E-mail a friendShip: Aleksey Maryshev
Itinerary: Weddell Sea & Antarctic Peninsula
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Gentoo PenguinPhoto by: Franco Banfi
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| Day 1 : | Embark in Ushuaia |
|---|---|
| Days 2-3 : | Across the Drake Passage |
| Days 4-9 : | Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula |
| Days 10-11 : | Drake Passage |
| Day 12 : | Disembark Ushuaia |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||
| Twin Non Private | Twin Private | Superior | ||
| 12 | Jan 19, 2009 | $7,350 | $8,350 | $9,790 |
| Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Weddell Sea Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Scuba Diving, Whale Watching |
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Day 1 : Embark in Ushuaia
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.
Days 2-3 : Across the Drake Passage
During these two days we will sail across the Drake Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons, Southern Fulmars, Wilson?s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at the first icebergs.
Days 4-9 : Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula
We will sail into the Weddell Sea and visit Dundee Island, where we might have an extensive walk.
We also plan to visit Paulet Island with a million pairs of Adelie Penguins and the remains of the Nordenski?ld expedition, Seymour Island, where many fossils have been found, and Snow Hill Island, where polar expeditions as early as 1902 wintered. We may even reach Cape Longing at the Larsen Ice Shelf. In this area we meet huge table icebergs from the Ronne Ice Shelf and have good chances to spot Emperor Penguins on ice floes. When we turn north again, we visit Brown Bluff on the Antarctic Continent.
We sail south and plan to offer a zodiac cruise around the rarely visited Astrolabe Island where Antarctic Fulmars, Chinstrap Penguins, Brown Skuas and Blue-eyed Shags breed and Weddell Seals and Antarctic Fur Seals haul out.
In Neko Harbour and Paradise Bay we reach the southernmost area of our voyage, where we have again the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.
At Deception Island, we will try to land at Baily Head with a colony of ten thousands of Chinstrap Penguins. Deception Island is a huge volcano of which the crater opens into the sea, creating a natural harbour for the ship. Here we find hot springs, an abandoned whaling station, Cape Pigions and Dominican Gulls, Brown and South Polar Skuas and Antarctic Terns. Wilson?s Storm Petrels and Black-bellied Storm Petrels nest in the ruins of the whaling station in Whalers Bay. We continue to Hannah Point, which has a very rich wildlife featuring Elephant Seals, Cape Pigeons, Southern Giant Petrels, Macaroni Penguins and Gentoo Penguins.
Days 10-11 : Drake Passage
In the Drake Passage we have again a chance of seeing many seabirds.
Day 12 : Disembark Ushuaia
We arrive in the morning and disembark in Ushuaia.
DISCLAIMER!
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife.
Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
-Antarctic fuel surcharge: $20/night per person
- Arctic Fuel Surcharge: $50/night for the 2009 season. If, 2 months before departure, the cost per barrel is less than $130, we will discount this fuel surcharge.
- Twin non-private and private cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.8 times the share price (2 times for Superior cabins).
-Solo Travelers: Request the Twin Share Program where you can be matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Aleksey Maryshev
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Aleksey Maryshev
The 'Aleksey Maryshev' is a modern and comfortable research vessel of the Hydrographic Institute of St. Petersburg and is the sister ship to the 'Grigoriy Mikheev'. Built in 1990 in Finland, and designed as an ice-strengthened vessel and converted in the Netherlands for passenger use, the vessel is ideally suited to expedition cruising and Antarctica travel. She has a range of 70 days independent operation and is ISM certified.
The vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice-strengthened hull, perfect for the polar seas. She is manned by an enthusiastic Russian crew of around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian captains are recognized experts in polar navigation.
All our international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment.
The 'Aleksey Maryshev' has a large bridge (where you are almost always welcome) and good open deck-viewing areas. She carries a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise in-accessible areas.
Excellent cuisine, prepared by international chefs, is served in the dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public areas include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary, and sauna. The vessel has email and satellite phone communication available for travelers.
Twin Non PrivateCabins on deck 3 with upper and lower berths, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck. |
Twin Private Cabins on decks 3 & 4 with a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample storage space and windows. |
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Superior Superior cabins on deck 4 with a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A sitting area with a desk, Coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and windows |
