Solar Eclipse 2021- BD1090
Solar Eclipse 2021 - BD1090
Totality in Antarctica
The Solar Eclipse 2021 is a 17 day cruise to view the Totality in Antarctica, with South Georgia. This voyage will be the perfect opportunity to be rendered awestruck by the overwhelming enormity of Antarctica: towering icebergs, mammoth glaciers and ice-covered mountains. You’ll hike pristine glaciers, relax on a Zodiac cruise or enjoy comedic encounters with inquisitive penguins.
Babak Tafreshi
Also, you’ll learn about wildlife and polar history during onboard presentations by expedition team members, as well as two widely-respected eclipse experts who will prepare you for your total eclipse experience: award-winning National Geographic night-sky photographer Babak Tafreshi, who participated in the 2003 voyage.
David Baron
American Eclipse author David Baron, who is featured in the popular TED Talk, “You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse.” From Antarctica, you’ll sail north, and on December 4th you’ll become part of a select few to experience a Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica. To enhance your eclipse experience, you will receive a pair of eclipse glasses, an invitation to a special evening celebration to commemorate your Total Solar Eclipse voyage. You will then complete your voyage by departing for South Georgia.
COUNTRIES:
WATERWAYS:
16 NIGHTS CRUISE
Solar Eclipse 2021 - Itinerary
Totality in Antarctica
Day 1
Ushuaia, Argentina
Begin your Solar Eclipse 2021 - Totality in 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.
Day 2
EMBARKATION DAY
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!
Day 3 & 4
Crossing the Drake Passage
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.
Day 5 to 6
Antarctic Peninsula
The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica.
You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear.
Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy.
Day 7 to 8
At Sea
Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula, as your next destination is the Scotia Sea, between the South Orkney Islands and South Georgia, where you’ll witness a rare natural phenomenon: a total eclipse of the sun in Antarctica! Our Expedition Team will prepare you in advance with presentations and workshops on astronomy, meteorology and other related topics to help prepare you for that once-in-a-lifetime event: total solar eclipse in Antarctica.
Two world-renowned eclipse experts will also be onboard: award-winning National Geographic night-sky photographer Babak Tafreshi (who participated in the 2003 voyage) and American Eclipse author David Baron, who is featured in the hugely popular TED Talk, “You owe it to yourself to experience a total solar eclipse.”
Day 9
Solar Eclipse at Sea
Early this morning, you will be summoned on deck to witness an extraordinary, much-awaited moment: a solar eclipse, the very brief period (1 minute, 40 seconds) when the moon blocks the sun’s light, plunging the polar regions into darkness. Every guest will be provided with a pair of eclipse glasses before the momentous event. You’ll savor the stillness of this magical moment with your fellow umbraphiles (eclipse chasers), knowing you’re among the few to have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. As with all eclipse sightings, visibility is influenced by the weather and cloud conditions.
Unique to this experience will be its location at sea, and the more extreme latitude which places the eclipse low on the horizon, making a successful sighting that much more difficult, and more rewarding should all the stars align for the eclipse to be visible. After the eclipse concludes around breakfast time, feel free to celebrate the unforgettable moment or return to your bed. In addition to the eclipse glasses, guests will also receive an invitation to a special evening celebration to commemorate their special total eclipse voyage.
Day 10 to 12
South Georgia
South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance.
You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now.
One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is one of the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this place has a special appeal, as it is home to the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.
Day 13 to 16
At Sea
After more than two weeks of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.
Day 17
Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina
Alas! The Solar Eclipse 2021 - Totality in Antarctica ends here. You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.
Important Reminder
Embracing the unexpected is part of the Solar Eclipse 2021 - Totality in Antarctica. 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.
Pricing & Dates ~ 2021 Solar Eclipse
Totality in Antarctica
2020 - 2021
TBA
| 2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Infinity Suite | Veranda Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Owners Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 26 - Dec 12, 2021 | 17 | Ushuaia, Argentina | World Explorer | 15,295 | 22,495 | 21,595 | Sold Out | 26,996 | 28,796 |
Prices are Per Person in USD
Included
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
- Beer and house wine during dinner
- Shore landings per the daily program
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
- Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Formal and informal presentations by our expedition team and special guests as scheduled
- Photographic journal documenting the expedition
- Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
- Official Expedition parka to keep
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Complimentary reusable water bottle
- Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
- Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
- Miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person
- Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast
- Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility
Excluded
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Any Adventure Options
Included Activities on the 2021 Solar Eclipse
Totality in Antarctica
Zodiac cruising:
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.
Hiking:
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.
Presentations:
Daily chats with on-board experts—our guides, scientists and other special guests—let guests rub shoulders with historians, ornithologists, biologists, geologists and more.
Polar Plunge:
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!
Photography:
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.
Paid Activities ~ Best Cruise to Antarctica
Sea Kayaking $695
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.
Paddling Excursion $195
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.
Meals
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.
Packing Checklist
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.
For Shore Landings
- Base layers (wool, synthetic or a blend)
- Mid-layer warm/fleece top, fleece pant
- Wool and synthetic sock (3 to 4 pairs)
- Neck warmer or balaclava
- Warm hat that covers ears
- Waterproof pants, gloves and glove liners
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Spare set of gloves
- Bug spray and bug nets
Suggested Items
- Waterproof, lightweight backpack or dry sack
- Swimsuit (for the polar plunge!)
- Binoculars
- Camera with extra batteries
- Extra memory cards
- Earplugs (in case of noisy cabin mates)
- Eye masks for sleeping
- Seasickness, indigestion, headache or other medicine
- Voltage converters and plug adapters (220V/European outlets)
- Ski goggles (for Zodiac cruising)
For on Board
- Comfortable casual clothing (pants/jeans, shirts, sweaters)
- Lighter shirts (in case the ship gets warm)
- Non-slip close-toed unhealed shoes (NO Flip flops or sandals)
See The 2021 Solar Eclipse Ship
- Totality in Antarctica
The World 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.
Blue Danube Holidays are Authorized Distributors of Quark Expeditions
Antarctic Explorer
Gallery ~ Solar Eclipse 2021
Totality in Antarctica
Best Cruise to Antarctica - Antarctic Explorer
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