Janssonius whale watching antarctica cruise

Antarctica - Whale watching discovery and learning voyage

  • Overview

    Antarctica - Whale Watching Voyage

    In search for the giants of the seas


    An Antarctic Peninsula voyage is also known as the 'Classic Antarctic' route. The great star-actors of Antarctica are the penguins and in total seven species could appear before your very own eyes. At this time of year Krill is in abundance and the whale activity is at its peak, prior to the beginning of their northern migration in the coming few weeks.

    Duration: 10 days
    Passengers: 176 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Ushuaia
    Disembarkation Point: Ushuaia
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.6x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Ushuaia

      Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.

    • Day 2/3 - Sailing to Antarctic Peninsula

      Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone. Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. 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 are a few of the birds you might see.

    • Day 4/7 - Sailing along Antarctic Peninsula

      Gray stone peaks sketched with snow, towers of broken blue-white ice, and dramatically different wildlife below and above. You first pass the snow-capped Melchior Islands and Schollaert Channel, sailing between Brabant and Anvers Islands.



      Sites you may visit include:  

       


      Danco Island – Activities here may focus on the gentoo penguins nesting on the island, in addition to the Weddell and crabeater seals that can be found nearby.



      Neko Harbour – An epic landscape of mammoth glaciers and endless wind-carved snow, Neko Harbour offers opportunities for a Zodiac cruise and landing that afford the closest views of the surrounding alpine peaks.

       


      Paradise Bay – You may be able to take a Zodiac cruise in these sprawling, ice-flecked waters, where there’s a good chance you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales.



      Pléneau & Petermann Islands – If the ice allows it, you could sail through the Lemaire Channel in search of Adélie penguins and blue-eyed shags. There is also a possibility you’ll encounter humpback and minke whales here, as well as leopard seals.



      Port Lockroy – After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, you may get a chance to visit the former British research station – now a museum and post office – of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. You may also be able to partake in activities around Jougla Point, meeting gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags. 

       

      At the nearby sites, such as Damoy Point there may be the opportunity for snowshoeing to the old ski-way, this is also one of our favourite camping sites.



      Wilhelmina Bay & Guvernøren  – This is a great place to spot humpback whales. You also may embark on a Zodiac cruise ending at the ghostly wreck of the Guvernøren, a whaling vessel that caught fire here in 1915. Around the Melchior Islands, amid a frozen landscape peopled with icebergs, you may encounter even more whales, leopard seals, and crabeater seals.



      Conditions on the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

    • Day 8/9 - Sailing to Ushuaia

      Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.

    • Day 10 - Ushuaia

      Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Whales

    Whale numbers swell in Antarctica over the southern summer. Arriving in Antarctica from November onwards, whale numbers reach their peak around December and January. Sightings and particularly breachings reach a pinnacle in February and March, when the Krill is closer to the surface. Some 10 species of whales are found in Antarctic water each summer, with the most abundant species being the Humpack.

    Lemaire Channel – get your camera ready!

    In a continent of stunning views, Lemaire Channel has been called the Kodak Gap. Locked between the rocky vertical cliffs of Booth Island and the continent this one kilometer wide passage is one of the most photographed attractions of Antarctica. You will be glad your camera is digital.

    Shoot to your shutter's content!

    For aspiring photographers, the best time to shoot the Antarctic landscape is definitely October, November and March. At these times the sun is much lower in the sky and thus creates beautiful twilight hues and shadows, which contrast the landscape magnificently.

    Of course, if it is wildlife and Antarctica’s babies you are hoping to shoot, then January and February are the best times. Alternatively, consider an early season South Georgia & Antarctica expedition for the best of wildlife and photo opportunities in Antarctica.

  • Inclusions

    All meals on board

    Onboard your expedition all meals are included and prepared by our chefs. Meals are prepared to a restaurant standard and to cater for most diet requirements.

    All Zodiac excursions

    During the course of your expedition, you will have direct access to our onboard expedition team. Our expedition team members are a wealth of information, they have backgrounds in exploration or science based backgrounds. Our teams will usually comprise of naturalists, historians, geologists and ornithologists.

    Your expedition team members will expertly guide you off the ship and provide you with firsthand knowledge about the geology and wildlife of the region. Back onboard the vessel, team members hold lectures about their studies or the wildlife that was seen during the course of the day.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - All accommodation and meals on board
    - All shore excursions and lectures
    - Expedition boots & snowshoes
    - Ushuaia transfer to port
    - Pre-departure information

    Not included in your Expedition

  • Map
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  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    Janssonius is meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. Surpassing the requirements of the Polar Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Janssonius represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions, thoroughly optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica. 

    Happier polar passengers, healthier polar environment 

    Not only will the numerous amenities and on-board entertainments help make your Janssonius voyage truly memorable, this ship also gives you the peace of mind that comes with choosing one of the most environmentally friendly vessel on the polar seas. Janssonius uses LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels minimal. This means that when you sail aboard Janssonius, you get to enjoy the exotic landscapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.

    The fast, flexible, friendly heart of the polar regions

    Our top priority is taking advantage of every wildlife and terrain opportunity as it occurs. To keep our itineraries flexible itineraries and our response time rapid, Janssonius is equipped with advanced stabilizers and two main engines capable of powering the vessel up to 15 knots. But Janssonius sacrifices no warmth to achieve its keen polar edge: You will have 72 crew and staff members (including expedition and hotel staff) at your service while on board, ensuring that what little time you do spend on the ship you will spend comfortably entertained.

     

    Features & Facilities
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 5
    Guests #: 176
    Crew #: 72
    Ice Class: PC6
    Speed: 15
    Refurbished: 2021
    Technical Specs
    Year built: 2021
    Length: 107m
    Width: 17
    Draft: 8
    Tonnage: 5590
    Registry:
    Elec Outlets:
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
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Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Quadruple Porthole

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
An excellent cabin choice for single travellers or families of 4
USD$ 6,300pp
USD$ 6,300pp
hondius quad cabin

Triple Porthole

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Cabin features 2 x Lower and 1 x Upper bunk, private facilities and a porthole.
USD$ 7,150pp
USD$ 7,150pp
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Twin Porthole

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Twin porthole cabin with private facilities
USD$ 7,800pp
USD$ 7,800pp
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ortelius twin window cabin

Twin Window

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Twin private cabin with window.
USD$ 8,000pp
USD$ 8,000pp
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ortelius twin deluxe cabin

Twin Deluxe

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Private corner cabin with private facilities.
USD$ 8,650pp
USD$ 8,650pp
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plancius superior cabin

Superior

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Suite cabins with mid-ship locations on deck 5 & 6.
USD$ 9,250pp
USD$ 9,250pp
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Junior Suite

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Double bed, private bathroom and large picture window
USD$ 9,700pp
USD$ 9,700pp
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hondius grand balcony suite

Grand Suite with private balcony

11 Mar 2024 - 20 Mar 2024
Large private cabin with balcony.
USD$ 11,200pp
USD$ 11,200pp
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