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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $11,795   see pricing
Length: 16 days
Arrive: Ushuaia, Argentina
Depart: Ushuaia, Argentina
Lodging: 14 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

  • Seldom-visited sub-Antarctic wildlife oases, from Macquarie Island to the Snares
  • Extraordinary South Georgia wildlife: whales, leopard seals, massive elephant seals, millions of penguins
  • Shore excursions by go-anywhere Zodiac
  • Expert guest lecturers to enrich your experience

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

With magnificent glacier-clad peaks sheering out of the sea, South Georgia is one of the most dazzling places imaginable. It’s also a famed wildlife oasis that holds some of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world: stately king penguins by the hundreds of thousands, throngs of albatross and petrels, an abundance of Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals, and spouting whales offshore. Aboard the 112-guest Sea Spirit, we set out for an in-depth exploration, visiting amazing wildlife sites not accessible on shorter cruises, including exquisite Cooper Bay and  the icy realm of Drygalski Fjord. Tales of Shackleton abound, and at Fortuna Bay, we hike the final miles he walked in 1916 to reach the whaling station at Stromness, the successful end of his do-or-die journey to rescue the stranded men of the Endurance.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-2
Ushuaia, Argentina / Embark

Arrive in Ushuaia, southernmost city in the world and the main town in Tierra del Fuego. The next day, embark aboard the Sea Spirit and sail down the Beagle Channel on our way out to the open sea.

Days 3-4
At Sea / South Atlantic

The expedition team will begin their program of presentations on the seabirds, penguins, and exploration history of South Georgia as we head into the South Atlantic.

Days 5-13
South Georgia

With spectacular views of South Georgia’s mountains as we approach, we arrive and head ashore to begin our program of Zodiac and land excursions. Landings will vary according to conditions, but will include Gold Harbour, a breathtaking spot with a dizzying array of wildlife backed by a stunning amphitheater of hanging glaciers, and Cooper Bay, home to macaroni penguin colonies, as well as the steep-walled alley of Drygalski Fjord, with its stunning icebergs. The Sea Spirit will also attempt a landing at Fortuna Bay, where we can set out for the “Shackleton Hike,” joining the final miles of his famous final traverse of South Georgia into the Stromness whaling station.

Days 14-16
At Sea / Ushuaia

We reminisce about our South Georgia adventures and enjoy final days with our shipmates and naturalists as we sail back to Ushuaia, disembarking on Day 16.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

The 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

Oct 28-Nov 12, 2012

Tour Costs

2012 Cruise Rates by Cabin Category
Per person, double occupancy

Cabin Category Rate per person
Triple Classic $10,295
Main Deck Twin $11,795
Classic Twin $12,595
Superior Twin $13,295
Deluxe Twin $15,995
Suite $17,495
Owner’s Suite $20,995

Single supplement: For Main Deck and Classic Cabins, a single will pay 1.7x price of the cabin. For Superior, Deluxe and Suites, a single pays 2x cabin price.

Camping option: $225 per person
Sea kayaking option: $950 per person

Tour Cost Includes:

  • One night pre-expedition hotel accommodation at a four-star hotel with breakfast, as indicated in the itinerary. (The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship.)
  • Shipboard accommodation
  • All meals aboard ship
  • Open bar (alcoholic and soft drinks)
  • Complete program of shore landings
  • Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying Expedition Team and digital photography expert
  • Professional Expedition Leadership
  • Photographic Journal (DVD) documenting the voyage
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per daily program
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
  • An official expedition parka to keep
  • Coffee, tea, and cocoa available around the clock, hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
  • A 10 Mb card for access to the ship’s wireless internet connection
  • Comprehensive pre-departure materials
  • Group transfers in Ushuaia
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard ship
  • Onboard physician
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person.

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

Any airfare; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation; baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance; excess baggage charges; laundry and other personal charges; telecommunications charges; voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: 20%
120 days prior to departure: Balance

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

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $1000
121-179 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
120 days or less: 100% of tour cost

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

Sea Spirit

One of the most spacious and luxurious expedition vessels in operation, the Sea Spirit carries a maximum of 112 guests in all outside-facing suites with marble-appointed bath facilities, picture window or portholes, walk-in-closet or wardrobe, in-room safe, refrigerator, and satellite telephone access. All cabins have TV/VCR and individually controlled thermostats. This outstanding expedition vessel offers two large lounges, fine dining, a hot tub, library, gym, and elevator access to all passenger levels. In addition to the team of guest lecturers, the Sea Spirit has a resident photographer to assist on deck and on shore. A fleet of sturdy inflatable landing crafts is used for shore excursions.

Deck Plan

 

Triple: Located on the Oceanus Deck – 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Triple cabins feature two wardrobes, two twins or a king-size bed and a pull out sofa bed. Triple cabins are #343-348.

Main Deck: Located on the Main Deck with 215 sq ft; includes a minimum of two portholes. Main deck cabins can be arranged into two twins or a king bed. Main deck cabins are #252, 254-261.

Classic: Located on the Oceanus Deck with 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Classic cabins feature two wardrobes, include two twins or a king bed. Classic cabins are #330-336, 338-342.

Superior: Located on the Club Deck with 235 sq ft average; includes a walk-in closet and a large picture window opening onto an outside walkway. Superior cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Superior cabins are #414-428.

Deluxe: Located on the Sports Deck with 277 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony and a walk-in closet. Deluxe cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Deluxe cabins are #505-512.

Suite: Located on the Sun Deck with 353 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony, a spacious wardrobe, and a large picture window. Suite cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Suite cabins are #601-606.

Owners Suite: Located on the Sun Deck, the luxurious Owners Suite offers a spacious living room with game and meeting area, high-definition plasma TV/video player, BOSE stereo system and refrigerator. The large bathroom includes a jetted tub and a walk-in closet. One king bed in separate room, large sliding glass doors leading to a private sun deck at the bow of the ship.