Never mind that we spent the absolute very last hour of my stay in Salta giggling like two schoolgirls in the huge jacuzzi of my hotel room before racing off to the airport.
Or that earlier that day ... Full Journal »
Scientific Antarctica
« All Polar Pioneer cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||
| Triple Shared | Twin Shared | Twin Private | Mini Suite | Suite | |
| Nov 9 '13 |
$9,990 | $11,500 | $13,200 | $14,200 | $14,900 |
| Photography Option: $250 Group flight to Punta Arenas: $660 |
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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 Embark in Ushuaia
A friendly welcome aboard the Polar Pioneer precedes your sail down the Beagle Channel. Scientists from Ukraine and Poland, who will summer in Antarctica at Vernadsky and Arctowski Stations, will join you and the rest of your fellow travelers.
Days 2-3 Drake Passage
Cape petrels mesmerize and majestic wandering albatross will take your breath away as your ship crosses the Drake Passage. Naturalists reveal Antarctica’s natural history while environmental and safety briefings will prepare you for the upcoming days. Your photography education program commences, as prepare yourselves for the adventure ahead.
Days 4-6 Arctowski Station
As you drop anchor in front of Poland’s Arctowski Station, be greeted by fur and elephant seals lounging on the shoreline, inquisitive Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins welcome you to their playground.
Days 7-8 Across the Peninsula
With the rugged coastline from Gerlache Strait to the beautiful Lemaire Channel, make your way South across the Peninsula.
Days 9-10 Antarctic Peninsula
Drop anchor at Vernadsky Station; your southernmost point on this expedition. Here your scientist shipmates disembark and prepare for a summer in Antarctica. Board Zodiacs and explore this historic and wildlife rich area. Your will make full use of daylight hours, taking every opportunity to explore the Peninsula’s wonders.
Days 11-12 At Sea
Bidding farewell to Antarctica, sail north towards the Falkland Islands, it’s a time of reflection, entertaining talks and a party or two.
Days 13-14 Falkland Islands
Your days in the Falklands will be spent exploring the outer most islands rarely visited; the spectacular cliffs of the islands are home to an abundance breeding birds; endemic Cobb’s Wren, dark faced ground tyrants and tussac birds, striated cara-caras, southern giant petrels, ruddy headed geese, speckled teal and crested ducks abound.
Making the most of your Zodiacs explore by sea and land the rich natural history of this remote archipelago.
Day 15 Disembark in Stanley, Falkland Islands
Today disembark in Stanley, the Falklands, which features an excellent war museum, welcoming shops and pubs.
Itinerary Notes
Please note that the 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.Cruise fare includes:
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- All meals, snacks, tea & coffee
- All shore excursions and zodiac cruises
- Educational lectures and guiding services by polar experts
- Use of gumboots
- Daily cabin service
- Polar Pioneer travel mug
- Professionally produced voyage log
Flights:
A group flight from the Falkland Islands to Punta Arenas at the conclusion of the voyage are an additional charge, please add $660 per person.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1450, 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 | Deposit |
| 89 days or less | 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. |
