Antarctic Peninsula
« All Polar Pioneer cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | Suite | |
| Nov 30 '12 Dec 11 '12 |
$7,200 | $8,510 | $9,635 | $10,670 | $11,825 |
| Optional kayaking: $975 Optional climbing: $350 |
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-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
Deposit & Payment -Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Day 1 Ushuaia, Argentina
Enjoy a hearty, late afternoon welcome from your friendly staff and Russian crew. You have time to settle in to your cabin and explore the ship before your evening departure. Watch for dolphins and albatross as you sail down the Beagle Channel.
Day 2 Drake Passage
Overnight, enter Drake Passage. Lectures on the continent's natural history and briefings about landing in Antarctica are scheduled through the day, allowing plenty of time to watch graceful albatrosses and other seabirds from the outer decks.
Day 3 South Shetland Island
If the Drake Passage is kind, your ship should make your first landing today. Keen eyes watch for icebergs, while sightings of penguins, fur seals and king cormorants announce your approach to the South Shetlands Islands.
Days 4-9 Antarctic Peninsula
An overnight passage along Gerlache Strait delivers you to the stunning Antarctic Peninsula, an ethereal wonderland of vast proportions. Aboard robust Zodiacs, explore penguin rookeries, historic sites and scientific stations. Zodiac cruising brings you close to intricately shaped icebergs and seals basking on ice floes. Dwarfed by massive bergs, kayakers glide into secluded bays, while the photography group learns how best to capture Antarctica’s raw beauty.
Your expert team will focus on immersing yourselves in nature, spontaneity and flexibility enhancing your enjoyment. Bubble-netting humpbacks demand a wake-up call, even at midnight! A curious leopard seal cruising amongst spectacular icebergs may mean postponing lunch. Make the most of every day.
Days 10-11 Drake Passage
As the Captain steers the ship north across Drake Passage, your minds and souls revel in rich Antarctic experiences. There’s time to watch for seabirds, enjoy entertaining talks, discuss what you’ve seen and learned, exchange photos and stories. With luck, your ship may make a ceremonial rounding of Cape Horn before sharing a farewell dinner.
Day 12 Disembark in Ushuaia
Cruise along the Beagle Channel in the early morning. Disembark after breakfast for onward travel or to savour more time in Ushuaia.
Itinerary Notes
Please note that all itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.Included in your cruise fare:
- Ship's accommodation. All public areas are open to all passengers
- All meals on board ship
- All shore excursions from the ship including Zodiacs
- Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services
- Medical services. There is a resident doctor and well-equipped clinic on board
- Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
- Pre-departure information and briefing
Not included in cruise fare:
- Air transport or transfers to and from the ship, not included in the above
- Visa, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure taxes
- Hotels and meals not included in cruise itinerary
- Optional excursions not included in the cruise itinerary
- Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges and phone calls
- Emergency evacuation charges
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1250 for Antarctica or AU$1500 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 |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $600 per person |
| 0-90 days | 100% trip cost |
Polar Pioneer
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 54
Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundings for your Antarctica travel.
This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, maneuverability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.
The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.
Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Triple Shared Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins. |
 | Twin Shared Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins. |
 | Twin Private Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403). |
 | Mini Suite Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofa bed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
 | Suite The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. |
