Antarctica Small Ship Expedition: Ocean Nova
Antarctic Peninsula
Discover the Antarctic Peninsula on this intimate Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia! You’ll be surrounded by scenery that will astound you, with majestic snow-capped peaks soaring overhead and glaciers tumbling to the water's edge. Access some of Antarctica's hidden gems, and witness Antarctica’s abundant wildlife with penguins, seals and other animals gathered in the summer sunshine
- The ship’s small size allows access to Antarctica’s hidden gems
- All travellers able to step ashore quickly and at once
- One of the best cruises to see penguins, seals, whales and Antarctica’s natural beauty
- Just 71 passengers makes for an intimate experience for Antarctic explorers
- Expert guides and a modern, comfortable, ice-class Antarctic cruise ship
- Outstanding value for the Antarctic voyage experience of a lifetime!
Early Booking Offer
Exclusive Early Bird discount for the 2024 voyage: Save $800 (or equialent currency) for all categories! Select discount option during the booking process. Offer is valid until 15th May 2023 and are subject to availability. Book now to secure your place!

The ship was just the right size, with 78 or 79 passengers and 40 crew, my single cabin was modern, clean and comfortable, with a comfortable bed, desk, wardrobe, bathroom with shower and toilet, and a window with a sea view. It was cleaned twice a day (often the second clean wasn't necessary) and as a little bonus the cleaner, a very friendly man named Winston, always left a little chocolate.
The restaurant and cleaning staff were friendly, courteous and very efficient and the expedition staff were simply brilliant - also very friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, very skilful with their Zodiac driving, had good senses of humour and went above and beyond in all ways. Every time we stopped at a place where we were to do a landing they always went out first on the Zodiacs to check that weather, ice and sea conditions were safe for us to do the landing.
On board we had many lectures and slide shows, which were always very interesting, educational and often light-hearted and there was no end of food and drink.
In that regard I've never eaten so much in a 10 day period in my life, with a buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, a la carte dinner but so much food you could stuff yourself till you were sick.
The desserts were absolutely delicious but if there's only one thing I wasn't crazy about it was some of the a la carte dinners. Most people thought they were also superb but when it comes to food I have simple tastes and these dinners were usually fancy schmancy 'gourmet' meals, with some pretty weird, and for me awful tasting, stuff. One night, though, we had a 'barbecue night', with lamb chops, pork chops and chicken drumsticks and the next night we had pizza and pasta. That's much more to my liking and I would've preferred if we'd had 'normal' food like that every night. Still, like I said, that's just my taste and although these 'gourmet' meals aren't exactly to my liking, there's no doubting it was always quality food.
Although it was a smaller ship, I did not feel claustrophobic (which has been the case on a different cruise) because there are plenty of common areas - a wonderful library and lounge, along with deck access throughout.
They were truly motivated in *maximizing* our experience; blessed with good weather and currents, we were treated to the first visit by a tourist ship, of Smith Island - the combined thrill of both staff and passengers in genuine exploration was exhilirating!
Most have decades of knowledge and experience in the Antarctic region, and several are multilingual.
I only regretted I could not partake in all the activities, esp the optional kayaking and snow-shoeing. So much to do, so little time.
Being a small boat, it felt more intimate as one could readily meet and socialize with the staff and cruise passengers.
The food was varied and very good. There were theme nights that allowed a change in the regular routine. Those on special diets (i.e. vegan) said that they were served meals that were not just slapped together, but had some though in preparing them.
The staff were the best I have ever had on a trip. They are very outgoing and helpful.
There was an incident with one passenger who had a bum knee. She did not go on one of the outings and stayed on board in the lounge. The whole time that were were out on our trip, a staff member stayed with her and as she said, chatted with her so that she did not feel left out. She was amazed at their attention to details and the care of the passengers.
It was everything I have dreamt of seeing and doing on this amazing continent.
One of my life’s dreams Fulfilled.
Stewart's Take
One of the best-value Antarctica cruises you will find - a modern, high-quality expedition ship.
Overview
Discover the Antarctic Peninsula on this intimate Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia! You’ll be surrounded by scenery that will astound you, with majestic snow-capped peaks soaring overhead and glaciers tumbling to the water's edge. Access some of Antarctica's hidden gems, and witness Antarctica’s abundant wildlife with penguins, seals and other animals gathered in the summer sunshine.Scrolling is disabled on map, please click to enable.
Expedition Vessel: M/V Ocean Nova

The M/V Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable vessel - one of the few remaining genuinely small ships in polar travel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, and her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in the polar regions both Arctic and Antarctic. The M/V Ocean Nova has capacity for just 71 passengers accommodated in comfortable outside cabins, all with private facilities, including dedicated single, twin and triple cabins. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, a spacious dining room, a bar, a library and an infirmary. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
- Daily served dinner on board ship offering a choice of three main courses.
- Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks on board ship throughout the expedition.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
- All guided shore excursions.
- Lectures and entertainment on board.
- IAATO passenger fee.
- Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the itinerary corresponding to each voyage.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
- Gratuities.
- Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.
Tour Dossier
Antarctica Small Ship Expedition: Ocean Nova

A boutique 10 day adventure cruise to Antarctica. Sail to the beautiful Antarctic Peninsula on the small expedition ship Ocean Nova
File Creation date: 2023-01-31 - for updated information and dates and prices see the following page:
http://expeditionsonline.com/tour/antarctica-small-ship-expedition-ocean-nova_78

Antarctica Small Ship Expedition: Ocean Nova
Duration: 10 days
Location: Antarctic Peninsula
Available: March
Start: Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Highlights
Highlights of this Antarctic Expedition
- The ship’s small size allows access to Antarctica’s hidden gems
- All travellers able to step ashore quickly and at once
- One of the best cruises to see penguins, seals, whales and Antarctica’s natural beauty
- Just 71 passengers makes for an intimate experience for Antarctic explorers
- Expert guides and a modern, comfortable, ice-class Antarctic cruise ship
- Outstanding value for the Antarctic voyage experience of a lifetime!

Itinerary
Discover the Antarctic Peninsula on this intimate Antarctica cruise from Ushuaia! You’ll be surrounded by scenery that will astound you, with majestic snow-capped peaks soaring overhead and glaciers tumbling to the water's edge. Access some of Antarctica's hidden gems, and witness Antarctica’s abundant wildlife with penguins, seals and other animals gathered in the summer sunshine





Ship Information
Expedition Vessel: M/V Ocean Nova

The M/V Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable vessel - one of the few remaining genuinely small ships in polar travel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, and her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in the polar regions both Arctic and Antarctic. The M/V Ocean Nova has capacity for just 71 passengers accommodated in comfortable outside cabins, all with private facilities, including dedicated single, twin and triple cabins. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, a spacious dining room, a bar, a library and an infirmary. The ship has Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

Antarctica Small Ship Expedition: Ocean Nova
For the latest, up-to-date departure dates and prices please refer to the tour page:
http://expeditionsonline.com/tour/antarctica-small-ship-expedition-ocean-nova_78
Included
- Comprehensive pre- and post-voyage information material.
- Ship cruise as indicated in the itinerary corresponding to each expedition.
- Daily buffet breakfast and lunch on board ship offering a wide choice of dishes.
- Daily served dinner on board ship offering a choice of three main courses.
- Wine, beer, juice, and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board ship
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, cappuccino, water and snacks on board ship throughout the expedition.
- Loan of waterproof boots for landing in Antarctica.
- All guided shore excursions.
- Lectures and entertainment on board.
- IAATO passenger fee.
Excluded
- Accommodation, meals, excursions and transfers other than those included in the itinerary corresponding to each voyage.
- Beverages purchased at the ship’s bar.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Extra expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
- Gratuities.
- Visas for Chile and/or Argentina, passport expenses, and any arrival and/or departure tax, if applicable.

General Terms and Conditions
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