An educational trip to Antarctica. Hondius Cruise

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An adventure in Antarctica on a specialized Hondius vessel!

Passing through the famous Drake Strait, you will find yourself in the very region where nature demonstrates its harsh beauty: icy landscapes, majestic icebergs and a variety of wildlife.

During the cruise, visit calm and peaceful places, get the opportunity to participate in excursions on Zodiac inflatable boats and observe representatives of local flora and fauna, including penguins, whales, elephant seals and leopards.

Location

Ushuaia, Argentina

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Amazing fauna

You will be able to meet majestic whales, elephant seals and cute penguins along the way.

Fascinating landings and excursions

Take part in Zodiac tours that will allow you to watch sea leopards sunbathing on an ice floe after hunting.

A keepsake card

Get the opportunity to send your loved ones a postcard from the southernmost post office in the world in Port Lockroy

Incredible atmosphere

Take part in the events organized by the expedition team on board to experience the indescribable emotions again.

Floating Mountains

Admire the grandeur and beauty of the huge icebergs

Flexible route

Take the optimal course to feel the spirit of the great expeditions

Itinerary

Day 1 - Ushuaia. Accommodation on the ship
In the afternoon, boarding your expedition vessel.
Getting to know the crew and expedition personnel on board.
Your guides will inform you about all the details of your trip to Antarctica on board the ship.
It is better to arrive for this cruise on the eve of 16.11, since early in the morning on 17.11 from 8:30 to 11:00 you will need to check in your luggage at a certain pick-up point.
Day 2 - Drake Strait
If there is one place, one sea, one sea passage that tourists, explorers, and seasoned sailors fear, it is undoubtedly the Drake Strait.
Experienced sailors will tell you that you have to pass it to earn a meeting with the White Continent.

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Day 3 - Drake Strait
The Drake Strait harbors a very diverse fauna, but do not forget to look up at the sky so as not to miss the appearance of elegant albatrosses and Cape doves playfully hovering near the ship.
Day 4 - Antarctic Peninsula
The flexible route will allow us to make the best use of the weather and ice conditions: the captain and the expedition leader will choose the optimal course every day.
During the cruise, we will have the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places on the peninsula, Neko Bay, where mountains, ice and wildlife form a truly unique landscape.
Disembark on the island of Pleno, which is a haven for subantarctic penguins, elephant seals and sea leopards, and where a fleet of impressive icebergs is anchored along the coast.
While disembarking at Paradise Bay, you will visit the Argentine base Almirante Brown.
And, of course, don't miss the chance to send your loved ones a postcard from the southernmost post office in the world to Port Lacroy.
Daily Zodiac tours will allow you to watch sea leopards sunbathing on an ice floe after hunting, walk next to icebergs and stop near penguin colonies.

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Day 5 - Antarctic Peninsula
The flexible route will allow us to make the best use of the weather and ice conditions: the captain and the expedition leader will choose the optimal course every day.

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Day 6 - Antarctic Peninsula
The flexible route will allow us to make the best use of the weather and ice conditions: the captain and the expedition leader will choose the optimal course every day.

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Day 7 - Antarctic Peninsula
The flexible route will allow us to make the best use of the weather and ice conditions: the captain and the expedition leader will choose the optimal course every day.

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Day 8 - South Shetland Islands
The volcanic islands of the South Shetland Islands are windswept and often shrouded in fog, but they offer exquisite pleasures.
There is a diverse flora (mosses, lichens, flowering grasses) and a considerable number of fauna (Gentoo penguins, hissing penguins, southern giant petrels).
On Deception Island, the ship passes through the "Bellows of Neptune" and plunges into a flooded caldera.
Here you will find an abandoned whaling station and thousands of Cape petrels, as well as kelp, brown and South Polar skuas and Antarctic terns.
It is possible to make a good hike in this fascinating and desolate volcanic landscape.
Alternatively, you can enjoy outdoor activities near Half Moon Island.
Here, hissing penguins and Weddell seals often come to the beach near the Camara Base, an Argentine scientific research station.
The conditions in the Drake Passage determine the exact time of departure.

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Day 9 - Drake Strait
Our ship is heading for Ushuaia.
But the adventures don't end there.: We continue to observe whales and seabirds.
Day 10 - Drake Strait. Activities on board
The events organized by the expedition team on board help us relive our entire journey.

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Day 11 - Ushuaia. Departure
After breakfast, we will go ashore in Ushuaia.
Departure can be scheduled after 12:00.
The description of this route is the general plan of the expedition.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Cabin on the boat

10 nights

Comfort

Premium

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The tour provides accommodation for 10 nights on the Hondius expedition vessel.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation on the expedition vessel:

Cabin category	Cost per person
Four-seater with porthole	€7,050 (women's place)
Triple room with porthole	Out of stock
Double room with porthole	Out of stock
Double room with window	Out of stock
Deluxe suite with window	Out of stock
Superior	€10 550
Junior Suite	€11 150
Grand Suite with Balcony	€12 650

Prices are dynamic. Check the availability of seats and the price at the time of booking with the manager.

Hondius is the world's first registered Polar Class 6 vessel, meeting Lloyd's Register's latest highest standards for ice—reinforced cruise ships.

Exceeding the requirements of the Polar Code approved by the International Maritime Organization, Hondius is the most versatile, modern and innovative tourist vessel for the polar regions.

It is fully optimized for expedition cruises and is designed to provide the closest possible contact with the nature of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Hondius has a rich infrastructure and numerous amenities that will make your cruise unforgettable, and is also the most environmentally friendly vessel in the polar seas.

By choosing Hondius, you can be confident about the safety of the environment. The ship uses LED lighting, steam heating, biodegradable paints and oils, as well as a modern energy-saving system that minimizes fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

This means that on board Hondius you will get maximum pleasure from observing exotic landscapes and nature, minimally affecting them.

The public areas are designed in an elegant style and have all the amenities. There is a cozy lounge area and library on board, a separate lecture hall, and a spacious restaurant with large windows.

The crew is international and consists of 72 people (including maintenance personnel, members of the expedition team and a doctor).

Technical specifications:

The length is 107.6 m.
The width is 17.6 m.
The draft is 5.30 m.
The tonnage is 5,590 tons.
The speed is 15 knots.
The crew consists of 72 people.
Passengers — 174 people.
Ice class — 6 (1A-Super).
The year of construction is 2019.
The flag is the Netherlands.

All cabins have:

shower, toilet;
table and chair;
fan;
wardrobe;
flat-screen TV;
telephone and Wi-fi (extra charge).

Distinctive characteristics of the cabins:

Four—person (up to 4 passengers per cabin) - 2 portholes, 2 upper and 2 lower berths, a small sofa.
Triple room (with a capacity of up to 3 passengers per cabin) — 2 portholes, 1 upper and 2 lower berths.
Double room with porthole (capacity for up to 2 passengers in the cabin) — 2 portholes, 2 lower berths, a small sofa.
Double room with window (capacity for up to 2 passengers in the cabin) — window, 2 lower berths, small sofa.
Deluxe (up to 2 passengers per cabin) — 2 windows, 2 lower berths, sofa, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe.
Superior (up to 2 passengers per cabin) — 2 windows, double bed, sofa, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe.
Junior Suite (up to 2 passengers per cabin) — double window, double bed, sofa, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe.
Grand Suite (up to 2 passengers per cabin) — double window, balcony, double bed, sofa, refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, bathrobe.

The order of photos of cabins corresponds to the order of description of cabins.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 172 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Group meets at

Ushuaia, Argentina

Included in price

cruise on board the specified vessel, as indicated in the itinerary;
all meals throughout the trip on board the ship, including snacks, coffee and tea;
all shore excursions and activities while following the zodiac;
the program of lectures by famous naturalists and the support of experienced members of the expedition team;
free use of rubber boots and snowshoes;
baggage transfer from the collection point to the ship on the day of boarding the ship in Ushuaia;
scheduled group transfer from the ship to Ushuaia Airport (immediately after disembarkation);
all the various service taxes and port charges throughout the program;
comprehensive materials before departure.

Paid extra

any air tickets, both on regular and charter flights to Ushuaia and back;
pre- and post-cruise events;
passport and visa expenses;
State taxes on arrival and departure;
baggage insurance, cancellation and personal insurance (highly recommended);
charges for excess baggage and all personal items such as laundry, bar, drinks and telecommunication services;
tips (approximately 12 euros per day per person).

It's important to know

The main factor when choosing clothes on board a ship is convenience. Clothing can be casual or informal. Take windproof and waterproof outerwear with you.

Do not take tight clothes with you that do not leave room for the air layer, which is an excellent insulator. Wool, silk, and some modern synthetic fibers, such as polar fleece, retain heat better than cotton.

Some tips to help you feel comfortable during an expedition cruise:

Do not dress too warmly to avoid sweating.;
Wear waterproof clothing made of a material that will allow your body to "breathe" and thus prevent moisture from condensing under your clothes.;
the legs and arms are most susceptible to cooling. Try to keep them dry and warm. Mittens are best suited for the northern climate.;
A wise decision would be to take mittens and gloves to be prepared for weather changes.;
A person loses 90% of his heat when cooling his head! Make sure your head is warm. Along with a headdress covering your ears and forehead, bring a hat or hood that can cover your neck and chin if necessary.;
It's a great idea to take a wool or synthetic scarf: to protect your neck, it can be tied over your face if you have to move against the wind.;
wear comfortable, spacious clothes. It's better to wear a few light clothes than one warm one. A thin layer of air will remain between the layers of clothing, which, when the body temperature rises, serves as an excellent insulator.;
wool and silk are preferable to cotton, because they retain warm air well. Synthetic materials that take on their shape again after compression are also good. If things get wet or damp, a polystyrene lining is a better insulator than goose or duck down.;
We recommend fleece clothing, which is popular even among extreme travelers.

The dress code

Casual Wear:

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothes on board during the day. Since the entire vessel is air-conditioned, a jumper, light jacket or shawl may be required. When you are in public places and on deck, it is best to wear light, comfortable shoes.

Informal evening

In the evening, smart casual clothes are recommended, especially during dinner in a restaurant where it is not allowed to wear shorts and T-shirts.

For women: dress, skirt or trousers, shirt or blouse, jumper.

For men: trousers or chinos, sports jacket, shirt and jumper.

Check if you have taken everything.:

You will be given a polar jacket on board;
You will be provided with pezine boots on board;
warm underwear;
warm trousers (jeans are suitable for wearing on board and for excursions);
waterproof trousers for boating and land walks (wear them over your regular trousers);
a wool sweater or a fleece jacket;
mittens and gloves;
a woolen hat;
warm socks;
comfortable moisture-resistant boots with ribbed soles;
sneakers or boots. It is forbidden to wear flip-flops on board.
safety;
waterproof backpack for drop-offs;
sunglasses with UV protection;
face and lip protection cream;
bathing suit;
camera and memory cards;
An extra pair of your optical glasses;
medical supplies prescribed by a doctor with a margin for several additional
days;
plastic bag with zipper or camera clip;
several T-shirts to wear on board and on landings;
binoculars for observing wild animals;
battery pack;
a notebook and a pen.

Dates and Prices

from
$7,965

17 – 27 Nov 11 days 10 nights

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