01 Antarctica
JOURNEY
LATIN AMERICA
ANTARCTICA JOURNEYS
EXPEDITION CRUISES
E X P E R I E N C E
S O M E T H I N G
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
02 ― Antarctica Journeys
COVER Leopard seals:
second only to the killer
whale (orca) among
Antarctica’s top predators.
PHOTO: IStOCKPHOTO.COM
THIS PAGE Paradise Bay,
Antarctic Peninsula.
PHOTO: stockphoto.com
03 ― Antarctica Journeys
JOURNEY
ANTARCTICA
Once upon a time, Antarctica and Latin America were one.
Then, seventy million years ago, the opening of the Drake
Passage kick-started the separation of Antarctica from
the rest of the southern hemisphere land mass. Later, the
final break with Australia completed the isolation of the
ice-smothered continent which Man has since found so
elusive and spell-binding.
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04 ― Antarctica Journeys
05 ― Antarctica Journeys
It was amazing to feel we were
following the great explorers
to the Antarctic on our trip. The
whaling station on Deception
Island was most evocative. The
former British base at Wordie Hut
brought home the reality of life in
one of the last great wildernesses.
MM, Cambridge
Nowadays, for many visitors, just to revisit
the early challenges of the explorers,
whose names resonate with triumph and
tragedy – Amundsen, Scott and Shackleton
– is the starting point of what must be one
of the world’s last great adventures. Even
in the 21st century, there is no indigenous
population, government or economic activity,
and ice cuts it off from the rest of the world
for over half the year.
shutterstock.com
1914
1923
Port Lockroy, discovered in 1904 and a British
research station until the 1960s, is now a
museum and post office.
1961
There has never been war, the
environment is fully protected, and
scientific research has priority. The
Antarctic Treaty, ratified in 1961 by
countries with a scientific interest in
the area south of latitude 60°S hopes
to keep it this way designating it a
natural reserve, setting aside territorial
disputes, devoted to peace and
science. Tourism to the continent is
also regulated by the treaty.
The beginning of large-scale factory
ship whaling in the Ross Sea.
Plundered by whalers who took nearly
all its blue whales, the Ross Sea still
supports huge numbers of orcas,
minke, sei, sperm, Arnoux’s beaked
and southern bottlenose whales, and
hourglass dolphins. There are also
hundreds of thousands of penguins,
seabirds and seals. It has been called
‘the largest remaining, minimally
changed ecosystem on Earth’.
A complete holiday
Yes; it’s a long way, but, since the tip of
South America is the jumping off point for
most visits, it makes sense, if you have
time, to combine an Antarctic cruise with
other experiences on the Latin American
mainland. This is Journey Latin America’s
territory – let us take you there.
1966
Tourist visits to Antarctica started
in the late 1960s, when the first
expedition vessel was launched with
this purpose, but only took off in the
1990s. Journey Latin America’s first
Antarctica clients travelled in 1994.
Visitor numbers rose to a peak annual
figure of about 46,000 in 2007-8,
dropping slightly since. Capacity and
numbers are set to fall by up to 25%
owing to the new ban on ships’ use
of heavy fuel oil.
2009
Antarctica still offers inspiring
challenges. On 29th December 2009,
Felicity Aston from the UK stood at
the Geographic South Pole having
successfully led the largest and most
international women’s team ever to
make the 900km ski journey. Her
8-woman team involved members
from several Commonwealth
countries, many of whom had little or
no previous expedition experience.
QUARK
Frank Hurley / Royal Geographical society
L. C. Bernacchi / Royal Geographical society
Ernest Shackleton, a veteran of
Scott’s first expedition, returned to
Antarctica on board the Endurance
in an attempt to complete the first
crossing of the continent. The goal was
not attained, but one of the greatest
adventures of all time followed. Their
ship was crushed in the sea ice and a
small party set out for South Georgia
and the whaling station. The party
was eventually rescued in 1916 and
Shackleton himself finally arrived back
in England on 29 May 1917.
Active adventures
What’s more, these days, you don’t have to
just sit tight on board or stroll on an Antarctic
beach for an hour or so from a Zodiac landing.
If you wish, you can get a more intimate
perspective, with climbing, hiking, seakayaking and camping available on some
cruises. You’ll find yourself treading in the
footsteps of the adventurers, sportsmen and
women and even celebrities who explore on
foot, sled, skis or even by helicopter.
Felicity Aston with her 8-woman team.
CP
1901
In 1995, a hundred years after the
first recorded footfall on the Antarctic
mainland, and less than 30 years after
the continent was opened to a handful
of tourists, I boarded the Alla Tarasova.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union,
western tour operators worked with
cash-strapped, Russian-crewed scientific
research ships to offer western visitors
rudimentary and somewhat challenging
Antarctic cruises. It was certainly
adventurous, and our motley international
group really had not much of an idea what
to expect...
Chris Parrott, Founding Director,
Journey Latin America.
Russian icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov was
the first ship to circumnavigate Antarctica with
passengers, in 1996-7
Shackleton (left) and Hurley at Patience Camp.
Robert Falcon Scott led two
expeditions to Antarctica. His first
in the research ship Discovery took
place between 1901-4. The second
set off on the Terra Nova in 1910.
The boat became locked in pack ice
but Scott reached the South Pole in
January 1912, only to be beaten to
his goal by Amundsen’s Norwegian
expedition. The whole team (Scott,
Bowers, Evans, Oates and Wilson)
perished on the return journey from
the South Pole.
Wilderness comfort
The majority of the lucky few who come
here travel on an expeditionary cruise.
Until very recently ships were sombre,
barely converted working vessels,
functional and sturdy with basic facilities.
Now, you can choose between a range of
comfortable, purpose-built yachts with
roomy, well appointed cabins, excellent
cuisine and high-tech facilities.
xi
Frank Hurley / Royal Geographical society
The bowsprit of a four-masted
brig would rear up from a
foaming austral sea; weatherbeaten youngsters hardly into
their teens would spend twelve
hours aloft in the face of icy gales
in the Roaring Forties.
The final frontier
For centuries Antarctica was a myth fired
by human imagination and rumours spread
by the early circumnavigators of the world.
Then, just under two hundred years ago,
explorers, sealers and whalers invaded the
rugged shore-line. Yet, it was not until the
intrepid expeditions of the Victorian era
that the vertical walls of frozen rock and
crevasse-scarred ice of the interior were
first travelled in the frenzied race to the
South Pole.
antar
cti
ca
x
The
world’s
last
untouched
wildlife
wilderness
The ultimate wilderness experience
Antarctica presents you with a dazzling theatre
of larger-than-life natural dramas, a kaleidoscope
of colours and a symphony of sounds. Along the
ice-stifled shores and among the hauntingly
beautiful bergs and glaciers, there thrives a
tumultuous wildlife – vociferous, agitated,
sometimes violent, always entertaining. Penguins
in their hundreds of thousands, seals, whales
and a huge variety of bird-life breed, wheel, feed
and die here. Watch them, walk among them,
film them, and listen as their plaintive cries pierce
the translucent light of a never-ending day.
Shackleton, Wilson and Captain Scott ready for the Southern journey in 1902.
Shackleton’s Endurance, locked in the ice.
Zodiac ride to the Alla Tarasova. Sturdy Russian research ships were the main means of travel to
Antartica until a few years ago.
The 189-berth Ocean Diamond, launched 2012, epitomises today’s more comfortable approach to
Antarctic cruising. Among other options today, a flight by modern jet aircraft can substitute the
2-day crossing of the Drake Passage in under 2 hours.
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10
06 ― Antarctica Journeys
07 ― Antarctica Journeys
brian.williams@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
jordi plana / antarctica xxi
Sledging in the snow
Back to childhood in the snow?
Our cruise, like many, made a
point of having at least one
‘landing’ on the continent itself.
This was at the Argentine base
camp facing Paradise Bay. Above
it looms a snow-capped peak,
which we trudged up on a gentle
path to reach in about 15 minutes.
But there’s no trudging down –
that’s done by sledging 400m on
your own plastic cushion. A real
adrenaline rush!
Chris Parrott, Director
Volunteer Beach in the Falkland Islands
is a pristine 3km long white sand beach
backed by a grassy bank and a deep blue
lagoon. This stunning location is the
year-round home to a noisy colony of
about 500 pairs of strikingly beautiful
king penguins and their fluffy brown
chicks. Seeing the most elegant and
photogenic of the penguin family up so
close was made all the more magical for
being one of only four tourists there.
Ben Line, Travel Consultant
ben.line@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
chris.parrott@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
4
Haunting history
A highlight was our landing
at Whalers’ Bay on Deception
Island. The island is still an active
volcano and only accessed
through its open caldera. There
are many haunting vestiges
evoking the island’s past
industriousness – workers’
houses, whaling station
installations and huge metal
drums for melting the whale fat.
The whaling only ceased in the
1970s when a volcanic eruption
put paid to operations.
Verity Allan, Travel Consultant
verity.allan@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
8
The never-ending day
9
Wildlife wonderland
It never gets dark during the Antarctic
summer. The sun sets, only to rise again
a short while later. On the night we
arrived in Antarctica we went out on deck
after dinner as the fading light turned
the mountains, icebergs and ocean an
incredible shade of purple. It seemed
unreal, but in Antarctica everything was
new. I remember never wanting to go to
bed in case I missed something.
David Nichols, Product Manager
david.nichols@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
South Georgia was definitely
one of the highlights of my trip.
The glaciers provide a spectacular
backdrop to the beaches crammed
with hundreds of thousands of
penguins. But there’s more: the
history of Stromness, where
Shackleton arrived at the end
of a trek to seek help for the
Endurance’s stranded crew. We
too had the opportunity to take
a slightly less challenging walk!
Isabelle Mazille,
Product Manager
isabelle.mazille@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
10
5
The thrill of the
chase
jan veen-veda / oceanwide
louisa hartman
6
Where the penguin is King
A dip in the sea of ice
One of my most abiding
memories is of being ‘chased’
by a leopard seal while racing
back to the ship in a Zodiac – it
kept pace with us easily and
sometimes looked as if it might
actually leap into the boat. It
was a pretty scary, but exciting,
experience as I hadn’t quite
realised how big the animals are,
nor how sharp their teeth look.
Kathryn Glover,
Product Assistant
Swimming in the Antarctic Ocean!
Being given the option to strip
down to my boxers and immerse
myself in Antarctic water wasn’t
the most appealing of prospects
but I’m so glad I did it. It was a bit
like trying to dip your toe into a
piping hot bath while someone
was throwing iced water at you.
I had thought Antarctica was
all about penguins and ice but
there’s so much more...
Simon Doran, Systems Manager
kathryn.glover@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
simon.doran@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
istock.com
RAFAEL POLa / antarctica xxi
nicola.gude
@journeylatinamerica.co.uk
2
1
A whale of a time
rosie.sneddon@
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
After the daily excitement
I wasn’t looking forward to
the return journey, two full
days at sea, mostly battling
with the swell in the Drake
Passage. It was part of the
experience and not as bad
as I had been told, and
certainly memorable!
Brian Williams,
Founding Director
antarctica xxi
We asked them to choose their
favourite moments – quite a
challenge as there were so many,
but here is a selection of the best.
Just drop them an email if you
would like to find out more.
Riding the waves
Signing up for kayaking added a really
exciting perspective to my Antarctic
experience. My best memories are
of paddling out into calm and serene
bays, feeling dwarfed in my kayak by
soaring cliffs of ice. On one occasion, a
group of gentoo penguins leapt out of
the water right alongside me and even
jumped over my paddle, seemingly
oblivious to my presence.
Nicola Gude, Travel Consultant
jordi plana / antarctica xxi
JAMIE SCARROW / QUARK
A dozen members of our current
staff have travelled to Antarctica.
All returned enthused by the
enormity of the scale and drama of
the experience, and they are only
too happy to share their personal
perspective with you.
7
elke lidner / oceanwide
Paddling among penguins
Our top 10
Antarctic
experiences
We were out on the Zodiacs,
cruising around the icebergs,
when a female humpback whale
and her calf swam close by. They
passed under our boat and came
fluking up, almost close enough
to touch. Everyone immediately
reached for their cameras, trying
to get the best shot. I soon gave
up trying to capture the fluke
on film, and sat back to watch
the magnificent creatures.
Unforgettable.
Rosie Sneddon, Travel
Consultant
NIGEL MCCALL
3
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09 ― Antarctica Journeys
EOLO
istockphoto.com
From icy Patagonia to rainforest
Iguazú
Some of South America’s most scenic
top attractions – the craggy Fitz
Roy Mountains; Tierra del Fuego’s
hinterland; Torres del Paine National
Park – are tantalisingly close, and, given
the comprehensive network of intracontinental flights, you are not so far
from other temptations: The Iguazú
Falls, Rio’s Sugar Loaf Mountain, Machu
Picchu in Peru. Over half our cruise
clients combine an Antarctica trip
with a visit to Chile and/or Argentina.
THIS PAGE, TOP, The Fitz Roy mountains of
Patagonia, Argentina.
MIDDLE: Eolo Lodge, Patagonia, Argentina
RIGHT: View of Costa Verde, south of Rio de
Janeiro.
FACING PAGE, TOP: Iguazú Falls, on the
border of Argentina and Brazil.
MIDDLE: La Boca neighbourhood,
Buenos Aires.
BOTTOM: Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro.
pestana HOTELS
How do you choose where to go?
This is where Journey Latin America
can help you. You might like to get a
taste of the glaciated landscapes of
Patagonia before setting sail to the
larger scale features of Antarctica:
the famous Perito Moreno glacier, for
example, not far from the minty blue
waters of Lago Argentino in Argentina’s
Los Glaciares National Park. Or visit this
region after your cruise, with a relaxing
wind down on a luxury countryside
estancia, enjoying gaucho hospitality.
Stretch your legs on a scenic hike
You might stretch your legs before or
after your cruise with some walking
and sight-seeing in the magnificent
Torres del Paine National Park of
Chile, where again there’s a variety
of attractive places to stay from
istockphoto.com
The most convenient and frequently
used departure point for cruises to
Antarctica is the port of Ushuaia in
Tierra del Fuego, southern Argentina.
The usual route is to fly to Buenos
Aires, and connect on to a domestic
flight to Tierra del Fuego, after a rest
day in the capital. It is a very long way
to go, but your journey takes you to the
tip of perhaps the world’s most exotic
continent, South America. We suggest
you consider extending your holiday
to include highlights further north,
breaking your journey in either or
both directions.
istockphoto.com
Journey
Latin
America
in
Antarctica
istockphoto.com
08 ― Antarctica Journeys
tented camps to sophisticated first
class properties with huge suites,
outdoor Jacuzzis and gourmet meals
with wine. For dedicated lovers of the
great outdoors there’s trekking along
guanaco trails in the wilderness of
rugged Tierra del Fuego just beyond
the jagged hand of mountains framing
Ushuaia, your cruise departure port.
Warm up on a tropical beach
It’s a long way home. Break your
journey with a visit somewhere that
contrasts with the chilly wilds of the
south – try the sultry tropical forest
which surrounds the phenomenal
Iguazú Falls, and a couple of days in
cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, with
its Parisian-inspired architecture,
vivacious nightlife, trendy boutiques
and tango shows. For a real change of
scene as you travel north on your way
home, continue to a sunlit beach on the
coast of Uruguay or along the Emerald
Coast close to Rio de Janeiro, where
a clutch of well-known attractions
beckon you to the ‘Marvellous City’ at
the cutting edge of Brazil’s economic
boom and chosen site for the World Cup
and the Olympic Games.
Talk to us – we’ve been there
Of course if you prefer to travel solely
to take a cruise, Journey Latin America’s
experience and knowledge here
comes into its own – around a fifth of
our staff have travelled to Antarctica
on different ships, and enjoyed
different highlights. We love the White
Continent, and it shows (see pages 6-7).
For more information and ideas on
how to build your Antarctica holiday,
go to journeylatinamerica.co.uk, email
us at [email protected]
or talk to our sales consultants on
020 8747 8315 and order our Bespoke
or Escorted Group brochures.
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
South America
and Antarctica
A tempting
combination
A link-up of some of the top
sights of South America with
Antarctica is easy to arrange.
Just tell us where you’d like to go.
Below is just an example of how
we can create a superb holiday
experience with contrasting
highlights.
ANTARCTICA, BUENOS AIRES,
AND THE IGUAZÚ FALLS
A holiday of staggering contrasts:
the wilderness landscapes of the
Antarctic, the sophistication of
lively Buenos Aires and the subtropical lushness of the Iguazú
Falls National Park.
Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Day 1:Transfer to hotel Buenos
Aires, and stay 2 nights.
Day 2: City tour. Evening tango
show with dinner.
Day 3:Fly to Ushuaia, Tierra del
Fuego.
Day 4: Board Ocean Diamond
(p23) for 9 nights. Sail on
the Beagle Channel
towards Cape Horn.
Day 5: Cross the Drake Passage
towards Antarctica.
Day 6: Arrive in the South Shetland
Islands.
Day 7: Daily landings by Zodiac
craft.
Day 8: Opportunities to view
wildlife up close.
Day 9: Great photography every
day.
Day 10: O
n-board lectures
to complement your
experience.
Day 11: Head north towards the
Drake Passage.
Day 12: Cross the Drake Passage.
Day 13: Arrive Ushuaia, disembark
and fly to Buenos Aires for
1 night.
Day 14: Fly to the Iguazú Falls. Stay
2 nights. Guided tour of the
Argentine side of the falls.
Day 15: Visit the Brazilian side of
the falls.
Day 16: F
ly back to Buenos Aires
for 1 night.
Day 17: Transfer to airport.
Guideline price per person, based
on 2 sharing (excluding international
flights): £6,500-£7,600 depending
on date of departure.
Antarctic wildlife – what to
see, when and where
The theatre of wildlife in
Antarctica displays an ever
changing narrative of birth,
struggle, pleasure, fulfilment
and death. You may witness the
comedy of a waddling penguin
building its nest, a mother bird
feeding its young or reuniting
with a returning mate; a wily
seal escaping the clutches of a
hunting whale.
Highlights included
setting foot on
Antarctica and
seeing the wildlife
in its natural habitat.
The first part had
always been an
ambition of mine.
SM, Dennie
shutterstock.com
11 ― Antarctica Journeys
Lynn woodworth / quark
10 ― Antarctica Journeys
Also seen are leopard seals,
Antarctic fur, crab-eater, Weddell
and Southern elephant seals;
humpback, minke and killer whales.
Among a large variety of marine
birds, there are 17 species of
penguin, of which four breed in
Antarctica (emperor, chinstrap,
gentoo and Adélie).
During the summer, however, the land
radiates in long lingering hours of daylight.
The most popular months for cruising are
January and February. At this time, wildlife
is at its most prolific. Travel before this,
however, in November or early December,
and you will encounter a spring-awakened
environment of virgin snow unpolluted by
the footsteps of other visitors. Wait until
March, and the pack-ice is relenting, giving
access to areas further south and there are
fewer travellers as the season draws to a
close. The sublime landscape of rock and ice
is of course timeless, but subtle differences
characterise each month.
What the weather is like
The Antarctic Peninsula and islands have
a typical maritime climate. The cold winters
are followed by warmer summers, with
temperatures lower in the higher altitudes
on the eastern side. Average temperatures
during the cruising season vary between
+1°C and -15°C.
What to see as the season unfolds
South Shetland Islands
Visitors include chinstrap, gentoo,
macaroni and Adélie penguins;
giant petrels, Wilson’s and blackbellied storm petrels, brown and
south polar skuas, Cape pigeons,
Antarctic terns, blue-eyed shags,
Dominican gulls, elephant, fur,
leopard and crab-eater seals;
humpback, minke and orca (killer)
whales offshore.
November
―S
tart of the season: clean, untouched
landing sites.
― Spring flowers peppering the Falklands
and South Georgia.
― Courtship rituals of penguins and other
seabirds, nest building.
― Elephant and fur seals court and carve
out their territories.
― Emperor penguins on the frozen wastes
of the Weddell Sea.
DECEMBER – JANUARY
―L
ong days of summer light, milder
temperatures.
― Penguin chicks hatch in the Falklands
and South Georgia, then the Antarctic
Peninsula.
― Seal pups born on South Georgia and
the Falklands.
― Whale sightings increase.
FEBRUARY – MARCH
―E
xcellent whale-watching opportunities.
― Penguin chicks begin to fledge.
― Fur seals increasingly numerous on the
Antarctic Peninsula.
― Colourful snow algae breaks the snowwhite domination of the landscape.
― Spectacular sunrises and sunsets add
a rosy glow to the ice.
― The pack ice is breaking up and may allow
for deeper penetration of the Weddell Sea.
Antarctic Peninsula
Chinstrap, gentoo and Adélie
penguins abound. Breeding birds
include skuas, Antarctic terns,
giant petrels, snowy sheathbills,
Antarctic shags, kelp gulls, Wilson’s
storm, Antarctic and snow petrels.
shutterstock.com
It’s technically a desert; precipitation
averages only 166mm (6½ins) per year.
Depressions can bring in cloud and snow or
rain, but when the sun shines, it is magic.
The ice is tinted from an extraordinary
palette of pink, crimson, tangerine and
violet – a kaleidoscope of colour. Weather
conditions can be unpredictable: periods
of calm, frozen intensity give way to a
sudden storm or blizzard. White-outs are not
infrequent, and winds can career down from
the polar plateau to the coast at velocities
of up to 300km an hour – treacherous
conditions for the unprepared and it can
be bitterly cold.
When to go to Antarctica
The Antarctic is accessible by ship from late
October to March, the southern hemisphere
summer. Outside this period, days are short
and dark.
shutterstock.com
THE
NATURE OF
ANTARCTIC
CRUISING
Drake Passage and the Antarctic
Convergence
Over 35 species of bird may
accompany your crossing. Species
include giant petrels, Antarctic
fulmars, and the black-browed
and wandering albatrosses
with wingspans up to 3m.
LEFT: Antarctica offers
penguins galore throughout
the season but January is
generally considered the best
time to see them with their
chicks. However, emperor
penguins (pictured) are
normally only present at Snow
Hill island until December.
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shutterstock.com
Mammals abound here: blue,
orca, humpback, minke and
Southern right whales prowl
the chilly ocean, while Weddell,
Ross, crab-eater, leopard and
elephant seals sprawl on the
beaches. Plant life in Antarctica
proper is restricted to lichen,
mosses and algae but there are
hundreds of colourful varieties
of these. There’s a greater range
of plant-life thriving on the
sub-Antarctic islands: in spring
the Falklands are awash with
flowers.
Weddell Sea
Leopard seals bask on the ice floes,
Adélie penguins throng on Paulet
Island and a colony of emperor
penguins is to be found at Snow Hill
Island.
Falkland Islands
65 species of birds breed here
including 6 species of penguin,
12 of albatross and smaller petrels,
over 30 of land-feeding birds.
Marine birds form large colonies on
the remote western islands. There
are no native mammals: introduced
species include rabbits, foxes,
otters, guanacos and domestic
and farm animals. The coasts are
frequented by Southern sea-lions,
Falkland Islands fur seals, and
elephant seals. The harbours host
leopard seals, killer whales, pilot
whales, several species of dolphins
and spectacled porpoises.
South Georgia
Breeding colonies of king, gentoo,
macaroni penguins are to be found,
Adélie, chinstrap, Magallenic and
rockhopper penguins may also be
spotted, with Antarctic giant petrels,
snow petrels, snowy sheathbills,
Antarctic and slender-billed prions,
albatrosses, mollymawks. Elephant
seals, and over a million fur seals
breed on the beaches, leopard
seals hunt around the penguin
colonies.
Ross Sea and Ice Shelf
The wildlife highlight here
is the presence of colonies
of the regal emperor
penguin, the largest of the
species, usually present
between October and early
December.
Planning
for your
adventure
13 ― Antarctica Journeys
ERIC LINDBERG / quark
12 ― Antarctica Journeys
Although still and sunny days
like this are not the norm even in
the Antarctic Summer, it can be
a unique pleasure to relax out on
deck like these passengers on
the Sea Spirit (p22)
LIFE ON BOARD
What’s the routine of
a typical day on cruise?
unfolds before you whatever
the weather. Although the
expedition team will always
supervise all landings, there
are opportunities to absorb it
all on your own.
Antarctic travel can make you
hungry. Lunch is back on board,
icebergs gliding slowly past
your table as the ship heads
for new territory. The call of
a whale sighting can send
everyone rushing outdoors.
An occasional roll of the boat
tests the agility of the crew as
they head towards tables with
the next course. There’s never
a dull moment.
Journey Latin America
Product Manager David
Nichols writes about a
typical day on an Antarctic
cruise. He is one of many
of our staff who have
been there:
Who takes a cruise in Antarctica?
Greatly outnumbering national programme
and research personnel by a factor of 7 to 1,
tourists form the largest group of visitors
in any one year. Now that the really huge
cruise ships are prohibited, the number of
visitors is limited by the available places
on smaller vessels. With new restrictions
in place, tourist numbers in 2011-12 fell
from 34,000 the previous year to around
25,500, though the total is predicted to rise
in the upcoming season. A mix of ages and
nationalities, they are made up of couples,
groups of friends, organised groups and
What clothes should I take?
Protective clothing is the single most
important way of ensuring a comfortable
and enjoyable cruise. Modern fabrics
are available which are neither heavy
nor voluminous. We recommend a
breathable, thermal base layer to wick
away perspiration; a warm mid-layer such
as a fleece or down sweater; light, lined
trousers; and a wind and shower proof (but
breathable) outer shell garment. A hat, scarf,
warm socks, gloves and rubber boots (for
wet landings: these can be pre-ordered and
supplied on board) are essential.
Do I have to be fit?
You need to be sufficiently agile to get in
and out of small landing craft and walk over
rocky terrain. There is a doctor on board, but
Antarctica is a very remote destination and
if you fall ill or have an accident you cannot
just be helicoptered out to safety, so bear this
in mind if you have a pre-existing condition.
Your holiday is not cheap –make sure your
insurance covers you for the full amount if
you have to cancel.
What will my cruise cost?
You’ll be paying from around £3,200 per
person (for a 9-night Classic Antarctica
itinerary, sharing a twin cabin with shared
facilities on an expedition ship such as
the Ushuaia, p20, in the low season) to
over £26,000 per person (in a suite on a
ship cruising to the Ross Sea, such as the
Ortelius, p21). Prices vary according to
dates in the season, length of itinerary,
route, ship and type of cabin.
Who are the expedition team and
crew?
An Antarctic cruise is an informal, friendly
affair. It’s assumed that all visitors will have
a love of natural wilderness and wildlife,
and everything will be done to ensure that
your enjoyment of these will be maximised.
The staff and crew are highly trained,
welcoming and very experienced:
― Captains have spent years navigating in
polar regions.
― An experienced and enthusiastic Englishspeaking expedition team from Europe
or the Americas is employed to organise
the daily programme and accompany the
shore excursions.
― You will be informed by lecturers who
specialise in the natural and human
history of the region – many of them well
known naturalists or former members of
Antarctic scientific expeditions.
― The ship crew is usually from Europe,
Russia or the Philippines.
Associate Member
Is my cruise environmentally
friendly?
All ships with which Journey Latin America
works operate according to a stringent
voluntary code of conduct developed by
the International Association of Antarctica
Tour Operators (www.iaato.org), designed
to minimise impact of visits to this fragile
environment. We are fully committed to
protect this pristine wilderness for future
generations.
Journey Latin America is
an associate member of
IAATO as are all the ships
and operating companies we
feature here. This means you
can be confident that your
expedition to Antarctica will
adhere to strict guidelines
on responsible tourism and
environmental protection.
www.iaato.org
The call to Zodiacs sounds at
9-ish. Cocooned in layers, you’ll
be glad you wrapped up as you
exit the ship. On a stormy day
the biting sleet-laden winds
of Antarctica will sandblast
any remaining bits of exposed
flesh. On a glistening, sunlit
morning you’ll soon be peeling
off those layers while the
Antarctic sun warms your
body as you crunch through
the snow. Although not the
norm, clear days in Antarctica,
with their palette of whites
and blues, are truly magical.
But the never-ending spectacle
of Antarctica’s wildlife
TOM ARBAN / QUARK
single people. (Singles can request a samesex share to keep the costs down.) Children
are accepted but we do not recommend a
cruise for anyone under 12 years of age.
Most visitors will share a love of adventure,
the natural environment and wildlife, and
it is easy to make new friends.
NATHALIE THIBAULT / OCEANWIDE
What is the nature of an Antarctic
cruise?
Antarctica is very remote: once committed
to your journey, you are humbled by the
domination of the weather and ocean
conditions, the melting and freezing of
ice-packs, and the movement of icebergs.
A cruise here is not like a jaunt around
the Caribbean or Mediterranean. This is
expeditionary cruising: you will be facing
the same environmental challenges as
the early explorers, albeit in much greater
comfort, and with the assistance of modern
technology and communications. Itineraries
will vary from the original plan if conditions
demand/permit. You may not be able to
visit a spot you had been particularly keen
to see; on the other hand, new unforeseen
opportunities may well open up.
Some linger at breakfast and
chat whilst contemplating
the frozen world beyond their
table. Others have already been
out on deck and are itching to
get back outside. One or two,
disorientated by the neverending daylight in Antarctica,
have forgotten to go to bed ’til
5am and make it to breakfast
in the nick of time.
This is just a small part of the
information we have available about
Antarctic cruises. Please call us or go to
our website journeylatinamerica.co.uk
for more details.
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
Wrap up again for the
afternoon landing - perhaps
3pm. It could be a Zodiac cruise
amid penguin-studded ice
floes, or a call upon scientists
in an isolated research station.
And everything depends on
the weather.
ROLF STANGE / PLANCIUS
sylvia and martin jones
You’ll wake early – partly
because dawn breaks in the
middle of the night, but also out
of excitement: the promise of
what a new day in Antarctica
will bring.
The warmth of life on board
can be as inviting as the
adventure itself. You really
appreciate that steaming mug
of cocoa and hot shower when
you get back on ship. There’s
time to really unwind – enjoy
an informal lecture, relax with
a book - before dinner.
Polar evenings are stunning if
conditions are still. Go out on
deck and enjoy crimson-tinged
icescapes. The only difficult
decision is when to call it a day.
Not easy when it never gets
dark.
14 ― Antarctica Journeys
15 ― Antarctica Journeys
7 South Georgia
6
Falkland Islands
(Las Islas Malvinas)
0 Kilometres
ATLANTIC OCEAN
A n ta r c
South Orkney
Islands
tic
cir
cl
• Port Stanley
scotia sea
queen mAUD land
DRA
C
TI
Proclamation
Island
WEDDELL SEA
C
PE
NI
NS
UL
Mawson •
AMERY
ICE SHELF
A
RONNE
ICE SHELF
• Amery
GREATER ANTARCTICA
•
Davis
queen mary land
Peter I Island
•
• South Pole
6. The Falkland Islands
The starkly beautiful, tree-bare Falklands are a popular additional
destination for many Antarctic cruises, with rewarding wildlife viewing
and the chance to experience the unique island culture. The capital,
Port Stanley, is home to just over 2000 souls: now an anachronistic,
tranquil town with a Hebridean feel, it was a thriving coaling station in
the days before the Panama Canal.
shackleton ICE
SHELF
LESSER ANTARCTICA
AMUNDSEN sea
ROSS ICE
SHELF
Cape Royds
•
Bay of Whales
McMurdo Sound
Mount Erebus
• Cape Evans
Franklin
Island
Terra Nova Bay
Mertz Glacier
Commonwealth Bay
Dumont d’Urville
ROSS sea
Cape Adare
South
Orkney
Islands
Falkland Islands
(Las Islas Malvinas)
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
ANTARCTICA XXI
8
South Georgia
• South
Magnetic
Pole
7. South Georgia
Two days’ voyage north from Antarctica across the Scotia Sea,
this narrow island of two mountain ranges rises 2300m from the
ocean – a land of alpine glaciated peaks, ice-scalloped fjords
and protected valleys. It is at the now rusting whaling station at
Stromness that Shackleton first raised the alarm of his wrecked
ship, having famously trekked across the mountains.
Balleny Islands
•Port Stanley
South
Shetland
Islands
Delphine Aures / Oceanwide Expeditions
3. South Shetland Islands
A rugged, heavily-glaciated chain of four island groups and dozens
of islets hugs the Antarctic Peninsula, providing a sheltered sea
passage defined by towers of black rock. Names evoke the
experiences and imagination of the early explorers – Deception and
Desolation Islands, the Watchtower, and Elephant Island, where
Shackleton’s expedition was stranded for 135 days.
5. Weddell Sea
A few sailings pass through the iceberg-strewn Antarctic Sound to
reach the pack-ice of the Weddell Sea, graveyard of several early
expeditionary ships. Nordenskjold’s hut is preserved at Snow Hill
Island; here he and his group of turn-of-the-(20th)-century scientists
survived two Antarctic winters in what amounts to a potting shed.
•
ENDERBy land
3
3000
Riiser-Larsen Peninsula
Syowa
bellinghausen
sea
2. Drake Passage and Antarctic Convergence
Drake Passage separates South America from Antarctica, and its
traverse may be accompanied by wild storms stirring angry waves,
or (albeit rarely) gentle breezes rippling a glassy millpond. The
Antarctic Convergence marks the point at which the cold Antarctic
Ocean meets warmer northern waters. The resulting up-welling of
nutrients attracts marine and birdlife in astonishing abundance.
2000
e
E
• Punta Arenas
CHILE
1000
AG
Ushuaia •
Cape Horn •
Cape Norvegia •
4
KE P
ASS
1
2
2000
Georg von Neumayer •
R
TA
C.P.
ARGENTINA
5
AN
1. Beagle Channel and Cape Horn
Cruises departing Ushuaia will first navigate the island-dotted waters
of the Beagle Channel between this, the world’s most southerly city,
and Navarino Island, before heading out on the open sea towards
the gale-buffeted rock of Cape Horn. Few expeditions make landfall
at the Cape, but most ships get close enough to see it, usually on the
return leg.
South Shetland
Islands
1000
ISTOCKPHPOTO.COM
0 Miles
ALLAN WHITE / FALKLANDS TOURIST BOARD
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
ANTARCTICA DESTINATIONS
Elephant Island
ARGENTINA
Ushuaia
•
Cape Horn
•
Macquarie
Island
AN
R
TA
Petermann Island
Detaille Island
TI
C
Gerlache Strait
Neumeyer Channel
Port Lockroy
Paradise Bay
Lemaire Channel
CHILE
PACIFIC OCEAN
Seymour Island
Snow Hill Island
Deception Island
• Punta Arenas
4. Antarctic Peninsula and the Antarctic Circle
The Peninsula is the most accessible area of the continent and hosts
some of the most interesting scenery and wildlife, as well as many of
the continent’s scientific bases. Ships edge southwards through the
slush and abstract patterns formed by the fractured sea ice. A few
cruises, departing mostly in January and February, attempt to reach
the Antarctic Circle, at 66°33’.
Dundee Island
Paulet Island
King George Island
C
PE
NI
NS
Auckland
Islands
UL
A
Hobart•
Marguerite Bay
0 Miles
0 Kilometres
500
NEW ZEALAND
1000
Lyttelton •
•Bluff
•Invercargill
Tasmania
AUSTRALIA
8. The Far Side of Antarctica: The Ross Sea
Few travellers reach this remote territory, where the tempestuous
south wind brushes the sea floor white. The extra effort to reach it
is repaid by dramatic scenery and a unique wilderness experience.
We offer two epic voyages between Argentina and New Zealand
which aim to reach Scott and Shackleton’s huts and sail in the
shadow of Mount Erebus, Mount Terror and the Ross Ice Shelf.
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
16 ― Antarctica Journeys
Gentoo penguin rookery,
Antarctic Peninsula
shutterstock.com
istockphoto.com
17 ― Antarctica Journeys
The small group meant we
benefited from plenty of
guides, no Zodiac waits and
plenty of public space on the
ship. It and the weather may
have influenced the very
positive decision to go into
the Weddell Sea.
CN, Edinburgh
EXPEDITION ROUTES
The success of your holiday in Antarctica
depends on choosing the right itinerary and
the right ship to suit you. Some of our ships
offer cruises covering several of the different
itineraries; other routes are served by only one.
You don’t have to venture deep into this huge continent – larger
than Europe – to have a rewarding experience of what Antarctica
has to offer. The most frequent and popular itineraries are the
8-10 night trips which cross the Drake Passage to visit the most
accessible region of the continent around the Antarctic Peninsula,
a slim finger of land and offshore islands reaching out from the
main continental mass towards southern Argentina. In addition to
prolific wildlife and extraordinary ice-carved landscapes you will
see evidence of the human impact – derelict whaling stations, and
research outposts.
If you have a bit more time you can explore the iceberg-dotted
Weddell Sea. Other longer cruises will include visits to South
Georgia and the Falklands, famous for their huge penguin
rookeries. Much further afield, towards the Australasian side of
the land mass, is the little-visited Ross Sea, difficult to access
and a true wilderness.
All itineraries are for guidance only; ships may have a preliminary
plan to visit the places in their published itineraries, but the exact
programme may vary depending on the state of the ice, weather
conditions, or the presence of wildlife. All voyages, unless otherwise
stated, begin and end in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, and cross the
Drake Passage where conditions range from placid to stormy.
The return journey is usually scheduled to pass Cape Horn.
CLASSIC ANTARCTICA
8, 9 or 10 nights
The Weddell Sea
10-13 nights
Antarctica AIR-CRUISES
6 or 7 nights
The most accessible and mildest region of Antarctica, the Antarctic
Peninsula and its string of tiny islands have a dynamic and varied
landscape. Rugged, primeval mountain peaks are scoured by glaciers
which calve battleship-sized icebergs into the sea, while providing
rich breeding grounds for seabirds, penguins and seals. As your ship
edges its way through the fractured ice and navigates the narrow,
sheer-sided Lemaire Channel, you may spot a whale or two.
The place resonates with history, too: you’ll probably visit
Port Lockroy, home of the British Antarctic Survey, Hope Bay,
where the Argentinean base is located alongside a large Adélie
penguin rookery, Neumeyer Channel and Petermann Island.
As well as visiting the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
and the South Shetland Islands this route enters the Weddell
Sea, with its vast tabular ‘bergs, on the eastern side of the peninsula.
Few departures are scheduled to undertake this route, owing to the
Valparaiso
thickness of the ice – this is where
the last vestiges of the crushed
(Santiago)
and scuppered ship Endurance can
be spotted, now a playground for
seals and penguins. A couple of dedicated cruises departing early
in the season will endeavour to reach the magnificent emperor
penguins on Snow Hill Island before they waddle off towards the
interior of Antarctica in December – as documented in the famous
‘March of the Penguins’.
If you are short of time, or are not keen seafarers, there is an
alternative to cruising the often choppy waters of the Drake
Passage in order to reach Antarctica. Fly (1½ hours) by jet from
Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia to King George Island in
Valparaiso
the South Shetland Islands and pick
up a cruise to the Antarctic
(Santiago) cruisers Ocean Nova
Peninsula on the comfortable expedition
(p22) or Sea Adventurer (p23). Some Air-cruise expeditions now
offer the opportunity to cross the Antarctic Circle. Others allow
you to experience the Drake Passage in just one direction, and
skip it by air in the other.
Most expeditions drop anchor at the South Shetland Islands, much
visited long ago by scientists, sealers and whalers, whose abandoned
shelters are haunting reminders of early exploitation of the region.
Elephant Island is where Shackleton’s crew wintered while awaiting
rescue. The natural environment is dramatic: towers of black rock
shield the flooded caldera of an active volcano (Deception Island).
Routes
–– Classic Antarctica
–– Crossing the Antarctic Circle
–– The Weddell Sea
Routes
–– Air-cruise to Antarctica
(Classic route)
Crossing the Antarctic Circle
11–13 nights
Ships following this route cover the same ground (and water) as the
Classic Antarctica itinerary but then carry on south in the attempt to
reach and cross the Antarctic Circle. The cruise is, therefore, typically
3 days longer, more time to contemplate the fabulous scenery and
wildlife. There’s a sense of camaraderie on board as you venture that
little bit further south, leaving most other boats behind, cameras at
the ready to snap the moment the ship’s computerised instruments
on the bridge record the latitude: 66° 33’ S. The ultimate aim of
crossing that imaginary line can be thwarted by the forces of nature,
however – as with all expeditions, there are no guarantees!
CHILE
ARGENTINA
Drake Passage
CI RC
ARGENTINA
Punta Arenas
Ushuaia
PACIFIC OCEAN
ANTARCTIC
CHILE
Scotia
Sea
Falkland Islands
(Las Islas Malvinas)
LE
Bellinghausen Sea
South
Shetland
Islands
Antarctic
Peninsula
South
Georgia
South
Orkney
Islands
PACIFIC OCEAN
Drake Passage
ANTARCTIC
CI RC
LE
Bellinghausen Sea
South
Shetland
Islands
Antarctic
Peninsula
Weddell
Sea
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
Falkland Islands
(Las Islas Malvinas)
Scotia
Sea
King George
Island
Weddell
Sea
South
Georgia
South
Orkney
Islands
18 ― Antarctica Journeys
Our trip to Antarctica was
the nearest we are likely
to come to having a real
adventure.
JM, West Sussex
Highlights? South Georgia
– amazing king penguin
colony; bathing in thermal
pool and cooling off in
Whalers Bay on Deception
Island... walking on the
frozen Weddell sea.
HG, Surbiton
richard wadey / oceanwide
sylvia and martin jones
PHOTO: istockphoto.com
19 ― Antarctica Journeys
South Georgia hosts spectacular colonies of king penguins. Breeding begins in November and the
chicks normally hatch around mid-January
ABOVE/RIGHT: You should
have prior experience of sea
kayaking if you want to try it in
the Antarctic. You dont need
any previous experience for
camping, and you may never
have an experience like it!
CHILE
Punta Arenas
ARGENTINA Falkland Islands
(Las Islas Malvinas)
Ushuaia
ARGENTINA
Ushuaia
CHILE
Drake
Passage
RA
GE
PERMANENT EX
T
EN
TO
F SE
A
ICE
Antarctic
Peninsula
PACIFIC OCEAN
Scotia
Sea
ANTARCTIC
South
Georgia
PHANTOM
COAST
N
South
Shetland
Islands
Antarctic
Peninsula
Weddell
Sea
South
Orkney
Islands
TA
R
GREATER
ANTARCTICA
Ross Sea
CT
IC
CIRCLE
Campbell Island
NEW ZEALAND
Increasingly, cruise operators are coming
to understand that many guests don’t
want only to make short excursions by
Zodiac and relax on the observation deck.
There’s an appetite among visitors for
expanding the experience by getting up
close to the natural environment with
hiking, kayaking, diving, mountaineering,
skiing and camping out. Many ships
now offer these optional activities, with
equipment provided. Spaces are limited
so it’s best to book in advance.
Optional adventure activites are also
offered on most departures of the
Sea Spirit, Sea Adventurer, Ocean
Nova and Ocean Diamond (p22-23).
South
Magnetic
Pole
Southern Ocean
Routes
–– The far side of Antarctica:
The Ross Sea
Action and Adventure in
Antarctica
For cruises where the adventure activity
is the priority, look at the ‘Basecamp’
departures of the ships Ortelius (p21)
and Plancius (p21). During these voyages
all activities (field camping, kayaking,
glacier walking, soft mountain climbing,
snowshoeing, hiking, small boat Zodiac
cruising, shore excursions, photo workshop)
are packed in one departure and they are
all included in the price. The vessel will stay
for two or three days at specific locations
appropriate for active adventures to allow
more time for them.
McMurdo
Station
LE
Bellinghausen Sea
BELOW: Mount Erebus and
Mount Terror on Ross Island.
ROSS
ICE SHELF
Amundsen Sea
A
CIRC
South Pole
Bellinghausen Sea
Peter I Island
Drake Passage
RIGHT: Two expeditions on
the Ortelius (p21) make
the epic crossing between
Argentina and New Zealand
via the Ross Sea.
delphine aures / oceanwide
Routes
–– Antarctica, South Georgia
and the Falklands
ABOVE: Mosaic ice floes and
tabular icebergs are a feature
of the Ross Sea, Far Side of
Antarctica.
Way beyond the Antarctic Peninsula and the Phantom Coast, close
to the shores of the Ross Sea, research stations cling to the ice
shelves alongside the poignant reminders of the heroic, early
expeditions. The huts of Scott and Shackleton are preserved and
maintained. This ambitious route, followed by the ship Ortelius (p21)
is designed to stop at some of these sites, along with the wildlife-rich
bays and islands – including the little-visited volcanic Peter 1 Island
– where the cries of penguins and seabirds pierce the frozen austral
silence of this most remote side of the world. Conditions permitting,
helicopter and Zodiac landings will allow you to set foot here and on
the Ross Ice Shelf, Dry Valleys and Campbell Island.
E
South Georgia is a more savage landscape with jagged, harshly
glaciated mountains. Former centre of the sealing and whaling
industries, there are mournful reminders
Valparaiso of the human struggles
(Santiago)scientific stations. It
here, with shipwrecks and pioneering
was here that Shackleton scaled the unforgiving range of iceclad peaks to seek help for his ship-wrecked crew. But it is the
multitude of wildlife that really stuns you here: elephant seals,
king and macaroni penguins, albatrosses and even the introduced
reindeer abound.
The Far Side of AntarcticA: The ROSS SEA
31 nights
AV
Sail east from Ushuaia to the Falkland Islands and, following
in-depth briefings on the natural and human history, spend
a couple of days exploring the rugged coastline and draughty
plains, spotting Magellanic and gentoo penguins, maybe a
nesting albatross or two. Pop into Port Stanley, the Islands’
friendly capital.
elke lidner / oceanwide
This route provides an in-depth experience of not only the
snow-drenched mountains and icebergs of the White Continent
but also the bleakly beautiful landscapes of South Georgia and
the Falkland Islands. These windswept Sub-Antarctic islands
are brought to life by the chattering and wheeling of birdlife:
beaches are choked with penguins in their tens of thousands,
and the vestiges of a human history of struggle and endeavour
are everywhere to be seen. It’s a long time at sea, but the variety
of what can be seen is spell-binding.
ANJALI PANDE
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
17-18 nights
TASMANIA
Invercargill AUSTRALIA
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
None of the ships we have selected is large:
the smallest accommodates 68 guests and
the largest, 189. You still enjoy the feeling
of being part of a friendly community
with shared interests. Some ships are
more luxurious than others. Some have a
greater range of facilities: gyms, Jacuzzis,
film showings. But on each you can choose
between several different cabin types
and configurations to suit your tastes and
budget. What they all still have in common is
stability, ice-strengthened hull, experienced
crew, qualified English-speaking guides and,
occasionally, guest lecturers.
Guide prices and ship information are based
on the 2014 operating season and will
change during the life of this brochure. For
the latest information, prices and special
offers please call us (020 8747 8315) or go to
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
PLANCIUS
114 guests
This US-built ship prides herself on excellent
service. She has a large deck, enabling guests
to enjoy a feeling of space and freedom
whilst on board. Cabins are bright with ample
storage space and individually controlled
heating. There’s a large range to suit all
budgets; from twin inside cabins with bunk
beds and shared facilities to quite minimalist,
contemporary-styled suites with DVD,
sitting area and minibar.
An exciting new addition to Antarctic
expedition cruising, the Plancius, formerly
dedicated to oceanography, has been totally
refitted for guests with an attractive,
contemporary décor. This ship has great
appeal for anyone looking to be active
in Antarctica. It’s not ultra-luxurious,
but there is plenty of space. There is an
exciting range of pre-bookable optional
adventure activities and sports on selected
departures: camping, kayaking, scuba diving,
hiking, mountaineering or snowshoeing
in Antarctica. On Basecamp Plancius
departures to the Antarctic Peninsula, these
(except diving) are included in the cost.
― 41 cabins, twins, doubles, one triple,
interior and outward-facing
― Large dining room and observation lounge
― Open bridge policy
― Conference room with modern multimedia equipment
― Telephone and email facilities
― Meals taken at shared tables, so
it’s easy to make new friends
― Relaxed, adventurous ambience.
TOP/ABOVE: The MV Ushuaia.
Itineraries offered:
Classic Antarctica; Antarctic Circle;
Weddell Sea.
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £3,162 (cruise only)
Our comment: A well-liked veteran of
Antarctic expedition cruising with ample
deck space and versatile accommodation:
from value-for-money cabins with
shared facilities for those on a budget
to refurbished en suite staterooms and
spacious suites for those who want to
upgrade.
―5
3 contemporary cabins all with private
bathroom, triples and doubles
―L
arge observation deck with panoramic
windows
―W
ell trained and enthusiastic international
staff and crew
―G
ood value optional adventure activites
on selected departures.
Itineraries offered:
Antarctic Peninsula; Antarctica, South
Georgia and the Falklands; Antarctic Circle
Ortelius
100 guests
ELKE LINDNER / OCEANWIDE
Ushuaia
84 guests
This vessel has a real expeditionary feel, and
in fact was formerly operated by the Russian
Academy of Science and has a Russian crew.
Her high-grade ice-strengthened hull makes
her an appropriate vessel for the expeditions
which penetrate deeper into Antarctica,
including to the Ross Sea. Consistent
with the ship’s policy of adventurous
exploration of remote regions, as much time
as possible is spent on shore, and flexibility
is the watchword to maximise the polar
experience.
rinie van meurs / OCEANWIDE
FACUNDO SANTANA / antarpply
But comfort was not a priority, and travellers
had to endure what were sometimes quite
stark and basic conditions, with little in the
way of facilities and creature comforts.
Some of these ships, having been in many
cases refurbished, are still operating. But
now you can also choose between several
newer vessels which aim to create an
experience on board which is as pleasant
and rewarding as that on shore. They still
offer serious, expeditionary-style voyages
for passengers with a love of adventure and
the great outdoors, who want to learn about
the pristine environment to which they
have the privilege to travel. Some ships now
offer adventure activities such as kayaking,
skiing, mountaineering and hiking. Without
exactly being floating hotels, some of these
ships have cabins, public areas and amenities
more akin to hotel accommodation than that
offered by the older vessels.
HEINER KUBNY / OCEANWIDE
In the early days of Antarctic
cruising, the only ships
making the challenging voyage
south were refitted working
or military vessels with icestrengthened hulls. They
were stable and safe, with
experienced and dedicated
crew and well-informed
specialist guides, ensuring
a magnificent wilderness
experience for their guests.
rinie van meurs / OCEANWIDE
ANDRES CAMACHO / ANTARPPLY
Expedition
vessels
21 ― Antarctica Journeys
PRISK / OCEANWIDE
20 ― Antarctica Journeys
―L
arge range of cabins from quadruples
to to superior suites. All cabins now with
private facilities
―M
ultinational, independent-minded guests
seeking an expedition-style experience
― Large bridge welcomes guests
―M
aximum possible time spent on
shore visits
―W
ide range of itineraries including
voyages to observe emperor penguins.
TOP: Zodiac cruising in the Weddell Sea.
ABOVE: King penguin colonies are a highlight of Plancius and
Ortelius expeditions to South Georgia.
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £5,271 (cruise only)
Our comment: There are expeditions on
this modern, attractive vessel to suit most
types of traveller. Some are adventureorientated, others much less so. Adventure
activities are popular and spaces are limited:
be sure to sign up for your preferred options
in advance.
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
Itineraries offered:
Classic Antarctica; Weddell Sea; Antarctica,
South Georgia and the Falklands; Far side of
Antarctica: Ross Sea.
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £4,192 (cruise only)
Our comment: Ortelius is designed to
navigate in sea ice and therefore able to
propose some very exciting expeditions.
She will even carry helicopters on her
Ross Sea and Emperor Penguin voyages
to improve access to areas other boats
cannot reach.
―3
2 outside cabins with private bathroom
― Some single cabins available
―S
hallow draught allows the ship to anchor
close to landing sites
―R
elatively easy embarkation of Zodiac
landing craft from waterline gangway
―A
n excellent viewing platform above the
bridge which is open to guests
― I nformal meals with daily changing menu.
―O
ptional kayaking and snowshoeing on
selected departures.
SEA Adventurer
117 guests
Purpose-built in Italy as a luxurious
expeditionary vessel, with ice-strengthened
hull and stabilisers, this ship is close to being
a top class hotel on the water. She has been
designed for guests for whom a spacious,
well-furnished cabin with exterior windows
is a priority. The feeling of space and comfort
is complemented with superlative service
– there are 94 crew members. An elegant
dining room tops off the classy ambience.
This purpose-built cruiser, while very much
an expedition vessel, harks back to the early
era of ocean cruising, with plenty of polished
wood and brass. She has an ice-strengthened
hull and stabilisers for Antarctic cruising.
There is a wide range of facilities and a small
gym on the main deck. There is a gift shop
and a library. The restaurant is elegant with
seating at small tables; the chefs are trained
to a high standard.
― All cabins are junior suites, with TV, DVD,
safe, minibar
― Cabins on the upper decks are more deluxe,
with private balcony
― Gym, Jacuzzi, hot tub, library, photographic
studio
― Full range of Antarctic excursions
― Optional kayaking and camping activities
on selected departures.
― Open bar
― All guests receive an expedition parka.
― A serious expedition cruise ship but
passenger comfort is a priority. There
is even a massage therapist on board
― Smart cabins with an outside view,
lower berths and private bathroom
― Large presentation room and two bars
― Open bridge policy and complimentary
DVD at the end of the trip
― Optional kayaking and camping activities
on selected departures
― All guests receive an expedition parka.
Itineraries offered:
Classic Antarctica; Antarctic Circle; Weddell
Sea; Antarctica, South Georgia and the
Falklands.
Itineraries offered:
Classic Antarctica; Antarctica, South Georgia
and the Falklands; Air-cruise.
Itineraries offered:
Air-cruise
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £7,300 (cruise only)
Our comment: With just 68 guests
and well-presented cabins it’s one of the
most appealing small expedition ships in
Antarctica. Ocean Nova’s drawcard is its
glass-enclosed observation lounge – great
if you’re not so keen on braving the
elements out on deck!
ABOVE: Premium Suite on the Sea Spirit.
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £5,138 (cruise only)
Our comment: Sea Spirit blends the
exclusive feel of smaller yachts with
generous cabin dimensions you’d expect
to find on much larger vessels. She
offers luxury whilst retaining a spirit of
adventure: several departures offer the
chance to camp on the ice if you prefer!
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £4,940 (cruise only)
MILTON SAMS / QUARK
SEA SPIRIT
114 guests
Ocean Diamond
189 guests
This gleaming ship is larger than many
expedition cruise vessels, and her facilities
and ambience are more like those of a
floating hotel: there is even a ‘spa’ offering
massage therapies and yoga classes.
However you’ll have a well-informed wildlife
experience: each voyage is accompanied by
an expert: a practicing scientist, historian, or
researcher who conducts fieldwork and will
be happy to share his or her expertise with
guests. The cabins are very comfortable
with more furniture and storage space than
is usual on an expedition ship of this type.
TOM ARBAN / QUARK
A sleek, purpose-built expeditionary cruise
vessel which has an airy Scandanavian
feel, with blond wood and large windows
throughout. Her relatively small size enables
passengers to mix easily in a friendly
environment.
Eric Lindberg / Quark
Ocean Nova
68 guests
ERIC LINDBERG / QUARK
Ken Kaminesky / Quark
ANTARCTICA XXI
QUARK
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
23 ― Antarctica Journeys
ERIC LINDBERG / QUARK
evelyn Pfeiffer / ANTARCTICA XXI
22 ― Antarctica Journeys
―C
abin types range from single to suite
with outside portholes or windows
―A
lift connects the four decks
―S
pacious, tiered lecture theatre
―W
ell-stocked library with DVDs you
can play in your cabin
―G
lass-enclosed observation lounge
―O
utside deck for barbecues and parties
― Optional
camping, kayaking, skiing and
mountaineering on selected departures.
MIDDLE: You can pre-book optional cross-country skiing on
selected Ocean Diamond expeditions.
ABOVE Suite on Sea Adventurer. Twin cabins in all categories
have lower berths.
Our comment: Popular with previous
clients and JLA staff, good value for
money, the attractive Sea Adventurer
is an expedition ship with traditional,
old-fashioned charm.
020 8747 8315 / Journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information
Itineraries offered:
Classic Antarctica; Antarctica, South Georgia
and the Falklands.
£ Price per person
Standard cabin for two passengers:
From £5,935 (cruise only)
Our comment: Of all our boats, Ocean
Diamond is the largest to sail in Antarctica
and, with its modern comforts and good
facilities, is well-placed to offer a quality
adventure experience at a moderate
price. All guests receive a complimentary
expedition parka.
JOURNEY
LATIN AMERICA
The AITO quality charter
AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday
companies. Our member companies, usually ownermanaged, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of
professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal
service. The Association encourages the highest standards in
all aspects of tour operating.
Exclusive membership
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality
which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted
to membership. All members are required to adhere to a
Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational
standards and conduct.
Financial security
An AITO member is required to protect money paid by
customers to the member for any holiday sold under the AITO
logo. This protection applies to customers who are in the UK
at the time of booking or to overseas customers who have
booked directly with the member. Members have to comply
with UK Government Regulations in this respect. Members
submit details of their bonding or guarantee arrangements to
the Association on a regular basis.
Accurate brochures and websites
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures
and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and
accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
Professional service and continual improvements
All members are committed to high standards of service
and believe in regular and thorough training of employees.
Members continually seek to review and improve their
holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome
suggestions for improving standards.
JOURNEY
LATIN AMERICA
GROUP JOURNEYS
E S C O R T E D S M A L L G R O U P H O L I DAY S 2 0 1 4
E X P E R I E N C E
Bespoke Journeys
S O M E T H I N G
Monitoring standards
AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly.
All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire
the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.
Sustainable tourism
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s
Sustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social,
economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.
Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure
acceptance of this principle are recognised by the star status,
5* being the maximum.
Customer relations
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues
their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute
between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled
amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement
Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter
to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
Journey Latin America is a member of the Association of
Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association visit
www.aito.co.uk or call 020 8744 9280.
THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS
THE QUALITY ALTERNATIVE.
Consumer protection – Important
The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL Protected
by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2828.
Protecting Antarctica’s environment
Antarctica is one of the largest wilderness regions on earth.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators
(IAATO) and its members and associate members promote
environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic. Journey
Latin America is committed to responsible travel and we are
proud to be an Associate Member of IAATO. Participants on
the voyages we sell are briefed on the environmental codes
of conduct, and the scientific explanations behind them.
In this way we hope to ensure all our clients have an
enjoyable and informative visit without compromising
Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem.
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
Group Journeys
For more information and ideas, or to discuss Antarctica tour options:
Speak to our Antarctica experts 020 8747 8315
Or start your journey at journeylatinamerica.co.uk
Join our online
communities:
JourneyLatinAmerica
@JLA_UK
Journey Latin America 12-13 Heathfield Terrace • Chiswick • London • W4 4JE
T 020 8747 8315 • F 020 8742 1312 • E [email protected]
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