Duration
37 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Argentina
Ports
14 Ports
28 January
Setting sail from Ushuaia
Perched on the ragged southern edge of Argentina, where the snow-capped Andes fall away into the churning sea, Ushuaia has a frontier town feel to it, and serves as the base for expeditions into the icy waters of Antarctica.
29 January
At sea
30-31 January
Antarctica: South Shetland Islands
Icy and remote, the South Shetland Islands are situated about 100 miles north of the Antarctic peninsula. The archipelago is home to a scattering of research stations, along with thousands of penguins, seals and sea lions, and you can still see the remains of Ernest Shackleton’s ship the ‘Endurance’ on the south west shore of Elephant Island.
1-2 February
Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctica is the world’s last great wilderness, an alien landscape of snow-covered mountains, jagged icebergs and extraordinary wildlife. February is a great time to spot whales, with species including humpback, sperm and orca, and you still have a chance of seeing penguin chicks. Fur seals are also abundant at this time of year. Expedition trips will spend time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, making several landings at various sites and cruising through scenic channels.
3 February
Antarctica: Lemaire Channel
The Lemaire Channel runs between Booth Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, a passage of water so photogenic that it has been nicknamed the ‘Kodak Gap’. The water here is eerily still, hemmed in by steep cliffs and filled with icebergs which sometimes prevent ships from sailing through it.
4 February
Antarctica: Marguerite Bay
5-13 February
At sea
14-15 February
Antarctica: Ross Island
Ross Island is formed from four volcanoes, including towering Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on earth. The US and New Zealand both have research stations on the island, and there are reminders of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration, including Scott’s hut at Cape Evans.
16-17 February
Antarctica: Terra Nova Bay
The waters of Terra Nova Bay remain mostly ice-free, even during winter, thanks to katabatic winds blowing down off the mountains of Antarctica. The bay, on the western side of the Ross Sea, was first discovered by Captain Scott’s Discovery expedition, and named after one of the expedition’s relief ships.
18-19 February
Antarctica: Cape Adare
Cape Adare was an important base during the early days of Antarctic exploration, and you can still visit the huts built by Norwegian polar pioneer Carsten Borchgrevink, which were later used by Captain Scott. Cape Adare is also home to the world's largest colony of Adélie penguins.
20 February
At sea
21 February
Antarctica: Balleny Islands
22-23 February
At sea
24 February
Australia: Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island lies far to the south of mainland Australia, a bizarrely shaped subantarctic island that is home to unique flora and spectacular wildlife. The island is best known for its huge penguin rookeries, with thousands upon thousands of royal, king, southern rockhopper and gentoo penguins.
25 February
At sea
26 February
New Zealand: Campbell Island
Campbell Island is one of the most southerly of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, a windswept and seemingly inhospitable place that sustains a surprising diversity of large, colourful plants known as ‘megaherbs’. The island is also home to six different species of albatross and three species of penguin.
27 February
New Zealand: Auckland Islands
28 February
New Zealand: Snares Islands
The Snares Islands are the northernmost of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, renowned for their incredible birdlife. Endemic species include the Snares penguin, Snares snipe and Snares tomtit, and some three million sooty shearwaters come here to breed during the austral summer.
1 March
At sea
2 March
Arriving in Lyttelton (Christchurch)
A garden city where punts glide down the Avon River, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were still in the UK when arriving into Christchurch, New Zealand’s most English of cities. Lyttelton is just over 7 miles away; originally established as a landing point for Christchurch-bound seafarers, it serves the same purpose for visitors today.
Your home from home
What we love
The perfect combination of technical expertise and thoughtful design makes these ships stand out as very special additions to the expedition fleet. We are particularly excited that Hanseatic Inspiration will be a totally bilingual ship, showing Hapag-Lloyd's commitment to the English-speaking markets.
Capacity |
230 Guests (199 for Antarctic cruises) |
---|---|
Style |
Luxury expedition means a fresh and airy décor, great food, service and facilities, alongside technical expertise and 30 years of experience in operating the very best expedition cruises. |
Inclusions |
|
Tailor-make your trip
Where to stay in Ushuaia
Los Cauquenes Resort and Spa is your best option, if you have time to stay.
Tours from Ushuaia
What you choose to do on tour will need to supplement whatever cruise you are taking. So if you are heading to Antarctica, whilst here you will want to go to the Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Where to stay near Christchurch
In New Zealand it’s all about great B&Bs, so go for the lovely Diamond Harbour Lodge.
Make the most of the South Island
From dolphin spotting to bungee jumping, New Zealand’s South Island has so much on offer that we recommend you spend as much time there as you can.