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The Antarctica Explorer – 13 Day Expedition

The Antarctica Explorer – 13 Day Expedition

From USD $11,595

Description

During our 13-day Antarctica Explorer voyage, which is our lengthiest Antarctica-only cruise, we will be discovering the stunning scenery, glacier-clad peaks, and extraordinary wildlife of the Great White Continent. This expeditionary escapade promises to be one-of-a-kind, as we will have no predetermined schedule, rendering it a genuine exploration expedition.

Prepare for the ultimate Antarctic adventure on board the Ocean Victory/Albatros expedition vessel! As we set sail, we’ll navigate the calm, serene waters of Beagle Channel and soak up the magnificent sights of sloping glaciers. But the real adventure begins as we enter the infamous Drake Passage, where the frigid Antarctic meets the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Brace yourself for a challenging yet exhilarating journey as we cross this legendary body of water, which boasts rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds known as the Roaring Fifties.

But fear not, as our purpose-built vessel is equipped with stabilizers, powerful engines, and a patented reclining bow, which provides comfort and stability in rough seas while boasting very low fuel consumption. Crossing the Drake Passage is a lifetime achievement for even the most seasoned sailors, and you’ll get to do it twice! And as we sail through these nutrient-rich waters, get ready to marvel at the abundance of seabirds, albatrosses, and several species of whales. If weather permits, we’ll even catch a glimpse of seals and penguins.

As we weave through the South Shetland Islands, a glittering chain of ice-covered islands and dormant volcanoes, keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea lions, elephant seals, and an incredible amount of seabirds and penguins. Our expedition includes numerous Zodiac excursions and landings, allowing us to explore these magnificent islands up close.

But that’s just the beginning! We’ll continue onward to the awe-inspiring beauty and peaceful silence of the Antarctic mainland. There’s no set itinerary, as our captain and expedition leader will examine ice charts and weather reports to determine our next steps. We could journey to the mighty tabular icebergs of the Weddell Sea, explore the seldom-visited lands south of the Antarctic Circle, or even visit manned research stations in the most isolated places on earth. One thing’s for sure – we’ll encounter fantastic wildlife and embark on a real adventure.

Most ordinary vessels can’t navigate the dense pack ice that lies ahead, but with our high ice-class rating, the Ocean Victory/Albatros will swiftly carry us to the far south for an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Trip Name
The Antarctica Explorer - 13 Day Expedition
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 169 (95 cabins) Length: 104.4 m Built: 2022 The Ocean Albatros, sistership to the Ocean Victory, will join the fleet of Albatros Expeditions in November 2022. The Ocean Albatros will be deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations, Antarctica, the Arctic, any various exciting new destinations in between. With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.  The vessel will have more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and be one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros will also offer a unique panorama sauna, and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement. BRIDGE Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship's bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader. STATEROOM SERVICE Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services. ZODIAC LANDINGS One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros's fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber "Zodiac" boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment. The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago. Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear. Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps. GRATUITIES Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary. DRESS CODE The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style. INTERNET / PHONE Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off. RECEPTION The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00. ALBATROS OCEAN SHOP The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold. HEALTH / MEDICAL EMERGENCY Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance. Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms. Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate. PHYSICAL DISABILITIES / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs. SEASICKNESS / STABILISATORS The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling. SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible - ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship. LAUNDRY If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 ARRIVAL USHUAIA, EMBARKATION
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
Day 2 - DAY 2-3 AT SEA - CROSS DRAKE PASSAGE, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement – and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. Having crossed the Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.With the unique X-BOW design, the Ocean Albatros will offer you a smoother sailing across the Drake passage than conventional expedition vessels – and with far less carbon emission. Due to the speed of the vessel, we might be able to do a first landing or activity in the South Shetland Islands on the afternoon of day 3, weather permitting.
Day 3 - DAY 4-10 THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND ADVENTURE AWAITS
As our ship approaches the sparkling white expanse of Antarctica, the anticipation builds. The air is electric with the excitement of what awaits us. And as we draw closer, the sheer abundance of wildlife is staggering. We're surrounded by tens of thousands of lively penguins, curious seals, nesting birds, and the majestic spray of marine mammals.Our adventure truly begins on the Antarctic Peninsula, where we'll encounter an array of fascinating creatures. From leopard, fur, and Weddell seals on Cuverville Island to the humpback whales of Gerlache Strait and Paradise Bay, and the dramatic orcas of the Lemaire Channel - this is a wildlife lover's paradise. We may even venture as far south as the Antarctic Circle, exploring seldom-visited areas like Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound, and Detaille Island.Another highlight of our journey could lie in the Weddell Sea, where navigating through the massive icebergs and sea ice is a true test of skill and determination. Here, we'll witness the sheer magnitude of this remote wilderness, where the only inhabitants are Weddell and elephant seals, seabirds, and penguins - including some of the largest colonies ever seen.Our itinerary is flexible, and we'll adapt our plans based on the weather, swell, and ice conditions. But one thing is for sure - we're in for the full Antarctic experience. And as our journey draws to a close, we may even follow in the footsteps of the great explorer Shackleton, navigating to Elephant Island, home to the mighty elephant seals, and the site where Shackleton and his team waited for rescue.So all aboard are ensured a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where every day is full of wonder and discovery. With no set itinerary, our staff will work tirelessly to create the most unforgettable experience for all onboard. This is the Antarctica Explorer, and you won't want to miss it.
Day 4 - DAY 11-12 DEPARTING ANTARCTICA - AT SEA
We depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En-route, we will cross Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers equally passionate for discovering the world, enjoy the lectures by our expedition team on board, visit our shop, unwind in the spa or enjoy the ship’s facilities designed to provide a comfortable relaxing time.
Day 5 - DAY 13 BACK TO USHUAIA AND DISEMBARKATION
This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our expedition cruise, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.
Day 6 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $11,595Category F Stateroom - Triple Stateroom (Porthole)
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $15,295Category D Stateroom - Albatros Stateroom (Porthole)
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $16,495Category E Stateroom - French Balcony Stateroom
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $17,795Category C Stateroom - Balcony Stateroom
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $19,595Category B Suite - Balcony Suite
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $19,595Category G Stateroom - Single Stateroom (Porthole)
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $27,695Category A Suite - Junior Suite
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $31,195Premium Suite - Freydis Suite
19-02-202503-03-2025USD $34,495Family Suite - Brynhilde Suite

Inclusions

    • The 13-day Antarctica Explorer voyage is the lengthiest Antarctica-only cruise and promises a genuine exploration expedition.
    • Crossing the legendary Drake Passage twice is a lifetime achievement, with opportunities to spot seabirds, whales, seals, and penguins.
    • The South Shetland Islands offer Zodiac excursions and landings for up-close exploration of ice-covered islands and abundant wildlife.
    • There's no set itinerary, with the captain and expedition leader determining next steps based on ice charts and weather reports, offering a real adventure.
    • Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an ultimate Antarctic adventure!

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