days
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Depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing through the Beagle Channel toward the Falkland Islands, where Carcass and Saunders Islands reveal penguin rookeries and abundant birdlife. Continue to South Georgia’s vast king penguin colonies, Shackleton’s grave, and the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken. Navigate to the South Orkney Islands for potential visits to Orcadas Base and Coronation Island. Experience towering icebergs and Antarctic wildlife in the Weddell Sea, Elephant Island, and the Bransfield Strait. Conclude the voyage with a scenic Drake Passage crossing back to Ushuaia.
There may be sea ice on this route, and at the edge of the ice some south polar skuas and snow petrels could join the other seabirds trailing the vessel south.
A soft hold can be placed and is valid for 48h. A deposit of 25% is required to confirm your spot. The final payment is due 90 days before departure. Payment can be made via bank transfer or debit and credit card. Cards accepted are Visa or Mastercard.
Rates per person
Features one porthole, upper and lower berths, a small sofa, and is equipped with a private shower and toilet for convenience. It includes a flatscreen TV, desk and chair for entertainment and work needs, alongside a telephone and WiFi (with additional charges). Personal care amenities such as a hair dryer are provided, and belongings can be stored in a cabinet, safe deposit box, or the wardrobe. This cabin is ideal for families with children or passengers seeking a practical option beyond a twin or more luxurious accommodation. Located on deck 2.
4
12 m²
Porthole
Features one porthole, one upper and two lower berths, making it ideal for families with children or passengers not seeking a twin or more luxurious option. It includes a small sofa, a private shower and toilet, a flatscreen TV, a desk and chair, supplemented telephone and WiFi, a hair dryer, a cabinet, a safe deposit box, and a wardrobe for comfort and convenience. Located on deck 2.
3
11 m²
Porthole
Located on deck 2, features one porthole, twin single beds, a compact sofa, and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. Amenities include a flatscreen TV, desk and chair, telephone, and WiFi (for an additional fee), alongside a hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and wardrobe for storage. Please note that cabin layouts and sizes may vary, and might not exactly match the photos provided.
2
12 m²
Porthole
Located on deck 4, features a window (with potential partial obstruction due to ship design), two single beds, a small sofa, private shower and toilet, flatscreen TV, desk with chair, telephone, supplemented WiFi, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and a wardrobe. Please note, cabin layouts and surface area may vary, and may not exactly match the photos provided.
2
12 m²
Window
Located on deck 4, features one window, single beds, and a sofa, along with a private shower and toilet for convenience. Guests can enjoy a flatscreen TV, desk and chair for work or leisure, and a telephone and WiFi (with an additional charge). Additional amenities include a refrigerator, coffee and tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and a wardrobe for storage.
2
13 m²
Window
Features two windows, a double bed, a sofa bed, and a private shower & toilet. It is equipped with a flatscreen TV, a desk & chair, a telephone, and WiFi (supplemented). Additional amenities include a refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box. Located on decks 4 and 6.
2
22 m²
2 windows
Features one porthole, upper and lower berths, a small sofa, and is equipped with a private shower and toilet for convenience. It includes a flatscreen TV, desk and chair for entertainment and work needs, alongside a telephone and WiFi (with additional charges). Personal care amenities such as a hair dryer are provided, and belongings can be stored in a cabinet, safe deposit box, or the wardrobe. This cabin is ideal for families with children or passengers seeking a practical option beyond a twin or more luxurious accommodation. Located on deck 2.
4
12 m²
Porthole
Features one porthole, one upper and two lower berths, making it ideal for families with children or passengers not seeking a twin or more luxurious option. It includes a small sofa, a private shower and toilet, a flatscreen TV, a desk and chair, supplemented telephone and WiFi, a hair dryer, a cabinet, a safe deposit box, and a wardrobe for comfort and convenience. Located on deck 2.
3
11 m²
Porthole
Located on deck 2, features one porthole, twin single beds, a compact sofa, and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. Amenities include a flatscreen TV, desk and chair, telephone, and WiFi (for an additional fee), alongside a hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and wardrobe for storage. Please note that cabin layouts and sizes may vary, and might not exactly match the photos provided.
2
12 m²
Porthole
Located on deck 4, features a window (with potential partial obstruction due to ship design), two single beds, a small sofa, private shower and toilet, flatscreen TV, desk with chair, telephone, supplemented WiFi, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and a wardrobe. Please note, cabin layouts and surface area may vary, and may not exactly match the photos provided.
2
12 m²
Window
Located on deck 4, features one window, single beds, and a sofa, along with a private shower and toilet for convenience. Guests can enjoy a flatscreen TV, desk and chair for work or leisure, and a telephone and WiFi (with an additional charge). Additional amenities include a refrigerator, coffee and tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box, and a wardrobe for storage.
2
13 m²
Window
Features two windows, a double bed, a sofa bed, and a private shower & toilet. It is equipped with a flatscreen TV, a desk & chair, a telephone, and WiFi (supplemented). Additional amenities include a refrigerator, coffee & tea maker, bathrobe, hair dryer, cabinet, safe deposit box. Located on decks 4 and 6.
2
22 m²
2 windows
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FREE FOR ALL PASSENGERS
Plenty of our cruises offer the chance to take in a wide variety of birds. Already an accomplished ornithologist? Then we’ll take you where you want to go – off to see feathered friends you can’t reach any other way, as well as the scores of migratory species you may be more familiar with.
As for you budding bird-watchers, it will be our great pleasure to help you take your first bird-watching footsteps. Our trained staff consists often of ornithologists or keen birders and they are there to help you and point out the different species. On-board lectures will help you to gain knowledge of the birdlife. We’ve collected the following bird watching tips to help get you started.
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M/v “Plancius” was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/v “Plancius” is classed by Lloyd’s Register and flies the Dutch flag.
Please be aware that a small number of cabins may have a partially obstructed view due to the design requirements of the ship. The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge.The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room on deck 3 and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) on deck 5 with large windows, offering full panorama view. M/v “Plancius” has large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. She is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side, guaranteeing a swift zodiac operation. M/v “Plancius” is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxury vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. Plancius fully meets our demands to achieve this. The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the vessel considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 – 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages. M/v “Plancius” is manned by an international crew of 40 (20 nautical crew and 20 hotel crew), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 1 assistant expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor.
Passengers on a typical voyage range from their 30s to their 80s – with a majority usually from 45 – 65. Our expeditions attract independent-minded travellers from around the world. They are characterised by a strong interest in exploring remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures have several nationalities on board.
In keeping with our expeditions atmosphere, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities. Keep in mind that much of the spectacular scenery can be appreciated from deck, which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles and make sure the parka is never far away in case of the call “Whales!” comes over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside. Wear layers since it is comfortably warm aboard the ship – and often cold on deck.
Refreshments from the bar and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the Hotel Manager and pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (Euro or Dollar). We do not accept cheques of any kind. The prices and standard currency on board our vessels is the Euro. Other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager at prevailing rates.
The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins. You may need a 220v/110v converter.
The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage which is divided among the crew. Tipping is a very personal matter and the amount you wish to give is at your discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest US$8 to US$10 per person per day. It is better for the crew, if you can give them cash US Dollar.
On board our vessels we have a non-smoking policy. It is prohibited to smoke inside the ship. You can smoke in the designated smoking areas. Please respect the wishes of non-smokers.
You must be in good general health and you should be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding. Although we spend as much time as possible ashore, you are welcome to remain aboard the ship if you like. To join most excursions, you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway from the ship to the water level to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats. This will become progressively easier with practice. Ashore it can be slippery and rocky. You are travelling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition, or need daily medical treatment.
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Yes!!! Once we arrive in Antarctica it will be the ultimate goal of the Captain, Expedition Leader, and the Expedition Team to make sure we get off the ship as much as possible. You’ll participate in landings, zodiac cruises, and any additional activities you’ve signed up for. Check the “Detailed trip itinerary” for more details on each outing.
The price shown is the “all-in” price after all taxes, fees, port fees, and permits required; which are handled by the tour operator. The only main additional costs will be mandatory travel insurance, optional gratuity, and additional activities.
Not necessarily, no! Our group trips are usually made up of around 50% solo travelers! Prices are always per person, per bed. If you’re a solo traveler, we will match you with a same-gender roommate from our group to share your cabin with. There is also the option for solo cabin availability on certain trips. Please send us a message about solo cabins if that’s your preference.
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