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Spirit Of Antarctica | Sylvia Earle

12 Days
Save Up To 20%

WAS From USD 13,695   Now From USD 10,956

STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise

Trip Code: ACAESOA

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

SHIP: Sylvia Earle

DestinationDestination

Antarctica: South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula and Ushuaia

DestinationDeparture Date

12/11/2024, 22/11/2024

MealsMeals

Breakfast at hotel & All meals, snacks, tea and coffee onboard & Beer, house wine & soft drinks with dinner

TransportTransport

Group Transfers throughout

TransportAccommodation

Hotel & Cabin onboard a ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Half day Ushuaia tour, Daily Antarctica Excursions in location, Zodiac Cruising, Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Expedition Team

 

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather & ice conditions 

OVERVIEW

BOOK AND SAVE: Up to 20% off* select cabins and departures & receive an Air Credit of up to $3000 AUD per person!**

Embrace the transformative spirit of Antarctica on this classic expedition to the last true untouched frontier. Begin by crossing the fabled Drake Passage as you search for hardy seabirds and approaching ice. Embrace the incredible sights of glaciers, frozen vistas and artistically sculpted icebergs as you bare witness to the incredible sights of Antarctica for the first time. Zodiac through the crystalized pack-ice, search for incredible wildlife and undertake a range of unforgettable adventure activities in one of the most remote regions on the planet. 

 

*Save up to 20% on selected departures and cabins. Discounts are on sale until 30 Jun 2024 and subject to availability. Discounts are not combinable with any other promotions except back-to-back voyage or loyalty discounts. Discounts and pricing are subject to change and may be withdrawn or varied at any time. Price based on triple share cabin.

**Air credit of AUD $3,000 p/p is valid on selected cabins and departures, on sale until 30 Jun 2024. It is combinable with in market discounts, not combinable with any other offer. Promotion is limited capacity and may be withdrawn at any time. Please contact us for full terms & conditions. 

PLEASE NOTE: Pricing is subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Contact us for more information.

ITINERARY

Arrival in Ushuaia

Arrive in Ushuaia where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide your cabin tags. (Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.)

Ushuaia is the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). It has a dramatic setting, surrounded by mountains to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south, making it a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic adventure.

Embarkation in Ushuaia

This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.

Your morning is at leisure to explore Ushuaia.

Those wishing to join our afternoon catamaran cruise, meet back at the hotel lobby at 12.45 pm ready to transfer to the port at 1.00 pm. Here we board our catamaran and sail the Beagle Channel, towards the city’s iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. Crossing the Bridges Archipelago we’ll slow down to watch colonies of sea lions and imperial cormorants sun themselves on the rocky outcrops, while gulls, rock cormorants, skuas, petrels, albatrosses and cauquenes are often sighted. Our cruise offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain range, in addition to hearing tales of the people and communities of the region.

Alternatively, enjoy your day at leisure and meet at your hotel lobby at 3.45 pm to be transferred to the pier for embarkation.

Once onboard, you’ll have time to settle into your cabin before our important mandatory briefings. As the ship pulls away from port, we’ll gather on the deck to commence our adventure with spectacular views over Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego.

This evening get to know your fellow expeditioners and friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Antarctica.

Crossing The Drake

As we commence the Drake Passage crossing, we make the most of our time getting comfortable with the motions of the sea. Our expedition team prepare you for our first landing with important wildlife guidelines and biosecurity procedures, and start our lecture program to help you learn more about Antarctica’s history, wildlife and environment.
Our wildlife experiences begin as we enjoy watching and photographing the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following in our wake. They rise and fall skilfully, using air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

Drake Passage and South Sherland Islands

Nearing the South Shetland Islands and the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula on day four, the excitement is palpable with everyone converging on one of the observation decks, watching for our first iceberg. The ocean takes on a whole new perspective once we are below the Antarctic Convergence and are surrounded by the surreal presence of floating ice sculptures. The memory of your first big iceberg sighting is likely to remain with you for a lifetime. Weather permitting, we may attempt our first landing in Antarctica by late afternoon.

Antarctic Peninsula - Day 5 to 9

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in Antarctica. Spotting your first iceberg and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience that will stay with you forever. Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately 18-24 hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. We generally make landings or Zodiac excursions twice a day. You’ll want to rug up before joining Zodiac cruises along spectacular ice cliffs or among grounded icebergs, keeping watch for whales, seals and porpoising penguins. Zodiacs will also transport you from the ship to land, where you can visit penguin rookeries, discover historic huts and explore some of our favourite spots along the peninsula.

If you have chosen an optional activity, you’ll have the option to do that whenever conditions allow, and of course keen polar plungers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in polar waters - conditions permitting! In addition to Zodiac cruises and shore excursions, we may ship cruise some of the narrow, dramatic straits separating offshore islands from the mainland, or linger in scenic bays to watch whales travelling or feeding. This is a great time to enjoy the observation lounge or make your way to the bridge for uninterrupted views of Antarctica in all its splendour. Keep an ear out for the creak and deep rumble of glaciers as they carve their way from summit to sea, and take a quiet moment to experience the wonder of this incredible white continent.

Drake Passage - Day 10 and 11

Today, our landings come to an end as we enter the Drake Passage for our return journey to South America. With lectures and film presentations to complete our Antarctic experience, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the magic of Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. There is time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and experienced, and the impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life. As we approach the tip of South America, our Captain may sail close to legendary Cape Horn, weather and time permitting.

Disembarkation in Ushuaia

During the early morning, we cruise up the Beagle Channel, before quietly slipping into dock in Ushuaia, where we will be free to disembark around 8.00 am. Farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. A transfer to downtown Ushuaia before continuing to the airport is included in the cost of the voyage. NOTE: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Ushuaia prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDF

WHY CHOOSE THIS CRUISE?

  • Undertake this classic Antarctica Expedition on the Sylvia Earle. Sister-ship to the Greg Mortimer this is one of the most technologically advanced and smoothest sailing expedition vessel available. 

  • Search for incredible wildlife including orcas, whales, penguins and sea leopards. 

  • Undertake incredible adventure activities as you zodiac between glaciers and up close to immense icebergs. 

Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle

Featuring industry-leading technology and streamlined cruising design the Sylvia Earle is one of the most modern and technologically advanced vessels sailing the polar regions. Named after the first female Chief Scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Sylvia Earle lives up to her namesake with a deep focus on protecting the natural environment. The ship features one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world, with low energy consumption and higher fuel efficiency bringing an overall 80% reduction to emissions compared to Tier 1 engines. The ship also utilises virtual anchoring technology along with thrusters and propellers to minimise damage to the ocean floor caused by conventional anchors. 

The Sylvia Earle carries a maximum of 132 passengers and has 71 on board cabins. Between landings, guests will be able to enjoy time in the gym, sauna or wellness centre. For zodiac excursions the vessel has four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms making boarding as efficient and safe as possible, allowing you to get off and experience the magical sights of fjords, glaciers and icebergs as quickly as possible. Cabins and suites are elegantly designed and spacious to give guests the most comfortable experience possible.

Certified 100% Climate Neutral, with a fully equipped Citizen Science Centre, expert lectures and participative Citizen science programs, to enrich your knowledge and connection to the polar regions. 

Ice Class: Length: 104m
Breadth: Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed: 10-12 knots
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:
126

View Ship Details

Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

Pricing per person & date

Spirit Of Antarctica | Sylvia Earle from USD 10,956
Departing Ending Duration
12 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024 12
22 Nov 2024 03 Dec 2024 12

Important Information

  • INCLUSIONS

    All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.  
    One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Ushuaia on Day 1.  
    Half-day tour of Ushuaia on Day 2, prior to embarkation.  
    Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.  
    All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.  
    Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.  
    Captain’s Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.  
    All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.  
    Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.  
    Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).  
    One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.  
    Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.  
    Comprehensive pre-departure information.  
    Port surcharges, permits and landing fees. 

     

    EXCLUSIONS

    International or domestic flights, unless specified
    Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary 
    Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable) 
    Airport arrival or departure taxes
    Vaccination charges
    Travel insurance
    Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
    Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
    Optional activity surcharges
    All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, wi-fi, email or phone charges. 

  • 2 (light adventure)
  • Available upon request, contact us for more details.

  • Prices are based on per person, twin share* (unless otherwise stated for triple/quad cabins) 

    Prices are correct at time of publishing but are subject to change at any time. 

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ice conditions

  • Departure date,  fuel surcharges, cabin category, currency fluctuations, seasonality and availability.

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