fbpx

Antarctic Peninsula Explorer (RCGS Resolute)

Antarctic Peninsula Explorer (RCGS Resolute)

From $13,295 USD

Description

Expedition cruising in Antarctica is by its very nature an exploratory experience. Ice and weather conditions often dictate our planned route. Along with this, we are always opportunistic, stopping when we encounter a pod of whales, or when a gigantic tabular iceberg looms into view. This exciting new itinerary includes two extra days of exploration down in Antarctica compared to a classic 10-night voyage. This allows us to visit additional landing sites, or to linger a little longer at some of our favorite locations. In practical terms, you will spend 25% more time down among the ice, when compared to a traditional 10-night itinerary. This equals more time on shore, more time in the Zodiacs and more time spent in the company of our expert guides. What’s not to like about that?

As with all of our voyages, a comprehensive range of activities will be offered covering all interests. These include short and longer walks on shore, visits to wildlife colonies, zodiac cruising amongst icebergs looking for seals and whales, photographic excursions, exploring historic sites and possibly a working science station. For the more adventurous, sea kayaking is a wonderful way to discover Antarctica – and if weather conditions permit – why not spend the night, camping on shore? Back on board the ship, you will enjoy informative presentations and lively discussions, great company and a relaxing atmosphere. If you relish the concept of true ‘exploratory cruising’ and appreciate the idea of a few extra days of discovery – this could be the ideal Antarctic voyage.

Trip Name
Antarctic Peninsula Explorer (RCGS Resolute)
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Expedition Vessel Passenger Capacity: 146 Built: 1993 Named after the HMS Resolute, a British Royal Navy Arctic exploration vessel, as well as the Inuit town of Resolute in Canada’s Nunavut Territory, RCGS Resolute will arrive in Canada in November 2018 for its inaugural polar voyage. RCGS Resolute also carries the name of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS), since we are exclusive education, environmental science, and expedition partners in Canada’s north. This longstanding partnership works to the benefit of our guests, who have the opportunity to learn from and interact with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers. With an unsurpassed ice classification, a proven track record for stability and safety, large indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, and exceptional maneuverability, RCGS Resolute is ideally equipped to guide guests through the world’s most pristine regions, further expanding our expertise in exploration and discovery. RCGS Resolute will carry a maximum of 146 passengers in unparalleled comfort, with an array of luxury amenities, educational opportunities and activities tailored to guests’ particular interests, and individual, personalized service.  Superb Design and Layout Throughout the ship there are spaces ideally suited to every need. Spacious outer decks provide 360 degree viewing platforms perfect for photography, wildlife watching, birding and appreciating expansive views.  The salt water plunge pool, large relaxation deck, hot water jacuzzi are all located aft of the wellness centre (massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room) and well equipped gymnasium.  Inside there are multiple areas to explore ranging from our well appointed theatre style presentation room, aft observation lounge and bar, forward observation lounge and bar, and both dining rooms. Add in the One Ocean Expeditions multimedia room, and mobile laboratory and the opportunities are endless.  Six Different Cabin Categories All cabins feature outside viewing ranging from deck three traditional with port holes, up to decks 4 through 6 offering expansive panoramic windows.  Cabins all have lower berths that have the ability to be single beds, or 1 double bed depending on our guests needs.  Extensive renovations have provided new carpets, high quality cabinetry with soft close drawers, contemporary and spacious bathroom design, all paired with soft accent lighting offering options dependant on our guests daily activities and mood. All cabins offer modern sectional lounge quarters, providing a quiet nook to read or catch up on journalling.  Space is exceptional as each cabin offers 22M squared living space, whilst the One Ocean Suites are absolutely palatial offering 44M squared with enough room to entertain or do back - flips (your choice)! Enjoy Great Dining? So do we At One Ocean Expeditions, the priority is on the expedition.  However with every activity, option, event, or excursion we find we build up incredible appetites to indulge in superb and extensive menu options.  Our bistro dining room provides early birds the option to get their social caffeine or smoothy start to the day, accompanied by light breakfast style snacks.  Full meal service includes buffet breakfast and lunches incorporating an international flare.  For those with special dietary requirements - no problem, we can accommodate that too.  Dinner is a great opportunity to catch up about the day’s events, as well as look to where we expect to explore next.  Five course menu options are offered a la carte, and seating is open in our business casual dining room featuring 180 degree sweeping views.  There’s also an excellent wine list featuring a range of international wines and other beverages of choice.  Join us on the Bridge There is an open-bridge policy and guests are welcome to meet the navigating crew at virtually any time of day; there’s always something to learn from the officers on watch and the bridge is one of the best places on the ship for spotting whales and sea birds.  The bridge is closed during times of tricky navigation, pilotage, or weather. Operational Safety There are no compromises here. The expedition staff and crew onboard RCGS Resolute have the deepest respect for changeable weather in the polar regions and the varying sea and ice conditions. That respect is apparent in every decision made throughout the voyage. The ship carries the most extensive inventory of safety equipment on all excursions and require leaders to undergo vigorous and effective safety training programs. Your expedition team are well prepared, so you can relax and enjoy your voyage.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 / USHUAIA (ARGENTINA)
Our journey to Antarctica commences this afternoon in Ushuaia,in southern Argentina. We gather at our central meeting pointand transfer to the pier and embark our expedition ship. Aftersettling in to our cabins and exploring the ship, we meet ourexpedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the airas we enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner and cast off, boundfor Antarctica and the adventure of a lifetime.
Day 2 - DAYS 2-3 / AT SEA – TOWARDS ANTARCTICA
We chart a southerly course for Antarctica. The Drake Passageis rich in bio-diversity and showcases a great abundance ofwildlife. We will be joined by hundreds of seabirds includingthe wandering albatross. Giant petrels and smaller Capepetrels are also constant companions as make our way south.Photographing these magnificent birds takes patience andskill and our photography expert will be on hand to show youthe best techniques. Join the ship’s Captain on the bridge andlearn about the operations of our modern expedition vessel.Throughout the day our onboard experts educate us with aseries of presentations about the environment, the wildlife andhistory and the locations we hope to visit in the coming days.As we approach the coastline of Antarctica, we encounter moreicebergs and anticipate our first whale sightings.
Day 3 - DAYS 4-9 / IN DEPTH EXPLORATION OF ANTARCTIC PENINSULA COASTLINE
We awaken today and the magnificent snowy peaks ofcontinental Antarctica are laid out before us. Even ourexperienced expedition staff, some with more than 100 journeyssouth, will take a moment to pause and reflect on this incrediblesight. Take a deep breath – you have arrived. This is Antarctica.The waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula are home to deepbays, pristine coves and inlets and numerous small islands.The Gerlache coastline features heavily glaciated mountainspermanently covered in ice and snow.Rocky outcrops, known as ‘nunataks’ are home to gentoo,Adelie and chinstrap penguin rookeries and the waters arerich in marine life. We frequently encounter seals, including thepowerful leopard seal, usuallyfound hauled out on an ice floe.Curious humpback whales and the smaller minke whales arepresent much of the time as they feed on the vast schools ofkrill. Sightings of orca are not uncommon.Our activity program is in full swing and we encourage all gueststo choose how their adventure unfolds. Every day we plan anexciting range of activities, including guided hikes on shore(both short and long), visits to wildlife colonies with our expertnaturalist guides. The historic huts and science stations locatedalong thepeninsula provide a fascinating glimpse into the pastand the present. Zodiac cruising among the ice searching forseals and whales is a memorable activity. Meanwhile, our seakayakers may range several miles from the ship experiencingAntarctica from an entirely different perspective. Our residentphotography guide will be on hand to help you with yourcamera handling and image composition. Maybe what youreally want to do is sit on a rock, simply watching the penguinscome and go from the water? Make yourself comfortable andenjoy the show.Planned excursions along the Antarctic Peninsula could includeCierva Cove or Mikklesen Harbour, Danco Island, the MelchiorIslands and Fournier Bay - or a cruise through the ErreraChannel to visit the gentoo penguin rookeries at CuvervilleIsland. Wilhelmina Bay is another favourite location and onewhere we frequently encounter playful humpback whales.Nearby Paradise Harbour is a particular highlight and offers anexcellent hiking route to a viewpoint providing expansive views.Andvord Bay and Neko Harbour provide yet another continentallanding opportunity. It is somewhere along this stretch ofcoastline we plan a night on shore, camping in Antarctica. Wehave all the right gear and equipment and an expert team tomake it happen - all you need is an adventurous spirit! Campingalways depends on the weather and we can never guarantee iton any voyage. If the weather is good and site characteristicssuit our requirements, rest assured, we will always go for it.Camping is included and you can decide to participate on theday. There is no need to pre-book.After several busy days of exploration along the Peninsula, wehead north across the Bransfield Strait, bound for the SouthShetland Islands. This is an important whale migration corridorand can expect sightings of humpbacks, or the resident pod ofOrca that inhabit this stretch of water.
Day 4 - DAY 10 / SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
By morning we arrive in the South Shetland Islands. Theadventure is not over and if the weather conditions allow, we sailthe ship into the flooded volcanic caldera at Deception Island.This is a very dramatic place and history is all around us aswe explore the old whaling station, with the rusted old boilersand dilapidated wooden huts. At the far end of the beach is anold aircraft hangar. This is where Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkinsmade the very first flight in Antarctica in 1928. There is also anoutstanding hike, high up onto the rim of the crater.After leaving Deception Island, we cruise along the coastof Livingston Island which in a sunny day is a memorableexperience. There are several other landing sites in the SouthShetland's including Half Moon Island, or the broad pebblybeach at Yankee Harbour, where we sometimes encounterWeddell seals sunning themselves. This is another great spot fora hike or a zodiac cruise. Hannah Point, with it's elephant sealcolony and nesting Antarctic petrels - is another possibility. Inthe evening, we navigate north through the McFarlane Strait andinto the Drake Passage.
Day 5 - DAYS 11-12 / DRAKE PASSAGE – RETURN TO SOUTH AMERICA
As we make our way back to South America, the educationalpresentations continue and we enjoy an entertaining andmemorable voyage recap by our Expedition Leader. Join ourphotography experts in the multimedia room and downloadand back up your precious images. If weather conditionsallow, we hope to make a rounding of Cape Horn. This fabledstretch of water is home to legendary tales of exploration andearly navigation. It’s a fitting place to reflect on a wonderfulexpedition. Approaching the entrance to the Beagle Channel inearly evening light, we enjoy a special dinner attended by theCaptain of the ship.
Day 6 - DAY 13/ ARRIVE USHUAIA (ARGENTINA) – VOYAGE CONCLUDES
In the early morning, we arrive into Ushuaia, Argentina. It is timeto say farewell to your crew and fellow travellers. Guests willbe transported to their hotels or to the airport for return flightshome. It will be possible to connect to flights through to BuenosAires or other destinations in South America. Otherwise enjoy anight in town or venture further afield to explore the highlights ofPatagonia.
Day 7 - Please Note:
Polar exploration can be unpredictable. Specific sites visited will depend on prevailing weather and ice conditions at thetime of sailing. The above itinerary should be read as a ‘guide only’ and may change. The ship’s Captain in conjunction with the Expedition Leadercontinually review the sailing plan throughout the voyage, making adjustments to the itinerary along the way to take advantage of optimal weatherand ice conditions or to maximize our encounters with wildlife. Decades of experience spent exploring these waterways mean we have a largenumber of outstanding landing sites and zodiac cruising locations to consider, even when the weather conditions may not be ideal or when heavyice may hinder our a planned route. A flexible approach is something we encourage you to bring to the ship.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$13,295Triple Private
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$14,495Twin Private
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$16,695Superior
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$17,095Superior Plus
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$20,095Shackleton Suite
28-11-201810-12-2018USD$23,695One Ocean Suite
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$20,095Shackleton Suite
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$23,695One Ocean Suite
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$13,295Triple Private
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$14,495Twin Private
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$16,695Superior
17-02-201901-03-2019USD$17,095Superior Plus

Inclusions

    • A comprehensive exploration of the Gerlache coastline and Antarctic Peninsula
    • Visit wildlife colonies and observe penguins, seals and whale in their natural habitat
    • Visits to historic sites and science stations
    • Learn about the environment, wildlife and ecology of Antarctica from polar experts

Map