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Christmas In Antarctica 2020 (RCGS Resolute)

Christmas In Antarctica 2020 (RCGS Resolute)

From USD $15,095

Description

This unique expedition provides a modern twist on a much-loved classic and is a magical way to spend the holiday season.

We hope to reach the Antarctic Circle in the vicinity of Detaille Island. Over the course of the voyage, we plan to visit several classic locations such as Petermann Island, and the iceberg ‘graveyard’ at Pleneau Island. We transit the Lemaire Channel if ice conditions permit and make continental landings at Paradise Harbour or nearby Neko Harbour.

NEW for 2020/2021 Antarctic season – pre-voyage hotel night and private air charters included.

Trip Name
Christmas In Antarctica 2020 (RCGS Resolute)
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Vessel Passenger Capacity: 146 Built: 1993 Named after the HMS Resolute, a British Royal Navy Arctic exploration vessel, as well as the Inuit town of Resolute in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, RCGS Resolute will arrive in Canada in November 2018 for its inaugural polar voyage. RCGS Resolute also carries the name of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), since we are exclusive education, environmental science, and expedition partners in Canada’s north. This longstanding partnership works to the benefit of our guests, who have the opportunity to learn from and interact with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers. With an unsurpassed ice classification, a proven track record for stability and safety, large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, and exceptional maneuverability, RCGS Resolute is ideally equipped to guide guests through the world’s most pristine regions, further expanding our expertise in exploration and discovery. RCGS Resolute will carry a maximum of 146 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with an array of luxury amenities, educational opportunities and activities tailored to guests’ particular interests, and individual, personalized service.  Superb Design and Layout. Throughout the ship there are spaces ideally suited to every need. Spacious outer decks provide 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped gymnasium.  Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from our well appointed theatre style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless.  Six Different Cabin Categories. All cabins feature outside viewing ranging from deck three traditional with port holes, up to decks 4 through 6 offering expansive panoramic windows.  Cabins all have lower berths that have the ability to be single beds, or 1 double bed depending on our guests needs.  Extensive renovations have provided new carpets, high quality cabinetry with soft close drawers, contemporary and spacious bathroom design, all paired with soft accent lighting offering options dependant on our guests daily activities and mood. All cabins offer modern sectional lounge quarters, providing a quiet nook to read or catch up on journalling.  Space is exceptional as each cabin offers 22M squared living space, whilst the One Ocean Suites are absolutely palatial offering 44M squared with enough room to entertain or do back - flips (your choice)! Enjoy Great Dining? So do we. At One Ocean Expeditions, the priority is on the expedition.  However with every activity, option, event, or excursion we find we build up incredible appetites to indulge in superb and extensive menu options.  Our bistro dining room provides early birds the option to get their social caffeine or smoothy start to the day, accompanied by light breakfast style snacks.  Full meal service includes buffet breakfast and lunches incorporating an international flare.  For those with special dietary requirements - no problem, we can accommodate that too.  Dinner is a great opportunity to catch up about the day’s events, as well as look to where we expect to explore next.  Five course menu options are offered a la carte, and seating is open in our business casual dining room featuring 180 degree sweeping views.  There’s also an excellent wine list featuring a range of international wines and other beverages of choice.  Join us on the Bridge. There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.  The bridge is closed during times of tricky navigation, pilotage, or weather. Operational Safety. There are no compromises here. The expedition staff and crew onboard RCGS Resolute have the deepest respect for changeable weather in the polar regions and the varying sea and ice conditions. That respect is apparent in every decision made throughout the voyage. The ship carries the most extensive inventory of safety equipment on all excursions and require leaders to undergo vigorous and effective safety training programs. Your expedition team are well prepared, so you can relax and enjoy your voyage.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / SANTIAGO (CHILE)
Once you’ve arrived in Santiago, the cultural centre of Chile,make your way to our signature hotel for an included pre-voyage stay. This evening, we encourage you to visit thewelcome desk set up in the lobby of the hotel to check inwith the One Ocean Expeditions' representative and to collectluggage tags for your voyage. By starting your voyage inSantiago, you’ve opened the door to countless pre-voyageexcursion opportunities, such as exploring the colourful beachtowns of the west coast or wine tasting at renowned vineyards
Day 2 - DAY 2 / STANLEY (FALKLAND ISLANDS)
We depart Santiago this morning on our private air charter (thisflight is included in the price of your voyage) direct to Stanley,the small capital of the Falkland Islands. We are met on arrivaland transfer from the airport into town. There is time to explorethe town or enjoy a guided visit to nearby Gypsy Cove whichprovides our first opportunity for observing the local wildlife,including nesting Magellanic penguins and other sea birds.Making our way to the port, we board our expedition ship,RCGSResolutein the afternoon. After settling into our cabinsand exploring the ship, we meet our expedition team and fellowpassengers. Excitement is in the air as we enjoy a welcomecocktail and cast off to explore one of the most remote regionson Earth.
Day 3 - DAYS 3-4 / AT SEA – TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
We chart a southerly course for Antarctica. This stretch ofthe South Atlantic is rich in its bio-diversity and showcasesan abundance of wildlife. We will be joined by hundreds ofseabirds including the wandering albatross. Giant petrels andsmaller Cape petrels are also constant companions as we makeour way south. Photographing these magnificent birds takespatience and skill and our photography expert will be on handto show you the best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on thebridge and learn about the operations of our modern researchvessel.Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with aseries of presentations about the environment, the wildlife andhistory and the locations we hope to visit in the coming days.If we enjoy good sailing conditions crossing to Antarctica, wemay include a visit to the very historic location of ElephantIsland – a place central to the Shackleton story. Shore landingsat Point Wild are notoriously tricky due to surging swell onto therocky beach. Nevertheless this is a thrilling place to visit.
Day 4 - DAYS 5-6 / KING GEORGE ISLAND & THE ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
This morning we are in position at King George Island – thelargest in the South Shetlands group. There are two landingsites here and a visit depends on the prevailing weatherconditions. Penguin Island and nearby Turret Point offer goodopportunities for shore landings to view Adelie, chinstrapand gentoo penguins. Southern giant petrels, kelp gulls andAntarctic terns are also known to nest here. This afternoon wecontinue our journey south, navigating into the broad expanseof the Bransfield Straight – making our way ever closer to theAntarctic coastline. This is an important migration corridorfor wildlife and we keep a lookout for whales in the waterssurrounding the ship. Large icebergs will be present from thispoint onwards and make for striking photographs in the eveninglight. By morning, the towering mountain peaks of the Antarcticcontinent loom into view and we should make landfall aroundWilhelmina Bay. This is truly an ‘A-list’ location and a place wefrequently encounter sizeable pods of humpback whales. Wenavigate under the towering cliffs of Spigot Peak and into theErrera Channel hoping for a shore landing at Cuverville Island –home to a rookery of gentoo penguins. It’s a fantastic locationfor a Zodiac cruise or a paddle in the sea kayaks.
Day 5 - DAYS 7-9 / TOWARDS THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE
We encourage you to spend time on the outer decks soakingup the scenery as we navigate further south. We pass throughthe ice strewn waters making our way towards our ultimateobjective, the Antarctic Circle, which we aim to cross onChristmas Day. This will be a magical experience for the whole family. Given favorable ice conditions, our first goal will be to sailsouth of the Antarctic Circle and into Crystal Sound.A favored landing site here is Detaille Island, home to anabandoned British science hut from the 1950s.This vicinitymarks our turnaround point and from now on, we return ina northerly direction exploring the dramatic coastline of theAntarctic Peninsula. We hope to visit a working scientific baseto learn something of the important climate-related researchhappening here. A hike over the snowy saddle of nearby WinterIsland allows us to stretch our legs and explore a historic BritishAntarctic Survey hut – Wordie House.If the conditions are right, we aim to offer our overnightcamping program to all adventurers somewhere in this vicinity.We have all the gear onboard and an experienced team tomake this a night to remember!Petermann Island is home to an Adelie penguin rookery. Adelies- the smallest of the Antarctic penguins, nest here and sharethe location with gentoo penguins and Imperial cormorants.The view to the north of Mount Shackleton and Mount Scott isimpressive. These towering granite sentinels mark the southernentrance to the nearby Lemaire Channel. Pleneau Island offersmore opportunities for shore landings. Just off shore, massiveicebergs run a round in the shallows. Constant wind and waveaction sculpt these gargantuan chunks of ice into fantasticshapes, revealing more shades of blue than you can possiblyimagine. For many, a Zodiac cruise here may well be a highlightof the voyage.
Day 6 - DAYS 10-11 / ANTARCTIC PENINSULA & SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
We aim to transit the Lemaire Channel on our way northtowards Paradise Harbour where we will spend a whiteChristmas and have an opportunity to step foot on thecontinent of Antarctica itself. Nearby Neko Harbour offersanother continental landing. Both locations offer terrific hikingopportunities up to panoramic view points. For the seakayakers, the paddling opportunities here are endless. Expectto be in full sensory overload by this time of the voyage.By morning we arrive in the South Shetland Islands. Theadventure is not over and if the weather conditions allow, wesail the ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at DeceptionIsland. This is a very dramatic place and history is all aroundus as we explore the old whaling station, with the rusted oldboilers and dilapidated wooden huts. At the far end of thebeach is an old aircraft hangar. This is where Australian, SirHubert Wilkins, made the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928.There is also an outstanding hike here, high up onto the rim ofthe crater.On a sunny day, cruising along the coast of Livingston Island isa memorable experience. There are several other landing sitesin the vicinity including Half Moon Island, or the broad pebblybeach at Yankee Harbour, where we sometimes encounterWeddell seals sunning themselves. This is another great spotfor a hike or a Zodiac cruise. It’s a fitting place to reflect on awonderful expedition. Charting a course for King George Islandin the early evening light, we enjoy a special dinner attended bythe Captain of the ship – the perfect end to our Christmas inAntarctica.
Day 7 - DAY 12 / KING GEORGE ISLAND (ANTARCTICA) – RETURN TO SOUTH AMERICA – OVERNIGHT PUNTA ARENAS
This morning we say goodbye to our expedition team andtransfer ashore by Zodiac. We walk from the shore landing sitepast the Chilean research station and up towards the airstripwhere we board our private air charter. This flight takes a littleover two hours and is included in the price of your voyage.Upon arrival into Punta Arenas a transfer from the airport intotown is provided. .POST VOYAGE HOTEL INCLUDED:This itinerary includesa complimentary hotel night in Punta Arenas for all guestsreturning from King George Island at the end of the voyage.This evening is at your leisure. Punta Arenas is home to somecosy restaurants, cafes and bars – including the historic‘Shackleton Bar’ at the Hotel Jose Nogueira – a fitting locationto reflect on your journey to Antarctica.
Day 8 - DAY 13 / PUNTA ARENAS – DEPART
After breakfast and check-out, make your own way to theairport for your onward journey. (We recommend you bookflights after midday). Otherwise, why not continue yourexploration of Patagonia. Just a few hours north, lies thecelebrated Torres del Paine National Park – home to toweringpeaks, glaciers and spectacular wilderness - a paradise forhikers and nature lovers.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $15,095Triple Private
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $15,995Twin Private
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $17,195Superior
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $17,695Superior Plus
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $18,595Shackleton Suite
16-12-202028-12-2020USD $20,895One Ocean Suite

Inclusions

    • Fantastic glaciated scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula and Circle region
    • Outstanding wildlife observation on shore, Zodiac cruising and from the ship
    • Visits to historic sites and science stations
    • Learn about the environment, wildlife and ecology of Antarctica from polar experts

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