Antarctica + Weddell Sea Adventure aboard the Ocean Albatros

On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Los Cauquenes Hotel & Spa.

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 Albatros, 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 and the Weddell Sea, this first day at sea sets the stage for the exciting voyage ahead.  Meals B+L+D

The first sightings of icebergs and snow-capped mountains indicate that we have reached the South Shetland Islands, a group of twenty islands and islets first sighted in February 1819 by Capt. William Smith. With favorable conditions during our crossing of the Drake Passage, our lecturers and naturalists will accompany you ashore as you experience your first encounter with Antarctic penguins, whales and seals today. Meals B+L+D

This is where huge tabular icebergs roam. In some years, the Erebus & Terror Gulf and Weddell Sea are chock-a-block full with ice, making for exciting ice navigation. Get up early and go out on deck. It may be 3:30 h in the morning, but the sunrises will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Huge tabular bergs break from the Larsen, Ronne, and Filchner ice shelves and combine with one-year-old and multi-year sea ice to produce a floating, undulating panorama of rugged ice scenery. All-white Snow Petrels are likely to be coursing over the floes, often joined by Pintado Petrels. Meals B+L+D

Our expedition ventures into the captivating region at the northeastern tip of the continent, the Antarctic Sound, gateway to the Weddell Sea. This region is confusingly named after the Swedish vessel Antarctic which first sailed the area in 1902. Despite its northern location, the Antarctic Sound experiences harsh cold conditions due to winds and currents from the Weddell Sea. This area boasts some of Antarctica's most striking scenery, from the vast Adelie Penguin colonies at Hope Bay and Devil's Island, to the dramatic volcanic cliffss at Brown Bluff.

Continuing southward into the Weddell Sea, named after early British Antarctic explorer James Weddell, we encounter immense tabular icebergs and the expansive icepack which nurtures Antarctic krill, the foundation of the food chain. The presence of krill attracts a diverse array of wildlife, including penguins, seals, seabirds, and humpback whales, all of which we hope to see while exploring this icy wilderness.  Meals B+L+D

This region also teems with vibrant exploration history. The most bizarre of these tales involves the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of 1901-03 under the command of geologist Otto Nordenskjöld. Our expedition staff will be pleased to share their exciting story with you. Nordenskjöld´s expedition was the first to overwinter in the Peninsula. His ship the Antarctic, under the command of the famous Norwegian whaling captain Carl Anton Larsen, was trapped in the ice and sank, but the men survived on different locations and even managed to carry out significant scientific research in the area. Meals B+L+D

As we continue along the Antarctic Peninsula’s western coast, you’ll likely experience the thrill and excitement that we imagine the early explorers felt. You will have plenty of time to explore the region’s amazing scenery - a pristine wilderness of snow, ice, mountains and waterways and a wide variety of wildlife. Apart from Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins and other seabirds, you are likely to encounter Weddell, crabeater and leopard seals - as well as Minke whales and orcas at close range!  Depending upon sea and ice conditions, we navigate some of the most beautiful waterways of the Southern Hemisphere. The Gerlache Strait, consisting of the 'spine' of the Antarctic Peninsula and a large number of mountainous glaciated islands, offers a plethora of iconic Antarctic experiences. From Zodiac cruises in Paradise Bay, to witnessing penguins nesting on Cuverville Island, each potential stop promises awe-inspiring encounters. Explore historic huts at Damoy Point, witness humpback whales in Wilhelmina Bay, and marvel at the jaw-dropping scenery of the Lemaire Channel. Meals B+L+D

Further exploration will lead us to the South Shetland Islands. This volcanic island group is a haven for wildlife. Despite the furious elements, the islands boast a remarkable richness of wildlife, with numerous colonies of Gentoo and Chinstrap Penguins dotting the island shores, accompanied by an array of formidable seabirds like the predatory Giant Petrels. Experience the eerie landscape of Deception Island, an active volcanic crater with black steaming sands and rusting ruins, or witness the bustling penguin colonies on Aitcho and Half Moon Islands, or immerse yourself in the history of Yankee Harbour, once a vital anchorage for sealers. Meals B+L+D

Having left the Antarctic Peninsula behind us the night before, today finds the Ocean Albatros heading northward across the Drake Passage. Soak up the knowledge and passion of our Expedition Team during lectures in the Shackleton Lounge. Either way, keep your senses tuned for seabirds and whales.  Meals B+L+D

Take advantage of this full day onboard to enjoy our final lectures or simply enjoy the flight of the albatros which accompany us northwards. This evening join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party and share your experiences with your fellow passengers.  Meals B+L+D

Step off in Ushuaia for your transfer to the airport for your onward journey.  Meals B