The last great wilderness left on Earth with no permanent human inhabitants, the continent is dedicated to scientific research and peaceful cooperation. Simple words cannot convey the feeling of being here, with its crisp air, towering icebergs, and endless white mountain ranges. Unforgettable Moment: We'll spend four incredible days cruising channels and passageways surrounded by the Antarctic Peninsula's rugged, glacier-covered islands and craggy land masses.
Legendary travelers were drawn here in spite of the stark and inhospitable surroundings. Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott famously raced to the South Pole in 1911 (Amundsen’s expedition beat Scott’s by 33 days). Perhaps the most famous explorer is Ernest Shackleton, leader of a crew that set off to cross the White Continent in 1914. Shackleton’s ship, the aptly named Endurance, was crushed in the ice. Miraculously, the great explorer was able to deliver his entire crew back to safety and civilization (albeit a year and a half later). Needless to say, to step foot on mainland Antarctica is a true once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
We’ll marvel at our striking surroundings — vast tundra and jagged icebergs mirrored in frigid seas — as we cruise through a part of the world so remote and extreme that it has no permanent human residents. Antarctica is, however, home to millions of penguins, as well as an astonishing array of seals, birds, and other unique species, so be sure to keep your cameras at the ready! As we cruise, we'll enjoy a rewarding balance of onboard lectures that enlighten the mind and onshore excursions that thrill and invigorate.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner