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Antarctic iceberg arch.

In the Wake of Scott & Shackleton

Example 30 Day Cruise aboard Spirit of Enderby
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The Ross Sea region of Antarctica is one of the most remote places on Planet Earth and one of the most fascinating places in the continent's human history. With shipping restricted by impenetrable pack ice to just two brief months each austral summer, few people have ever visited this strange and beautiful territory. Join this 30-day voyage, helmed by skillful sailors and knowledgeable guides, to experience nature on a scale so grand there are no words to describe it. This journey includes The Snares, Auckland, Macquarie and Campbell Island, helping to prepare for what lies ahead, for these islands are part of the amazing and dynamic Southern Ocean ecosystem of which Antarctica is at the very heart. There is so much to see and do here, from exploring historic huts to visiting penguin rookeries!

 
A single penguin on Antarctica.Soak in the scenery on Campbell IslandBaby penguin stands in the middle of hundreds of penguins.Albatrosses squawk at the sky.Antarctic iceberg arch.
Highlights
  • Visit the Ross Sea region, one of the world's most remote &intriguing sites
  • Experience nature on a scale so grand there are no words to describe it
  • View relics of 'the heroic' or 'golden age' of exploration, including huts
  • Observe and photograph penguins, seabirds, seals and whales
  • Discover Antarctica via shore landings on the dynamic Subantarctic Islands
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Invercargill, New Zealand

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive at Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city, a place rich in Scottish history. Grab some last-minute luxuries before meeting your fellow expeditioners for an informal get-together over dinner.

Day 2: Port of Bluff | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a visit to the local museum to view an educational Subantarctic display before transferring to the Port of Bluff to board the Spirit of Enderby. Settle into your cabin and join your Expedition Staff and the Captain for a welcome reception on board.

Day 3: The Snares | North East Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Staggeringly, The Snares Islands are home to more nesting seabirds than all of the British Isles put together. Zodiac cruising the coast, learn how the islands got their name. In the sheltered bays, keep your eyes out for the endemic Snares crested penguin, the Cape petrel, and the Buller’s albatross nesting on the imposing cliffs.

Day 4-5: Auckland Islands

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Characterized by towering cliffs and rugged sea stacks, these islands have borne witness to many a shipwreck in days gone by. Spend the day ashore on Enderby Island, which is perhaps the most beautiful of all the subantarctic islands; here find parakeets flitting above carpets of red, white, and yellow wildflowers, and on the beaches beyond, the rare Hooker’s or New Zealand sea lion. Land in Carnley Harbor and if conditions are suitable, climb to a shy albatross colony. Otherwise explore sites within the harbor.

Day 6: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take the chance to learn more about the biology and history of these islands and the tempestuous Southern Ocean through informal lectures with your experts. Crossing the confluence of warmer and cooler waters at the Subantarctic Convergence, a very productive stretch, you can expect many seabirds, including five or six kinds of albatross and numerous species of petrel.

Day 7-8: Macquarie Island

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
This remote, rocky outpost in the middle of roaring westerly winds supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Hemisphere. Four species of penguin breed here: king, royal, rockhopper, and gentoo. You may never forget your first experience in a ceaselessly active ‘penguin city’, where the dapper inhabitants show no fear of their strange visitors. Also meet with the Park Rangers, visit the Australian Antarctic Base, and observe the hundreds of southern elephant seals along the beaches.

Day 9-12: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Soaring albatrosses and petrels circle the vessel as your ship steams south through the Southern Ocean. Lectures now concentrate on the Ross Sea region, meanwhile beyond the bows of the ship drifting icebergs begin to appear in extraordinary shapes. The ship maneuvers in close for your first ice photographs as you pass the Antarctic Circle and into the continent’s realm of 24-hour daylight.

Day 13-22: Antarctica's Ross Sea Region

  • Ship
  • 10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners
With unpredictable ice and weather conditions, a day-by-day itinerary is not possible but your expedition team assesses conditions daily and takes every opportunity to launch the zodiacs and make landings. You can anticipate wildlife viewing, visits to scientific bases and historic sites, as well as the spectacular white and blue scenery.

Your ship crew hopes to make landings in the following areas:

Cape Adare: A large flat spit of land, teeming with the staggering sight of Antarctica’s largest Adelie penguin rookery. You may witness a tumult of chattering, feeding chicks, territorial disputes, petty pilfering, and courtship displays. Curious penguins often come very close, offering superb photographic opportunities. Among the shifting mass of penguins you can find Carsten Borchgrevink’s Hut, the oldest in Antarctica, an overwintering shelter for the first expedition to the Antarctic continent in 1899.

Cape Hallett: The enormous Admiralty Range heralds your arrival. Wild and extraordinary, the mountains rear up from the sea to over 4,000 meters, bounded by colossal glaciers. Land at an abandoned base site, now home to large numbers of Adelie penguins and Weddell seals.

Terra Nova Bay: An Italian research station where the scientists are always hospitable and enjoy showing you around their lonely but beautiful home. They share with you their scientific research and also, perhaps, the best ‘cafe espresso’ in Antarctica!

Franklin Island: Desolately beautiful and rugged, this is home to a large Adelie penguin population and other nesting seabirds. A landing is attempted to explore the coastline.

Ross Ice Shelf: This is the world’s largest body of floating ice and a natural barrier, at times creating hazardous weather, with sheets of snow blown at gale force by winds off the polar ice cap. Just 800 miles from the South Pole, this daunting spectacle prevented many early explorers from venturing further south. Cruise along its dizzying 30-meter ice cliffs, perhaps lucky enough to see icebergs ‘calving’.

Ross Island: Mt. Erebus/Cape Bird/Shackleton & Scott’s Hut and visits to a scientific field station (Scott and McMurdo Stations are high on the wish list but ice, weather and station operational requirements often make them inaccessible). Ross Island was and is the ‘hub of activity’ in the Ross Sea, dominated by Mt Erebus, a monstrous active volcano named after the ancient Greek God of Darkness. The carefully preserved huts of the ‘Heroic Era’ help make the history come alive. If possible reach the bases to get a modern perspective on Antarctic Research.

Possession Islands: Rarely visited, small and rugged, these rocks support tens of thousands of penguins. Observe the birds’ busy and humorous activity, with the Admiralty Mountains forming a superb backdrop across the water.

Day 23-25: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Take time to rest and enjoy shipboard life in the bar or library after the excitement and long daylight hours of the Antarctic. As the ship sails, you have plenty of time for lectures on your final destination and for some pelagic bird spotting.

Day 26-27: Campbell Island | Perseverence Harbor

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Drop anchor in Perseverance Harbor, an occasional refuge for southern right whales who come here to calve. Walk to the nesting site of the southern royal albatross and see the strange and beautiful ‘mega herbs’ growing on the hills - huge wildflowers that have adapted to the harsh conditions, with unusual colorings and oddly-shaped leaves. Seek out other wildlife such as Campbell Island shags, light-mantled sooty albatross, and sea lions.

Day 28-29: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Relax and reflect on a remarkable journey, join your experts for a recap of highlights, and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.

Day 30: Port of Bluff | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in the Port of Bluff. This adventure ends as you disperse to begin others. After fond farewells, transfer to central city hotels or to the airport.

Please Note: February departures disembark in Port Lyttleton in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Ship/Hotel

Spirit of Enderby

Seating for all passengers in the Lecture Room
Heritage Suite
South Pacific fish

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$23,000
Main Deck Triple-Spirit of Enderby
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Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Main Deck-Spirit of Enderby
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Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
Superior Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
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Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Superior Plus Cabin-Spirit of Enderby
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Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
Mini Suite- Spirit of Enderby
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Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Heritage-Spirit of Enderby
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Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.

Notes

- 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
  • 29 Breakfasts, 28 Lunches, 29 Dinners
  • 29 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Pre- & Post- Cruise Transfers
  • Complimentary boot rental is available. However, due to the limited supply of boots available aboard the ship, it is recommended that you bring your own rubber boots for best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available.
  • House beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • One night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (incl. dinner/breakfast)
  • All expedition shore excursions
  • Programme of lectures by noted naturalists
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Required Visas if applicable
  • Laundry 
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance

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