The Ross Sea route-map
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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $19,365   see pricing
Length: 21 days
Arrive: Hobart, Australia
Depart: Invercargill, New Zealand
Lodging: 19 nights aboard a deluxe expedition ship, 1 hotel night describe
Meals: All meals aboard ship included
Activity: Wildlife & Natural History, Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level: Expedition cruise, nature walks, Zodiac explorations
1 explain

Highlights

  • Visit Scott and Shackleton’s sites from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
  • Experience the wonder of the massive Ross Ice Shelf, visit teeming penguin rookeries
  • Explore by Zodiac with expert Antarctic naturalists

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Resources

Voyage deep into the wild Ross Sea to explore a rarely visited wilderness that holds some of the most evocative sites from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration along with incredible wildlife, spectacular ice cliffs, and massive icebergs. Scott and Amundsen’s race to the South Pole began in this stunning realm, and aboard the Orion, we navigate to historic sites such as Scott’s 1911 Terra Nova Hut and poetically named Inexpressible Island, site of the incredible story of survival of Scott’s Northern Party. As we explore this glittering ice world, regal emperor penguins, throngs of Adelie penguins, and Weddell and leopard seals are all around us.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-3
Hobart, Tasmania / At Sea

Arrive in Hobart and the next day, embark aboard the Orion and sail south.

Days 4-5
Macquarie Island

One of the “wonder spots” of the world, MacQuarie has magnificent scenery and abundant birdlife. By Zodiac, we land on beaches and headlands that are home to over 20,000 breeding pairs of royal penguins, king penguins, rockhopper penguins, and gentoos.

Days 6-8
At Sea

Our naturalists offer fascinating presentations on Antarctica’s wildlife and exploration lore.

Days 9-14
Ross Sea

The Ross Sea is bounded by the coastal mountains of Victoria Land and the massive Ross Ice Shelf, a plateau of snow-topped glacial ice the size of France. Conditions permitting, landings include Cape Evans, with Scott’s Terra Nova Hut, Cape Royds, with Shackleton’s hut from his Antarctic Nimrod Expedition of 1907, the great Drygalski Glacier, habitat of emperor penguins, and Cape Bird on Ross Island, home to an active New Zealand scientific base. Adelie penguins are slowly reclaiming some of these spectacular sites.

Days 15-17
At Sea

Days 18-19
Campbell  Island / Auckland Islands

The rich birdlife of Campbell Island, a World Heritage Site, includes royal albatross and black-browed mollymawk. On Auckland Island, we see profuse birdlife from shy albatross to the New Zealand falcon.

Days 20-21
Snares Island / Port of Bluff, New Zealand

At Snares, with its windswept forests of tree daisies, we explore by Zodiac to view huge colonies of breeding birds. Arrive in Port of Bluff on Day 21 and depart from Invercargill, New Zealand.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 1, Easiest. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Some agility is required for getting in and out of the Zodiac landing crafts. There are daily shore excursions featuring walks.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

Departures

Jan 25-Feb 14, 2013
Feb 8-28, 2014

Tour Costs

Jan 25-Feb 14, 2013 Cruise Rates
Per person, double occupancy

Categories Price
B $19,365
A $22,485
Junior Suite $26,710
Deluxe Suite $29,250
Balcony Suite $34,915
Owners Suite $40,555

Feb 8-28, 2014 Cruise Rates
Per person, double occupancy

Categories Price
B $22,170
A $25,740
Junior Suite $30,575
Deluxe Suite $33,485
Balcony Suite $39,965
Owners Suite $46,420

Single Supplement: limited availablity, call for details

Early booking Savings of up to 15% (subject to availability)

Tour Cost Includes:

  • accommodations aboard the Orion
  • All meals aboard ship included
  • services of an experienced cruise staff
  • 24-hour room service
  • entertainment and educational programs
  • use of the ship’s sporting equipment
  • port and handling charges
  • Zodiac and tender transfers
  • access to the ship’s library of CDs/DVDs
  • government fees and taxes

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, visa and passport fees, ship transfer on Day 1, optional shore excursions, baggage, cancellation and accident insurance, any items of a personal nature including but not limited to laundry charges, shopping onboard, bar expenses, hairdressing and massage treatments, medical services, telephone and internet charges, and gratuities to shipboard personnel.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: 25%
120 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $850
91-120 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
90 days or less: 100% of tour cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

The Orion

Designed and constructed in Germany in 2003, the 106-guest Orion features five-star comfort in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Each of the 53 spacious staterooms and suites boasts ocean views, sitting area, well-appointed marble bathroom, flat-screen satellite TV, DVD/CD player, Internet connection, personal safe, hairdryer, and mini-bar. The Orion also has a library, boutique, medical center, health spa and salon, outdoor Jacuzzi, and a restaurant. Two high-speed tenders service the ship and ten Zodiacs are available for landing at remote locations. Sports equipment includes ten kayaks. The Orion has a crew of 75 and has the highest classification in terms of its Ice Class Hull, as well as being stablized for comfort.

Deck Plan

B
 Oceanview staterooms on Deck 3 with window* and sitting area. 175 sq. ft. Suites 301, 322, 323. *Staterooms 322 and 333 have twin portholes.
 

 
A
 Oceanview staterooms on Deck 3 with large oval window and sitting area. 180 sq. ft. Suites 302-321.
 

 
JS
 Junior suites on Decks 4 and 5 with window and sitting area. 218 sq. ft. Suites 401-419, 512 (175 sq. ft. with twin beds)
 

 
DS
 Deluxe suites on Deck 5 with window and large sitting area. 230 sq. ft. Suites 511, 515.
 

 
BS
 Balcony suites on Deck 5 with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors and small balcony for viewing the breathtaking scenery. 230 sq. ft. Suites 501, 503-506, 508.
 

 
OS
 Owner’s suites on Deck 5 with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors*, French balcony for taking in the sea breeze, and separate bedroom*. 345 sq. ft. Suites 502, 507, 509, 510. *Suite 509 has two large rectangular windows instead of a balcony; suite 502 has living room space incorporated into bedroom area.