Exploring Antarctica's Spring (Ocean Albatros)

The adventure

With fewer ships in the water and the buzz of wildlife activity, spring is an excellent time to tick off a classic bucket list item – an adventure to Antarctica. On this 11-day trip, you’ll cross the Drake Passage, visit the South Shetland Islands and explore the Antarctic Peninsula. See penguins courting their mates and building their nests, whip out your binoculars for plenty of seabird-watching and whale-watching and take part in Citizen Science projects. As you explore, you’ll learn more about the incredible 7th continent from a knowledgeable Expedition Team who will lead onboard activities and Zodiac cruises. Do it all with a group of like-minded adventurers by your side aboard your ship, the Ocean Albatros.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Argentina

Day 1Ushuaia, ArgentinaWelcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for tonight. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting where you’ll meet the other travellers who will be joining you on your journey. If you arrive early, maybe explore Ushuaia by browsing the main street for souvenirs and trying a local snack or two – empanadas, anyone?

Ushuaia

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for tonight. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting where you’ll meet the other travellers who will be joining you on your journey. If you arrive early, maybe explore Ushuaia by browsing the main street for souvenirs and trying a local snack or two – empanadas, anyone?

Your journey through

Antarctica

Showing Days 2-8

9-day itinerary

Day 2Embarkation in UshuaiaThis morning, you might like to head out and explore Ushuaia with a visit to the Maritime Museum or some shopping, otherwise you can simply relax at the hotel until this afternoon, when you’ll board your ship – the Ocean Albatros. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet the Expedition Team who will be joining you for your travels. Settle into your cabin, then join your group for a safety and orientation meeting. Tonight, sit down with the captain and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner on board. Toast as your Antarctic adventure begins!

Embarkation in Ushuaia

This morning, you might like to head out and explore Ushuaia with a visit to the Maritime Museum or some shopping, otherwise you can simply relax at the hotel until this afternoon, when you’ll board your ship – the Ocean Albatros. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet the Expedition Team who will be joining you for your travels. Settle into your cabin, then join your group for a safety and orientation meeting. Tonight, sit down with the captain and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner on board. Toast as your Antarctic adventure begins!

Day 3Drake PassageSpend your first two days at sea crossing the fabled Drake Passage. This body of water that separates the southernmost point of South America from the Antarctic Peninsula is named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake. As you sail, take part in onboard activities like the Citizen Science program – help collect data and play a part in the recording of and understanding of Antarctic ecosystems. Learn about the region’s history, geology and ecology during educational talks led by the Expedition Team. Be sure to keep your binoculars handy – keep an eye out for seabirds including albatross, petrels and prions. Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctica’s waters.

Drake Passage

Spend your first two days at sea crossing the fabled Drake Passage. This body of water that separates the southernmost point of South America from the Antarctic Peninsula is named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake. As you sail, take part in onboard activities like the Citizen Science program – help collect data and play a part in the recording of and understanding of Antarctic ecosystems. Learn about the region’s history, geology and ecology during educational talks led by the Expedition Team. Be sure to keep your binoculars handy – keep an eye out for seabirds including albatross, petrels and prions. Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence and officially enter Antarctica’s waters.

Day 4Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Drake Passage

Day 5South Shetland IslandsToday, hop onto a Zodiac cruise for a day of expeditions. The South Shetland Islands form the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and each island has something different to offer. You might walk along the black sands of Deception Island – formed by the caldera of an active volcano, here you’ll find the ruins of abandoned research bases from the 1960s. You might also do some exploration via kayak! Surrounded by scenery of grand mountains and glaciers, watch as the wildlife returns to the islands and their typical daily lives after the dark winter. See chinstrap and gentoo penguins and elephant and fur seals along the water’s edge. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready for any whale sightings.

South Shetland Islands

Today, hop onto a Zodiac cruise for a day of expeditions. The South Shetland Islands form the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and each island has something different to offer. You might walk along the black sands of Deception Island – formed by the caldera of an active volcano, here you’ll find the ruins of abandoned research bases from the 1960s. You might also do some exploration via kayak! Surrounded by scenery of grand mountains and glaciers, watch as the wildlife returns to the islands and their typical daily lives after the dark winter. See chinstrap and gentoo penguins and elephant and fur seals along the water’s edge. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready for any whale sightings.

Day 6AntarcticaContinue your exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula over these three days where you’ll see the White Continent in all its springtime glory. Create unforgettable memories as you watch penguins coming ashore, meeting their mates, building nests and tending to their eggs. Witness the sheer scale of the Antarctic ice so soon after winter, soaking in the sight of towering icebergs. You might visit active scientific bases and historic landing sites during your Zodiac expeditions over these few days. In the evenings, marvel at the spectacular colours of Antarctica’s sunsets.

Antarctica

Continue your exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula over these three days where you’ll see the White Continent in all its springtime glory. Create unforgettable memories as you watch penguins coming ashore, meeting their mates, building nests and tending to their eggs. Witness the sheer scale of the Antarctic ice so soon after winter, soaking in the sight of towering icebergs. You might visit active scientific bases and historic landing sites during your Zodiac expeditions over these few days. In the evenings, marvel at the spectacular colours of Antarctica’s sunsets.

Day 7Antarctica

Antarctica

Antarctica

Day 8Antarctica

Antarctica

Antarctica

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Your journey through

Argentina

Day 11Disembarkation in Ushuaia, ArgentinaYour polar adventure comes to an end after you disembark the ship this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Ushuaia

Your polar adventure comes to an end after you disembark the ship this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Antarctica

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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