Antarctica + South Georgia + Falklands aboard the Ocean Victory

You’ll be met on arrival and escorted to the Los Cauquenes Hotel & Spa where channel-view rooms have been reserved for our guests.
 

This morning’s guided tour reveals the raw, wild beauty of Tierra del Fuego National Park. Traveling all the way to Lapataia Bay, you’ll have a chance to observe indigenous species as you explore the region’s forested mountains and waterways. Then board our state-of-the-art ship and settle in to your outside stateroom. Meet your expedition team and get acquainted with our luxury Polar vessel as you set sail along the Beagle Channel.  Meals B+D
 

While the Drake Passage is known for its high winds and seas, you’ll voyage confidently aboard the Ocean Victory, our next-generation Polar ship purpose-built with stabilizers, powerful engines and a highly-qualified crew. Enhanced by engaging shipboard talks with experts in the wildlife, geology, history and climate of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, this first day at sea sets the stage for the exciting voyage ahead.  Meals B+L+D
 

Named for the renowned explorer Sir Francis Drake, who sailed these waters in 1578, the Drake Passage also marks the Antarctic Convergence – where cold Polar waters sink beneath warmer currents. This creates an upwelling of nutrients that sustains a remarkable diversity of marine life, and the anticipation builds as Antarctic wildlife comes into view. Indeed, this is the day that we might catch our first sightings of seals and penguins. Conditions permitting, we also hope to make our first landfall on King George, the largest of the South Shetland Islands.  Meals B+L+D
 

Rounding the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula brings us into remote waters that we will explore over the next few days! As weather, sea and land conditions allow, we expect to make landings on both the Continent and some of the islands that dot these southern waters. Always, our sharp-eyed naturalists and crew will be on-hand to point out the remarkable wildlife including large penguin colonies and all-white Snow Petrels and Pintado Petrels swooping over the ice floes.  Meals B+L+D

During these days in the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Sound, named in 1902 for the Swedish vessel Antarctic, our Caption and Expedition Team will keep a watchful eye on the region’s mighty tabular icebergs; born from the floating Larsen Ice Shelf farther south, they are an awesome spectacle to behold! With our exact course determined by local conditions, you can expect exciting, expertly guided Zodiac excursions and shore landings.  Meals B+L+D
 

Another enriching day unfolds as we aim to have both Continental and island landings on the shores of both the Antarctic Sound and Weddell Sea – always with our expert naturalists on the lookout for some of the unusually large penguin colonies that have recently been observed. Back on the Ocean Victory, you can continue to enjoy our enriching shipboard talks, fine dining with wine at dinner, and the conviviality of your fellow adventurers. Meals B+L+D
 

Leaving Antarctica behind, we continue our voyage onto the open sea, just as Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew did more than 100 years ago. Having lost their ship Endurance in the Weddell Sea, they moved slowly northward on ice floes and later in open lifeboats until they reached Elephant Island. Our journey, of course, will be much less arduous. Indeed this may be a good day to pamper yourself with a shipboard treatment in the Albatross Polar Spa!  Meals B+L+D
 

Leaving the majority of his crew on Elephant Island, Shackleton and five of his men embarked on one of the most desperate marine voyages of all time – navigating more than 700 nautical miles to reach South Georgia Island to call for the rescue of his stranded crew. Our course is expected to take us close by Elephant Island and you can anticipate some exciting talks as our shipboard history experts share dramatic stories of the Endurance captain and crew - and other legendary exploration teams.  Meals B+L+D
 

These days aboard the Ocean Victory promise comfort and safety on the open seas with our ship’s unique X-bow prow; this innovative design affords maximum stability and fuel efficiency even in high seas and strong winds. Depending upon these conditions, we anticipate reaching South Georgia Island around this time and you can expect our shipboard talks to shift to the excursions and experiences that lie ahead.  Meals B+L+D
 

Despite South Georgia’s remote setting 1,300 miles east of the South American continent, a unique combination of underwater topography and converging ocean currents has resulted in nutrient-rich seas that support a remarkable variety of wildlife. As weather, sea and land conditions permit, these days exploring South Georgia promise experiences you will never forget.

Calling on Grytviken would offer us the opportunity to experience the island’s long-ago whaling history and to visit the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Cooper Bay, at the southeast tip of South Georgia, is heralded for its wealth of wildlife including Chinstrap, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins. There are also plenty of fur seals on the beaches. Fascinating volcanic rock formations tower over small fjords; sea and weather conditions permitting, this a terrific place for a thrilling Zodiac cruise to watch wildlife from the waterfront. Meals B+L+D

Exploring in Zodiacs with our expert naturalists and venturing ashore at a variety of landing sites on South Georgia promise unforgettable wildlife encounters. We can expect to encounter healthy populations of sea lions, penguins, seals and a wide variety of sea birds all seeking shelter on this land oasis amid the roaring Southern Atlantic.  Meals B+L+D

South Georgia also offers us a chance to learn about the region’s whaling history. Indeed, when Sir Ernest Shackleton arrived here from Elephant Island, it was a whaling station that he called upon to rescue the crew he had left behind.  Meals B+L+D

A day at sea offers you the opportunity to engage with your fellow adventurers and to attend talks with our shipboard experts. The Library, Wellness Center and Bar Lounge also beckon. As always, you can enjoy the Victory’s fine cuisine in either of the two unique dining venues. A+R guests enjoy wine with dinner.  Meals B+L+D

As our ship continues its west-by-northwest course toward the Falklands, you can expect fascinating lectures on the islands’ history, wildlife and geology. Enjoy convivial conversation with your fellow passengers, sit down to congenial meals, and head to the Top Deck viewing platform to track the storm petrals and albatrosses that often follow in the wake of our ship.  Meals B+L+D

Established in the early 1840’s, the small town of Stanley has progressed and grown considerably, especially over the past several decades. Going ashore on our first day here Falklands, we’ll enjoy a guided stroll through the town. Schedule permitting, you’ll have some free time if you wish to explore the Historic Dockyard Museum with its exhibits on storied Polar expeditions, natural history and the 1982 Falklands War.  Meals B+L+D

In addition to exploring Port Stanley, the rest of our time in the Falklands will be devoted to some of the island’s many spectacular landing sites – especially regarded among avid birdwatchers. The Falkland Thrush, Black-chinned Siskin, Striated Caracaras and Cobb’s Wren are just some of the many endemic species. In addition, Gentoo and Magellanic Penguins can be observed along with Peale’s and Commerson’s Dolphins that are known to swim close to shore to approach our Zodiacs.  Meals B+L+D

Having left the Falklands behind us, the Ocean Victory will chart a southwesterly course back toward the mainland. Enriching talks with our shipboard experts, fine dining and engaging conversation with fellow passengers will enhance your time at sea.  Meals B+L+D

This final day at sea finds our ship cruising toward the Beagle Channel that will bring us back to Ushuaia. Take advantage of this day to relax, attend a final lecture or two, and to share your perspectives and trip experiences with fellow travelers. The Observation Lounge, Library, Top Deck viewing platform and Bar Lounge also beckon!  Meals B+L+D

Step off the Ocean Victory and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.  Meals B