We take one of the most traditional voyages of the Antarctic on board the MV Ushuaia, visiting one of the most beautiful places: the Antarctic Peninsula. It is the part most accessible of the white continent found on the west of Antarctica between the Bellingshausen Sea and the Weddell Sea. We share this voyage with an excellent team of professionals and bilingual (Spanish and English) guides whose responsibility it is to make our voyage a unique and wonderful experience. The Antarctic is one of the oldest and surprising places of the planet and the least explored by man. It was the last continent to be discovered and is the most elevated of them all. In the Antarctica we observe an incredibly wild existence, from the colonies of penguins, the distinctive sea birds, the sea lions, walruses and, of course the whales, accompanied by a mountainous landscape, ice canals, icebergs in the form of tables and shaped by mother nature, together with innumerable glaciers. It is a unique and unrepeatable voyage.

About 80% of the world's fresh water is contained in the Antarctica.
From 1960 it has received tourism from all parts of the world. It is effectively a destination chosen for the mystery and charm that envelops the place. It is one of the cruises to the Antarctic most selected by our clients and this is because of the clarity of the program and also the coherence to the stipulated routes depending of course when the prevailing climate permits it.

What clothes are necessary to take on the expedition?
Our advice to you is to use casual clothes that are comfortable for the excursions organized on land. We offer a pair of rubber boots. If you use a special fit then bring your own boots. We offer a rental service for specific clothing.

List of clothes and accessories to take with you
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers (they need to be thermal)
Common 35 cm high rubber boots, with non slip soles. They need to go up to your knees. Do not bring leather boots nor snow boots
Waterproof Parka jacket with hood
Waterproof gloves Cap with scarf to protect the face against the wind Sweaters, no more than two. A light one to use on board and a warmer one for going outside
T-Shirt or Polar fleece, these are excellent to keep the cold out. It is better to use woolen, silk or synthetic material clothes rather than cotton ones. They should be large.
Woolen socks.
Bathing suit to use when we disembark on Deception Island
A pair of rubber soled shoes to wear on board.
Sun cream and lip protector with a minimum of SPF 20.
Anti reflex sun glasses Binoculars Bags with plastic zips that serve to protect your equipment from the water.
Rucksack

What is the climate during the cruise?
The voyages are only during the summer months. The daily temperature normally is between -7º y +10º C. We could have days with a lot of sun but also those with rain, snow, fog or Antarctic winds that diminish the thermal sensation. Please investigate the Antatarctic stations for more information. There could be modifications to the navigational route depending on the prevailing climate or ice.

When is the best time to make the expedition?
The best time is at the last part of spring until the first part of Autumn when the climate is more benign and one can see the Antarctic wildlife in all of its splendour. The expeditions are available between November and March. Each station has its own charm. As the months progress through summer the Antarctic Peninsula changes its appearance showing different landscapes.

Spring until the beginning of the summer: From November until December
At the beginning of the spring the sun helps the production of phytoplankton where there are abundant minerals. Bear in mind that the phytoplankton is the food provider of the great quantities of zooplankton, such as for example the krill. This is the food base for the squid, preces, marine birds, seals, sea lions, elephant seals and the franca austral whale. In this period there is a great expansion of wildlife, between September and November the crab seals give birth, the elephant seals rigorously take care of their young until December. In the middle of November the humpback and franca austral whales arrive to feed. Adding to this there is a veritable orchestra of penguins making their nests and the petrels and cormorants begin hatching at the same time. Thanks to the longer days of December the sun stays far longer and the sea is less frozen allowing better navigation.

Summer: January and February
These are the warmest months of the Antarctic Peninsula and there is great activity of the wildlife. The penguins lay their eggs in January, this occurs before on the South Shetland Islands and to the South of the peninsula. This overwhelming activity of the colonies carries on into February when the young are growing and begin to get together in their nurseries. The young of the sea lions and the leopard seals are usually seen. The best time to spot the whales is in February. The colonies of penguins are at their most active looking for krill to feed their young. In February the regression of the ice permits a better exploration of the more southerly part of the Peninsula and also there is a higher concentration of sea lions with two furs.

Autumn: March
The nights are getting longer because the sun stays more on the southern horizon. The temperatures are still above zero but, apart from that, one begins to feel the cold of the Antarctic winter, especially with the freezing nights. There is a little snow and the trekking in the South Shetland Islands is still extensive and easy. The young penguins are now reaching adolescence. The adult penguins are beginning to change their plumage and the young head for the sea. The ice cover is still receding that makes it possible to explore more south of the Antarctic Peninsula.

There begins to appear green and pink seaweeds over the snow slopes and in the ice chasms. The sighting of the whales continues to be excellent. The same as in the Falkland and the South Georgian Islands, the spring and summer starts before that of the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. For this reason the offspring of the birds and the marine animals are more advanced. The South Georgian Islands are the habitat for innumerable birds and they have a greater cycle of production and it is possible to see the eggs and the young of the King penguins in their colonies from November until March. The spring begins in November in the South Georges whereas in the South Shetlands it is from December making a substantial difference and there is not any sea ice in the Georges.

How many excursions do we make during the expedition?
In general there are two daily excursions on land using the zodiac boats in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. The MV Ushuaia has its own fleet of Zodiacs and RIBs. These boats have a maximum capacity of 12 passengers and they are made with resistant plastic with hermetic compartments. These boats are especially appropriate for getting to the shores thanks to their versatility and maneuverability; also, they have a minimal ecological impact.

Is it posible to download digital photographs?
There exists a computer for the use of the passengers however it is always better to bring your own notebook or netbook and the necessary memory cards.

Advice for taking good photographs

• Use films of 50 ASA or 100 ASA and for negatives, films of 100 ASA or 200 ASA in the Antarctica (100 for the days with a lot of light when the sun is reflecting off the snow, and 200/400 for the cloudy days).
• Always bring double the memory that you think that you will use or bring a downloading device such as a portable rigid disc.
• Bring the necessary batteries and remember that the cold discharges them rapidly. You will need zoom lenses between 28mm and 200mm but obvious if you have one of 500mm it would be ideal for some of the possible photos.
• The lenses recommended are: 20-35 mm, 35-70mm, and 80-200mm.
• Do not use filters (polarisers) because they eliminate the sparkle between the snow and the ice and darken the skies.
• The telephoto lenses are excellent for taking distant pictures of the animals.
• Bring fish eyed (wide angle) lenses.
• The climatical conditions of the Antarctic can affect the cameras and lenses. It is important to protect them from spatterings of salt water, snow or rain and this is a key for good functioning.
• Bring a sealable 'Pelican' case, a waterproof bag or 'dry bags' but do not use light plastic or rubbish bags because these bags very easily get caught by the wind and are in contravention of the Antarctic Treaty.
• A tripod is ideal for taking a better photograph.

What is the electric current on board?
It is 110 volts / 60 Hz and the sockets that are in the cabins are multinorma and function with different adaptors. In the common area there are sockets of 220V-240V that are ideal to use. The sockets are the Argentinean type with and without earth.

How many people on board? And where do they come from?
The maximum passenger capacity is 84 distributed in 41 cabins and suites. The passengers come from many countries with the great majority being North American, Europeans, South Americans, Australian and New Zealanders. The crew is made up of 38 members mostly from Argentina and Chile.

What languages are spoken?
Many languages may be heard on the boat but the crew is bilingual, they speak Spanish and English. There may be the odd crewman that only speaks Spanish. The daily announcements and conferences are held in two languages. On many of the other Antarctic voyages only English is spoken.

What is the average age of the passengers?
In general, around 45 years of age

What physical state do you need to have?
It is fundamental to be in good health and this is from the point of view of participating in the on land excursions and on boat activities. You need to be able to climb and go down sharply inclined ladders to get into the Zodiacs. It is obligatory to fill out a medical form 90 days before sailing. This information is confidential but of course indispensible.

What medical installations are on board?
There is a highly equipped medical room and a ship's doctor. Your health is fundamental. The conventional medical centres are not available on the Antarctic and therefore it is our advice to take out a good medical insurance so that you are covered in case of emergencies and including a possible evacuation.

Does the MV Ushuaia give security to travel?
The number one priority is for the passengers and the crew. This ship complies totally with the international requisites of security. It complies fully with the requirements of SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), with the International Marine Organisation regulations and the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships. The boat also has certificates as a Passenger Boat and Management Code. Without the compliance of all the strict regulations the boat could not be authorized to sail nor have insurance. The MV Ushuaia has the PandI insurance of SHIPOWNERS, contracted in London, and is considered one of the best insurers worldwide.

The navigational route can vary and depends upon the climate and other factors
The itinerary of the described route is only a reference, there is never an exact repeat of a cruise because it depends on the weather and accessibility of some of the regions in respect of the ice. As a consequence, the program varies, but it serves as a guide for the visitor. The boat captain makes any pertinent change and every day sets out the itinerary for that day. The ship's company reserves the right to cancel any of the cruises before sailing and in this case will return all payments without any indemnification.

Price Lists
The described tariffs are per person, in American dollars, and in separate cabins. The double cabins can be sold as single cabins with an increment of 50% of the single cabin price. For the suites that can be occupied by a single person the increase is 100%. Of the available cabin suites there are two that can occupy a third person and can be reserved for an extra 50% of the per person price for a double cabin. For those people that wish to sail alone but wish to share a cabin please consult the company as regards this possibility.

The tariffs can be subject to increases and the ship's company reserves the right to do so without previous notification.

The tariffs include:

• The cruise with selected cabin requirement on board the MV Ushuaia.
• Food.
• Entry into the ObservatioN.
• Room Use of the Conference Room equipped with multimedia facilities, the library and the hospital.
• Excursions in the Zodiac boats and all landings and activities that are made during the Antarctic expedition.
• Conferences by the ship's on board experts on the Antarctic and the environment.
• The port taxes and charges Information material that is at the disposition of the clients.
• Daily diary that includes all of the day's activities

The tariffs do not include:

• Air tickets.
• Services before or after the voyage.
• Transfers In/Out of the boat.
• Costs of visas or passports.
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
• Food outside of the MV Ushuaia.
• Insurance of personal baggage Costs of cancellation.It is advised to take out an insurance for this.
• Baggage excess.
• Personal consumption in the bar, telephone calls, internet, tips. It is recommended to give the tips at the end of the cruise.

Deposit and payment
A deposit of 30% per person for the elected cabin facilities is required at the time of booking with the remainder paid 90 days before sailing. The payments cannot be made by credit card.

Cancellations
Without exception, all notifications have to be made in writing. Bear in mind that the cancellations more than 90 days before sailing will be mostly returned apart from a discount of US$600 per person for all of the operative and administrative costs realised. On the other hand there will not be returns for those cancellations made within 89 days of sailing (without elimination of the day of sailing). In the case that there was not the full payment before the 89 days then the cancellation penalty will be adjusted to the full payment and it has to be paid immediately. We suggest that a cancellation insurance is taken out to prevent the loss of money. Moreover, an important point is that the company can cancel whichever of its voyages before sailing and that the company will return the client payments without indemnification.

Contracting a cancellation insurance
We recommend to contract an insurance that covers medical evacuation and repatriation and cancellation of the voyage. The ship's company does not accept any responsibility in case of a passenger accident, nor in the loss or damage to personal objects. In the case of required medical attention during the cruise and anything that provokes evacuation costs, the use of airplanes or body repatriation etc. all the costs we be the responsibility of the affected passenger. Even if the company is not responsible it is legally responsible and can be exposed to the justice system.

Cruise contract
Every passenger is obliged to sign a cruise contract in which he accepts all of the terms and conditions imposed by the shipping company. When the passenger gives in the cruise voucher he approves all of the terms and conditions. Apart from this contract, the sailing company cannot negate its legal responsibility that it assumes and is vigil in the protection of the passengers during the cruise.

Time of embarkation and disembarkation
The transfer to and from the boat has to be paid for by the passenger and is not covered by the shipping company. The time of embarkation is 16.00 hrs on the day of sailing. It is always recommended to arrive in Ushuaia one day before sailing in order to avoid any possible delays and reprogramming of flights or loss of baggage. It is important to be punctual and the boat begins its voyage at 18.00 hrs and cannot wait under any circumstances for the delays of passengers.

Check-in at the port of Ushuaia
The Port of the City of Ushuaia is situated in the Avenida Maipú but the entry is in the calle Lassere. It is only 15 minutes from the airport assuming normal conditions. The Port entry opens at 15.30 hrs and the embarkation is 30 minutes later at 16.00 hrs. At boarding time you need to have all of the required documentation. Each passenger has to have a passport or DNI together with the voucher containing the cruise details.

In case there is a problem and you have lost your voucher you need to go to the shipping offices in Avenida Gobernador Paz 633 1st Floor or also can call +54(2901)433636/436747. At the port entry all of the baggage is scanned and once the check-in is complete, and you have boarded, it is not possible to disembark except in the case of need for personal reasons. On the last day of the expedition the boat arrives at 7.00 hrs and check-out and disembarkation is between 8 and 8.30 hrs.

How to communicate on board the MV Ushuaia?
The communications are not of the highest quality and can be unstable because they are subject to satellite coverage and the climate conditions. The ship could be staying outside of the satellite range limit of 70-74 degrees South. In the MV Ushuaia it is possible to send and receive email messages, fax and telex, there will be a charge for these services.

How to contact the ship?
The MV USHUAIA has a mailbox:ushuaia@skyfile.com If you want to send emails, you should avoid sending attachments to the services, it´s not as expensive and doesn´t delay.

By telephone, FAX or Telex:
Telephone/FAX International Access Code + Appropriate CRO + 335 491 610 or 611
FAX International Access Code + Appropriate CRO + 335 491 612
Telex International Access Code + Appropriate CRO + 354916000

Child Facilities on board the MV Ushuaia
In reference to the well being of children on the MV Ushuaia, the parents are responsible for taking care of their children on and off board. To be precise the parents are the persons in charge of the supervision of their children. It is not prohibited to run inside and outside of the cabins if there is a responsible person present. For the younger children they need to be accompanied by their parents and wear a harness when on deck. Depending on the climatic conditions it is the Captain who decides whether the children can disembark for land expeditions. Always the security is to the utmost importance. This type of boat does not cater for children and therefore there are not children's toys or books on board. For this reason our advice to the parents is to bring what they believe necessary to occupy them in their free time. Moreover one must not forget all the children's medicines that may be required for the trip. There is no special tariff discount for children.

Air conditioning and heating
There is climate conditioning and each cabin has its own heating

Library
The boat has a library that can be found in cabin F where there are books on the Antarctic for the use of the passengers.