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| CLASSIC ANTARCTICA ON THE MV USHUAIA |
| This is a classic trip sailing the cold Antarctic waters on an expedition ship |
This is one of the most traditional trips to Antarctica on board the MV Ushuaia, visiting the most important attraction in the Antarctic Peninsula within a kind and professional environment accompanied by Spanish-English-spoken guides, rarely seen on other ships. This is our clients' choice because the program and the travel program are clearly and coherently planned, always following the itinerary scheduled when prevailing weather conditions in Antarctica are favorable. |
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Leaving from the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Embarking in the afternoon; we will meet the expedition team. We will start our trip to Antarctica sailing along the famous Beagle Channel, crossing the Mackinlay Passage. |
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Crossing the Drake Passage
This passage is named for the Explorer Sir Frances Drake, who sailed it in 1578. The Drake Passage is the frame of the Antarctic Convergence, a natural limit between the cold polar waters which run under the northern warmest waters.
This produces a great deal of nutrients, which serve as support to the biodiversity in this Antarctic region. The Drake Passage is also the northern limit of many Antarctic seabirds such as the Albatross, our companion during our trip to Antarctica.
At the first sight of ice floes and snowy mountains, we will come closer to the South Shetland Islands. This is an archipelago formed by 20 islands and inlets discovered at the beginning of the 19th century by Captain William Smith, in command of his brig Williams. Weather permitting while passing the Drake Passage on the third day of our trip, we will disembark to see penguins and seals closely.
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Discovering the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula
In these days we will visit the South Shetland Islands with diverse wildlife. We will see penguin rookeries and also beaches rich in Antarctic seals and southern elephant seals. We will sail the narrow passage to the flooded volcanic crater in Deception Island to go deep in the warm waters of Pendulum Cove enjoying an unprecedented spectacle.
King George Island is the biggest one in the South Shetland Islands and is rich in rookeries of Adelie and chinstrap penguins, cook seagulls, imperial cormorants, Antarctic terns and southern giant petrels. There are scientific stations from different countries here. In Livingston Island we will find chip strap penguins, macaroni penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals.
We will visit the Antarctic Peninsula and explore its enigmatic landscape, formed by a pristine desert of snow, ice, mountains and water flows, and diverse wildlife. We will see not only penguins and seabirds, but also have the opportunity of watching Weddell crab-eating seals, and hunchback whales and killer whales.
If ice conditions are favorable, we will sail some of the most beautiful channels: Gerlache Strait, Neumayer Channel and Lemaire Channel; these are narrow passages hidden among spectacular rocks and glaciers.
We will have the opportunity to visit Paradise Bay, which is a paradise indeed. After crossing the waters of the Antarctic Strait covered with icebergs, we will head for the active Adelie penguin's rookeries, one of the biggest colonies in Antarctica with more than 100,000 imperial cormorant chicks and colonies in Paulet Island.
In 1903, the Nordenskjöld expedition built a stone refuge in Paulet Island; this ruin has been occupied by the eggs laid by penguins. We will also have the opportunity to see Melchior Islands, Cuverville Island, Punta Portal, Neko Harbour, Pléneau Island, and if ice conditions are favorable, we will visit Petermann Island to see the southernmost rookery of the gentoo penguin.
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Crossing the Drake Passage
These are the last days of our trip to Antarctica; on our way back, we will say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula and move northwards to cross the Drake Passage to arrive at the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. The last presentations will be given, and, on deck, we will have the opportunity to see seabirds and whales. |
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Arriving at Ushuaia Port
We will arrive at Ushuaia very early in the morning; after breakfast we will disembark and so end our fantastic cruise to Antarctica.
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Departures & Rates 2009-2010
MV USHUAIA
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Departures & Rates 2010-2011
MV-USHUAIA |
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The research vessel "Ushuaia", former "Researcher" and Malcolm Baldrige", was built as an oceanographic research vessel for the NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), a United States of America government agency. http://www.noaa.gov/ The NOAA operated the vessel for more than 20 years, performing during that period many of the most important NOAA oceanographic research operations.
NOAA Ship Commissioning Ceremony
After the NOAA period, the vessel was acquired by Ushuaia Adventure Corp, changing her name to "Ushuaia" and reorienting her to private oceanographic and antarctic research and logistic operations. The vessel was upgraded on navigation and communication equipment, and cabins and rooms were refurbished.
Safety Equipment
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.
The research vessel "Ushuaia", former "Researcher" and Malcolm Baldrige", was built as an oceanographic research vessel for the NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration), a United States of America government agency. http://www.noaa.gov/ The NOAA operated the vessel for more than 20 years, performing during that period many of the most important NOAA oceanographic research operations.
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
Navigation & Communication
.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
Cabins
M/V Ushuaia has 35 cabins. Cabins are classified in 4 categories depending on location in the ship: A, AA,B y C. All cabins and suites were renewed in 2002.
SUITE : The best view on board. Two beds. Desk. Carpet. Telephone. Cupboard. Private Bathroom with inox steel shower. Heating. A Cabins: Two beds. Desk. Carpet. Telephone. Cupboard. Private Bathroom with inox steel shower. Heating. AA Cabins: Two beds. Desk. Carpet. Telephone. Cupboard. Semi private Bathroom with inox steel shower. Heating. B Cabins: Two beds. Desk. Carpet. Telephone. Cupboard. Semi private Bathroom with inox steel shower. Heating. C Cabins:Two beds. Desk. Carpet. Telephone. Cupboard. Semi private Bathroom with inox steel shower. Heating. |
Note
This itinerary is just for reference. The navigation route may be modified according to ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife; so bear in mind that the itinerary is changeable. The changes established by the Captain and Expedition Leader are exclusively in order to improve and optimize the experience affected by the weather conditions.
The company reserves the right to cancel any of the trips before departure under any obligation, in which case payments made by passengers will be refunded to them.
Rates
In the brochure passengers will find the rates per person, in American dollars, and based on shared cabins. Double cabins (except suites) may be occupied by one person (single base) paying an additional fee of 50 percent of the total price per person for double cabins. But in order to occupy single-based suites, passengers should pay an additional fee of 100 percent. Two of the suites have a third bed, which can be booked paying 50 percent of the price per person for double suites. We recommend consulting about availability of cabins to be shared by passengers traveling alone.
All rates are subject to change, and the transport company reserves the right to modify the released prices without notice.
Rates include:
Journey and accommodation on the cruise MV USHUAIA according to the program specifications. All meals during the expedition travel. All excursions on the Zodiac and landings, apart from the activities planned during the journey. Lectures given by important naturalists and qualified members of the crew. Taxes and port rates through the itinerary. Informative material given before departure. Detailed logbook.
Rates do not include:
Any air ticket, whether regular or charter flights, any kind of services before or after the planned program, transfers from and to the ship, visa and passport expenses, government arrival and departure taxes, on shore meals, personal luggage insurance, travel cancellation charges (we recommend hiring a travel cancelation insurance), charges related to the excess luggage and all charges due to personal matters such as cafeteria, telecommunications, or tips at the end of the trip (the recommendations will be delivered).
Deposit and Pending Amount
We require a deposit of 30 percent of the total price per person for the cabin chosen in order to confirm the reservation for the trip. The pending amount should be paid 90 days before departure date.
Cancellations
Cancellations should be notified in writing. The cancellations notified 90 days before departure will be refunded almost completely, excluding US$600 per person as administrative operational charges. The cancellations requested within 89 days from the departure scheduled, including the departure day, will not be refunded. If the total payment for the trip is not made within 89 days, the cancellation penalty will be applicable and the amount must be immediately paid. We recommend hiring a cancellation insurance to avoid this loss of money. The transport company reserves the right to cancel any of the trips before departure under any obligation, in which case the payments made by passengers up to that moment will be refunded to them.
Hiring a Travel Cancellation Insurance
We recommend hiring an insurance covering sanitary evacuation and repatriation, and trip cancellation. The shipping company is not held responsible for any injury or accident occurred to the passengers, or loss or damage related to their belongings. In case of health problems in the course of the trip, resulting in evacuation charges and use of airships, or repatriation, these services will be charged to the passenger involved.
Cruise Contract
The passenger should sign a cruise contract, acknowledging all the terms and conditions related to the program of the trip to be taken. In receiving the cruise voucher, the passenger agrees to all the terms and conditions related to the trip to be taken.
Embarking and Disembarking (Check-in & Check-Out)
The passenger will take care of in and out transfers. The embarking time is 4pm of your day of departure to Antarctica. We recommend arriving at Ushuaia a day earlier to have extra time in case of delays or reschedules of flights and/or loss of luggage on the arrival day. Please, bear in mind that the ship will set sail at 6pm and will not be delayed for any reasons related to passenger's delays.
Check-in at Ushuaia Port
The Ushuaia Port is located at Maipú Avenue. Take Lasserre Street to get there. This is 15 minutes from the airport, under normal traffic conditions. The port opens at 3:30pm and the embarkation is half an hour afterwards (4pm). The documents that passengers should have are passport or ID, and the voucher with the cruise details. In case they lost the latter, passengers should contact the office in Gobernador Paz Av 633 floor 1° or call at +54(2901)433636/436747.
When passengers enter the port, their luggage will be scanned and once they have done the check-in on board the MV USHUAIA, they cannot get off, unless they desist from traveling for personal reasons. The check-out (disembarking) is done between 8 and 8:30am; the ship arrives at approximately 7am.
How to Communicate on board the MV USHUAIA
Communication with the ship is not stable; it depends on the satellite coverage and the local weather conditions. Ship communication might be affected beyond 70-74 degrees southwards (depending on the local conditions). The MV Ushuaia is equipped to send and receive email, fax and/or telex.
How to Contact the Ship
The e-mail address to contact the MV USHUAIA is ushuaia@skyfile.com.
If passengers want to use the e-mail service, we recommend sending e-mails without attachments so as not to delay the service and make it more expensive.
By Phone, fax or telex:
Phone/Fax: International Dial Code + appropriate CRO + 335 491 610 or 611
Fax: International Dial Code + appropriate CRO + 335 491 612
Telex: International Dial Code + appropriate CRO +354916000
Children on the MV USHUAIA
Parents are responsible for taking care of their children, both on and off the ship. Parents should check that their children are always under supervision; children are allowed to run along indoor and outdoor deck. Little children should wear a harness when in outdoor decks and be always accompanied by one of their parents.
Children should wear a special life jacket to get on the Zodiacs. For each landing the Captain will decide if children can get off the ship or not, taking into account the prevailing landing conditions. Safety is always the priority.
The ship does not have facilities for children. We do not provide children with toys, children's book, etc., so we recommend parents that in case this is necessary kids should bring their own toys. Parents should bring the necessary medication, especially sea sickness medication, since the MV USHUAIA does not carry children's medicine.
Children do not get special discounts on the cabins rates.
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