world Explorer south georgia and antarctica cruise

South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari

  • Overview

    At sea, photograph massive albatross and pintado petrel as they swoop and soar around the ship, guiding us toward South Georgia. Beaches teeming with king penguins and elephant seals greet us on this fabled island, where we’ll pay our respects to famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Antarctica awaits, with its geographic contradictions and overwhelming enormity. Relax on a Zodiac ride, hike glistening glaciers, share comical moments with inquisitive penguins, or witness the rugged peninsula from a sea kayak. Antarctica will surprise and delight, and never disappoint. Voyage Highlights; - Experience the quintessential wildlife experience of the “Galapagos of the Poles” - Visit South Georgia’s king penguin rookeries – the largest in the world - Reflect at the resting place of the great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton - Visit abandoned whaling stations and learn stories of inhabitants who called this island home - Enjoy on-board lecturers and educational presentations from polar specialists - Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the tango capital of the world, and let us take care of the rest of the journey

    Duration: 16 days
    Passengers: 176 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Ushuaia, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina

      You will begin your journey in Ushuaia, a small but bustling port at the tip of South America. It’s the ideal gateway for you to explore the southern extent of Patagonia while preparing for your adventure ahead. Get active in the mountains or enjoy handcrafted chocolate at a café in town.

    • Day 2 - Embark

      Embarkation will occur in the late afternoon, after which your vessel will sail down the historic Beagle Channel, which transects the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the extreme south of South America. Expect an air of anticipation as you depart!

    • Day 3/6 - At Sea

      There are many activities to keep you engaged while you are at sea. Learn to identify seabirds that glide alongside the ship, or attend dynamic presentations by your Expedition Team. You will be prepped on safety procedures for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, and also be given instructions for getting the most out of your optional sea kayaking adventures (extra cost), a truly intimate way to experience Antarctica. If conditions are right, the first indication that you are approaching South Georgia is the sight of birds around a group of rocky spires called Shag Rocks. Have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture these rocky spires rising out of the icy ocean waters. Shags and prions often rest here, and due to nutrient rich upwellings around the rocks it can be a good place to keep a lookout for whales.

    • Day 7/8 - South Georgia

      After enjoying South Georgia from a distance, we’ll head toward its numerous beaches to find a bay for your first excursion. Landing sites are varied, largely determined by the weather conditions of your voyage. Whichever sites we visit, they’ll provide you with wildlife encounters unrivaled anywhere else on earth. South Georgia is one of the most fertile breeding grounds in the world for sub-Antarctic wildlife, with beaches blanketed with penguins and seals. It won’t take you long to realize that you are in a bird paradise, as burrowing seabirds, albatross and petrels can be seen in abundance. You’ll find that South Georgia, once a popular base for whalers and sealers, is also scattered with abandoned relics and evidence of human activity from centuries gone by. Your Expedition Team will help bring those days to life while you visit old whaling stations and enjoy presentations on the South Georgia of then and now. One of the most significant sites you will visit on the island is Grytviken. This settlement is the first whaling stations established in sub-Antarctic waters. Many travelers find that this place has a special appeal, as it is the site of the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, one of the most famous Antarctic explorers.

    • Day 9/10 - At Sea

      Say goodbye to the king penguins, as your next destination is Antarctica! Your days at sea are filled with presentations and workshops led by your Expedition Team, who will prepare you for the wildlife and landscapes that will surround you upon your arrival.

    • Day 11/13 - Antarctic Peninsula

      The most common reaction upon reaching the White Continent is a sense of reverence and awe. The experience is hard to put into words, since few places are as untouched and enduring as Antarctica. You will discover that Antarctica is a land of extremes. At one moment you’ll be overcome with a feeling of complete isolation and silence, and at the next moment you’ll be inspired by nature as a calving glacier crashes into a brilliant blue sea or a penguin waddles by to inspect your footwear. Your Expedition Team will take care of you at each excursion, whether you are Zodiac cruising, visiting a historical site or consorting with penguin colonies. Chinstrap, Adélie and gentoo penguins are found here, along with Weddell, fur, crabeater and leopard seals. Keep a lookout for Antarctic whales, such as minkes, while on a Zodiac cruise. Each day and each excursion will present a new collection of creatures to delight you and keep your camera busy. As exciting as the Zodiac excursions and landings are, perhaps you’ll treat yourself to an extra-special Antarctic experience by partaking in an optional paddling excursion (at an extra cost) or cast reason aside and jump into Antarctic waters for the Polar Plunge!

    • Day 14/15 - Crossing the Drake Passage

      After more than a dozen days of unique wildlife encounters and remarkable landscapes, your journey home begins. Crossing the Drake is your unofficial rite of passage. Spend time on deck watching for seabirds and whales, enjoy presentations by your Expedition Team, or simply relax and reminisce about your experiences.

    • Day 16 - Disembark in Ushuaia

      You will arrive in Ushuaia in the morning, which allows for you to continue your adventure onward or catch your flights home.

    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

    Stand-up Paddle boarding

    Stand-up paddleboarding will give you a very personal and unique perspective on Antarctica. Guided by experienced staff in small groups in good weather conditions on calm bays and harbours, reservations for 10 paddleboarders will be taken at time of booking

    USD$ 278 per person

    Kayaking

    Kayaking is probably one of the most intimate and inspiring ways you can explore the rugged coastlines and calm bays of the Polar regions.

    Kayaking in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent, however we guarantee at least one outing throughout your voyage, but your kayak guides will take you out as many times as possible throughout your voyage.

    USD$ 1,169 per person

    Paddling Excursion

    Explore the ocean from a more intimate vantage point on a sit-on-top kayak. No experience is required to manoeuvre these very stable kayaks, allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable experience on the water, taking in breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Whether it’s your first time in a kayak or you want greater flexibility to try other Adventure options, this shorter excursion is for you.

    Important: This activity provides 1 kayaking excursion only.

    USD$ 217 per person
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Team, including shore landings and other activities
    - All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
    - All shore landings as per the daily program
    - Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
    - All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
    - Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
    - Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
    - A photographic journal documenting the expedition
    - A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
    - An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
    - Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
    - All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
    - All luggage handling aboard the ship
    - Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
    - Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to pre-expedition hotel on Day 1
    - One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
    - Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
    - Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Excess-baggage fees on international flights
    - Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
    - Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
    - Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
    - Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
    - Laundry, bar, spa services and other personal charges, unless specified
    - Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
    - Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
    - Meals unless otherwise specified
    - Passport and applicable visa expenses
    - Additional overnight accommodation
    - Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned
    - International airfare
  • Map
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  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    WORLD EXPLORER

    Distinct and comfortable, refined and roomy—these attributes and more describe World Explorer. Not only will it be among our fastest ships, it will also be one of our finest, with six tiers of deluxe accommodation. The personal space is exceptional. Every cabin has either a private walk-out or Juliet balcony for direct ocean views. World Explorer also delivers plenty of public areas to unwind in after a day outdoors, including the glass-domed Observation Lounge for quiet contemplation and full skyline views, the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat, and the library for more intimate relaxing and reading. Presentations and discussions are facilitated in a dedicated lecture theatre. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor running track, a small gym and a sauna, plus a spa with change rooms, showers and lockers. For the active adventurers, add-ons include kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding. Blending high design with total functionality, World Explorer is all set to be your home away from home on the seas.

    Features & Facilities
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 176
    Crew #: 125
    Ice Class: 1B
    Speed: 16
    Refurbished: 2018
    Technical Specs
    Year built: 2018
    Length: 126m
    Width: 18
    Draft: 4
    Tonnage:
    Registry: Portugal
    Elec Outlets: 220V / European plug
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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.

Triple

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Triple berth cabin with shared facilities
USD$ 23,664pp
USD$ 23,664pp

Veranda Suite

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Suites with private balcony and sitting area
USD$ 27,608pp
USD$ 27,608pp
world explorer infinity suite

Infinity Suite

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Located on Decks 5 and 6, and approximately 270 sq. ft. (25 sq. m) in size, these cabins have one double or two single beds, and a floor-to-ceiling glass Juliet balcony. A sitting area with sofa, refrigerator, TV, state of the art “infotainment” system, and private bathroom with shower is also featured in each cabin.
USD$ 29,104pp
USD$ 29,104pp

Superior Suite

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Twin or double Suite with private facilities and a window
USD$ 36,040pp
USD$ 36,040pp

Deluxe Suite

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Corner Suites with twin or king bedding and private facilities
USD$ 38,964pp
USD$ 38,964pp
polar pioneer captains suite

Owner's Suite

28 Dec 2023 - 12 Jan 2024
Suite cabin with double bed, separate sitting room and private facilities.
USD$ 41,412pp
USD$ 41,412pp