Antarctic Semi-Circumnavigation

Spend the morning discovering then city. This afternoon you will embark on your expedition voyage.

Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travellers and learn about the history, environment, and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe. Make the most of the many services and activities on board and keep your eyes peeled for seabirds as you cruise toward New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.

First visited by Māori navigators centuries ago, these islands are of great significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Their natural beauty and incredible biodiversity are recognised globally, but few have had the privilege to visit them. Southern royal, wandering, Campbell, grey-headed, black-browed, and lightmantled albatross may be spotted. Three penguin species – eastern rockhopper, erect-crested and yellow-eyed – also breed here.

First visited by Māori navigators centuries ago, these islands are of great significance to Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand’s South Island. Their natural beauty and incredible biodiversity are recognised globally, but few have had the privilege to visit them. Southern royal, wandering, Campbell, grey-headed, black-browed, and lightmantled albatross may be spotted. Three penguin species – eastern rockhopper, erect-crested and yellow-eyed – also breed here.

In pictures

Plot a course for Macquarie Island, again accompanied by circling seabirds overhead. Keep watch for graceful grey-headed, black-browed, and light-mantled albatross, which may venture from their nests to welcome visitors to the island.

Macquarie Island is a Tasmanian State Reserve that in 1997 became a World Heritage Site. The Australian Antarctic Division has its permanent base on this island at Buckles Bay, which Australian sealer Frederick Hasselborough discovered while searching for new sealing grounds. The island supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean. Vast colonies of king, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins – as well as almost one million breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin can be found on the island. Elephant seals and various fur seal species, such as the New Zealand fur seal, are also present.

Macquarie Island is a Tasmanian State Reserve that in 1997 became a World Heritage Site. The Australian Antarctic Division has its permanent base on this island at Buckles Bay, which Australian sealer Frederick Hasselborough discovered while searching for new sealing grounds. The island supports one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the Southern Ocean. Vast colonies of king, gentoo, and southern rockhopper penguins – as well as almost one million breeding pairs of the endemic royal penguin can be found on the island. Elephant seals and various fur seal species, such as the New Zealand fur seal, are also present.

In pictures

Continue across the expanse of the Southern Ocean. Along the way your Expedition Team will provide lectures and presentations to prepare you for what lies ahead. Make the most of the many services and activities on board. Visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. Keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel.

Explore the highlights of the Ross Sea. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary here, including sea, ice, and weather conditions. Each day will be different. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore local bays in search of uniquely adapted Antarctic wildlife. Look out for Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels, and South Pacific Weddell seals. The area is also home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin colony, and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. The human heritage of the Ross Sea coast is just as impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have built base camps, leaving equipment and huts behind. You may have the opportunity to explore some of these historic sites.

Explore the highlights of the Ross Sea. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary here, including sea, ice, and weather conditions. Each day will be different. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore local bays in search of uniquely adapted Antarctic wildlife. Look out for Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels, and South Pacific Weddell seals. The area is also home to Antarctica’s largest Adélie penguin colony, and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies.

The human heritage of the Ross Sea coast is just as impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have built base camps, leaving equipment and huts behind. You may have the opportunity to explore some of these historic sites.

In pictures

Sail through the Amundsen Sea along and through the outer fringes of the pack-ice, taking advantage of the Antarctic coastal current. The journey is lively and sightings of single straggling emperor penguins, groups of seals on ice-floes, and orca and minke whales are possible.   Continue sailing through the Bellingshausen Sea, bound for the Antarctic Peninsula.

Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary, including sea, ice and weather conditions, but the plan is to take Zodiac excursions from the ship at least twice a day. You will have the opportunity to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

Explore the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula. Many factors play a role in shaping the expedition’s itinerary, including sea, ice and weather conditions, but the plan is to take Zodiac excursions from the ship at least twice a day. You will have the opportunity to explore local bays, channels and landing sites. Visit penguin rookeries, scout for humpback and minke whales, and search for a number of southern seal species, including the cunning leopard seal.

In pictures

Sail north across the infamous Drake Passage as you bid farewell to Antarctica at last and start to make your way back to civilisation.

Arrive in Ushuaia where your expedition ends.