South Shetland Islands, Antarctica and Crossing the Circle
11 Days - Ocean Albatros
On this 11-day inspiring cruise, you will explore the Great White Continent's magnificent landscapes, glacial mountains, and incredible wildlife before reaching 66°33′ – the Antarctic Circle.
from USD $10290pp
Home » 11 Day Ocean Albatros: South Shetland Islands, Antarctica and Crossing the Circle
Itinerary Highlights
- Spot Antarctic wildlife including sea birds, albatross, and several species of whales as you cross the Drake Passage
- Weave through the South Shetland Islands, full of ice-covered islands and dormant volcanoes
- Opportunities to see whales, sea lions, elephant seals and an unbelievable amount of sea birds and penguins
- Cross the Antarctic Circle where the sun is up for 24-hours a day during the austral summer
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia and Embark
- Day 2-3: Cross the Drake Passage
- Day 4-5: South Shetland Islands
- Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 9-10: Depart Antarctica and Cross the Drake Passage
- Day 11: Arrive in Ushuaia and Disembark
Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia and Embark
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.
Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
Day 2-3: At Sea, Cross the Drake Passage
In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with our first sight of seals, penguins, and albatrosses. As well as the first icebergs as we approach the South Shetland chain of islands.
We will offer you a smoother sailing across the Drake passage than conventional expedition vessels – and with a far less carbon emission.
Day 4-5: South Shetland Islands
Over the next two days, we will explore to the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain.
Projected landfalls could include: King George Island; Deception Island, an extinct volcano; Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels and chinstrap penguins.
The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Day 6-8: Antarctic Peninsula
As the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, the presence of wildlife multiples by tens of thousands with many species of lively penguins, inquisitive seals, nesting birds and the spray of marine mammals.
Wildlife abounds on the Antarctic Peninsula: leopard, fur and Weddell seals of Cuverville Island; humpback whales of Gerlache Strait; Paradise Bay; the dramatic Lemaire Channel's orcas. Explore as far south as possible towards the Antarctic Circle at c. 66 deg 33 minutes south of the Equator. Possible landfall in this wild and seldom visited area could be Pleneau and Petermann Islands, Crystal Sound and Detaille Island. We will also visit research stations if ice conditions allow us.
The itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather, swell and ice. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Day 9-10: Depart Antarctica, Cross the Drake Passage
Today, we depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En-route, we will cross Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.
During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board, and it provides the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travellers.
Day 11: Arrive in Ushuaia & Disembark
This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia where our tour ends.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
10 Jan 2024 - 20 Jan 2024 | USD $10290pp | Save 15% | |
Triple Porthole Cabin (F) | USD $10290pp | Contact us | |
Albatros State Cabin (D) | USD $12990pp | Contact us | |
French Balcony Suite (E) | USD $13190pp | Contact us | |
Balcony State Cabin (C) | USD $12487pp | Save 15% | |
Single Porthole Cabin (G) | USD $16090pp | Contact us | |
Balcony Suite (B1) | USD $14102pp | Save 15% | |
Balcony Suite (B2) | USD $14102pp | Save 15% | |
Junior Suite (A) | USD $19032pp | Save 15% | |
Premium Suite (PS) | USD $21497pp | Save 15% |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Single Porthole Cabin (G)
14m2, 1 single bed, deck 3, bathroom, desk, TV, close to mudroom
Triple Porthole Cabin (F)
22m2, 2 single beds or one double, 1 sofa bed, en-suite, deck 3, desk, TV.
French Balcony Suite (E)
16m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, en-suite, floor to ceiling windows, desk, TV, deck 7
Albatros State Cabin (D)
22m2, 1 double or 2 single beds, deck 3, bathroom, TV, desk, convenient access to zodiac platform.
Balcony State Cabin (C)
24m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, sofa, decks 4 & 6, private balcony, bathroom, TV.
Balcony Suite (B2)
28m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, decks 4 & 6, bathroom, private balcony, seating area, TV.
Balcony Suite (B1)
35m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, deck 4, bathroom, private balcony, seating area, TV.
Junior Suite (A)
42m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, sofa bed, deck 7, seating area, spacious bathroom, private balcony, TV.
Premium Suite (PS)
45m2, 2-bedroom suite, 1 double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, table and chair, private balcony, bathroom with bathtub, deck 4, TV, sitting area, desk
Single Balcony State Cabin (H)
24m2, 1 double bed, sofa, decks 4 & 6, private balcony, bathroom, TV.
Ocean Albatros Deckplan
Specifications
- Year Built: 2020
- Passengers: 189
- Crew: 100
- Length: 104.4m
- Breadth: 18.4m
- Draft: 5.1m
Whats included?
- 11-days/10 nights cruise with accommodation in a shared double cabin featuring ensuite facilities
- All Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition parka
- Rubber boot rentals
- Guiding and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- Special Photo Workshop
- English-speaking expedition team
- Visual Journal link after voyage including voyage log, gallery, maps, species list and more!
- Full board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon snacks
- Free tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Welcome and farewell cocktails
- Port and authority fees and taxes
What’s not included?
- International and domestic flights
- Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals not on board the ship
- Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
- Tips for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’