As you board the vessel in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city on the tip Argentina, and start to become familiar with your 'home' for the next 19-days, one cannot help but wonder about the exciting journey ahead. In the early evening, set sail and begin your voyage leaving behind Ushuaia and charting a course through the Beagle Channel.

Sailing northeast towards the Falkland Islands you are joined by hundreds of seabirds including the wandering albatross. Giant petrels and smaller Cape petrels are also constant companions. Photographing these magnificent birds from the deck of the ship takes patience and skill and a photography expert is on hand to show you the best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge and learn about the operations of the modern research vessel. Throughout the day onboard experts educate you with a series of presentations about the environment, wildlife, and history of the Southern Ocean and the locations visited in the coming days.

Arriving in the Falklands overnight, by morning plan to make your first shore excursion. Explore the islands of the West Falkland Archipelago, home to a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds including the black-browed albatross. Spot your first penguins on the island of West Point with its bustling rookeries of rockhoppers. On Carcass Island, observe nesting Magellanic penguins along with oystercatchers, geese, and the flightless steamer duck who is a permanent Falkland resident.

The next day stop in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. Wander through the charming streets of brightly painted houses and learn how this quiet harbor was once a major port in the 19th century for tall ships attempting to round the formidable waters of Cape Horn. Make a stop in Stanley's famed philatelic museum with its impressive collection of historic stamps. The waterfront memorial built to commemorate the lives of the British servicemen killed during the war is a sobering reminder of recent history.

Sail southeast bound for the island of South Georgia. These days at sea are never dull. Much of your time is spent scanning the horizon in search of whales and other marine mammals as well as seabirds. Friendly onboard experts continue to fill minds with heroic stories of some of the earliest daredevils to explore Antarctica. Learn about polar conservation - a theme particularly close to the hearts of guides and crew. The anticipation grows as the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence and you notice a dramatic drop in temperature.

South Georgia has often been called the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’– and, as you approach the deep bays of this rugged, rocky outcrop, you begin to see why. Launch the Zodiacs for an exploration of the island, in the vicinity of Elsehul Bay. Large numbers of fur seals and the much larger elephant seal line the dark sand beaches. Living in the tussock grass, king penguins and their chicks may number up to 100,000 birds in some locations, including Salisbury Plain, St Andrews Bay, and Gold Harbour. The island is also home to large numbers of nesting albatross as they fill the skies above, coming and going from the nest.

South Georgia is a thrilling location for history buffs and the rusting relics of the early whaling industry are all around you. Hope to observe several of the old stations at locations including Leith, Husvik, and Stromness. A highlight is a visit to Grytviken, the largest of the whaling stations, situated at the head of Cumberland Bay. Here you can visit the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton. For many, being in the presence of the great explorer is a highlight of the trip. There’s an excellent museum at Grytviken, maintained by the South Georgia Heritage Trust, and the restored church, built by the original Norwegian whalers, provides a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Weather and ice dictate your crossing of the Scotia Sea from South Georgia to Antarctica, leading you perhaps to the South Orkney Islands or Elephant Island. As with all of your itinerary planning, the Expedition Leader and Captain make a decision based on the conditions at the time.

The South Orkney Islands represent the peaks of a submarine mountain range called the Scotia Arc, connecting South Georgia to the South Shetland Islands. Often shrouded in fog and surrounded by ice much of the year, a chance to visit these islands doesn’t come often.

As you edge ever closer to the frozen continent, large icebergs announce your arrival in Antarctic waters. If conditions allow, hope to see the dark cliffs of Elephant Island appear on the horizon and attempt a landing at Point Wild.

Around 60 miles off the coast of the Antarctic mainland lies the South Shetland Island chain. Possible landing sites might include King George Island, Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbour, or Hannah Point. Weather conditions permitting, sail the ship into the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island. There are some outstanding hikes at these locations and the old whaling station and aircraft hangar at Deception Island beg for further exploration

After so much anticipation, enter the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in the vicinity of Mikkelson Harbour or Cierva Cove. Snow-covered mountains soar from the dark waters. Along the shoreline in the bays and harbors of the peninsula live an incredible abundance of wildlife. Large rookeries are home to chinstrap, gentoo, and Adelie penguins. Seals live on the ice floes, including the powerful leopard seal that you may encounter. Gulls, skuas, and cormorants are also found nesting and feeding at many sites along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Explore by Zodiac boat and ashore where a range of exciting activities awaits. Locations to visit include Wilhelmina Bay, Orne Harbour, Cuverville Island, and the Errera Channel. Join the photographic guide and take close-up photos of the penguins, or of the impossibly blue ice. Or enjoy a hike to the top of a snowy mountain saddle with one of the adventure guides. If the opportunity presents itself, visit a science base or old historic hut. The sea kayakers may range up to several miles from the ship. Each day, you have a range of great choices.

After several busy days of exploration along the Antarctic Peninsula, it’s time to return to South America. The educational presentations continue as you enjoy an entertaining and memorable voyage recap by the Expedition Leader. Join the photography experts in the multimedia room and download and back up your precious images. If weather conditions allow, hope to make a rounding of Cape Horn. This fabled stretch of water is home to legendary tales of exploration and early navigation. It’s a fitting place to reflect on a wonderful expedition to some of the most remote corners of the planet. Approaching the entrance to the Beagle Channel in early evening light, enjoy a special dinner attended by the Captain of the ship.

In the early morning, arrive back in Ushuaia. It is time to say farewell to your crew and fellow travelers and transfer to your hotel or to the airport for return flights home. It is possible to connect to flights through to Buenos Aires or other destinations in South America.