Antarctic Polar Circle: Sea Spirit

Antarctic Peninsula

Achieve what few have done and cross the Antarctic Circle into the zone of 24-hour daylight. During your expedition you explore the majestic Antarctic Peninsula, where you will witness penguins, seals and seabirds with the incredible and spectacular Antarctic backdrop. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments

  • Achievement of crossing the Antarctic Circle
  • Witness and explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Be aboard a specially designed ice strengthened vessel
  • Learn about the environment and wildlife from onboard lecturers and specialists
  • Witness the abundant wildlife - penguins, elephant seals, whales and more!

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

This special, once-per-year voyage includes extra days so we can push deep into rarely visited regions south of the Antarctic Circle. In so doing, we are following in the historic footsteps of legendary polar explorers and early scientific expeditions. The vast, white landscapes here are both bleak and beautiful, the weather is especially wild, and the waters are full of constantly shifting sea ice and enormous tabular icebergs. This is expedition cruising at its most authentic.

Stewart's Take

An iconic expedition with a fantastic ship and the best of Antarctica.

Overview

Achieve what few have done and cross the Antarctic Circle into the zone of 24-hour daylight. During your expedition you explore the majestic Antarctic Peninsula, where you will witness penguins, seals and seabirds with the incredible and spectacular Antarctic backdrop. Landing on the continent itself is a memorable highlight, where you’ll explore the iconic sights that make this one of the world’s most pristine, exotic and unforgettable natural environments.
Day 1: Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night) Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and starting point of our Antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub. For an introduction to local history and wildlife, the interesting Museo del Fin del Mundo is worth a visit. If you have time to spare, a variety of nature activities can be arranged to suit all interests and fitness levels, from hiking in nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park to wildlife viewing in the Beagle Channel. For dinner, Ushuaia offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Patagonian lamb and delectable Fuegian seafood. Day 2: Welcome Aboard! After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, the many cafés, parrillas and gelato shops on Avenida San Martín will be sure to satisfy any appetite. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the luxury expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel. Day 3-4: Across the Drake Passage After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we turn south to begin our crossing of the Drake Passage. We watch for humpback and fin whales along the way. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. Briefings, bio-security procedures and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in Antarctica. We hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of our second day at sea. Day 5-11: South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula During the next eight days, we undertake an in-depth exploration of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land. Here we also find Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices. The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first area of exploration. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. We plan to pass through the famous Lemaire Channel, also known as “Kodak Gap” because of the photogenic way the narrow channel reflects the image of sheer snowy mountains. Crossing the Circle On this special voyage, we have additional days devoted to pushing even farther south in our attempt to cross the Antarctic Circle. The sublime icescapes in Crystal Sound and beyond are particularly austere, the weather is especially wild, and the waters are full of constantly shifting ice. Very few people have ventured this far south. This is a true expedition. Throughout the islands and on the mainland, we find nesting colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. It is a dramatic time at the colonies. While some parents remain at the nest to guard against skua attack, others go fishing in seas patrolled by predatory leopard seals and killer whales. Meanwhile, fluffy chicks are starting to explore away from their nests. Also at this time, humpback and minke whales have arrived in great numbers and the feeding frenzy in is full swing. Crabeater and Weddell seals abound in these highly productive waters. Active Adventure In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. Our knowledgeable guides will offer hiking and hill climbing for an even greater perspective of this raw polar wilderness. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of Antarctica offer many chances to paddle with seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways. To make the most of your time on the White Continent, you can also spend a night camping ashore, surrounded by untamed Antarctic nature. This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities will be shaped by weather and ice. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions in this challenging polar environment. With over 17 hours of daylight per day, we seize every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery on shore excursions and Zodiac cruises. Day 12-13: Back across the Drake Passage It is now time to head back across the Drake Passage toward South America, but the adventure is not quite over. Seabirds are our constant companions and there is always the possibility of whale encounters in these wild waters. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow. Finally, as we enter the calm Beagle Channel, we enjoy a night of smooth sailing toward Ushuaia. Day 14: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina After yet another delicious breakfast on board, we bid you a fond farewell in Ushuaia. We provide a group transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend more time here. As you look back on your wonderful experience in Antarctica, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

Luxury Expedition Ship M/S Sea Spirit

MS Sea Spirit, luxury, small expedition ship

Sail aboard the remarkably comfortable Sea Spirit and experience the polar regions in grand style with spacious suites. Carrying a maximum of 112 passengers this outstanding vessel, approved for polar waters, is equipped with rubber inflatable boats - called Zodiacs- for shore transfers and cruising. Kayaking and camping options are available on select departures. All suites have facilities en suite and exterior views. Deluxe Suites, Premium Suites and the Owner's Suite have private balconies for viewing the breathtaking landscapes of the Arctic, Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. Cruise with all the comfort of home - king-size beds (twin beds for those who prefer them), an open bar, balconies and a hot tub. Plus enjoy the amenities of a fine hotel, while a resident photographer helps you take brag-worthy photos.

For full information about this vessel click here...

Included
  • 1 pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia;
  • Group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation;
  • Group transfer to airport or central location upon disembarkation in Ushuaia;
  • Shipboard accommodations;
  • All scheduled landings/excursions;
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
  • Expedition Team;
  • All meals on board throughout the voyage;
  • Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily;
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails;
  • A pair of rubber boots on loan for shore landings;
  • Expedition jacket (yours to keep);
  • All port fees;
  • Pre-departure materials;
  • Digital Voyage Log.
Excluded
  • Airfare;
  • Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
  • Luggage and trip cancellation insurance;
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations;
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service);
  • Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings;
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of USD 150,000;
  • Staff gratuities;
  • Pre- or post-cruise travel expenses.
Rates and Accommoation Expedition Cruise rates are quoted per person and based on passengers sharing a cabin. Cabin share is available only in the following categories: Triple Classic, Main Deck, Classic and Superior Suites. Single accommodation in Main Deck Suite, Classic Suite and Superior Suite: 1.7x the shared rate; Single accommodation in Deluxe Suite, Premium Suite and Owner’s Suite: 2x the shared rate. Triple-share accommodations are restricted to either individual travellers of the same gender or parties of three. Those who booked shared accommodations aboard the ship – on either triple- or double-occupancy basis – will also share accommodations at the pre-cruise hotel, if applicable. Payments Reservations require a deposit of 20% 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 or you may pay by bank transfer in the currency chosen. Bookings within 90 days of departure require full payment. Balance payments are due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Reservations cancelled more than 120 days prior to departure are subject to a USD 750 per person cancellation fee (or equivalent currency). Reservations cancelled from 119 to 91 days prior to departure are subject to 20% per person cancellation fee. Reservations cancelled 90 days or less prior to departure are subject to full fare forfeiture (cancellation fee is 100%). We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Fuel Surcharge Rates are based on anticipated fuel costs (MGO – Marine Gas Oil) at the time of departure multiplied by a maximum daily usage. Due to constant price fluctuations in the fuel market, the shipping operator reserves the right to apply a fuel surcharge. The surcharge is determined based on a significant increase of more than 20% per 1 mt MGO (mt MGO/$) of the average market value within 45 days prior to departure, compared to MGO cost per 1 mt at the date of the official publication of the cruise rate. In case the surcharge is considered necessary by the shipping operator, it applies even if your cruise has been paid in full, subject to notification in writing no later than 30 days before cruise departure. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of the Passenger’s holiday (excluding any amendment charges), the Passenger will be entitled to cancel the booking without any cancellation fees. Booking Terms Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Poseidon 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.
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