Classic Antarctic Peninsula & the Weddell Sea – SH Vega, Dec 2024

Itinerary Map

Trip Summary

Dates: 

Dec 27, 2024 -
Jan 8, 2025

Duration: 

13 Days

Ship:

Adventure
options:
Starting at: $ 16,980.00

Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

$16.980

Located at the centre of the ship, this Oceanview cabins features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

$17.980

Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony

$21.180

Located at the centre of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony

$22.280

Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony

$24.380

Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.

$29.280

Our grandest suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk in wardrobe and a 12 sq.m private balcony.

$31.980
About the Antarctica East & West: Peninsula in Depth itinerary

This epic 14-day expedition brings you to a side of the Antarctic Peninsula even the luckiest of travelers don’t often see. You’ll experience the best of polar travel, including abundant wildlife, important historical sites, and ice—lots of ice. Embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina, you’ll traverse the legendary Drake Passage to arrive at Elephant Island, which gave Ernest Shackleton’s crew refuge in 1916. From this significant start you’ll move on to see enormous penguin colonies up close; zodiac cruise among icebergs that look like art; walk around and explore historic and operating scientific bases; and take a zodiac ride to see humpback and killer whales—all the while surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Antarctica.

Expedition in Brief
• Get to know Antarctica intimately during this 14-day trip
• Venture into the Weddell Sea on the remote east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula
• Cross the Lemaire Channel
• Step back in time to experience Antarctic exploration in abandoned yet perfectly preserved bases

* Itineraries on our website are intended only as a guide and you should consult our team for detailed itineraries on specific voyages.

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On arrival at Ushuaia Airport, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it. The first night of your voyage is spent in the quaint town of Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world and the capital of Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire). The day is at leisure and you are free to explore, maybe making a few last minute purchases from the many shops or artisan markets, or relaxing in a café. Avenida San Martin is the main street and there are some excellent museums to visit or you may prefer to wander the streets taking in the town’s dramatic setting, with views of the mountains to the north and the Beagle Channel to the south.

This morning is free for you to explore Ushuaia, giving you time to wander the streets of this quaint port town, or discover Tierra del Fuego National Park. Transfer to the pier of Ushuaia for embarkation in the late afternoon. You will be welcomed on board the Ocean Endeavour by the Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. This evening we set sail through the Beagle Channel that was named after the British ship the HMS Beagle. This famous channel transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America, and is rich in wildlife. Keep a look out for Magellanic penguins, rock cormorants, petrels and black-browed albatross from the deck as well as sea lion colonies. Enjoy your first taste of life at sea and a welcome dinner. The air is likely to be filled with anticipation, as your next view of land will be of Antarctica – the White Continent.

The waters of the Drake Passage are unpredictable, so hope for clear skies and a calm ocean. You’ll have plenty of time to gaze out at the sea, get to know your fellow shipmates and chat with your expedition team.

You will spend this time preparing for the exciting days ahead, with numerous educational and informative lectures presented by your expedition team. You’ll learn about everything from safety procedures to the history of whaling in Antarctica.

In the real spirit of exploration, day five will hope to see the bow of the Ocean Endeavour round the eastern end of Antarctic Sound and point south toward the truly wild coastlines of the Peninsula’s eastern side. It’s within this ice-laden sea that Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men sledged and floated their way north from their crushed and sunken vessel and bordering this vast expanse is an endless coastline of dramatic basaltic beaches, towering islands that rise straight from the sea and a spattering of remote archipelagos barely seen by human eyes since the heroic era. From here, the options for exploration are endless. From the secluded Danger Islands to the north, the historically important and penguin-covered Paulet Island, the sweeping Prince Gustav Channel to the south or the protected and glacier- lined coves of Duse Bay. Over three days in this area, we will work with ice conditions to land and zodiac cruise around as many remote locations as possible. Keep an eye out for minke whales as captain and expedition leader navigate the scenic channels around the eagle island group and for the most intrepid: prepare for a polar plunge like none other or even a chance to step onto your very own piece of sea ice. Whatever the weather delivers, what we are sure to find here is a rare Antarctic experience and the closest one is likely to get to a true sense of exploration on planet Earth.

Following our three days of discovery on the Peninsula’s east side, the Ocean Endeavour will plot a course to transit Antarctic Sound and to visit the more well-trodden western shores. As we attempt to enter the sound, a collection of tabular icebergs typically serves as a gateway from east to west and locations like Esperanza Station and the volcanic cliffs of Brown Bluff are viable landing points along the way. From here on out, we return to the more familiar sights and sounds of gentoo penguin colonies, a collection of Argentine and Chilean bases observable on craggy points and we lower the zodiacs again to explore famous sites like Orne Harbour, Paradise Bay or Port Lockroy. While the east side afforded us the most true sense of isolation and wilderness observable on Earth, the contrast becomes apparent on the western side as no excursion lasts long without the presence of gentoo or chinstrap penguins parading through the early- season snow and marine mammals hauling themselves onto ice-floes. After our four days of excursions in this region, we will again turn north to cross the Bransfield Strait. As we thread the Ocean Endeavour through South Shetland Islands, we will take to the aft deck of the Ocean Endeavour once more for a final toast to the Antarctic, to discovery and to the new horizon ahead.

Over days 12 and 13 we will watch as the outline of the Antarctic continent disappears over the horizon and again the albatross and seabirds of the open ocean join us for the voyage north. Whether enjoying some time out on deck to take in the sea air or making the most of our expert guides’ presentations, this is a great time to reflect on the journey behind us and all that we discovered on the Antarctic Peninsula over the previous days. For those still looking to brush up on their Antarctic knowledge, our guides will be out on deck binoculars in hand to help identify the amazing sea life that abounds in this part of the world. At night, we will take the opportunity to celebrate together and to share stories about this once in a lifetime voyage.

Following a steady night in the protection of the Beagle Channel, the early morning of our 14th day will see the Ocean Endeavour come alongside Ushuaia’s pier. Followed by breakfast, an 8am disembarkation means plenty of time to wrap up your exploration of Ushuaia before a short drive to the airport for any afternoon flight departures. Our guides will join you on the dock to say farewell and to wave goodbye to the ship’s team and crew who have shared the journey with you.

Welcome aboard the SH Vega

The 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.

 

Like it’s sistership the SH Minerva, SH Vega has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort.

 

The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Technical Specs

Cabins & Amenities

  • Staterooms: Our 76 stateroom including 6 suites have all the amenities you will need to feel comfortable including dressing gowns, hairdryers, personal safes and minibars.Our stylish stateroom all have desks, a dressing area and comfy seating. En suite bathrooms all feature glass-enclosed rain showers.
  • Sauna with a view: Head to Deck 8 for the best view in the world. After a work out in our state-of-the-art-gym, relax in our sauna or  jacuzzi and take those breathtaking vistas along the way.
  • The Swan Restaurant: As the main venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, our 152-seat restaurant serves international and local cuisine focused on quality regional ingredients from the unique destination we visit.
  • Alfresco Dining & Heated Outdoor pool: On Deck 7 you´ll find a heated outside pool along with pool side seating from where you can enjoy stunning scenery.
  • The Observation Lounge: After a day of exploration, where better to relax than in the Observation Lounge. Sit back, savor your favorite tipple whilst getting to know you fellow guests:
  • The Club Lounge: Vibrant and welcoming , The Club Lounge acts as a hub , combining 24 hours tapas inspired dining with panoramic views of the ocean glittering below.

INCLUDED in all voyages:

  • Room service 24 hours a day
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks & select alcoholic beverages 24 hours a day
  • Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Standard WIFI inclusion
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • One shore excursion per port of call
  • Use of Rubber boots for shore landings
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parker

 

Adventure activities: One-time kayaking $250/trip.

Price

$10,649.00 -
 $17,299.00

Adventure Options

Price

$16,980.00 -
 $31,980.00

Price

$11,980.00 -
 $21,880.00

Adventure Options

Price

$10,500.00 -
 $15,300.00

Adventure Options

Price

$12,780.00 -
 $27,380.00

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