Antarctic Peninsula (Russian-speaking group)

Duration: 9 nights Dates: 01/03/2024 – 01/12/2024

Price: €12,140

Route: Ushuaia (Argentina) – Antarctic Peninsula – Ushuaia (Argentina)

Liner SH Vega

Antarctica is an amazing, distant and inaccessible continent that leaves no one indifferent. Once here, everyone will form a personal impression of it.

Discover “your” Antarctica in the comfort and elegance of an expedition vessel with a high ice class. Its small size and maneuverability will allow you to visit the most secluded corners! After all, it is in small bays and bays that there is a high probability of close encounters with representatives of the animal world. SH Vega is a true art boutique hotel in the waters of the Southern Ocean. At your service: an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the open sea and icebergs, gourmet restaurants with dishes from famous chefs, stylish interiors made from natural finishing materials, cozy and spacious cabins with fireplaces and panoramic balconies.

Discover, explore, dive and enrich your understanding of the world on an expedition cruise to the shores of Antarctica in the company of like-minded people. You will pass through the legendary Drake Passage, connecting the southern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, explore the Antarctic Peninsula with its stunning nature and amazing wildlife, and set foot beyond the land of the White Continent. Incomparable icy landscapes, funny penguins, graceful albatrosses, mysterious whales, the opportunity to plunge into the icy waters of the Southern Ocean and look at the continent from a different angle while kayaking… you will get an experience that you will keep for a lifetime. Feel like a real conqueror of the icy continent under the strict guidance of the Swan Hellenic expedition team!

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 airplane 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 the SH expedition vessel 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 the way to Antarctica through Drake Passage You are crossing the Antarctic Convergence, a unique zone of convergence 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.

awaits you these days 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 vessel, 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 first to appear in front of you are the 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.

Much of the South Shetland Islands was discovered in the early 19th century by trapping expeditions. Boat trips on Zodiac boats will allow you to get to know these amazing places up close. Half Moon Island, is located in the central part of the archipelago, here 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 Bay 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!

As you move 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

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
travel 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)
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
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 Vega

Technical characteristics

Year of construction – 2022
Tonnage – 10,500 tons
Length – 115 m
Width – 22, 8 m
Number of passengers – 152 people
Number of personnel – 120 people
Number of decks – 9
Polar class – PC 5
Speed – 15.5 knots
Ice penetration – 80 – 100 cm
Lifeboats – 2 fully closed
Zodiacs on board – 13

SH Vega is the second in a series of three creatively conceived and designed next generation advanced polar expedition vessels designed for circumnavigation of the world with a focus on high latitude regions. Its ice-breaking capacity is 80 – 100 cm, the vessel is capable of independently navigating thin first-year ice with a thickness of up to 80 cm in winter-spring navigation and up to 100 cm in summer-autumn navigation at a speed of up to 9 km per hour.

Combining the latest technology of a polar expedition class vessel with elegant and sophisticated interiors, SH Vega is scheduled to enter service in May 2022. It can be compared to a cozy boutique hotel with a modern, sophisticated design in a Scandinavian chic style. Spacious open decks and panoramic sea views from both the stateroom and public areas on board will allow guests to truly immerse themselves in the ever-changing, inspiring landscapes overboard and remain in touch with the surrounding wildlife throughout the cruise.

Power

Swan Restaurant

Swan – The 152-seat main restaurant serves global and regional cuisine using fresh local ingredients, as well as signature cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The free seating system allows you to have a snack at a time convenient for guests.

The elegant, modern and spacious restaurant, led by the chef, tastefully creates modern and traditional cuisine, as well as light, healthy dishes, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients from local farmers, fishermen and artisans. The variety of cuisines we offer is based on healthy eating and conscious consumption, responsible use of marine resources and careful management of the soil.

Entertainment

Swan Nest – an equipped observation deck in the bow of the liner for perfect shots of continuously changing inspiring landscapes overboard.

Infinity pool
The heated infinity pool is designed to allow members of the Swan Hellenic expedition to relax after a busy day and truly immerse themselves in the inspiring landscapes overboard.

The Club Lounge is a bright and welcoming lounge, an ideal place to socialize and meet friends, equipped with cozy armchairs and a holographic fireplace. They serve the freshest pizza from a special Italian oven and traditional tapas, which go well with the signature Swan Hellenic cocktail. The Club Lounge is also the perfect place to complement the sunset with the vibrant taste and aroma of an evening Gin O’clock. Fresh baked goods, light snacks and a 24-hour self-service buffet. The cozy café serves espresso, lattes, cappuccinos and specialty tea drinks. Throughout the day and until late in the evening, you can order a glass of wine or a cocktail here. Opening hours: 24 hours

Grill bar by the pool
The pool bar and grill is the ideal place to enjoy not only the gastronomic side – dishes created from local fresh seasonal products and aromatic wines, but also the changing landscapes of the cities and countries from which they were delivered. Opening hours: morning to evening

Sauna
Panoramic sauna – here, after a relaxing massage, guests can admire the views surrounding the ship.

SPA and relaxation
The spa and beauty salon on board offers a list of treatments for every taste: massage, aromatherapy, SPA treatments. We know everything about relaxation and pleasure.

Gym
The on-board gym is equipped with all necessary equipment. Guests can enjoy cardiovascular equipment, stretch bands, free weights and of course group and personal training from yoga and Pilates to meditation and weight training.

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