HIGHLIGHTS
- Cross
the mighty Drake Passage en route for the South Shetland Islands
- Make
Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, research stations and fascinating
lookouts
- Explore
the Antarctic Sound with its mighty tabular icebergs and enter the
Weddell Sea in search for wildlife
- Sailing
onwards between Elephant Island and South Georgia, get a small glimpse
into the passage made famous by Shackleton 100 years ago, when he
navigated the 1300 km course through open seas of Drake Passage in an
effort to save his stranded crew
- Visit
South Georgia - one of the world's greatest natural wonders with
wildlife-packed beaches, active research stations, former whaling
stations
- Visit
Shackleton's final resting place
- Pay
a visit to the fascinating Falkland Islands and the capital of Port
Stanley with its quaint English architecture, and venturing further
west for Zodiac landings and wildlife observations on pristine and
sheltered beaches
- Spend
time bird-watching from the top deck and attending lectures, workshops
and photo re-caps in one of the ship's lounges
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Category F | Category G | Category E | Category D | Category C | Category B | Category A | Freydis Polar Premium Suite | Brynhilde Family
Suite |
|---|
| Nov 01, 2024 | Nov 19, 2024 | 14,995 | 25,655 | 21,575 | 19,825 | 23,295 | 25,655 | 36,155 | 40,815 | 44,995 |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Dec 06, 2024 | 15695 | 26895 | 22695 | 20795 | 24495 | 26895 | 39995 | 42,895 | 47,195 |
| Jan 04, 2025 | Jan 21, 2025 | 17,395 | 29595 | 24895 | 22795 | 26995 | 29395 | 41695 | 47195 | 51,895 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Category F | (Mid-range)
Category C | (High-end)
Brynhilde Family
Suite |
|---|
| Nov 01, 2024 | Nov 19, 2024 | 14,995 | 23,295 | 44,995 |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Dec 06, 2024 | 15695 | 24495 | 47,195 |
| Jan 04, 2025 | Jan 21, 2025 | 17,395 | 26995 | 51,895 |
ITINERARY
DAY
1: ARRIVAL AND EMBARKATION IN USHUAIA
Arrive
and embark in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost
town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively,
consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago
of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped
mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the
afternoon, we board our ship.
Our
journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a
strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
DAY
2-3: AT SEA. DRAKE PASSAGE, KING GEORGE ISLAND
Sailing
onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks
the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for strong westerly winds, heavy
sea, and its nickname ‘The Roaring Fifties’. While
this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our
expedition vessel, Ocean Victory/Albatros, which is purpose-built with
stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly qualified crew. The most
spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement
– and soon you can tick it off on the list yourself! In the
Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view with
our first sight of seals, penguins and albatrosses. Having crossed the
Drake, we will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland
chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter
along the way. Weather permitting, we hope to make our first landfall
on King George Island before continuing further south to the tip of the
Antarctic Peninsula.
DAY
4-7: ANTARCTIC SOUND AND WEDDELL SEA
Over
the coming days, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience at the
very tip of the Continent. During these days in the Antarctic Sound,
named in 1902 after the Swedish vessel Antarctic, the captain and the
expedition team will keep a watchful eye on the mighty tabular
icebergs, born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf further south. We aim
to have both continental and island landings on the shores of Antarctic
Sound and Weddell Sea, always on the lookout for some of the unusually
large penguin colonies, which have recently been observed.
The
itinerary and activities over the next few days depend on weather and
ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the
Captain and Expedition Leader and communicated to the guests through
regularly scheduled briefings.
DAY
8-13: DRAKE PASSAGE AND SOUTH GEORGIA
From
the Weddell Sea we continue our journey into the open sea, just as
Ernest Shackleton and his men did more than hundred years ago. Having
lost their ship Endurance deep south in the Weddell Sea they moved
slowly north on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they
reached Elephant Island. From here started one of the most remarkable
boat journeys in the polar history, when Shackleton and five of his men
for two weeks navigated the 720 nautical miles to South Georgia to call
for recovery of the stranded crew on Elephant Island. We on the other
hand will reach the mighty South Georgia after just a few days at sea!
South
Georgia offers stunning wildlife experiences with a wealth of breeding
penguins, sea birds, sea lions and seals, all seeking shelter in this
oasis amidst the roaring Southern Ocean. Previous whaling history pops
up in most of fjords we will explorer – not least in
Grytviken the only inhabited settlement on this mountainous island.
Grytviken is also the last resting place for Ernest Shackleton, after
he died on yet another Antarctica voyage in 1922. We will explorer the
fjords of the north coast for 2-3 days and take as many shore landings
as time and the swelling sea will allow us.
DAY
14-15: SOUTH ATLANTIC, APPROACHING FALKLAND ISLANDS
Days
at sea are great for participating in lectures and and other activities
hosted by the expedition team, reading books in the ship library and
watching the ubiquitous storm petrels and albatrosses from top deck. Or
just to relax.
DAY
16-17: PORT STANLEY AND FALKLAND ISLANDS
During
the morning we approach Falkland Islands and in the early afternoon
Ocean Victory/Albatros will cast anchor the sheltered natural harbor of
Port Stanley. Utilizing our Zodiacs, we will land in town center, and
take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Stanley.
On
the following day we will make landings – weather permitting
– at two of the islands’ many magnificent wildlife
spots.
DAY
18-19: AT SEA TOWARD SOUTH AMERICA. USHUAIA, DISEMBARKATION
We
are now into the last leg of this adventurous voyage, heading back to
Ushuaia.
After
a hearty farewell to vessel and crew, we disembark in the morning after
breakfast.
Ocean Albatros (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 19-day
cruise with accommodation in a shared double stateroom featuring en
suite facilities
- All
Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition
parka
- Rubberboots
provided for entire voyage
- Guiding
and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- English-speaking
expedition team
- Free
photo workshop from experienced photographer onboard
- Full
board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- Free
tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Welcome
and farewell drinks
- Online
visual journal access after your voyage with photos, species list, log
and more!
- Taxes
and port fees
EXCLUSIONS
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and stateroom upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Kayaking
- Zodiac
cruises & Shore Programs
- Photography
- Lectures
- Wildlife
Observations
