Starting the voyage
When my wife and I finally went to Antarctica in November on the Ocean Nova, a Quark ship that carried us and 62 other passengers, it was the highlight of the year, if not a ... Full Journal »
Explorers' Quest via the Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands, and South Georgia - 2011/2012
« All Ocean Nova (QU) cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||
| Triple | Twin | Single | |
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where we match you with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Deposit & Payment -Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
Overnight at a hotel in Ushuaia - Argentina’s gateway to Antarctica.
Day 2 Embarkation Day
Embark in the afternoon. Then cruise the Beagle Channel to the South Atlantic Ocean.
Day 3 At Sea
There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. You could learn to identify the seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend the illustrated presentations by the Expedition Team. They prepare you for the shore landings and Zodiac cruising that is to come.
Days 4-5 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Zodiacs zip you from ship to shore to hike where Kelp Geese graze and Rockhopper Penguins guard their burrows. Comb beaches and socialize with local residents.
Days 6-7 At Sea
The Expedition Team prepare you for landings and Zodiac cruises along the coast of South Georgia. Learn about penguins, reindeer and the island's connection to Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Days 8-11 South Georgia
The Expedition Team plans a series of landings at King Penguin rookeries, abandoned whaling stations and the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Be as active as you like as South Georgia is an excellent locale for hiking or contemplation. Watch our South Georgia video-guide.
Days 12-13 At Sea
The next presentations during this cruise itinerary are about the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, and the unique flora and fauna found there.
Days 14-17 The Antarctic Peninsula
Deception Island, Neko Harbour and Paradise Harbour are names that conjure iconic images of the Antarctic Peninsula. Towering, glacier-capped mountains rise from a brilliant blue sea, dotted with ice floes. Visit penguin rookeries, listen for calving glaciers, and explore historic sites.
Days 18-19 The Drake Passage
Crossing the Drake Passage is a must for an Antarctic Peninsula expedition itinerary.
Day 20 Ushuaia
After breakfast aboard, you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight.
Itinerary Notes
This expedition includes* 1 night of pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast.
* Shipboard accommodation with housekeeping.
* Shipboard breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
* Shore landings per the program delivered on the ship each day.
* Professional Expedition Leadership.
* All Zodiac excursions and transfers.
* Formal and informal educational presentations by the Expedition Team.
* Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage.
* The loan of a pair of waterproof boots for the duration of the voyage.
* An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep.
* Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock.
* Hair dryer and bathrobes in each cabin.
* Comprehensive pre-departure package including a map and Reader.
* All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
* All shipboard luggage handling.
* Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a maximum benefit of $100,000 per person.
* Transfer from Ushuaia airport to the hotel on Day 1
This expedition excludes
* Any airfare
* Passport and Visa Expenses
* Government arrival and departure taxes
* Meals ashore.
* Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance
* Excess baggage charges
* Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges
* Shipboard or land telecommunication charges
* Gratuity for ship's crew, Hospitality or Expedition Team members
* Hotel nights prior to embarkation or after disembarkation
* Adventure options - kayaking or camping
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 20% (minimum $1000), 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 130 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 130 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 180 days or more | $1000 per person |
| 179-120 days | Entire deposit |
| 119-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Ocean Nova (QU)
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 68
The Ocean Nova (previously called Sarpik Ittuk) was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, to navigate the ice-choked waters off Western Greenland. The ship was upgraded in 2000 and significantly refurbished once again in 2006 to include a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge on the top deck – and to offer travelers on an Antarctica cruise an even more comfortable retreat after days of exploring ashore. Carrying up to 68 passengers and classified to operate in ice-filled waters, the 73-meter vessel is guided by Danish officers with deep experience in polar navigation. With outside cabins only (all with private facilities) and a spacious dining room, the Ocean Nova is a perfect expedition ship for discovering Antarctica.
The Ocean Nova offers unreserved seating, buffet-style breakfast with table service, table-service lunch and dinner with main course choices from a changing daily menu, and afternoon cakes. The lounge and bar are open all day with a wide selection of wines and spirits. The Ocean Nova also features a library with a collection of polar-themed books, exercise room, and a clinic with a licensed doctor.
Cabins and Amenities
* 37 outside cabins, all featuring private facilities.
* Spacious dining room with unreserved seating: buffet-style breakfast with table service; table-service lunch and dinner with main course choices from a changing daily menu; cakes served in mid-afternoon.
* Glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room.
* Lounge and bar, open late morning, afternoon and evening with a wide selection of wines and spirits; coffee, tea available all day.
* Library with collection of polar-themed books.
* Ship-to-shore communications via satellite.
* Clinic with licensed doctor.
* Exercise room.
* Dedicated single cabins.
* Please note: there is no passenger elevator between decks.
Ship Specifications
Staff & Crew: 38
Passengers: 68
Length: 73.0 m
Breadth: 11.0 m
Draft: 3.7 m
Propulsion: Diesel engines – 2,000-horsepower
Ice Class: 1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)
Cruising Speed: 12 knots in open water
Registered: Bahamas
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Triple 2 lower berths and one upper berth with private facilities and window |
 | Twin 2 lower berths with private facilities and window |
 | Single 1 lower berth with private facilities and window |
