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 2019/20: Save up to 30% on selected voyages
Antarctica
Plan your 2019/20 Antarctic voyage NOW to benefit from some great early booking discounts.
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Antarctica 2019/20: Save up to £1,923pp aboard the Hebridean Sky and Island Sky
Antarctica
Book one of the selected Antarctic voyages aboard either the Hebridean Sky or Island Sky and save up to £1,923 per person.
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Antarctic 2019/20: Receive an air credit of up to £900pp and a free night in a Santiago hotel on selected voyages
Antarctica
Book your 2019/20 Antarctic adventure now and make huge savings on selected ships
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 | |
| 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 | M/S 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 | £11,535 | |
| 30 Jan 2020 | 14 days | M/S Expedition | £8,599 | |
| 03 Feb 2020 | 13 days | Greg Mortimer | £8,923 | |
| 10 Feb 2020 | 15 days | Island Sky | £11,919 | |
| 14 Feb 2020 + | 13 days | RCGS Resolute | £13,530 | |
| 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 | £12,530 | |
| 01 Mar 2020 | 14 days | M/S 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 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
Important Reminder: 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!
G Expedition
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
This eye-catching ship is Danish-built, offering spacious and comfortable accommodation for up to 132 passengers.
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RCGS Resolute
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
The RCGS Resolute, is one of the most modern, well appointed, safe and strong vessels to operate in the ice strewn waters of the polar regions.
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Sea Spirit
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
This all suite vessel couples adventure with supreme comfort and style. Carrying 114 passengers it is one of the most spacious and luxurious expedition vessels currently operating.
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Ocean Diamond
Type: Expedition Ship
This modern, stable super-yacht is one of our fastest vessels allowing for 189 passengers.
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Ocean Endeavour
Antarctica
Type: Luxury Ship
Purpose-built for passenger experiences in remote environments, this is the largest ship we feature.
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Polar Pioneer
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
Our smallest ship, Polar Pioneer offers traditional expedition voyaging, exploring areas that large vessels cannot access. Originally built as an ice-strengthened research vessel, the ship offers simple but comfortable accommodation.
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Hebridean Sky
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
This 'all suite' vessel offers expedition cruising combined with luxurious accommodation and an exceptional service.
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M/V Ortelius
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
Built in 1989, the Ortelius offers a maximum of 116 passengers.
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M/V Ushuaia
Type: Expedition Ship
Originally built for the US National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration, the Ushuaia has been refurbished to accommodate passengers in well-appointed comfort. This ice-strengthened polar vessel provides ample deck space and an open bridge policy as well as a full complement of Zodiacs.
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M/V Plancius
Antarctica
Type: Expedition Ship
This ship was completely rebuilt as a 116-passenger vessel in 2009.
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The Greg Mortimer
Type: Expedition Ship
Named after one of the co-founders of company that operates it, the Greg Mortimer is a modern, purpose-built expedition vessel capable of negotiating the polar-regions with both ease and style.
Discover MoreExcursions
Kayaking
Variable Nov-Mar, Jun-Aug
Multi-destination
Paddle alongside seals, icebergs and more.
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Kayaking Taster Session
Variable Oct-Mar
Multi-destination
Explore the polar region on a sit-on-top kayak.
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Snorkelling
Variable Nov-Mar
Multi-destination
Immerse yourself in polar waters in search of marine adventures.
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Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Variable Nov-Mar
Antarctica
Paddle amongst icebergs for a new perspective.
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