Join us for a holiday season you’ll never forget on this 13-day expedition to Antarctica. Perfectly scheduled to be in the great white continent for Christmas, this action-packed cruise will take you to the breathtakingly beautiful South Shetland Islands before arriving in the channels and bays of the Antarctic Peninsula. Spot penguins, seals, and whales along your journey while discovering the fascinating history of human exploration in the region.
Visiting a Penguin Colony in Antarctica
Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 1
Ushuaia
Your adventure begins as you arrive in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, where you’ll be staying at the beautiful Arakur Resort & Spa. Take time to relax and overcome any jet lag or head into downtown Ushuaia to explore.
Day 2
Ushuaia
After breakfast at the Arakur Resort & Spa, you can spend the day as you please - exploring the cultural museums and leather markets of Ushuaia or simply relaxing at the hotel. In the evening, there will be an optional briefing where you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and raise any questions or concerns you may have.
Day 3
Embarkation in Ushuaia
Before your mid-afternoon transfer to the ship, you’ll have the morning free to explore Ushuaia or enjoy the comforts of the resort. On arrival at the vessel, you’ll be met by our Expedition Team and have a short safety briefing before being officially welcomed during the Captain’s dinner.
Day 4-5
Drake Passage
Over the next two days, we’ll be navigating the famous Drake Passage, which separates South America's Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. Our Polar Experts will lead a series of informative lectures about Antarctica, touching on its wildlife, geology, and human history. You may choose to simply relax onboard or participate in our Citizen Science Program. Spot whales and seabirds as they follow the ship’s passage, with temperatures noticeably cooler as we cross the Antarctic Convergence.
Day 6-7
South Shetland Islands
Located around 120 kilometers north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands will be our destination for the next two days. Settle into one of our Zodiacs to explore the rugged coastline up close, with sightings of the archipelago’s magnificent wildlife guaranteed.
Day 8-10
Antarctica
On Day 8, you’ll wake to the breathtaking beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula and spend time cruising its majestic bays, natural harbors, and narrow channels. You’ll have the opportunity to come face-to-face with seals and several species of penguins and may be lucky enough to spot whales breaching in the chilly waters. In addition to its wildlife abundance, the peninsula is renowned for its scientific bases where research is conducted by teams from across the globe.
Day 11-12
Drake Passage
Over the next two days, we will again cross the Drake Passage as we make the return journey to Ushuaia. Kick back on deck with a good book as you watch the world go by before a slideshow and farewell meal to celebrate your Antarctic expedition.
Day 13
Disembarkation in Ushuaia
By morning, we will have arrived back in Ushuaia, from where you can fly directly back to Buenos Aires or spend more time discovering everything Patagonia has to offer.
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2024 to Dec 30, 2024 Rates vary by cabin, please inquire for exact pricing | $13,800£0€0$0$0 | $13,800£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
Activities During Voyage
- Kayaking - $895 additional. Please sign up at the time of booking as space is extremely limited.
- Camping - $295 additional. Please sign up at the time of booking as space is extremely limited.
- Citizen Science - Included
- Photography - Included
| Departure Date | Porthole Cabin | Window Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| December 18-30, 2024 | $13,800/person* | $15,300/person* |
ALL ANTARCTIC VOYAGES INCLUDE:
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:
- Two pre-voyage hotel nights in Ushuaia for all departures which embark in Ushuaia
- For the Nov 3, 2021 and Nov 1, 2022 departures only: One pre-voyage hotel night* in Puerto Madryn
- *These departures also include a post-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia
- Transfer from airport in embarkation city to group hotel if arriving on Day 1 of itinerary, and providing we have your confirmed air itinerary at least 60 days prior to departure
- Transfer from group hotel to ship for embarkation
ON BOARD ISLAND SKY AND SEAVENTURE:
- Shipboard accommodations
- All meals on board
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (some super premium brands excluded)
- Coffee/Tea/Cocoa 24 hours a day
- All scheduled landings and excursions
- Our Citizen Science program: participation in a variety of scientific activities that support important research projects
- Expedition jacket (yours to keep)
- A pair of loaner boots for use during the voyage
- WiFi from the public computers
- 200 MB WiFi card for use on your personal devices
- Daily international news service
- All port fees
- All landing fees
- Digital Voyage Log
POST DEPARTURE:
- Group transfer from ship to airport, hotel in Ushuaia, or central location following disembarkation.
- Please note we cannot drop at Airbnb / private homes which are often inaccessible for our transfer vehicles.
- For the Nov 3 2021 and Nov 1 2022 departures only, one post-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia.
VOYAGES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Any airfare or travel expenses associated with arrival in Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn other than those listed above
- Transfer from airport to group hotel, unless arriving on Day 1 of the itinerary
- On the Nov 3, 2021 and Nov 1, 2022 voyages, departure transfer from hotel to airport in Ushuaia
- Pre- or post-voyage expenses in Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn
- Travel insurance; medical insurance; evacuation coverage
- Laundry and personal expenses incurred on board
- Onboard communication charges such as outgoing phone calls, WiFi from personal devices in excess of the 200 MB provided
- Staff gratuities
Ship Details
FAQ & More
What type of electrical outlets are on board?
The Seaventure has dual 110/220 voltage, and both US (two flat pin) and European (two round pin) style sockets in each cabin. Please do not bring any small appliances such as hairdryers, irons, coffee makers, curling tongs, or steam pots, as these items will damage the ship’s electrical system and are strictly forbidden on board. There is a small hairdryer provided in your cabin.
Does the ship have internet?
Yes! The ships feature wireless networks accessible from your personal computer or smartphone from virtually anywhere on board. There are also public computers available in each ship’s Library which may be used for email and Internet (but not for uploading photos.) 200 free MB of data is included in the cost of your voyage. Additional data packages can be purchased from the hotel manager on board; rates are USD $50 for 200MB or USD $90 for 1GB. Please note, due to weather and location, there may be times when Internet service is very slow or disrupted.
Is there a gym or spa aboard the ship?
Yes! Seaventure offers a fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights and a sauna.
Will my suite have portholes or windows?
Only suites designated as “Porthole Suites” have portholes, the rest have windows. We cannot guarantee the number of portholes or windows in your cabin. Windows and portholes do not open.
What kind of medical facilities are available on the ship?
Each ship has a Medical Clinic, stocked with a wide range of common basic medications, including seasickness medication, and capable of supporting a wide range of medical issues. Every voyage has a currently-practicing and English-speaking doctor experienced in Emergency medicine. Medical services are available 24 hours a day, and a doctor accompanies passengers on all shore landings.
Should I tip the ship staff?
Any tipping is at your discretion and entirely optional. Should you choose to tip, the standard amount for recognition of service is USD $14 per person per day. This can be added to your shipboard account and paid by credit card – you do not need to tip in cash. The gratuity is divided among the front of house hotel team, and cabin and dining room stewards. Other crew members are compensated for gratuities in salary.
The Expedition Team does not solicit gratuities and we encourage passengers to be generous with the hotel team first. If you personally wish to leave a thank you for the team you may do so at reception and the amount is completely at your discretion.
What time do we disembark in Ushuaia?
Disembarkation is usually at 8am on the final day of your itinerary. We strongly recommend booking flights no earlier than 12pm to account for possible delays getting back to Port.
What will the weather be like on my trip?
Weather in Antarctica can be very unpredictable, and we don’t get the same type of forecasts that we’re used to in most other parts of the world. We get information about general conditions and trends in the areas we visit, and we make our own forecasts in real time based on the data we have in the moment. Average temperatures in Antarctica during our sailing season is between -5 C (23 F) and 5 C (41 F).
The best defense against bad weather is quality gear. Click here for more information on what we recommend.
Are children allowed on the voyages?
In general, our policy is that children must be at least 12 years old to participate in a Polar Latitudes voyage. However, we may on a case-by-case basis accept children between the ages of 7-11 with additional screening and prior approval before booking, and the completion of our Child waiver by the parents/guardians. Please contact us if you wish to travel with a child under the age of 12.
For immersive kayaking, minimum age is 16.
Will I need cash on board?
No. All shipboard charges will be charged to an account, so you do not need to pay cash as you go. At the end of your voyage, you may pay your tab with cash or credit card; we accept Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. All prices on board are shown in US Dollars.
Always be sure to carry a small amount of cash, local and US or Euro, to cover taxis, and other incidentals, which may not be payable by credit card.
Do you require insurance?
Yes! All passengers must carry a Travel Protection Plan. This Plan must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, evacuation expenses, and pre-existing medical conditions. Additionally, passengers are strongly advised to carry a Travel Protection Plan which includes coverage for cancellation, curtailment, trip interruption, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to or otherwise involving a passenger. As any potential evacuation from Antarctica can cost up to $150,000 we recommend that no policy carry less than this amount of coverage.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.