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Best Price Guarantee
Length
14 Days
Ship category
Classic
Ship type
Small Ships
Capacity
72 Passengers
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The Ocean Nova is a sturdy but nimble expedition vessel, originally built in Denmark to sail through the ice-packed waters off Greenland. With its ice-strengthened hull, and after a full refit in 2006, she was converted to become the perfect Antarctic cruise ship. Since then, she has been upgraded and improved every year to maintain her excellent reputation.
For our air-cruises, Ocean Nova has capacity for only 67 passengers who will find themselves in comfortable outside cabins. The ship offers three categories of accommodation for Antarctic cruises: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, … Read more about Ocean Nova
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Fitness Center
Bar
Lecture Theater
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Private Flight to Antarctica
Medical Services
Library
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
One pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia with breakfast.
Group arrival transfer from Ushuaia Airport to the pre-voyage hotel on Day One.
Transfer from the pre-voyage hotel to Ocean Nova for embarkation on Day Two.
Group departure transfer from the ship to either Ushuaia airport (selected times only) or downtown Ushuaia.
All meals onboard the ship.
Daily Antarctica excursions, Zodiac cruising and shore landings.
Onboard expert lectures and briefings by the experienced expedition team.
Citizen science activities onboard.
Complimentary use of rubber Muck boots for the duration of the expedition.
Full access to the onboard gym.
All port taxes.
International and domestic flights unless expressly specified.
Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified.
Meals other than those specified in the pre-departure information.
Visa and passport fees.
Mandatory travel insurance with minimum required coverage.
A fuel surcharge may be applied to all bookings.
Optional paid adventure activities.
Alcoholic or other selected beverages.
Laundry and communication services including Wi-Fi over and above the complimentary allotment.
Gratuities for the expedition team and crew.
Miscellaneous extras and all personal expenses.
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 2.6 t CO₂e on this trip. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
Price
Upon Request
Cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S - a rare achievement
Zodiac cruising among towering icebergs and glacier-lined bays
Penguin colonies, seals, whales and seabirds in vast numbers
Landing on the Antarctic continent itself for onshore excursions
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.
Set sail for an adventure like no other. Spend 14 days following in the wake of Captain Cook as you cross the Antarctic Circle, home to the midnight sun and towering icebergs. On board the ice-strengthened and nimble expedition ship Ocean Nova, leave Ushuaia and civilisation behind and journey towards the hauntingly beautiful icy wilderness of the Antarctic Continent. Experience the thrill of witnessing seals lying on ice floes, whales breaching the frigid waters and penguins patrolling the rocky shoreline in vast numbers. Enjoy jaw-dropping views as you explore ice-filled bays by Zodiac, landing on Antarctica itself for onshore excursions.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
Welcome to Ushuaia, the gateway to Antarctica. After a friendly welcome at the airport, an included transfer takes you to a partnered premium hotel resort nestled in the breathtaking Patagonian nature. Take time to unwind or explore the southernmost city in the world. An optional evening briefing is your opportunity to ask questions and meet some of your fellow explorers. If you arrive on Day 1, the arrival transfer from Ushuaia Airport to the hotel is included.
Join our polar experts as they share their vast knowledge of Antarctica, from its enchanting wildlife to its bold history. Participate in our pioneering citizen science program or sit back and take in this fabled journey while catching glimpses of rarely seen wildlife. Keep your binoculars handy to identify the many seabirds that escort our ship as we cross the Antarctic Convergence into Antarctica's waters and noticeably cooler temperatures.
Continue south through the Southern Ocean, watching for whales, seabirds and the first icebergs. Ocean Nova's open bridge offers a close look at navigation and one of the best vantage points on the ship. Attend further lectures on glaciology, polar history and wildlife, and spend time on deck with the albatrosses and petrels that ride the winds alongside us.
Over time, the volcanic activity of the South Shetland Islands has created a geology unlike any other. Expect a spectacular display of mountains, glaciers and wildlife, including chinstrap and gentoo penguins, and it's not uncommon to share the water's edge with elephant and fur seals. Whales are often spotted as well. We'll settle into our Zodiacs and kayaks and spend most of our day exploring.
Weather permitting, we continue south towards the Antarctic Peninsula. Enjoy the first Zodiac cruises among brash ice and sculpted icebergs, and make our first shore landings on the white continent. Twice-daily excursions bring encounters with penguin colonies, seals and the extraordinary light of the southern summer.
We venture west along the Antarctic Peninsula into the Gerlache Strait region, exploring a variety of sites highlighting the area's staggering natural beauty. From Zodiac cruises into Paradise Bay to witnessing penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, each potential stop promises awe-inspiring encounters. We'll explore historic huts at Damoy Point and keep an eye out for humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay.
Continue south towards the crown jewel of this expedition: the jaw-dropping scenery through the Lemaire Channel. Weather permitting, we cross the Antarctic Circle at 66°33'S, an achievement that puts you in rare company. Nearly endless daylight during the high summer reveals the remoteness and untouched beauty of this less-visited part of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Enjoy extra days on the Antarctic Peninsula with this extended expedition. More landings, more locations and additional opportunities to witness Antarctica's breathtaking wildlife and landscapes. Each day the captain and expedition leader follow the strongest safe opportunity, whether a glacier front, a penguin colony, or a quiet Zodiac cruise among the ice.
Begin our journey north, making the most of every remaining landing and Zodiac cruise. The small size of Ocean Nova allows us to enter bays and coves that larger ships cannot, keeping us close to the wildlife and ice. Reflect on the profound experience of having crossed the Antarctic Circle as we watch for whales and seabirds.
This archipelago represents the northernmost tip of Antarctica, standing proud against the relentless force of the Southern Ocean. The ice-capped peaks of Livingston, Greenwich and King George Islands offer a stunning backdrop. Weather permitting, we explore the eerie landscape of Deception Island, an active volcanic crater with black steaming sands and rusting ruins, and immerse ourselves in the history of Yankee Harbour.
We leave this magical place and make our way north, once again heading across the Antarctic Convergence and the Drake Passage. Join further lectures and citizen-science sessions, compare photographs with your fellow travellers, and enjoy one last hurrah as we celebrate the conclusion of our expedition with a special slideshow and a final meal together.
Continue north with a final day of seabird watching, expedition presentations and time with the people who shared the voyage. The Drake Passage is more than time at sea: it is a chance to absorb what has just happened and to watch for the albatrosses and petrels that follow the ship home.
With huge smiles on weary, content faces, we disembark in the morning, letting you catch a flight to Buenos Aires or stay in Ushuaia for more sights and adventure. An included group transfer takes you to the airport at selected times or to downtown Ushuaia, where luggage storage is available. If you are flying out today, please book your flight to depart Ushuaia after midday in case of delays caused by unfavourable weather conditions.