Antarctic Peninsula (New Year and Christmas) (Russian-speaking group)

Duration: 9 nights Dates: 12/30/2023 – 01/08/2024

Price: €14,591

Route: Ushuaia/Terra del Fuego – 2 days at sea – Exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula (5 days) – 3 days at sea – Ushuaia/Terra del Fuego.

Liner SH Diana

The program of this cruise is completely unique: you will pass through the legendary Drake Passage, connecting the southern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, you will get to the Antarctic Peninsula with its stunning nature and amazing wildlife and step beyond the land of the White Continent.

Route by day

Day 1. Ushuaia

Located on the very edge of Argentina and surrounded by majestic mountains, Ushuaia will captivate you with its landscapes even from the plane window. A Swan Hellenic representative will meet you at the airport. The transfer will take you to the port to check in on board the ship.

This city is rightly called the “gateway to Antarctica”, because your cruise starts from here. The realization that you are on the edge of the Earth does not come immediately. Meanwhile, you are 16,000 km from Moscow and only 1000 km from Antarctica!

Boarding on the SH expedition ship will go unnoticed. During the welcome cocktail you will be able to meet the crew and crew. Over the speakerphone you will be invited to the upper deck, from where you can take photos of Ushuaia, somewhat reminiscent of an alpine town with amazing views of the picturesque snowy peaks.

You set off towards the White Continent!

Days 2 and 3. At sea

Crossing the Antarctic Convergence.

Days at sea are an ideal time to observe seabirds and marine mammals from a boat. The observation decks offer stunning views of the ocean.

On your way to Antarctica through Drake Passage you cross the Antarctic Convergence, a unique zone of confluence of different water masses. Waters rich in plankton rise from the depths to the surface of the sea. This phenomenon attracts a variety of seabirds and animals, including several species of albatrosses, petrels, skuas, as well as whales and dolphins. From here the temperature drops significantly within a few hours, which serves as an indicator that Antarctica will soon be reached.

A rich educational program awaits you on board. The expedition team of polar experts will introduce you to the history of the exploration of Antarctica, the origin of glaciers, the world of flora and fauna of the White Continent and many other informative and interesting facts. You will also receive a safety briefing during Zodiac boat landings.

And, of course, days at sea are a time to relax and enjoy your stay on board. Visit a SPA salon or gym, communicate with like-minded people, share your travel impressions, or go to the library filled with thematic books and reference books.

These days you will have a welcome cocktail with the captain, officers and expedition team, a colorful festive program and dinner.

Days 4 – 7. Exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula

Mighty glaciers, majestic icebergs and snow-capped fjords… here your Antarctic dream comes true. You will be amazed by the picturesque landscape of the so-called “resort zone” of Antarctica, the most accessible part of the continent, where the abundance of wildlife and most scientific stations are concentrated. There is literally not a lot of vegetation in the polar region: coastal stones are covered only with green mosses and colorful lichens, but the animal world is incredibly diverse.

Once you reach the continent of Antarctica and its nearby islands, active exploration of the region will begin. Twice a day you will land on the coasts of the Sixth Continent and the Antarctic Islands. This is a completely different primordial world, and the landings take place with the help of special Zodiac expedition boats. Penguins literally meet us on the shore. While hiking, you will even have the opportunity to climb to the top of the hills to admire the panorama of sparkling glaciers and icebergs. During the expedition, you will more than once witness how an ice block breaks off from a glacier with a roar – this is how an iceberg is born and sets off to float freely.
The average disembarkation time is 1-2 hours.

Your expedition takes place on a small expedition ship, with a small number of passengers, so the program of your stay in Antarctica will be active and eventful. On Zodiac boats you will reach the most remote and unexplored bays.

As you approach the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands will be the first to appear before you South Shetland Islands, on which the snow melts in the southern spring in November. The temperatures here are higher, which means that the fauna is also different from what you will see in Antarctica itself. Mosses and colorful lichens – in general, the local flora seems to have more in common with Patagonia than with Antarctica. Kerguelen fur seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, crabeater seals, elephant seals, chinstrap penguins, Adelie penguins and sub-Antarctic penguins bask on the beaches here.
The Southern Giant Petrel, Antarctic Tern, Antarctic Cormorant and members of the Skua family are permanent residents of the islands.

Most of the South Shetland Islands were discovered in the early 19th century by trapping expeditions. Boat trips on Zodiac boats will allow you to get up close and personal with these amazing places. Half Moon Island, is located in the central part of the archipelago, there is a small population of seals and penguins, due to the removal from the sea of a large amount of phytoplankton on Earth, which in turn feeds on krill – small crustaceans that are the favorite “dish” of the local baleen whales.

Whaler’s Cove on the volcanic Deception Island is one of the calmest and safest harbors in Antarctica. Since the 19th century, it has been a favorite stopover for seal catchers and whalers. Today, passengers often come here to observe chinstrap penguins, fur seals and Weddell seals in natural conditions. The ship will practically enter the caldera of an active volcano! You will see a truly fantastic landscape!

Moving along the Antarctic Peninsula, shore excursions may include Petermann Island, a key bird area. The colony of subantarctic penguins here numbers more than 3,000 individuals. Among others, Adélie penguins, South polar skua, Wilson’s storm petrel, Antarctic cormorant and others are also found here.

The largest colony of subantarctic penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula, more than 6,500 individuals, is located nearby on Cuverville Island.

In turn Portal Point is a known resting place for Weddell seals, while penguins are usually sparse here due to the abundant snow cover. During landings and expedition boat trips among the icebergs, you may encounter crabeater seals and leopard seals. And sometimes – even whales! You will be closer to the wildlife of the Antarctic islands than ever before.
How do you like the idea polar swimming? Yes, yes, that will happen too. Swimming in Antarctic waters from the deck of a ship or from the shore is always fun. And even if all these activities included in the program are not enough, we have something to offer you. Try polar kayaking. Ride your kayak along a labyrinth of icebergs, among penguins and whales.

Days 8 and 9. At sea to the shores of Tierra del Fuego

After busy days of active exploration of the Antarctic, the ship will head back to Ushuaia. Antarctica is separated from the continent of South America by the widest and deepest strait on Earth. The All Inclusive system on board the ship is a great option to celebrate your successful passage through Drake Passage.

Don’t forget to look at the captain’s bridge. The open captain’s cabin system allows you to visit the ship’s main control room. The liner’s holy of holies is open to you! Don’t miss the opportunity to ask questions to the crew members or, if possible, even chat with the captain.

These days you will find a gala dinner and a farewell captain’s cocktail. The final days of the cruise are the best time to communicate with like-minded people; you can share your impressions of the trip and plan dates for your next joint expedition.

Day 10. Ushuaia and Buenos Aires

The cruise ends, the ship returns through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia, the very starting point of an unforgettable journey through Antarctica. The very edge of the continent of South America is already visible in the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego. The mountains rise majestically above the harbor of Ushuaia.

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to the crew and crew of the ship and go ashore. For the expedition participants, a transfer will be organized to Ushuaia airport for the flight to Buenos Aires.

When you return home, a pleasant surprise will await you. As is tradition, the Swan Hellenic team will send each guest a link to download the film, which will include a photo and video report of the expedition cruise they completed for a lasting memory.

What’s included?

ANTARCTIC

The cruise price includes:

domestic flight from Buenos Aires or Santiago to Ushuaia and back optional Swan Hellenic (premium economy class)
all transfers: from the airport to the hotel the day before boarding the ship, from the hotel to the port on the day of boarding, from the port to the airport at the end of the cruise
hotel accommodation before the cruise (1 night with breakfast)
accommodation on board in a cabin of the selected category
meals on board, 24 hours a day
room service, 24 hours a day
coffee, tea, soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks 24 hours a day
lecture programs of expedition experts and invited speakers
shore excursions led by our experienced expedition team
Swan Hellenic Expedition’s signature parka will be delivered to your cabin on the first day of the cruise
rubber boots provided for disembarkation
basic WiFi package (Premium WiFi package available for an additional fee)
on board gratuities and port taxes

Optional services upon request of guests for an additional fee:

flight to Buenos Aires or Santiago and back
compulsory health insurance
cancellation insurance
private Zodiac tours and kayaking during the cruise
premium alcoholic beverages, Spa and beauty treatments, laundry services, on-board retail shopping

ARCTIC AND FAR EAST OF RUSSIA

The cruise price includes:

all transfers: from the airport to the hotel the day before boarding the ship, from the hotel to the port on the day of boarding, from the port to the airport at the end of the cruise
hotel accommodation before the cruise (1 night with breakfast)
accommodation on board in a cabin of the selected category
meals on board, 24 hours a day
room service, 24 hours a day
coffee, tea, soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks 24 hours a day
lecture programs of expedition experts and invited speakers
shore excursions led by our experienced expedition team
Swan Hellenic Expedition’s signature parka will be delivered to your cabin on the first day of the cruise
rubber boots provided for disembarkation
basic WIFI package (Premium WIFI package available for an additional fee)
on board gratuities and port taxes

Optional services upon request of guests for an additional fee:

flight to the cruise start port and back from the cruise end port
compulsory health insurance
cancellation insurance
private Zodiac tours and kayaking during the cruise
premium alcoholic beverages, spa and beauty treatments, laundry services, on-board retail shopping

REST OF THE WORLD

The cruise price includes:

all transfers: from the airport to the hotel the day before boarding the ship, from the hotel to the port on the day of boarding, from the port to the airport at the end of the cruise
hotel accommodation before the cruise (1 night with breakfast)
accommodation on board in a cabin of the selected category
meals on board, 24 hours a day
room service, 24 hours a day
coffee, tea, soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks 24 hours a day
lecture programs of expedition experts and invited speakers
shore excursions led by our experienced expedition team
basic WIFI package (Premium WIFI package available for an additional fee)
gratuities on board and port taxes

Optional services upon request of guests for an additional fee:

flight to the cruise start port and back from the cruise end port
compulsory health insurance
cancellation insurance
individual excursions along the route
private Zodiac tours and kayaking during the cruise
premium alcoholic beverages, Spa and beauty treatments, laundry services, on-board retail shopping

Liner SH Diana

Year of construction – 2023
Tonnage – 12 100 tons
Length – 125 m
Width – 23 m
Number of passengers – 192 people
Number of personnel – 141 people
Number of decks – 9
Polar class – PC6
Speed – 14.5 knots
Lifeboats – 2 fully closed
Zodiacs on board – 15

Description

SH Diana is the third and largest in a series of three creatively conceived and designed next generation advanced polar expedition vessels. The ice-strengthened PC6 hull allows the SH Diana to carry out expeditions through the most inaccessible and impressive regions of the world. Combining the latest technology of a polar expedition class vessel with elegant and sophisticated interiors, SH Diana launched in January 2023 and will open her inaugural season with Mediterranean cruises in April before heading to the Arctic for the 2023 summer season.

Photo gallery of the expedition

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