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Antarctic Cruise - Peninsula and Polar Circle

There are several milestones to achieve in an Antarctic expedition. These include crossing the Antarctic Convergence, crossing the Drake and making a continental landing. You can expect to achieve all of these on most expeditions, but this voyage also strives to go farther south to cross the Polar Circle at 66Â°33Â�S. From there, you will wander north again to explore the wonders of the stunning landscapes, visit historic and research sites, penguin rookeries and watch for seals and whales.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ushuaia

Board the M/V Polar Star to set sail down the Beagle Channel.

Days 2-3: Drake Passage

From the deck or on the bridge, watch for whales, dolphins and seabirds, while a busy lecture program introduces you to the Antarctic.

Days 4-8: Antarctic Peninsula

You will start your landings well south and will try to reach the Antarctic Circle as early as possible. South of the Circle you will reach places such as Detaille and The Gullet. Steaming northward through the fjords, bays and passageways of the Gerlache Straits, you can watch for seals basking on the ice floes, whales surfacing and blowing, and busy penguins in the thousands. The plan is to land at historically significant bases such as Port Lockroy and Vernadsky. You will visit penguin rookeries on Petermann Island, the Fish Islands and Neko Harbour, go on Zodiac cruises at Mutton Cove and Paradise Bay, and sail through passageways such as the Lemaire Channel.

Day 9: South Shetland Islands

Reaching these islands, you will visit Whaler's Bay on Deception Island, an active volcanic island with thermal waters welling up under the black sand. You will also visit Half Moon Island, the crescent shaped remains of an ancient volcanic caldera. This island is home to Chinstrap Penguins, Antarctic Terns, Kelp Gulls, Skuas, Antarctic Shags and Sheathbills, and is usually a haul out are for young fur seals.