It’s not too late to fulfil that life’s dream to see Antarctica.
Cruise Weekly has tracked down operators with availability this season,
and some are offering special deals for Australians (conditions apply;
all fares twin-share).
Scenic Tours
With a group of fellow Australians and a tour director, cruise the Drake
Passage to the South Shetland Islands and Memaire Channel on Le
Boreal. The 30-day package starts with a land tour of Rio de Janeiro,
Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls and ends with time in Lima, Cuzco and
Machu Picchu. Bookings made by 31 October 2012 include free flights
for the second person travelling. Pricing on this South American
Antarctic Adventure starts at $26,815pp (ex Sydney) and also includes
airport transfers and tipping.
Details: 1300 723 642, scenictours.com.au.
Orion Expedition Cruises
Orion is offering 15% off two 18-night Mawson’s Antarctica/
Commonwealth Bay voyages. Fares have been reduced to $26,710pp
for junior suites, $34,915pp for balcony suites and $40,555pp for the
owners suite. The 20 December 2012 departure is roundtrip from Bluff,
New Zealand; the 7 January 2013 trip departs from Bluff and returns to
Hobart. Details: 1300 361 012, orionexpeditions.com.
Silversea Expeditions’ Silver Explorer
Explore the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula on
a 17-day voyage departing 16 November. Two remaining suites are
priced from US$17,599pp. On a 10-day Antarctic Peninsula cruise,
departing 3 December, suites start at US$15,899pp.
Three remaining suites on the 13 December departure start at
US$13,399pp. Details: 1300 306 872, silversea.com.
Active Travel
The Australian office for One Ocean Expeditions reports limited
availability on f ive sailings, including ‘Off the Beaten Track’, which
offers overnight kayaking, camping, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Prices start at $US6,290pp for 12 nights, departing 8
November. An 18-night Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica
voyage (20 November) is priced from $US10,990pp; and a 10-night
Antarctic Peninsula Adventure (8 December) is priced from
$US5,990pp. The 13-night Footsteps of Rymill (18 February) starts at
$US8,990. Two departures of the 10-night Marine Mammals of
Antarctica (6 and 16 March) are priced from $US5,990.
Details: 1300 783 188, activetravel.com.
Aurora Expeditions
Springtime Antarctic Peninsula voyages aboard Polar Pioneer are now
20% off. Fares for the 26 November, 6 December and 14 December
departures start at US$5,095pp. Shackleton’s Crossing of South
Georgia and Weddell Sea, departing 5 March 2013, is priced from
US$11,550pp. Details: (02) 9252 1033, auroraexpeditions.com.au.
Quark Expeditions
For all 2012-13 departures on Sea Spirit, save $5,000 per couple on the
Owner Suite and $1,500-$2,000pp on other suites.
On Ocean Diamond and Cl ipper Adventurer, save $1,500-$2,000pp on
selected suites and single cabins.
Details: (02) 8015 5028, quarkexpeditions.com.
Fly with LAN
Antarctic cruises (except Orion) sail roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina.
LAN Airlines offers six one-stop flights per week from Sydney to
Santiago, via Auckland, with connections to Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
