Crossing the Antarctic Circle
Overview
Combine unforgettable wildlife encounters and scenic exploring with the rare opportunity to reach 66° 33’S. This extended Polar cruise offers all the highlights of a classic Antarctic expedition, with additional days to allow the chance to push further south and cross the elusive Antarctic Circle.
Highlights
- Enjoy excellent wildlife watching including penguins, seals and seabirds
- Explore stunning waterways including the Lemaire Channel
- Witness towering mountains and exquisite blue-hued icebergs
- Raise a glass of champagne as you reach 66° 33’S
- Add to the adventure with kayaking, camping and paddle-boarding options*
What's Included
- Shipboard accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
- Shore landings & Zodiac cruises
- Experienced Expedition Team
- Presentations on board
- Loan of rubber boots during voyage
Full description
The Antarctic Peninsula is home to a wealth of wildlife and this voyage offers some truly memorable encounters. Enjoy sightings of Weddell and elephant seals, abundant seabirds as well as gentoo, chinstrap and Adelie penguins. Cruise past towering icebergs and remote glaciers as you journey south towards the extreme latitudes of the very bottom of the world.
* subject to voyage and availability
Prices & Dates *
Offers
Antarctica 2018/19: SAVE up to 25% on Antarctic Circle Crossing (Photography Special)
Antarctica
Book your voyage aboard the Ocean Diamond departing in March 2019 and save up to 25%.
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Antarctica 2019/20: Save up to 25% on selected voyages
Antarctica
Plan your 2019/20 Antarctic voyage NOW to benefit from some great early booking discounts.
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Antarctica 2018/19: Save 20% on an Antarctic Circle Crossing
Antarctica
Book the Hebridean Sky departure on 26 Feb 2019 and receive a 20% discount on all cabin types.
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Antarctica 2018/19: Save 20% on voyages aboard the Polar Pioneer
Antarctica
Book your voyage aboard the Polar Pioneer and receive a 20% discount on any cabin.
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Antarctica 2018/19: Discounts on selected voyages aboard the M/V Plancius and M/V Ortelius
Antarctica
Discounts on selected cabins and voyages aboard the M/V Plancius and M/V Ortelius
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Antarctica 2019/20: Receive a ‘Travel Credit’ of up to £900pp and a free night in a pre-departure hotel
Antarctica
Book your 2019/20 Antarctic adventure now to make huge savings on selected voyages aboard the RCGS Resolute, Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Vavilov.
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Antarctica 2019/20: SAVE 10% aboard the Greg Mortimer
Antarctica
Book your 2019/20 Antarctic expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer and save 10% per person across all cabin categories.
Discover MoreAirfares are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
2018/19 Departures
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Prices from (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2018 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,799 | |
| 17 Jan 2019 | 14 days | RCGS Resolute | £12,150 | |
| 24 Jan 2019 | 15 days | Sea Spirit | £11,765 - waitlist only! | |
| 08 Feb 2019 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,499 - waitlist only! | |
| 19 Feb 2019 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £10,000 | |
| 19 Feb 2019 | 12 days | Polar Pioneer | £8,154 - waitlist only! | |
| 20 Feb 2019 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,099 | |
| 25 Feb 2019 | 12 days | M/V Ushuaia | £5,877 | |
| 16 Feb 2019 | 12 days | M/V Plancius | £7,364 | |
| 26 Feb 2019 | 15 days | Hebridean Sky | £11,381 - limited availability! | |
| 28 Feb 2019 | 12 days | M/V Plancius | £7,136 | |
| 03 Mar 2019 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £10,000 | |
| 18 Mar 2019 | 14 days | M/V Ortelius | £7,545 |
Prices are per person, based on a twin cabin - please contact us for details of triple, single and superior cabins.
Activity Key:
Kayaking
Kayaking taster session
Camping
Diving
Paddle-boarding
Snorkelling
2019/20 Departures
| Departure | Duration | Vessel | Activities | Prices from (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2019 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,999* | |
| 08 Jan 2020 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £9,000 | |
| 16 Jan 2020 | 14 days | Ocean Endeavour | £9,800 | |
| 17 Jan 2020 | 12 days | RCGS Resolute | £10,935 | |
| 30 Jan 2020 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,599 | |
| 03 Feb 2020 | 13 days | Greg Mortimer | £9,462 | |
| 10 Feb 2020 | 15 days | Island Sky | £11,919 | |
| 14 Feb 2020 + | 13 days | RCGS Resolute | £13,300 | |
| 16 Feb 2020 | 14 days | Ocean Diamond | £9,000 | |
| 17 Feb 2020 | 12 days | M/V Ushuaia | £6,908 | |
| 26 Feb 2020 + | 12 days | RCGS Resolute | £12,300 | |
| 01 Mar 2020 | 14 days | G Expedition | £8,199 | |
| 18 Mar 2020 | 14 days | M/V Ortellius | £7,773 |
*Special price - only available when booking voyage in conjunction with flights
+ This voyage starts and finishes from Stanley (Falklands)
Activity Key:
Kayaking
Kayaking taster session
Camping
Diving
Paddle-boarding
Snorkelling
Note the inclusions for this holiday are dependent on the vessel chosen. Please contact our team if you have any queries.
What's Included
- Shipboard accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners on board
- Tea & coffee available around the clock
- All Zodiac transfers, cruising & shore landings
- Presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers
- Loan of rubber boots during voyage
- Comprehensive pre-departure materials
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
NOTES
- A pre-voyage night in a hotel in Buenos Aires, with return flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, is included on voyages aboard the Ocean Endeavour
- A pre-voyage night in a hotel in Ushuaia is included with all other ships, except for the Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Vavilov, RCGS Resolute, MV Ushuaia, Plancius, Ortelius and Hondius
- Expedition jackets are NOT provided on the MV Ushuaia, Plancius, Ortelius or Hondius. A jacket is loaned for the duration of the voyage on the Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Vavilov and RCGS Resolute. On all other ships you will be provided with an expedition jacket to keep.
Itinerary & Vessels
Itinerary & Vessels
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Begin your journey to the Antarctic Circle with an overnight stay in the busy little port town of Ushuaia. Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Embarkation Day
After embarkation in the late afternoon, you will sail down the Beagle Channel towards the vast Southern Ocean.
Days 3-4: The Drake Passage
The Drake is legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, but you may be lucky and get calm weather. Enjoy presentations from your Expedition Team along the way.
Days 5-7: Exploring the Peninsula
All shore landings and Zodiac cruises are subject to weather and sea conditions, but during the voyage you may discover enormous rookeries of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, humpback, and minke whales. Ice permitting, the ship will navigate some of the most beautiful waterways in the world, such as the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels - impressive narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Perhaps visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and gentoo penguins, skuas and blue-eyed shags nest close to the landing sites.
Days 8-9: The Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Peninsula do not reach 66° 33’S. Celebrate with a well-earned glass of champagne and raise a toast to the intrepid explorers who have gone before.
Days 10-11: Northbound Along the Peninsula
Your journey north will include further shore landings or zodiac cruises, conditions permitting. Presentations from the Expedition Team will give you a deeper understanding of everything you see and experience during your voyage.
Days 12-13: Drake Passage to Ushuaia
As you cross the Drake once again, you’ll have time to reflect on your polar experiences and prepare for your return to civilisation.
Day 14: Ushuaia
Arrive back in Ushuaia this morning and disembark, ready for your onward adventure.
Notes
- All voyage itineraries are intended as a guideline only - embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy of expedition travel. Actual routes and landings will be dependent on weather, sea and ice conditions. A degree of flexibility is essential in the polar regions!
- The above sample itinerary is based on the 14-day voyage on the G Expedition. Other departures may vary in duration and routing, ie alternative embarkation or disembarkation ports, or do not include the pre-voyage hotel night. Please contact us for specific details.
G Expedition
Antarctica
Grade: Standard
Type: Expedition Ship
The ever-popular G Expedition offers spacious and comfortable accommodation at an affordable price.
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RCGS Resolute
Antarctica
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
Purpose-built for polar expedition cruising, the RCGS Resolute features state of the art stabilisation technology, superior comfort and a dedicated team of Adventure Concierges.
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Sea Spirit
Multi-destination
Grade: Superior
Type: Expedition Ship
This all-suite vessel couples adventure with spacious accommodation and a friendly atmosphere.
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Ocean Diamond
Grade: Superior
Type: Expedition Ship
One of the fastest ships in our fleet, the Ocean Diamond is also the first Carbon Neutral polar vessel, with all emissions being offset.
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Ocean Endeavour
Antarctica
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
The Ocean Endeavour is a bright and spacious purpose-built expedition ship, with excellent facilities, a range of optional activities and a focus on health and wellbeing.
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Polar Pioneer
Antarctica
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
One of our smallest ships, the Polar Pioneer offers traditional expedition voyaging with a range of optional adventure activities.
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Hebridean Sky
Antarctica
Grade: Superior
Type: Expedition Ship
The ice-strengthened Hebridean Sky is an ‘all suite’ vessel offering a classic expedition cruising style, combined with superior accommodation and an exceptional level of service.
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M/V Ortelius
Antarctica
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
A former scientific-research vessel, the Ortelius offers the classic small ship experience.
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M/V Ushuaia
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
A former research vessel offering affordable Antarctic voyages, the M/V Ushuaia is small, simple and comfortable.
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M/V Plancius
Antarctica
Grade: Simple
Type: Expedition Ship
The M/V Plancius is a traditional ex-research vessel, with proven experience in icy waters.
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The Greg Mortimer
Antarctica
Grade: Deluxe
Type: Expedition Ship
Brand new for 2019, the Greg Mortimer is a custom-built expedition ship featuring cutting-edge design, superior comfort and environmentally friendly technology.
Discover MoreExcursions
Kayaking
Duration variable Jan-Mar, Jun-Aug, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Paddle alongside seals, icebergs and more on a polar kayaking excursion.
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Kayaking Taster Session
Variable Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec
Multi-destination
Explore the polar region on a sit-on-top kayak.
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Scuba Diving
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Explore an icy underwater world.
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Snorkelling
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Immerse yourself in polar waters in search of marine adventures.
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Camping
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Multi-destination
Experience a night under the polar sky.
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Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Variable Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec
Antarctica
Paddle amongst icebergs for a new perspective.
Discover moreFind a holiday idea or suggested itinerary that inspires you, then send an enquiry or call us
Your dedicated travel specialist will create a quote based on your preferences
Together we’ll refine your itinerary until you’re happy and ready to book
From the moment you book until you return home we’re here for you no matter what
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