This is our fantastic 9-day sunset voyage to the Great White Continent. Experience incredible whales, stunning mountain sceneries and gigantic icebergs in action-packed days on what we like to call a true expedition.
Once we hit mid to late march, we end our season with a truly unique experience. These shorter days with magical sunsets allow us to explore the isolated Antarctica more or less by ourselves, as the peace settles in. We do expect plentiful company in the form of humpback whales as their numbers peak in this part of the season. Wildlife is the highlight of a mid to late march trip as pictures of whales, seals, birds and penguins fill our SD memory cards.
Departing Ushuaia in Argentina, we cross the mighty Drake Passage en route for the South Shetland Islands, making Zodiac landings at fascinating places along the way. Taking our time to soak in all the beauty of these astonishing landscapes we deploy kayaks and arrange hikes to get as close to the nature as possible.
Antarctica
Giants of the Southern Ocean – Whale Voyage
Overview
Itinerary Highlights:
- Make Zodiac landings at penguin rookeries, research stations and fascinating lookouts
- Cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- See an abundance of Antarctic wildlife, including leopard, fur and Weddell seals, humpback whales and orcas
Itinerary in Brief:
- Day 1: Ushuaia
- Days 2-3: At Sea - Drake Passage
- Days 4: South Shetland Islands
- Days 5-6: Antarctic Peninsula
- Days 7-8: At Sea
- Day 9: Ushuaia
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Ushuaia
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina - the world’s southernmost town. Explore the quaint city or local countryside. Alternatively, consider a day trip off the beaten path to the raw, natural archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. It's a hiker's paradise with rugged snow-capped mountains, glaciers, flower-filled meadows and boggy quagmires. In the afternoon, we board our ship.
Our journey begins as we navigate through the calms of Beagle Channel, a strait in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago.
Days 2-3: At Sea - Drake Passage
Sailing onward, we cross the famed Drake Passage - a body of water that marks the intersection of the cold Antarctic with the warmer Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Drake Passage is known for rollicking conditions and strong westerly winds, called the Roaring Fifties. While this passage may be challenging, you can rest confidently aboard our expedition vessel, which is purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly-qualified crew. The most spirited sailors consider Drake Passage a lifetime achievement, and you will complete the crossing twice!
In the Drake, the excitement builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view. Weather permitting, we will catch our first sight of seals and penguins! The area is also well known for its abundance of birds.
With the patented X-BOW design, the Ocean Victory will offer you a smoother sailing across the Drake passage, and due to the speed of the vessel, we might be able to do a first landing or activity in the South Shetland Islands on the afternoon of day 3, weather permitting.
Days 4: South Shetland Islands
Over the day, we will begin the exciting Antarctic experience our ancestors only dreamed of. We will explore the sub-Antarctic islands of the South Shetland chain and be marveled by the captivating landscapes we will encounter along the way.
Weather permitting, our projected landfalls include: Deception Island, an extinct volcano with waters warm enough for a polar swim; and Half Moon Island with nesting Wilson's storm petrels.
The itinerary and activities depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Days 5-6: Antarctic Peninsula
As the white shimmer of Antarctica looms on our horizon, wildlife abounds along our projected route along the Antarctic Peninsula, with especially Antarctic fur seals, gentoo penguins and humpback whales being active in these wonderful waters.
We aim to take our time at these outings, allowing us to deploy kayaks and arrange wonderful hikes in the pristine nature. The late season solitude creates unique memories as the sun sets and as we leave these isolated areas that most probably won’t welcome any visitors until next spring.
The projected landings include: Wilhelmina bay with plenty of humpback whales; Neko harbour with its gentoo penguins and seals; Brown station and Paradise harbour with wonderful views and on our way back north, a wonderful walk at Hannah Point awaits us.
The itinerary and activities over the next days depend on weather and ice conditions. The route and shore landings will be determined by the captain and expedition leader and communicated to guests through regularly scheduled briefings.
Please note that all the outings and landings rely on weather, sea and ice conditions being favorable both for the ship to access the areas, as for the zodiacs and kayaks to maneuver under adequate conditions, ensuring the safety of all our passengers and staff.
For this reason, during moments of harsh weather and throughout the entire trip, our ships offer excellent public areas such as wellness/sauna, restaurant, bar and a library for our passengers to spend their spare time. Our ships are staffed by experts in the field who will also share great lectures along the way, ranging from exploration history to biology, geology, ice and wildlife.
Visitors to these far southern reaches in mid to late March/beginning of April will experience large amounts of whales, wonderful sunsets, crisp fresh air, dustings of snow and other telltale signs of the seasonal change. Some penguin colonies will be near deserted whilst others will be very busy. Many say that this is the time to visit the real Antarctic, and have it all for yourselves. It is safe to say that there will be fewer other ships around as we wrap up the season.
Days 7-8: At Sea
We depart Antarctica and spend two days at sea on our way back to the calms of Beagle Channel and Ushuaia, Argentina. En route, we will cross Drake Passage and cruise past Cape Horn, a legendary maritime landmark and the southern tip of South America.
During our time at sea, a variety of activities will be arranged on board which will provide the perfect opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers equally passionate for discovering the world, enjoy the lectures by our expedition on board, visit our shop or relax at leisure on our ship’s facilities, designed to provide a comfortable, relaxing time.
Day 9: Ushuaia
This morning, we arrive back in Ushuaia for the conclusion of our tour, where you can continue your adventures or begin your return home.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 2025 - 01 Apr 2025 | USD$6995pp | ||
| Triple Porthole Cabin (F) | USD$6995pp | Contact us | |
| Albatros State Cabin (D) | USD$9095pp | Contact us | |
| French Balcony Suite (E) | USD$9895pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony State Cabin (C) | USD$10495pp | Contact us | |
| Single Porthole Cabin (G) | USD$11495pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Suite (B2) | USD$11895pp | Contact us | |
| Balcony Suite (B1) | USD$11895pp | Contact us | |
| Junior Suite (A) | USD$16695pp | Contact us | |
| Premium Suite (PS) | USD$18895pp | Contact us |
Until end of ANT season 24/25:
- Cat. C and Cat A can be converted into triple staterooms. Third person in the same stateroom is at 50% off.
- Cat C and Cat F: Solo guests of the same gender can share the stateroom to avoid paying single supplement.
From Arctic season 2025 onwards:
- Cat. C-SP and Cat A can be converted into triple staterooms. Third person in the same stateroom is at 50% off.
- Cat C-SP and Cat F: Solo guests of the same gender can share the stateroom to avoid paying single supplement.
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Single Porthole Cabin (G)
18m2, 1 single bed, bathroom, desk, sitting area, TV. Located on Deck 3 close to the Mudroom which facilitates access to Zodiacs during embarkation and disembarkation.
Triple Porthole Cabin (F)
Solo guests of the same gender can share this stateroom to avoid paying single supplement.
22m2, 2 single beds or 1 double, 1 sofa bed, en-suite, desk, TV. Located on Deck 3 close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
French Balcony Suite (E)
16m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, en-suite, floor to ceiling windows, bathroom, french balcony. Located on deck 7.
Albatros State Cabin (D)
22m2, 2 single beds or 1 double bed, bathroom, TV, desk, sitting area, convenient access to zodiac platform.
Balcony State Cabin (C)
24m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, en-suite, sofa, located on decks 4 & 6, private balcony, TV. Sofa can be used for child travelling with adults. Interconnecting cabins are also possible.
This stateroom can be converted into a Triple stateroom with the third person sleeping on a sofa bed. Third person will have 50% discount. Valid until end of Antarctica season 2024/2025. From Arctic season 2025, this will apply to Stateroom C-SP.
Solo guests of the same gender can share this stateroom to avoid paying single supplement.
Balcony Suite (B2)
28m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, located on decks 4 & 6, bathroom, private balcony, seating area, TV.
Balcony Suite (B1)
35m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, located on deck 4, bathroom, private balcony, seating area, TV.
Junior Suite (A)
This stateroom can be converted into a Triple stateroom. Third person will have 50% discount.
42m2, 1 double bed or 2 single beds, sofa bed, seating area, spacious bathroom, private balcony, TV. Great views from the high location on Deck 7.
Premium Suite (PS)
45m2, 2 bedroom suite, 1 double bed or twin beds, 1 sofa bed, table and chairs, seating area, spacious bathroom, private balcony. Located on deck 4.
C SP, Superior Balcony Stateroom
App. 24 smq, incl. Balcony. Featuring an additional seating area or sofa bed.
From Arctic season 2025, this stateroom can be converted into a Triple stateroom with the third person sleeping on a sofa bed. Third person will have 50% discount.
C XL, Grand Balcony Stateroom
App. 30 smq, incl. Balcony. Extra-large cabins, now incorporating the two wheelchair-accessible cabins from the current Category B's.
Ocean Victory Deckplan
Specifications
- Year Built: 2020
- Passengers: 186
- Crew: 100
- Length: 104.4m
- Breadth: 18.4m
- Draft: 5.1m
Whats included?
- 9-day cruise with accommodation in a stateroom with private facilities
- All Zodiac landings and excursions as per itinerary
- Expedition parka
- Rubber boot rentals
- Guiding and lectures by our expedition leader and team
- English-speaking expedition team
- Full board on the ship - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- Free tea and coffee 24 hours daily
- Taxes
- Guiding and lectures by our experienced expedition leader and team
- Special photo workshop
- Welcome and farewell cocktails
- Digital visual journal link after voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list and more!
- Shuttle transfers to the ship from city centre/from the ship to city centre or airport (Ushuaia)
What’s not included?
- Extra excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals not on board the ship
- Beverages (other than coffee and tea)
- Tips for the crew (recommended USD 14 per person per day)
- Personal expenses
- Transfers to/from the ship
- Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
Notes
Optional Activities:
- (K) Kayaking Experience USD345 (once during the voyage)
- (S) Snowshoeing Experience USD225 (Subject to Snow conditions Nov - Jan)
- (C) Camping Experience USD395 (Subject to conditions, selected voyages Nov - Jan)
- (P) Photography Program USD1,095
- Premium Upgrade to deck 6 (payable extra)
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Antarctica
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