17-day Shackleton’s Christmas in Antarctica

Departure: Dec 17, 2010

Give yourself the gift of travel. Step aboard the MS Fram for an Antarctic cruise you'll celebrate for a lifetime. Enjoy an unrivaled voyage of exploration and discovery to the farthest reaches of the globe with a Holiday cruise celebration including traditional carols, Norwegian glogg (mulled wine), Santa Claus, and a special Christmas breakfast. Cocktails and appetizers set the stage for a New Year's Eve dinner followed by a festive midnight celebration. Experience the diverse wildlife, friendly faces, and haunting scenery of the South Atlantic islands as we travel to the "White Continent"-Antarctica. The MS Fram, specially designed for safe and comfortable voyages in polar regions, takes you to places other cruise ships just can't get to. During your Antarctic cruise you will enjoy sightings of seabird colonies and sheep farms, on an unforgettable journey of sheer beauty unique to the Falklands Islands/Las Malvinas, South Georgia and South Orkneys. Highlights en route include lectures on Antarctic history, biology, and geology, as well as PolarCirkel boat landings for advantageous, close-up looks at penguin colonies, research facilities, and historical sites. In addition, marvel at the South Atlantic and Antarctic scenery from the Fram's unique Passenger Bridge.

Embark on an Antarctic Holiday Cruise

Depart Buenos Aires on your charter flight to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia for your 5 p.m. embarkation aboard the MS Fram. An informative welcome meeting will be held to familiarize you with what lays ahead on your Antarctic tour. Prepare for an evening departure.

Enjoy onboard lectures as you head across open sea bound for the Falklands/Malvinas, some 300 miles east of Argentina. The islands, comprised of two large islands and 700 smaller ones, are home to about 3,060 people. An informative lecture series begins with a focus on the dramatic history and diverse wildlife of the islands as we watch for wandering albatross and dusky dolphins.

This unique sub-Antarctic environment is home to more than 70 animal and bird species, including King penguins and albatross. After a day's sailing, you will reach the westernmost outposts in the Falklands/Malvinas; some of these remote farms have been family owned for six or seven generations. Sheep graze alongside immense colonies of albatross and penguins while predatory Striated Caracaras patrol overhead and Upland geese forage at the water's edge. In capital city Stanley, the 2,000 residents are warm and inviting. The town is easy to discover in one day on foot; the museum, post office (featuring first-day covers), shops of locally made wool items, and lively pubs are all centered on the port.

En route to South Georgia, enjoy a continuing lecture series. You will be introduced to South Georgia's rich historical tapestry of exploration, whaling, and conflict and enjoy, first-hand, its rugged scenery and bustling wildlife.

Captain James Cook, upon his discovery of South Georgia in 1775 said, "The wild rocks raised their lofty summits till they were lost in the clouds and the valleys lay buried in ever-lasting snow." Its unique position inside the Antarctic ecosystem, yet outside the limit of the yearly sea ice, makes gorgeous South Georgia home to tens of millions of breeding penguins, seals, and seabirds. Cruise through the mountainous Drygalski Fjord and Fortuna Bay-where Elephant and Fur seals, albatrosses, and King penguins can be seen in the thousands. Visit the abandoned whaling stations Stromness and Grytviken, where we will find the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, and the tiny graveyard.

As your Christmas cruise continues toward the "White Continent," learn more about the wonders of the "Deep South" with a lecture series on the history, environment, and wildlife of Antarctica.

The deserted South Orkney Islands were discovered by American and British sealers in 1821 and have since served as a base for Scotch, French and Argentine sealing and scientific expeditions. You will cruise by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica, where we hope to arrive on the morning of Day 12.

The "White Continent," more than half the size of North America, is an endless wilderness. Weather, wind, and ice conditions will determine the program and schedule, but highlights of this portion of your Antarctic Christmas cruise should include:

• Deception Island, a flooded volcanic caldera in the South Shetland Islands that's home to Whaler's Bay, an abandoned whaling station and former U.K. base.
• Half Moon Island, where the cliffs house Chinstrap penguins, Antarctic terns, Kelp gulls, other birds.
• Paradise Harbour, named for its beauty and home to Gentoos and Chinstraps as well as Argentine and Chilean base.
• Petermann Island, favored by the southernmost Gentoo colony as well as Blue-eyed shags (Imperial cormorants) and Adelie penguins.
• Port Lockroy—where you can visit a museum run by the Antarctic Heritage Trust and mail postcards stamped and canceled with rare Antarctic stamps.
• Lemaire Channel, considered one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica—with Humpback and Killer whales, Elephant seals and all types of penguins are common sights.

Bow pointed north, you cross the 600-mile-plus Drake Passage back to Ushuaia. During the 40 hours or so of sailing time, enjoy more informative lectures recapping your Antarctic cruise experiences.

After breakfast your Antarctic cruise ends in Ushuaia where you will transfer for a flight to Buenos Aires. Here you can enjoy the rest of the day and evening exploring on your own.

Voyage price includes 1 night hotel pre and post cruise as well as a roundtrip charter flight Buenos Aires - Ushuaia.

*Cabin category H is equipped for physically challenged guests.

*Cabin category H is equipped for physically challenged guests.

USD Air/Land/Sea Rates valid for North, Central and South American residents only. Early Booking Rates include air and hotel as noted, capacity controlled and subject to withdrawl without notice. Cruise fuel surcharge is additional and will be advised at time of booking.

Single supplement (cruise portion only). Separate single supplement appplies to land portion. 75%
Discount per person for 3 or 4 passengers in stateroom (cruise portion only) 15%
Child Discount (cruise portion only) 25%

Hurtigruten explorations, including an Antarctic Christmas cruise await. Request a brochure or contact a travel agent. Embark on a journey of exploration, adventure and luxury with Hurtigruten, authentic voyages to pristine lands.