June 2010 -- Home to 90% of the world's ice and near as many penguins, Antarctica is as unique a destination as can be found to exchange gifts and celebrate the holidays -- with its pristine environment, sun-light polar nights, abundant wildlife, and glaciers that seem to go on forever. But Hurtigruten isn't waiting until then to deliver a gift to travelers -- offering a 50% discount on the cruise portion of the companion's fare on its 17-day "Shackleton's Holiday Voyage." Booking the December 17, 2010 departure by Sept. 15 saves the companion $4,254 to $9,182 (or in the spirit of the holiday - $2,127 to $4,591 per person in a shared cabin). The festive sailing follows much of the same path as Shackleton's original Endurance Expedition of 1914 -- considered one of history's greatest survival stories -- navigating the western-most outposts of the Falkland Islands and visits whaling stations, beautiful Drygalski Fjord on South Georgia Island and the even more remote South Orkneys before heading to Antarctica.
Regular fares are $9,863 to $19,720 per person, double and include all meals onboard, the services of expert naturalist guides, noted guest lecturers, round-trip air between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia (air not included in the discount), PolarCirkel boat landings, and port fees. This savings offer is combinable with Hurtigruten's Repeater discount - 10% savings for passengers who sailed on any Hurtigruten ship in the past three years. There are six other Antarctica itineraries (10 departures total) during the November - February season, ranging from 10 to 19 days.
Guests are treated to all of the holiday fanfare 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. Of course, this is all mingled with the sight of blue whales and orcas feeding mere feet from the passenger's perch aboard the world's most deluxe exploration ship - the 318-berth, ice-rated MS Fram - and penguin populations whose individual rookeries number in the tens of thousands.
Travelers depart Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, and sail to 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. In South Georgia, passengers disembark at the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken and visit the South Georgia Museum, a treasure trove 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. The ship then takes guests by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island, the largest of the South Orkney Islands in the Scotia Sea, before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica.
June 2010 -- Home to 90% of the world's ice and near as many penguins, Antarctica is as unique a destination as can be found to exchange gifts and celebrate the holidays -- with its pristine environment, sun-light polar nights, abundant wildlife, and glaciers that seem to go on forever. But Hurtigruten isn't waiting until then to deliver a gift to travelers -- offering a 50% discount on the cruise portion of the companion's fare on its 17-day "Shackleton's Holiday Voyage." Booking the December 17, 2010 departure by Sept. 15 saves the companion $4,254 to $9,182 (or in the spirit of the holiday - $2,127 to $4,591 per person in a shared cabin). The festive sailing follows much of the same path as Shackleton's original Endurance Expedition of 1914 -- considered one of history's greatest survival stories -- navigating the western-most outposts of the Falkland Islands and visits whaling stations, beautiful Drygalski Fjord on South Georgia Island and the even more remote South Orkneys before heading to Antarctica.
Regular fares are $9,863 to $19,720 per person, double and include all meals onboard, the services of expert naturalist guides, noted guest lecturers, round-trip air between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia (air not included in the discount), PolarCirkel boat landings, and port fees. This savings offer is combinable with Hurtigruten's Repeater discount - 10% savings for passengers who sailed on any Hurtigruten ship in the past three years. There are six other Antarctica itineraries (10 departures total) during the November - February season, ranging from 10 to 19 days.
Guests are treated to all of the holiday fanfare 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. Of course, this is all mingled with the sight of blue whales and orcas feeding mere feet from the passenger's perch aboard the world's most deluxe exploration ship - the 318-berth, ice-rated MS Fram - and penguin populations whose individual rookeries number in the tens of thousands.
Travelers depart Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, and sail to 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. In South Georgia, passengers disembark at the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken and visit the South Georgia Museum, a treasure trove 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. The ship then takes guests by the Washington Strait and Coronation Island, the largest of the South Orkney Islands in the Scotia Sea, before setting course towards Elephant Island and Antarctica.
A broad range of landfall opportunities await in Antarctica – Half Moon Island, a rookery for Chinstrap penguins; Port Lockroy, where postcards postmarked "Antarctica" can be purchased; Whaler's Bay with its warm springs and black volcanic sand; Paradise Harbor and its stunning views of snowy peaks, ice cliffs and sculpted bergs; Lemaire Channel, one of Antarctica's most beautiful passages, where humpback and killer whales and Elephant seals are common sights; and numerous others. As the MS Fram sails through the Drake Passage, guests can enjoy a view of Cape Horn, South America’s southernmost point, while learning about the region from expert onboard lecturers. The ship disembarks at Ushuaia and guests fly onto Buenos Aires, where they are free to explore the city.
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