Christmas in the Weddell Sea 12 day Cruise - Prices from $6690 Departures: 12/22/2006

See entire List of Trips Ship: Peregrine Mariner Trip Highlights: Explore a more remote and stunning area. Expect huge tabular icebergs, lots of seals and penguins, no other ships and the chance to kayak and camp. Activities: Birding, Lectures, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing, Zodiac Tours Want more info about this trip or other Antarctic travel options?

Day 1: Ushuaia / Embarkation
You board the Peregrine Mariner in Ushuaia, on Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America, in the afteroon, and set sail by charting a course through the Beagle Channel in the early evening bound for Antarctica.

Days 2-3: Drake Passage
As you cross the Drake Passage your team of lecturers is out on deck to help you spot whales and identify seabirds. There is also a program of talks, covering the wildlife, the ice and polar history. This prepares you for your adventure to the 'White Continent.' The excitement intensifies as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, where the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean meet the warmer waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You feel the change, as the air gets cooler. Huge icebergs loom up against the horizon in increasing numbers, and the wandering albatrosses, petrels and other birds which thrive in this cold, remote ocean are sighted regularly. You might also spot whales and you just may have some glimpses of Antarctica late in the day as you approach the South Shetland Islands.

Day 4: South Shetland Islands - Christmas Day
Today you enjoy a very special Christmas in Antarctica. You cruise among the volcanic South Shetland Islands, traveling ashore in inflatable 'Zodiac' boats. It is early in the morning of Day 4 (or, on the afternoon of Day 3 depending on weather conditions) that you make your first landing. The itinerary focuses on the areas with the greatest promise of wildlife.

The intended first stop is Deception Island, which has a wealth of history. Weather permitting, you may also enter the flooded volcanic caldera of Deception Island, a recently active volcano and one of the most perfect crater islands in the world. Steam rises in places from the black sand beaches along its shores where the intrepid may be able to take a dip where the cold Antarctic waters mix with the steaming, thermal waters of the bay. This is dependent on suitable tides and hot water flows. You may also observe the island's large chinstrap penguin colony.

An afternoon shore excursion is also planned, once again if weather conditions permit, possibly at beautiful little Half Moon Island with its grand vistas and wealth of wildlife. At crescent-shaped Half Moon Island, a breeding colony of chinstrap penguins shares their territory with fur seals and blue-eyed shags.

Day 5: Antarctica
Today you will visit an established scientific research station – Argentina’s Esperanza Base at Hope Bay. One of the most uncommon species in the Antarctica is the human being, and you may see some at work.

You will also see some of the most dramatic scenery the continent has to offer. The Antarctic sound has been called ‘iceberg alley’. Icebergs of different shapes and sizes are calved from glaciers and erode into natural ice sculptures. The city-block sized, sheer-sided, flat-topped 'tabular' bergs, which break from the thick ice shelves, are certainly impressive.

The days are long, and the short nights are often preceded by a wonderful twilight. Back on board, you will be tempted to spend time on the bridge, or on deck if conditions are still, just watching and marveling at the glory of the passing scenery.

Days 6-8: Weddell Sea, Antarctica
For the next few days you will operate in true expedition style and navigate your way into the exciting Weddell Sea – one of the lesser-visited parts of Antarctica. Snow Hill Island will hopefully be your first port of call, and it was here that adventurer Otto Nordenskjold and his party had their base. Over at nearby Seymour Island scientists are still finding fossil penguins where the remains of the world’s largest penguins were discovered a century ago. If conditions allow you will delve further into the Weddell Sea and the islands along its western shore. If you can continue even further south then you will be virtually backtracking along Shackleton’s route as he and the crew drifted on the ice after the Endurance sank.

Day 9: Paulet Island
Today you may visit Paulet Island, the site of one of the largest penguin colonies of the Antarctic Peninsula region. Amidst the crowds of the Adelie penguins and their chicks one can discern the ruins of a stone hut built by the shipwrecked sailors of an earlier age. If sea conditions look favorable you may head towards Elephant Island from here. This is a remote rocky island that was home to the heroic Endurance sailors for many months while Shackleton went to seek rescue.

Days 10-11: Drake Passage
You spend time at sea and your friends the albatross may be back and following in our wake. Leaving the Antarctic Peninsula you head back across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. As you approach Tierra del Fuego once again, the crossing is completed with the rounding of Cape Horn. From there you will be in the sheltered waters on the eastern side of South America as you celebrate your voyage at the Captain’s Dinner. Through the night the ship will make its way down the Beagle Channel.

Day 12: Ushuaia
In the early morning you arrive back in Ushuaia where your cruise ends. You are transferred to your hotel, or to the airport for your onward flight.

Notes:

Included:
Arrival and departure transfer in Ushuaia; shipboard accommodation, highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers; all meals; afternoon tea most days; access to public viewing areas; shore excursions by Zodiac boat; onboard lectures, videos, slide and film shows; onboard medical officer; port taxes; comprehensive pre-departure booklet and expedition manual.

Not Included:
All airfares; fuel surcharge ($20 per person, per night); visa and passport fees; airport departure taxes; pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel accommodation; laundry; postage; telephone calls; drinks; medical expenses; travel insurance; emergency evacuation charges; gratuities to staff and crew are left to the discretion of the passenger.

Please Note: Due to the nature of this expedition, weather, ice, or other conditions may require changes be made to the itinerary and/or cancellation of certain shore excursions. Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary, within the limits of safety and time constraints. Camping will not be offered on this voyage.

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