HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross
the mighty Drake Passage en-route for the South Shetland Islands,
making Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, research stations and
fascinating lookouts along the way
- Explore
the Antarctic Sound with its mighty tabular icebergs and enter the
Weddell Sea in search for wildlife
- Take
a small glimpse into the passage made famous by Shackleton 100 years
ago, when he navigated the 1300 km course through open seas of Drake
Passage in an effort to save his stranded crew
- Visit
South Georgia which is one of the World’s greatest natural
wonders with wildlife-packed beaches, active research stations, former
whaling stations and Shackleton's final resting place
- Pay
a visit to the fascinating Falklands
- Enjoy
Zodiac landings and wildlife observations on pristine and sheltered
beaches
- Spend
bird watching from top deck and attending lectures, work shops and
photo re-caps in one of our vessel's lounges
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F | Category G | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B2 | Category B1 | Category A | Premium Captain's Suite |
|---|
| Mar 06, 2025 | Mar 24, 2025 | 16,095 | 27,295 | 22,895 | 20,995 | 24,795 | N/A | 27,295 | 38,795 | 43,395 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category F | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Premium Captain's Suite |
|---|
| Mar 06, 2025 | Mar 24, 2025 | 16,095 | 24,795 | 43,395 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA
Arrive
and embark 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
2-3: AT SEA. DRAKE PASSAGE, KING GEORGE ISLAND
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.
DAY
4-7: ANTARCTIC SOUND AND WEDDELL SEA
Over
the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience at the
very tip of the Continent. During these days in the Antarctic Sound,
named in 1902 after the Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain and the
expedition team will keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular
icebergs, born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We aim
to have both continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic
Sound and Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually
large penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.
The
itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and
ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the
Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to the guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
DAY
8-13: DRAKE PASSAGE AND SOUTH GEORGIA
From
the Weddell Sea we continue our journey into the open sea, just as
Ernest Shackleton and his men did more than hundred years ago. Having
lost their ship Endurance deep south in the Weddell Sea they moved
slowly north on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they
reached Elephant Island. From here started one of the most remarkable
boat journeys in the polar history, when Shackleton and five of his men
for two weeks navigated the 720 nautical miles to South Georgia to call
for recovery of the stranded crew on Elephant Island. We on the other
hand will reach the mighty South Georgia after just a few days at sea!
South
Georgia offers stunning wildlife experiences with a wealth of breeding
penguins, sea birds, sea lions and seals, all seeking shelter in this
oasis amidst the roaring Southern Ocean. Previous whaling history pops
up in most of fjords we will explorer – not least in
Grytviken the only inhabited settlement on this mountainous island.
Grytviken is also the last resting place for Ernest Shackleton, after
he died on yet another Antarctica voyage in 1922. We will explorer the
fjords of the north coast for 2-3 days and take as many shore landings
as time and the swelling sea will allow us.
DAY
14-15: SOUTH ATLANTIC, APPROACHING FALKLAND ISLANDS
Days
at sea are great for participating in lectures and and other activities
hosted by the expedition team, reading books in the ship library and
watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from top deck. Or
just to relax.
DAY
16-17: PORT STANLEY AND FALKLAND ISLANDS
During
the morning we approach Falkland Islands and in the early afternoon
Ocean Victory/Albatros will cast anchor the sheltered natural harbor of
Port Stanley. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in town center, and
take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.
On
the following day we will make landings – weather permitting
– at two of the islands’ many magnificent wildlife
spots.
DAY
18-19: AT SEA TOWARD SOUTH AMERICA. USHUAIA, DISEMBARKATION
We
are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back to
Ushuaia.
After
a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning after
breakfast.
Ocean Victory (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, Ocean Victory is the ideal vessel for small-ship cruising due to her sturdy construction.
With a total of 93 comfortable cabins for our guests, almost all with a view of the ocean, we ensure absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 19-day
cruise with accommodation in a shared double stateroom featuring en
suite facilities
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition
parka
- Rubberboots
provided for entire voyage
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Free
photo workshop from experienced photographer onboard
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- Free
tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Welcome
and farewell drinks
- Online
visual journal access after your voyage with photos, species list, log
and more!
- Taxes
and port fees
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under "Inclusions"
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking
- USD 235
- Lectures
- Photography
- USD 1,095
- Wildlife
Observations
- Zodiac
Trips
