Antarctic Small Ship Expedition: Magellan Explorer

Antarctic Peninsula

Great value Antarctica cruise on a small, modern and luxurious expedition ship. Leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina, the expedition takes you through the Beagle Channel and across the mythical waters of the Drake Passage. Explore one of the most spectacular places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent - Antarctica. The late summer period offers excellent chances to see whales!

Small ship access to Antarctica’s hidden gems
All travellers ashore at once, quickly
Penguins, seals, whales, and natural beauty
Just 100 passengers for an intimate experience exploring Antarctica
Expert guides and modern, luxurious Polar 6-class vessel
Outstanding value for the experience of a lifetime!

Stewart's Take

Unbelievable value on this Antarctica cruise on a state-of-the-art, small expedition ship!

Overview

Great value Antarctica cruise on a small, modern and luxurious expedition ship. Leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina, the expedition takes you through the Beagle Channel and across the mythical waters of the Drake Passage. Explore one of the most spectacular places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and remotest continent - Antarctica. The late summer period offers excellent chances to see whales!

Day 1 – Ushuaia Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board Magellan Explorer and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Antarctic land. N.B. Due to port operations, boarding in Ushuaia is exclusively between 15:00 hr and 16:00 hr. At 16:00 hr. boarding will close. Please be on time. Keep your passport at hand and allow enough time to clear port security and to reach the vessel. Day 2 & 3 – Drake Passage Sail towards Antarctica across the famous passage named in honour of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer. As you sail en route to the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the glass-‐enclosed lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent sea birds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Day 4 to 8 – Antarctica Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac boat and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. From the ship enjoy spectacular vistas from the glass-enclosed lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-‐changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. While the exact itinerary changes with each expedition, you will explore several spots that offer the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places. Our adventure will be very active, with several daily landings and cruises in Zodiac boats, lectures and a very enjoyable time on board. Day 9 & 10 – Drake Passage Return to South America with a northbound crossing of the Drake Passage. Relax and take the time to watch for wildlife from the bridge or outside decks. Day 11 – Ushuaia Arrive back in Ushuaia and disembark. NOTE Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned program. However, it must be realized that with this type of adventurous travel to Antarctica, changes to the itinerary may occur due to severe and unpredictable weather. We need to emphasize the fact that weather conditions are unpredictable and that safety is always the paramount concern on any Antarctic voyage. For this reason the vessel operator reserves the right to change the itinerary here described due to weather conditions or other factors beyond control without consulting the participants.

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Luxury expedition Vessel: Magellan Explorer

Magellan Explorer is a new and modern expedition vessel. She was built in Chile to the latest Polar Code specifications to start service in 2019. Magellan Explorer has capacity for 96 passengers in seven categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. All cabins except Porthole cabins feature private balconies. All double cabins except two have two twin beds that can be configured as one king-size bed. All cabins feature a wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, a sitting area, and a private bathroom with shower. The ship features a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, a spacious and stylish dining room, a well-stocked bar, a library, a meeting room, a gym, a sauna, and a medical clinic. The forward-facing observation deck leads to the bow of the ship, which is accessible to guests to offer proximity to marine wildlife. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

For full information about this vessel click here:

Included

Comprehensive pre‐expedition information material

Expedition along the Antarctic Peninsula with daily shore excursions (based on local conditions)

Loan of waterproof boots for every passenger for wet landings

Briefings and recaps pre-and post-excursions given by expedition staff

All guided shore excursions and Zodiac cruises

Lectures and presentations given by Antarctic specialists

Daily buffet breakfast and lunch offering a wide choice of dishes

Daily served dinner offering a choice of three main courses

A selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner

Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks throughout the expedition

Post-expedition information file including a gallery of images from the trip

Excluded

Juice, soft drinks, wine, beer, spirits, and mixed drinks served at the bar
Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers in Ushuaia
Personal travel insurance.
Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
Tips (suggested USD 10 per person per day).
Visas or Passport expenses and/or any other arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.

Deposits - Reservations require a deposit of $1500 per person 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 alternatively bank transfer. Bookings within 120 days of departure require full payment. Final Payments - Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Final payment can be made by calling us (final payment cannot be made online) and may be paid by major credit card (however subject to a 2% surcharge) or bank transfer. Cancellations - All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Expeditions Online. - Cancellation received up to 180 days prior to departure: there will be a full refund of the deposit received, less a $1,000 USD per person processing fee. - Cancellation received between 179 and 120 days prior to departure: there will be no refund of the deposit paid. - Cancellation received between 119 and 90 days prior to departure: there will be a refund of 10% of the amount paid, provided that the final payment has been received. - Cancellation received between 89 and 60 days prior to departure: there will be a refund of 7.5% of the amount paid, provided that the final payment has been received. - Cancellation received between 59 and 30 days prior to departure: there will be a refund of 5% of the amount paid, provided that the final payment has been received. - Cancellation received between 29 and the departure date: there will be no refund whatsoever. 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 Antarctica21 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. Single travellers Single travellers can choose between:

Booking a dedicated single cabin. No supplement is applied for single use of dedicated single cabins.
Booking a twin cabin for single use. An 85% supplement will be added to the rate per person in twin cabin.
Sharing a twin cabin with another passenger (male or female). No supplement is applied, and the shipping company will take care of finding the matching companion.

N.B.: In case of sharing the cabin with another passenger, this also implies sharing any other hotel accommodation foreseen in the Travel Program of each voyage.