Antarctica Cruises & Tours

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Research Ship MV Akademik Ioffe Akademik Shokalskiy Aleksey Maryshev Grigoriy Mikheev Polar Pioneer Professor Molchanov Professor Multanovskiy Akademik Sergey Vavilov MV Ushuaia Ice Breaker Ship Kapitan Khlebnikov Expedition Cruise Ship Polar Star Antarctic Dream Clipper Adventurer MV Orlova National Geographic Endeavour Ocean Nova National Geographic Explorer Luxury Expedition Ship Corinthian II Minerva Clelia II

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Ship: Akademik Sergey Vavilov

Itinerary: Antarctic Quest via the Falklands and S. Georgia

click to enlarge
  Kayaking the Antarctic waters

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Days 1&2 :	Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Days 3-5 :	Sailing toward the Falklands
Days 6-11 :	South Georgia and Shackleton's Grave
Days 12-17 :	South Shetlands and the Peninsula
Days 18-20 :	Crossing the Drake Passage
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Main Deck Triple	Main Deck Twin	Upper Deck Twin	Superior	Superior Plus	Peregrine Suite	Cook Suite
20	Jan 6, 2009	$10,400	$12,600	$13,200	$14,900	$15,900	$16,900	$18,500
		Optional activity: Sea Kayaking
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia Activities : Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching

If your goal is to set foot on Antarctica but also; having traveled to the extremes of the Southern Hemisphere; explore the historic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and remote South Georgia, this is the ideal small ship expedition. From Shackleton's lonely grave to spectacular Iceberg Alley to Zodiac landings at remote penguin rookeries and other areas rich with wildlife, come follow the early explorers on a remarkable Antarctic experience.

Days 1&2 : Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

On arriving in Ushuaia, transfer to our conveniently located hotel and explore this pioneering port town on the edge of Beagle Channel. Next day, enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then spend the day exploring. Enjoy some free time to shop or relax before boarding our small expedition ship.

Days 3-5 : Sailing toward the Falklands

Join us on deck as we make our way toward the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Our specific stops in the outer Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) will depend on local conditions. Typical sightings include Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic Penguins and Gentoo Penguins on Carcass Island; Rockhopper Penguins as well as nesting Black-browed Albatross and Blue-eyed Shags on nearby New Island; plus Peale's and Commerson's dolphins, which frequently bow-ride and play alongside our Zodiacs as we explore the coastal waters. Walk over the tussock grass to enjoy tea and cake at a family "camp" (as Falklanders call their farms), and stroll among colorfully painted buildings in the historic capital Stanley, stopping for a pint at one of its British-style pubs.

Days 6-11 : South Georgia and Shackleton's Grave

Our shipboard historian offers absorbing presentations on the exploration of the Southern Ocean as we continue on toward South Georgia. Remembered as the endpoint of Sir Ernest Shackleton's heroic rescue trek following the sinking of the Endurance, the island of South Georgia is a diverse landscape of 2,100 m mountains, massive glaciers, grassy uplands and deep fjords. Your many wildlife viewing opportunities over the next few days include thousands of King Penguins at Salisbury Plain; Wandering Albatross and fur seals at Prion Island; and southern elephant seals, plus King, Macaroni and Gentoo Penguins along Gold Harbor and other untouched beaches along the coast. On our visit to the former whaling outpost of Grytviken, you can pay your respects at the simple grave of Shackleton, who died here after suffering a heart attack during the Quest expedition in 1922.

Days 12-17 : South Shetlands and the Peninsula

Our approach to the Antarctic Peninsula, the most accessible part of the White Continent, brings breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains, cascading glaciers and massive, flat-topped tabular icebergs in crystal blue seas. On our planned landings you can expect to see every manner of fascinating bird life, from enormous rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins, to Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Cape Petrels, Snowy Sheathbills and Antarctic Terns. You may also sight Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, along with orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. As you'll see from the detailed ice charts (which one of the ship's officers will be happy to explain if you're interested), there are challenges to navigating the Antarctic Sound through the area known as Iceberg Alley; we'll try to loop down for a visit to the large Adelie Penguin colony on Paulet Island. Your exploration of the continent proper typically begins at Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. Depending on the thickness of the pack ice and iceberg conditions, we venture into spectacular Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, sailing past towering rock faces and magnificent glaciers. We also try to visit one of the many Antarctic research stations in the region, including Port Lockroy, a former British wartime outpost and scientific base that now houses a museum (and what is probably the world’s most remote post office, where you can mail a card home).

Next we head on to the South Shetland Islands, lying just to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula. We hope to stop at Paulet or Elephant Island, home to a large Gentoo Penguin rookery. It was on Elephant Island that the crew of Shackleton's Endurance found refuge while he and five handpicked men carried on in a small open lifeboat, crossing 1,300 km of open sea in order to arrange the rescue of their comrades. On some departures we're able to sail right into the sunken volcanic caldera of Deception Island, where adventurous travelers can test the thermal waters at Pendulum Cove.

Days 18-20 : Crossing the Drake Passage

We cross the famed Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, looking out for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds from the ship's spacious decks and promenades. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath warmer waters from the temperate zones.

Illuminating presentations and lively chats continue as the Expedition Team reviews the journey and invites your perspective on all we've seen and experienced. After docking in Ushuaia, enjoy breakfast on our last morning, then transfer to town or head directly to the airport for your flight home or on to other adventures.

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-Additional fuel surcharge of $22/night on ship, per person, for Arctic departures between Jun - Sep 2008.
- All of the Akademik Sergey Vavilov's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages and $395 for Arctic voyages during the 2007/08 season.
- Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
- 3 day/2 night overnight sea kayaking and camping trip on select departures. Supplement is $300 per person in addition to the sea kayaking fee
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin and Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate for most cabins (2 times the twin rate for suites).
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Akademik Sergey Vavilov

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  Cruising through the Polar waters

Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength.

As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov forms the ideal platform from which to explore during your Polar travels. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.

The Akademik Sergey Vavilov is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying up to 110 passengers. In terms of stability and speed, she is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition.

All cabins have an outside view, with portholes or a window, and are comfortably furnished. Most of them have semi-private (one bathroom between two cabins) or private facilities. On-board facilities include a spacious top deck, where you can enjoy spectacular views, and a refreshing sauna and plunge pool - a great place to relax after your shore excursions. In addition, there is also a well-stocked library, a comfortable lounge and a friendly bar. Other facilities include an exercise room, gift shop and laundry.

Main Deck Triple Bunk beds and a sofa bed. Facilities are shared and there are 2 Portholes. There are 2 cabins in this category.	Main Deck Twin Bunk beds and shared facilities. Portholes. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Upper Deck Twin One lower berth and one sofa bed and semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Porthole Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category.	Superior A typical superior twin cabin arrangement. One lower berth, one sofa bed, and private facilities. Windows. There are 18 cabins in this category.
Superior Plus 2 lower berths, sofa and private facilities. Windows. There are 10 cabins in this category	Peregrine Suite The Peregrine Suite is one of our fine premium cabins. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There are 5 cabins in this category.
Cook Suite The Cook Suite is our finest premium cabin. 1 double bed, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, and private facilities. Windows. There is 1 cabin in this category.

Antarctica Articles & Information :
Antarctica Wildlife | Antarctica History and Present | Antarctica Weather | South Shetland Islands | South Georgia Islands | Falkland Islands | Antarctic vs. Arctic Pole Comparison | Sailing Antarctica in a World-Class Racing Yacht | Antarctica Travel: The Long and Short of It | Antarctic Peninsula | Jonathan's Adventures to Antarctica on the Professor Molchanov | Antarctica's Changing Ice Shelf | Jenny's Travels to Antarctica on the Antarctic Dream