Crabeater Seal | Alex Cearns Houndstooth Studio
Crabeater Seal  | Alex Cearns Houndstooth Studio
Chinstrap Penguins in Half Moon Bay  | Kyle Super
Ice fills the Lemaire Channel  | Richard I'Anson
Humpback whale barely makes a ripple
Make the most of the outdoor bistro  | John Bozinov

Antarctica - The Realm of Penguins & Icebergs

Explore the Antarctic Peninsula in search of whales & penguins

12 Days from

$10395 USD

Trip Code: PEC
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Main Deck Suite
$13795 USD
Classic Suite
$14895 USD
Superior Suite
$15095 USD
Deluxe Suite
$16795 USD
Premium Suite
$18095 USD
Owner's Suite
$22895 USD
Camping option
$350 USD
Kayaking option
$895 USD

Duration

  • 12 Days

Activities

  • 11 days cruising plus optional kayaking, camping and photography

Accommodation

  • 10 Nights aboard Sea Spirit
  • 1 night hotel in Ushuaia

Meals

  • 10 Dinners
  • 9 Lunches
  • 11 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Trip highlights

  • The most wildlife-rich part of Antarctica - penguins, whales, seals, sea birds
  • Narrow sheltered waterways and fjords
  • Spectacular mountains rising directly out of the sea
  • Historic sites
  • Great variety of terrain over short distances
  • Icebergs and active glaciers
  • Opportunity to camp on ice (optional charges apply)
  • Kayaking through Antarctic waters (optional charges apply)
  • Photography Workshops (optional)

Overview

This program aboard the vessel Sea Spirit provides the opportunity to spend New Years in the dreamy Antarctic Peninsula. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence into the Southern Ocean via the fabled Drake Passage, we have ample time to explore the spectacular landscapes and wildlife of this remote continent. This voyage offers participants a chance to kayak through the tranquil waters or even camp out on the ice ,which is a popular experience, that will create memories to last a lifetime. We utilise the ship's fleet of zodiacs to explore the rich diversity of wildlife that flourishes in the sheltered bays, steep glaciers and clustered iceberg castles that characterise the shoreline. There are no shortage of photographic opportunities along the Antarctic Peninsula, and our workshops will help you capture the natural beauty of this incredible ice-bound land. Join in one of the optional activities on offer or simply take in the surreal landscapes of this untouched wilderness.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and starting point of our expedition. Upon your arrival at the airport we provide a transfer to your hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage. For the rest of the day you are free to explore the city. Take advantage of souvenir shopping and a variety of dining options in the city center.

Meals: Nil

In the afternoon we provide a group transfer to the pier and welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come. Savor the anticipation of your Antarctic dreams coming true as we slip our moorings and sail toward a true wilderness where wildlife abounds. The scenery as we sail through the Beagle Channel on our first evening is wonderful and there is already the possibility of marine mammal encounters.

Meals: B,D

After transiting the Beagle Channel and passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we head south across the Drake Passage. Pelagic seabirds including the majestic albatross are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks or from exterior stateroom windows and balconies. On the way we cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, orientations, and lectures from our expert staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica.

Meals: B,L,D

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our route and exploration opportunities in Antarctica are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. We take advantage of long daylight hours to exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery, and excursions via zodiac. The Antarctic Peninsula region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and some of Antarctica’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to a variety of whale and seal species. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies at special places on land. The area is also home to Antarctic research stations of various nationalities. Some stations have a gift shop and post office. The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first sighting of land. This wild and beautiful island chain contains numerous landing sites with abundant wildlife and historical significance. Among them is Deception Island, where the flooded caldera of an active volcano harbours an abandoned whaling station. Farther south, on the Antarctic Peninsula, the vast Gerlache Strait area contains sheltered bays, accessible wildlife, and stunning scenery. Places with names like Paradise Bay are the epitome of everything Antarctic: glaciated mountains, towering icebergs, feeding whales, seals on ice floes, and bustling penguin colonies. At the southern end of Gerlache Strait is the famous Lemaire Channel, also known as “Kodak Gap” because of the photogenic way the mountainous sides of the narrow channel are reflected in calm waters strewn with icebergs. Our days in Antarctica are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough incredible scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.

Meals: B,L,D

After our amazing time in Antarctica we cross back north through the bountiful waters of the Drake Passage. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that these days at sea are not idly spent. This is also the time for our End of Voyage ceremonies including slideshow and farewell dinner.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast we say farewell in the city of Ushuaia, where we started. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the town center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next incredible adventure to the ice.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
  • 1 night hotel accommodation in Ushuaia on a triple or twin share basis (depending on ship berth configuration chosen)
  • Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on day 1 of itinerary
  • Group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation
  • Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
  • Specialist expedition staff
  • All shore excursions from the ship including the use of Zodiacs
  • Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
  • Medical services. There is a resident medical officer and infirmary on board (charges may apply)
  • Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
  • Complimentary Polar Expedition Parka
  • Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise
  • Pre-departure information
  • Digital Voyage Log
  • Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport or hotel in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).

Not included

  • Air transport and transfers before and after the cruises (except for pre-scheduled group transfers listed above)
  • Passport and vaccination charges, reciprocity fees and airport departure taxes
  • Accommodation and meals or other services not included in the ship cruise itinerary
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations
  • Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls
  • Customary end of voyage tips
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of USD 200,000

Adventure Highlighted Video

Sea Spirit Video Tour

Sea Spirit Video Tour
Kayaking in Antarctica

Responsible travel

Extra trip info

Guaranteeing A Great Antarctica Trip

Pioneering World Firsts

Quality equipment

Quality accommodations

Innovative itineraries

Custom built, reliable transport

Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

Thoughtful Travel

Adventure Experts Since 1975