Spirit of Antarctica

Step on board The Greg Mortimer and settle into your cabin as you set sail for Antarctica

This morning your luggage will be collected from your hotel and delivered to your cabin ahead of time. This takes all the hassle of port clearance out of your hands. You will have the morning free to explore Ushuaia and the opportunity to join a short sightseeing tour. Some highlights include the old neighbourhood with the very same houses built by the town’s first settlers. The city tour also takes you to the Government building and the Old Prison Museum. 

Embarkation usually begins at about 4 pm. You will be shown to your cabin with time to settle in before mandatory safety briefings and orientation of the vessel. As the ship pulls away from the port, you will enjoy views of Ushuaia receding into the distance as you begin your journey to Antarctica.

The Drake Passage is the body of water between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands where the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans meet.

During the sailing of the Drake Passage, the expedition team will prepare guests for what to expect on their first landing tomorrow (weather permitting). Watch outside as seabirds swoop and swirl over the ship’s wake, including albatrosses and giant petrels.

The South Shetland Islands are 90 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula and home to some of the most influential research stations in the world.

Gather on the observation deck and look for the first sight of an iceberg sculpture floating in the water. Entering the Antarctic Convergence you will notice the colour and mood of the ocean changes. There is always a feeling of excitement on board today as the icebergs become more plentiful and the South Shetland Islands come into view. Weather permitting, there will be a chance to board zodiac boats and take the first steps on Antarctic land.

The next few days will be designed by your captain, choosing the best options based on weather, ice conditions and wildlife.

Arriving on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, there is an array of adventures to enjoy. With 18 – 24 hours of daylight and two zodiac excursions a day, there is a chance to visit penguin rookeries and icy beaches and hike along snowy ridgelines for spectacular views. 

Cruise between dramatic straits with beautiful mountain backdrops and icebergs sparkling all around. When the weather is calm there may be a chance to linger in beautiful bays watching sealife and birdlife. In quiet moments the sound of rumbling icebergs can be heard as they carve into the ocean. 

In the hands of some of the most experienced crew in Antarctica, we are confident this experience will meet and exceed even the highest expectations of what this continent can offer.

Enjoy a final morning in the South Shetland Islands before crossing the Drake Passage back to South America. 

With a host of lectures and film presentations available, there is time to let the wonder of Antarctica sink in as the ship makes its journey back to Argentina. Enjoy a farewell dinner with a four-course meal and cocktails to celebrate the adventure.