ANTARCTICA the Falkland Islands &
South Georgia EXPEDITION CRUISES
Departure Dates & Prices
Special discount on twin
private cabins for Dec 27, 2006 - Jan 17, 2007 cruise.
 Antarctica
and the Sub-Antarctic Islands are some of the last truly unspoiled regions
of the world. The mysterious White Continent, with its multi-colored ice
caps, glistening glaciers and towering snow-capped mountains, offers
unparalleled scenery and photographic opportunities. Enormous numbers of
penguins, whales, seals and seabirds congregate in the food-rich waters
along the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic shores. The future of Antarctica is
crucial to the climate and ecology of the world and on most of our cruises
we have an opportunity to visit one of the many scientific bases.
Our small, specially designed expedition ships journey south, taking full
advantage of the 24 hours of daylight during the austral summer.
Ice-strengthened hulls and state-of-the-art equipment allow us to navigate
safely through the pack ice and narrow waterways. Our zodiac excursions,
guided by foremost Antarctic experts, offer the freedom to explore remote
locations and observe Antarctica’s abundant wildlife.
Our cruise itineraries include: the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland
Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Orkney
Islands.
ANTARCTIC
PENINSULA, SOUTH GEORGIA & FALKLANDS CRUISES
 CRUISE DESCRIPTION:
In the Antarctic Peninsula, you can land on
Paulet Island where tens of thousands of Adelie Penguins nest. At Hope
Bay or Brown Bluff you can set foot on the Antarctic mainland and,
depending on ice and weather, as always, we will sail through the
spectacular Lemaire Channel, where large numbers of whales seek the
shelter of the protected waterways. In the South Shetlands, we will land
at some of the many famous sites including Deception Island, Hannah
Point and Half Moon Island, all of which have wonderful wildlife.
 We will cross to South Georgia, 1300 kms (800 miles) east-south-east,
first sighted in 1675 and later visited by Captain James Cook in 1775.
South Georgia has more than 160 glaciers coming down to the sea and is
home to millions of seabirds including the beautiful King Penguins and
the enormous Wandering Albatrosses. Abandoned whaling stations bear
testimony to a less environmentally conscious era, but now Elephant
Seals and Fur Seals can be seen on many beaches. Sir Ernest Shackleton
was buried at Grytviken in 1922.
The Falklands were discovered in 1592. Port Stanley has a few shops, hotels and
pubs. Island stamps can be purchased and there is an excellent small museum. On New Island you can visit a unique colony with
Black-browed Albatrosses, Rockhopper Penguins and Blue-eyed Cormorants
all nesting together, and you may see many of the other 60 breeding
species of birds which abound.
 Ship
Description - ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’
The ‘Grigoriy
Mikheev’ is a modern and comfortable research vessel of the
Hydrographic Institute of St. Petersburg. Built in 1990 in Finland, and
designed as an ice-strengthened vessel, the ship is now under long-term
contract by OCN. Converted in the Netherlands for passenger use, the
vessel is ideally suited to expedition cruising. She has a range of 70
days independent operation and is ISM certified.
The vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice-strengthened hull,
perfect for the polar seas. She is manned by an enthusiastic Russian
crew of around 20, all highly experienced in ice navigation. Russian
captains are recognized experts in polar navigation.
All our international expedition leaders and lecturers are highly
knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the
environment.
T he
'Grigoriy Mikheev' has a large bridge (where you are almost always
welcome) and good open deck-viewing areas. She carries a full complement
of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing
opportunities in otherwise in-accessible areas.
Excellent cuisine, prepared by international chefs, is served in the
dining room, which also acts as the lecture room. Other public areas
include a lounge and bar, small library, infirmary, and sauna.
Cabins & Deck
plans
The ‘Grigoriy Mikheev’ provides
accommodation for 46 travelers in 23 comfortable twin and superior
cabins.
All cabins are outside, with a desk, windows and ample storage space.
 Twin
private cabins
8 Cabins on deck 4 and 6 cabins on Deck 4 with a private bathroom with
shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample
storage space and windows.
Superior cabins
3 Superior cabins on deck 4 with a double bed and a single sofa-bed.
A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A sitting area
with a desk, Coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and windows
Twin non
private cabins
6 Cabins on deck 3 with two lower berths, a desk, small washbasin,
ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and
toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.
 Public
Areas
The restaurant, lecture room, bar and pantry are all on Deck
2.
There is more than ample top deck space outside for viewing.
Age range & Nationality onboard
Passengers on a typical voyage range from their 30s to their
80s - with a majority usually from 45 – 65. Our expeditions
attract independent-minded travelers from around the world. They
are characterized by a strong interest in nature and exploring
remote regions. The camaraderie and spirit that develops aboard is
an important part of the expedition experience. Many departures
have several nationalities on board.
Bridge
visits
You are nearly always welcome on the bridge, an excellent
place to watch ship operations and maintain a lookout for
wildlife. Please remember, however, that the bridge is a work
place.
To enable our officers to navigate the ship, remain on the port
side of the bridge and please do not eat or drink. When in port,
during rough weather, and other times for reasons of safety, the
bridge may be closed to visitors. If you are in doubt, please ask
the officer on watch.
Day-by-day
Itineraries
All
itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on
local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of
opportunities to see wildlife. The final itinerary for each voyage
will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board. Flexibility
is paramount for expedition cruises.
The December 29th cruise is reversed visiting the Falklands and
South Georgia prior to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Day 1
In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del
Fuego, Argentina, the picturesque southernmost city in the world
located at the Beagle Channel and sail through the Beagle Channel.
Day 2 and Day 3
During these two days we sail across the Drake
Passage. When we cross the Antarctic Convergence, we arrive in
the circum-Antarctic up welling zone. In this area we may meet
Wandering Albatrosses, Grey Headed Albatrosses, Black-browed
Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses, Cape Pigeons,
Southern Fulmars, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, Blue Petrels and
Antarctic Petrels. Near the South Shetland Islands, we glimpse at
the first icebergs.
Day 4 – Day 6
This is a sample only, the final itinerary
will be determined by the Expedition Leader on board.
Our landings in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic
Peninsula may include Paulet Island featuring the remains of
polar expeditions from the beginning of the 20th century, and a
colony of hundreds of thousands of Adelie Penguins. Here at the
tip of the Weddell Sea we see the magnificent table icebergs. At
Brown Bluff we may set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a
beautiful volcanic area. At Mikkelsen Harbour at the south end
of Trinity Island we can observe a Gentoo Penguin colony and
Weddell and Fur Seals hauled out on the beach. In the beautiful
Charlotte Bay we may again set foot on the Antarctic Continent
at Portal Point, where Crabeater Seals have often been seen.
Here in the Gerlache Strait we often see Humpback Whales and
Minke Whales. We try to land at Baily Head (Deception Island),
where we are surrounded by 100.000 Chinstrap Penguins like in an
amphitheatre. From here good walkers can walk to Whalers Bay. In
Whalers Bay, we can observe the remains of the Hektor whaling
station from the beginning of the 20th century. We intend to
visit Hannah Point, one of the best wildlife spots in the South
Shetlands, with Giant Petrels, Cape Pigeons, Blue-eyed Shag,
Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, a few Macaroni Penguins and
Elephant Seals.
Day 7
At sea when we
approach the sea-ice, we may have a chance to see some
high-Antarctic species like Maccormick Skua, Snow Petrel and the
elusive juvenile Emperor Penguin. Chances to encounter Minke
Whales are also increasing when we approach the ice.
Day 8
In the South Orkneys we plan to call at Laurie Island and may
visit the friendly Argentine base, in which vicinity we can see
breeding Southern Giant Petrels. With permission of the base
personnel we may also visit Punta Cormoran which has an Adelie
Penguin colony.
Day 9
At sea, where the ship is again followed by a
multitude of seabirds
Day 10
- 13
In South Georgia we shall visit Grytviken with the abandoned
whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets,
and King Edwards Point with a British garrison and the grave
of Shackleton.
Fortuna Bay and Bay of Isles with breeding Wandering
Albatrosses on Albatross Island, and Salisbury Plain with a
large colony of King Penguins are other highlights of the
South Georgia program. We may also visit Elsehul, Right Whale
Bay, Possession Bay, Gold Harbour and Drygalski Fjord to give
you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes
and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Fur Seals,
Elephant Seals, Gentoo Penguins, Macaroni Penguins,
Grey-headed Albatrosses, Light-mantled Sooty Albatrosses,
Northern and Southern Giant Petrels, White-chinned Petrels,
several species of prions and storm petrels, Brown Skuas,
Dominican Gulls, Antarctic Terns, sheathbills and the endemic
South Georgia Pintail.
Day 14
- 15
At sea, on our way to the Falklands we will cross the
Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the
temperature will drop as much as 10 degrees C in the time
span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a
multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several
species of albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, prions and
skuas.
Day 16
In Port Stanley , the
capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland
culture, which has some South-American characteristics. In
Port Stanley and surrounding area we can see a quite
important number of stranded clippers from a century ago.
Day
17
In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) we plan to spend the
whole day on New Island offering among others large
colonies of Black-browed Albatrosses, Rockhopper
Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, and Sea Lions.
Day 18
At sea, in the westerlies the ship is followed by
several species of albatrosses, storm petrels,
shearwaters and diving petrels.
Day 19
We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
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