Antarctica requires careful planning and a series of fail-safe rescue procedures if anyone gets into difficulty. These smaller expeditions sometimes fail to do this adequately and resort to "humanitarian" requests for aid from shipping or nearby national bases when they get into difficulty. A few years ago for example a small helicopter (totally unsuitable for the task) crashed into the sea off the Antarctic Peninsula requiring rescue and an attempt to fly across Antarctica via the pole in a small aircraft ended with the aircraft crashing and the pilot being rescued by nearby base personnel.
Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia (Argentina)
Arrive in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel in Ushuaia.
Day 2: Ship Embarkation; Cruise Starts
Arrive at the ship in the afternoon and be greeted by the Expedition Team and ship's officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captain's welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on an early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past penguins, cormorants, and sea lion colonies.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 3: Drake Passage
Your adventure begins with a 400-mile crossing of the passage that bears the name of the 16th century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. Spot albatross and petrels as they follow the ship. Join the Expedition Team out on deck looking for whales and dolphins that may also be seen in the area.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 4: Drake Passage
Today cross the Antarctic Convergence, a meeting of cold polar water flowing north and warmer equatorial water moving in the opposite direction. This mixing pushes nutrient rich waters to the surface attracting a variety of seabirds, whales and other species. As you make the passage you have time to become acquainted with the ship and frequent the common areas where you will meet your guides, ship’s crew and expedition staff. The lecture and information sessions begin where you can learn the extraordinary human and natural history of the Antarctic region.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 5: South Shetland Islands / Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands provide exceptional opportunities to discover unique wildlife and awesome landscapes. Depending on weather and ice conditions, the captain and expedition team will direct the Sea Spirit to a variety of secluded bays and harbors to optimize Zodiac landings and wildlife viewing. Flexibility is the key to successful expedition cruising. With the help of your expedition team, look for the four penguins, six seal and several whale species on your Antarctic checklist. There will be a time for our most adventurous travelers to take a polar plunge, perhaps in Neko Harbor or the relatively warm waters of volcanic Deception Island.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 6: South Shetland Islands / Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands provide exceptional opportunities to discover unique wildlife and awesome landscapes. Depending on weather and ice conditions, the captain and expedition team will direct the Sea Spirit to a variety of secluded bays and harbors to optimize Zodiac landings and wildlife viewing. Flexibility is the key to successful expedition cruising. With the help of your expedition team, look for the four penguins, six seal and several whale species on your Antarctic checklist. There will be a time for our most adventurous travelers to take a polar plunge, perhaps in Neko Harbor or the relatively warm waters of volcanic Deception Island.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 7: Antarctic Peninsula
Experience some of the world’s most inspiring scenery and unique wildlife – Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins; Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals; and Orca, Humpback and Minke whales. Landing sites vary depending on weather conditions. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbour, sheltered Paradise Harbour, the Humpback Whale favoured Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or United Kingdomraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 8: Antarctic Peninsula
Today you will have plenty of time to explore the amazing scenery – a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways. Observe incredible wildlife, historically significant sites and fascinating landscapes. Watch penguins swim and amble over pebbled beaches, take a Zodiac cruise around artistically shaped icebergs, or perhaps witness a leopard seal hunt in the frigid Antarctic waters. In Antarctica, you don’t have to seek out the excitement, it is all around!
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 9: Antarctic Peninsula
Experience some of the world’s most inspiring scenery and unique wildlife – Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins; Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals; and Orca, Humpback and Minke whales. Landing sites vary depending on weather conditions. The trip may include picturesque Neko Harbour, sheltered Paradise Harbour, the Humpback Whale favoured Wilhelmina Bay, the striking Lemaire Channel, the wildlife-filled Penola Channel, or the majestic Neumayer Channel. You may stop at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or United Kingdomraine’s Vernadskiy as well as a historic base such as U.K.’s Port Lockroy or Wordie House. There will be plenty of time to explore the amazing scenery – a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways. Observe incredible wildlife, historically significant sites and fascinating landscapes. Watch penguins swim and amble over pebbled beaches, take a Zodiac cruise around artistically shaped icebergs, or perhaps witness a leopard seal hunt in the frigid Antarctic waters. In Antarctica, you don’t have to seek out the excitement, it is all around!
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 10: Drake Passage
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities for spotting seabirds and looking for whales. Listen as the Expedition Team gives their final presentations, recapping the great Antarctic adventure that you have experienced.
Overnight stay in Superior Cabin on Expedition Ship – Sea Spirit.
Day 11: Drake Passage
Day 12: Disembarkation at Ushuaia
Antarctica was simply magical. Hard to pick one out, there were so many. I guess the first penguin just a few feet away and totally unconcerned was really special. To sit and watch them go their way was wonderful.
