Antarctica Cruises & Tours

Extensions

Icon Legend

Escort

Escorted

Unescorted

Difficulty

Easy

Moderate

Challenging

When to Travel

Excellent

Very Good

Unpredictable

Unavailable

Ship: Clelia II

Itinerary: South Georgia and Antarctica Expedition

click to enlarge
  Lone Iceberg

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Day 1 : Buenos Aires, Argentina

Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital, and one of South America’s most beautiful cities, and transfer to the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires for the night. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.
Evening cocktail reception at the hotel.

Day 2 : Buenos Aires - Ushuaia - Embarkation

Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, a Patagonian city set on the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Darwin Cordillera, glaciers, and forests of southern beech. Upon arrival, transfer to the ship. Enjoy a spectacular vista of glaciers and green-misted mountains as Clelia II navigates the Beagle Channel.

Days 3-5 : At Sea

Attend lectures by naturalists and study leaders as Clelia II sails to South Georgia. Albatross and cape petrels are among the birds that accompany the ship on its passage.

Days 6-10 : South Georgia

Spend six days exploring the rugged, ice-bound islands of South Georgia. Once ravaged by the South Atlantic whaling industry, the waters of South Georgia are now strictly protected and harbor abundant numbers of elephant seals, fur seals, and king penguins. Visit the Bay of Isles, home to a massive rookery of king penguins;
Albatross Island, a paradise for gray-headed, black-browed, light-mantled sooty, and wandering albatross; and the town of Grytviken, where Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried in the small cemetery beyond the abandoned whaling station.

Day 11 : Sailing the Scotia Sea

Attend on-board lectures and watch for whales and seabirds as Clelia II cruises the Scotia Sea.

Day 12 : South Orkney Islands

A vista of enormous grounded icebergs is visible as Clelia II approaches the South Orkney Islands to call at Coronation Island. In the company of British scientists from Signy Station, visit the rookeries of penguins and snow and cape petrels that opulate the island.

Day 13 : Elephant Island

Today explore Elephant Island, where in 1916 Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance was stranded, forcing Shackleton and five of his men to undertake a thousand-mile rescue mission on a 20-foot whaleboat to secure help.

Days 14-18 : Antarctic Peninsula and its Islands

Enjoy five days exploring the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula, a narrow finger of land that separates the ice-choked waters of the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas. As Clelia II sails through scenic waterways, witness a breathtaking panorama of icebergs, blue glaciers, and jagged, snowcapped mountains. Aboard the ship’s fleet of Zodiacs, cruise among ice floes, land at penguin rookeries, and visit with scientists at research stations. Although the itinerary varies according to local ice and wind conditions, we hope to land at
such places as Petermann Island, where humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore; Paradise Bay, the habitat of gentoo and chinstrap penguins and the blubbery Weddell seal; Deception Island, whose waters are often warm enough for swimming; and King George Island, home to several research stations. Voyages through the magnificent Lemaire, Neumeyer, Errata, and other protected channels are also planned—and never to be forgotten.

Days 19-20 : At Sea

As Clelia II sails northward across the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold waters of the Southern Ocean override the warmer waters to the north. Enjoy three days at sea attending lectures and relaxing aboard ship.

Day 21 : Ushuaia - Disembark - Buenos Aires

Disembark in Ushuaia and transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires connect with flights returning home.

Ship Description: Clelia II

click to enlarge
  Clelia II

To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel. This private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites, each of which affords ocean views, measures 215 square feet or more and is appointed with a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen-size beds, spacious closets, air conditioning.

Clelia II complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with the most current navigational and communications technology as well as with retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of Zodiacs. Clelia II is staffed by 60 European officers and crew. Taken together with her limited guest capacity, excellence of design, craftsmanship and material, Clelia II's spaciousness and intimate ambiance combine to make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Category E Deluxe suites on Ariadne and Leto decks with windows and sitting area. 215 sq. feet. Suites 342-345, 428, 429, 433.	Category D Deluxe suites on Ariadne Deck with windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower . 215 sq. feet. 334-335.
Category C Deluxe suites on Athena deck with three portholes, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 275 sq. feet. Suites 246-252.	Category B Deluxe suites on Ariadne deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 225 square feet. Suites 336-341.
Category A Deluxe suites on Leto deck with window, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 235 square feet. Suites 420-427, 430-431.	Category AA Deluxe suites on Leto deck with forward and side windows, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 285 square feet. Suites 505-506.
Category VS Deluxe Veranda suites on Cleo deck with private balcony, sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 245 sq. feet. Suites 507-518.	Category PHS Deluxe Penthouse suites on Phoebe deck with private balcony , sitting area, mini-bar, VCR/DVD/CD player, color TV, marble appointed bathroom with spacious shower. 260 sq. feet. Suites 601-604.