CLASSIC ANTARCTICA  Antarpply S.A.

DATES 2011-12   -  

ESPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT Cabins category A, Superior and Suite

Special rates for families - A child (under 16 years) accompanied by two adults will be free of charge in a triple Superior cabin or triple Suite. 

RATES IN US DOLLAR

Per person based on twin share occupancy

ESPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT Cabins category A, Superior and Suite

Special rates for families - A child (under 16 years) accompanied by two adults will be free of charge in a triple Superior cabin or triple Suite. 

 10% DISCOUNT

N.B. All rates are subject to change, especially possible fuel surcharges. However, there will be NO fuel surcharge for the 2010-11 season if the price of the barrel of crude oil is US$100 or lower.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 Rates 

All rates are quoted per person in US Dollars, based on twin occupancy. Twin cabins (except suites) are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the share rate. Suites may be reserved at 2 times the share rate. A third berth in two of the suites maybe occupied at 50% of the published twin share rate.

Shared accommodation can be arranged on request.

All rates are subject to change and Antarpply Expeditions reserves the right to modify the published rates without prior notice.

Included in the cruise price:

·         Voyage aboard the ‘Ushuaia’ as indicated in the itinerary.

·         All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ‘Ushuaia’.

·         All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by zodiac.

·         Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.

·         All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program.

·         Comprehensive pre-departure material.

·         Detailed post-expedition log.

Not included in the cruise price:

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post land arrangements; transfers to / from the vessel; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages (guidelines will be provided).

Reservations and Payments 

A deposit of 30% of the cruise fare is required per person to confirm reservations with final payment due 90 days prior to departure.

Cancellations

All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of US$ 500 per person.

From 89 days up to and including the day of departure all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 89 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately.

For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance. 

Antarpply Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any voyage prior to departure in which case payments will be refunded in full without further obligation on our part.

   Itineraries

The itineraries published are for reference only and are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, or due to any other reason beyond our control, at the Master’s and Expedition Leader’s discretion without prior notice. Passengers have no right to any refund, any other consideration or claim whatsoever in the event of inevitable itinerary changes.

Insurance

Antarpply Expeditions strongly urges their passengers to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation and repatriation, and trip cancellation. Antarpply Expeditions shall not be responsible for any injuries to persons (whether or not resulting in death) or damage or loss to property. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger and Antarpply Expeditions specifically decline any responsibility whatsoever (also if not covered by travel insurance).

  Passenger Contract

The passenger must sign a passenger contract which constitutes the sole contract and his/her agreement to all the terms and conditions relative to the cruise. By accepting the cruise ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms & conditions.

CLASSIC ANTARCTICA

 Expedition cruise to the 

Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands

Aboard the ‘Ushuaia’

Day 1: Depart from Ushuaia

Embark the ‘Ushuaia’ in the afternoon and meet your expedition and lecture staff. After you have settled into your cabins we sail along the famous Beagle Channel and the scenic Mackinlay Pass.

Day 2 & 3: Crossing the Drake Passage

Named after the renowned explorer, Sir Frances Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar water sinks beneath the warmer northern waters. This creates a great upwelling of nutrients, which sustains the biodiversity of this region. The Drake Passage also marks the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds. As we sail across the passage, Antarpply Expeditions’ lecturers will be out with you on deck to help in the identification of an amazing variety of seabirds, including many albatrosses, which follow in our wake. The Ushuaia’s open bridge policy allows you to join our officers on the bridge and learn about navigation, watch for whales, and enjoy the view. A full program of lectures will be offered as well.

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams. With favorable conditions in the Drake Passage our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with the penguins and seals on Day 3.

Day 4 to 8: Exploring South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula

The South Shetland Islands are a haven for wildlife. Vast penguin rookeries, beaches ruled by Antarctic fur seals and southern elephant seals make every day spent in this amazing island group unforgettable. Sailing through the narrow passage into the flooded caldera of Deception Island and the chance to swim in the hot springs of Pendulum Cove is truly amazing. King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands, features colonies of nesting Adélie and Chinstrap Penguins, Kelp Gulls, Blue-eyed Cormorants, Antarctic Terns and Southern Giant Petrels and is home to scientific bases of many different countries. Macaroni, Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins as well as elephant seals await you at Livingston Island.

The Antarctic Peninsula’s remarkable history will provide you with a type of excitement often only associated with the early explorers. You will have plenty of time to explore its amazing scenery, a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways, and an incredible wide variety of wildlife. Apart from penguins and seabirds you are very likely to see Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals as well as Minke, killer (orca) and humpback whales at close range.

We hope to navigate some of the most beautiful waterways (depending on the ice conditions): the Gerlache Strait, the Neumayer Channel, and the Lemaire Channel, the latter are narrow passages between towering rock faces and spectacular glaciers. We plan to make at least two landings per day. Possible landing sites may include:

Paradise Bay is perhaps the most aptly named place in the world and we attempt a landing on the continent proper. After negotiating the iceberg-strewn waters of the Antarctic Sound, we hope to visit the bustling Adélie Penguin (over 100,000 pairs breed here) and Blue-eyed Cormorant colonies on Paulet Island. The Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone survival hut here in 1903. Today its ruins have been taken over by nesting penguins.

Further exploration may take you to Melchior Island, Cuverville Island, Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island  and if ice conditions permit, to Petermann Island for a visit to the southernmost colony of Gentoo Penguins.

Day 9 & 10: At Sea crossing the Drake Passage, northbound

We leave Antarctica and head north across the Drake Passage. Join our lecturers and naturalists on deck as we search for seabirds and whales and enjoy some final lectures. Take the chance to relax and reflect on the fascinating adventures of the past days on the way back to Ushuaia.

Day 11: Arrival at Ushuaia

We arrive at Ushuaia in the early morning and disembark the ‘Ushuaia’ after breakfast.

Please note:    The above itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.

                        The 9 nights/10 days itineraries: A011211, A260212, A160312, A250312 , A190112, A070212 offer one day less in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

The ‘Ushuaia’  

Originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), the ‘Ushuaia’ has been refurbished to accommodate 66 passengers in 33 comfortable twin cabins and suites. The ice-strengthened polar vessel ‘Ushuaia’ is very well appointed and provides ample deck space and an open bridge policy. The full complement of inflatable landing craft ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities on the otherwise inaccessible coastline.

All cabins include a desk and ample storage space. Public areas feature a large dining room (one sitting), an observation lounge and bar, a conference room with modern multimedia equipment, a library, a changing room and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in Antarctic and Southern Ocean navigation and have a great love of nature. We provide a specialist team of international expedition leaders and lecturers, all extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. Our chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits.

Accommodation: 

Suites:            5 Outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two lower berths, lounge, TV, DVD player and fridge.

Suite 201 features two double beds, Suite 202 one double bed and a sofa bed. Suite 203 features two lower single beds, Suites 204 and 207 three lower single beds.

Superior:       8 Twin outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two lower berths. Cabin 301 features one double and one single bed.

A cabins:        6 Twin outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, two lower berths.

B cabins:      14 Twin outside cabins: 12 twin outside cabins with portholes on deck (E) and semi-private facilities, two berths (upper/lower); and 2 twin outside cabins (214 and 215) with portholes on the upper deck (G) with private facilities and two berths (upper/lower).

C cabins:      8 Twin inside cabins on the lower deck (D) with semi-private facilities, two berths (upper/lower).

N.B.  Semi-private facilities: Two cabins share one bathroom accessible from both cabins (shower and wc). Each cabin is also equipped with its own washbasin.