Thursday, July 19, 2007

Cool off with an Antartica Cruise

I have always dreamed of cruising Antartica and with global warming, no time is better than the present. It is even more inticing with a deal like this one from Norwegian Coastal Voyage. My friends at Dreams Alive Travel told me about this great vacation. Here is the excerpt from the cruise line's website:

Chile & Antarctica- A 13-day expedition program featuring expert guides, lectures, and PolarCirkel boat landings, starting at $4,999.

  • Antarctica Season 2007-2008 13-day program on board the MS Fram: Book any departure before July 31, 2007 and receive free airfare with a savings of $750 per person. Offer is good for new bookings only. Offer is not valid on the following select sailing dates: Dec 25, Jan 2, Jan 10 & Jan 18, 2007. Not combinable with other special offers.
  • Upon your arrival in Santiago (Chile) our local guides will immediately make you feel welcome and well taken care of. You'll have some time to appreciate this cosmopolitan city while staying at a luxury hotel, before embarking on your exploration voyage. There is only one way to fully experience the frozen landscape and history of "The White Continent," and that’s by expedition vessel. Convenient charter flights will take you to your embarkation port. With the aid of our expert guides, who provide lectures onboard and off the cuff during landings, you'll have an enthralling, educationally enriching adventure.

    DEPARTURE DATES 2007-2008: NOV 21, 29; DEC 7, 15, 23, 31; JAN 8, 16, 24; FEB 1, 9, 17
    Day 1: Depart the U.S.
    Depart from the U.S. on your overnight flight to Santiago.
    Day 2: Santiago
    Morning arrival at the Santiago airport in Chile. During the transfer to your hotel, a sightseeing tour of the city will be given. You have the rest of the day at leisure, or you can join the optional excursions.
    Day 3: Santiago-Ushuaia/Embarkation
    After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. You will enjoy an orientation tour of this popular and attractive resort town, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, before boarding MS Fram. In the evening an informative welcome meeting will be held. [B/D]
    Day 4-5: The Drake Passage
    Less than two days will be spent crossing the Drake Passage. During the crossing numerous lectures will be held on fascinating Antarctica, considered one of the most breathtaking and beautiful continents. You will arrive in Antarctica on day 5. [B/L/D]
    Days 5-9: Antarctica
    Antarctica, "The White Continent," is more than half the size of North America. On the Antarctic Peninsula you'll experience the narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel, considered one of most beautiful passages in Antarctica-where humpback and killer whales, various penguins, and elephant seals are a common sight-and the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, with its majestic cliffs. Visits by PolarCirkel boats will be attempted in various locations (weather permitting), including:
    Half Moon Island, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, famous for its large chinstrap penguin rookery, kelp gulls, and Antarctic terns. Whale spotting is also common here.
    Whaler's Bay on Deception Island, with its warm springs and black volcanic sand.
    Ukrainian Vernadsky Base, with its abundant bird life.
    Almirante Brown in Paradise Harbor, named for its beauty, with ice cliffs and floating icebergs, home to gentoo and chinstrap penguins.
    Port Lockroy, surrounded by mountains, glaciers and ice shelves, and known for its gentoo penguins and blue-eyed cormorants.
    Neko Harbor off Errera Channel, home to hundreds of gentoo penguins, Weddell and elephant seals, is believed to be part of main land Antarctica.
    Polish Arctowski Base in Admiralty Bay, where Adelie and gentoo penguins and elephant seals can be found.
    Petermann Island, home of the southernmost gentoo penguin colony, blue-eyed shags and Adelie penguins nest here too.
    Day 9-10: The Drake Passage
    While you cross this stretch of water from Antarctica, a series of lectures will be held on board summing-up topics related to Antarctica. [B/L/D]
    Day 11: Ushuaia/Disembarkation–Santiago
    In the morning you will reach the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Ushuaia is reckoned to be the most southerly city in the world and is situated on Tierra del Fuego Island south of the Magellan Strait. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your disposal. [B]
    Day 12: Santiago/Return to the U.S.
    Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. [B]
    Day 13: Arrive in the U.S.
    Morning arrival in the U.S.
    Meal codes: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner

MS FRAM Deck Plan & Ship Information

AARP members enjoy a discount of $150 per cabin.

ALSO INCLUDED:

  • Roundtrip economy class transatlantic airfare from New York
  • Airfare from Santiago to Ushuaia
  • Airfare between Ushuaia to Santiago
  • Transfers as indicated in itinerary
  • Services of expedition guides
  • Accommodations in five-star hotels as indicated in itinerary, including breakfast
  • Accommodations in select cabin category
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary
  • Port charges

NOT INCLUDED:
- Add-on airfares from Miami and Los Angeles- Local entry/departure fees, when applicable- Optional Excursions- Gratuities- Air taxes

Let me know if anybody is interested and we will try to coordinate dates for a "Yuppie Life Cruise to Antartica". Until then, safe travels.

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