Antarctica Cruises & Tours

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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 Ice Breaker Ship Kapitan Khlebnikov Expedition Cruise Ship Polar Star Antarctic Dream Clipper Adventurer MV Orlova National Geographic Endeavour Ocean Nova 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: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Day 1 :	Buenos Aires
Day 2 :	Buenos Aires/Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 3 :	At Sea
Days 4-5 :	Falkland Islands
Days 6-7 :	Cruising the South Atlantic
Days 8-10 :	South Georgia
Days 11-12 :	Cruising the Scotia Sea
Days 13-15 :	Antarctica
Days 16-17 :	Drake Passage
Day 18 :	Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		SB	B	SA	A	Superior	Deluxe	Suite	Owner Suite
18	Dec 18, 2008	$11,195	$11,995	$13,595	$14,095	$16,795	$19,695	$21,595	$25,995
		Dec 18, 2008 - Children 18 and under pay only 50% of cruise price (except in Category 1 and 2 Suites) when traveling with a full-fare paying adult.
18	Feb 17, 2009	$9,850	$10,450	$11,395	$11,895	$13,750	$15,495	$17,995	$23,950
		* This departure is Waitlist only
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Falkland Islands, 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.

Day 3 : At Sea

Your journey to the Falkland Islands is an exciting one, as you join the Captain on the bridge or spot wildlife from the deck--these krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds.

Days 4-5 : Falkland Islands

The Falklands offer a chance to step back in time to a place where nature reigns. Spend the day on nature walks to penguin rookeries and other unspoiled wildlife habitats or perhaps stroll the village streets of Stanley.

Days 6-7 : Cruising the South Atlantic

As the ship approaches South Georgia, deck-side sightings of marine mammals and other wildlife will become more frequent.

Days 8-10 : South Georgia

South Georgia is actually a nearly-submerged continuation of the Andes, and your days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. Weather permitting, enjoy a visit to impressive Salisbury Plain, St. Andrew Bay, or Gold Harbour--home to a vast colony of King pneguins.

Days 11-12 : Cruising the Scotia Sea

Lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia while the ship passes through waters filled with marine mammals and fish.

Days 13-15 : Antarctica

As conditions permit, the ship's itinerary called for landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of South Shetland Islands including Cuverville, Paulet, and Deception Island. There are also plans to sail through Paradise Bay and Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station.

Days 16-17 : Drake Passage

Return through the Drake Passage where there are more opportunities for observing marine and birdlife. It's also a good opportunity to reflect on your journey with fellow travelers on deck.

Day 18 : Ushuaia, Argentina/Buenos Aires

Disembark after breakfast and head out to explre Tierra de Fuego's spectacular wilderness before heading to the airport.

---

-This ship was formerly known as 'Explorer II' (before June 1st, 2008)
-Travelers must add port charges ($285 per person for 12 day trip and $315 per person for 18 and 19 day trips) and the internal charter flights for the Buenos Aires-Ushuaia roundtrip flights ($600 per person plus $20 tax)
-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
  Suite

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