South Indian Ocean
« All Spirit of Enderby cruise options
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||
| Heritage Suite | Mini Suite | Superior Plus | Superior | Main deck | Main Deck Triple | |
| Oct 31 '12 |
$27,000 | $24,500 | $23,000 | $22,500 | $21,500 | $20,500 |
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
- Included in the cruise fare is a pre-departure hotel night, group dinner as well as breakfast the next day prior to embarkation.
Deposit & Payment - Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
- Included in the cruise fare is a pre-departure hotel night, group dinner as well as breakfast the next day prior to embarkation.
Day 1 Depart Port Louis, Mauritius
Board your expedition vessel Spirit of Enderby in the charming, historic capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. The labyrinth of French colonial architecture is heady with the exotic scents of the Indian Ocean.
Days 2-8 At Sea
Learn about the Southern Ocean, the Subantarctics and their flora and fauna in lectures from your experts, or just relax in the ship’s bar and library. You are invited to join the officers and crew on the bridge as you sail south. Indulge in some birding and wildlife spotting or experience first-hand the work that goes into sailing your expedition vessel.
Days 9-10 Heard Island
The human history of these islands is short and predictably brutal, but these natural wildlife havens have been around for many centuries. Australia operated a research station in the 1940s but it is now uninhabited and visited very infrequently, it remains one of the few places on earth believed to contain no species directly introduced by humans. The number of tourist landings can be counted on one hand: the last expedition of any significance was the Spirit of Enderby's own 2002 expedition which spent two magnificent days exploring an ecosystem like no other. It is a mountainous and wild environment where recent satellite images show glaciers alongside active lava flows. Antarctic Fur Seal, Southern Elephant Seal and King Penguins, all previously heavily exploited, are now found lolling (or scurrying) on the volcanic beaches; Gentoo, Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins also breed here and you may spot prions, petrels and several species of albatross. With favourable conditions land at Atlas Cove, abandoned site of the ANARE base and at Spit Beach where you may find the ghosts of sealers and the home of the Lesser Sheathbill and endemic Heard Island Cormorant.
Day 11 At Sea
Setting sail for the north, you have the chance to spot birds on deck, catch up on notes and photos and attend lectures unlocking the mysteries of your next destination: the Kerguelen Islands.
Days 12-14 Kerguelen Islands
Looking for the mythical Terra Australis, a French navigator called Captain Yves Joseph de Kerguelen-Tremarec came instead upon this lonely archipelago. The tumbling volcanic landscapes hide glaciers and fumaroles, penguins of all shapes and sizes, petrels, Cape Pigeon and the magnificent Wandering Albatross, in all, over 30 species of bird. Botanically, Kerguelen Island is one of the richest in the Subantarctic with 280 known species, including 36 vascular varieties, it even boasts its own endemic cabbage, the Pringlea antiscorbutica. Exploring the many rocky islets search for abandoned whaling stations, elephant seals and maybe the endemic Kerguelen Pintail.
Days 15-18 At Sea
The compass is set for the west and, enroute to the magnificent Crozet Islands have plenty of opportunities for pelagic birding and educational pursuits. Catch up on your reading, catalog your photos and truly sail the Southern Indian Ocean.
Day 19 Crozet Islands
Iles Crozet actually consists of five volcanic islands that boast more breeding seabirds than any other island group in the world. Thirty-six species breed here, with 24 on Ile de la Possession alone and it is here that you will land for the day, spending your time searching for species such as the Yellow-nosed or Light-mantled Sooty Albatross the Crozet Shag, Kerguelen Tern, Blue Petrel or Fairy Prion. This archipelago has witnessed many shipwrecks in the days when whaling ships were common in these waters and, if you’re lucky, you might spot Orcas hunting for the resident Antarctic Fur Seals.
Days 20-23 At Sea
The captain finally turns the bow to the east and run with the prevailing weather toward St Paul. There will be time to relax and read, attend lectures and spend time on the bridge watching for whales, dolphins, seals and of course seabirds!
Day 24 St Paul
This island was formed by a massive volcanic eruption and your landing is inside its flooded caldera. Now uninhabited, there is an abandoned fishing village to explore; here learn of the considerable negative impact that introduced mammals had on the island’s vegetation and birdlife. Cats and rats are thought responsible for the severe depletion of bird populations, especially those of small burrowing petrels. Happily, many bird species still breed here, including Moseley’s Rockhopper Penguin, Sooty Albatross, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Little Shearwater, Broad-billed Prion, White-bellied Storm Petrel and Antarctic Tern.
Day 25 Amsterdam Island
Sailing under the stars, arrive early morning, steaming first past the northern cliffs where there is a huge Yellow-nosed Albatross colony. The French maintain a permanent scientific base which you will visit, to enjoy their hospitality before exploring this almost uninhabited ecosystem. Look for the wild descendants of a herd of cattle left by 19th century settlers and the rare Amsterdam (Wandering) Albatross, as well as Soft-plumaged Petrel and Southern Skua.
Days 26-32 At Sea
Spend the last days of your expedition crossing to Albany in Western Australia. Reflect on an amazing journey into a wilderness on the edge of the earth. Recap the highlights with the crew and enjoy a farewell dinner as you sail the last leg of your southern sea journey.
Day 33 Port of Albany, Australia
Finding final harbour once more in the deep water Port of Albany, clear Australian Customs and a coach will transfer you to the airport or to the nearby bustling town.
Itinerary Notes
Please note: Fares do not include landing fees, please add $1000 per person.Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is 25% trip 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 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 |
|---|---|
| 180 Days or more | $850 per person |
| 179-91 days | Deposit |
| 90 days or less | 100% trip cost |
Spirit of Enderby
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 48
- Ice Breaker Ship
The Spirit of Enderby is perfect for expedition travel. It carries just 48 passengers in very comfortable accommodations with semi-private and private bath facilities. The cuisine is excellent and is prepared by top New Zealand and Australian chefs. The Spirit of Enderby measures 72 meters in length and is fully ice-strengthened. Powered by two 1,560 horse power diesel engines. It is capable of speeds of up to 12 knots.
The real focus and emphasis of every expedition aboard the Spirit of Enderby is getting you ashore as often as possible for as long as possible with maximum safety and comfort. Expeditions are accompanied by some of the most experienced naturalists and guides, who have devoted a lifetime to field research in the areas that you visit. The ship is crewed by a very enthusiastic and most experienced Russian Capitan and crew.
Life onboard Spirit of Enderby
The Spirit of Enderby was designed and built as a Research Vessel and still undertakes some research work when not involved with passenger cruises. Ship amenities and services include:
The Bar: ‘Globe’
Situated on the Middle deck aft (400 level cabins), enjoy the range of beverages available (beers, wines, soft drinks and spirits). Opening hours are variable, depending on the activities of the day onboard (e.g. lectures, landings). Opening hours are indicated on daily program.
Dining Room: ‘Ice Culture’
Australian and New Zealand chefs will delight you with international cuisine, prepared with the freshest products available. The chefs onboard can prepare food according to your special dietary needs (providing this information in advance of departure date, specified on the booking form). The Spirit of Enderby regrets to inform that Kosher, Halal and Vegan meals are NOT available onboard.
Expedition Equipment:
Carried on the Spirit of Enderby is a fleet of RIB’s, (rigid inflatable boats) sometimes referred to as zodiacs. These extremely safe and stable craft will land you at some of the most amazing places. Also, specially designed and built Hovercraft give you unprecedented capability in Antarctica, allowing you to land in places that are inaccessible to other ships.
Library:
A well stocked library is located on the Middle Deck. Guests are welcome to use it at any time. The Library carries card and board games and is equipped with electricity outlets to facilitate the use of laptops, video cameras and digital cameras.
Lecture Room:
This room has seating for all the passengers to attend lectures and films screened during the voyage. It is well equipped for Power Point presentations, slide shows, video films and similar. It is located below the Lower Deck.
Medical Service:
The Spirit of Enderby carries a Medical Adviser and a well-equipped medical clinic situated on the Middle Deck. The medical adviser is available 24 hours a day.
Communications:
The Spirit of Enderby is equipped with the Iridium satellite phone for phone calls and for receiving and sending emails.
Accommodations aboard the Spirit of Enderby
Heritage Suite
Large lounge area, separate bedroom with double bed, single bed in the lounge, writing desk, wardrobe, drawers, and fridge. There is a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Large forward and side facing windows with great views.
Mini Suite
A small bedroom with a 3/4 bed and a single bed in the lounge, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower. toilet and washbasin. This suite has windows.
Superior Plus
Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
Superior
Cabins have one bunk (an upper and lower – two), wardrobe, drawers, a desk, a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. These cabins have windows.
Main Deck
Cabins have two lower berths, wardrobe, drawers, a desk, washbasin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.
Main Deck Triple
This cabin has one bunk (one upper and one lower) and one lower berth, wardrobe, drawers, a desk and washbasin. The nearby showers and toilets are shared with other Main deck cabins.
The History of Spirit of Enderby
The name Spirit of Enderby honors the work and the vision of the Enderby Brothers of London. The Enderby Captains were at the forefront of Antarctic exploration for almost 40 years in the early 1800’s. It also celebrates Enderby Island, arguably the greatest Sub-antarctic Island in the world.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Heritage Suite Upper Deck, large lounge area, separate bedroom with matrimonial bed, private bath facilities and panoramic windows |
| Mini Suite Upper deck, small bedroom with a 3/4 bed and a single bed in the lounge, private bath facilities and windows | |
 | Superior Plus Upper and Middle Decks, two lower berth accommodations with private bath facilities and window |
| Superior Middle Deck, upper and lower berth accommodations, private bath facilities and window | |
 | Main deck Main Deck, two lower berth accommodations with shared bath facilities. |
 | Main Deck Triple Main Deck, triple accommodations with shared bath facilities. |
