenty islands and islets first discovered in 1819. As long as weather permits, our naturalists and lecturers will accompany you ashore as you experience your first penguin and seal encounter of the voyage on Day 3.
Day 04-08 : Exploring South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
The South Shetland Islands are a breathtaking wildlife haven. You will see vast penguin rookeries and beaches covered with both Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. We will sail through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island. You will have a chance to enjoy the hot springs of Pendulum Cove as well. We will make our way to King George Island, the largest of the South Shetlands, featuring colonies of nesting Adélie and Chinstrap penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-Eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns, and Southern Giant Petrels. Livingston Island, another attraction along the way, is home to Macaroni, Chinstrap, Gentoo penguins. While listening to the rich history of the Antarctic Peninsula from our naturalists, you will have plenty of time to experience and explore the astonishing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains, and waterways. You will also experience what few others have before: sightings of Weddell, crabeater, leopard seals, minke, kill whales, and humpback whales at close range. Depending on ice conditions in the area, we will navigate some incredible waterways including the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel. Here you will be taken aback by the narrow passages surrounded by towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make two landings per day; the sites may vary, but all are simply incredible. Paradise Bay, for example, is one planned stop that easily earns its name. We will navigate the ice berg strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound and visit the bustling Adélie penguin population where some 100,000 pairs may be found breeding on Paulet Island. The island is also an important colonization point for Blue-Eyed Cormorants. This is also the location of a stone survival hut built by the Nordenskjöld expedition in 1903 which has today been taken over by the nesting penguins. Further exploration may take us to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island. If ice conditions permit we will also visit Petermann Island, home to the southernmost colony of Gentoo penguins.
Day 09-10 : At Sea, Crossing the Drake Passage, Northbound
We will now leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Our naturalists will again be on deck with you in search of more seabirds and whales and to give you a few more lectures before the end of the voyage.
Day 11 : Arrival at Ushuaia
We will arrive in Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.
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