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Weddell Sea Quest

Weddell Sea Quest

» Antarctica

» Feb 6 2019Feb 16 2019 (11 DAYS)

» EMBARKATION: Ushuaia

» DISEMBARKATION: Ushuaia

EXPEDITION IN BRIEF

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

  • Day 1 – Depart from Ushuaia
  • Days 2 and 3 – Crossing the Drake Passage
  • Days 4 to 6 – Exploring the Weddell Sea
  • Days 7 and 8 – Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands
  • Days 9 and 10 – Crossing the Drake Passage, northbound
  • Day 11 – Arrival in Ushuaia

Contact Us

SHIP

Ushuaia

ADVENTURE OPTIONS

ACTIVITIES

Ushuaia

Ushuaia and sea ice

Gentoo Penguin

The Ushuaia

Suite

Suite

Premier Twin

Premier Single

Superior Twin

Standard

Standard Plus Twin

Standard Plus Triple

Public Space

Ushuaia and glacier

The Weddell Sea will always be remembered as the polar region that still echoes the ill-fated expedition of the great British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. After Amundsen and Scott had reached the South Pole, Shackleton planned the Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition to make the first crossing of Antarctica, from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea via the South Pole. The 1914 expedition was a failure but it produced one of the greatest stories in the history of polar exploration.

His ship, the Endurance was beset in the ice almost in sight of her destination, Vahsel Bay, and after drifting northwards, eventually sank. The crew camped out on the pack-ice and slowly made its way to Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands and, as there was no hope of rescue, Shackleton determined to go for help. He decided to head for South Georgia. Shackleton and five companions set out in one of the lifeboats across 1,300 km (800 miles) of the stormiest water in the world. Sixteen days later, worn out, soaked and hungry they sighted the southern coast of South Georgia. But they still had to cross the interior of the island, as the whaling stations were all situated on the northern coast.

The interior of South Georgia had never been surveyed and they had to guess their route, but after a difficult march they finally found their way to the whaling station Stromness, where they did get help. However, it would take them another three attempts to get back to Elephant Island before the 22 marooned men of the Endurance were rescued. Through Shackleton’s outstanding courage and leadership his men survived.


CABINS & PRICES

Standard Plus Triple USD 7,630
Standard Twin USD 8,160
Standard Plus Twin USD 9,880
Premier Twin USD 11,790
Premier Single USD 14,150
Superior Twin USD 12,460
Suite Twin USD 13,090

All rates per person in USD

INCLUDES

  • 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

EXCLUDES

  • 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
  • Telecommunication charges
  • Bar and beverages charges
  • Customary gratuity for staff and crew

ANS181900069