Antarctic Basecamp M/V Ortelius

Name: Antarctic Basecamp M/V Ortelius
Brand: Expeditions Online
SKU: 69
Rating: 100 (2 reviews)

Antarctic Peninsula

An expedition cruise for adventurers! M/V Ortelius becomes your base camp for this Antarctica cruise. 'Activity modules' are offered which go beyond a normal Antarctic shore program. The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations as a comfortable hub to allow more time than usual for wide ranging activities. Try out climbing, hiking, kayaking, photography workshops and camping in Antarctica!

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Activities for everyone: climbing, hiking, kayaking, photography safaris, camping, Zodiac cruises (all activities free of charge)
Camp near the penguin colonies
Observe wildlife from your kayak
Flora and fauna of Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula’s magical scenery

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Jan 06 2020

Everything on board M/V Ortelius, the cruise line operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, was excellent. We were absolutely lucky to have wonderful weather throughout our trip and we had ample time to take part in all activities we planned to do, which was fantastic!

Dec 12 2017

Sehr gutes Programm mit tollen Angebote, wie Zodiak Fahrten, Kajak, Wanderungen und Bergsteigen. Kajüten waren besser als erwartet. Allerdings könnte etwas mehr für das Entertainment an Bord getan werden. Der Speisesaal erinnert ein wenig an eine Uni Mensa.

Stewart's Take

Choose from many included adventure options that normally cost extra!

Overview

An expedition cruise for adventurers! M/V Ortelius becomes your base camp for this Antarctica cruise. 'Activity modules' are offered which go beyond a normal Antarctic shore program. The vessel will stay for two or three days at specific locations as a comfortable hub to allow more time than usual for wide ranging activities. Try out climbing, hiking, kayaking, photography workshops and camping in Antarctica!

Day 1: Ushuaia In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening. Days 2 - 3: St Sea During these two days we sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may see Wandering albatrosses, Grey-headed albatrosses, Black-browed albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty albatrosses, Cape petrels, Southern fulmars, Wilson’s Storm petrels, Blue petrels and Antarctic petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs. Days 4 - 8: Antarctica We will sail directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melchior Islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island. We will sail to the Neumayer Channel, where we position our ship for the multi activity base camp. The protected waters around Wiencke Island will become our playground for all activities. In this alpine environment there are great opportunities to scout the region on foot, per zodiac and during kayak trips. Walkers will find opportunities to use snowshoes on hikes near the shore lines and the mountaineers will find their challenge by climbing hills and viewpoints further inland, i.e. Jabet Peak (540 m). All climbs and excursions can only be conducted in good weather conditions. We plan to stay two overnights at anchor in order to implement two camp nights and two full activity days. We will visit the former British research station and the post office, now living museum, Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo penguins and Blue-eyed shags. We look out for Leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales. In good conditions and time allowing we sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Booth Island, Pléneau Island and Petermann Island where we can find Adelie penguins and Blue-eyed shags. In this area there are good chances to encounter Humpback whales, Minke whales and Fin whales. At Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers and permanent ice fields and enjoy the spectacle on zodiac cruises, hikes and kayak excursions. A small group of mountaineers may climb up on higher grounds of the glacier. We will spend the night at Neko Harbour or in nearby Paradise Bay with a camp erected ashore. We will leave early morning after breaking our last camp. We sail via Melchior Islands towards the open sea of the Drake Passage. Days 9 - 10: At Sea On our way north, we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. Day 11: Ushuaia We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. PLEASE NOTE: A Basecamp itinerary to the Antarctic Peninsula is illustrated above. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. During “Basecamp” departures all offered activities (including camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, mountaineering, photo workshops as well as standard included shore excursions and zodiac cruises) are free of charge, except for scuba diving (this is supplemented). Please contact us for further details.

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Expedition Vessel: M/V Ortelius

The ice-strengthened vessel Ortelius is an excellent vessel for Polar expedition cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, providing possibilities to adventure in remote locations such as the Ross Sea and Franz Josef Land. Ortelius was built in Gdynia, Poland in 1989, was named Marina Svetaeva, and served as a special purpose vessel for the Russian Academy of Science. The vessel is now re-flagged and renamed Ortelius. She offers a comfortable hotel standard, with two restaurants, a bar/lecture room and a sauna. Her voyages are primarily developed to offer our passengers a quality exploratory wildlife program, trying to spend as much time ashore as possible. As the number of passengers is limited to approximately 106, flexibility assures maximum wildlife opportunities.

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Included

Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Free use of rubber boots
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Excluded

Any airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights.
Pre- and post land arrangements.
Transfers to the vessel.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges.
All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Possible fuel surcharges; It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 120 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure Oceanwide Expeditions reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night for bookings outside Europe and EURO 18 per passenger per night for bookings within Europe, to be paid by the contracting party of Oceanwide Expeditions.

Rates, Share and Sole Use policy All rates are quoted per person, based on shared twin, triple or quad occupancy. If you are travelling alone and wish to share, you will be matched with another person of the same gender at the shared rate. Twin and Superior cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the share rate. Children Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 with parents may receive 40 % discount in Superior, Triple (sharing with 2 parents / adults) and Quadruple Cabins (sharing with 3 parents / adults). Deposits 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. Bookings within 60 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments Balances are due 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. Cancellations received 90 days or more prior to departure, are refunded less a fee of 20 % of the total price. If cancellation is received between 89 days and 60 days prior to departure, are refunded less a fee of 50 % of the total price. If cancellation occurs less than 59 days up to and including the day of departure: 100 % of the total price. If full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and any unpaid balance is due immediately. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate trip cancellation insurance. Booking Terms Please read carefully the General Booking Conditions for Expeditions Online. This voyage is operated by Oceanwide 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.