Antarctic Peninsula
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Overview
Highlights
- Explore Ushuaia
- Opportunity to Cruise along beautiful Antarctic Peninsula
- Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky Station
- Enjoy sail through the spectacular Lemaire Channel to Pléneau Island and You will have a chance to encounter Humpback Whales, minke whales and fin whales.
- Experience the joy of cruising by zodiac between the icebergs in the inner parts of the bay
- Opportunity to sail across the Drake Passage
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea
- Free use of rubber boots aboard Plancius & Ortelius and snowshoes aboard Plancius
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Itinerary
Meals: Dinner
In the afternoon, embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. Sail through the scenic Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
During these two days sail across the Drake Passage. After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area meet wandering albatrosses, grey headed albatrosses, black-browed alba...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A typical itinerary in the Antarctic Peninsula could be as follows. This is a sample only, the final itinerary will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.
Cruise directly to “High Antarctica”, passing the Melc...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
In the Drake Passage again have the chance of seeing many seabirds.
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with AdventureSmith.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
AdventureSmith Reviews & Ratings
Adventure Smith was exceptional. Antarctica 21 corporate office was deplorable.
Adventure Smith was so helpful throughout-- from initial info to booking the trip to answering questions to helping us once Antarctica 21 cancelled our Mom's trip. ...
Other AdventureSmith Reviews
Incredible Experience
We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experie...
We Could Not Have Been More Thrilled
This trip to Antarctica was our Honeymoon and we could not have been more thrilled. It was the idea of my world-traveling husband, and I am so happy that I agreed to...
Flawless From Start to Finish!
Flawless from start to finish! Incredible experience! The Lemaire Channel is the most beautiful place on earth. Also, every experience with the naturalists were amaz...
Tour Operator
AdventureSmith Explorations is the global leader in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas ashore. The company matches guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well as with intimate, boutique ships that may not make the radar of most travelers.
In moving through exotic natural environments and exploring vibrant native cultures seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries, AdventureSmith Explorations dedicates its efforts to small footprint, sustainable travel and has launched a carbon-free cruising initiative. Its off-the-beaten-path destinations include Alaska, British Columbia, the Columbia River, Baja’s Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Europe, Asia, the Arctic, Antarctica and Australia.
AdventureSmith ads value by helping clients select the right trip at the best price. Travelers maintain personalized service with a single Adventure Specialist throughout the process of research, booking, preparation, travel and follow up. We are true experts with first hand experience aboard every ship and trip we arrange. You'll never pay more and our sales volume means you often pay less than booking direct. 99% of our travelers say they would recommend AdventureSmith Explorations to their family and friends.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post land arrangements
- Transfers to the vessel
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, including mandatory emergency evacuation insurance
- Excess baggage charges
- Personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
- Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Accommodation
M/V Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman". The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a 114-passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v Plancius is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag. The Plancius is a comfortable and nicely decorated small ship, but she is not a luxurious vessel. Her polar cruises are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible. The Plancius is a true base camp for active adventure and modern-minded explorers, including hiking trips, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba diving. Common Areas Aboard Plancius Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. She has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 3), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation.
114 guests Year Built: 1976 Renovated: 2009 45 crew members Length: 293 feet Beam: 47 feet Draft: 16 feet Cruising Speed: 10-12 knots Flag: Dutch Ice Class: 1D The Plancius is a 114-passenger small ship designed and built exclusively for polar cruises. A wide variety of cabins and ample space on five decks make the Plancius a great option for expedition cruises.
Plancius Deck Plan Quad Porthole The cabin provides you with: 1 porthole, 2 upper & lower berths, private shower & toilet, desk & chair, flatscreen TV, T=telephone and Internet connection, a hair dryer and ample storage space. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Triple Porthole Same as the Quad Porthole, but with 3 berths. The cabin provides you with: 1 porthole, 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths, private shower & toilet, desk & chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and Internet connection, a hair dryer and ample storage space. This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin. Twin Porthole The cabin provides you with: 1 porthole, 2 lower berths, private shower & toilet, desk & chair, flatscreen TV, telephone and Internet connection, a hair dryer and ample storage space.
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a 20% deposit is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
90 or more days - 20% of the total price
89 to 60 days - 50% of the total price
59 to 0 days - 100% of the total price
10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 10 Dinners
Families & Children Children under 16 years old receive a 40% discount in Superior and/or Triple (with 2 adults) and/or Quadruple cabins (with 3 adults). Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.
Room Configuration
Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a quadruple, triple or twin-shared cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth or berths goes unsold, you will not be penalized. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the Twin or Superior cabin rate.
Unused services & personal expenses
Regardless of any other term in this agreement, partial refunds are not available for unused services including but not limited to hotel rooms, meals, air or land transportation, activity days or other sightseeing excursions. You will not be reimbursed for any personal expenses such as airfare, hotel or other travel expenses due to changes in itineraries or cancellations. If a portion of the services of your tour are cancelled by us or our third party supplier because of an event within our control or the control of our third party supplier, and you are not offered a replacement or alternative, we will refund the cost of that portion of the services.
Travel Insurance
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 21 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Unused services & personal expenses
Regardless of any other term in this agreement, partial refunds are not available for unused services including but not limited to hotel rooms, meals, air or land transportation, activity days or other sightseeing excursions. You will not be reimbursed for any personal expenses such as airfare, hotel or other travel expenses due to changes in itineraries or cancellations. If a portion of the services of your tour are cancelled by us or our third party supplier because of an event within our control or the control of our third party supplier, and you are not offered a replacement or alternative, we will refund the cost of that portion of the services.
Trip level I
Our level one trips are designed for travelers interested in lodge and hotel accommodations combined with mild activities, plenty of flexibility and options for more rigorous activity. Expect two to four hours of activity each day over straightforward terrain. Travelers should be comfortable hiking or walking 3-5 miles per day. Other level one activities include snorkeling or sea kayaking sheltered waters and river rafting class I-II water. Expedition Cruising aboard small ships and yachts is level one and may include fun and easy activities such as hiking, snorkeling and kayaking. Enjoying a relaxed pace with a focus on nature, culture and history is often a priority for those who choose this trip level.
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