OceanWide Brief Summary

Please Note

All things considered, the itinerary below is for guidance only. Therefore, programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Above all, the on-board expedition leader will determine the final itinerary closer to the day. For this reason, flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.

The ‘Classic Antarctic’ Route

Above all this Expedition will enable you to experience the wondrous landscapes found in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Most importantly, the great “star-actors” of Antarctica are the penguins, and you may see, in total, seven species during your voyage and learning with enjoyment is part of our ethos. In addition, you will be able to participate in photography workshops with our experts on board.

EXPEIRENCE CHILE OFFER

Important to remember is our generous offer. For example, should we book this Antarctic expedition for a minimum of two people we will include one of the following FREE of charge:

Due to your need for accommodation pre and post the trip, we will offer to include a hotel night free of charge.

In the event that you do not need the above, we will offer to include a private transfer, maybe from the port to a hotel, or between Torres del Paine to el Calafate.

Despite the above options, we are also prepared to include return flights Buenos Aires to Ushuaia as an option, should the above two not be required. 

However the final offer will be determined by us and depends on type of cabin, length of trip and which expedition cruise you book with us.

OceanWide Antarctica Expedition

Voyage Itinerary

Herewith below is the itinerary you will enjoy should you join this trip.

Day 1: End of the World, the Start of Your Journey

As soon as you get on board your adventure begins. After arrival to Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, which is located on the far southern tip of Tierra del Fuego Island in South America, you will be transferred to your ship. After your afternoon embarkation, our expedition ships sets sail from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World”. Thereafter the ship will navigate the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

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Day 2-3: Path of the Polar Explorers 

During the next two days will be navigating through the Drake Passage. However, during this part of the adventure you will be able to enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the first, great polar explorers who charted these regions. Such as, 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 will be in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Therefore, in this zone not only does the marine life change, but the avian life changes too.

For example, 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 may see.

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Day 4-7: Entering Antarctic

Today, you should see grey stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. The navigation will first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.

Sites that you may visit today include:

Danco Island

Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.

Neko Harbour 

This is an epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow. From Neko Harbour there will be opportunities for a Zodiac trip, and landing, that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine-like peaks.

Paradise Bay 

You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where there’s a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.

Pléneau & Petermann Islands 

Most importantly, if the ice allows, you could sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. As a result, there is also a possibility you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals.

Port Lockroy 

Once we have sailed through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station Port Lockroy. Above all, this is now a museum and the post office for Port Lockroy on Goudier Island.

Moreover, here, you may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. Most importantly, there are great opportunities also for kayaking and camping here, and when conditions are right, you can even snowshoe around the shore.

Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren 

This is a great place to spot humpback whales. In addition, you also may embark on a zodiac excursion ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915.

Moreover, around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape peopled with icebergs, you may encounter even more whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.

Note: Conditions on the Drake Passage will determine the exact time of departure.

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Day 8-9: Familiar Seas, Familiar Friends

Your return voyage is far from lonely. For example, while crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south.  However, having seen such sights during the trip they may now seem a little more familiar to you, and you to them.

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Day 10: There and Back Again

Unfortunately, every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. Therefore today it will be time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

What is Included and Not Included in the Cost

 Included in the cost is:

The itinerary on board the ship.

All meals, snacks, tea and coffee.

Shore excursions and activities.

Zodiac excursions.

Lectures from educated experts.

Rubber boots and snow shoes.

Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel.

Transfer to the airport at the end of the itinerary.

Port taxes and services taxes.

Comprehensive pre-departure material.

Not included in the cost:

Airfare (except if the expedition is booked with Experience Chile we will consider including the flights from Santiago or Buenos Aires as one of our offers).

Pre and post land arrangements.

Passport and visa expenses.

Government arrival and departure taxes.

Meals ashore.

Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).

Laundry, bar, bevergaes and communication charges.

Tips at the end of the voyage (guidelines will be provided).

Map of the OceanWide Expedition Cruise Route at Antarctica

 

Information About the Ship, Including Deck Plans

The M/V Hondius

Specs

 

Passengers:	174 in 82 cabins
Staff & crew:	72
Length:	107.6 meters
Breadth:	17.6 meters
Draft:	5.30 meters
Ice class:	Polar Class 6 (equivalent 1A-Super)
Displacement:	5,590 tonnes
Propulsion:	2 x ABC main engines; total 4,200 kW
Speed:	15 knots

Rates Per Person (unless otherwise stated) in USD, Based Upon Cabin Type

 

Quadruple Porthole: (Max. 4 Passengers)	Sharing berth: Share your cabin with others for the best price	US$7,200
	Complete Cabin: Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.	US$28,800
Triple Porthole: (Capacity Max. 3 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$8,200
	Complete Cabin	US$24,600
Twin Porthole: (Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$8,900
	Single Cabin: Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).	US$15,130
	Complete Cabin	US$17,800
Twin Window: (Capacity Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$9,200
	Single Cabin	US$15,640
	Complete Cabin	US$18,400
Twin Deluxe: (Max. 2 P.)	Sharing berth	US$9,800
	Single Cabin	US$16,660
	Complete Cabin	US$19,600
Superior: (Capacity Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$18,020
	Complete Cabin	US$21,200
Junior Suite: (Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$19,295
	Complete Cabin	US$22,700
Grand Suite with Provate Balcony: (Capacity Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$21,939
	Complete Cabin	US$25,800
Hodius Suite: (Max. 2 Passengers)	Sharing berth	US$25,330
	Complete Cabin	US$29,800