Antarctic Peninsula: M/V Ortelius

Name: Antarctic Peninsula: M/V Ortelius
Brand: Expeditions Online
SKU: 54
Rating: 100 (1 reviews)

Antarctic Peninsula

Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and be overcome by the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Experience a sensory overload with huge icebergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife. Your expedition onboard the ice-strengthened vessel MV Ortelius is an ideal way to travel to Antarctica, with a maximum of 106 passengers accompanied by expert lecturers and guides, assuring maximum wildlife opportunities

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Magnificent Antarctic scenery
Abundant wildlife, penguins, seals whales and more
Travel with expert lecturers and guides
Small ship expedition cruising on a highly ice-strengthened vessel
Informal and comfortable adventure

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Mar 20 2018

Incredible. Can't wait to go back.

Stewart's Take

Great value for a classic Antarctic expedition cruise!

Overview

Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and be overcome by the most dramatic scenery and biggest variety of wildlife in Antarctica. Experience a sensory overload with huge icebergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife. Your expedition onboard the ice-strengthened vessel MV Ortelius is an ideal way to travel to Antarctica, with a maximum of 106 passengers accompanied by expert lecturers and guides, assuring maximum wildlife opportunities.

Day 1: Ushuaia 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: Drake Passage 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 Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we spot our first icebergs. Days 4 - 7 (or 8,9): Antarctic Peninsula We will sail directly to 'High Antarctica', passing the Melchior islands and the Schollaert Channel between Brabant and Anvers Island with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard Seals, Crabeater Seals and whales. After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get permission to visit the British research station and post office Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Imperial Shags. In Neko Harbour we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glacier and enjoy the landscape during zodiac cruises. We sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pleneau 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. On Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island, we will find a large colony of Gentoo Penguins and breeding pairs of Brown Skuas. We possibly see Weddell and Crabeater Seals. We leave Antarctica with a final continental landing. Days 8 - 9: At Sea On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage. Day 10 (or 11,12): Ushuaia We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark. PLEASE NOTE: Some departures are 11 or 12 days and feature additional day/s in Antarctica. A typical 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.

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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 as indicated in the itinerary.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
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).

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.