Antarctic Explorer
The Best Cruise to Antarctica is an 11 day Antarctic Explorer cruise to the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica has been inspiring explorers for centuries, and this expedition offers you the chance to discover why, with an unforgettable journey through the spectacular wilderness of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Cruise in a Zodiac through sea ice that crackles like shattered glass. Witness penguins building their nests, or navigate through a maze of icebergs, each one uniquely shaped by its journey through the sea. You’ll enjoy iconic the Best Ant Cruise to Antarctica - Antarctic highlights, experience exhilarating adventures and be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.
Antarctic Explorer
Begin your Best Cruise to Antarctica in Ushuaia. With a population of more than 63,000, Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Although the city has grown during the past few years, it retains an easygoing and accessible feel. Surrounded by the sea to the south and the mountains to the north, Ushuaia is a spectacular departure point for your Antarctic cruise. If you arrive early, you can spend time in nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park, enjoy Argentine wines and barbecues in the city, or visit the many boutiques and cafés before you leave for your expedition to Antarctica.
Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail through the historic Beagle Channel. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart—the next time you’ll see land, you’ll be in the world’s most southern continent!
Prepare yourself for potentially rough water, but hope for a smooth sailing, as the Drake is unpredictable and always changing. You’ll spend these first days getting to know your shipmates while your Expedition Team provides safety briefings and insights into what excitement lies ahead.
Once the Antarctic Convergence is left in our wake, you will truly begin your Antarctic adventure. It is perhaps the first sight of land itself that is embraced as the true beginning of any Antarctic expedition. You will begin to appreciate why this region has long captivated the attention of explorers and travelers alike. Every time we visit Antarctica, we witness something new or unexpected, which means that your expedition will be unlike any other—creating a unique, personal experience.
Each day, you will take Zodiac excursions from the ship to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. With wildlife always at the forefront of our minds, you will visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.
The majesty of the Antarctic Peninsula’s mountains will enchant as you scramble up snowy pathways to vantage points offering you 360° views of your surroundings. One of these in particular, in Danco Island, affords us the opportunity to visit a penguin colony high up on a ridge. Here, you’ll have the choice between hiking to the island’s summit or spending time sitting quietly on a pebbled beach, enjoying the antics of curious penguins. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, participating in the Polar Plunge swim is about as crazy as it gets!
The journey back across the Drake Passage provides final opportunities to enjoy the crisp Antarctic air. Spend time on the deck, watching for seabirds and scouting for whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Alas today we end the Best Cruise to Antarctica! You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure on land or catch your flights home.
Embracing the unexpected is part of the Best Cruise to Antarctica legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not a guarantee.
Antarctic Explorer
2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Infinity Suite | Veranda Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Owners Suite |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 3 - 14, 2020 | 12 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 8,995 | 9,796 | Sold Out | 10,497 | 11,547 | 12,597 |
Nov 13 - 24, 2020 | 12 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 8,995 | 11,196 | 10,396 | 11,996 | 13,196 | 14,396 |
Dec 9 - 19, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 9,495 | 10,146 | 9,446 | 10,847 | 11,897 | 12,947 |
Dec 18 - 28, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 9,995 | 14,995 | 13,995 | 15,995 | 17,495 | 18,995 |
Jan 10 - 20, 2021 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 9,995 | 14,995 | 13,495 | 15,495 | 16,995 | 18,495 |
Jan 28 - Feb 7, 2021 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 9,495 | 14,495 | 13,495 | 15,495 | 16,995 | 18,495 |
2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Twin Obst. View | Twin Window | Single Porthole | Single Obst. View | Suite | Balcony Suite |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 4 - 14, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Diamond | 7,495 | 10,495 | 10,995 | 12,995 | 12,995 | 11,995 | 12,495 |
Nov 13 - 24, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Diamond | 7,495 | 10,495 | 10,995 | 12,995 | 12,995 | 11,995 | 12,495 |
Nov 30 - Dec 10, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Diamond | 7,495 | 10,995 | 11,495 | 13,495 | 13,495 | 12,495 | 12,995 |
Dec 9 - 19, 2020 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Diamond | 7,495 | 9,346 | 9,771 | 11,471 | 11,471 | 9,996 | 10,396 |
Feb 16 -26, 2021 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Diamond | 7,495 | 10,495 | 10,995 | 12,995 | 12,995 | 11,995 | 12,495 |
2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Lower Deck Twin | Main Deck Twin Porthole | Main Deck Twin Window | Superior | Deluxe | Suite | Owners Suite |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jan 4 - 14, 2021 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Adventurer | Sold Out | Sold Out | 11,471 | 12,321 | 12,796 | 13,996 | 15,196 | 16,396 |
Feb 6 - 16, 2021 | 11 | Ushuaia, Argentina | Ocean Adventurer | 8,495 | Sold Out | 9,895 | 11,245 | 10,796 | 11,996 | 12,796 | 13,996 |
Prices Per Person in USD
Please contact us about 2022 - 2023 prices and dates.
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Antarctic Explorer
Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar expeditions, safely transporting guests to remote shorelines and shallow inlets. Expedition staff make stepping in and out of them safe and comfortable.
Led by experienced staff, exploring in foot is the best way to appreciate the polar landscapes. Our guides are able to accommodate a range of skill levels to suit every passenger.
Daily chats with on-board experts—our guides, scientists and other special guests—let guests rub shoulders with historians, ornithologists, biologists, geologists and more.
This rite of passage, experienced just once per expedition, sees you safely jumping into icy ocean waters under the watchful eye of our staff—and just about every single camera lens on board!
Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guides will help you learn skills to capture the beauty of the Polar Regions.
Walking poles are provided at each landing for your convenience. As there are limited number of poles available, please bring your own if you require them on every landing.
Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking adventures are a great way to feel at one with the sea. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage instead of shore landings. The number of kayaking opportunities is weather dependent and will only be conducted during calm conditions.
Prior kayaking experience is recommended for you to feel comfortable on the water, and the capability to do a wet exit is strongly encouraged. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion adventure option.
If you’re interested in kayaking and would like to try something less in depth than Sea Kayaking, you can still enjoy the benefits of adding an on-water experience to your expedition with a Paddling Excursion. Sign up for a one-time paddle on our sit-on-top kayaks, which are stable and unencumbered—perfect for anyone with little to no kayak experience. Expert guides take rotating groups of passengers on calm days to connect with the sea.
For all paid activities pre-booking is required. We recommend booking early as spaces fill quickly.
If there is one constant at sea, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three meals a day. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition.
Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet-style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition.
Soft drinks, juices and water are available at all times, and beer and wine are served with dinner, all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at an extra cost, which can be billed to your shipboard account. The well-stocked bar is open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in the late morning, afternoon and evening.
The weather on the Best Cruise to Antarctica is very variable; temperatures may hover around the freezing mark and winds can be strong. The continuous daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may sometimes find it warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an expedition and should be ready for any conditions.
Antarctic Explorer
The newest addition to the Quark Expeditions® Arctic fleet, polar powerhouse World Explorer—our first all-suites, all-balcony ice-class ship—lets you discover everything the Arctic has to offer, with the type of service available only at premium hotels.
The Ocean Diamond is a modern, stable super-yacht, and one of the largest of our small expedition ships. Carrying a maximum of 189 passengers, and with two stabilizers and an ice-strengthened hull, this outstanding vessel is ideal for polar expeditions.
The Ocean Adventurer has recently undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishment and is designed to carry 128 travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world.
The Ocean Endeavour is a comfortable, well-appointed small expedition ship expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. It features an ice-strengthened hull, Zodiacs for exploration and remote landings, generous deck space and advanced navigation equipment.
Antarctic Explorer
Antarctic Explorer
Best Cruise to Antarctica - Antarctic Explorer
We hope you are inspired to join us on the Best Cruise to Antarctica - Antarctic Explorer. Here are some Tourist Authority Links to help your research: Arctic Antarctic - Falklands – South Georgia
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