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A humpback whale breaches the polar waters

Polar Circle & Antarctic Peninsula

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard MV Plancius
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On this exciting voyage sail further south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. Aboard the ice-strengthened vessel MV Plancius, cruise where few have gone past the Polar Circle, viewing the flora and fauna of Antarctic Peninsula and many more experiences.
Sea kayaking in AntarcticaBeautiful King PenguinsAlbatross in the arctic.A humpback whale passes by the expedition shipA humpback whale breaches the polar waters
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Ushuaia, Argentina

In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Day 2-3: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. When you cross the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area you may see Wandering albatrosses, Grey Headed albatrosses, Black- browed albatrosses, Light- mantled Sooty albatrosses, Cape pigeons, Southern fulmars, Wilson’s Storm petrels, Blue petrels and Antarctic petrels.

Near the South Shetland Islands, spot your first icebergs. The Master of the vessel may decide to sail the narrow English Strait between Robert Island and Greenwich Island or Mc Farlane Strait between Greenwich Island and Livingston Island if the conditions are favorable. Then you might be able to enter Antarctic waters in the late evening of the third day and see Aitcho Island at the South Shetlands. If the conditions do not allow for maneuvering through the English Strait, then continue sailing South of Livingston. These volcanic islands or the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist and fog, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo penguins, Chinstrap penguins and southern Giant petrels.

Day 4-9: Antarctica

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start your first day in Antarctica with a landing at Hannah Point, where you will find a nice variety of Gentoo penguins, Chinstraps and southern Giant petrels, as well as Elephant seals hauling out on the beach.

At Deception Island, a landing will be attempted. Deception itself is a subducted crater, which opens into the sea, creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape Ppigeons and many Dominican gulls, Brown and South Polar skuas and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s Storm petrels and Black-bellied Storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Good walkers may hike from Baily Head over the ridge of the crater into Whalers Bay, while your ship braves its entrance into the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellow into the ring of Deception Island.

On your way further south sail to Orne Islands with large colonies of Chinstrap penguins and a beautiful view across the Gerlache Strait or to Cuverville Island, a small precipitous island, nestled between the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula and Danco Island. It contains a large colony of Gentoo penguins and breeding pairs of Brown skuas.

In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay with its myriad icebergs and deep cut fjords, have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. Have the opportunity for zodiac cruising between the icebergs in the inner parts of the fjords. Sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, offering Adelie penguins and Blue-eyed shags. Also try to land at Pleneau Island with Elephant seals and fair chances to encounter Humpback, Minke and Fin whales.

Head south along the Argentine Islands to Crystal Sound, south of the polar circle. The landscape is very impressive with very high mountains and huge glaciers. At the Fish Islands land at one of the southernmost Adelie penguin and Blue-eyed shag colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula. At Detaille Island, south of the Polar Circle, in Crystal Sound reach your farthest point south.

Sailing north again through Neumayer Channel and Gerlache Strait, arrive at the Melchior Islands with a very beautiful landscape with icebergs, where we may encounter Leopard seals, Crabeater seals and whales.

Day 10-11: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On your way north again be followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 12: Disembark in Ushuaia

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.

Ship/Hotel

MV Plancius

MV Plancius
MV Plancius

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$7,950
Quadruple Porthole
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Quadruple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Quadruple Porthole
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Triple Porthole
4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin porthole cabin
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Twin with Porthole
9 twin private cabins with porthole. Two Lower berths. (ca. 15 m2)
Twin with window
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Twin with Window
26 twin private cabins with window. Two Lower berths (ca. 15 m2)
Twin Deluxe
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Twin Deluxe
2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths - two single beds.(ca. 15 m2)
Superior
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Superior
10 twin superior cabins. Lower berth - double bed. (ca. 21 m2)

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or 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 occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Included
  • 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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