There’s nothing more magical than journeying to Antarctica and experiencing the ice-capped mountain ranges, iconic Antarctic wildlife and immense icebergs and glaciers over the Christmas period. During this 11-day expedition, you’ll have the chance to set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, visit penguin rookeries, spot Minke and Humpback whales up close from your Zodiac, photograph seals resting on ice floes and more. For the brave souls, participate in the Polar Plunge before warming up in the sauna or trying some on-board yoga. The team ensures the spirit on board the Ocean Endeavour over the holiday season is festive and fun, delivering a one-in-a-lifetime experience to make this a Christmas adventure to remember.
*Offers aboard the Ocean Endeavour 2022/23 season end 31 August 2022 and are subject to availability. Not combinable with any other promotion. Offers apply to new bookings only. Book cabin categories Cat 5, Cat 5a, Cat 6 and Cat 7 and save up to 25% off the regular retail price. Book cabin categories Cat 8, Cat 9 and the Owners Suite and save up to 30% off the regular retail price. Applies to selected departures only; cabins limited. Subject to availability and currency fluctuations. Further conditions apply, please contact us for more information.
Optional Activities : Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Camping
Trip Code: ACOEBWC
Travel Style: Small Ship Cruising
Location: Antarctica
Ship: Ocean Endeavour
White Christmas is guaranteed when you explore this icy white continent over the festive period.
Penguin chicks are hatching and in abundance on the Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, so it’s a perfect time for wildlife lovers.
The longer summer days gives us 22 hours of daylight to maximise the time for exploration.
Benefit from a variety of on-board activities including educational lectures on history, geology, photography and ecology by the expedition team.
Your journey starts in the most southerly city in the world, Ushuaia Argentina. After transferring from the airport to your hotel and getting acquainted with your fellow travellers, we’ll have our welcome briefing. If you arrive a day early, Tierra del Fuego National Park has an array of outdoor activities on offer. You can also visit the Museo Maritimo for a history lesson or take a stroll down Avenida San Martin to pick up some last-minute essentials for your journey.
The morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia further. Late this afternoon you’ll be transferred to the city’s port to board the Ocean Endeavour. The Expedition Team and Captain will be waiting to welcome you onboard and after settling into your cabin, your journey south begins by cruising through the famed Beagle Channel. Enjoy the incredible views as the last glimpse of land fades away and the ship heads south towards Antarctica.
The waters of the Drake Passage are legendary. Named after British seafarer Sir Francis Drake, they're often rough and turbulent, but sometimes as calm as a lake. Our journey to the Antarctic Peninsula will take two days and, if conditions allow, you’ll be able to enjoy the outer decks to catch your first glimpse of whales and orcas, as well as a wide range of seabirds that live in the region, including the impressive Wandering albatross. Our comprehensive lecture program will also get underway, with your team of polar experts sharing fascinating insights into Antarctica’s history, geology, biology, and everything in between.
Spend this downtime enjoying the onboard facilities including gym, polar library, yoga classes and more. We’re scheduled to reach the Antarctic Peninsula by early evening on day four.
Welcome to the Antarctic Peninsula, where a vast amount of wildlife
can be found with a backdrop of ice, water and mountains. The sheer scale of everything must be seen to be believed. Scheduled twice daily, Zodiac excursions are tailored to allow for closer encounters with marine life including whales and seals, while onshore exploration might take you to penguin rookeries. Choose from a range of paid adventure options to enhance your adventure, including snowshoeing excursions or overnight ice camping, hit the water for a day paddle or kayaking excursion, or learn how to capture that perfect shot by joining our dedicated Photography Program. Our lecture program will continue throughout your time on the Antarctic Peninsula and our Expedition Team will always be available to answer any questions you may have about the region.
If you've been dreaming of a white Christmas, this is as white as it gets! Enjoy the festive spirit on board the Ocean Endeavour, where your presents come in the form of more landings and wildlife sightings throughout the day. Some of these wildlife encounters are likely to include Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals, and Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap penguins.
An average day onboard begins with a wake-up call from your Expedition Leader around 7am, giving you time to prepare for the day before joining your fellow expeditioners for breakfast in the Polaris restaurant. You will usually have two excursions per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a delicious lunch served on the Ocean Endeavour in between excursions.
As you leave Antarctica behind, cruising north to Ushuaia, you’ll have the time to reflect on the amazing journey and unique Christmas. We’re scheduled to reach the waters of the Beagle Channel by the evening to ensure a restful night’s sleep before disembarkation day. Our final meal together is often a highlight, so live it up and enjoy it as you celebrate the journey with your fellow travellers.
This morning you will disembark the Ocean Endeavour in Ushuaia after breakfast as your Antarctic journey comes to an end. Transfer to Ushuaia airport is included for flights departing today, but if you're sticking around a little longer there is so much to see in this incredible region.
Departing | Ending | Duration | Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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18 Dec 2023 | 28 Dec 2023 | 11 | USD 9,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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INCLUSIONS:
1 night hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, pre cruise
Cabin accommodation on board the ship
All meals whilst on ship
All scheduled landings/excursions
Guiding and lectures by English-speaking expedition leader and team
All port fees
All landing fees
Expedition jacket provided
A pair of expedition boots for use during your voyage
Group arrival and departure transfers in Ushuaia
EXCLUSIONS:
Airfares to/from embarkation and disembarkation city
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
Personal expenses such as laundry, onboard communication (telephone calls, faxes, email service)
Gratuities for the crew (recommended US$15 per person per day)
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities
Available on request. Contact us for details.
Please note this itinerary is subject to weather and ice conditions
Season and availability
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We appreciate that voyages to the Antarctic to have an impact on this pristine environment. In light of this, all our voyages are double carbon offset. In addition, we strive to eliminate as many single use plastics as possible from our supply chain. In choosing this voyage you are also supporting the fantastic work done by the Antarctic Science Foundation (ASF) and their work in understanding and protecting this unique destination. In addition all voyages support the Mawsons Huts Foundation (MHF). The MHF support the legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson, the legendary Antarctic explorer and scientist. As a member of IAATO we follow strict guidelines appointed by the Antarctic Treaty System to go above and beyond in support of minimizing negative impacts on this pristine landscape. We also encourage clients to look to book pre-and post- accommodation with us, where local businesses will be supported. Our clients also receive restaurant recommendations which support locally owned restaurants.
We carefully select all ships we work with and choose smaller sized vessels to create less impact. We use a highly regulated, licensed vessel which is well equipped to operate in the Antarctic’s delicate ecosystem. We view the voyage to the Antarctic as an expedition, not a sightseeing trip. Smaller ships such as ours can navigate narrow waterways and are far less polluting than the larger ships in Antarctic waters. By carrying less passengers, we have far less waste. The waste is carried back to the home port to allow for environmentally conscious waste management and disposal.
For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE