Cruises

Polar Antarctica Air Cruise 10 days / 9 nights

• Punta Arenas 1 night
• Punta Arenas & Antarctica 1 night
• Antarctica 6 nights
• Antarctica & Punta Arenas 1 night

• Day 1 Punta Arenas

  

  Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile before 2 PM and transfer to your hotel. Attend a mandatory briefing that provides important information about your voyage and reviews the essential guidelines for Antarctic visitors. A welcome dinner introduces you to the local gastronomy as you meet fellow adventurers from around the world.

• Day 2 Punta Arenas & Antarctica

  

  A smooth two-hour flight takes you efficiently from Punta Arenas to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands. Your Antarctic adventure begins as you exit the airplane and 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 8 Antarctica

  

  Sail along ice-filled fjords and among spectacular icebergs, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Visit the South Shetland Islands and the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, disembarking by Zodiac each day. In small groups, hike to extraordinary sites and take part in exploratory Zodiac excursions to otherwise inaccessible areas. Expert polar guides share their passion for Antarctica through an engaging program of illustrated presentations, and lead you ashore to interpret the wildlife, the history and the many wonders of the Antarctic environment. From the glass-enclosed lounge, enjoy spectacular views while sharing your daily adventures with fellow guests over a drink. The goal of the expedition is to sail far south in the attempt of reaching the Polar Circle. The Expedition Team sets the specific voyage route based on local conditions, and takes advantage of the ever-changing opportunities provided by Nature. Flexibility will be the key to a successful voyage. Your expedition may include visits to sites such as Port Lockroy, Petermann Island, Paradise Bay, the Lemaire Channel, Prospect Point or other magnificent places. Each voyage is unique and each is crafted to provide the best possible overview of the varied Antarctic environment.

• Day 9 Antarctica & Punta Arenas

  

  Back at King George Island, bid farewell to Antarctica as you board the flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night.

• Day 10 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)