Ushuaia - Ascension Island
« All MV Plancius cruise options
- Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
- Days 2-3 Drake Passage
- Day 4 Weddell Sea
- Day 5 Hope Bay / Dundee Island
- Day 6 At Sea
- Day 7 South Orkneys
- Day 8 At Sea
- Days 9-11 South Georgia
- Days 12-16 Antarctic Convergence
- Day 17 Gough Island
- Days 18-20 Tristan da Cunha
- Days 21-24 At Sea
- Days 25-27 St. Helena
- Days 28-29 At Sea
- Days 30-31 Ascension Island
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||
| Quadruple Porthole | Triple Porthole | Twin with Porthole | Twin with Window | Twin Deluxe | Superior | |
- Please note: If world fuel prices reach a price of US $ 80 per barrel Brent Crude Oil, there will be an additional fuel surcharge of US $ 25 per passenger per night.
- 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 price
Deposit & Payment - 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 price
Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Days 2-3 Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage witness a multitude of Albatrosses, Petrels and Fulmars.
Day 4 Weddell Sea
If the sea ice conditions allow you will try and reach Devil and/or Paulet Island at the tip of the Weddell Sea, with its many huge table icebergs coming from the Larsen Ice Shelf. Climb a hill with a gently slope from where you will have a great view on the surroundings. At Paulet Island observe the last individuals of a large Adelie Penguin colony near the ruins of the Nordenskiöld Expedition from the beginning of the 20th century.
Day 5 Hope Bay / Dundee Island
At Hope Bay and Brown Bluff hope to set foot on the Antarctic Continent. In this area chances are good for encounters with Gentoo Penguins, Weddell Seals, Leopard Seals and Orcas. On some ice floes you could also be lucky to see a juvenile emperor penguin.
You may also make an easy walk on Dundee island, where the American Explorer Lincoln Ellsworth made a runway for his trans-Antarctic flight in the nineteenthirties. Depending on the seas ice sail east or west of the Danger Islands to the north.
Day 6 At Sea
At sea, sail towards the South Orkney Islands. Your exact navigational course will be determined by the prevailing ice conditions, in terms of both extent of sea ice and density of icebergs, which vary from year to year.
Day 7 South Orkneys
On your way north plan to visit South Orkneys, where the Scotsman Bruce once wintered and where you now may visit the friendly people of an Argentinean base.
Day 8 At Sea
At sea, on your way to South Georgia, witness a multitude of Albatrosses, Petrels and Fulmars.
Days 9-11 South Georgia
In South Georgia begin your visit with zodiac excursions in the magnificent Drygalski Fjord and Larsen Harbour. Later you will intend to sail to Gold Harbour to visit a big King Penguin colony and to see many Elephant Seals and Fur Seals. It is a good area for long walks. In Cooper Bay observe Chinstrap Penguins and Macaroni Penguins and breeding Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses. Pay visits to the abandoned whaling settlements in Grytviken, where now the penguins walk through the streets, and King Edwards Point where the grave of Shackleton lies. On Salisbury Plain see another huge King Penguin colony and breeding Wandering Albatrosses on Prion Island in the Bay of Isles.
Days 12-16 Antarctic Convergence
In the westerlies you will have a pleasant tailwind. On both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, observe many species and great numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Day 17 Gough Island
Today plan to approach the unique Gough Island for zodiac cruising around the island, as always weather permitting. In previous voyages the ship managed to circumnavigate all but four miles of the 33 mile circumference of the island in the ship, saw spectacular scenery and an unprecedented abundance of wildlife. You should feel very privileged to be among the few visitors who have been able to experience Gough and in particular, to see it at such close quarters and in such favorable conditions.
Days 18-20 Tristan da Cunha
In the Tristan da Cunha archipelago call at the settlement at the west side of the main island. Try to make landings at Nightingale Island with millions of seabirds ranging from Yellow-nosed Albatrosses to Brown Noddies. The ship's team leaders will allow one day in reserve for bad weather.
Days 21-24 At Sea
At sea, enter sub-tropical waters with their own brand of seabirds and dolphins.
Days 25-27 St. Helena
St. Helena has a good anchorage and landing site. On this island, have ample opportunities to enjoy local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic plants and birds. Visit the place where Napoleon lived in exile. There will be opportunities to explore the Island on your own and for snorkeling, in the shallow surf near a wreck find a lot of fishes.
Days 28-29 At Sea
Days 30-31 Ascension Island
Ascension Island is a dry volcanic island with a moist and richly vegetated top. The Sooty Tern (wide-awake) colony sometimes consists of more than 1 million breeding pairs. Try to climb the moist summit of Ascension Island and make a zodiac-cruise around Boatswain Bird Island offering also great opportunities for snorkeling. Witness egg-laying sea turtles coming ashore at night.
Some passengers may disembark and fly with the scheduled RAF (Royal Air Force) flight to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, UK. Others may proceed their voyage to Cape Verdes, for an additional fee and an additional 8 days of travel.
Itinerary Notes
Fares include:• Voyage aboard the designated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
• All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
• Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes aboard ‘Plancius’.
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
• Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Not included:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Please Note: It is agreed that if world fuel prices will reach or exceed US Dollar 80 per Barrel Brent 90 days prior to departure, the MV Plancius reserves the right to levy a fuel surcharge of US Dollar 25 per passenger per night.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 25% cruise cost, 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 70 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx, cards subject to a credit card fee.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | 25% cruise cost |
| 89-60 Days | 55% cruise cost |
| 59-0 Days | 100% cruise cost |
MV Plancius
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 112
M/V “Plancius” started her life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. In June 2004, the vessel was taken out of active service for rebuilding.
The vessel was completely rebuilt in 2009 as a 112-passenger polar expedition ship, complying with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea), is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London and will fly the Dutch flag.
The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxurious vessel. Our cruises in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel fully meets our demands to achieve this.
M/V “Plancius” can accommodate 112 passengers in 54 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 Quadruple private cabins , 40 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).
The vessel is manned by 30 international crew members (inc. 10 stewardesses/cabin cleaners), 6 hotel staff (4 chefs, 1 purser and 1 steward-barman), 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Quadruple Porthole 4 cabins with private facilities, 2 bunk beds. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Triple Porthole 2 cabins with private facilities, 1 bunk bed and 1 lower berth. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin with Porthole 9 twin private cabins with porthole. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed. (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin with Window 26 twin private cabins with window. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed (ca. 15 m2) |
 | Twin Deluxe 2 twin private deluxe cabins. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed(ca. 15 m2) |
 | Superior 10 twin superior cabins. Lower berths (either two single beds or one queen-size bed (ca. 21 m2) |
