April 2009 -- Hurtigruten’s 22-Day Falklands/ Malvinas South Georgia & Antarctica cruise-tour, departing October 31, explores some of the world's most remote destinations at the southernmost tip of the world, with stunning vistas, fascinating lectures and numerous excursions designed to enhance the experience; and to entice travelers further, Hurtigruten has extended until July 31 the deadline for their 25% suite savings and free air offer on this sailing as well as four 13-day Argentina & Antarctica departures in 2009. Reduced suite rates on the 22-day sailing are $8,564 to $11,534 per person, double; while on the 13-day, $6,577 to $8,902; translating to savings of $3,041 to $4,694 per person compared with normal brochure prices – not counting the additional savings provided by free roundtrip air from NY or Miami. Suite purchases also include a variety of perks – two optional excursions; wine, beer or soda at meals; a bottle of champagne from the Captain; and more. This offer cannot be combined with others but can be booked using Hurtigruten's interest-free "Layaway Getaway" monthly payment plan. Air add-ons, available from dozens of North American gateways, range from $50 to $500 with the vast majority costing below $300.Sailing aboard the 318-berth MS Fram, the world’s newest expedition ship, guests are privy to rare views of the vast and mysterious wilderness of the White Continent, replete with gleaming icebergs, blue whales and orcas feeding mere feet from the ships, and penguin populations whose individual rookeries number in the tens of thousands. The 22-day itinerary departs Argentina’s lively capital of Buenos Aires to explore the Falklands – an archipelago consisting of more than 740 islands and a breeding ground for millions of seabirds, as well as home to King and other penguin species. Moving on to the isolated island of South Georgia, passengers disembark at the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken, and visit the South Georgia Museum, a stronghold for all aspects of the island’s culture; Cooper Bay, known for its Macaroni and Chinstrap penguins; and the cemetery, where young Elephant seal pups, King and Gentoo penguins and timid Pintail ducks are likely to be spotted.
Both the 22- and 13-day sailings share a similar Antarctica experience -- with the MS Fram makings its way across the Drake Passage and offering extensive landfall opportunities on the White Continent -- Whaler's Bay with its warm springs and black volcanic sand; Half Moon Island, a rookery for Chinstrap penguins; Yankee Harbor, home to seals and 4,000 Gentoo penguin pairs; Almirante Brown, with its stunning views of snowy peaks, ice cliffs and sculpted bergs; Port Lockroy, where postcards postmarked "Antarctica" can be purchased; Wilhelmina Bay, a feeding ground for whales and seals; and numerous others. The ship disembarks at Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, before passengers proceed to Buenos Aires, where they are free to explore or take optional excursions such as the Dinner & Tango in the classical surroundings of Esquine Carlos Gardel.
Fares include all meals onboard, the services of expert naturalist guides, noted guest lecturers, PolarCirkel boat landings, and pre- and post-cruise nights in Buenos Aires. Airline fuel surcharges and taxes, ticketing fees of $229 and gratuities are additional. For those interested in a similar cruise at a later date, Hurtigruten also offers the 22-Day Antarctica/ South Georgia Falklands & Malvinas cruise departing in February.
Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen.
Click here to read a review of the Fram.
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