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Ship:  Polar Pioneer

Itinerary:  Antarctic Peninsula

click to enlarge
  An iceberg near Danco Island reveals its once-submerged, dimpled underside

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Day 1 :	Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2 :	Drake Passage
Day 3 :	Antarctic Convergence
Days 4-9 :	Antarctic Peninsula
Day 10 :	Drake Passage
Day 11 :	At Sea
Day 12 :	Disembark in Ushuaia
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Mini Suite	Suite
12	Dec 8, 2008 Dec 7, 2009	$5,790	$7,190	$8,090	$8,990	$9,790
		Optional Kayaking, Ice Climbing, and Camping
Destinations : Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica Activities : Nature Viewing, Photography, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

The spectacular Antarctic Peninsula is the most accessible part of the continent. Only 40 hours or so south of Cape Horn by ship, this is a rugged spine of mountains flanked by huge glaciers. The western coast is etched with fjords; dozens of islands lie offshore. The result is a glorious maze of sheltered channels and inlets, where modern scientific stations and reminders of early explorers and the whaling industry are scattered among penguin rookeries and seal colonies.We travel south from the Argentine port of Ushuaia, on the southern edge of Tierra del Fuego. The journey provides time to ponder the immensity of the Southern Ocean, and learn about the frozen continent and its wildlife through a series of special lectures by Antarctic experts. Our small group size makes it easier to truly appreciate the treasures of Antarctica, and our Zodiacs allow us to cruise among icebergs and whales - and make easy landings at sheltered sites. A highlight of our voyages to the Peninsula is spending an optional night camping. After a hearty dinner on the ship, we pitch our tents ashore - or you can choose to sleep in the open to maximise this unforgettable Antarctic experience!

Day 1 : Ushuaia, Argentina

Board our ship Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Sail down the Beagle Channel in the evening.

Day 2 : Drake Passage

Overnight, we enter Drake Passage. Lectures on the continent's natural history and briefings about landing in Antarctica are scheduled through the day, allowing plenty of time to watch graceful albatrosses and other seabirds from the outer decks.

Day 3 : Antarctic Convergence

We cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of Antarctica, and may see our first icebergs. In the evening we approach the South Shetland Islands, a possible location for our first landing.

Days 4-9 : Antarctic Peninsula

For six days we will explore the deep bays and fjords of the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula in our extremely maneuverable ship. Using our Zodiacs, we make close contact with whales, penguins and seals in the vicinity of Deception Island, Gerlache Strait, Paradise Bay, Andvoord Bay and the Lemaire Channel. There is time to visit scientific stations and historic sites but our emphasis is on the natural wonders.

Day 10 : Drake Passage

Cruising out beyond the South Shetland Islands, we head north into the Drake Passage.

Day 11 : At Sea

Our last day of lectures and a final opportunity for revelling in the rich seabird life of the Southern Ocean. If the weather permits, we will cruise past Cape Horn before enjoying a farewell dinner.

Day 12 : Disembark in Ushuaia

We travel up the Beagle Channel in the early morning to disembark in Ushuaia where we farewell new-found friends.

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-A fuel surcharge of $50/person/day applies to all Antarctic departures, Nov 2008-Feb 2009.

-Kayaking Options: US$825 $1,045 for Nov 10)
-Diving Options: US$700
-Alpine Crossing Options: US$700
-Climbing Options: US$250
-Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
-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 cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Polar Pioneer

click to enlarge
  Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundsing for your Antarctica travel.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.

The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.

Triple Shared Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.	Twin Shared Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
Twin Private Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).	Mini Suite Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Suite The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.