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Your voyage of discovery is today more comfortable as you board our highest ice-class ship, the M/V Polar Star to discover these compelling, distant lands in the safety and comfort of your “home away from home”. She is the ideal expedition ship with experienced and friendly staff, good facilities, spacious on-deck viewing, unique open bridge policy and a fleet of ten 12-man Zodiac inflatable landing craft to take you ever closer. You personal experience is further enhanced by our team of onboard specialists – their passion will shine through as they lecture and guide you in these amazing destinations.

Day 1 - Ushuaia, Argentina

Enjoy the day for free exploration of this 'frontier town' at leisure, before embarking aboard M/V Polar Star.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - At Sea

This day at sea is an excellent opportunity to get oriented onboard and ready for the adventures ahead. As you settle into your new home away from home, mingle and meet some fellow Antarctic explorers. Use the free time to relax in the library, work out in the gym, or view the sights from the observation deck.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 3 & 4 - Falkland Islands

These remote and isolated islands have a fascinating history beginning with the European whalers and sealers. Landings at places such as New Island and West Point Island provide an opportunity to see Rockhopper penguins and nesting albatross during the only season of the year when they come to land. Of course a visit to the Falklands would not be complete without time spent in the picturesque “capital” town of Stanley.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 5 & 6 - At Sea

On this sea passage the ship crosses the Antarctic Convergence into the Southern Ocean heading for South Georgia.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 7-10 - South Georgia

The splendor of South Georgia is hard to describe – stunning snow capped mountain landscapes, tousled tussock grasses and wild beaches. Learn about the history of whaling and exploration, walk in Shackleton’s footsteps and be surrounded by thousands of King penguin not to mention other penguin species, an abundance of Elephant and Fur seals, seabirds and perhaps whales.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 11 & 12 - At Sea

During these days at sea the focus is on preparing for the Antarctic with lectures on natural history, geology, exploration and the Antarctic Treaty.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lucnh & dinner

Day 13 - Elephant Island

The first landfall in Antarctica will be Point Wild on Elephant Island famous for being the epic survival location of Shackleton’s men when stranded in 1916 for 135 days.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - South Shetland Islands

These spectacular volcanic islands have steaming black sands and remnants of the whaling days at Deception Island, and prolific wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins, whales, seals and seabirds.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 15 & 16 - Antarctic Peninsula

Early season in Antarctica is incredibly dramatic with magnificent snow and ice brushed by myriad hues of light. In addition to Zodiac cruising, landings are planned at historic and wildlife sites – possibly including Port Lockroy, Paradise Bay, Neko Harbor and Cierva Cove on the Antarctic continent.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 17 & 18 - At Sea

The passage back crosses the famed Drake Passage and into the Beagle Channel.

Accommodations: M/V Polar Star
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 19 - Ushuaia, Argentina

Say your farewells and disembark in Ushuaia for your return flight back home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Notes on Itinerary: Read this itinerary as a guide only; our exact route and program varies according to ice and weather conditions - and the wildlife we encounter. Flexibility is the key to the success of this expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Children Age Requirements: Age minimum 5 years old. Children between the ages 5-16 are eligible for a 15% discount.

Cost Includes: Cruise only; accommodation onboard; meals, coffee, tea and juice throughout duration of cruise, onboard gratuities; complimentary rubber boot rental program and complimentary PSE Maritime Expedition Outer Shell (jacket custom designed for the layering concept); onboard lectures and activities; port charges and all excursions unless specifically stated.

Not Included: Air transport and transport to and from M/V Polar Star; visa, passport, vaccination charges and airport departure taxes; pre and post cruise activities; hotels and meals not included in the ship cruise itinerary, emergency evacuation charges; and personal expenses including laundry, postage, personal clothing requirements, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges (alcohol, bottled water, sodas), communication costs (phone, fax, email) and shop purchases.

Arrival/Departure: The Antarctica & Sub Antarctic Islands cruise begins and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. Embarkation time is at 4:00pm on day of departure, ship sails no later than 5:00pm. We strongly advise all passengers to arrive the night prior to departure and get a hotel in Ushuaia to avoid baggage and flight delays. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day approximately at 8:30am. Please schedule flights accordingly. Get a free flight quote.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of US$500 per person is required to confirm a reservation on a Polar Star Cruise, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. All prices and payments are in US dollars and no other currencies can be accepted. A special cancellation policy applies to all Antarctica trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person. Cancellation between 46 and 59 days prior to departure will consist $1000 per person. Cancellation 45 days or less before departure will be 100% of the total tour price. Please note that within the 90-day limit all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 90-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider TraveEx Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health, has full mobility, and leads an active life. Passengers must be able to navigate the 30-stair gang-way un-assisted both down and up. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

General Information: Please arrive 2 hours before scheduled sailing, have in possession confirmation of participation/ticket, a valid passport, all necessary visas, a medical card showing all necessary vaccinations and inoculations and all other papers necessary for scheduled ports of call and disembarkation.

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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