Christmas Season in Antarctica 15% Advantage

This 11 day expedition cruise travels from Ushuaia across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. The focus is on expertly guided days in a landscape of calving glaciers, bays and vast tabular icebergs, complemented by flexible landings and Zodiac cruises depending on weather and ice. Typical for the region are colonies of several penguin species as well as seals along the coasts and in the water, and whale watching is also regularly possible. Specialist talks by polar experts and options such as citizen science deepen the view of ecology and history. Over the Christmas season, the team adds special touches to the onboard program.

Christmas Season in Antarctica, The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Time in Ushuaia
After the welcome at the airport, there will be a transfer to a premium partner hotel in Patagonian nature. Afterwards, there is time to settle in at a relaxed pace or to explore Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. In the evening, an optional briefing can be used to ask questions and make first contacts with fellow travelers. The travel services begin with dinner.

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Day 2: Embarkation
The morning is at your leisure, for example for a museum visit or a stroll through the shops in Ushuaia. In the afternoon, you will be accompanied to the ship, where the expedition team and crew will welcome you on board and assist you with getting settled. Afterwards, safety and orientation information will be provided, followed by the captain’s welcome dinner, before the voyage towards Antarctica begins.

Days 3 and 4, Drake Passage
During the crossing, polar experts share their knowledge about Antarctica, from wildlife to history, and provide a framework for what lies ahead. Those who wish can take part in the Citizen Science program, while others use the time to observe the changing weather and the vastness of the Southern Ocean. With binoculars, you can identify seabirds that accompany the ship, until noticeably cooler temperatures set in when crossing the Antarctic Convergence.

Days 5 to 7: Merry Christmas in Antarctica
During these days, the program is determined by ice and weather, with the aim of making the best possible use of the coastlines of the Antarctic Peninsula. Depending on conditions, landings and rides in the Zodiacs are planned to experience glacier fronts, sheltered bays, and the pack ice up close. With good chances, various penguin species as well as seals can be seen, and whales are also regularly sighted in this region. In addition, scientific stations and historical landing sites can be visited, provided access is possible. For Christmas Day, the team plans special program elements as part of the expedition.

Day 8, South Shetland Islands
The volcanically shaped South Shetland Islands offer a distinctive geology with mountains, glaciers, and an often very lively coastal zone. The day is usually devoted to exploring by Zodiac, so that landings and shoreline sections can be flexibly adapted to the conditions. Chinstrap and gentoo penguins are often seen here, and at the water’s edge elephant seals and fur seals are not uncommonly encountered. Whales can also appear. For kayakers, depending on the planning, this is a first opportunity to glide close above the calm Antarctic water surface.

Day 9 and 10, Drake Passage
On the way back north, the route again crosses the Antarctic Convergence and passes through the Drake Passage. The expedition team uses the time for reviews, exchange, and further context for the experiences of the past days. To conclude the journey, a joint celebration with a slideshow and a final shared meal is planned.

Day 11: Disembarkation in Ushuaia
In the morning, disembarkation takes place in Ushuaia. Afterwards, you can start your return flight or use additional time in the city for more impressions. After breakfast, the travel service ends.

Accommodation:
Accommodation is on board during the expedition, plus one hotel night in Ushuaia at a premium partner hotel in Patagonian nature. On board, shared areas are available for briefings, talks and daily orientation. The character of the trip remains expedition style, with day to day planning based on weather and ice, and time windows for landings and time on the water.

Special features:
The itinerary is flexible due to the expedition nature of the voyage and depends on weather, ice and local conditions, with decisions made by the expedition team as situations develop. Wildlife viewing is likely but not guaranteed and depends on visibility, sea conditions and locations visited. Landings, visits to scientific stations or historic landing sites are only possible if access and conditions allow. Safety and orientation briefings are part of the program before activities such as Zodiac cruises or kayaking tours take place.
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