This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Return charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
✓ Airport and port transfers as per itinerary
✓ 10-night Antarctica expedition onboard Hurtigruten ship MS Fridtjof Nansen
✓ Environmentally friendly hybrid vessel with underwater drones
✓ 1 night’s accommodation in bustling Buenos Aires
✓ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurants Aune and Fredheim
✓ Fine-dining À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm is included for suite guests
✓ Complimentary tea and coffee
✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi on board.
✓ Guiding and lectures by world-class expedition team
✓ Shore excursions by Zodiac boats
✓ No gratuities expected
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your adventure begins with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, the lovely capital of Argentina. Stroll past the well-preserved Italian and French architecture, order a delicious cut of beef in one of Buenos Aires’s many great steakhouses, or maybe even practice your dance moves in this city famous for the tango. Embrace the heat in this passionate city, because the temperature is about to drop precipitously.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to take an early flight to Ushuaia. On arrival you will be collected and transferred to board your expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen. Settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.
Tonight, we kick off our journey with a welcome dinner.
Prepare yourself for Antarctica as we cross the infamous Drake Passage, and trust us – it will take your breath away! Take it all in onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen with her two-storey panorama lounge over the bow, with wall-to-wall windows bathing the room in natural light and providing extraordinary views.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes its way to the Antarctic Peninsula. Relax and enjoy your ship’s facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Welcome to one of the most remote areas on Earth!
There have been spectacular photo opportunities so far, but Antarctica is in an entirely different category. Go ashore by Zodiac boat to explore the breathtaking Antarctic scenery and get close to penguins and seals. You will feel like a real explorer from the moment you set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice and from the deck there will be ample opportunities to see whales.
Over the next six days we’ll be making various landings in different locations throughout the peninsula. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, and visit old whaling stations and its relics. Trust us when we say that every second of this journey has something new to offer.
One of the highlights of the South Shetlands is Deception Island. When we sail into the natural harbor of this volcanic island, you will see an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base.
Over the course of the next few days we’ll also visit Wilhelmina Bay, Paradise Harbor and other remote locations. Join gatherings where the various members of the expedition team recount the day’s activities, make presentations, and discuss the next day’s plan. These gatherings are great opportunities to share experiences and mingle with your fellow explorers.
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
Another day in Antarctic waters learning about the natural flora and fauna, joining Zodiac landings and joining various activities (weather depending).
After exploring this exhilarating continent, we set course back to civilisation. Spend the day at sea recapping your experiences with fellow explorers, or just relaxing on deck.
Today is another day at sea as your ship makes it way back to South America. Relax and enjoy your ship's facilities, or join one of the lectures conducted throughout the day.
Estimated time of arrival is 7:00 AM
Back at Ushuaia, your expedition cruise is at its end. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires where your cruise arrangements come to an end.
You have traveled to the bottom of the world and back. You’ve seen the fabled seventh continent with your own eyes and have enchanting stories (and penguin photos) to prove it. Antarctica will likely hold a place in your heart unlike anywhere else on the planet. As one the special few who have had the opportunity to visit the Great White Continent, we must consider all that needs to be done, and all that we can do, to help preserve the most fragile of ecosystems and its unique beauty.
For detailed information on your ship, click HERE.
Compulsory Cruise Forms
Deposit & Payment
| Twin Cabin | Single Cabin | |
| RS Polar Outside | $2,475pp | $3,703pp |
| RR Polar Outside | $2,789pp | $3,952pp |
| Arctic Superior | $3,313pp | $4,732pp |
| Suite Balcony | $3,858pp | $7,248pp |
Booking Process
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations.
Please note: Pricing below is FROM pricing only. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, please request the cabin type in the 'special requests' field prior to making your payment and a member of our team will contact you with availability and pricing for your selected date.
If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
However, no gratuities expected on cruise.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is from $7,999 per person in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up-to-date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
2-500 people.
Trip Style - Expedition Cruise
These trips are for the true explorer. Expedition small ship cruising is the best way to get off-the-beaten-track and see some of the world's most unspoilt and remote destinations. The experience on an expedition cruise is very different from that of a conventional, larger cruise ship. The focus is not about the ship’s creature comforts but very much about about the destination, it’s nature and wildlife.
Daily shore excursions by zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step on to shore in the world's most remote locations where few have ever been before. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package, on board your small ship you'll have an expert expedition team giving you informative lectures and educational lectures in many different scientific fields.
Children
Children must be 12 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
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