fram antarctica cruise

The Frozen Land of Penguins

  • Overview
    Starting in Buenos Aires, you have the possibility to discover the ”Paris of South America” before embarking on MS Fram in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost town. We set a course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the notorious Drake Passage, accompanied by wandering albatross and other seabirds. An expert lecture series focusing on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica prepares you for adventure ahead as the ship heads south into open sea. Having no land predators to worry about, the animals in Antarctica are fearless when encountering humans. They are as curious as you are, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take advantage of your mutual curiosity when we visit the resident colonies of Chinstrap penguins at Deception Island and Half Moon Island, the Gentoo penguin colonies at Yankee Harbour, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour and Paradise Harbour or the Adélie penguins at Peterman Island and the huge icebergs in the Antarctic Sound, where you also meet leopard seals and killer whales. The sights, smells, and noises of these huge colonies will overwhelm you - as will hikes to explore the some of the last untouched places on the planet.
    Duration: 14 days
    Passengers: 318 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Disembarkation Point: Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Mandatory extra flight
    Single Supplement: 0.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Buenos Aires

      Your voyage starts with an overnight stay at a first class hotel in Buenos Aires, the bustling capital of Argentina. We offer an optional city tour in the afternoon. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover ”Paris of South America” for yourself.

    • Day 2 - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia; Embarkation Day

      The flight leaves Buenos Aires in the morning allowing you a few hours to explore Ushuaia or to join an optional excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. In the evening MS Fram sets her course through the scenic Beagle Channel for the Drake Passage and Antarctica.

    • Day 3/4 - Drake Passage

      In addition to spotting the wandering albatross and other seabirds from deck, the crossing of the Drake Passage features our lecture series focusing on the history, environment and wildlife of Antarctica. Our series also includes a thorough introduction to the Antarctic visitor guidelines from the Antarctic Treaty and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

      During these two days at sea, you have time to get prepared for Antarctica and the close encounters with Antarctica's wildlife, the penguins in particular. These amazing birds in their large, dense ‘rookeries’, some with 180,000 or more birds, will overwhelm you.

    • Day 5/11 - Antarctica

      Antarctica is different from anything else you will ever experience! Once we have crossed the Antarctic Convergence you will start feeling the air getting crisper and colder. You will begin to see Antarctic penguins in the water, and don’t forget to be on the lookout for the first iceberg. There are no permanent human inhabitants in Antarctica, but it is home to millions of penguins and the feeding area for thousands of whales. The penguins are fearless when encountering humans and they might be just as curious about you as you are about them.

      Some of the highlights during our time here are Deception Island and Half Moon Island, because of the resident colonies of chinstrap penguins. Enjoy beautiful vistas and the gentoo penguin colonies on Yankee Harbour, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbour and Paradise Harbour. On Petermann Island you will see thousands of adélie penguins. The British base in Port Lockroy is one of the most popular sites in Antarctica, and offers a peek into life on an Antarctic base in the 1950s. The nesting gentoo penguins surrounding the main building have become accustomed to the frequent human visitors.

      The huge ice shelves of the Antarctic sound are home to an estimated half million adélie penguins as well as gentoo penguins, leopard seals, and killer whales. The best way to experience adélie penguins in Brown Bluff is to sit quietly and watch nature’s cutest comedians at work. When opportunities arise we will launch our kayaks, pitch tents ashore and take you on unforgettable hikes to explore one the most beautiful, untouched places on the planet.

    • Day 12/13 - Drake Passage

      The voyage from the Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia at the southern tip of Argentina is roughly 950 km (600 miles) or 40 hours of sailing time in good weather. On our way back to civilization, we will continue our lecture series and recap our experiences of Antarctica.

    • Day 14 - Ushuaia / Buenos Aires; Disembarkation

      We arrive back in Ushuaia in the morning where you can join an optional excursion. After the flight back to Buenos Aires you can extend your adventure with a post voyage extension to the Tigre Delta or Iguazu falls.

    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

    Penguins

    Taking centre stage on your Antarctic Peninsula expedition, are the Brushtail penguin species. These photogenic and intriguing species include, Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins. The species are in abundance across Peninsula and are always performing.

    On board voyages in our other details you may come across Rockhopper, Macaroni, Magellanic, King and Emperor penguins.

    Send a postcard home from Port Lockroy

    This British base, established in 1944, on arrival you will receive a warm accolade both by the volunteers of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and the colony of Gentoo penguins that nestles just by the old timber structure. Get small denomination US$ notes to buy a few postcards and send them home with Antarctic stamps from one of the southernmost Post Offices in the world.

    Adelie Penguins

    Adelie penguins are the most abundant of all penguin species and are there estimated to be some 5 million birds. They have been an incredibly successful species living further south than any other species and have one of the oldest continually used rookeries, which has existed for some 6,000 years.

  • Inclusions

    Transfers, Accommodation & Tour

    Pre-cruise accommotion in Buenos Aires is provided, as well as transfers in Ushuaia with an orientation tour.

    Expedition Gear

    Expedition boots are provided on board, as is a wind/waterproof expedition jacket.

    Charter Flights

    Return flights from your itinerary starting city to Ushuaia are included in your expedition

    Dynamic Cabin Pricing

    Cabin prices on board the Fram are dynamic, that is the cabin pricing fluctuates with changes in bookings and exchange rates. Cabin prices below are not guaranteed and are subject to change and availability at the operators discretion. Please feel free to contact us for the most accurate pricing on this voyage.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Hot beverages
    - Excursion ashore and lectures
    - Expedition jacket
    - Flights where stated in the itinerary
    - Transfers where stated in the itinerary
    - One night hotel stay pre-cruise
    - Accommodation while on board

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Optional excursions and activities
    - Luggage handling
    - International flights
    - Mandatory waterproof gear not provided
    - Baggage / cancellation / interruption and medical travel insurance
  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 04 at 5.31.40 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    FRAM

    The ship is purpose-built as an expedition vessel with a higher ice-class, chart drawing tools,ship depth sounding database, extractable forward sounding sonar, iceberg search lights, autonomous tracking system, oversized oil retention system for self-sufficiency, and a full ‘expedition tools-deck’ equivalent to a car-deck that holds 25 vehicles. We believe that as an explorer you need an ‘expedition base-camp’ that is comfortable – something that combines ‘all oceans capabilities’ with safety, flexibility and environmental friendliness. That’s Fram – simply the best expedition ship imaginable. The observation lounge, with comfortable sitting areas at the top of the ship and large panoramic windows, gives you incredible views of nature. A pair of binoculars is installed for spotting wildlife and details of the ever changing landscape. In the restaurant on deck 5, you can enjoy the finest cuisine. The floor has different levels, so no matter where your table is placed; there are views to the outdoors. The restaurant is located in the aft of the ship, on your way there you walk through an exhibition of original artefacts from the historic expeditions of Amundsen and Nansen. At the far end of the restaurant there is a balcony for taking pictures when wildlife show up during a meal. On deck 7 you will find a well-equipped fitness room, with its panoramic ocean view there is no better place to exercise. On top of the ship you can get warm and cosy in the sauna or bathe in one of the outdoor Jacuzzis. Let the warm water surround you while the icebergs float silently past the side of the ship. With 127 cabins on Fram, you have a choice of comfortable cabins and a number of superior suites to choose from. Our suites are named after Norwegian polar heroes, MS Fram travels in the wake of these great explorers. We are very proud of the art commissioned for MS Fram – local artists from the Arctic have contributed to making her a modern masterpiece. The ‘tender pit’ is where we embark, fully dressed in suitable expedition and excursion gear, on our sturdy Polarcirkel boats to take you safely from ship to shore. The original Fram was a ship for broadening the understanding of the world – let the new MS Fram do the same for you.

    Features & Facilities
    • Enhanced expedition vessel
    • Superior accommodation
    • Observation lounge with panoramic windows
    • Restaraunt
    • Gym with panoramic windows
    • Sauna
    • Outdoor Jacuzzies
    • Internet/Wifi
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 318
    Crew #: 75
    Ice Class: 1B
    Speed: 16
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 113m
    Width: 20
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 11647
    Registry: Norway
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
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.

Arctic Superior - Upper Deck Twin

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Relaxation and comfort are the hallmarks of our Arctic Superior cabins.
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Expedition Suite

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our Expeditions Suites are the most exquisite cabins on the ship.
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Expedition Grand Suite

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our Expeditions Suites are the most exquisite cabins on the ship.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Polar Inside Middle Deck - Quad

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our cosy Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. All cabins include bathrooms with shower/WC.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Polar Inside Middle Deck - Twin

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our cosy Polar Inside cabins can be found on all decks. All cabins include bathrooms with shower/WC.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Polar Outside Upper Deck

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our Polar Outside cabins are situated mostly on middle or lower deck and all have bathrooms with shower/WC.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Arctic Superior - Middle Deck Twin

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Relaxation and comfort are the hallmarks of our Arctic Superior cabins.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Polar Outside Middle Deck - Twin

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our Polar Outside cabins are situated mostly on middle or lower deck and all have bathrooms with shower/WC.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA

Polar Outside Middle Deck - Quad

13 Jan 2018 - 26 Jan 2018
Our Polar Outside cabins are situated mostly on middle or lower deck and all have bathrooms with shower/WC.
USD$ $POA
USD$ $POA