E-mail a friendShip: MV Orlova
Itinerary: Classic Antarctica: Discovering the Peninsula
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Penguin FamilyPhoto by: Gerald Cubitt
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| Days 1-2 : | Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
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| Days 3-5 : | Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands |
| Days 6-9 : | Antarctic Peninsula |
| Days 10-12 : | Back across the Drake to Ushuaia |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||
| Triple | Lower Deck Twin | Main Deck Twin | Captain | Superior | Amundsen Suite | ||
| 12 | Nov 29, 2008 Mar 2, 2009 |
$3,500 | $5,100 | $5,700 | $5,700 | $6,500 | $7,500 |
| 12 | Feb 10, 2009 Feb 20, 2009 |
$4,900 | $6,100 | $6,800 | $6,800 | $8,100 | $9,200 |
| 12 | Nov 10, 2009 Nov 20, 2009 Nov 30, 2009 Mar 2, 2010 |
$3,890 | $5,490 | $6,290 | $6,290 | $7,190 | $8,290 |
| 12 | Feb 20, 2010 | $5,590 | $6,990 | $7,690 | $7,690 | $9,190 | $10,490 |
| Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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This easygoing, compact adventure offers you the very best of Antarctica: exploring vast penguin rookeries; sighting Minke whales, leopard seals and other unique wildlife; visiting historic research bases; tapping into our team's collective expertise aboard the expedition ships Lyubov Orlova and Ocean Nova; and enjoying unforgettable walks on the White Continent surrounded by snowcapped peaks, giant tabular icebergs and crystal-blue seas.
Days 1-2 : Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Arrive in Ushuaia and transfer independently to our conveniently located hotel; explore at your leisure in this frontier port overlooked by the rugged Martial Mountains. Next morning, eat breakfast at your hotel before enjoying a leisurely day exploring on your own. In late afternoon, your Expedition Team welcomes you aboard your ice-strengthened ship as we sail into the scenic Beagle Channel to begin your Antarctic adventure.
Days 3-5 : Drake Passage and South Shetland Islands
We cross the famed Drake Passage, named for the 16th-century English navigator Sir Francis Drake, looking out for Wandering Albatross and other seabirds from the ship's spacious decks and promenades. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath warmer waters from the temperate zones. Expect to sight the South Shetland Islands, lying just to the north of the Antarctic Peninsula, late in the afternoon on Day 4. On our planned landings you will explore penguin rookeries and have chances to spot Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals on the beaches or hunting their prey. We may also visit one of the many research bases in the archipelago. And keep an eye out for Antarctica's only two flowering plants, which thrive here during the short southern summer. On many visits the ship is able to sail through a narrow passage leading into the sunken volcanic caldera of Deception Island. Here, if the tide allows, you may wish to strip down to your bathing suit and take a dip in the thermal waters of Pendulum Cove.
Days 6-9 : Antarctic Peninsula
The centerpiece of our expedition is the Antarctic Peninsula, the most readily accessible part of the White Continent, with its vast snow-covered landscapes ringed by jagged mountains, its spectacular waterways choked with glacial ice cascading into the sea. Count on seeing extensive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie Penguins, plus a wide diversity of other bird life, including Blue-eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls, Snowy Sheathbills, Cape Petrels and Antarctic Terns. You may also encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals, as well as orcas, and humpback and Minke whales. Our exploration of the Peninsula typically begins with a visit to Paradise Bay or nearby Neko Harbor, both offering unforgettable views of calm, iceberg-filled waters. We visit the thriving Gentoo Penguin colonies at Port Lockroy, site of the secret British scientific station established in World War II by James Marr, who as a young Boy Scout visited Antarctica with Shackleton. The base has been transformed into one of the most isolated museums in the world (with a post office where you can mail cards home). Back aboard the comfortable ship, we make use of the ice-strengthened hull to navigate some of the most breathtaking waterways in the world. If pack ice and icebergs allow, we pass through the Neumayer and Lemaire Channels, dramatically narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. On some voyages we sail south of the Lemaire Channel to Petermann Island, where Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to our landing site. Our expedition may also round the northern tip of the Peninsula to navigate Iceberg Alley, where huge tabular icebergs drift northward into the Antarctic Sound. We'll also try to land on Paulet Island to see its vast Adelie Penguin rookery - again, if weather and ice conditions permit.
Days 10-12 : Back across the Drake to Ushuaia
We leave Antarctica behind, returning north across the Drake Passage. But the adventure is not over - there are still plenty of opportunities to view whales and myriad species of sea bird while strolling the ample decks. En route to Ushuaia, enjoy a last series of illustrated talks by our Expedition Team in the ship's comfortable lounge and presentation room. After the final morning's breakfast, transfer to town for further exploring or directly to the Ushuaia airport to catch your outbound flight.
- Additional fuel surcharge of $58/night on ship, per person, for Antarctic departures between Oct 2008 - Mar 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabinmate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Standard Twin Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.7 times the shared price
-Emergency medical evacuation coverage for a minimum of US$100,000 per person required. Contact us for details on arranging travel insurance.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: MV Orlova
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Voyage on expedition cruise ship MV Orlova for a fantastic polar adventure
Built in Yugoslavia in 1976 and refurbished in 2006, the M/V Orlova is a 90 meter ice-strengthened passenger ship. Ship features include a fully equipped lecture hall and theatre, attractive bar and lounge, and also a well stocked Antarctic library. There is an excercise room, and there is a medical infirmary and physician on board.
Accommodation onboard ranges from triple and twin cabins to superiors and suites. All cabins have two lower berths and private facilities with either a porthole or window. They also feature a writing desk, sitting space and ample storage.
Our European chefs serve delicious international cuisine and the comfortable bar is stocked with a good selection of wine and spirits. The ship is crewed by Russian officers and crew, all highly experienced in polar navigation. Our team of naturalists and lecturers from all over the world will offer a unique educational program for passengers during their Antarctica travel, covering subjects such as natural history, ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment.
We maintain an 'open bridge' policy which means that you are almost always welcome to visit the Bridge with its sophisticated communication and navigation equipment at any time (subject to weather conditions). Passengers can use the ship's sophisticated communication equipment for satellite phone and email service.
Triple7 cabins (400-405, 416) with private baths with shower. 180 sq ft. Each has 2 chairs, 3 wardrobes, cupboard, telephone, window (doesn\'t open), two lower twin beds, and one upper bed |
Lower Deck Twin14 cabins (300-312, 315) with private baths with shower. 159 sq ft. Each has 2 chairs, 2 wardrobes, cupboard, telephone, 2 storage boxes, window (doesn\'t open), and two lower twin beds |
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Main Deck Twin 23 cabins (407-412, 414,415, 417-429, 431) with private baths with shower. 127 sq ft. Each has a chair, 2 wardrobes, cupboard, telephone, window (can be opened), and two lower twin beds |
CaptainEight cabins (600-607) with private baths with shower. 110 sq ft. Each has a TV, safe, chair, wardrobe, cupboard, telephone, two windows (one window can be opened), and two lower twin beds |
SuperiorThree cabins (503, 505, 506) with private baths with shower. 128 sq ft. Each has a TV, safe, two chairs, locker, telephone, two windows (one window can be opened), and two lower full beds |
Amundsen SuiteTwo cabins (501 and 502) with private baths with shower. 334 sq ft. Each has a TV, sofa, safe, refrigerator, table/desk, 2 armchairs, wardrobe, locker, cupboard, telephone, 4 windows (some windows can be opened), and two full beds |
