Take part on this unique 12-day expedition cruise aboard the Plancius where your ship becomes your floating hotel for Antarctic adventures. These voyage include shore based walking expeditions, polar diving, zodiac excursions, wildlife viewing, and much more. Depending on the ice conditions, this cruise takes you into the Weddell Sea to explore James Clark Ross Island and Devil Island, both rarely visited sites in the Antarctic. Also discover the volcanic islands of the South Shetlands where there is a wide variety of flora and fauna including penguins, seals and more.
Day-by-Day Summary
Day 1 : Ushuaia | Embark Days 2-3 : Across the Drake Passage Days 4-8 : Antarctica | Weddell Sea Day 9 : South Shetland Islands Days 10-11 : At Sea Day 12 : Ushuaia | Disembark
Highlights
Discover rarely visited islands in the Weddell Sea
Zodiac cruise past giant icebergs and along icy coastlines
Observe a myriad of seabirds on Deception Island and in the Drake Crossing
Explore the geology, flora, and fauna of the South Shetland Islands
In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Sail through this scenic waterway of the Beagle Channel during the evening.
During these two days, sail across the Drake Passage. When crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone, where you may meet many species of seabirds including the wandering albatross, grey-headed albatross, black-browed albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross, Cape pigeon, southern fulmar, Wilson's storm petrel, blue petrel and Antarctic petrel. Near the South Shetland Islands, spot your first icebergs.
Sail directly into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs announce your arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Hope to visit Paulet Island with a huge number of Adélie penguins and Brown Bluff where you may set foot on the Continent. On Dundee Island, reach the uninhabited Argentinean Petrel station with the large aircraft hangar and a myriad of Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals along the coast line.
Further into the Weddell Sea on the north-eastern most Antarctic Peninsula there are a wide range of options depending on the ice conditions. James Clark Ross Island offers a number of rarely visited places that can be explored. Devil Island has a large Adélie penguin rookery and some stunning views of Erebus and Terror Gulf, while Snow Hill Island offers spectacular sedimentary rocks and tell tales of incredible Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century. The Weddell Sea is prone to difficult ice conditions and it demands an open and adventurous mind to embark on this journey into the wild Weddell Sea.
The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins and southern giant petrels. In Deception Island your ship braves into the entrance of the crater through the spectacular Neptune’s Bellows. Deception itself is a sub-ducted crater which opens into the sea creating a natural harbor for the ship. Here, find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, thousands of Cape petrels and many kelp gulls, brown and south polar skuas, and Antarctic terns. Wilson’s storm petrels and black-bellied storm petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. Alternatively, land at Hannah Point on Livingston Island. The area is closed off to visitors for part of the season as it is a high density wildlife area with species such as chinstrap penguins, gentoo penguins, and southern elephant seals. Around noon depart for the Drake Passage.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
- 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 occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Please Note: A typical itinerary to the Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula is illustrated below. All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions, the availability of landing sites and opportunities to see wildlife. The Expedition Leader on board will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed of m/v Plancius is 10.5 knots.
Included in this voyage
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded from this voyage
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Initial deposit is 25% cruise cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. Alternatively, you can register online here.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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