Today your exciting cruise to Antarctica begins and you will embark your ship in the late afternoon. After some time to settle and the necessary safety drills, you will bid farewell to Chile and sail towards the open sea. Enjoy the views along the way before being introduced to some of the important crew members in your expedition briefing and then enjoying your first sumptuous dinner. 

Over the next 2 days, you will make your way to Antarctica and the excitement builds. During these days at sea you can enjoy the facilities of the ship or partake in wildlife, geography and history presentations hosted by the expedition team. The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas, but with modern navigational aids and stabilizers, your ship will bring you safely across these infamous southern waters.

Today is the day you have been waiting for as you will get your first experience of Antarctica. The programme for exploring Antarctica is always flexible to adapt to the environment including wildlife, weather and sea conditions. Each evening your expedition leader will outline the plan for the following day. 

Your time exploring the continent will normally begin at the top of the Antarctic Peninsula, venturing into Antarctic Sound and its magnificent array of tabular icebergs, historical sites and Adelie and Gentoo Penguin rookeries. Depending on weather and ice conditions your ship may go on to visit Brown Bluff, Hope Bay and cruise the Antarctic Sound.

Over the next three days, the ship normally sails south along the Peninsula and the captain and expedition leader will decide on the best places to make exciting landings in the zodiac boats. All the landings are included in the cost of your cruise (except specialist activities) and there are so many sites that you may visit during your time here. 

Paradise Bay is named for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Cuverville Island is home to nesting sites for Gentoo Penguins. Pleneau Bay is located at the southern end of the beautiful Lemaire Channel (nicknamed Kodak Valley) which was first explored during Charcot’s French Antarctic Expedition in 1903. Petermann Island is a great place to observe rookeries of Adelie Penguins, Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. The penguin post office is a working British post office in Antarctica where you can send a postcard home (though expect to arrive home before it does as it often takes 4 weeks!)

Remember that expedition cruising is all about adventure and flexibility, so we can’t guarantee exactly where you will stop, but be assured that you will be getting up close to the environment your sailing through and it will all be spectacular! 

Your Antarctic sojourn will end in the South Shetland Islands. Port Foster, Whalers Bay and Telefon Bay are all located in Deception Island which is an excellent example of a caldera that can be reached from the sea. From whaling to scientific studies, the Island’s history is very interesting, and you can discover more of the unique volcanic features during a hike.

The time has come for you to return towards the mainland and the next 2 days will be spent navigating the return across the Drake Passage. Watch for seabirds and any wildlife you may have missed on your initial crossing. There will be additional presentations offered by the Expedition Team lecturers and time to begin editing the many photos you’ll have taken. During the last afternoon, the onboard photographer will show the Voyage DVD.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark the ship.

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here