Quest for the Antarctic Circle
A massive rookery of penguins shuffles across a frozen shore, a pod of whales glides through frigid waters, dramatic landscapes float off in the distance—welcome to Antarctica. Join us on a voyage of discovery to our planet’s last frontier—a mysterious and virtually pristine paradise. Our ice-strengthened expedition ship is ideally suited to cruising this icy wilderness and its expert staff are on hand to ensure you’ll fully appreciate all the majesty you encounter. You’ll sail the Drake Passage past the South Shetland Islands and then really explore the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Prepare yourself for an adventure like no other—more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise.
| Day 1 | Ushuaia, Argentina |
| Day 2 | Ushuaia/Drake Passage |
| Days 3 & 4 | Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands |
| Days 5 & 6 | South Shetland Islands/Antarctic Peninsula |
| Days 7 & 8 | Antarctic Peninsula/Antarctic Circle |
| Days 9 to 11 | Antarctic Circle/Drake Passage |
| Days 12 & 13 | Drake Passage/Ushuaia |
| Day 14 | Ushuaia |
Tour Dates
Day 1 — Ushuaia, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia at any time. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the world's most southerly city.
Day 2 — Ushuaia/Drake Passage
Enjoy a free morning in Ushuaia. Do any last minute shopping, explore the town or the surrounding countryside. Embarkation on the Expedition begins in the afternoon at the port in Ushuaia. Enjoy the evening sailing through the Beagle Channel.
Days 3 & 4 — Drake Passage/South Shetland Islands
The adventure begins with an 600 mi (1000km) crossing of the passage named in honor of 16th-century English sea captain and privateer, Sir Francis Drake. The ship is at home in this part of the Southern Ocean.
Attend lectures hosted throughout the day on everything from local wildlife to geology to history. The expedition team is comprised of professional and highly skilled historians, marine biologists, and naturalists who offer keen insight and a unique personal perspective to each and every adventure.
Spend time out on deck and keep an eye out for sea birds and whales that live in these fertile waters. Wandering, Black-browed and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Prion's and Cap Petrels are among some of the species of seabirds that may join the Expedition on the journey to Antarctica.
Days 5 & 6 — South Shetland Islands/Antarctic Peninsula
Experience some of the most unique wildlife viewing and inspiring scenery in the world while setting foot on the Antarctic continent. Attempt two shore landings per day (weather permitting) and encounter Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie penguin rookeries, Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, and orca, humpback and minke whales in the cold Antarctic waters. During the voyage, learn about the peninsula's remarkable history.
This is what we've all been waiting for - a chance to explore step foot on the Great White Continent! Over the next 4 days the Expedition will navigate southwards making stops in the South Shetland Islands then through the Bransfield Strait and to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Hop into one of the Expedition’s 14 Zodiacs and take the quick, safe trip from the ship to the shore to encounter the awe-inspiring wilderness of Antarctica. Get up close to towering icebergs, glaciers and amazing wildlife.
Days 7 & 8 — Antarctic Peninsula/Antarctic Circle
With a close eye on weather conditions, continue southward along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Passing colossal icebergs and countless colonies of penguins, push on with the goal in mind - crossing the Antarctic Polar Circle. Few travelers have ventured this far south, but with our fully equipped ice-strengthened vessel and favorable sea conditions, the Expedition can access many remote locations other ships just can't reach.
Days 9 to 11 — Antarctic Circle/Drake Passage
Turn north for the first time to continue exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
Continue our exploration of the peninsula and then into the South Shetland while moving North again. Keeping a close eye out for wildlife there might be opportunities to do some whale watching or even go for a polar plunge in the Southern waters.
Days 12 & 13 — Drake Passage/Ushuaia
Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. In between bird watching and whale watching and enjoying some final lectures by the expedition staff, this is a chance to relax and review the adventures of the past week before returning to Ushuaia.
Remember, the best way to experience the wildlife of the Drake Passage is to be on deck keeping a look out for Albatross, Prions and Whales!
Day 14 — Ushuaia
Our adventure comes to a close. Have a final breakfast onboard Expedition before saying our goodbyes as we disembark in Ushuaia in the morning.
Note: Expedition travel can be full of surprises! While it is our intention of adhere to the itinerary described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.
* Itinerary may be subject to change
| Per Person USD Rates Antarctica 2020-21 |
Cat 1a Quad
|
Cat 1 Triple
|
Cat 2
|
Cat 3
|
Cat 4
|
Cat 5
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kayak | $12,299Full | $13,499 | $15,799Full | $16,399 | $17,3991 Berth | $19,399Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,799Full | $8,7991 Berth | $9,999Full | $10,699 | $12,199 | $13,699Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $6,999Full | $7,999Full | $8,999Full | $9,599 | $10,999 | $12,299Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,999Full | $8,999Full | $10,399Full | $11,299 | $12,999 | $14,499Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,299Full | $8,199Full | $9,799Limited | $10,299 | $11,799 | $12,999 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $10,699Full | $11,699Full | $13,799Full | $14,599 | $15,599Limited | $17,199Full |
|
Camp, Kayak | $8,399Full | $9,199Full | $10,999Full | $11,999 | $12,999 | $14,599Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $16,5991 Berth | $17,599 | $21,199Full | $23,399 | $26,599 | $29,999 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $10,199Full | $11,2991 Berth | $13,499Full | $14,299Full | $15,299Full | $16,999Full |
|
Camp, Kayak | $15,9991 Berth | $16,999 | $20,599Full | $22,499 | $25,499 | $28,999Limited |
|
Kayak | $9,699 | $10,799 | $12,499Full | $13,299 | $14,299 | $15,999Limited |
|
Kayak | $6,799Full | $7,399Full | $9,199Full | $9,599 | $10,699 | $12,199Limited |
Single Supplement is 1.7 times the regular price.
Please note that evacuation insurance is mandatory on all cruises.
Camping Excursion - $349 per person.
Kayaking Excursion - $999 per person (Antarctica Classic); $1,299 (Antarctica Classic in Depth & Quest for the Antarctic Circle); $1,499 (Spirit of Shackleton & Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica).
Restricted to participants 18 and older. Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience. Camping is limited to 60 people, kayaking to 20.
All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
| Per Person USD Rates Antarctica 2021-22 |
Cat 1a Quad
|
Cat 1 Triple
|
Cat 2
|
Cat 3
|
Cat 4
|
Cat 5
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kayak | $11,699 | $13,199 | $15,199 | $16,399 | $18,299 | $19,699Limited |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,3991 Berth | $8,399 | $9,699 | $10,399 | $11,599 | $13,199 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,399Full | $8,399 | $9,599 | $10,199 | $11,399 | $12,899 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $8,299 | $9,099 | $10,799 | $11,599Limited | $12,899 | $14,499Full |
|
Camp, Kayak | $7,599Full | $8,599 | $9,799 | $10,499 | $11,699 | $13,499 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $10,799 | $11,699 | $13,799 | $14,899 | $16,599 | $17,899 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $8,599 | $9,399 | $11,099 | $11,999 | $13,399 | $14,599 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $16,999 | $18,699 | $22,199 | $23,899 | $26,599 | $30,399 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $8,399 | $9,199 | $10,899 | $11,699 | $12,999 | $14,099 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $10,299 | $11,399 | $13,499 | $14,499 | $16,099 | $17,399 |
|
Camp, Kayak | $9,799 | $10,899 | $12,899 | $13,799 | $15,299 | $16,599 |
|
Kayak | $7,099 | $7,799 | $9,199 | $9,899 | $10,999 | $12,099 |
|
Kayak | $6,899 | $7,599 | $8,999 | $9,699 | $10,799 | $11,999 |
Single Supplement is 1.7 - 1.75 times the regular price.
Please note that evacuation insurance is mandatory on all cruises.
Camping Excursion - $379 per person.
Kayaking Excursion - $999 per person (Antarctica Classic); $1,299 (Antarctica Classic in Depth, Quest for the Antarctic Circle, & Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica); $1,499 (Spirit of Shackleton).
Restricted to participants 18 and older. Adventure options must be pre-booked and paid for prior to start of the trip. Space is subject to availability. Some activities require experience. Camping is limited to 60 people, kayaking to 20.
All trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.
| Category 1A Quad 2 upper, 2 lower berths › Full en suite bathroom › Porthole view Deck 2 |
|
| Category 1 Triple 1 upper, 2 lower berths › Full en suite bathroom › Porthole view Deck 2 |
|
| Category 2 Twin 2 lower berths › Full en suite bathroom › Porthole view Deck 2 |
|
| Category 3 Twin 2 lower berths › Full en suite bathroom › Window view Deck 3 |
|
| Category 4 Twin 2 lower berths › Full en suite bathroom › Large window views Deck 4 |
|
| Category 5 Suite Queen bed, lounge area › Full en suite bathroom › Large window views Deck 4 |
