Cruises

Classic Antarctica Air Cruise 8 days / 7 nights

• Punta Arenas 1 night
• Punta Arenas & Antarctica 1 night
• Antarctica 4 nights
• Antarctica & Punta Arenas 1 night

• Day 1 Punta Arenas

  

  Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile, welcome and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. Later, gather for a welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers while enjoying a typical regional menu.

• Day 2 Punta Arenas & Antarctica

  

  Your Antarctic adventure begins with a two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. As you exit the airplane, the clear Antarctic air fills your lungs for the first time. Explore the area surrounding Chile’s Frei Station and Russia’s Bellingshausen station, before boarding a Zodiac to embark your expedition vessel.

• Day 3 to 6 Antarctica

  

  Cruise between the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, sailing along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Each day, disembark by Zodiac and explore the landscape together with expert polar guides. On board the ship, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations, and enjoy spectacular views from the lounge while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests. No journey is the same as flexibility is the key to success in Antarctica. The Expedition Team sets the voyage route to take advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature, crafting a unique and extraordinary experience each time. Your voyage may include visits to sites such as Paulet Island, Hope Bay, Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, Deception Island, the Lemaire Channel, or many other magnificent places.

• Day 7 Antarctica & Punta Arenas

  

  Scheduled return flight from Antarctica. Farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.

• Day 8 Punta Arenas

  

  Breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight. End of our services.

Vessels

• M/V Ocean Nova

  

  Ocean Nova is a modern and comfortable expedition vessel. She was built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. She was fully refurbished in 2006 and has since benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements. Her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica.

  In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, Ocean Nova also has a spacious dining room, a bar, a library, a small gym, and an infirmary. The ship has a fleet of seven Zodiac boats that are well suited for disembarking and wildlife watching.

  All guests aboard Ocean Nova are accommodated in comfortable outside cabins, with three cabin categories: dedicated single, twin and triple cabins. All cabins feature a picture window, a writing desk with chair, a wardrobe, individually controlled heating system, and a private bathroom with shower.

  Accommodation Details

  Category

  Average size

  Details

  Single Cabins

  87 ft² /8 mt²

  One lower single bed

  Twin Cabins

  106 ft² / 10 mt²

  Two lower beds

  Triple Cabins

  150 ft² / 14 mt²

  Two lower beds and one upper bed

  Technical Details

  Passengers:

  72 maximum

  Expedition Staff & Crew:

  46

  Lifeboats:

  2 fully enclosed capacity of 110 (in addition to 4 life rafts, capacity 100)

  Length:

  70.0 m

  Breadth:

  11.0 m

  Propulsion:

  Diesel engines 2,000 horsepower

  Ice Class:

  1B, EO (Hull Ice 1A)

  Draft:

  3.7 m

  Cruising Speed:

  12.5 knots in open water

  

• M/V Hebridean Sky

  

  M/V Hebridean Sky (formerly Sea Explorer)
  Hebridean Sky, formerly called Sea Explorer, is a small, all-suite expedition vessel. She was built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005. In 2016 the ship underwent an extensive, multimillion-dollar renovation that transformed her into one of the finest small-ships in the world.

  Hebridean Sky offers an exclusive and stylish base for adventurous exploration in Antarctica. Public areas include “The Club” lounge, a Library, a presentation lounge with audio-visual facilities, a dining room, an outdoor cafe, an exercise room, a medical clinic, a wraparound deck, and an elevator serving all passenger decks. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats.

  Suites in all eight categories are spacious, with premium appointments throughout. Each Suite features a sitting area, a private bathroom, a picture window and two twin beds that, upon request, can be joined to form a queen-size bed. A number of suites also include private balconies. Triple cabins feature a sofa bed.

  Cabin Configurations

  Category

  Average size

  Details

  Owner’s suite

  370 ft² /34 mt²

  Two-room suite with sitting room, balcony and bedroom

  Single suite

  240 ft² / 22 mt²

  Suites with window and sitting area

  Penthouse suite

  325 ft² / 30 mt²

  Suites with private balcony and sitting area

  Veranda suite

  260 ft² / 24 mt²

  Suites with private balcony and sitting area

  Deluxe suite

  240 ft² / 22 mt²

  Suites with bow and side windows, and sitting area

  Promenade suite

  220 ft² / 20 mt²

  Suites with window and sitting area

  Window suite

  225 ft² / 21 mt²

  Suites with window and sitting area

  Triple suite

  225 ft² / 21 mt²

  Suites with window and sitting area

  Technical Details

  Passengers:

  100 maximum

  Expedition Staff & Crew:

  85

  Lifeboats:

  4 partially enclosed capacity of 192

  Length:

  90.6 m

  Breadth:

  15.3 m

  Propulsion:

  2 main engines - 3,520 kW

  Ice Class:

  1C

  Draft:

  5.14 m

  Cruising Speed:

  12.5 knots in open water

  

• BAE-146 Aircraft

  

  The BAE-146 aircraft was manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace (which later became part of BAE Systems). It is a high-wing aircraft with very short runway requirements, which makes it particularly suited for landing and take-off in Antarctica. The aircraft is expertly operated by Aerovias DAP, which has more than 20 years of experience flying in Patagonia and Antarctica.

  Hebridean Sky offers an exclusive and stylish base for adventurous exploration in Antarctica. Public areas include “The Club” lounge, a Library, a presentation lounge with audio-visual facilities, a dining room, an outdoor cafe, an exercise room, a medical clinic, a wraparound deck, and an elevator serving all passenger decks. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats.

  Suites in all eight categories are spacious, with premium appointments throughout. Each Suite features a sitting area, a private bathroom, a picture window and two twin beds that, upon request, can be joined to form a queen-size bed. A number of suites also include private balconies. Triple cabins feature a sofa bed.

  Technical Details

  Model:

  BAE 146-200

  Engines:

  4 turbofans Honeywell ALF 502R-5

  Capacity:

  71 passengers (16 in Preferred Seats)

  Wingspan:

  86 ft. 5 in (26,34m)

  Cruise Speed:

  465 mph (750 km/h)

  Service Ceiling:

  31,200 ft. (9,500 m)