Antarctica has produced more than its fair share of heroes. It is a land that has consistently challenged and inspired men of extraordinary character to deeds requiring extreme courage. The expeditions of Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Ross, Byrd and many others are a shining example of honour, strength and perseverance which today still inspire us and it will be a privilege to explore these same waters aboard the all-suite MS Island Sky in the company of just 100 fellow travellers.
Our expedition combines the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula with magnificent South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Even today after many decades of exploration, Antarctica still remains a world apart, a majestic last frontier surpassing even the most jaded of travellers’ expectations. It is hard to put into words the scenic grandeur of Antarctica. This most southern of continents, this desert of ice, is so unique and uncommon to man’s experience, that even the most dramatic of photographs pale into insignificance when one is confronted by the sheer magnitude, beauty and wonder of an Antarctic landscape. Enormous icebergs rise from the sea, hillsides are covered with thousands of penguins and seals bask on icebergs dotted in the ocean; the sights, sounds and emotions will stay with you forever.
Our adventure begins in the Antarctic peninsula and with six days here we will have ample time to discover the icy wonders and wonderful array of wildlife. We continue to South Georgia where you will experience one of the world’s natural wonders, the ‘Alps in mid-ocean’, offering remarkable concentrations of wildlife against a backdrop of glaciers and snow covered mountains. Hugging the coast to the wildest reaches of the island we will land on beaches alive with rampaging fur seals, somnolent elephant seals and truly astonishing numbers of King penguins. We have four days of exploration in this unique animal paradise and using the Zodiacs there will be landings each day allowing you the optimum time ashore to experience this rich animal kingdom. The final days of our expedition will be spent in the Falkland Islands, a truly enchanting place with a unique character and staggering wildlife. This is the last sanctuary of the elegant albatross which soars graciously against the blue sky, with colonies of elephant seals basking at the foot of vertiginous cliffs.
- Antarctic Peninsula Exploration: Navigate icy waters to witness towering glaciers, massive icebergs, and diverse wildlife like penguins and leopard seals via Zodiac landings.
- South Georgia’s Wildlife Oasis: Encounter vast colonies of king penguins, elephant seals, and nesting albatrosses amidst snow-capped peaks and historic sites like Shackleton’s grave.
- Falkland Islands’ Penguin Havens: Explore isolated shores hosting gentoo and rockhopper penguins, plus black-browed albatrosses, with a visit to the charming capital, Stanley.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Fly by scheduled flight.
Arrive and transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. This afternoon is free to relax in the hotel or maybe join an orientation tour of the city including the Plaza de Mayo, the Cathedral and the Cabildo (Old City Hall) before we continue towards the most traditional neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, San Telmo which is characterised by its old colonial houses and the cobblestoned streets. Our tour will end in La Boca to look around the colourful zinc houses which used to be the refuge and home for the first immigrants and popular artists. The evening is free for independent exploration.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Ushuaia. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky and embark. This evening we will cruise down the Beagle Channel.
Our voyage begins with two leisurely days on board. Attend some lectures, look for wildlife or simply relax as we make our way across the Drake Passage towards Antarctica. Named after the 16th century English seaman, Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage separates the southernmost tip of South America from Antarctica. This is a particularly good area to spot many species of seabirds including the royal albatross, cape petrel, Antarctic prion and we will also be on the lookout for whales.
We have six days of exploration around the Peninsula which will include many of the best places to see the vast biodiversity of Antarctic species and iconic icy environments from glaciers to enormous tabular icebergs. Whilst we arrive with a planned itinerary the final schedule will be determined by our Captain and the Expedition Leader based on sea, weather and ice conditions. Using our Zodiacs we hope to make daily landings with the opportunity to see gentoo, chinstrap and possibly Adelie penguins, as well as elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals, crabeater seals, Weddell seals and hopefully the iconic predator leopard seals. We may visit the collapsed volcanic cone of Deception Island for a chance to visit Whalers Bay, Half Moon Island with its rookery of chinstrap penguins, the glaciers of Cierva Cove, see the leopard seals at Pleneau Island and the stunning mountain lined Neumayer Channel. We have requested permission to visit a working Antarctic research station and hopefully send off a postcard from the UK base of Port Lockroy. We also hope to sail through the breathtaking Antarctic Sound, known as ‘iceberg alley’, where massive icebergs drift north from the continent.
The waters between the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia are rich with fin whales, where in good conditions we have seen dozens in a day. If not whale watching, lookout for Antarctic petrel and one of the most beautiful birds of the Southern Ocean, the snow petrel. The icebergs will also be plentiful. During our time at sea you can join the lecture programme to learn more about the wildlife and history of the region.
We have four days of expedition cruising in and around South Georgia, a paradise island with snow-clad mountain peaks rising 9000 feet and with 165 glaciers tumbling down towards the sea. We arrive in the middle of the season when parts of the island will still be covered by a thin layer of snow. For anyone interested in wildlife, South Georgia is a true oasis. The beaches will be covered by elephant seal bulls and females with weaning pups. They share the beach with a myriad of nesting king penguins. Most of the other seabirds will have arrived and begun nesting whilst thousands of Antarctic fur seals return to the beaches to breed. During our time here we hope to visit Salisbury Plain where we will find enormous elephant seals which crowd the beaches alongside thousands of pairs of king penguins. The colony has had an extraordinary population increase over the last century as only 350 breeding pairs were counted at this site in 1912. In Fortuna Bay we hope to see nesting light mantled sooty albatrosses, whilst in Grytviken we will visit the old whaling station and of course pay our respect at the grave of ‘the boss’ – Ernest Shackleton.
As we cruise towards the Falkland Islands the richness of these waters will be evident in the marine mammal life, especially the fur seals on fishing forays. We will have a good chance of spotting whales such as fins and humpback whilst the birds circling our stern will be outstanding, especially the large albatrosses and numerous breeds of petrels. Days 20 to 22 Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands are isolated and windswept, a haven for wildlife. During our three days exploring we hope to include stops at Grave Cove, home to the largest colony of gentoo penguins in the Falkland Islands and see the rockhopper penguin colony and blackbrowed albatross on West Point Island. We will use our Zodiacs to find a suitable location to land and take walks ashore for a closer look with our expedition team. We also plan to call at Stanley, the charming capital of the Falkland Islands, and discover some of the many historic sites on the island.
During our final day at sea, our lecture programme will continue in the lounge whilst our naturalists continue to spot wildlife as we return to Ushuaia.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free for independent arrangements.
After breakfast in the hotel we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Arrive this morning.
Please note that flexibility is key to a successful expedition in Antarctica. Although we have outlined an itinerary below, this is only a preliminary plan, our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and the wildlife we encounter.
Island Sky
| Length: | 90 Metres |
|---|---|
| Built/Refurbished: | 1992/2018 |
With a maximum passenger capacity of only 116, a vessel of her size is capable of carrying many more but instead the MS Island Sky has the benefit of unusually large suites, luxuriously appointed public areas and spacious outside decks.
There is a high ratio of crew to passengers- the friendly crew of 75 crew and Scandinavian captains are experienced mariners, having been in service aboard large 2000 plus passenger vessels and who now prefer a less frantic life aboard a small ship. If, like them and us, you prefer a more peaceful life at sea, you will find the MS Island Sky the perfect ship. When choosing the vessel for your next voyage of discovery, you can select a ship with endless entertainment and impersonal service or come with us where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. The atmosphere on board is more akin to a private yacht or country hotel. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, guest speakers, informative port briefings from our cruise director and of course good food which may be enjoyed leisurely in the attractive dining room. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of a well run and exceedingly comfortable ship.
Your SuiteOnboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass, which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring marble-topped vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a mini-fridge, flat screen television with inbuilt DVD player which can also play CDs and a telephone in each suite. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Other facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. The suites on each deck have their own colour theme. Soft hues and blended tones enhance the traditional maritime style making the passenger accommodation an inviting and relaxing place to be.
Your SpaceThe spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. The onboard library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. There is also WI-FI access throughout the vessel. Outside there is a rear sun deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade, a bar and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. On the top deck there is a Jacuzzi and further observation and sun deck. There is also a small hairdressers on board with appointments made on request.
Your DiningAnother benefit of a small ship is the quality of the cuisine. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the galley is able to provide delicious meals. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, the chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus.
