Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the 7th Continent - Antarctica. This is one of the most complete and traditional voyages of the Antarctic on board the M/V Ushuaia, navigating by the classic route and visiting one of the most beautiful places between the Bellingshausen Sea and the Weddell Sea.: the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsula, including a short stay in the Deception Island where we bathe in the thermal waters that surround its active volcano.
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.
Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Francis 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, Antarpply Expeditions' 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 our 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.
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 Adélie 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 its 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 and possible landing sites may include:
Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant 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.
We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we 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.
We arrive at the port of Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the USHUAIA after breakfast.
M/V Ushuaia is an Argentine cruise ship currently operated by Antarpply Expeditions S.A., with headquarters in the city of Ushuaia.
The USHUAIA has 46 cabins, for 88 passengers, four decks and an open-bridge policy. The ship was built by request of the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be an oceanographic ship). Later on, the ship was sold and refurbished to become a means of transport for passengers to Antarctica. For this reason, it has been equipped with cutting-edge communication and navigation equipment and the best service standards in the Antarctic industry. It offers two zodiac boats, which enable an easy access to places that are otherwise difficult to reach by ship.
All cabins include ample storage space. Public areas feature a large dining room (one sitting), an open-plan observation lounge / lecture room with modern multimedia equipment, bar and a well-stocked library. There is also a changing room and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in Antarctic navigation and have a great love of nature. We provide a specialist team of international expedition leaders and lecturers, all extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. Our chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits.
2 Standard Plus triple
Outside cabins with portholes or windows on Deck E, private facilities, 3 lower berths.
Standard Cabin
12 Standard twin outside cabins with portholes on deck E with semi-private facilities, 2 berths (upper/lower).
Standard Plus
11 Standard Plus twin outside cabins with portholes or windows on deck E, private facilities, 2 lower berths. Cabin 640: 1 double bed.
Premier Twin
6 Premier twin outside cabins with windows on upper deck G, private facilities, 2 lower berths.
Premier Single
2 outside Premier single cabins with portholes (view obstructed by lifeboat) on upper
Bathrooms
W.C. in bathrooms are prepared for this kind of trips – they are highly efficient bur also very delicate. You should not dispose anything but small amounts of toilet paper. Used tissues and such are to be disposed of in the wastebasket.
Restaurant
There is a large restaurant where meals for passengers are served. The dining room is located on Main Deck F. Dining tables are not assigned by cabin, so passengers choose their preferred spot. Four meals are served: Continental breakfast or American style breakfast, lunch (buffet or seated-served), snack and dinner (appetizer, main course and desert.) The schedule for meals is published during the trip, depending on land tours offered. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day.
On the ship, you will also find a bar, observation lounge/conference room equipped with multimedia, library, dressing room and a small infirmary. Our captains and officers are experts on Antarctic sailing and they have a passion for nature. Our excellent expedition team is made up of an Expedition Leader, guides and lecturers with a wide experience on Antarctica. They are all engaged and committed to environmental protection. Our chefs prepare a wide variety of dishes, including local specialties. The bar offers an excellent, wide selection of wines and alcoholic drinks.
Library
A library is located on the Main Deck F offering a good selection of international titles, with and emphasis on books related to the South Pole. Board games and cards are also available for passengers.
Languages
English and Spanish are spoken during the expedition to Antarctica. Most crew members are bilingual, although there might be a few members speaking only one language.
Health Care Facilities
On board the M/V Ushuaia there is one physician for basic health care and emergencies. The infirmary is located on Deck E. In case of emergency, you need to call the Bridge (#108.) Visits are charged. The cost is USD 20 at the infirmary and USD 25 at your cabin. This fee includes just the visit and medicines are charged separately. Seasickness and headaches are taken care of at no charge. If you are taking medication regularly, please remember to bring it on board for your trip to Antarctica.
Payment Currency
On board, currencies used are American Dollar and Euro. You can purchase using cash or credit cards Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Minimum charge for credit cards is USD 100. We recommend bringing USD 300 cash for expenses on board. All your expenses on board will be charged at the end of your trip. Tips are in cash.
Passports
Foreign passports are held for safety and management reasons.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is allowed on decks, except for the deck where the boats are located. Smoking is not allowed inside the ship, including the cabins. Disposing cigarette ends on the ocean is strictly prohibited for two reasons, preservation of the environment and prevention of fires on the ship.
Communications
The ship is equipped with an INMARSAT system enabling direct communication with any telephone or fax around the world. You will receive a list of telephone numbers to reach the ship. Cost per minute from your cabin is USD 4 per minute approximately. Telephone charges are to be paid at the end of your trip.
Internet Access and E-mail
The ship has computers for Internet use for USD 10 per 30 minutes. No Wi-Fi available on board.
Lectures
In M/V Ushuaia an important team of professionals are gathered to offer lectures during your trip to Antarctica, in a room specially equipped for such events.
Power Supply
Power supply is 110V/60Hz. Cabins have multi-type sockets suitable for international plugs. It is always a good idea to bring special converters and adaptors. Some sockets on public areas are 220v-240v. These are clearly identified and they offer the usual power in the Argentine territory, suited for V shaped plugs with three flat pins (third pin is ground.) They also fit V shaped plugs with two flat pins (no ground) and plugs with two small round pins as well.
Daily Schedule and Tours to Land
Tours to land are announced one day in advance. Before disembarking, you will be informed of the duration of the visit and if it is a “dry tour” (to land) or a “wet tour” (only by boat, without reaching land.) You will receive your daily program in your cabin, where you will find out about the activities for the following day, such as tours, “dry” or “wet” landings, meals and scheduled lectures. Programs are designed according to weather conditions and they can be changed unexpectedly.
Housekeeping and Laundry Services
Ship M/V Ushuaia does not offer laundry or dry cleaning services on board.
Special Diets
If you need to keep a special diet, you must request it one month in advance. We recommend stating it on the Booking Form. Kosher food for the Jewish community is not available.
Dress Code
Comfortable, casual clothes are recommended.
Rubber Boots
The ship provides rubber boots at no cost. A wide variety of sizes are available. These boots have been used for passengers in the past. Nevertheless, bringing your own boots is recommended, especially if you wear a large size.
Zodiac Boats
Boats carrying up to 12 passengers. These boats are built with robust materials with several airtight compartments and they make embarking and disembarking easy.
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Overland inside the deep Argentina including Ibera wetlands and Iguazú Falls
from $
