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The voyage begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing through the Beagle Channel toward South Georgia, where guests encounter king penguins, elephant seals, and historic Grytviken. The journey continues to Gough Island for potential Zodiac cruises and wildlife sightings, then to Tristan da Cunha for rare bird encounters. The expedition concludes in Saint Helena with visits to historic Jamestown before disembarking in Cape Verde.
Your voyage begins where the world drops off: Ushuaia, Argentina, said to be the southernmost city on the planet, located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, we embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego (nicknamed “The End of the World”) and sail the mountainous Beagle Channel for the rest of the evening.
Today we are en route to South Georgia. After passing the Antarctic Convergence, which is a natural boundary formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic waters, we enter the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the bird life changes, too: A variety of albatrosses and petrels show up, along with Cape pigeons and southern fulmars.
Our aim today is to visit some of the world’s top king penguin rookeries. This time of year you have a good chance of seeing these animals nesting on eggs, with their chicks nearby. The rookeries are sometimes overflowing, with penguins traveling to and from the beach.
Possible visits in this region include:
Salisbury Plain, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour – Here you can see not only the massive king penguin colony, but also elephant seals and limitless fur seal pups playing in the surf.
Grytviken – We also have the opportunity to check out this abandoned whaling station, where king penguins walk the streets and elephant seals lie around like they own the place – because they basically do! You might also see the South Georgia Museum as well as Shackleton’s grave here.
Cooper Bay – This is a fine place for a Zodiac cruise, and this bay also houses a rookery of macaroni penguins. King penguins, pintails, and giant petrels may also appear here.
Moltke Harbour – Located in Royal Bay, this scenic spot gives you the chance to see the huge king penguin colony that lives here.
A pleasant tailwind often accompanies the vessel through the westerlies, and on both sides of the Antarctic Convergence, you might see large numbers of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds.
Today we plan to approach Gough Island for a Zodiac cruise in Quest Bay, if the weather permits. Here you might see northern rockhopper penguins and sub-Antarctic fur seals. In previous years, it has been possible for us to circumnavigate most of Gough Island’s 33-mile circumference, taking in this area’s splendid scenery and abundant wildlife.
The remote islands of Tristan da Cunha are famed for their plentiful bird populations, which include rockhopper penguins, several species of albatross, petrels, skuas, terns, and many others. Our goal during this stage of our voyage is to visit the small settlement on the west side of the main island, but we might also land at Seal Bay on the south side of Tristan da Cunha or at Sandy Point on the east side.
In these stunning locations, you could encounter such exotic wildlife as yellow-nosed albatrosses and sub-Antarctic fur seals, all while exploring a rarely visited spot. We also intend to land at Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island, both of which offer great views of beautiful seabirds ranging from yellow-nosed albatrosses to brown noddies.
Two days are reserved at Tristan da Cunha in case of bad weather, but please remember that nature determines our itineraries here: Since beginning the Atlantic Odyssey cruise in 1998, adverse weather led to the cancellation of 35% of Tristan da Cunha landings. If we have to divert for safety reasons, we will find good alternatives.
Seabirds and dolphins indigenous to this region often follow the vessel.
After we land at Jamestown on Saint Helena Island, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the area’s local culture, pleasant climate, and endemic bird life. You can pay a visit to Longwood House, where Napoleon died in exile; walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder, if you’re feeling ambitious; or snorkel the shallows offshore, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.
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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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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