Cruises

Express Antarctica Air Cruise 6 days / 5 nights

• Ushuaia 1 night
• Cape Horn & Drake Passage 1 night
• Drake Passage 1 night
• Antarctica 2 nights

• Day 1 Ushuaia - Start of the Air-Cruise

  

  Your journey begins in Ushuaia, Argentina. Board your ship in the afternoon and sail along the Beagle Channel towards Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost town in the world. Explore the surroundings before setting sail to Cape Horn.

• Day 2 Cape Horn and Drake Passage

  

  After an overnight crossing of Nassau Bay, you awake in full view of legendary Cape Horn! Weather permitting, board a Zodiac and be one of the few privileged adventurers to step foot on this famous and rarely visited island. Back on board, set sail towards Antarctica and cross the famous passage named in honor of Sir Francis Drake, the great 16th century British explorer.

• Day 3 Drake Passage

  

  As you sail through the Drake Passage en route to King George Island, in the South Shetland Islands, attend an engaging program of lectures and presentations. In the company of expert guides, watch for wildlife from the lounge or from the outside decks. You may spot magnificent sea birds, such as albatrosses and petrels, as well as different species of whales on their way south to Antarctica.

• Day 4 Antarctica & Punta Arenas

  

  After crossing the Antarctic Convergence, the environment changes noticeably. Keep your camera ready, as this is the time to watch for the first icebergs and the first sight of Antarctic land. Reaching the South Shetland Islands, sail in ice-filled bays, while enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. Board a Zodiac for your first memorable shore visit to a penguin colony. Taking advantage of the endless Antarctic daylight, exploration will continue well into the evening.

• Day 5 Antarctica and scheduled return flight

  

  Upon reaching King George Island, disembark at Fildes Bay and explore the area, such as the Chilean Base Frei and the Russian Base Bellingshausen. Bid farewell to Antarctica before boarding the flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (Note: Meals in Punta Arenas are at your leisure and not included in the program).

• Day 6 End of the air-cruise

  

  End of the Air-Cruise After breakfast, transfer to the Punta Arenas airport for your onward flight.

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)