Regal Antarctica
« All Akademik Ioffe cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||
| Main Deck Triple | Twin Semi-Private | Twin Private | Superior | Shackleton Suite | One Ocean Suite | |
- 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.
- Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the shared price, suites for 2 times the shared price.
Deposit & Payment - Standard twin cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the shared price, suites for 2 times the shared price.
Day 1 Ushuaia
Today is the first day of your adventure. As you board the One Ocean Navigator/Ioffe in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city at the tip of Argentina, and start to become familiar with ‘your home’ for the next 12 days one cannot help but wonder about the exciting journey ahead. In the early evening, set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2-3 Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage, there is so much excitement in the air as you make your way ever closer to the white continent. Guests eagerly soak up the friendly atmosphere onboard as your numerous Polar experts prepare you for adventures with presentations on everything Antarctic from wildlife and exploration history to glaciers, and ice. Eventually, cross the Antarctic Convergence where you will notice a distinct drop in temperature as you enter the waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Along the way, witness many spectacular sights from icebergs to an array of seabirds and maybe even whale and dolphin sightings.
Day 4 South Shetland Islands
Make your first landfall in the South Shetland Islands, a chain of islands known for their more maritime climate and abundance of wildlife. Cruise these volcanic islands in search of chinstrap penguin rookeries, perhaps the wafting ‘steam’ of a southern elephant seal wallow or the signs of exploration left on the beaches in the form of tri-pots and abandoned whaling stations.
Weather permitting visit Deception Island with a goal of visiting the chinstrap penguin rookery at Baily Head. If weather precludes this attempt a landing inside this active volcanic caldera. With rugged scenery, great sites of geologic interest and an overwhelming display of whaling and scientific exploration history, Deception Island is a perfect museum of natural and exploration history. For those wanting to stretch their legs, a spectacular hike to the crater rim offers a challenge.
Day 5 Antarctic Sound
At about 25 nautical miles long and about 10 nautical miles wide, the Antarctic Sound separates Joinville Island from the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Sailing into the sound, look to the starboard and the vastness of the Antarctic icecap, imagining the sweeping katabatic (gravity-driven) winds that this region is famous for.
Days 6-7 Weddell Sea
The only difference discernible as sailing into the Weddell Sea will be an increase in the number of large tabular icebergs and the presence of sea ice. The goal will be to explore the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands. In particular this region is home to Adelie penguin rookeries of astonishing size. Maximize your time onshore as well as in your inflatable landing craft, absorbing as much of the wilderness and beauty as possible. Planned excursions may include Paulet Island, Brown Bluff and even the southerly Snow Hill Island, observing Weddell and elephant seals and other seabirds as well as a shocking abundance of penguins.
One of the excursions will be planned with the aim of landing on the physical continent of Antarctica itself and not just on an offshore island. There are a few landing spots that will fall into this category and, as you visit them, some may pause to consider the bravery and/or foolhardiness of those who traveled a hundred years before. To gain a better appreciation of those explorers, some may choose to camp ashore overnight. Whatever your vantage point, whether onboard or from shore, expect to feel transformed as you experience twilight from the very bottom of the planet.
Sail south among the islands of the Weddell Sea’s western shore and enter the realm of the Emperor penguin, the largest of the penguins. Everyone will be on deck keeping a lookout for your ‘Christmas bird’.
Late on Christmas Day virtually backtrack along the same route the ‘Endurance’ drifted heading northwards on the sea journey towards the Falkland Islands.
Day 8 Elephant Island
As you approach Elephant Island by ship, marvel at the incredible hardiness of the men of the Endurance expedition who sailed small boats to Elephant Island from the ice edge. Their landfall at a tiny outcropping on the North shore of Elephant Island must have been a marvelous feeling for them. The landing site is called Point Wild, named after Frank Wild who was Shackleton’s second in command and the boss of the camp on Elephant Island. Attempt a landing at this notoriously challenging landing site before continuing North to the Falklands.
Days 9-10 At Sea
Whilst sailing across to the Falkland Islands onboard polar experts will recap on your Weddell Sea adventures and prepare you for the days ahead.
Day 11 West Point & Saunders Island
Explore the islands of West Point and Saunders, both in the West Falklands Archipelago. West Point is known for its bustling rookeries of rockhopper penguins whilst Saunders Island has four species of breeding penguin including gentoo, Magellanic, rockhopper and your goal for the Falkland Island visit, the king penguin.
Day 12 Port Stanley / Fly to Santiago, Chile
In the early morning, arrive into Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Guests will be transferred to the airport in Port Stanley for the scheduled flight to Santiago, Chile. Transfer to your independent flight homeward.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1700 for Antarctic Voyages, $2100 for Arctic Voyages, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | Full deposit |
| 90 days or less | 100% trip cost |
Akademik Ioffe
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 96
Designed for polar research, the Akademik Ioffe is modern, comfortable, safe and ice-strengthened. From small group sessions to briefings for all passengers, she has public spaces onboard ideally suited for each and every need. A separate bar and lounge, as well as a library provide ideal places to sit and relax or catch up on some reading. A selection of movies and documentaries can also be watched in the lounge. Enjoy the sumptuous meals prepared for you by the culinary team in the dining room, which can host all clients in a single seating.
Comfort and Stability
Designed and built as a scientific research vessel in Finland, the Akademik Ioffe is very stable, quiet and comfortable. Refitting and refurbishment over the last five years oriented towards her role as an expedition cruise vessel has improved the comfort and caliber of the facilities aboard the ship.
There is little if any ambient noise from engines or machinery and with most of the public spaces on a separate deck from the majority of the cabins there is little issue with passenger-generated noise.
Vessel stabilization is gained through a combination of external stabilizers on her hull and a built-in ballast trimming system. The rapid transfer of ballast between special trimming tanks reduces vessel motion and coupled with a modern hull design gives us a stable platform for science and exploration.
Cabin Accommodations
All cabins are comfortable and well appointed with private or semi-private facilities and a variety of beds (either bunks or double). All cabins have ample storage facilities and a writing desk and chair, as well as bathrobes. Suites feature upgraded linens/duvets, toiletry kits and arrival gift baskets.
Bar
Located aft of the lobby on the main deck and with a seating capacity of about 25 and/or sufficient standing room for many more, the bar becomes one of the activity hubs on the ship. With outside views through portholes and a door out onto the main deck, the bar is a comfortable place to enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie before breakfast, grab a bottle of water before an excursion or enjoy a cocktail before dinner. A stereo with MP3 player dock and a monitor showing live video footage of the view forward from the bridge at all times can be found in the bar.
Bridge
The ship’s bridge is located on Deck 6 and is open to passengers virtually 24-hours a day. The officer on watch and a helmsman can always be found on duty on the bridge and it is also the best place to meet the master of the vessel. The chart room is a fascinating place to visit and expedition staff or ship’s crew are often available to answer questions about the equipment and instruments found on the bridge.
In addition, the bridge is an excellent place to sightsee and view wildlife from. Binoculars and wildlife identification guidebooks can be found on the bridge and during much of the day, an expedition guide will be watching for wildlife from the bridge.
Dining Room
During select breakfasts during your voyage, join the dining room for an omelet bar. With buffet breakfasts, buffet and/or plated lunches and plated dinners, the dining room can seat all passengers in one sitting. Attractively lit and comfortably furnished, it is served by our ship’s stewards. A culinary team includes three chefs as well as up to three culinary students on each journey.
To keep up to date with the view from the bridge, live streaming video can be viewed on a television screen in the dining room during meals. A small lounge can be found in the forward part of the dining room along with a small bar used during meal service.
Other Amenities
Elevator
Gift Shop
Fitness Room
Infirmary
Library
Lounge
Mud Room
Presentation Room
Multimedia Room
Sauna and Polar Plunge Pool
Top Deck and Observatory
Technical Information
Registered name: Akademik Ioffe
Built: 1989, Rama, Finland
Length: 117 m
Breadth: 18.2 m
Draft: 6 m
Power: twin engine, 5,000Kw diesel, twin propeller
Maximum speed: 14.5 knots
Crew and staff: 56
Passengers: 86
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Main Deck Triple Deck 3, bunk beds and a sofa bed. Shared facilities, in cabin washbasin, writing desk/chair, ample storage, bathrobes & porthole. |
 | Twin Semi-Private Deck 4, one lower berth and one sofa bed, a writing desk and ample storage. Semi-private facilities (one bathroom between two cabins). Opening window. |
 | Twin Private Deck 4 and 5. All cabins have two lower berths, a writing desk/chair and ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window. |
 | Superior Deck 6 these cabins have two lower berths, a sofa, a writing desk/chair and ample storage. Facilities are private and all cabins have a window. |
 | Shackleton Suite Deck 4 & 5, 1 double berth, 1 sofa bed, separate sleeping quarters, writing desk/chair, TV/DVD, IPod alarm clock. Private facilities, window & deluxe amenities. |
 | One Ocean Suite Deck 5, 1 double berth, 1 sofa bed & separate sleeping quarters, up-graded bedding, a writing desk/chair, TV/DVD, IPod station. Private facilities with tub. Windows overlooking the bow. Deluxe amenities. |
