Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula
« All Polar Pioneer cruise options
- Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
- Day 2 At Sea
- Day 3 Falkland Islands
- Day 4 Port Stanley, Falklands
- Days 5-6 At Sea
- Days 7-10 South Georgia
- Day 11 Enroute to South Orkney Islands
- Days 12-13 South Orkney Islands
- Days 14-16 South Shetland Islands & Antarctica
- Days 17-18 Drake Passage
- Day 19 Disembark in Ushuaia
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | 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.
-Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Deposit & Payment -Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate
Day 1 Embark in Ushuaia
Board the Polar Pioneer in the afternoon and cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Day 2 At Sea
Albatrosses, giant petrels and tiny Wilsons storm petrels escort you across the Atlantic Ocean. Naturalists and historians enliven the crossing with informative talks, and prepare for your first landing.
Day 3 Falkland Islands
Visit an outlying island in the Falkland group, greeted onshore by a fascinating mix of sea lions, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and waterbirds.
Day 4 Port Stanley, Falklands
Stanley, the Falklands’ undeniably British capital, features an excellent war museum, quirky post office, picturesque houses, welcoming shops and pubs.
Days 5-6 At Sea
Cross the Scotia Sea, entertained by your expert naturalist and historian, and keeping watch for kelp-skirted Shag Rocks.
Days 7-10 South Georgia
You will have ample time to explore the network of harbours along South Georgia’s spectacular northern coast, visiting wildlife havens that include the world’s largest king penguin rookeries and majestic albatross nests. Kayakers revel in paddling the coastline’s nooks and crannies, accompanied by playful seals. In Stromness and Grytviken harbours, 3000-metre peaks form dramatic backdrops to the remains of whaling stations. Kelp-strewn beaches are cluttered with basking elephant seals, feisty fur seals and a plethora of penguins.
Day 11 Enroute to South Orkney Islands
As your ship crosses the Scotia Sea, watch for whales, seabirds and our first icebergs. You will have time to discuss South Georgia, learn about Antarctica and prepare for more landings.
Days 12-13 South Orkney Islands
Pack ice permitting, step ashore on the dramatic South Orkney Islands, before crossing whale-rich waters to Elephant Island, integral to Shackleton’s survival story.
Days 14-16 South Shetland Islands & Antarctica
Visit the South Shetland Islands before sailing overnight down Gerlache Strait. Awaken to the thrill of Antarctica, where you will plan to visit busy penguin rookeries, historic sites and make a continental landing.
Days 17-18 Drake Passage
Return to the realm of the albatross, as your ship heads north across the Drake Passage.
Day 19 Disembark in Ushuaia
Dawn greets you in the Beagle Channel as your ship motors to the dock in Ushuaia. Bid farewell and continue onward travel, or stop in Ushuaia, known as the world’s southern most town.
Itinerary Notes
INCLUDED IN THE EXPEDITION PRICE+ 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 THE EXPEDITION PRICE
+ 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. |
