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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: MV Akademik Ioffe

Itinerary: Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition '08-'09

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  Kayaking the Antarctic waters

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries  |  cancellation policy

Days 1-2 :	Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Days 3-4 :	Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands
Days 5-8 :	Setting Foot on the Peninsula
Days 9-10 :	Antarctic Circle
Days 11-12 :	Loubert Coast
Days 13-15 :	Drake Passage to Ushuaia
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Main Deck Triple	Main Deck Twin	Upper Deck Twin	Superior Twin	Superior Plus	Peregrine Suite	Cook Suite
15	Jan 2, 2009 Feb 2, 2009	$7,500	$9,100	$9,500	$10,800	$11,500	$12,200	$13,400
		Optional activities: kayaking and overnight camping
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Circle Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching

Join a select group of travelers who have journeyed to the world's southernmost extremes and crossed that imaginary line in the polar sea: the Antarctic Circle. En route, you sail deep blue waters among calving glaciers and tabular icebergs; explore Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguin rookeries on the Antarctic Peninsula; then venture still further south along the White Continent as the Akademik Ioffe probes the edge of the pack ice.

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

Arrive at our hotel in scenic Ushuaia and spend the rest of the day exploring this colorful port town. Next morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend a leisurely day exploring the town. In the late afternoon, transfer to the Akademik Ioffe and join the others on deck as we head out in late afternoon through the scenic Beagle Channel.

Days 3-4 : Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands

Journey across the Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English admiral and explorer, scanning the skies for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds. As we make the crossing, our naturalists and historians offer presentations on Antarctic wildlife and explorers - and ofcourse there's plenty ofinformal conversation on deck and over drinks in the lounge. On the South Shetland Islands, which we typically reach on Day 4, you can observe several species of penguin, as well as Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. Wevisit with the expert staff at one of the area's many research bases. You can also search for Antarctica's two flowering plants, which only bloom during the short southern summer. Often the Professor Molchanov sails through Neptune Bellows into Deception Island's sunken caldera, a legacy from the explosion or collapse of a volcano's center. If the tide allows, you can soak your feet or even enjoy a dip in the steaming thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.

Days 5-8 : Setting Foot on the Peninsula

Our exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula typically begins with a visit to Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor. As you set foot on the continent, you're surrounded by vistas of crystal-blue waters filled with icebergs and giant glaciers descending from jagged, snowcapped mountains. We plan to visit extensive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie Penguins; you can also expect to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. While the western Peninsula offers this diversity of wildlife, our specialists will also draw your attention to the simple yet fascinating plant life - including 100 species of moss, 25 species of liverwort, 20-odd species of macro-fungus and 300 to 400 species of lichen - that somehow manages to grow in this very extreme environment, despite the low temperatures and lack of moisture. If ice conditions allow, the ship will navigate some of the world's most breathtaking waterways - including the narrow Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, which wind between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. The Expedition Team will be pleased to explain the Captain's strategy while you pore over some of the detailed ice charts. Sailing south of the Lemaire Channel, we may visit Petermann Island, where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to our landing site.

Days 9-10 : Antarctic Circle

As our expedition pushes further southward, the mountains grow higher, the glaciers more precipitous and the sense of remoteness even deeper. Our route should take us near historic Stonington Island, site of the East Base established by the US expedition of 1939-41. It was from here that veteran explorer Admiral Richard Byrd and his colleagues conducted the first systematic ground survey of the Antarctic Peninsula's east coast. The island also served as the base for Norwegian-American Finn Ronne's 1947-48 Antarctic Research Expedition, which mapped a great portion of the continent by air. As always on an expedition of this kind, nature has the last word - but if the pack ice and weather cooperate, we expect to cross the Antarctic Circle (to be precise, at latitude 66 33'38² south), the southernmost point at which the sun can still be seen on the austral winter solstice (and conversely, the northernmost point at which the midnight sun is visible in the southern polar regions). We commemorate our arrival at this furthest point in our journey with a celebration on board.

Days 11-12 : Loubert Coast

During the voyage, your Expedition Team will keep you informed about the fabled history of each area we visit. Every name on the map of the Antarctic has a story to tell, and the Loubert Coast is no exception. The French names that appear are a legacy of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, physician, yachtsman, and explorer. He, like you, lived for adventure.

Days 13-15 : Drake Passage to Ushuaia

We sail north across the Drake Passage, again looking out for seabirds and whales. Recap presentations - and discussions in the lounge on everything from Antarctic conservation to swapping digital photos via e-mail - enliven our voyage back to Ushuaia. After a final breakfast, transfer to the historic town for more exploring or head directly to the airport to catch a flight home.

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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 Ioffe's departures include optional sea kayaking. Sea Kayaking Supplement is $695 per person for Antarctic voyages and $395 per person 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 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 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: MV Akademik Ioffe

click to enlarge
  Cruising through the Polar waters

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

As a working scientific research vessel, the Akademik Ioffe forms the ideal platform from which to travel Antarctica and the Arctic. Including all the equipments needed for exploring, from Zodiac landing craft to kayaks and camping gear, even snowshoes.

The Akademik Ioffe is a well-equipped, ice-rated ship capable of carrying 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 during your travels. 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). Windows. There are 12 cabins in this category.	Superior Twin 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 Cooke 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