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Antarctica Basecamp Adventure Cruising Tour

Explore Antarctica from Ship to Summit


Embark on a truly immersive Antarctica experience. See Antarctica's magical mountains and glorious glaciers, watch icebergs drift by and seek out penguins, whales, seabirds, and seals. With the ship as your base, spend days kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering or even camping out, returning to the comfort of your cabin to refuel for the next day's adventures. This 13-day journey crosses the legendary Drake Passage and gives you a full week in Antarctica, spending multiple days in one location so you can thoroughly explore it however you like. Traditional Zodiac and shoreline excursions are always available, and more challenging adventures are offered depending on conditions. Kick your Antarctic adventure up a notch and make extraordinary memories.

13 Days • 12 Nights

Save 40% per person & a pair of ZEISS 8x32 Terra binoculars on the November 1, 2024 departure!

Embark on a truly immersive Antarctica experience. See Antarctica's magical mountains and glorious glaciers, watch icebergs drift by and seek out penguins, whales, seabirds, and seals. With the ship as your base, spend days kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering or even camping out, returning to the comfort of your cabin to refuel for the next day's adventures. This 13-day journey crosses the legendary Drake Passage and gives you a full week in Antarctica, spending multiple days in one location so you can thoroughly explore it however you like. Traditional Zodiac and shoreline excursions are always available, and more challenging adventures are offered depending on conditions. Kick your Antarctic adventure up a notch and make extraordinary memories.

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Highlights


  • Explore by snowshoe, kayak, mountaineering ropes, or even camping out, all from your shipboard base
  • Anchor in beautiful bays with a full week to get out on the water and forge inland by foot-it's all included!
  • Watch for whales, penguins, seals, petrels, and albatrosses in iconic channels and on hidden islands

Antarctica Basecamp Adventure Cruising

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina   End: Ushuaia, Argentina

Itinerary


  • Depart from Ushuaia

    Day 1

    Begin your voyage at “the End of the World”, as the town of Ushuaia is known. This afternoon you will board your vessel, get settled into your cabin, and begin cruising the Beagle Channel through the Tierra de Fuego archipelago. Marvel at mountain views on either side as you set sail for the seventh continent, Antarctica!

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

  • Begin Crossing Drake Passage

    Day 2

    Follow the path of early polar explorers into the renowned Drake Passage. Imagine their wooden vessels plying this route with the wind in their sails and their crews' hearts full of anticipation. Step out onto the deck to breathe in the salty air and perhaps catch a glimpse of a spouting whale in the distance or a seabird overhead.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Pass the Antarctic Convergence

    Day 3

    Continue south across the passage, named after 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake. Reach the Antarctic Convergence, where Antarctic waters meet southern seas, forming a natural biological boundary. Notice the change in temperatures, and marine and avian species. Watch for Antarctic birds such as wandering albatrosses and southern fulmars as you near land.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Arrive in Antarctica

    Day 4

    Awake in an icy world where craggy peaks emerge from the snow and passing icebergs dazzle electric blue in the sunlight. Cruise past the mountainous Melchoir Islands and into Schollaert Channel, flanked by Brabant and Anvers Islands. You have a full week to explore the Antarctic Peninsula with your ship as a base for an array of adventures on land and sea.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Explore Antarctica

    Day 5

    Your route will be determined by the conditions, with the captain and your guides choosing the best locations for each exciting day. For instance, you might anchor at Wiencke Island in Neumayer Channel, where protected waters offer excellent opportunities to get out in a Zodiac or kayak on the water, watching for icebergs, fur seals, and spellbinding views. Or strap on some snowshoes or crampons for an inland foray on the island.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Discover Antarctic Inhabitants

    Day 6

    Learn about the people who lived and worked on the shores of the white continent with a stop at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. This was once the location of a British research station, and today the site of a museum and the southernmost post office in the world! Here you can find gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags, and if the conditions are right, camp out overnight!

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Watch for Antarctic Wildlife

    Day 7

    Cruise through the Lemaire Channel, also known as Kodak Gap, where towering mountains gird iceberg-filled waters, to arrive at Pleneau and Petermann Islands. Watch for leopard seals and minke and humpback whales as you pass through the channel. There's a good chance of meeting Adelie penguins on shore. Head out for glacier walks, mountaineering, and more here, or find adventure wherever the conditions take you.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Capture Surreal Antarctic Scenery

    Day 8

    Take a photo workshop to help you capture the almost unbelievable colors that change as the light shifts and captivates your attention. One place to practice your skills is Neko Harbor, where you can see tremendous mountain peaks and photograph massive glaciers and snow formations. Riding in a Zodiac allows you to get different angles and motor in close to the mountains.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Learn Early Antarctic History

    Day 9

    Go back in time in Paradise Bay, a breathtaking inlet framed by towering glaciers which was once a haven for whalers seeking refuge. While their numbers may have dwindled, majestic whales still migrate through these waters. On land there are two research stations, one Chilean and one Argentinian, as well as a sizeable population of gentoo penguins. You can camp here under Antarctic skies, once again imagining the early explorers looking up at the same stars.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Enjoy Your Last Day in Antarctica

    Day 10

    Savor the last adventures as the ship prepares to head northward. Pass back by Melchior Islands, keeping an eye out for breaching whales and seabirds. If conditions allow, stop at the South Shetland Islands for one more day of ship-based adventures on land and sea. Your departure is carefully timed for the best conditions to cross Drake Passage.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Depart Antarctica

    Day 11

    Entering the Drake Passage once more you are filled with extraordinary memories of adventuring through Antarctica. Not only have you experienced some of the enchanting landscapes, unique wildlife, and mesmerizing sea ice, you have pushed your own boundaries kayaking, snowshoeing, maybe even camping and mountaineering in Antarctica!

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Cross the Drake Passage

    Day 12

    Watch for final sightings of seabirds and marine mammals on your second crossing of this epic passage. Settle in to swap stories, share photos, and toast your adventure with fellow travelers. Rest and catch up on journaling or species lists as you head back towards Ushuaia.

    Accommodation: M/V Ortelius
    Accommodation: m/v Plancius
    Accommodation: m/v Hondius

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Depart Ushuaia

    Day 13

    Disembark in the morning with time to catch your departing flight to Buenos Aires.

    Meals: Breakfast

Why Travel With Us?


  • Offering polar voyages since the mid-'90s, MT Sobek has built strong relationships with Polar outfitters and ships that cruise the 7th continent—we include in-house expertise to assist you every step of the way.
  • Using the ship as a base for adventure, this trip spends a full week in Antarctica, with chances to explore by kayak and snowshoe, camp or go mountaineering all included in the cost.
  • You'll be accompanied by a team of expert international guides, some of whom are scientists, who will share their experience and knowledge on excursions and in briefings and evening lectures.

Know Before You Book


Pricing
Please call for an exact quote or additional dates. Pricing varies by cabin category. A 30% nonrefundable deposit is needed to secure your reservation.

This cruise is not privately chartered for MT Sobek travelers. In order to offer the widest selection of travel dates and flexibility for our guests, MT Sobek works directly with the ship owner to book MT Sobek travelers on scheduled departures throughout the year, and we are pleased to offer our in-house expertise and services to assist you every step of the way.

Dates & Prices


  • 2025
  • Go Custom
  • Inclusions

2025

Scheduled Dates


Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.

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Go Custom

Create Your Very Own Adventure


Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.

When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.

*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.

Start Planning

Inclusions

Price Includes


  • Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
  • Pricing based on double occupancy in a Porthole Cabin
  • All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
  • Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
  • Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
  • Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
  • Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Price Does Not Include


  • International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
  • Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Personal expenses

Contact An Expert


800-974-0300

Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.

Your Guides


The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Celine C.

Celine C.

Celine was born in southwest France, in the vineyard region of Bordeaux. She grew up with a passion for travel, the natural world, ocean wildlife...and wine! Celine started out as a Research Manager at the Department of Geography of the University of Bergen, before various contracts for France's national scientific research center led her to participate as a cartographer for scientific missions in the Arctic and Antarctic Peninsula. This work was primarily conducted as part of research programs funded by the French Polar Institute and focused on the adaptations of polar seabirds to changes in their environment. It was during this time that Celine got a taste for sharing her knowledge through science outreach programs, which led her to becoming a Polar guide. 

Marijke d.

Marijke d.

Marijke grew up in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany before completing an MSc in Marine Ecology and a PhD in Marine Mammal Ecology. Marijke is fascinated by cetaceans and has worked with a variety of whales, from Minkes in Scotland to Belugas in Canada. She has also participated in various ocean-crossing surveys, including the Davis Strait, Indian Ocean, South China Sea, Southern Ocean and Antarctica. Whilst she very much enjoys the academic side of her career, her first love is sharing her knowledge in the field. She has worked as a wildlife guide during multiple oceanic expeditions and is always happy to return to the ocean. 

Martin B.

Martin B.

Martin's passion for birds and mammals has taken him all over the world in his search for rare species. He has always been drawn to adventure, and has participated in many bird conservation projects in the Amazon, Arctic, Caucasus, and Himalayas. He has also spent several seasons studying seabirds in the North Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica. Martin holds a degree in Biology and an MA in Marine Biology, and he currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden. But most of his time is currently spent either in the Arctic or Antarctica, where he guides and gives lectures on a wide range of topics related to natural history. 

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                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Latitude] => -65.00
                    [Longitude] => -63.852
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 6
                    [DayTo] => 6
                    [Headline] => Discover Antarctic Inhabitants
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Learn about the people who lived and worked on the shores of the white continent with a stop at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. This was once the location of a British research station, and today the site of a museum and the southernmost post office in the world! Here you can find gentoo penguins and blue-eyed shags, and if the conditions are right, camp out overnight!
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Latitude] => -64.826
                    [Longitude] => -63.492
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 7
                    [DayTo] => 7
                    [Headline] => Watch for Antarctic Wildlife 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Cruise through the Lemaire Channel, also known as Kodak Gap, where towering mountains gird iceberg-filled waters, to arrive at Pleneau and Petermann Islands. Watch for leopard seals and minke and humpback whales as you pass through the channel. There\'s a good chance of meeting Adelie penguins on shore. Head out for glacier walks, mountaineering, and more here, or find adventure wherever the conditions take you.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Latitude] => -64.842
                    [Longitude] => -62.916
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            [7] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 8
                    [DayTo] => 8
                    [Headline] => Capture Surreal Antarctic Scenery
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Take a photo workshop to help you capture the almost unbelievable colors that change as the light shifts and captivates your attention. One place to practice your skills is Neko Harbor, where you can see tremendous mountain peaks and photograph massive glaciers and snow formations. Riding in a Zodiac allows you to get different angles and motor in close to the mountains.  
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Latitude] => -64.868
                    [Longitude] => -62.561
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            [8] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 9
                    [DayTo] => 9
                    [Headline] => Learn Early Antarctic History
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Go back in time in Paradise Bay, a breathtaking inlet framed by towering glaciers which was once a haven for whalers seeking refuge. While their numbers may have dwindled, majestic whales still migrate through these waters. On land there are two research stations, one Chilean and one Argentinian, as well as a sizeable population of gentoo penguins. You can camp here under Antarctic skies, once again imagining the early explorers looking up at the same stars.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => -64.831
                    [Longitude] => -62.909
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            [9] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 10
                    [DayTo] => 10
                    [Headline] => Enjoy Your Last Day in Antarctica
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
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                    [ItinBlock] =>  Savor the last adventures as the ship prepares to head northward. Pass back by Melchior Islands, keeping an eye out for breaching whales and seabirds. If conditions allow, stop at the South Shetland Islands for one more day of ship-based adventures on land and sea. Your departure is carefully timed for the best conditions to cross Drake Passage.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
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                    [Latitude] => -64.319
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                (
                    [DayFrom] => 11
                    [DayTo] => 11
                    [Headline] => Depart Antarctica
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
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                    [ItinBlock] =>  Entering the Drake Passage once more you are filled with extraordinary memories of adventuring through Antarctica. Not only have you experienced some of the enchanting landscapes, unique wildlife, and mesmerizing sea ice, you have pushed your own boundaries kayaking, snowshoeing, maybe even camping and mountaineering in Antarctica!
                    [Breakfast] => 1
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                    [Latitude] => -60.541
                    [Longitude] => -61.914
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                (
                    [DayFrom] => 12
                    [DayTo] => 12
                    [Headline] => Cross the Drake Passage 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Watch for final sightings of seabirds and marine mammals on your second crossing of this epic passage. Settle in to swap stories, share photos, and toast your adventure with fellow travelers. Rest and catch up on journaling or species lists as you head back towards Ushuaia.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => -57.458
                    [Longitude] => -63.945
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            [12] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 13
                    [DayTo] => 13
                    [Headline] => Depart Ushuaia 
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                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] =>  Disembark in the morning with time to catch your departing flight to Buenos Aires.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
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                    [Quotation] => 
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                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => -54.808
                    [Longitude] => -68.304
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        )

    [ActivityHighlight] => You can expect 1 or 2 half-day excursions for each day in Antarctica depending on weather conditions. During guided shore excursions, guests break up into smaller special interest groups with several options ranging from an easy shoreline walk to snowshoeing, kayaking and more strenuous hiking (1-3 hours.) Excursions may include a Zodiac cruise to observe icebergs and wildlife (1-1.5 hours.)
    [Trip_Level] => 2
)

Activity Level


This trip is rated activity level 2. You can expect 1 or 2 half-day excursions for each day in Antarctica depending on weather conditions. During guided shore excursions, guests break up into smaller special interest groups with several options ranging from an easy shoreline walk to snowshoeing, kayaking and more strenuous hiking (1-3 hours.) Excursions may include a Zodiac cruise to observe icebergs and wildlife (1-1.5 hours.)
Learn more about activity levels here.

*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.

Accommodations


Ice-strengthened and well-appointed polar expedition ships offer a comfortable and safe way to explore Antarctica. Enjoy healthy cuisine and wellness services onboard.
M/V Ortelius
M/V Ortelius

The Ortelius has the highest ice-class rating and a broad, heavy design. It offers a collection of comfortable and spacious 190 square-foot cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. Extensive open-deck space maximizes wildlife viewing, The ship offers a wide range of adventure activities, including hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and scuba diving. It also offers a helicopter pad used on select Weddell & Ross Seas voyages.

m/v Plancius
m/v Plancius

Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a comfortable passenger vessel in 2009. The Plancius accommodates 108 passengers. The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room and spacious observation lounge with large windows, offering a full panoramic view. Its large open deck spaces (with full walk-around possibilities on deck 4), provide excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.

m/v Hondius
m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd's Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. The vessel offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers with one deck consisting of a large observation lounge and separate lecture room. Though elegantly designed in stylish decor, this vessel holds true to Oceanwide's distinctive cozy and informal atmosphere. The vessel employs a tough fleet of rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that enable efficient access to shore and near-shore activities. Kayaks are also available.

Weather


In Antarctica there may be days of warm sunshine, but be prepared for wind, rain, and possible snow. Daytime temperatures are usually 20°- 40°F.

 
Jan
Feb
Nov
Dec
Antarctica 
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Antarctica
40
30
39
28
39
29
39
29

FAQs


Is prior experience required for activities like kayaking, mountaineering, and snowshoe hiking?
No prior experience is necessary for most activities. Your experienced guides provide thorough instruction and supervision to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
What kind of equipment is provided for camping and outdoor activities?
The ship staff provides all necessary camping gear, including tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. For outdoor activities like kayaking and snowshoe hiking, they also supply the appropriate equipment such as kayaks, paddles, and snowshoes.
Are there age restrictions for participating in certain activities?
While many activities are suitable for participants of all ages, some may have age restrictions due to safety concerns. Please check with our team for specific age requirements for each activity.
What happens if the weather conditions are unfavorable for outdoor activities?
Our itineraries are designed to be flexible, allowing us to adapt to changing weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, our experienced expedition leaders will work to find alternative activities or locations to ensure you still have a memorable Antarctic experience.

Guest Reviews