All Meals throughout the Voyage Onboard the 'Ushuaia' - All Shore Excursions and Activities throughout the Voyage by Zodiac - Program of Lectures by Noted Naturalists and Leadership by Experienced Expedition Staff - All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges throughout the Program - Comprehensive Pre-Departure Material - Detailed Post-Expedition Log

Please make your way to the Port of Ushuaia at 3.00pm in order to board the 'Ushuaia' at 4pm

Airfares, pre and post land arrangements.

Transfers to and from the port.

Government arrival and departure taxes (the airport departure tax from Ushuaia airport is US$4).

Visas and travel insurance (please check and ensure that your travel insurance policy covers medical evacuation from Antarctica). 

Tips (these are at your discretion although are customary at the end of the voyage)

Meals unless stated in the itinerary, bar and beverage charges

Personal spending money

Telecommunication charges

Originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), the ‘Ushuaia’ underwent refurbishment to its public areas in June 2006 and accommodates 84 passengers in 41 comfortable twin cabins and suites. The ice-strengthened polar vessel ‘Ushuaia’ is very well appointed and provides ample deck space and an open bridge policy. The full complement of inflatable landing craft ensures superb landings and wildlife viewing opportunities on the otherwise inaccessible coastline.

All cabins include a desk and ample storage space. Public areas feature a large dining room (one sitting), an observation lounge and bar, a conference room with modern multimedia equipment, a library, a changing room and a small infirmary. Our expert captain, officers and crew are highly experienced in Antarctic and Southern Ocean navigation and have a great love of nature. We provide a specialist team of international expedition leaders and lecturers, all extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, helpful and dedicated to the protection of the environment. Our chefs prepare excellent cuisine including many local specialties and the bar is well-stocked with carefully selected wines and spirits.

Suites: Outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, 2 lower berths, lounge, TV, video, VHS, DVD, fridge. Suites 204 and 207 feature a third berth.

A cabins: Twin outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G), private facilities, 2 lower berths.  

AA cabins: 4 Twin outside cabins with windows on the upper deck (G) and semi-private facilities,  2 berths (lower or upper/lower).

B cabins: Twin outside cabins with port holes on the main deck (E) and semi-private facilities, 2 berths (upper/lower).

C cabins: Twin  inside cabins on the lower deck (D) with semi-private facilities, 2 berths (upper/lower). 

N.B.  Semi-private facilities:  2 cabins share one bathroom accessible from both cabins (shower and wc). Each cabin is also equipped with its own washbasin.

Most cabins have bunk beds although there are some with two single beds. Double beds are not available.

Smoking – all cabins are non-smoking and smoking is only allowed outside on designated deck. Smoking is strictly prohibited on land and cigarettes MUST NOT be thrown overboard at any time.

Onboard the ship, the temperature is normally approximately 20 degrees centigrade. We advise you to pack warm and comfortable clothing as well as rubber-soled shoes for use on deck. Layers are preferable to one, big jacket or sweater. You should also have a waterproof layer for travel on zodiac craft, which can be affected by sea spray.

Cold and wet weather clothing (waterproof parkas, trousers and wellington boots) can be hired in Ushuaia for use during shore landings, with costs varying according to the item. Most items cost from USD10 – USD25 for the duration of the trip.

We recommend packing and/ or hiring the following:

· Rain gear and hooded parka
· Waterproof trousers and extra pairs of warm trousers
· Wellington/Gum boots
· Good Gloves, hat, scarf
· Sweaters, fleece and t-shirts
· Thermal underwear and several pairs of warm socks
· High SPF factor sunscreen and sunglasses
· Personal medical kit, include seasickness tablets (the ship’s medical kit is for emergencies only)
· Toiletries

Don’t forget your swimming gear for a swim in hot springs!

Outside temperatures will almost certainly fall below zero degrees centigrade to –10 degrees centigrade on average. Please also bear in mind that the wind chill factor can make the outside temperature seem far colder.  Weather can vary greatly from rain, fog, mist, clouds to sunshine!

Antarctic voyages take place during the southern summer, which means that you will experience long hours of daylight, and indeed the sun practically never sets in December/ January.

The vessel is equipped with satellite telephone and email facilities. There will be instances when the vessel will be out of the range of satellite communication. Please note that the costs of using onboard communications are expensive.

Conditions at sea can be rough, especially whilst crossing the Drake Passage, which has a reputation for rough conditions (although it is true to say that conditions out on the Drake Passage can also be calm!) thus we urge you to ensure that you are prepared for the possibility of suffering from seasickness during this two-day crossing.

As the vessel is faster than many of its competitors in the same class, it reaches the Antarctic in the late afternoon of Day 3, whereas many other vessels do not reach the Antarctic until the morning of Day 4.

Purified water is provided for drinking. You may also choose to purchase bottled water for an extra cost. Wines, beers and spirits are also available and payable onboard the ship at the end of your trip in USD.   Tea and coffee are also available throughout the day at no extra cost.

Vegetarians are catered for: please advise at the time of booking if you are vegetarian. 

Spending Money:

We advise that you bring along extra spending money to cover the costs of any onboard souvenirs which you may wish to purchase, as well as snacks and beverages from the ship’s shop, communication costs, transfer costs to and from the vessel whilst in Ushuaia and any tips that you may wish to give at the end of your voyage. About USD15 per day spending money is recommended.

30 crew, 4 Expedition Staff and Naturalists.

There is also an infirmary on-board with a fully qualified doctor.

Due to wind, salt and spray, it is recommended that you bring protective casing for your camera. We urge you not to bring plastic bags, which can blow away in the high winds. Please bring extra film and spare batteries.

Visas:

Visas are not required for Antarctica, however, you are advised to check whether you require a visa for Argentina. At the time of writing British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders did not require visas for Argentina. We ask all other passport holders to check with whether they require a visa for travel to Argentina

We can arrange pre or post tour accommodation at a comfortable hotel in Ushuaia for you. We strongly recommend that you spend 2-3 extra days in Ushuaia to visit the town’s museums and the beautiful Tierra del Fuego National Park. 

Getting to Ushuaia:

Flights to Ushuaia depart from Buenos Aires national airport (Aeroparque). The journey time on direct flights is approximately 3 hours. Flights also depart from El Calafate (the Moreno Glacier) and from Rio Gallegos.

Taxis from Ushuaia Airport into the centre of town will take approximately 10 minutes.

All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received 90 days prior to departure are fully refunded less an administrative fee of US$ 500 per person.
From 89 days up to and including the day of departure all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 89 day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately.

For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance.

Antarpply Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any voyage prior to departure in which case payments will be refunded in full without further obligation on our part.

The itineraries published are for reference only and are subject to change due to weather and ice conditions, or due to any other reason beyond our control, at the Master’s and Expedition Leader’s discretion without prior notice. Passengers have no right to any refund, any other consideration or claim whatsoever in the event of inevitable itinerary changes.

Antarpply Expeditions strongly urges their passengers to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation and repatriation, and trip cancellation. Antarpply Expeditions shall not be responsible for any injuries to persons (whether or not resulting in death) or damage or loss to property. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger and Antarpply Expeditions specifically decline any responsibility whatsoever (also if not covered by travel insurance).

The passenger must sign a passenger contract which constitutes the sole contract and his/her agreement to all the terms and conditions relative to the cruise. By accepting the cruise ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms & conditions.

8 Life Rafts (4 on each side) all of them fully equipped (total capacity: 220 people).
2 Rescue boats
7 Rib’s (Rigid Inflatable Boats)
Complete system of fire detection and extinction.
Emergency Generator.

Type Steel Hulled, Ice strengthened Antarctic Supply/Oceanographic Research Vessel.

Build Class: ABS Ice Class 1.

Builders: American Shipbuilding -Toledo, Ohio (United States of America)

Propulsion & Machinery
Main Engine: 2 ALCO 12V 2516 12 cylinders - Controllable pitch propellers.vv
Bow Thruster: 360°
Electric Power: 3 x 440 V - 1500 KW + 125 KW(Emergency generator).v

Hull sonar with profiler WESMAR HD800/110-10
.Navigational echo sounder IMO FURUNO FE-700 - SOLAS
.Navtex Receiver FURUNO NX-500 - GMDSS approved
.Meteorological Fax Receiver FURUNO FAX-207
.Radar FURUNO FAR-2825 - X Band, 25kW, display 28", range 96' - SOLAS
.Radar FURUNO FAR-2835S - S Band, 30kW, display 28", range 96' - SOLAS
.INMARSAT C FURUNO FELCOM12 - GMDSS approved
.INMARSAT B FURUNO FELCOM81 - Voice, Fax and High Speed Data (64Kbps) Communication
.MF/HF Radio Telephones with DSC (2) FURUNO FS-1562-25 - 250W, 1.6 to 27.5 MHz GMDSS approved
.NBDP Radio Telex FURUNO DP-6 - GMDSS approved
.VHF Radio Telephones with DSC (2) FURUNO FM-8500 - GMDSS approved

Scientific & Oceanographic features
Laboratories: Wet and Dry laboratories.
Winches: Oceanographic winch.
Deck Machinery: 2 x 3 TN Electro-Hydraulic cranes.
Antartic Supply & Ocean Research & Touristic Expeditions

Mammals:
Antarctic fur seal - Arctocephalus gazella
Leopard seal - Hydrurga leptonix
Wedell seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
Crabeater seal - Lobodon carcinophagus
Southern elephant seal - Mirounga leonina
Humpback whale - Megaptera novaeangliae
Southern right whale -Eubalaena australis
Blue whale - Balaenoptera musculus
Fin whale - Balaenoptera physalus
Minkee whale - Balaenoptera bonaerensis
Southern bottlenose whale - Hyperoodon planifrons
Sperm whale - Physeter macrocephalus
Orca - Orcinus orca
Dusky dolphin- Lagenorhynchus obscurus
Commerson´s dolphin -Cephalorhynchus commersonii

Emperor penguin - Aptenodytes forsteri
King penguin -Aptenodytes patagonicus
Adelie penguin - Pygoscelis adeliae
Chinstrap penguin- Pygoscelis Antarctica
Gentoo penguin -Pygoscelys papua
Macaroni penguin -Eudyptes chrysolophus
Rockhopper penguin -Eudyptes chrysocome
Wandering albatross -Diomedea exulans
Royal albatross -Diomedea epomophora
Black browed albatross -Thalassarche melanophrys
Gray headed albatross -Thalassarche chrysostoma
White capped albatross -Thalassarche cauta
Sooty albatross- Phoebetria fusca
Light mantled albatross -Phoebetria palpebrata
Northern giant petrel -Macronectes halli
Southern giant petrel -Macronectes giganteus
Souther fulmar - Fulmarus glacialoides
Antarctic petrel -Thalassoica antarctica
Cape petrel -Daption capense
Snow petrel -Pagodroma nivea
Kerguelen petrel -Pterodroma brevirostris
Great winged petrel -Pterodroma macroptera
Mottled petrel -Pterodroma inexpectata
Soft plumage petrel -Pterodroma mollis
White headed petrel -Pterodroma lessoni
Grey petrel -Procellaria cinerea
White chinned petrel -Procellaria aequinoctialis
Westland petrel -Procellaria westlandica
Blue petrel -Halobaena caerulea
Greater shearwater -Puffinus gravis
Little shearwater -Puffinus assimilis
Antarctic prion Pachyptila desolata
Thin billed prion -Pachyptila belcheri
Wilson´s storm petrel -Oceanites oceanicus
Grey backed storm petrel -Garrodia nereis
Black bellied storm petrel -Fregetta tropica
South Georgia diving petrel- Pelecanoides georgicus
Common diving petrel -Pelecanoides urinatrix
Kelp gull -Larus dominicanus
Antarctic -skua Catharacta
Antarctica South polar -skua Catharacta maccormicki
Snowy sheatbill -Chionis alba
Blue eyed shag -Phalacrocorax bransfieldensis
Antarctic tern -Sterna vittata
Arctic tern -Sterna paradisaea
South american tern -Sterna hirundinacea

Algae:
Prasiola crispa (Lettuce like alga)
Desmarestia (brown alga)
Cystosphaera jacquinotii (brown alga with floats)
Mosses Lichens Hair grass Deschampsia antarctica
Pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis