Fly and Cruise

(68 Passengers)

Overview

Short on time? Don't want to experience the potentially rough seas of the Drake Passage? Then this adventure may be the one for you.

Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, we invite you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica.

In less than 2 hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest Island of the South Shetland Archipielago, you will be at the gates of the white continent.

From King George Island we will navigate for six days and five nights along the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the most wonderful places and enjoying the best wildlife sites of Antarctica. During the whole journey you will receive lectures to introduce and inform you about this wonderful Continent. We are sure this will be the trip of your lifetime.

The Airplane: BAE-146

The BAe 146 was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems).
It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runaway requirements which makes it particularly suited for this kind of destinations. It is operated by Aerovías DAP,which has more than 20 years of experience of flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

BAE 146-200
TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Model: BAe 146-200
Engines: 4 turbofans Honeywell ALF 502R-5
Length: 93 ft 8 in (28,55 m)
Wingspan: 86 ft 5 in (26,34 m)
Cruise speed: 465 mph (750 km/h)
Service ceiling: 31,200 ft (9.500 m)
Capacity: 50 passengers

Chuck's Comments on the Ocean Nova

We have completely inspected and sailed on the Ocean Nova, and can attest to its suitability for Polar travel in Antarctica and the Arctic.

The ship is extremely quiet and with bow and stern thrusters, the ship is highly maneuverable. Her draft will allow her to go where other ships cannot, which is certainly a plus for polar explorations.

The Ocean Nova is, for all intent and purposes, a new ship with state-of-the-art safety features. The observation lounge is spectacular, with full view windows, the latest lecture and presentation equipment, and a complete bar. The aft library/lounge has wrap-around windows, comfortable chairs and a complete Polar library.

I like the Ocean Nova very much. It has lots of outside deck space and a great Zodiac platform for passengers. You cannot go to the bow, but there is a very nice viewing platform above the bridge, just outside the observation lounge, so everyone has easy forward outside access.

The cabins are similar and all have private facilities. Cabins on the Upper deck have nice-sized porthole windows, as do the Bridge Deck cabins. In addition, Bridge Deck cabins have a promenade outside the portholes. As with all modern vessels, the portholes/windows do not open."

History of the Ocean Nova

Built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, the Ocean Nova was designed to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The Ocean Nova is a perfect expedition ship for discovering Antarctica.

Upgrades and Specifications

he expedition ship was upgraded in 2000 and significantly refurbished again in 2006 to include a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge on the top deck – and to offer Expedition travelers an even more comfortable retreat after days of exploring ashore.

Carrying up to 68 passengers and classified to operate in ice-filled waters, the 73-meter vessel is guided by a highly-experienced crew with experience in polar navigation. The ship has outside cabins only (all with private facilities), a spacious dining room, and a comfortable library.

There is a magnificent top-deck observation lounge and presentation room, a library with large collection of polar-themed books, a clinic with a licensed doctor, and an exercise room. Ship-to-shore communications are available via Fleet 77 phone and mail/Internet.

Specifications
Passengers: 68
Length: 73.0 m
Breadth: 11.0 m
Draft: 3.7 m
GRT: 2,118 tons
Propulsion: diesel engines ^ 2,000 hp
Ice Class: Ice 1B, E0 (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Cabins & Amenities:
• 37 outside cabins, all featuring private facilities
• Spacious dining room with unreserved seating: buffet-style breakfast with table service; table- service lunch and dinner with main course choices from a changing daily menu; cakes served in mid-afternoon
• Observation lounge and presentation room
• Lounge and bar, open late morning, afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits; coffee, tea available all day
• Library with collection of polar-themed books
• Ship-to-shore communications via Fleet 77 phone, e-mail
• Clinic with licensed doctor
• Exercise room

Please note: there is no passenger elevator between decks.

Included.

· Transfers airport/hotel foreseen on the first and last day of the voyage, as indicated in
the program corresponding to each voyage.
· 1 overnight in Punta Arenas at Hotel Rey Don Felipe on Day 1 of CLASSIC ANTARCTICA
and ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE air-cruises.
· 1 complimentary overnight upon request in Punta Arenas at Hotel Rey Don Felipe on
the day of return from Antarctica for CLASSIC ANTARCTICA (Day 7) and ANTARCTIC
EXPRESS (Day 5) air-cruises.
· Welcome Dinner at Jose Nogueira Hotel in Punta Arenas (only for participants of
CLASSIC ANTARCTIC air-cruise and ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE air-cruises).
· Flight from Punta Arenas to Frei Station on King George Island and/or vice versa as
indicated in the program corresponding to each voyage.
· Ship cruise along the Antarctic Peninsula as indicated in the program corresponding to
each voyage.
· Full board including all drinks on board (open-bar).
· All guided shore excursions.
· Lectures and entertainment on board.
· Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
· Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.

Not Included.

· Accommodation, meals and transfers other than those included in the Travel Program
corresponding to each voyage.
· Personal insurances.
· Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
· Tips (suggested USD 10 per person per day).
· Visas or Passport expenses and/or any other arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.

Itineraries may be subject to change.

Click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.

Click on the thumbnails to view a larger image.

Legend

Ocean Nova Deck Plan