Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia

You will embark your ship in the afternoon in the town of Ushuaia. Located on the Beagle Passage in Tierra del Fuego, this charming town has a spectacular setting. After boarding the ship you set sail on your voyage along the Beagle Channel
Cabin on board ship – 18 nights (BLD)

When Ernest Shackleton and four others sailed the tiny James Caird from Elephant Island to South Georgia, they were crossing the same body of water as you sail today. They, however, knew the sea as the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Sixteen years after that legendary voyage, the name of the sea that stretches from the mouth of the Drake Passage east to the South Shetland Islands and south from the Falklands to the Antarctic Peninsula were changed to the Scotia Sea. The name honored an expedition ship that had sailed the sea between 1902 and 1904, under the command of William S. Bruce, a pioneer of oceanography. Today, with only the Shag Rocks to break the horizon, you sail in History's wake.

South Georgia, roughly 160km (100 miles) by 32 km (20 miles) wide, is south of the Antarctic convergence. You are in Antarctica at last! The inestimable Captain Cook's published account of his charting of the island, set of a rush to harvest the abundant seals and whales he had observed. The secretive whalers and sealers protected their favoured beaches and bays. So, although they were often the first to arrive, they have seldom been credited for their Antarctic discoveries.

Wandering Albatrosses and Southern Giant Petrels nest on South Georgia. At certain times of the year, near the nests, massive female Wanderers swoop low overhead. Their teasing sends the males into a frenzy of growling calls. Raising their bills skywards, they try to tempt a female to their side. Bonded Wanderers preen each other, sing duets, and mate frequently. Scientific research has shown that only pairs that have been bonded by years of dancing will breed successfully.

On a South Georgian headland where the Shangs next you might see Light-manlted Sooty Albatrosses display in superb flying syncrony, while screaming their bonding calls. South Georiga is home to more than half a million breeding pairs of King Penguins. At a metre tall, only Emperor Penguins are larger. King chicks, known as woolies, were once thought to be a separate species of penguni, because they look so different to the parents. King chicks can be seen at various stages of development throughout the year.

Reindeer were introduced to South Georgia in 1911 by Norwegians. The deer provided an alternative meat source and some sport! Some environmentalists are attempting to have the reindeer removed, because of their destructive affect on the tussock grass.

 While at anchor and the ship lights are dimmed, you might be able to pick out tens of thousands of Antarctic Prions around the ship. On the shores of South Georgia these birds wait for pitch darkness to enter their burrows amongst the tussock to protect themselves against attacks from their predators - skuas and petrels.

Crested Macaroni Penguins inhabit the island. Their plumage reminded the firs to encounter them of the dandies of the 18th century, hence the name. You might witness a skua taking a brown egg smaller than you expect. This is a sacrificial egg that the Macaroni lays first. Two eggs may develop in a good season, but more often than not only the larger second egg hatches.

On the snowy slopes and stone beaches of South Georgia you may encounter Weddell seals hauled out in the sun. Larsen harbour is the most northerly place for the seals to pup at the start of the austral spring.

The island has many historical connections to Antarctic exploration. Sir Ernest Shackleton and his comrades crossed the front of the Fortuna Glacier on their way to Stromness whaling station after their epic foot-crossing of South Georgia in 1916. That march across glaciers and never before explored mountains helped to rescue the crew of Endurance, stranded on Elephant Island, 800 miles away. Located at Stromness Bay are Shackleton Pass and the waterfall where 'the Boss' struggled down to the valley. Shackleton was buried in the churchyard at Grytviken in 1922. He died while visiting South Gerorgia on his final expedition to Antarctica.

Ice, wind and snow are as probable as sunshine on Soth Georgia during the srping and summer months. No matter which conditions you encounter, you will have made memories that last for a lifetime. (Bx6, Lx6, Dx6)

Crossing the notorious Drake Passage is as much a part of the Antarctic experience as penguins and krill. With the right weather conditions your passage is relatively easy, but be wary in case the Drake Passage lives up to its reputation.

Continuing recap sessions provide opportunities to discuss how you, a newly-minted Polar Ambassador, can help to preserve Antarctica for future generations. When packing day arrives a briefing is held, final remarks are made and instructions for disembarkation are delivered. (Bx3, Lx3, Dx3)