Antarctic Express: Cruise South, Fly North: World Explorer

Antarctic Peninsula

Revel in the excitement of crossing the famed Drake Passage from Ushuaia, with the convenience of a northbound return flight at the end of your expedition. Minke and humpback whales or Adélie penguins floating on ice floes greet you as you pass, enroute to the northernmost tip of Antarctica. The vast wilderness may at first overwhelm, but playful, charismatic wildlife and your intrepid companions keep you grounded. Develop an appreciation and understanding of Antarctica’s extreme contrasts - harsh, rugged mountain peaks and fragile ecosystems; stark, lonely icescapes and gregarious penguins

Enquire Print

The fastest, most direct way to Antarctica;
Fly one way over Drake Passage;
All the main Antarctic Peninsula highlights;
Photography instruction included;
Optional kayaking along the Peninsula; and
On board lecturers and educational presentations from Polar specialists.

Stewart's Take

Just one way on the Drake Passage for this luxury cruise to Antarctica.

Overview

Revel in the excitement of crossing the famed Drake Passage from Ushuaia, with the convenience of a northbound return flight at the end of your expedition. Minke and humpback whales or Adélie penguins floating on ice floes greet you as you pass, enroute to the northernmost tip of Antarctica. The vast wilderness may at first overwhelm, but playful, charismatic wildlife and your intrepid companions keep you grounded. Develop an appreciation and understanding of Antarctica’s extreme contrasts - harsh, rugged mountain peaks and fragile ecosystems; stark, lonely icescapes and gregarious penguins.

Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina This quaint city at the southernmost tip of South America is your gateway to Antarctica. The city itself provides a wide range of jewelry shops, cafés, gear shops and restaurants to explore before your voyage. Outside the city, snow-capped mountains and hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park offer ample adventure activities if you enjoy exploring nature. Day 2 Embarkation Day You will embark in the afternoon, with a journey through the picturesque Beagle Channel. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and be out on deck, as the channel is home to a wide variety of wildlife including seabirds and seals. Rainbows are common here too, creating a great photographic opportunity to kick off the start to your Antarctic adventure. Days 3 and 4 Crossing the Drake Passage Legendary for its high winds and rolling seas, you may get lucky and have surprisingly calm seas. Spend your time in the lounge or chatting with your fellow travelers. As you develop your sea legs during the crossing, our Expedition Team will begin their series of presentations to help prepare you for your upcoming Zodiac and land excursions. You officially enter Antarctica when your ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence, a biological boundary that fluctuates around 60° south. Days 5 to 8 Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands Icebergs are the first attractions that welcome you to Antarctica. Massive floating bergs become more common as you get closer to land and you catch your first glimpse of the Peninsula, with its grand snow-covered mountains. In addition to spotting icebergs, you’ll likely spot Adélie penguins chilling out on ice floes and minke or humpback whales feeding and swimming in the frigid waters. As soon as possible, the Zodiacs will be readied for your first landing in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Experiencing this immense wilderness up close for the first time can be a numbing experience. The silence is great, the vastness is even greater. Thankfully the noisy locals – penguins and seals – are there to remind you that this wonderful landscape isn’t just a dream. Your Expedition Team will monitor the ice and weather conditions to determine which landing sites can be visited. With many sites to choose from, each expedition presents new opportunities for exploring the white continent by Zodiac and land. Swimming in Antarctica is perhaps the most adventurous option to tempt you, by taking a Polar Plunge in the water at Neko Harbour! A typical day in this wildlife wonderland will be spent listening to calving glaciers at Petermann Island, watching penguins waddle around a beach, or taking a hike atop a hill for a panoramic view of Port Lockroy. Whatever you prefer, the photographic opportunities are endless Day 9 - Disembarkation and Fly to Punta Arenas As the ship turns north, you’ll say goodbye to the penguins, as well as many of your shipmates. With only the Drake Passage ahead, you’ll disembark and enjoy a bit of time on King George Island before flying off to Punta Arenas, Chile. Once you’re in Punta Arenas, we’ll transfer you from the airport to your hotel, where you’re free to explore and enjoy a final dinner out. Day 10 - Punta Arenas Depart for home.

Luxury Expedition Vessel: World Explorer

An “all balcony suites” ship, World Explorer features amenities and guest comforts to maximize the exploration off and on the ship and deliver an unequalled Polar expedition experience. Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy—these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Not only is it among the fastest expedition ships, it is also one of the finest, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation.

The personal space is exceptional. Every suite has either a private walk-out or French balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading.

Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers. For the active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

An Expedition parka to keep
Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage.
Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting your expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more dataintensive applications.)
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast. (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas
A post-expedition group transfer in Punta Arenas from the airport to the hotel
One night’s post-expedition hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas with breakfast.

Excluded

International airfare
Passport and applicable visa expenses
Meals unless otherwise specified
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone charges may vary by location
Our basic complimentary Wi-Fi service does not include Premium packages which enable more data-intensive applications
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Transfer to airport at end of trip.

Rates and Share Bookings Prices shown are per person on a shared basis. If you are travelling alone and wish to share, you will be matched with someone of the same gender at share rate. If desired, Single occupancy is available at 1.7 times the twin share rate for standard cabins (or twice the share rate for premium cabins or suites). Deposit Reservations require a deposit of 25% at the time you receive a booking confirmation from Expeditions Online. A payment link will be sent to you and this may be paid by major credit card. Bookings made within 90 days of departure require 100% payment. Final Payment Balances are due 90 days prior to departure and may be paid by bank transfer. Cancellation All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online.

Cancellations received 120 days or more prior to departure, are refundable less an administrative fee of US$500/€450/AUD650/GBP400/SEK5500 per person.
If cancellation is received between 119 days and 90 days, the deposit is forfeited.
If cancellation occurs between 89 days and 60 days prior to departure, the cancellation fee is 75% of the expedition cost.
If cancellation occurs between 59 days and departure, the cancellation fee is 100% of the expedition cost.

If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply, and any unpaid balance is due immediately. To protect your investment, we highly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Flexible Cancellation Fees! All cancellation Fees are eligible to be applied to a future voyage booked within 1 year of cancellation date. No surcharges - ever. For peace of mind, the shipping company will not apply fuel or any other surcharges—for any reason—to a booking once it’s confirmed. The price you book, is the price you pay. Booking Terms Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions for Expeditions Online (link at the bottom of this page). This voyage is operated by Quark Expeditions and you additionally travel under their terms and conditions as the operator as well as of the Shipping Company/transport carrier. Details will be forwarded to you at the time of booking.