Close Encounters with Antarctic Wildlife
Joining an expedition to Antarctica with MS Midnatsol is sure to rank among the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Together, we will explore the most remote place on Earth, on an adventure that takes you to the unparalleled highlights of Antarctica. Imagine waking up on Christmas day and pulling back the cabin curtains to reveal a pristine vista of mountains, penguins, and ice!
A Living Continent of Ice
The adventure starts as we sail the famous Drake Passage before arriving in remote Antarctica. The excitement builds as we draw close and encounter the astounding wildlife of the last untouched continent. You will see whales, meet thousands of penguins, and encounter some seriously cute seals. And the icebergs constantly drift by in fantastic variety, in all shapes and colors. The horizon seems endless and blue-white, and the oceans are teeming with life. Our small boat excursions will take you among the icebergs, and each adventure will serve as a reminder that you are now a true polar explorer.
Back on board, you’ll have fun opportunities to learn and share discoveries with family and new friends in a relaxed way. MS Midnatsol is a ship built and designed to meet the needs of modern explorers – both on and off board. Our explorer deck is where you can meet fellow adventurers for scientific fun with our engaging Expedition Team, no matter what age you are. The media room on board shows the highlights of the day, and if you haven’t joined an excursion or landing, you can see films and photos, and share in the adventures here at the end of each day. The children check out our Young Explorers Program. All scientific content is presented in a lively, fun and easily understood manner: first class edutainment, so to speak.
Join us on a cruise to the extreme south of planet and have the adventure of a lifetime.
- Experience glaciers, nature, and wildlife
- Go ashore in Antarctica and meet penguins up close
- A Christmas celebration in the land of ice and snow
- Landings and excursions with our expert expedition team
- Hurtigruten expedition in the cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
- One overnight hotel stay in Buenos Aires before the cruise, including breakfast
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires
- Coach-class flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
- Transfers in Ushuaia, including an orientation tour
- Wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Landings with small boats and activities on board and ashore
- Professional English-speaking expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanies landings and activities
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary use of Muck Boot rubber boots
- International flights
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions and gratuities
Price includes:
- Hurtigruten expedition in the cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis
- One overnight hotel stay in Buenos Aires before the cruise, including breakfast
- Transfer from the hotel to the airport in Buenos Aires
- Coach-class flights between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia
- Transfers in Ushuaia, including an orientation tour
- Wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Landings with small boats and activities on board and ashore
- Professional English-speaking expedition team that gives lectures as well as accompanies landings and activities
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary use of Muck Boot rubber boots
Not included:
- International flights
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Optional excursions and gratuities
Itinerary
Cultural and Cool - Buenos Aires
This adventure starts with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, the bustling capital of Argentina. We offer an optional city tour in the afternoon. Spend the evening at your leisure and discover the 'Paris of South America' for yourself.
Tierra del Fuego - Buenos Aires/Ushuaia
Fly early in the morning to Ushuaia, where MS Midnatsol awaits you. Once on board, we kick off our journey with a welcome-on-board dinner.
Crossing the Drake Passage - Drake Passage
Prepare yourself for Antarctica as we cross the infamous Drake Passage, and trust us - it will take your breath away! Take it all in on board MS Midnatsol's with her two-story panorama lounge over the bow, wall-to-wall windows that bathe the room in natural light and provide extraordinary views.
Antarctica … Another World! - Antarctica
You are now in one of the most remote areas on Earth! Venture ashore to explore the breathtaking Antarctic scenery and get close to penguins and seals. You will feel like a real explorer from the moment you first set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice. From the deck, there will be ample opportunities to sight whales. Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, and visit old whaling stations and their relics as we sail.
One of the highlights is Deception Island in the South Shetlands. When we sail into the natural harbor of this volcanic island, you will see an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor and a derelict British base. We are certain you will enjoy a visit to Half Moon Island, a staggeringly photogenic island blessed with some of the most beautiful Antarctic scenery imaginable, and Yankee Harbor, with its large colony of gentoo penguins, estimated to be 4,000 breeding pairs.
Cuverville Island is home to another of the largest known colonies of gentoo penguins, while Neko Harbor is beautifully located in the innermost part of Andvord Bay. Paradise Harbor got its descriptive name from the whalers during the last century. Wilhelmina Bay has stunning scenery and is often called 'Whale-mina Bay', because of the large number of humpback whales spotted here in December.
We have planned plenty of activities to help you experience Antarctica in the best possible way. This might mean that one day you will go ashore to see penguins and hear the crackling noise of glaciers. The next day, you may get to feel the salt and wind on your face as you cruise between the sea ice, looking for leopard seals taking a nap on an ice platform. The third day may involve kayaking, or a longer hike or walk. Back on board, we host activities that will satisfy a whole range of interests. The onboard photographer will show you the basics of expedition photography. Join gatherings where the expedition team recounts the day’s activities, makes presentations, and discusses the next day’s plan. These gatherings are great opportunities for sharing and mingling with your fellow explorers and the expedition community.
Christmas Day will be a unique mix of exciting activities among the ice and penguins combined with traditional Norwegian celebrations on board. You might enjoy a special lunch followed by a walk to the top of a snow-covered hill set within a glaciated bay. Or your Christmas gift may be a cruise among icebergs followed by a visit from a certain white-bearded gentleman.
Heading Back to Civilization - Drake Passage
After exploring this exhilarating continent, we set course back to civilization. Spend the day at sea recapping your experiences with fellow explorers, or just relaxing on deck.
The End of the Adventure - Ushuaia/Buenos Aires
Sadly, every adventure must come to an end. It is time to say goodbye to the crew and all your new friends when we reach Ushuaia. We transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires. Consider extending your stay and enjoying one of our optional post-cruise expedition programs (Land Adventures). For example, celebrate the New Year spending a few extra days in stylish Buenos Aires.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.