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Ship:  Polar Pioneer

Itinerary:  Across the Antarctic Circle--Diving Option

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  Reward yourself with a magnificent view of Paradise Bay bathed in the light of the midnight sun during your Antarctic expedition cruise

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Day 1 :	Embark Ushuaia
Days 2-3 :	Drake Passage
Days 4-9 :	Antarctic Peninsula & South of the Circle
Days 10-11 :	Drake Passage & Cape Horn
Day 12 :	Ushuaia
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Mini Suite	Suite
12	Feb 17, 2009	$5,790	$7,190	$8,090	$8,990	$9,790
		Optional Diving Excursions
Destinations : Antarctica, Polar Circle Activities : Photography, Scuba Diving, Whale Watching

This itinerary will give you a brief idea of what you may encounter on this voyage. Our emphasis is on wildlife encounters, personal contact with the environs, visiting sites of historical interest and to a lesser extent scientific stations. However we stress that this is an expedition style cruise. Our actual program will vary to take best advantage of local conditions, spontaneous opportunities and wildlife. No two voyages are the same; there is always an element of the unexpected.

Day 1 : Embark Ushuaia

Expeditioners will gather in Ushuaia, a bustling community that lays claim to being the most southerly city in the world. Our competent Russian crew and expedition staff will welcome us aboard Polar Pioneer in the afternoon. Sailing down the Beagle Channel in beautiful evening light, we will settle into shipboard life and enjoy our first meal on board.

Days 2-3 : Drake Passage

Cape Horn, the most southerly point of the American continent has stimulated the imagination of mankind, since Sir Francis Drake inadvertently rounded it back in 1580. Some of us will approach this historic crossing with more than a little trepidation but despite its reputation, there are times when the Drake resembles a lake, when lazy southern ocean swells rolling under the keel of our good ship Polar Pioneer. On the other hand sometimes we have encountered rough crossings with large waves. The size of the waves and the force of the gale will take on gigantic proportions when related around the fire back home.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury ship, she is homely and strong, built to be a working vessel and refitted to comfortable passenger standard. The mood on board is definitely casual. At sea we are totally self sufficient. The days flow by whilst we travel snugly in our cocoon. A favourite pastime on board is to stand at the stern watching the many seabirds, including majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following our wake. They will rise and fall skillfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum. Feeling transformed, we approach Antarctica, receptive and open.

Days 4-9 : Antarctic Peninsula & South of the Circle

Depending on the weather, we will first approach Antarctica near the South Shetland Islands entering Bransfield Strait either at the eastern end of King George Island or the western extremity of Livingston Island. We may pass by historic Smith Island, which is the outer limit of the South Shetlands.

A host of choices is now open to us, and depending on the ice and weather conditions the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula is ours to explore. This is the advantage of having such experienced leaders, who have made countless journeys to this area. They will use their expertise to design our voyage, from day to day. In this way we can make best use of the prevailing weather and ice conditions. As we are so far south, we will experience approximately 20 hours daylight. There is plenty of time for sleep when you get home!

We are always keen to explore new territory, so if the opportunity arises, we will! That's why we call our cruises, "Expeditions of Exploration and Adventure" - who knows where we are going?

Days 10-11 : Drake Passage & Cape Horn

Time to head back to Tierra del Fuego, with more lectures and videos to complete our Antarctic education. A time for reflection and discussion about what we have seen and felt and what impact this voyage has had on our attitude to life.

If time permits, we will try to cruise close to Cape Horn for a view of the southernmost point of the Americas.

Day 12 : Ushuaia

During the early morning we should cruise up the Beagle Channel, before docking in Ushuaia.

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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

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  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.