November 10 & 21, 2019
December 02 & 28, 2019
February 10, 2020
February 21, 2020 - Adventure awaits
March 03, 2020 - Adventure awaits
Close Encounters with Antarctic Wildlife
Taking an expedition to Antarctica with MS Midnatsol is sure to rank among the most exciting things you’ll ever do: exploring the most remote place on Earth. Join us on this adventure filled with the unparalleled highlights of Antarctica.
A Living Continent of Ice
The adventure starts as we sail the famous Drake Passage before arriving in remote Antarctica. Things quickly become incredibly interesting – behind every new iceberg a new highlight appears.
The wildlife of Antarctica is oustanding. You'll see whales, meet thousands of penguins, and see some seriously cute seals. The icebergs will drift by in fantastic variety, in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The horizon seems endless and blue-white, and the ocean is full of icebergs and whales. Perhaps even more awe-inspiring, you'll enjoy encounters with huge colonies of penguins. Most importantly, you will explore ashore and in small boats through iceberg-rich waters to feel like a real 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.
So join us on a cruise to the extremes of the world – on the adventure of a lifetime.
- Experience glaciers, nature, and wildlife
- Go ashore in Antarctica and meet penguins up close
- Access to the high-tech Activity Center and lectures on popular topics presented on board
- Landings and excursions with the experienced 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
Practical Information:
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
This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather, wind and ice conditions will determine our final schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the sailing itinerary during the voyage. Therefore, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience, and why every expedition with Hurtigruten is unique.
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 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! There have been spectacular photo opportunities so far, but Antarctica is in an entirely different category. Go 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 set foot on the endless expanse of snow and ice, and from the deck there will be ample opportunities to see whales.
Enjoy close encounters with wildlife and glaciers, and visit old whaling stations and its relics. Trust us when we say that every second of this journey has something new to offer. One of the highlights of the South Shetlands is Deception Island. 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 approximately 4,000 breeding pairs. Cuverville Island is home to another of the largest known colonies of gentoo penguins. 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 have 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 will get to feel the salt and wind as you cruise between the sea ice, looking for leopard seals taking a snooze on the ice. On the third day, you might kayak or take a longer hike or walk. Back on board we also have activities that will satisfy a whole range of interests in the Explorer room. The onboard photographer will show you the basics of expedition photography.
Join gatherings where the various members of the expedition team recount the day’s activities, make presentations, and discuss the next day’s plan. These gatherings are great opportunities to share mingle with your fellow explorers.
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 our optional post-cruise expedition programs (Land Adventures).
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.