Anarctica Cruise Aboard the Explorer II
For travellers ready to step off the beaten track into wilderness realms of beauty and splendor, there’s no finer ship than ‘Explorer II.’ She offers an on-board experience that’s second to none, and takes you to places few other cruise passengers ever see. Strength and Style. ‘Explorer II’ looks and feels like a country house hotel. But there’s strong steel (including an ice-strengthened hull) behind the graceful exterior. Bow and stern thrusters make her extraordinarily maneuverable, and stabilizers minimalize the effects of wind and water to help keep passengers comfortable in remote seas. Hands-on Exploration. Some people are content to watch the world scroll past the rail of a cruise ship’s promenade deck. ‘Explorer II’ passengers experience a very different reality. This ship brings you into direct contact with the exciting world around you. There are three itinerary variations:
Classic Antarctica 14 DaysThis popular program offers the best of the Antarctic Peninsula: vast colonies of penguins and seabirds courting, nesting or rearing their young; hanging ice cliffs, stately icebergs and calving glaciers; the incredible adventures of Shackleton and Charcot; and the excitement of our own spontaneous explorations on sea and land. Day 1: Miami, USA — Santiago, Chile Depart on our flight to Santiago, Chile. Day 2: Santiago We arrive in the morning and transfer to our hotel, with time to relax before this afternoon’s tour of the city. Hyatt Regency Hotel (with immediate check-in) Day 3: Santiago — Ushuaia, Argentina Fly to Ushuaia for a sightseeing tour of one of Tierra del Fuego’s spectacular wilderness parks and a Patagonian barbecue lunch. This afternoon, we join our ship and settle in for our first night on board. Days 4–5: Cruising the Drake Passage The southward journey toward Antarctica is an exciting one, as we join the Captain on the bridge or spot wildlife from the deck — these krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds. Days 6–10: Antarctica As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation begins to build. A first Zodiac expedition is swiftly followed by others, all carefully planned by the Captain and Expedition Leader to take full advantage of each day’s possibilities. On most days we make two landings, heading out in swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by our expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers, to explore islands filled with thousands of penguins, to photograph nesting grounds of seabirds, and to cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. As conditions permit, we plan to land on the Peninsula and on a number of islands, which may include the South Shetlands and Deception. We also hope to sail through breathtaking Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station and the remains of early-century whaling and sealing industries. After each evening’s leisurely dinner, there’s time to stroll the deck and gaze at the seascapes in the lingering light of an austral summer twilight. Days 11–12: Drake Passage Our return through the Drake Passage is a time for recap and reflection, as we compare notes with our lecturers, and bird- or whale-watch from the deck. Day 13: Ushuaia, Argentina — Santiago, Chile — Miami, USA After breakfast we disembark, heading out to explore the busy port city of Ushuaia. There may be time to sightsee and shop here at leisure before we board our flight to Miami via Santiago. Day 14: Miami Arrive this morning and connect to homebound flights. 
Antarctica & the Falkland Islands 15 DaysRemote and beautiful, the Falkland Islands offer a look at another facet of life in the Deep South. Fishing and sheep herding sustain the islands’ 2,300 people, who share their rugged environment with penguins, seals and 200 bird species. This cruise is a study in contrasts, taking you into the extreme of “iceberg alleys” of the Antarctica Peninsula. Day 1: Miami, USA — Santiago, Chile We depart on our flight to Santiago, Chile. Day 2: Santiago We arrive in the morning and transfer to our hotel, with time to relax before this afternoon’s city tour. Hyatt Regency Hotel (with immediate check-in) Day 3: Santiago — Ushuaia, Argentina Fly to Ushuaia for a sightseeing tour of one of Tierra del Fuego’s spectacular wilderness parks. Then enjoy a Patagonian barbecue lunch before boarding our ship this afternoon and settling in for our first night on the water. Day 4: At Sea Our journey to the Falkland Islands is an exciting one, as we join the Captain on the bridge or spot wildlife from the deck — these krill-rich waters are a particular favorite with marine mammals and seabirds. Day 5: West Falkland Islands The West Falklands are, for the most part, nature islands, always exciting to visit. Depending on local conditions, we may land at Steeple Jason or New Island, to visit a natural amphitheater filled with bounding rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross, in a reserve also known for its rare Johnny Rook, “the most mischievous of all the feathered creation.” Days 6–7: Cruising the South Atlantic As we sail southward toward Antarctica, our lecturers continue their informal series of talks on the history and wildlife of the “White Continent.” Days 8–11: Antarctica As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement and expectation begins to build. A first Zodiac expedition is swiftly followed by others, all carefully planned by the Captain and Expedition Leader to take full advantage of each day’s possibilities. On most days we make two landings, heading out in swift and versatile Zodiacs, guided by our expert drivers and accompanied by lecturers, to explore islands filled with thousands of penguins, to photograph nesting grounds of seabirds, and to cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. As conditions permit, we plan to land on the Peninsula and on a number of islands, which may include the South Shetlands and Deception. We also hope to sail through breathtaking Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station, and the remains of early-century whaling and sealing industries. After each evening’s leisurely dinner, there’s time to stroll the deck and gaze at the seascapes in the lingering light of an austral summer twilight. Days 12–13: Drake Passage Our return to Ushuaia is a time for recap and reflection, as we compare notes with our lecturers, and bird- or whale-watch from the deck. Day 14: Ushuaia, Argentina — Santiago, Chile — Miami, USA After breakfast we disembark, heading out to explore the busy port city of Ushuaia. There may be time to sightsee and shop here at leisure before we board our flight to Miami via Santiago. Day 15: Miami Arrive this morning and connect to homebound flights. 
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands 18 or 19 DaysSouth Georgia adds another dimension to your Antarctic adventures. Explore vast colonies of the unique king penguin, observe fur and elephant seals, and follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton, a great hero of Antarctica exploration. ** - One Christmas and New-Year’s departure has been reserved for families, sure to delight parents, grandparents and children alike. Day 1: Miami, USA — Santiago, Chile We depart on our flight to Santiago, Chile. Day 2: Santiago We arrive in the morning and transfer to our hotel, with time to relax before this afternoon’s city tour. Hyatt Regency Hotel (with immediate check-in) Day 3: Santiago — Ushuaia, Argentina Fly to Ushuaia for a sightseeing tour of this southernmost city in the world and a Patagonian lunch, before boarding our ship and settling in for our first night on the water. Days 4–5: Drake Passage As we sail south toward Antarctica, our lecturers begin their informal series of enlightening discussions on the flora, fauna and history of Antarctica. Days 6–8: Antarctica As conditions permit, we plan to land on the Antarctic Peninsula and a number of islands (perhaps including the South Shetlands). We also hope to sail through Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel, with other possibilities for exploration including a scientific research station and the remains of early-century whaling and sealing industries. On most days we make two landings, heading out in our swift and versatile Zodiacs, accompanied by lecturers, to explore islands filled with thousands of penguins, to photograph nesting grounds of seabirds, and to cruise iceberg-strewn passageways of breathtaking beauty. Days 9–10: Scotia Sea As we approach South Georgia, we begin to spot wildlife from the deck: marine mammals and sea birds drawn to the rich krill found in these waters. Days 11–13: South Georgia South Georgia is actually a nearly-submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range, and our days here are spent exploring its glacier-carved coves and rugged shores. Grytviken, a former whaling station, is also the site of Shackleton’s grave. As always, weather shapes our explorations, but we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where a vast colony of stately king penguins stretches between two glaciers as far as the eye can see. A neighboring island is home to nesting wandering albatross, with fur and elephant seals slumbering on the beach and in high tussock grass. Days 14–15: Cruising the South Atlantic Lecturers recap our adventures in South Georgia while the ship passes through waters filled with marine mammals and fish—we may spot whales from the deck. Day 16: Southeast Falkland Islands The ship calls in at these remote and rarely visited islands off the south coast of East Falkland Island. Rolling hills and huge clumps of tussock grass provide a habitat for cormorant, elephant seal, sea lion and three species of penguin. Day 17: At Sea Our return to Ushuaia is a time for recap and reflection, as we compare notes with our lecturers, and bird- or whale-watch from the deck. Day 18: Ushuaia, Argentina — Santiago, Chile — Miami, USA After breakfast, we disembark the ship, heading out to explore the busy port city of Ushuaia. There may be time for some shopping and sightseeing on our own before we proceed to the airport to board our flight to Miami via Santiago. Day 19: Miami Arrive in the morning and connect to homebound flights. The A&K Advantage
Cost of this trip:
The ship has a variety of cabins which increase in price as you move to the higher decks. The prices below show the lowest priced standard cabin and the highest priced Owners Suite. The variation from low to high is a function of the time of year the voyage operates. Low season is November and February and high season is around Christmas.These prices are for the cruise and land segments. You must add airfare from your origin to Santiago, Chilie plus an additional $475 per person for the flight to and from the ship. Classic Antarctica 13 nights Standard cabin - from $403 to $503 per person per night The owners suite varies from $872 to $1157 pp pn. Antarctica and the Falkland Islands 14 nights Standard cabin - from $510 per person per night Owners suite - $1182 pp pn. Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and S. Georgia 18 nights Standard cabin - from $354 to $503 per person per night The owners suite varies from $770 to $1154 pp pn. |
