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A penguin colony hanging out on the ice.

Classic Antarctica

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard MV Ushuaia
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Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 7th Continent - Antarctica. The remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula provides you with remarkable excitement as you cross the Drake Passsage. Icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that you have reached the South Shetland Islands, a haven for wildlife. Keep your eyes open for whales, penguins, seals, and sea birds. Enjoy frequent trips ashore as you explore this polar region by land and sea on this 10-day cruise aboard the MV Ushuaia.
Guests on the deck of the Ushuaia viewing the arctic landscape.Seals in Antarctica with zodiac in backgroundPenguin jump in AntarcticaA seal sits on snow.A gigantic Antarctic iceberg.A penguin colony hanging out on the ice.
Highlights
  • View vast penguin rookeries on the South Shetland Islands
  • Explore the pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains, and waterways
  • Navigate narrow passages between towering rocks and glaciers
  • Cross the infamous Drake Passage and search for marine life
Activities
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Ushuaia

Embark the MV Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabin, sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.

Day 2-3: Crossing the Drake Passage

Named after the renowned explorer Sir Frances Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients which sustains the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As you sail across the passage, lecturers are out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses which follow in your wake. The Ushuaia's open bridge policy allows you to join the officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures is offered as well.

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that you have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage, your lecturers and naturalists accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3.

Day 4-7: Exploring South Shetland Islands | Antarctic Peninsula

The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries and beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island is truly amazing.

King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adélie and chinstrap penguins, kelp gulls, blue-eyed cormorants, Antarctic terns, and southern giant petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, chinstrap, and gentoo penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.

The Antarctic Peninsula's remarkable history provides you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals as well as minke, killer (orca), and humpback whales at close range.

Hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel - the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. Plan to make at least two landings per day. Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and you can attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, hope to visit the bustling Adélie penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and blue-eyed cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins. Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of gentoo penguins.

Day 8-9: Northbound Across the Drake Passage

Leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join your lecturers and naturalists on deck as you search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Day 10: Disembark in Ushuaia

  • 1 Breakfast
Arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.

Ship/Hotel

MV Ushuaia

Dining Room
The bar aboard the Ushuaia.
Conference room

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Special Offer 26126
Book now and grab the special rates offered on the Classic Antarctica cruise. Valid on new bookings and subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Per person starting at
$4,860 2-3 travelers
MV Ushuaia ship Standard Plus Triple cabins
Standard Plus Triple
2 Standard Plus triple outside cabins with portholes or windows on Deck E, private facilities, 3 lower berths.
MV Ushuaia ship Standard Twin cabins
Standard Cabin
12 Standard twin outside cabins with portholes on deck E with semi-private facilities, 2 berths (upper/lower).
MV Ushuaia ship Standard Twin cabin
Standard Plus
11 Standard Plus twin outside cabins with portholes or windows on deck E, private facilities, 2 lower berths. Cabin 640: 1 double bed.
MV Ushuaia ship Premier Twin cabin
Premier Twin
6 Premier twin outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths.
MV Ushuaia ship Suite cabins
Premier Single
2 outside Premier single cabins with portholes (view obstructed by lifeboat) on upper Deck G, private facilities, 1 single bed.
MV Ushuaia ship Superior Twin cabin
Superior
9 Superior twin outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths. Cabin 301: 1 double & 1 single bed.
MV Ushuaia ship cabins
Suite
4 Suite outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths, lounge, TV, DVD player & fridge. Suite 201: 2 double beds. Suite 202: 1 double bed & sofa bed. Suite 204 & 207: 3 lower single beds.

Notes

- Fuel surcharge may vary: no surcharge if the price of the barrel of crude oil is $100 or lower.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin 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.
- Twin cabins (except suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate. Suites may be reserved at 2 times the share rate. A third berth (sofa bed) in a few suites maybe occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.
- Special family rates: A child (under 16 years) accompanied by two adults will be free of charge in a triple Superior cabin or triple Suite.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • Detailed post-expedition log
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rentals for Antarctica voyages. 
  • Meals ashore
  • Transfers to/from the vessel
  • Baggage, cancellation, and personal insurance (strongly recommended)

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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