Classic Antarctica Cruise

Classic Antarctica Cruise
2020-2021

Overview:

Travel at the peak of the Austral summer when weather and wildlife viewing are at their best. Explore shorelines teeming with penguins and seals and chat with on-board experts about the day’s discoveries. Cruise for 10 nights aboard the luxury all-balcony expedition ship ‘Le Lyrial,’ on a voyage to discover some of the world’s rarest wildlife and Antarctica’s extraordinary environment. Travel in the company of a world-class expedition team of scientists, authors, historians and professional photographers. Aboard 199-passenger Le Lyrial.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
Day 2: Buenos Aires
Day 3: Ushuaia / Gateway to Antarctica
Days 4-5: Cruising the Drake Passage / Legendary Waters
Days 6-10: Antarctica / The White Continent
Days 11-12: Cruising the Drake Passage / Memorable Return
Day 13: Depart Ushuaia

**Special Offer: DEC 7, 2020: Save $3,000 per couple, plus 50% on the single supplement on stateroom categories 1-3. Book by March 31, 2020. JAN 3, 2021:Book early and save $3,000 per person on all staterooms and suites.

Interested in more information? Please contact Expedition Easy by telephone at 1-800-617-2319 or e-mail [email protected].

Classic Antarctica Cruise
2020-2021

Day-By-Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive in Argentina’s capital and transfer to your hotel, where you spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires.

Day 2: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Latin passion and European romance define the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, a dynamic mecca known for its wide-ranging architectural styles, contemporary and historic arts, and culinary pleasures and parrillas (steakhouses). This morning, choose from a selection of included excursions and experience the city’s best treasures alongside local A&K guides. You may, for example, choose a panoramic city tour complete with a tango demonstration, or a tour focused on Buenos Aires’ lively street art scene. Later this afternoon, meet with your fellow adventurers for a welcome cocktail reception and briefing. Overnight at Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

Day 3: Ushuaia / Gateway to Antarctica
Fly to the charming port town of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. On arrival, enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Arakur resort, enjoying panoramic city and mountain vistas while you dine. Time and weather permitting, take a guided walk in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve or simply relax with a cappuccino and enjoy scenic views of Ushuaia. This afternoon, transfer to your ship and settle in for your first night on board. Wander the decks to become acquainted with the ship, relax in the lounge and mingle with fellow guests in anticipation of your voyage. From your private balcony or the outside decks, take in views as you cruise the beautiful Beagle Channel before heading out to sea.

Days 4-5: Cruising the Drake Passage / Legendary Waters
The journey south toward Antarctica is an exciting one, furthered by singular, voyage-long access to our knowledgeable Expedition Team and enrichment experts — both on board and on shore. Set out into the Drake Passage, a 600-mile-wide swath of water where the Southern Ocean currents are squeezed between South America’s southern tip and Antarctica’s northernmost reaches. An important trade route in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the waters and icy conditions that define this passage once made the journey a difficult one, though the stabilizer-equipped ‘Le Lyrial’ handles it with ease.

After lunch, enjoy a stimulating presentation from one of your expert lecturers or join your naturalists on the deck to look for whales and abundant seabirds, which join other mammals in feasting on the Drake’s krill-rich waters. It’s all just a taste of the educational enrichment and wildlife you will encounter in the days to come. Later, chat with your Expedition Team about the next day’s itinerary.

Days 6-10: Antarctica / The White Continent
As the Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands appear on the horizon, a sense of excitement begins to build. While day-to-day itineraries depend on weather, water and wildlife conditions, two excursions are carefully planned for each day by the captain and expedition leader. Each cruise day begins with an early breakfast followed by a morning excursion on swift Zodiacs (sturdy inflatable boats). Piloted by expert drivers, each excursion is accompanied by lecturers and joined by groups of no more than 10 guests. After mornings discovering native species and striking terrain, return to ‘Le Lyrial’ for lunch, and time to relax and observe the wildlife-rich waters that surround you, searching for everything from fin whales, humpback whales and orcas, to Antarctic and imperial shags.

In the afternoon, set out for the day’s second excursion, which may include visiting a scientific research station, hiking on a sheltered beach packed with basking Southern elephant seals, or circumnavigating colossal icebergs that serve as floating homes to seals and penguins. After full days of adventure, evenings aboard your luxury cruiser invite you to unwind over cocktails in the cozy lounge before dinner in the elegant dining room. At night, choose to recap the day’s discoveries with your naturalist guides; chat on deck with fellow guests; or seize the opportunity to capture photos in the stunning low light characteristic of Antarctica’s long, ethereal twilight.

Days 11-12: Cruising the Drake Passage / Memorable Return
Bid farewell to wondrous Antarctica and begin your cruise back to Ushuaia. The ship’s return through the Drake Passage is an interlude for recap and reflection, with time to compare notes with your expert lecturers on the wildlife, history and geology of the White Continent. Spend time on board with newfound friends in the comfortable common spaces of ‘Le Boreal,’ relax in your spacious cabin or absorb more fascinating lectures by your captivating expedition team. While cruising through this historic passage, you may spot various species of whales and seabirds, including the elusive albatross and the giant petrel, an opportunistic predator and scavenger nicknamed the “stinker.” The albatross is an especially beautiful sight to behold — these birds boast a wingspan of 11.5 feet on average and use their powerful wings to glide through the air for hours at a time in search of food.

Day 13: Depart Ushuaia
‘Le Lyrial’ docks at Ushuaia this morning. After breakfast, bid farewell to your crew and fellow guests before disembarking. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Buenos Aires, where you connect to your international flight home.

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to change due to ice, weather, wildlife and other conditions beyond control. The final itinerary will be determined at the sole discretion of the Captain and Expedition Leader.

AK-SD2021

Classic Antarctica Cruise
2020-2021

Rates:

Dec 7, 2020- Dec 19, 2020
Category 1: Classic Stateroom $12,995 (was $15,995)
Category 2: Deluxe Stateroom $14,995 (was $17,995)
Category 3: Premier Stateroom $15,995 (was $18,995)
Category 4: Prestige Suite $23,995 (was $26,995)
Category 5: Premier Two Room Suite $27,995 (was $30,995)
Category 6: Privilege Two Room Suite $29,995 (was $32,995)
Category 7: Grand Deluxe Two Room Suite $32,995 (was $35,995)
Category 8: Grand Privilege Three Room Suite $37,995 (was $40,995)
Category 9: Owner’s Suite $39,995 (was $42,995)

**Special Offer on DEC 7, 2020: Save $3,000 per couple, plus 50% on the single supplement on stateroom categories 1-3. Book by March 31, 2020

Jan 3, 2021- Jan 15, 2021
Category 1: Classic Stateroom $13,995 (was $16,995)
Category 2: Deluxe Stateroom $15,995 (was $18,995)
Category 3: Premier Stateroom $16,995 (was $19,995)
Category 4: Prestige Suite $24,995 (was $27,995)
Category 5: Premier Two Room Suite $29,995 (was $32,995)
Category 6: Privilege Two Room Suite $31,995 (was $34,995)
Category 7: Grand Deluxe Two Room Suite $33,995 (was $36,995)
Category 8: Grand Privilege Three Room Suite $39,995 (was $42,995)
Category 9: Owner’s Suite $39,995 (was $42,995)

**Special Offer on JAN 3, 2021:Book early and save $3,000 per person on all staterooms and suites.

*Above rates are per person, based on double occupancy.
*Please contact us for single supplement rates.

Rates are approximate until the time of booking. Please note rates are subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances beyond our control; i.e. fuel increases, currency fluctuations, etc.

Included:

– Accommodations as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival transfers from the airport to the starting hotel regardless of the day of arrival and departure; transfers on the day of debarkation to the airport; fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); local bottled water during sightseeing; selected beverages with group meals; complimentary standard bar drinks, beer, house wines, soft drinks, coffee drinks, juices and bottled waters (excluding premium wines and Champagnes) while on board ‘Le Lyrial’; all shore excursions and full lecture program while on board ‘Le Lyrial’; services of an Expedition staff and local guides; handling of two pieces of baggage per person for international flights (other conditions/restrictions may apply for internal routes); hotel taxes; all gratuities throughout.

Not Included:

– Guest Protection Program; international and internal airfares, unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your pre-tour documentation; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

Deposit & Payments

This itinerary is subject to the availability of all services at the time of making a reservation. No space is being held at this time. Please contact Expedition Easy for the full terms and conditions that apply. We are happy to answer questions and discuss your trip.

Reservations

To reserve space on a trip on the Expedition Easy website, please contact Expedition Easy by telephone at 1-800-617-2319 or e-mail [email protected].