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Trip Info
Visitor page: https://freestyleadventuretravel.com/trips/antarctica-weddell-sea-explorer-plancius-mar-2027/
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Antarctica: Weddell Sea Explorer – Plancius, Mar 2027

Itinerary Map

Trip Summary

Dates:

Mar 2, 2027 -

Mar 12, 2027

Duration:

11 Days

Ship:

Plancius

Adventure
options:

Kayaking

Starting at: $ 9,650.00

Quadruple Private

$9.650

Triple Porthole

$11.900

Twin Porthole

$11.900

Twin Window

$12.350

Twin Deluxe

$13.600

Superior

$14.350

About the Weddell Sea Quest itinerary

The Weddell Sea is a rarely visited, heavily iced and beautiful area of Antarctica that holds penguin rookeries and is home to many seals and marine birds. These trips combine the ‘classic’ West side of the Antarctic Peninsula with the less visited eastern Weddell Sea. Famous for the ill-fated polar expedition led by British explorer Ernest Shackleton, the Weddell Sea is known for amazing ice formations and a variety of wildlife. Take this trip to journey to a little-known part of Antarctica and pass through the route of Ernest Shackleton.

In brief:

Visit the pristine, icy Weddell Sea on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as the highlights of the western side of the peninsula and the South Shetland Islands
Sail in the waters of the 1914 Ernest Shackleton expedition
Learn about the environment and wildlife from onboard lecturers and specialists
Witness the abundant wildlife – penguins, seals, whales and more!

Arriving at the ship in the afternoon, you will be greeted by the Expedition Team and ships officers at a safety and orientation briefing followed by the Captains’ welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and take in the mountainous scenery on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel past Magellanic Penguin, Rock Cormorant, and Sea Lion colonies.

Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as we sail south are the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petrels that frequently follow the ship. The Expedition Team will be out on deck as well, looking for the Whales and Dolphins that may also be seen in the area. The team will begin presentations with informative and entertaining lectures on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica. Helpful briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety will also be held.

The Weddell Sea is known for its abundance of huge tabular icebergs . In some years, the Erebus & Terror Gulf and Weddell Sea are chock-a-block full with ice, making for exciting ice navigation. Get up at 3:30 in the morning for sunrises unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Huge tabular bergs break from the Larsen, Ronne, and Filchner ice shelves and combine with one-year-old and multi-year sea ice to produce a floating, undulating panorama of rugged ice scenery. Hope Bay and the Argentine Station Esperanza, located on the western side of the Antarctic Sound, are possible landing sites. The Weddell Sea represents the center of the Peninsulas’ Adelie penguin population. Devil Island and Paulet Island are excellent location to see Adelie penguins.

The remarkable history of the Antarctic Peninsula will also provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore this pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways and a wide variety of wildlife. Apart from Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins and other seabirds you are likely to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke whales and orcas at close range. Expeditions hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways: the Gerlache Strait, Errera Channel and Neumayer Channel. Possible landing sites include: Paradise Bay, an aptly named place with its impressive glacial fronts and mountains, Cuverville Island, home of the biggest Gentoo Penguin colony in the Peninsula surrounded by glaciers and castellated icebergs, and the British Museum and Post office at Port Lockroy. Further exploration will lead you to the South Shetland Islands, where you may visit Deception Island or Half Moon Island.

Say goodbye to Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join lecturers and naturalists on deck as searching for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Arrive to Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark after breakfast.

Welcome aboard the Plancius

The Plancius was originally built as a hydrographic research vessel in the service of the Dutch government. In 2007, the current owner purchased her and since then she has undergone a total refit and refurbishment to prepare her for carrying passengers on polar expeditions. All of the cabins have outside views and are comfortable and well-appointed with private facilities and all lower beds (either twin or double). All cabins have ample storage facilities and a writing desk and chair, as well as a flat screen TV for viewing movies. The Plancius is equipped with state-of-the-art safety systems, including new radar, communication, and other navigation equipment, as well as the most modern fire and flood prevention systems.

Technical Specs

Cabins & Amenities

All cabins have exterior views (porthole or window) and private facilities
Library stocked with polar books
Observation lounge / Bar
Adventure options on most departures

Plancius in the Polar Circle, Errera Channel_Robert van Kempen

Dining room, Plancius 1 © Sietse Vonk – Oceanwide Expeditions.jpg_Sietse Vonk

Dining room, Plancius 2 © Sietse Vonk – Oceanwide Expeditions.jpg_Sietse Vonk

Dining room, Plancius 3 © Sietse Vonk – Oceanwide Expeditions.jpg_Sietse Vonk

Notes

Includes:
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary.
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Luggage transfer from pick-up point to the vessel on the day of embarkation, in Ushuaia.
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation).
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excludes:
- Any airfare whether on scheduled or charter flights;
- Pre- and post-land arrangements;
- Transfers to the vessel in Ushuaia and Ascension and from the vessel in Ascension and Praia;
  Passport and visa expenses;
- Government arrival and departure taxes;
- Meals ashore;
- Cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended);
- Excess baggage
  Charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges;
- Customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Extra Adventure Activities: Depending on departure.