HIGHLIGHTS
- Late summer means incredibly scenic sunsets, adolescent
penguins, and great whale watching
- We’ll attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle and
explore rarely reached Marguerite Bay
- Feel at home aboard our newest hybrid
electric–powered expedition ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen
- Our expert Expedition Team will present lectures, and guide
ice cruises and landing activities
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Buenos Aires
Day 2 - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Day 3-4 - Drake Passage
Day 5-15 - Antarctica
Day 16-17 - Drake Passage
Day 18 - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Day 1 ‘City of
Fury’
Launch your adventure with an overnight stay in the exotic city of
Buenos Aires and spend the austral summer evening at your leisure.
Locals have come to call it the ‘City of Fury’,
which perfectly sums up the Argentine capital’s Latin fervor.
This romance and passion is clear and strikes with each beat of the
fiery tango. Head to a local bar to catch a can’t-miss dance
performance before savoring a sizzling cut of beef in one of the many
great steakhouses on which the city prides itself. Time permitting,
take in some beautiful French and Italian architecture, such as the
pretty-in-pink palatial mansion Casa Rosada and the National Museum of
Fine Arts, home to works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso.
We recommend coming a few days early to have more time to explore the
city. You can also join our Pre-Program to explore wild Patagonia.
Day 2 The journey to
Antarctica begins
It’s an early rise for our flight to Ushuaia. There, your
comfortable expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you. As the plane
begins its descent into Argentina’s southernmost city, you
might catch birds-eye views of the Tierra del Fuego province and spot
the fjords and glaciers in Alberto de Agostini National Park to the
west.
Once you check in on board the ship, the time will come for us to
embark on our journey to Antarctica. After the brief mandatory safety
meeting, you will meet the Expedition Team and key crew members. Then
comes the welcome dinner, which is an excellent time to start getting
to know your fellow explorers. Afterward, head for drinks in the bar or
stroll around and get acquainted with your new home for the next couple
of weeks.
Day 3-4 The
‘Rite of Passage’
Before we relish in the infinite wonders of Antarctica, first comes the
infamous Drake Passage, a.k.a. the ‘Rite Of’
Passage. These turbulent waters were reportedly discovered by chance in
the 16th century, when heavy winds forced one of Sir Francis
Drake’s ships southward. These waters are as unpredictable
today as they were back then. Conditions can vary wildly from rough and
shaky to placid like a lake.
It takes approximately two days to cross the Drake Passage. This will
give you plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming adventure. In the
Science Center, the Expedition Team members will give expert lectures
on topics such as the Antarctic Treaty, tales of past polar
expeditions, and the area’s rich biodiversity, ranging from
the massive to the microscopic. Other key presentations will explain
how to stay safe during landings and the importance of not disturbing
local wildlife, whether they be pods of feasting whales or families of
lazy seals. You will also learn about IAATO guidelines and the reason
behind the special sterilized boots we use on shore. Also, we will
discuss the importance of vacuuming our backpacks and clothes before
our landings in Antarctica. The Citizen Science programs, should you
wish to participate, will give you further insight into the frozen
continent’s intricate ecosystem as you participate in current
science research projects.. Our ethos is the more you know, the more
you’ll appreciate the unique experience you can only live in
Antarctica.
Throughout your journey, you will grow increasingly fond of the ship, a
warm and cozy sanctuary after each day of exploration. Whether your
idea of relaxation is hitting the gym or being pampered at a spa, MS
Fridtjof Nansen offers both. If the gym, outdoor running track, or the
Wellness Center aren’t enough, try out the infinity pool, the
sauna, and an outdoor hot tub. You are also sure to enjoy the
ship’s three exquisite onboard restaurants, which will
satisfy any craving.
Day 5-15 Going boldly
beyond the Antarctic Circle
Over eleven magical days, you are about to explore the seventh
continent of Antarctica. Of all our expeditions and destinations, this
is the longest period we offer in one place. Antarctica is so special
and magnificent that it deserves the maximum amount of time possible.
The Expedition Team will guide you on landings and ice-cruising to get
even closer to the amazing icescapes and wildlife. You might also have
the opportunity to enjoy optional activities like snowshoeing and
kayaking. Let’s not forget that you can participate in
Citizen Science projects to help scientists all over the world better
understand the wildlife and ecology of Antarctica.
Other cruise operators are content to just sail by and never bring
their guests to set foot on the ice. Your expedition with us, however,
will bring you ashore and on multiple small boat (RIB) ice-cruises,
whenever weather and sea ice conditions are right. Thus, prepare to
marvel at the massive ice fronts, icebergs, glacial walls, and frozen
mountains—all in the safest and most sustainable way
possible. Under the guidance of our experienced Expedition Team, you
will also observe bustling colonies of everyone’s favorite
flightless birds, some of which may be as curious to see you as you are
to see them. With the otherworldly scenery of Antarctica as a backdrop,
your first small step on each landing marks one giant leap in your
adventure story.
Together, we will go places few have been before, and might even
attempt to venture beyond a few possible landing zones on the Antarctic
Peninsula, past the Antarctic Circle, and deep into the hidden corners
of the continent. Weather and sea ice permitting, we will sail as far
as the polar circle at 66°33’ South and beyond, on to
Marguerite Bay. Rarely visited even by other expeditions, this wide bay
is covered in ice for most of the year and is usually only accessible
in the late austral summer season—but there is no guarantee
even for that. Whales are known to frequent the area, while the icy
islands are havens for Adélie penguin rookeries and other
polar birdlife. Numerous scientific research bases are located around
Marguerite Bay, where we will try to land if conditions allow,
including the modern base on Horseshoe Island and the historic ruins on
Stonington Island.
Day 16-17 Rest and relax
on the return journey
After ten days of adventure in Antarctica, we’ll head back
north toward civilization and warmer weather. Our two-day crossing back
through the Drake Passage will allow you to pause and fully absorb your
amazing experience.. Share your most vivid highlights with fellow
expedition members who, after sharing these experiences, have gone from
strangers to lifelong friends. Take art classes, learn to tie different
sailor’s knots, and be active in the gym and toasty in the
sauna. Or spot seabirds from the deck. Hopefully the Expedition
Team’s lectures will have you identifying many of
Antarctica’s winged wonders on your own!
Day 18 The end of a grand
Antarctic adventure
Back at Ushuaia, our journey together comes to a close. From the port,
a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos
Aires. If you don’t want your adventure to stop just yet, you
can choose to join a Post-Program to the magnificent Iguazú
Falls.
It’s been an exciting adventure and we hope you enjoyed every
moment of it. Cherish the memories and photos from our journey, and we
hope you will be motivated to be an Ambassador of sorts for Antarctica
moving forward by advocating the need to protect this fragile
ecosystem. In this way, you will also understand more fully why
sustainable expedition cruises are so important.
Aside from being able to boast about crossing the Antarctic Circle,
you’ll most importantly have first-hand knowledge of how
fragile these polar environments are and the risks posed by climate
change. Let’s do everything we can to preserve the beauty of
these habitats for generations to come.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Hotel
- Overnight in Buenos Aires before the expedition cruise,
including breakfast
Flights
- Flights in economy class between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
Transfers
- Transfer from the hotel in Buenos Aires to the airport
before the expedition cruise
- Transfers between the Ushuaia airport and the ship,
including a brief tour of the town
Expedition Cruise
- Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including beverages (house
beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurants Aune and
Fredheim
- Fine-dining À la carte restaurant
Lindstrøm is included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in
remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard
water refill stations
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and guide
activities, both on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
Onboard activities
- Experts from the Expedition Team present detailed lectures
on a variety of topics
- Use the ship’s Science Center, which features an
extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- The Citizen Science program allows guests to contribute to
current scientific research projects
- The onboard professional photographer will give tips and
tricks for taking the best landscape and wildlife photos
- The ship has hot tubs, a sauna, an outdoor and indoor gym,
and an outdoor running track
- Participate in informal gatherings with the crew, such as
daily recaps and the next day’s preparations
Landing activities
- Escorted landings in a small boat (RIB) while in Antarctica
- Loan of boots, trekking pole, and all equipment needed for
the activities
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition photographer will help configure your camera
settings before landings
Not Included In Your Expedition
- International flights
- Travel protection
- Baggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
- Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice
conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please ensure you can meet all entry and boarding
requirements
- No gratuities are expected
Get the most out of
your cruise with activities run by our Expedition Team. They start from
the ship, and are available for reservation once you get on board.
Activities are subject to change.
- Camping
in Antarctica (An Amundsen Night)
- Extended
Hikes in Antarctica
- Kayaking
Adventure in Antarctica
- Snowshoeing
in Antarctica