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Blue ice of Antarctica

Explorer's Antarctica

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Silver Explorer
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Join a team of passionate and expert professionals on an unforgettable 11-day Antarctic adventure. Bid farewell to Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land at the End of the World’, as you sail the Drake Passage en route to the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit Paradise Bay, well named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Explore Paulet Island, home to 80-90 thousand Adelie penguins that come here to breed. Discover Deception Island, an excellent example of a caldera where it is believed that the volcano’s summit collapsed with one section sinking far enough to allow the sea to flood the interior; cruise inside this breached wall through a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows.
A spectacular iceberg off the coast of AntarcticaPenguins and passengersPolar research stationHumpback whales tailBlue ice of Antarctica
Highlights
  • Admire Antarctica's spectacular icebergs and calving glaciers
  • Enjoy wildlife, geography & history discussions hosted by experts onboard
  • Watch for seals sunbathing and for humpback, minke & orca whales to surface
  • Observe remains of whaling stations and early Antarctic exploration
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: Embark in Ushuaia, Argentina

Embark the Silver Explorer, settle in, and attend a mandatory safety drill before leaving port. During the afternoon be introduced to some of the important crew members and your Expedition Team. At sail-away bid farewell to Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land at the End of the World’.

Day 2-3: Drake Passage

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to the westerly winds and the funnelling effect of the passage. Within the Drake Passage is the ever-shifting Antarctic Convergence. Here nutrients are pushed to the surface, often attracting a multitude of seabirds and whales. Spend some time on deck watching the horizon and the variety of seabirds that glide in the air currents of your ship’s wake such as the black-browed albatross, sooty shearwaters and white-chinned petrels. Have your camera ready to capture the magical color of late night sunsets.

As you sail on your initial transit, familiarize yourself with the elegant Silver Explorer and the Expedition Team members. Attend wildlife, geography and history discussions hosted by your expert naturalists and guest lecturers that prepare you for the exciting adventures that lie ahead. When available, visit the Bridge and meet your Captain and officers; information can be posted in the “Chronicle”, the daily onboard newsletter.

Day 4-8: Antarctic Peninsula

  • Ship
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
While sailing in Antarctica, every turn can reveal a new and breathtaking adventure. As the pack ice becomes thicker you are moving closer into Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Remote and otherworldly, Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular icebergs and calving glaciers, and for the possibility of up-close encounters with marine mammals. Watch for seals sunbathing on slow-moving ice floes and for humpback, minke, and orca whales to surface from below the frigid waters. 
Each day you can attempt Zodiac departures, and, if conditions permit, cruise amidst colorful icebergs or step ashore to visit a variety of penguin rookeries and perhaps scientific research stations led by a team of natural history experts.

A flexible itinerary allows you to take advantage of favorable sea and weather conditions. In the true spirit of expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain can determine your best course depending on weather, ice conditions, and wildlife you may encounter. Here are some of the places you may visit:

Aitcho Islands, South Shetland Islands: As you step off the Zodiac to explore the island, it is very likely you can be greeted by gentoo and chinstrap penguins. Other annual seabirds include the southern giant petrels. While in the Zodiac, you might spot a leopard seal prowling the shore for penguins.

Brown Bluff, Tabarin Peninsula (mainland Antarctica): Brown Bluff is an ice-capped, 745-meter-high, flat-topped mountain with a prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock. Adelie and gentoo penguins, kelp gulls, and cape petrels use this as a breeding area. As you explore the area, a Weddell seal may be seen basking in the sunlight. If conditions permit, you might hike onto a nearby glacier.

Cuverville Island, Errera Channel: Cuverville’s large bare rock areas provide nesting sites for gentoo penguins. Snow petrels and cape petrels also may be seen whilst Wilson’s storm petrels nest in the higher scree of the island. During Zodiac tours around the many icebergs, hauled-out Weddell seals may be seen.

Paradise Bay (Antarctic Peninsula): The bay is well named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers, and icebergs. From the ship, observe Argentina’s “Base Almirante Brown”, one of many Antarctic research stations. Here, you can actually set foot on mainland Antarctica. View the wildlife from sea level while cruising by Zodiac. There’s a good chance you come across a crabeater seal relaxing on an ice floe or locate minke whales.

Paulet Island: The island is home to 80-90 thousand Adelie penguins that come here to breed. On a nearby hill, view a massive colony of blue-eyed shags. Kelp gulls, snowy sheathbills, and Wilson’s storm petrels are amongst the other birds that visit or breed on Paulet Island. The crew of Otto Nordenskjöld’s Swedish Antarctic Expedition relief ship Antarctic had to over-winter on the island in 1903. Remnants of their hut still remain.

Petermann Island, Wilhelm Archipelago: The island is named for German geographer August Petermann and was first discovered by a German expedition in 1873-74. Various geological features such as the many leucocratic dikes along the shoreline and the more granitic composition towards the small ice-covered summit are clearly visible. Rock surfaces show glacial polish, some glacial grooving, and nice samples of frost shattering. During your landing, be able to observe rookeries of Adelie penguins, gentoo penguins, and blue-eyed shags.

Pleneau Island, Wilhelm Archipelago: Pleneau Island lies at the south end of the Lemaire Channel, and was first explored during Charcot’s 1903–05 French Antarctic Expedition. The island was named for the expedition’s photographer, Paul Pleneau. Amongst the common breeding birds are gentoo penguins, kelp gulls, and south polar skuas. Southern elephant seals are often hauled-out in wallows. Enjoy spectacular glacial and ice scenery.

Port Foster, Whalers Bay (Deception Island): Deception Island is an excellent example of a caldera where it is believed that the volcano’s summit collapsed with one section sinking far enough to allow the sea to flood the interior. Plan to sail inside this breached wall through a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows. Your resident Geologist takes the opportunity to explain the unique volcanic features of the area while naturalists might introduce you to the whaling history of Deception Island. Still visible on the island are the boilers used to make whale oil in the early 1900s.

Port Lockroy, Goudier Island: The British built a listening station here during WWII, which was then used as a research station in the 1950s and since 1996 as a museum and gift shop. Snowy sheathbills and gentoo penguins roam and nest outside the museum. Perhaps sight a whale or a leopard seal on your Zodiac approach to Goudier Island.

Day 9-10: Drake Passage Return

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Navigating your return through the Drake Passage, watch for seabirds and wildlife you may have missed on the first leg. Take this opportunity to attend additional presentations offered by the Expedition Team lecturers and to swap photos with new friends as you travel towards Ushuaia.

Day 11: Ushuaia, Argentina

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark the Silver Explorer.

Ship/Hotel

Silver Explorer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$12,600
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Adventurer Class
6 cabins on Deck 3, 180 sq. feet, Twin or Queen beds, 2 portholes.
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Explorer Class
4 cabins on Deck 4, Twin or Queen beds, 180 sq. feet with view window.
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View Suite
12 suites on Deck 3, 230 sq. feet with view window, Twin or Queen beds.
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Vista Suite
16 suites on Deck 4, 194 - 230 sq. feet with large window, Twin or Queen beds.
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Veranda Suite
8 suites on Deck 5, 215 sq. feet with French balcony, Twin or Queen beds.
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Medallion Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 358 sq. feet with private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
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Silver Suite
6 suites on Deck 5, 430 sq. feet with 2 French balconies, Twin or Queen beds.
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Grand Suite
2 suites on Deck 7, 650 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.
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Owner
2 suites on Deck 7, 540 sq. feet with large private veranda, Twin or Queen beds.

Notes

Please note: Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change at any time without notice. All prices are in US dollars, cruise-only per person based on double occupancy.

- The supplement for single occupancy in a Vista, Veranda or Midship Veranda Suite ranges from 25% – 100% above the double occupancy fare, depending upon the sailing and suite selected. Single supplement for a Silver or Medallion Suite (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper), Owner’s, Grand or Royal Suites are 100% above of the double occupancy fare. Suites for single and third guests are capacity controlled.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Personalized Service with a Butler for all Suites
  • One hour free WIFI per day for all guests. Unlimited free WIFI for guests sailing on select suite categories.
  • In-suite dining and room service
  • Guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shoreside activities led by the Expeditions Team
  • Onboard gratuities
  • Beverages in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and spirits
  • Complimentary transportation into town in most ports
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Some champagne, premium wine and spirit selections, caviar, cigarettes and cigars are not included in your fare.
  • Meals ashore
  • Laundry or Valet services
  • Casino gaming

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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