Poseidon Expeditions

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

Start date:

27 Feb 2026

Return date:

21 Mar 2026

Duration:

23

days

Embarkation:

Ushuaia

Disembarkation:

Buenos Aires

Ship:

Sea Spirit

Activities offered:

MORE INFORMATION

Trip Details

Set sail on the ultimate polar journey beginning in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Board the deluxe M/V Sea Spirit and explore the wild Falkland Islands, home to bustling penguin colonies, dolphins, and British charm. Continue across the Southern Ocean to South Georgia, a rugged paradise teeming with king penguins, fur seals, albatrosses, and the grave of Ernest Shackleton.

Sail deeper into the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, where dramatic icebergs, towering peaks, and abundant marine life await. Zodiac cruises and landings offer intimate encounters with whales, seals, and massive penguin rookeries. Return via the legendary Drake Passage, filled with awe and memories of one of Earth’s last truly wild places.

Day 1 (Feb 27): Arrival in Ushuaia, Argentina (hotel night)

Welcome to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city and starting point of our Antarctic expedition! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore this vibrant port city and adventure hub.

For an introduction to local history and wildlife, the interesting Museo del Fin del Mundo is worth a visit. If you have time to spare, a variety of nature activities can be arranged to suit all interests and fitness levels, from hiking in nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park to wildlife viewing in the Beagle Channel. For dinner, Ushuaia offers a wide range of restaurants featuring Patagonian lamb and delectable Fuegian seafood.

Day 2 (Feb 28): Welcome Aboard!

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Ushuaia. Explore the delightful waterfront and savor views of the snowcapped Martial Range, the southernmost peaks of the Andes. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship.

For lunch, the many cafés, parrillas and gelato shops on Avenida San Martín will be sure to satisfy any appetite.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the scenery and gorgeous evening light as we pass through the Beagle Channel.

Day 3–4 (March 1–2): Drake Passage

After passing the islands of Tierra del Fuego, we turn south to begin our crossing of the Drake Passage. The majestic wandering albatross and other graceful subantarctic seabirds are common in these waters and can readily be viewed from panoramic open decks and balconies. We also cross the Antarctic Convergence, the biological boundary of the Southern Ocean. The ship’s stabilizing fins provide comfort in the event of rough seas. We hope to arrive in the South Shetland Islands on the evening of our second day at sea.

Day 5–8 (March 3–6): South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula

Within the next days, we explore the highlights of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. This region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and the best wildlife viewing in Antarctica. Sheltered bays and channels sparkle with ice and reflect towering mountain peaks coated in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to huge numbers of marine mammals and seabirds. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large rookeries at special places on land. Here we also find Antarctic research bases of various nationalities, some with gift shops and post offices.

The South Shetland Islands are the northernmost islands in Antarctica and will likely be our first sight of land. This wildly beautiful island chain contains many landing sites with historical significance and abundant wildlife. Among them is Elephant Island, where men from Shackleton’s famous Endurance expedition spent the winter of 1916. We will also explore the supremely picturesque Gerlache Strait area of the Antarctic Peninsula, a pristine wilderness of spectacular white landscapes, colossal icebergs, obliging marine mammals and bustling penguin colonies. Here we have a chance to land on the continent of Antarctica.

Throughout this area, we find large colonies of gentoo, chinstrap and Adélie penguins, sometimes side by side. This is a great time for close encounters with inquisitive penguin chicks, who are now gaining independence as they fledge. This is also the peak of the whale-watching season. Having gorged themselves on krill all summer, humpback and minke whales become more playful and obliging to Zodiacs and kayakers. Crabeater and Weddell seals are joined by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals. The skies are full of newly fledged seabirds.

Antarctica is a true wilderness with unpredictable weather and ever-changing ice conditions, which will dictate our route and exploration opportunities. With more than 14 hours of daylight per day, we seize every chance to experience excellent wildlife viewing and amazing scenery via Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.

Day 9–10 (March 7–8): Scotia Sea

We now proceed northeast through the wildlife-rich waters of the Scotia Sea. We keep a lookout for abundant humpback and fin whales along the way. Briefings, bio-security procedures and presentations by our lecture staff prepare you for our arrival in South Georgia.

Day 11–14 (March 9–12): South Georgia Island

The next five days will be devoted to the exploration of the unique and spectacular wilderness of South Georgia, home to some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. This isolated subantarctic island is said to host upwards of 100 million seabirds, including numerous species of albatross, penguins, prions, petrels, shags, skuas, gulls and terns. Among these is one of the largest flying birds in the world—the wandering albatross. Here you have a rare opportunity to witness part of their remarkable life cycle. While most seabird chicks are already fledging, wandering albatross chicks are only now hatching in grassy nests overlooking the wild Southern Ocean.

On South Georgia’s legendary beaches, king penguins are gathered in huge colonies that stretch from sandy shorelines to the foothills of glaciated mountains. Also at this time, hundreds of thousands of macaroni penguin chicks are getting ready to head out to sea. Rare birds such as the endemic South Georgia pipit and yellow-billed pintail round out the list of 78 bird species found across the territory. The successfully completed rat eradication program has made this wilderness even more pristine and rich with birdlife.

South Georgia is also home to staggering numbers of elephant seals and fur seals. At this time, thousands of fat elephant seal pups are lounging around on shore while mobs of rambunctious fur seal pups take to the water. Once hunted nearly to extinction, large whales have returned to the bountiful seas surrounding South Georgia. With the whalers long gone, the historical whaling station of Grytviken is now home to the excellent South Georgia Museum. Here you will also find the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, heroic polar explorer and leader of the Endurance expedition.

In this rugged yet accessible environment, superb wildlife viewing is best complemented by active adventure. There are many opportunities for guided treks through this raw and untamed wilderness, including the legendary Shackleton Walk. For sea kayakers, the wildlife-rich waters of South Georgia offer the chance to paddle with hordes of seals and penguins in some of the world’s most scenic waterways.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our precise route and exploration opportunities are dependent on weather in this wild and remote corner of the world. Our experienced captain and expedition leader will continually adjust plans to take maximum advantage of the conditions and circumstances at hand. You can be sure that we will take every safe opportunity to go ashore in this challenging environment.

Day 15–16 (March 13–14): Southern Ocean

We sail west toward the Falkland Islands. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Pelagic seabirds are our constant companions as we keep a vigilant watch for dolphins and whales in these productive waters.

Day 17–18 (March 15–16): The Falkland Islands

On these days we intend to come alongside the wharf at Stanley, the historic capital of the Falkland Islands. Attractions within pleasant walking distance along the waterfront promenade include the Falkland Islands Museum, the governor’s house, various war memorials, quality gift shops and charming pubs. Christ Church Cathedral features an impressive whalebone arch and dramatic views of shipwrecks in the harbor.

We also plan to offer an excursion to Gypsy Cove, a national nature reserve where white sand beaches are frequented by numerous bird species, including the endemic Falklands flightless steamer duck. Here you can also see Magellanic penguins, whose chicks have fledged and are making a tentative start to their lives at sea. At this time, you may even find groups of sea lions hauled out on shore.

We continue our exploration of the Falklands in the isolated outlying islands. These bleakly beautiful isles are havens for wildlife. Large colonies of seabirds, perched on windy bluffs overlooking azure seas, are easily accessible by hiking over lush meadows. At this time, black-browed albatross soar down from above while feisty rockhopper penguins leap up surf-battered cliffs from below to feed their large chicks amongst the tussocks.

On nearby beaches, gentoo penguin chicks are starting to fledge while adult king penguins and chicks of all ages are getting ready to brave the austral winter. Just offshore, you may see Peale’s dolphins and even killer whales patrolling the coasts. A wide range of land birds, including the endemic Cobb’s wren and inquisitive striated caracara, contribute to an abundance of wildlife that will leave nature lovers breathless.

Day 19–22 (March 17–20): South Atlantic Ocean

The ocean breezes gradually get warmer as we sail north through the South Atlantic Ocean. As we enter deeper waters, we are on constant lookout for killer whales, blue whales, sei whales and southern right whales. This is also the time for festivities such as the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail and the end-of-voyage slideshow.

Day 23 (March 21): Disembarkation in Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Right after the disembarkation, we provide a group transfer to Ezeiza (EZE) – International Airport or central location in Buenos Aires. As you look back on your wonderful experience, you may already be looking forward to your next polar adventure!

Note: We recommend to schedule your return flight from Buenos Aires (EZE) with a departure time that is not earlier than 7 PM.

Inclusions

  • 1 pre-voyage night at the Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa Hotel, where you can relax in a warm jacuzzi with stunning views.
  • Welcome to Ushuaia! We’ll meet you at the airport and provide a group transfer to the hotel on the day before embarkation.
  • Seamless group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2.
  • Cozy accommodation aboard the elegant Sea Spirit, your home away from home.
  • All IAATO fees, governmental taxes, and port fees are included for a worry-free experience.
  • Delicious gourmet meals crafted by our chef throughout your voyage.
  • 24-hour tea and coffee station, complete with cookies for a quick energy boost.
  • Scheduled landings and excursions (weather permitting) to explore breathtaking landscapes.
  • Expert leadership from our experienced Expedition Leader and top-notch Expedition Team.
  • A stylish branded Poseidon Expeditions parka to take home as a cherished memento.
  • Comfortable rubber boots for shore landings during your cruise.
  • Welcome and Farewell cocktails to celebrate your journey with fellow travelers.
  • Group transfer to the airport or central location right after disembarkation.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure materials to prepare you for your adventure.
  • A Digital Voyage Log with photos and a memorable video from our expedition photographer.
  • Wi-Fi on board to stay connected during your journey.

Itinerary, landings, and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

Exclusions

  • Airfare to the port of embarkation.
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, except those provided during special events and celebrations.
  • Personal expenses, such as laundry services and telephone calls.
  • Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance with a minimum coverage of US$ 200,000 per person.
  • Gratuities for staff.
  • The cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions before, during, or after the cruise.

A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the appropriate cabin rate is required to confirm the reservation of the Expedition Cruise. The final payment (80%) is due 90 days prior to the departure. Payments can be made via bank transfer (preferred method of payment) or by credit card. All payments are to be made in the agreed currency indicated in the invoice.

CABIN DETAILS

Rates Per Person

Triple Suite

Triple Suite

Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these staterooms have two twins and a comfortable sofa bed. The twins also convert to a King, if desired. Located on Oceanus Deck, these suites have a picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities. Amenities include: in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

3

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

U$ 16,695
Main Deck Suite

Main Deck Suite

Averaging 23 square metres/248 square feet, Main Deck cabins are equipped with either two twins or a King Size bed. They are located on the Main Deck with a minimum of two portholes for exterior views. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD individual temperature control and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

23 M² (248 FT²) m²

View

Portholes

U$ 22,095
Single Suite

Single Suite

Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/VCR, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

1

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

(Sold Out)
Classic Suite

Classic Suite

Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window, two wardrobes and a choice of either two twin beds or a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

U$ 23,695
Superior Suite

Superior Suite

Superior Suites are located on the Club Deck. Averaging 20 square metres/ 215 square feet, these cabins feature two twin beds or a King Size bed. The picture window overlooks an outside walkway on the Club Deck. Amenities include: en suite facilities, walk-in closet or wardrobe, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

20 M² (215 FT²) m²

View

Picture window

U$ 24,095
Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxe Suites with balconies are located on the Sports Deck. Averaging 24 square metres/ 258 square feet means plenty of room. Choose from either two twin beds or a King Size bed. A sliding glass door leads to a private balcony. These suites feature a walk-in closet or wardrobe. Amenities include en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and a hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

24 M² (258 FT²) m²

View

Private balcony

U$ 26,795
Premium Suite

Premium Suite

The Premium Suites are located on the Sun Deck. Averaging a generous 30 square metres/ 323 square feet, with two twin beds or a King Size bed. Access the private balcony by a sliding glass door. Amenities include: en suite facilities, lounge area, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

30 M² (323 FT²) m²

View

Private balcony

(Sold Out)
Owners Suite

Owners Suite

Super-spacious (63 square metres/ 678 square feet) elegant suite on the Sun Deck. Designed for entertaining, the Owner's Suite has a separate living room with game and meeting area. A BOSE stereo system provides background music, or watch videos on the HD plasma TV. Sliding glass doors lead to a private deck. Refresh in the jetted bathtub in en suite facilities. Slumber in the King Size bed. A sofa bed can accommodate a third person.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

63 M² (678 FT²) m²

View

PRIVATE DECK

U$ 36,495
Triple Suite

Triple Suite

Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these staterooms have two twins and a comfortable sofa bed. The twins also convert to a King, if desired. Located on Oceanus Deck, these suites have a picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities. Amenities include: in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

3

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

U$ 16,695
Main Deck Suite

Main Deck Suite

Averaging 23 square metres/248 square feet, Main Deck cabins are equipped with either two twins or a King Size bed. They are located on the Main Deck with a minimum of two portholes for exterior views. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD individual temperature control and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

23 M² (248 FT²) m²

View

Portholes

U$ 22,095
Single Suite

Single Suite

Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/VCR, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

1

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

(Sold Out)
Classic Suite

Classic Suite

Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window, two wardrobes and a choice of either two twin beds or a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

21 M² (226 FT²) m²

View

picture window

U$ 23,695
Superior Suite

Superior Suite

Superior Suites are located on the Club Deck. Averaging 20 square metres/ 215 square feet, these cabins feature two twin beds or a King Size bed. The picture window overlooks an outside walkway on the Club Deck. Amenities include: en suite facilities, walk-in closet or wardrobe, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

20 M² (215 FT²) m²

View

Picture window

U$ 24,095
Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxe Suites with balconies are located on the Sports Deck. Averaging 24 square metres/ 258 square feet means plenty of room. Choose from either two twin beds or a King Size bed. A sliding glass door leads to a private balcony. These suites feature a walk-in closet or wardrobe. Amenities include en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and a hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

24 M² (258 FT²) m²

View

Private balcony

U$ 26,795
Premium Suite

Premium Suite

The Premium Suites are located on the Sun Deck. Averaging a generous 30 square metres/ 323 square feet, with two twin beds or a King Size bed. Access the private balcony by a sliding glass door. Amenities include: en suite facilities, lounge area, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

30 M² (323 FT²) m²

View

Private balcony

(Sold Out)
Owners Suite

Owners Suite

Super-spacious (63 square metres/ 678 square feet) elegant suite on the Sun Deck. Designed for entertaining, the Owner's Suite has a separate living room with game and meeting area. A BOSE stereo system provides background music, or watch videos on the HD plasma TV. Sliding glass doors lead to a private deck. Refresh in the jetted bathtub in en suite facilities. Slumber in the King Size bed. A sofa bed can accommodate a third person.

Please note: All stateroom images of the Sea Spirit are artist’s impressions, and final designs may vary.

Passengers

2

Size

63 M² (678 FT²) m²

View

PRIVATE DECK

U$ 36,495

MORE INFORMATION

Adventure Options

Due to the small ship size, we normally have an average of two activities per day, each lasting about 2.5 hours — ensuring you can fully immerse yourself in the polar world! Enjoy landings with scenic hikes for all levels (walking sticks provided), wildlife encounters with insights from experts, and Zodiac cruises. Onboard, you’ll find expert-led lectures, masterclasses, bridge visits, and polar photography tips. Alternatively, you can relax in the jacuzzi, unwind in the library, or enjoy a drink at the bar. On one of the days, we’ll host a BBQ on the open deck! For the bravest, there’s the Polar Plunge — those who prefer not to participate can enjoy watching the fun. Each day is packed with exciting, unforgettable experiences.

U$ 995 Per Person

Antarctica is a paddlers’ paradise. The White Continent boasts some of the world’s most impressive landscapes and is home to incredible marine wildlife. Sea Kayak Club members will have the opportunity to paddle through tranquil waters filled with glittering icebergs and porpoising penguins while surrounded by magnificent glaciers and mountains.

The protected and picturesque waters of the Antarctic Peninsula offer the best sea kayaking opportunities in Antarctica. Sea Kayak Club is also offered on selected voyages to South Georgia, where members may have the rare opportunity to encounter the island’s legendary abundance of wildlife from a kayaker’s perspective, if the area’s notoriously inclement weather permits.

Included

The polar regions are a photographer’s dream, teeming with breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find endless opportunities to capture perfect shots.

To enhance your experience, our expedition photographer will host onboard masterclasses, offer tips during landings, and create a stunning slideshow of highlights to enjoy at the end of the cruise. After the journey, you’ll receive this slideshow along with a curated selection of photos to relive the adventure.

Our goal is to inspire and support you, ensuring you capture extraordinary images that you’ll treasure forever.

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Ship Details

Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries — a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen. In 2017, she was renovated to offer a unique mixture of adventure and comfort for our sophisticated travelers.

Sea Spirit has been retrofitted with Rolls Royce Zero Speed Stabilizers that allow safe, stable navigation through icy waters. The operational benefits of the new retractable fin stabilizers include reducing the ship’s roll when anchored, moored, or drifting, reducing dynamic drag when deployed while underway, and eliminating vibration and noise.

Onboard, we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all our guests. They are united by one goal — to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers. We believe that first-hand travel to such places makes one an ambassador for conservation, and helps strengthen our resolve to protect these natural environments for future generations.

Type

Small Ship

Capacity

114

Year Built

1991
Restaurant
Outdoor bistro
Bar
Presentation lounge
Expedition Desk
Jacuzzi
Club Lounge
Reception
Gym
Library
Bridge

The Sea Spirit’s State-of-the-Art Stabilizers

Polar adventurers aboard Poseidon Expedition’s 114-passenger vessel Sea Spirit will now benefit from advanced technology when the ship is equipped with new retractable fin stabilizers next year.

The 4,200-GRT vessel will be retrofitted with Rolls-Royce Zero Speed Stabilizers during the scheduled dry dock in May 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal, just prior to the commencement of the 2019 Arctic season.

According to Poseidon Expeditions’ Senior Director of Cruise Operations Nikolay Zakharov, “These new stabilizers will provide high-performance roll damping when the Sea Spirit is underway, while drifting, or even at anchor. They incorporate a time-tested trailing edge design that eliminates vibration and noise. At the same time, they look to the future with safeguards to protect the polar ecosystems. The stabilizers are fully compatible with environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL) and feature quad main seals for additional redundancy.

“The current Blohm & Voss stabilizers have served us well, but the new Rolls-Royce system uses a computer-based programmable logic controller (PLC) that develops different algorithms depending on conditions. The result will be a ride for our passengers as comfortable as aboard any expedition ship currently coming into the market,” he said.

The improvements will be made at the same time that the Sea Spirit will be re-certified for new IMO Polar Code requirements. Currently, the vessel has all valid technical and international certificates complying with IMO conventions to provide tourism activities in polar waters. Along with the technical improvements, more than $2.5 million in refurbishments to passenger areas – all cabins and public areas – have been made over the past few years to the Sea Spirit.

The Small Ship Advantage

Travel aboard a cruise ship is like staying in a resort hotel, except that your accommodation is also your transportation. Small expedition boats and passenger ships have an undeniable advantage over large cruise vessels. On a small ship Arctic & Antarctica cruises, you retire to the same bed each night and awake in a new polar place each morning. More and more people are discovering the joy and convenience of exploring a string of new destinations without changing hotels or repacking their suitcases.

When most people think of cruise ships, they imagine the floating mega-resorts that can exceed 1,000 feet (328 meters) in length. They imagine disembarking to explore the day’s destination with thousands of their shipmates and possibly also the passengers of several other ships in port that day. This style of traveling is certainly not for everyone. Many people prefer the autonomy and flexibility of independent travel. They want the freedom to wander off the beaten track, to discover the undiscovered, and to experience the world in a personal way.

At the same time, seasoned cruise passengers have realized there are still many parts of the world that are inaccessible to large cruise ships, due to constraints of draft or lack of port facilities. Some of these places are so remote or inhospitable that one cannot simply go on one’s own either. Such is the case with the Polar Regions.

In the wild, remote, unpopulated regions of Antarctica and the Arctic, the demand for tourist transportation and accommodation has been met by small cruise ships, also known as expedition ships. Being much smaller and more maneuverable than traditional cruise ships, these ships can navigate in shallow bays and narrow channels far from the shipping lanes and developed ports of the industrialized world. In addition, expedition ships operating in the high latitudes have hulls that are strengthened against ice. These features allow ships such as Sea Spirit to go where other ships cannot follow.

But of course, it is not enough simply to view these places from the ship. That is why Sea Spirit has a fleet of Zodiacs—small but extremely capable rubber boats perfect for taking passengers ashore at wild landing sites. Zodiacs are also ideal for giving passengers more intimate experiences with marine wildlife and natural features such as glaciers and icebergs. The ability to launch an excursion from the ship—anywhere, anytime—is essential for getting the most out of a visit to the Polar Regions.

Sea Spirit sets herself even farther apart by providing a level of comfort and luxury not usually found on a ship of her size. Travelers of all backgrounds are impressed with the size of the staterooms as well as the deluxe furnishings and thoughtful amenities throughout the ship, not to mention the superior cuisine and personalized attention from the crew. For the adventurous, sea kayaking and camping are offered as optional activities not found on traditional cruise ships.

From veteran cruise passengers to fiercely independent travelers, everyone wanting to visit the polar regions will find that taking small ship Arctic & Antarctica cruises aboard Sea Spirit is the best way to go.

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FAQ

Explore the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the polar regions with the best travel options tailored to your preferences.

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 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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Trip Request Form

Explore the vast, breathtaking landscapes of the polar regions with the best travel options tailored to your preferences.

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