
Title: | Weddell Sea - In search of the Emperor Penguin incl. helicopters |
Dates: | |
Tripcode: | OTL22-21 |
Duration: | 10 nights |
Ship: | m/v Ortelius |
Embarkation: | Ushuaia |
Disembarkation: | Ushuaia |
Language: | English speaking voyage |
More about: |
Antarctica cruises Antarctic Peninsula cruises South Shetland Islands cruises Weddell Sea cruises |
PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice and weather conditions and in order to take advantage of opportunities to see wildlife. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary. Itineraries may mention places that require permission to land, which must be granted by the relevant national authorities. Such permission is not granted prior to the publishing of these itineraries. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Average cruising speed of m/v Ortelius is 10,5 knots. If ice conditions are favorable and the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice, you have the chance for ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to Snow Hill Island (roughly 45 minutes walking distance from the emperor penguin rookery). If successful, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But please remember that nature writes the final itinerary out here: Attempts to reach Snow Hill Island during the voyages of 2012 – 17 did not always succeed. In 2013 and November 2017 and November 2018 conditions were favorable to land by helicopter on Snow Hill Island and to visit the emperor penguin rookery.
A true expedition, our Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island. We will visit the area via helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adélies and Gentoos.
Experience the bird’s-eye-view of Antarctica: -
Experience the bird’s-eye-view of Antarctica! Our helicopter capability on m/v Ortelius gives you the rare chance to see the famed emperor penguin rookery south of Snow Hill Island, numbering around 4,000 breeding pairs. Heavy ice may prevent entrance to this area from the Weddell Sea, and ice at the rookery itself might break up and start to melt earlier than expected. With this in mind, the aim is to stop the vessel between the Antarctic Sound and James Clark Ross Island, close to the ice edge, and find emperor penguins on their way to open water. The thrilling helicopter flights make this search possible, enabling you to land in locations otherwise inaccessible this early in the season.
If ice conditions are favorable and the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice, you have the chance for ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to Snow Hill Island (roughly 45 minutes walking distance from the emperor penguin rookery). If successful, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But please remember that nature writes the final itinerary out here: Attempts to reach Snow Hill Island during the voyages of 2012 – 19 did not always succeed. However, in 2013 and three years in a row (2017 – 2019) conditions were favorable to land by helicopter on Snow Hill Island and to visit the emperor penguin rookery.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Day 2 - 3: Path of the polar explorers
Day 4 - 7: Entering Antarctica
Day 8: Drake via Deception Island
Day 9 - 10: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Day 11: There and back again
Day 5 - 6: (Alternate program if the route to Snow Hill Island is free of multi-year pack ice – less than 50 % probability)
Video
Highlights you might experience
m/v Ortelius
Fortified for both poles of the planet, the ice-strengthened Ortelius is thoroughly outfitted to provide you an up-close experience of the Arctic and Antarctic. Full ship info »
Cabins & Prices
Quadruple Porthole

- 2 portholes
- 2 upper / lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Triple Porthole

- 2 portholes
- 1 upper / lower berth + 1 single lower berth
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Porthole

- 2 portholes
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Window

- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Twin Deluxe

- 3 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Small sofa
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).
Share your cabin with others for the best price
Superior

- 2 windows (minimum)
- 1 double bed
- 1 single (sofa) bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).