Classic Antarctica Cruise Aboard the Ushuaia

Leopard Seal, Antarctica

10 Days/9 Nights

From $5,210 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Departures from November to March

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Overview

Discover the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula on this Classic Antarctica cruise. The journey’s first sightings will be of icebergs and snow-capped mountains, and as you approach land, penguin rookeries and beaches ruled by seals. Possible stops include King George Island, the site of several scientific bases, Paradise Bay, Paulet Island, which offers Adelie penguin and Blue-eyed Shag colonies, and Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 9 nights (9 nights aboard the Ushuaia), and 26 meals (9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners).

Best Time to Go: November-March.

Destinations: Argentina, Patagonia, and Antarctica.

Interests: Adventure, Expedition Cruising, and Wildlife Viewing.

Places Visited: Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia.

Embark the Ushuaia in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass. Overnight aboard the ship. (D)

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 we sail across the passage, the ship’s lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our 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 will be offered as well. The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we 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, our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 4-7: Exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, 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 Adelie 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 will provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore it’s 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. We 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. We plan to make at least two landings per day. Possible landing sites may include Paradise Bay – perhaps the most aptly named place in the world. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adelie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Shag 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. Overnight aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 8-9: At Sea Crossing the Drake Passage Northbound.

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join the lecturers and naturalists on deck to 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. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Ushuaia.

Arrival at Ushuaia in the early morning, with disembarkation after breakfast. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Itinerary Map

Classic Antarctica Aboard the Ushuaia Itinerary Map

Prices & Dates

Price per Person

Departure Dates Std. +
Triple
Std.
Twin
Std. +
Twin
Premier
Twin
Premier
Single
Superior
Twin
Suite
Twin
10D/9N
11/3/23
$4,860 $5,210 $6,640 $7,890 $9,470 $8,350 $8,780
10D/9N
11/22/23
12/1/23
12/10/23
$5,730 $6,140 $7,800 $9,280 $11,120 $9,830 $10,330
10D/9N
2/8/24
$7,210 $7,710 $9,340 $11,140 $13,370 $11,770 $12,380
11D/10N
11/12/23
$6,370 $6,820 $8,670 $10,310 $12,360 $10,920 $11,480
11D/10N
12/19/23
12/29/23
1/8/24
$7,990 $8,570 $10,380 $12,380 $14,860 $13,080 $13,750
11D/10N
2/27/24
$6,700 $7,170 $9,010 $10,720 $12,860 $11,350 $11,930

 
** The prices shown above are in U.S. Dollars. See the cost of this tour in your currency at xe.com.

Notes:

  1. The above prices are valid until March 26, 2024.
  2. A limited number of twin cabins (except suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate.
  3. Suites for single occupancy may be reserved at 2 times the share rate.
  4. A third birth in the Suites and Superior Cabin #301 may be occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.

What's Included

Price Includes

  • South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
  • Accommodations on board the M/V Ushuaia.
  • All meals scheduled on board.
  • Zodiac expeditions conducted by English speaking guides.
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges.
  • Detailed post-expedition log.

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare.
  • Domestic airfare.
  • Hotel nights before/after the cruise.
  • Transfers to/from the vessel.
  • Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
  • Gratuities to ship crew and guides.
  • Bar, gifts, and personal items.
  • Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Antarctica

Additional Details

Group/Private: All services included in this tour are operated on a group basis.

Elevations: N/a.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Australian and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee of $100 and $75 respectively (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons) online, and must show proof of payment prior to arrival. The reciprocity fee for U.S. citizens has been suspended until further notice. For citizens of Australia, this fee covers unlimited entries to Argentina for 10 years, while citizens of Canada are charged the fee every time they enter the country (or $150 for multiple visits within five years). The fee can be paid online at ProvinciaNet.com.ar. You will need to register in order to make the payment. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the embassy of Argentina in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: Call or email us to confirm the availability of this ship for your desired dates of travel. The required deposit varies based on the cost of the departure. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days prior to departure.

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.