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Peregrine Travel Centre

Photography Series: Crossing the Circle (Ocean Diamond)

Photography Series: Crossing the Circle (Ocean Diamond)

From USD $8,995

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Description

Our most in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula is a photographer’s dream, offering you the opportunity to venture even farther south, across the Antarctic Circle, to photograph a destination so remote, few travelers have ever laid eyes on it. As you journey through this region of extremes, our team of photography experts will teach you how to capture this picturesque polar landscape like a professional. Imagine taking your skills to the next level thanks to our special photography workshops and lectures, and then practicing what you’ve learned alongside our pros on shore visits and Zodiac cruises. Watching our photographers in action—shooting soaring floating ice sculptures, mazes of massive icebergs, and hundreds of playful penguins and sunbathing seals—is a unique way to pick up even more pro tips firsthand.

Sailing across a seemingly endless stretch of sea, you’ll find yourself enveloped by a solitude and serenity found nowhere else on the earth. Antarctica is pristine and untamed, and photographers in particular will be amazed by the abundant, approachable wildlife and the stark, breathtaking beauty that remains untouched by humans. Here, immersed at 66°33’ S, you’ll be inspired by a land forgotten by time.

Trip Name
Photography Series: Crossing the Circle (Ocean Diamond)
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 124 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Built / refurbished: 1974 / 2012 The 224 passenger vessel was completely refurbished in Norway in 2012 and is perfect for our exploration being large enough to provide stability, speed, spacious cabins and ample public space, yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas. The vessel is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable stabilisers for smooth sailing. The vessel is ice strengthened and features 18 Zodiacs for our forays ashore. Your Cabin/Suite With a maximum of 224 passengers, the Ocean Diamond offers cabins across its five decks. There a range of cabins and suites available and all feature outside views (porthole, window or balcony), full private en-suite bathrooms featuring bathtub and shower, a writing desk, individual temperature control, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite phone access, hairdryer and flat-screen television and DVD player. Cabins range in size from 17 square metres to 30 square metres. Your Space The Ocean Diamond features spacious public areas and ample deck space from where you can admire the beautiful passing landscapes. Public areas and facilities include an observation lounge with bar, a fitness centre, pool with bar, sun deck, lecture threatre with state of the art audio visual equipment, library and lounge. The restaurant serves all passengers in one, open seating and cuisine onboard is international. There is also a gift shop, clinic and a spa onboard. Your Dining The single sitting restaurant is located on the Lower Deck and is both spacious and light. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style and dinner is served to your table. All meals include a vegetarian option. Afternoon tea also served daily around the afternoon excursions and coffee, tea and water are available complimentary around the clock. Weather permitting, there will be the opportunity to dine outside on occasion. Life Onboard The atmosphere onboard is focused on exploration and discovery with all the creature comforts you would expect from a vessel of this calibre. The onboard crew offer excellent service and in addition the expedition team will enrich your experience with their knowledge of the region. Through a lecture programme and shore expeditions, they will share their expertise and passion with you. After a day of exploration ashore, you will return to the comfort of a sophisticated ship with a friendly crew and informal atmosphere. A fleet of Zodiacs are used for landings and nature cruises, and during your voyage you will have the opportunity to visit the Captain and Officers on the Bridge to learn more about your journey, further fostering the expeditionary nature of our voyage. Some Deck Plans may vary from what you see below. PLEASE NOTE: Below deckplan is ONLY for 2019 cruises. Please contact us for updated deckplan for 2020 trips.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 — Ushuaia, Argentina
The small, bustling port town of Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America, is the gateway for your Antarctic adventure. Here, surrounded by sea and mountains at the “end of the world,” you can explore southern Patagonia, hiking in the nearby national park, exploring the museums, or savoring tapas or a hot chocolate at one of the town’s many restaurants or cafés.
Day 2 - Day 2 — Embarkation Day
As the ship sets sail in the late afternoon, you will begin your Antarctic journey, passing through the Beagle Channel, which opens up to the vastness of the Southern Ocean, where your next land sighting will be along the Antarctic Peninsula. Named after the famed ship on which Charles Darwin voyaged, the channel presents great photo opportunities to capture seabirds hovering overhead and seals and sea lions lounging on land.
Day 3 - Days 3 and 4 — Crossing the Drake Passage
The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, spotting and snapping shots of seabirds swooping around the ship, and get to know your fellow travelers and chat with your Expedition Team. You will spend this time preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures presented by your Expedition Team. During these sea days, you’ll have the chance to learn tips for photographing Antarctica, which can be a challenge, given its stark scenery (think: dramatic whites and darks and very little gray) and abundant light, which comes from all directions, reflecting off the snow and water. Whether you’re an amateur or hobbyist, your on-board experts will share tricks for making the most of your camera, such as using filters, bracketing exposures, framing icebergs and glaciers, capturing wildlife shots on land and sea, and shooting from the unique perspective of a Zodiac or kayak.
Day 4 - Days 5 to 7 — Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
With the Drake Passage left in our wake, we make our approach to Antarctica. Get your cameras ready as the 7th continent’s coastline makes its first appearance, signaling the start of your adventure in the realm of the Antarctic. As plentiful floating icebergs pass by, you can put your newfound photographic skills to work. Icebergs come in all shapes and sizes, each uniquely shaped by its journey through the sea, but to truly capture their vast scale, you’ll need to create a sense of proportion, playing with angles and framing the bergs against their background. If you’re lucky, eyes fixated on the ocean surface, you may also have the chance to snap shots of curious whales as they spout and breach before us. As exciting as it can be on the ship’s bridge and deck, with landscapes and scenery changing from moment to moment (photographers will want to capture everything!), your true exploration occurs when you disembark and set foot on the White Continent. There are several potential landing sites that we may visit, including Neko Harbour, Cuverville Island or Paradise Harbour. Although weather dictates which specific landing sites we can visit, each one presents a new collection of wildlife and natural attractions.Your days will be busy spotting wildlife and being mesmerized by the beauty of Antarctica. Watching penguins waddling on the beach will become your daily entertainment, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect portrait or, better yet, shoot them playfully interacting with one another. Listening to the crackling and crumbling of icebergs and glaciers will make for an eerie soundtrack as you try to capture their dazzling beauty.
Day 5 - Days 8 and 9 — Antarctic Circle
Crossing the Antarctic Circle is an impressive achievement, as most expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula do not reach this far south, which is officially noted at 66°33´ S. If conditions allow us to cross this famed line, you and your shipmates will celebrate in style with a well-earned glass of champagne! Make a toast and take pride in knowing you’ve made it to a part of the world visited by very few people.
Day 6 - Days 10 and 11 — Northbound Along the Peninsula
By now, your knowledge of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins will be matched by your ability to differentiate between a leopard, fur or Weddell seal. Terms like bergy bits and pancake ice will seem normal, yet there are still many tales to be told and photos to be shot. As you head north, Zodiac excursions will fill your days, allowing you to explore and photograph lesser-seen areas of the 7th continent, from intimate perspectives you won’t experience from the ship. Your Expedition Team will continue offering presentations while giving you time to reflect on everything you’ve experienced. Don’t forget to take a moment to pause and simply take in all you’re experiencing.
Day 7 - Days 12 and 13 — Crossing the Drake Passage
As you recross the Drake, Antarctica fades away, leaving you with a collection of memories to last a lifetime. Excited conversations and the chance to share your favorite photos with your newfound friends will make the crossing fly by, regardless of the weather and sea conditions. Your Expedition Team will round up its series of lectures as well, perhaps with a slideshow of the great landing sites and wildlife you’ve witnessed over the course of your voyage, or by providing tips on how to improve your already-stunning photographs in post-production.
Day 8 - Day 14 — Disembark in Ushuaia
Today, you’ll have lots of time to bid farewell to your shipmates and Expedition Team, disembarking after breakfast to catch your homeward flights.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Triple Cabin
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Twin Obstr. View
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Twin Window
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Suite
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Balcony Suite
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Single Porthole
03-03-201916-03-2019USD $0Single Obstr. View

Inclusions

    • Perfect your polar photography skills with special workshops and lectures and have the unique opportunity to watch our photo experts in action
    • Celebrate being one of the few adventurers ever to reach 66°33’ S, with a champagne toast
    • Experience close encounters with iconic Antarctic wildlife, including several species of penguins and seals
    • Visit historic landing sites and explore the Antarctic Peninsula by ship, Zodiac and foot

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