Antarctica Cruises & Tours

Adventure Life
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Extensions

Extend your Antarctica travel a few more days with an Antarctic extension. Antarctica Hospitality
Package » Chile Tour Extensions » Argentina Tour Extensions »

Research Ship Akademik Ioffe Akademik Shokalskiy Aleksey Maryshev Grigoriy Mikheev Polar Pioneer Professor Molchanov Professor Multanovskiy Akademik Sergey Vavilov MV Ushuaia Peregrine Mariner/ Akademik Ioffe Peregrine Voyager / Akademik Sergey Vavilov Ice Breaker Ship Kapitan Khlebnikov Expedition Cruise Ship Polar Star Antarctic Dream Clipper Adventurer - QU MV Orlova National Geographic Endeavour Ocean Nova Andrea Marina Svetaeva MV Plancius One Ocean Navigator / Plancius Luxury Expedition Ship Corinthian II Orion Minerva National Geographic Explorer Clelia II

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Ship: Minerva

Itinerary: Classic Antarctica

click to enlarge
  Penguins on icebergPhoto by: Ocean Photo Services

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Day 1 :	Buenos Aires
Day 2 :	Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, Argentina
Days 3-4 :	Drake Passage
Days 5-9 :	Antarctica
Days 10-11 :	Drake Passage
Day 12 :	Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aries
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		SB	B	SA	A	Superior	Deluxe	Suite	Owner Suite
12	Dec 8, 2008	$6,695	$7,295	$7,795	$8,195	$9,495	$10,595	$11,295	$13,995
12	Jan 3, 2009 Feb 7, 2009	$7,995	$8,895	$9,595	$9,995	$11,395	$12,895	$14,395	$17,995
		* These departures are Waitlist only
12	Dec 8, 2009	$7,595	$8,195	$8,895	$9,495	$10,995	$12,695	$13,695	$16,995
12	Jan 19, 2010	$8,795	$9,895	$10,795	$11,395	$13,195	$15,195	$17,195	$21,595
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Argentina, South America Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching

Day 1 : Buenos Aires

Arrive this morning and transfer to your hotel, where immediate check-in has been arranged with time to relax before this afternoon's optional city tour. Meet your fellow adventurers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception.

Day 2 : Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, Argentina

Fly to Ushuaia for a traditional Patagonian barbecue. Later, arrive at your ship and settle in for your first night on board.

Days 3-4 : Drake Passage

As you sail southward toward Antarctica, your lecturers begin their informal series of enlightening discussions on the flora, fauna, and history of the exploration of Antarctica. While cruising through this historic passage, named in honor of Sir Francis Drake's voyage in the 16th century, you may be able to spot marine mammals and seabirds such as albatross from the deck.

Days 5-9 : Antarctica

Daily programs in Antarctica vary every day, depending upon weather and ice conditions. The excitement of cruising these remote waters with vistas of icebergs, and wildlife in the season of nesting and chick rearing is exceptional.

Your Captain and Expedition Leader determine daily stops, based on their long experience in Antarctica. A typical day, in fair weather conditions, may begin with a landing after breakfast to observe penguins on a snowy isle. Afterwards, you return to the ship for lunch.

Depending on the ship’s program, after lunch you may again board Zodiacs and glide up onto a sheltered beach to discover basking elephant seals or perhaps explore the remnants of a former Antarctic whaling station. If weather permits, one day you may hike with your naturalist up to an extinct caldera. On other days, Zodiac tours may take you searching for remote beaches with chinstrap, gentoo or Adélie penguin colonies. Each day is different in Antarctica and flexibility is the key to your expedition. Our final schedule will be dependent upon weather and wildlife conditions, however we hope to visit sites such as Goudier, Enterprise, Half Moon and Cuverville Islands. We also plan a stop at the One of the working Antarctica research stations in the Antarctica Peninsula to learn how scientists and researchers live and work in this challenging environment. We also plan to visit to Deception Island, formed from the caldera of a volcano. Conditions permitting, you will have a chance to take a plunge in the Antarctic Ocean in the thermally-heated waters of Deception Island.

Back on board the Minerva, gather in the lounge prior to dinner for a recap of the day’s adventures. After dinner, in the long twilight of Antarctica, you may enjoy time at leisure on deck for photos in the stunning low-light of the White Continent.

Days 10-11 : Drake Passage

You leave the Antarctic Peninsula returning once again to Ushuaia via the Drake Passage. As you sail northwards the lecturers recap their presentations on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent. Spend time on board with newfound friends reflecting on the adventures you have experienced throughout your journey of a lifetime.

Day 12 : Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aries

Disembark after breakfast, and head out to explore Tierra del Fuego's spectacular wilderness before transferring to the airport to board your flight home via Buenos Aires.

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-This ship was formerly known as 'Explorer II' (before June 1st, 2008)
-For 2008-2009 season, travelers must add port charges $285 per person for 12 day trip and $315 per person for 18 and 19 day trips.
For 2009-2010 season, all port charges are included.
-Additional charge for the Buenos Aires-Ushuaia roundtrip flights: $600 plus $20 tax for 2008-09 season. $650 plus $25 tax for 2009-2010 season.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
-Single occupancy cabins available with approximate single supplements of 15% for Categories 5-8; 50% for Categories 3-4; 100% for suites. Contact us for specific details for each
-Rates include hotel night in Buenos Aires. Contact us for rates for cruise-only trip starting and ending in Ushuaia

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Minerva

click to enlarge
  Antarctica landscapePhoto by: Ocean Photo Services

The Minerva brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to Antarctic travel. Launched in 1996, she has been likened to a country-house hotel, a comparison confirmed by her fresh flowers, gleaming brass, polished wood and works of original art.

But there's strong steel beneath the graceful exterior. Minerva is well equipped to handle the open-water cruising and icy channels of Antarctic seas. Her speed, ice-strengthened hull, stabilizers and bow thrusters give her the power, stability and agility necessary to ensure a safe, smooth passage for all on board. Without sacrificing an iota of strength, Minerva sets new standards of style in expeditionary cruising.

The descriptions and pictures of this ship might look very familiar as this ship has been previously known as the 'Explorer II'; the name changed in June 2008.

SB Baltic Deck, two porthole windows, full bath with shower, queen or twin beds, TV. 140 sq. feet	B Baltic Deck, two porthole windows, full bath with shower, queen or twin beds, TV. 140 sq. feet
SA Atlantic Deck, picture windows, full bath with shower, queen or twin beds, TV. 140 sq. feet	A Atlantic Deck, picture windows, full bath with shower, queen or twin beds, TV. 140 sq. feet
Superior Promenade deck, picture windows, full bath with tub, queen or twin beds, TV. 160 sq. feet	Deluxe Promenade deck, picture windows, full bath with tub, two twin or one queen bed, and TV and separate sitting area.
Suite Bridge deck, picture windows, full bath with tub, two twin beds or queen bed, TV and veranda. 315 sq. feet	Owner Suite Bridge deck, picture windows, full bath with tub, queen beds, TV and veranda. 360 sq.feet.

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 | Falkland Islands: A Legacy of Disputes | The Falklands War | Current Politics | Cruising Falklands Geography | Wildlife in the Falklands | Introducing the Falkland Islands | Falkland Islands Environment | Weather in the Islands | British Influenced Culture of the Falklands | Cuisine in the Falklands