Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctica - Weddell Sea Explorer Expedition Cruise

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The great Weddell Sea not only features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites, but it is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals and many other rarely seen seabirds.


Highlights


• Exploring the Remote Weddell Sea – Witness towering icebergs and rarely visited polar landscapes.

• Wildlife Encounters – Spot fin whales, wandering albatrosses, and vast penguin colonies.

• Historic Elephant Island – Visit the legendary site of Shackleton’s famous survival story.



  • Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey

    Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

  • Day 2 - 3: Path of the polar explorers

    Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.


    Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see.

  • Day 4: From Point Wild to the Weddell Sea

    We will arrive early to the famous Point Wild, Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s crew made their first landing after the loss of their ship, Endurance. This inhospitable spit of land is a favorite among our guests, and if conditions permit, we will offer activities around the point before setting off for the Weddell Sea.

  • Day 5: Entering the Weddell Sea

    The great Weddell Sea features massive tabular icebergs, wildly dramatic landscapes, and fascinating historical sites. It is also one of the best places in Antarctica for viewing iconic wildlife like whales, seals, and rarely seen seabirds.


    We may visit the following locations, depending on local conditions:


    Antarctic Sound - Antarctic Sound is nicknamed “Iceberg Alley,” as we often see enormous tabular icebergs here.


    Brown Bluff - Possibly the most scenic location in the northern Antarctic Continent, Brown Bluff is characterized by sheer canyon walls, fallen boulders, and beautiful volcanic creations capped with ice.


    Herbert Sound - We will focus our attention on the visually impressive areas of Naze Peninsula and Comb Ridge.


    Devil Island - This island offers a magnificent vantage point for hikers willing to foot it to the top of the hill. Melting ice sometimes forms a waterfall dropping from the cliffs close to Cape Well-met.


    Erebus and Terror Gulf - Here we look for new activity opportunities and may visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.

  • Day 9 - 10: Familiar seas, familiar friends

    Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

  • Day 12: There and back again

    Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

  • Please note:

    All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for our vessel is 10.5 knots.

  • 02 March, 2027 to 13 March, 2027

    Quadruple Porthole

    $17,042 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Quadruple Porthole 1 porthole 2 upper & lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer 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

    $21,016 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Triple Porthole 1 porthole 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer 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

    $21,016 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Twin Porthole 1 porthole 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space

    Twin Window

    $21,811 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
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    Twin Window 1 window 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space

    Twin Deluxe

    $24,018 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Twin Deluxe 2 windows 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins

    Superior

    $25,343 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
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    Superior 2 windows 1 double bed 1 sofa bed Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Refrigerator Coffee & tea maker Hair dryer Ample storage space
  • 12 February, 2028 to 23 February, 2028

    Quadruple Porthole

    $20,398 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Quadruple Porthole 1 porthole 2 upper & lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer 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

    $23,135 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Triple Porthole 1 porthole 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer 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

    $25,254 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Twin Porthole 1 porthole 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space

    Twin Window

    $26,137 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Twin Window 1 window 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space

    Twin Deluxe

    $29,139 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Twin Deluxe 2 windows 2 lower berths Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Hair dryer Ample storage space These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins

    Superior

    $30,376 NZD pp
    * indicative rate.
    Book now
    Superior 2 windows 1 double bed 1 sofa bed Private shower & toilet Desk & chair Flatscreen TV Telephone & WiFi (supplemented) Refrigerator Coffee & tea maker Hair dryer Ample storage space

Inclusions


• Voyage in selected accommodation category
• All meals while on board the ship
• Coffee and Tea while on board
• All shore excursions and landings by zodiac as per the itinerary
• Lectures held on board by Expedition Team and naturalists
• Port Charges/Taxes
• Comprehensive Pre-departure materials
• Free internet (1.5 GB of free internet connectivity per day)
• Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
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• Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
• Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).

Exclusions


• International and domestic airfares whether commercial or charter
• Pre and Post-voyage accommodation
• Passport and visa costs if applicable
• Travel insurance including medical evacuation cover
• Beverages not listed in inclusions
• Any items of a personal nature including any medical costs incurred on board
• Meals when not on board the ship
• Gratuities (Recommended USD$15 per passenger per day)

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12 Days from
$1,421 NZD per day
* Current p/p indicative rate. Click for info.


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0800 945 3327

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