Wild Antarctica aboard the Sylvia Earle
Explore the Antarctic Peninsula and the Weddell Sea on this 12-day journey
A 12-DAY LONG CRUISE
The Trip Highlights
Antarctic Sound
Immense icebergs in the Weddell Sea
Learn about volcanic islands from experts
Spot seals and whales in their natural habitats
Your Polartours 'Plus' Experience
Adaptable itineraries
Expert guides answer all questions
Your trip is 100% carbon offset
Expedition Parka to take home
Famed for its really cool tabular icebergs, year-round sea ice, interesting fossils and the important role it played in Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, the Weddell Sea offers unforgettable opportunities for exploration. Embark on a true Antarctic expedition as we not only explore the west Antarctic Peninsula, but also attempt to venture east towards the icy perimeter of the Weddell Sea, often guarded by impenetrable pack ice and home to awe-inspiring icebergs.
Your Cruise Ship
All images of the Sylvia Earle are artist’s impressions only and final results may vary.
Welcome aboard the Sylvia Earle, a brand-new cruise ship named after the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National and Atmospheric Administration. Sylvia Earle was also named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998. Set to sail in October 2021, this powerful new ship honors Sylvia’s long-standing marine conservation efforts. Built for intense weather conditions, the Sylvia Earle is a pioneer in nautical technology. Sail the Arctic or Antarctic like never before aboard one of the most modern and elegant cruise ships.
The Sylvia Earle was created for the most rugged and remote trips. It features the Ulstein X-BOW®, which cuts through swell so passengers feel fewer vibrations during ocean crossings. If you are prone to seasickness, this cruise ship will make your polar voyage much more comfortable. The Ulstein X-BOW® also reduces fuel consumption by up to 60%.
A Sylvia Earle polar cruise offers passengers a wide array of cabin choices to suit any comfort level. Whether you are embarking on a solo polar adventure or bringing along the entire family, the Sylvia Earle cruise ship will happily accommodate your needs. Each en suite cabin features great amenities like a room-controlled thermostat, a safe, plenty of closet space, a 42’’ flat-screen TV, and much more. You won’t need to compromise comfort on your Arctic or Antarctic cruise.
Just like Sylvia Earle herself, preserving and protecting the fragile Arctic and Antarctic environments is one of the most important values aboard a Sylvia Earle polar cruise and is reflected in many features aboard the ship. The Sylvia Earle is proud to be one of the lowest polluting ships in the world due to its high fuel-efficiency and a streamlined design delivering an 80% reduction in emissions. The Sylvia Earle also uses a virtual anchor thanks to GPS and steering technology. This significantly minimizes damage to the sea floor usually caused by regular anchors.
The Sylvia Earle was built for adventure cruising. The brand new ship carries many zodiacs, which you can board via 4 different platforms. Thes platforms make boarding quick and easy so passengers can enjoy more time on their polar expeditions. On the zodiacs, you’ll venture through small riverbeds inaccessible by larger ships, and you’ll get a closer look at the impressive Arctic and Antarctic flora and fauna. A Sylvia Earle polar cruise also offers a range of optional activities lead by expert guides from kayaking, diving, climbing, and ski touring. The Sylvia Ealer is an expedition ship constructed to support all outdoor experiences so each passenger can maximize their time on board. The Sylvia Earle is also equipped with a Mudroom- the launchpad for all polar cruise expeditions. Guests will have access to locker rooms with drying areas to hang up your gear in between each polar excursion.
The Sylvia Earle expedition team is eager to educate all of its guests about the history, culture, biology, and climate change of the polar regions. On your Arctic or Antarctic cruise, you’ll meet naturalists, and local specialists in the state-of-the-art lecture theater for educational and highly entertaining presentations. The Sylvia Earle cruise ship library is also a great place to relax, pick up a good book, play board games, view and organize your trip photos, or just stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
In between expeditions, make sure to enjoy the heated saltwater open air swimming pool and jacuzzis on board the Sylvia Earle, where the Arctic and Antarctic views will leave you in awe. For even more relaxation, visit the wellness center aboard the cruise ship, equipped with a gym, sauna and professional massage therapists.
Amenities
Fitness Center
Bar
Mudroom
Lecture Theater
Pool
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Spa
Sauna
Citizen Science Laboratory
Library
Food & Drinks
Arguably the most important part of any trip- The food! A Sylvia Earle polar cruise offers hearty delicious cuisine with a variety of options and courses for each meal. Mealtimes are a great way to get to know your fellow travelers in the open seating dining room. Tea, coffee and various snacks are available 24 hours a day. Enjoy a wide range of house wine, beers, and soft drinks included with dinner, perfect after a long day of exploration. Every passenger is also invited to join the cruise ship captain and expedition team for Welcome and Farewell drinks, which includes complimentary cocktails and appetizers. The bars and lounges aboard the Sylvia Earle are a tasteful, yet inviting place to gather with new friends. Enjoy the sunset through the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views. The friendly bartenders aboard the ship will quench your thirst and entertain you with tales of previous adventures.
Day 1 • Arrival in Ushuaia, airport transfer, and overnight
Arrival at Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, kindly remind hotel check-in staff to provide you with cabin tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number.
Ushuaia is often called the "Gateway to Antarctica". Thanks to its position on the shores of the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia's harbor is equally popular with luxury cruise vessels and huge, rugged ice breakers. A vital port for the resupply of many of the Antarctic research bases, Ushuaia is also a beautiful city that really does feel like it's at the edge of the world. You can have a walk in the city to explore fascinating museums like "the end of the world" musem and other cultural centers. It is the perfect place to start boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get up close and personal with penguins and seals. Ushuaia is definitely a remarkable destination in its own right, as well as a wonderful place to start any kind of cruise and trip through Patagonia.
Day 2 • Embarkation Day!
Morning in Ushuaia
Embark in Ushuaia
This morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Please take your cabin luggage down to hotel reception by 8.00 AM. Please be advised that this voyage includes a chartered flight at the end of the voyage from Antarctica to Punta Arenas. The permitted luggage allowance is 20 kilograms of check-in luggage plus one piece of carry-on luggage weighing no more than seven kilos. Your luggage will be collected from your hotel and transferred directly to port for clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day. Once you have checked out of your hotel by 11.00 AM, you have free time before meeting back in the hotel lobby at 2.00 PM to commence a tour of Ushuaia. Alternatively, enjoy time at leisure and make your own way to Prison Museum carpark by 3.45 pm to rejoin the group and transfer to the pier for embarkation.
Ushuaia, capital of Tierra del Fuego is located at the shores of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Martial Mountains giving you a unique landscape in Argentina, which is the combination of mountains, sea, glaciers and forests. On this introductory tour, you will visit “La Mision” neighborhood, the old Government House, and the upper area of the city, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel. During the excursion, you will see the antique houses that belonged to the first families settled in Ushuaia. The excursion ends with a visit to the Old Prison Museum before transferring to the pier for embarkation at approximately 4.00 PM.
Ushuaia is often called the "Gateway to Antarctica". Thanks to its position on the shores of the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia's harbor is equally popular with luxury cruise vessels and huge, rugged ice breakers. A vital port for the resupply of many of the Antarctic research bases, Ushuaia is also a beautiful city that really does feel like it's at the edge of the world. You can have a walk in the city to explore fascinating museums like "the end of the world" musem and other cultural centers. It is the perfect place to start boat trips along the Beagle Channel to get up close and personal with penguins and seals. Ushuaia is definitely a remarkable destination in its own right, as well as a wonderful place to start any kind of cruise and trip through Patagonia.
Day 3-4 • Day 3-4: Cross the infamous Drake Passage
The Drake Passage is the name given to the infamous stretch of open ocean between the tip of South America and the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
It usually takes 2 or 3 days to cross the Drake Passage, and this is a great time to learn from your expert Antarctic naturalist guides. Through a series of fascinating talks and lectures, you'll begin to learn more about the remarkable wildlife and awe-inspiring geology of the Antarctic continent.
Your guides are always on hand to help you identify the sea bird species that always follow the ships, as well as spotting whales and other cetaceans that can be seen en route to the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands.
Day 5-10 • Day 5-10: Antarctic Peninsula & Weddell Sea
Cuverville Island
Goudier Island
Orne Harbour
Petermann Island
Pleneau Island
Portal Point
Yalour Islands
Yankee Harbour
D’Hainaut Island, Mikkelsen Harbour, Trinity Island
Orne Islands
Neko Harbour
Wordie House, Winter Island
Damoy Point
Danco Island, Errera Channel
Georges Point, Rongé Island
Jougla Point
Port Charcot, Booth Island
The North-West portion of the Antarctic Peninsula is the most frequently visited and is home to many of the most popular landing sites for expedition cruises.
Being the most northerly part of the whole continent, the Peninsula enjoys the mildest Antarctic condition, with temperatures in winter averaging a balmy -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F)! In the summer, things warm up to an average of just above freezing. Large areas of this part of the peninsula are therefore ice-free, and important breeding and feeding grounds for many iconic Antarctic species.
It's here that many of the historic Antarctic expeditions began, and where early military and scientific bases were first established, some of which you will be able to visit if conditions allow. These remarkable artefacts have been left as time capsules, their contents showing remarkable levels of preservation thanks to the dry and cold climate.
Day 11 • Flight to Punta Arenas
As we approach Frei Base on King George Island, it is time to farewell Antarctica and our amazing adventure before boarding our flight (approximately one-and-a half-hours) to Punta Arenas, Chile. On arrival at the Punta Arenas airport, you will be transferred to our group hotel.
NOTE: King George Island is located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula in the South Shetland Islands and is one of the most remote place on Earth. A clear sky with perfect visibility is required in order to take off and land safely. We apologize in advance if you experience any delays.
The largest of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island lies only 75 miles from the coast of the Antarctic continent. With historical claims made by Britain, Chile and Argentina, the island is also known as Isla Rey Jorge and Isla 25 de Mayo.
The importance of King George Island to many Antarctic bases is the 1,300m long airstrip maintained by the permanently occupied Chilean Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva. This provides a lifeline as an airbridge for personnel and supplies for many other Antarctic bases and research stations.
The presence of the airstrip allows King George Island to be used as a "fly-cruise" destination. Flying from Chile across the Drake Passage saves up to 3 days at sea, allowing Antarctic exploration for those with less time to take a full cruise.
Day 12 • Your unforgettable Antarctic cruise comes to an end in Punta Arenas
Arrival at Punta Arenas
After breakfast, say farewell to your fellow travelers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature (breakfast included).
NOTE: Please advise your Reservations Consultant or travel agent if you require an airport transfer, so it can be booked in advance. The departure airport transfer is not included in your voyage cost and will be at an additional charge.
Punta Arenas ("Sandy Point" in Spanish) is the capital city of Chile's southernmost region, Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena.
Punta Arenas is the largest city below the 46th parallel and is one of the largest cities in the entire Patagonian Region.
It is only 870 miles from the coast of Antarctica, yet Punta Arenas is a vibrant and modern city that's the perfect starting point for Antarctic exploration.
General Questions
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
The Antarctica cruise season begins in November and ends in March. Each month offers something special-
November: Landscapes and landing sites are in pristine condition. A photographer's dream. The days are starting to lengthen, and penguin chicks are hatching.
December: Arguably the best time to visit Antarctica, but also the most expensive. The temperatures are at their warmest, the daylight hours are long, and the wildlife is very active. This is a particularly great time for bird enthusiasts.
January: The peak Antarctica season, offering 24-hour daylight. You can expect adorable and fluffy penguin chicks, whale and seal spotting, and melting ice that will allow you to visit more remote Antarctic sights like the Ross Sea voyages.
February: This is the best time for whale-watching. Seal pups are also learning to hunt alongside their parents. By this time, sea ice will have melted, making it a perfect time for cruises to the Polar Circle.
March: As the season wines down, you'll see fewer and fewer ships in the Antarctic seas. The temperatures begin to drop again, and you'll experience some amazing sunsets. It's a great time to spot whales and fur seals, and penguins will already be molting.
What activities can I expect on a Polar Cruise?
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:
- Land excursions (including hiking trails, visitor centers, time relaxing on beaches, observing animals, etc.)
- Bird Watching
- Snorkeling (from ship or beaches)
- Dinghy rides
- Kayaking
- Diving (on ships with diving itineraries)
- Naturalist presentations. These usually take place every evening - on board the bigger ships also with help of projectors, microscopes etc.
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.
Single Room Supplement
What is included
Arrival transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1
One night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia on Day 1
City tour in Ushuaia on Day 2 (lunch not included)
Luggage transfer from your hotel in Ushuaia to ship on Day 2
Flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas on Day 11. NOTE: Please be advised that the permitted luggage allowance is 20 kilograms of check-in luggage plus one piece of carry-on luggage weighing no more than seven kilos
Transfer to hotel in Punta Arenas on Day 11
One night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast in Punta Arenas on Day 11
On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage
Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
Educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
Complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Port surcharges, permits and landing fees
What is not included
International or domestic flights, unless specified
Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary
Airport arrival or departure taxes
Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges
Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional excursions not included in the itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, additional medical expenses such as medication, gratuities, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Note: A $15 USD per person per day gratuity for the crew is automatically added to your onboard account. It is at your discretion if you would like to remove the tip (or increase/decrease the amount) when you settle your bill. It is not necessary to tip the expedition team members. This gratuity amount is included for suites as part of their ‘Suite Benefits’.