OVERVIEW
Spend an unforgettable festive season on a 17-day cruise to the Antarctic with PONANT. An exceptional polar expedition cruise to discover the most beautiful sites of these southern lands. You will set sail from the fascinating city of Ushuaia, which the Argentinians call El fin del mundo (the end of the world).
First, you will chart a course for the Falkland Islands, whose wild beauty and lush moors are sure to captivate you, before heading to South Georgia, its impressive glaciers and its black-sand beaches where large colonies of king penguins have taken up residence.
You will then sail to the White Continent, realm of the unexpected. Weather and ice conditions permitting, this extreme environment where nature reigns supreme will reveal to you its most beautiful secrets through numerous discoveries.
Gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap penguins, humpback whales, seals and seabirds: these are some of the encounters you will most likely have the chance to experience in the Antarctic Peninsula, creating indelible memories.
Each day, whether on land, aboard your ship or during a Zodiac® outing, you will be surrounded by a grandiose decor ranging from icebergs to ice floe and ancient glaciers.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Outings and shore visits in Zodiac®inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
• Lectures and information sessions hosted by our naturalist-guides, covering wildlife, history, geopolitics, the great explorers, climate, environmental protection…
• Hiking opportunity.
• Visiting research stations and former whaling stations.
• Landscapes: a multitude of drifting icebergs, ice floes, imposing glaciers and tall, snow-covered mountains.
• Wildlife: humpback whales, Gentoo penguins, Adelie penguins, chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, crabeater seals,
• Weddell seals and numerous sea birds.
• Educational discovery in the respect of environment
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
Day 2: At sea
Day 3: Falkland Islands
Day 4 & 5: At sea
Day 6-7 & 8: South Georgia
Day 9 & 10: At Sea
Day 11-12-13 &14: Antarctic Peninsula
Day 15-16 & 17: Drake Passage to Ushuaia
NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The on-board expedition leader will determine the final itinerary. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises.
This trip is also available on board the Le Lyrial and Le Boreal and L'Austral. Contact us for more details.
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USHUAIA - ARGENTINA
In the afternoon in Ushuaia, Argentina, you will board your luxurious ship and set sail in the direction of the Falkland Islands, an Archipelago made up of moors and craggy coastlines, where the plant and animal life forms a link between Patagonia and the Antarctic.
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AT SEA
Relax on board this luxurious vessel and take in the fresh air. There is plenty to do on your way to the Falkland Islands. Perhaps you would like to unwind at the spa or simply admire the vastness of the ocean from the panoramic lounge.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS
Located to the South East of South America, the Falkland Islands, which are renowned for their wildness, were discovered by a Spanish expedition at the beginning of the 16th century. More than two hundred years later, sailors from Saint- Malo, known as Malouins, occupied the island and gave it the name used until the British conquered them in 1833. Scattered with tufts of grass, surrounded by a grey and often wild sea, the Islands are a small country of moors and rugged coastlines carved by the South Atlantic, where the wildlife and plant life form a link between Patagonia and Antarctica. Take the time to observe and photograph the abundant wildlife of these wild and very attractive Islands.
New Island is located on the western edge of the Falkland Islands and is home to a tiny village of two families. Step onto the golden sand of its flower-lined beaches, beside which an old stone house still stands, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a natural paradise. A narrow pathway weaves around typical Falkland moorlands. Follow it and in under 20 minutes you’ll find yourself at the heart of a colony of southern rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and imperial shags. It’s the perfect opportunity to watch the albatross swoop down from the cliffs and skim the waves that crash against the rocks on the exposed side of the island.
Make your way through the turbulent Woolly Gut strait and emerge in the stillness of Grave Cove. Located in the northern edge of the Falkland Islands, this bay owes its name to the vestiges of whalers’ graves that overlook the beach. As you step off the boat and onto the white-sand beach, you might find yourself escorted by a few hospitable Commerson’s dolphins, elegantly adorned in black and white. A stroll along the grassy dunes will lead you to a vast plain of lush green grass, tended by a few sheep. On the other side of the island you’ll find one of the largest gentoo penguin colonies in the area. With some luck, you’ll also glimpse a sea lion scouring the waves for his next meal.
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AT SEA
During your time at sea you may wish to visit the theatre to view a film or attend an information session or perhaps you would like to relax by the heated pool.
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AT SEA
You may wish to spend some time on your private balcony spotting sea birds or keeping your eyes peeled for some whales heading south.
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SOUTH GEORGIA
Aboard your ship, discover South Georgia, a region formed by an underwater mountain chain that extends from the Andes to the Antarctic Peninsula. All the wildlife of the Far South can be found there: king and Gentoo penguins, elephant seals, fur seals… You might get the chance to discover the majestic glaciers of Gold Harbour and the vast plains of Fortuna Bay.
If you are fortunate enough to land at Salisbury Plain, you can expect a wonderful spectacle: more than 300,000 king penguins, which you will recognise by the bright orange mark on their head and neck, have taken up residence there.
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SOUTH GEORGIA
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac® outings or landings to discover South Georgia
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SOUTH GEORGIA
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac® outings or landings to discover South Georgia.
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AT SEA
Enjoy some of the onboard facilities whilst keeping an eye out for bird life and whales.
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AT SEA
As you head further south you will begin to see icebergs floating past.
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ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Succumb to the magic of a place unlike any other. To this day, the mythical Antarctic Peninsula still holds real fascination and promises its visitors unforgettable moments.
Throughout your adventure in this icy realm, you will find yourself in the heart of a spectacular decor in subtle shades of blue and white, surrounded by exceptional wildlife. Penguins, humpback whales, seals and giant petrels are at home here, as are elephant seals, fur seals, Antarctic minke whales, and orcas. Depending on which sites you will be lucky enough to visit, you may get the chance to observe them and share with them the beauty of these extreme parts.
Glaciers, ice floe, tabletop icebergs, mountain peaks that plunge straight into the sea, volcanic beaches, research stations, enchanting bays, and vestiges of the whaling industry: these are the faces of the Antarctic that will likely reveal themselves to you, in a hushed and surreal atmosphere. You will sail in the wake of Jean-Baptiste Charcot, Adrien de Gerlache and Sir Ernest Shackleton, great Antarctic explorers who, from the 19th century, set out to conquer these remote and uninhabited lands.
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ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac® outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula
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ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac® outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula
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ANTARCTIC PENINSULA
Each day, based on ice conditions, the Captain and the Expedition Leader will suggest Zodiac® outings or landings to discover the infinite riches of the Antarctic Peninsula
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DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA
If there is one place, one sea, one waterway dreaded by tourists, researchers and hardened seafarers alike, it is undoubtedly Drake Passage.
Situated at the latitude of the infamous Furious Fifties winds, between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands, it is the shortest route to Antarctica. Seasoned navigators will tell you that you must earn your visit to the White Continent! As the Antarctic convergence zone where cold currents rising up from the South Pole meet warmer equatorial water masses, Drake Passage harbours a very diverse marine fauna. Don’t forget to look to the sky to catch a glimpse of elegant albatross and Cape petrels, playfully floating about in the wind around your ship.
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DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA
As you brave the Drake Passage you will have time to sort through your photos, use the onboard facilities, attend lectures, visit the spa for some relaxation or relax in the lounge areas sharing stories with fellow travellers of your adventure.
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DRAKE PASSAGE TO USHUAIA
In the morning of day 16 the ship will pull into Ushuaia. After breakfast you will disembark.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Length: 466 ft
- Beam: 59 ft
- Draft: 15.3 ft
- Cruising speed: 14 knots
- Ice class: 1 C
- Classification: Bureau Veritas
- Flag: French
- Guest decks: 6
- Guest capacity (double occupancy): Up to 264 PAX
- Normal crew size: 140
- A fleet of expedition Zodiac®: (Mark V HD)
- Gross tonnage: 10 992 UMS
- Electric motors: 2 x 2300 KW
- Installed power: 7200 KW
- Construction: Fincantieri-Ancône-Italy
SHIP AMENITIES
- Main lounge 255 square metres. Includes dance floor and cocktail bar and access to the outside terrace.
- Panoramic Lounge 110 square metres. Includes library, cocktail bar, live entertainment and access to the panoramic terrace.
- Open-air Bar overlooking the pool deck.
- Gastronomic Restaurant in the elegant main dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving french and international cuisine. Also has a fine wine cellar.
- Grill restaurant for casual eating for breakfast, buffet lunch and themed dinner.
Well-being Centre
Le Soleal has an onboard spa. Equipped with massage booths, hammam, a hair salon and fitness room that has panoramic ocean views.
Pool & Sun Deck
The spacious, comfortable outdoor areas of our ships offer superb ocean panoramas.
Lounges & Bars
Different lounges enable guests to socialise and share convivial moments during their cruise. The main lounge, an ideal place to meet over a drink and watch daytime or evening events; the panoramic lounge, an intimate piano-bar with a unique view of the horizon; and the outdoor bar, an atmospheric spot that has access to the pool and solarium..
Leisure Areas
A choice of books and board games is available for you on board all our ships. The library on Deck 6 is also equipped with computers with Wi-Fi.
CABINS DETAILS:
The Owner’s suite
The Owner’s suite on Le Soleal is situated on Deck 6. It has been decorated by Franch interior designers and will provide you with a breathtakting panoramic sea view. The suite features: individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. The suite is 45 square metres.
The Prestige Suite– Deck 5 – 6
The Prestige Suite on Le Soleal can sleep up to 4 passengers. The suite features: a private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. It is 37 square metres.
The Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suite on Le Soleal can sleep up to 2 passengers. The suite features: a private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. It is 27 square metres.
The Prestige Stateroom Deck 4 – 5 – 6
The Prestige Stateroom on Le Soleal can sleep up to 2 passengers. The cabin features: a private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. It is 18 square metres.
The Deluxe Stateroom
The Deluxe Stateroom on Le Soleal can sleep up to 2 passengers per cabin. The room features: a private balcony, individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. It is 18 square metres.
The Superior Stateroom
The Superior Stateroom on Le Soleal can sleep up to 3 passengers per cabin. The room features: individually-controlled air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds. en-suite facilities, mini-bar, flatscreen satellite television, desk with stationary, ipod players, video on demand, safe, haridryer, bathrobes, satellite direct line telephone, 110/220 volts outlet, French bath products, 24hr room service, wifi internet access. It is 21 square metres.
DECKPLAN
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Accommodation in suites or staterooms with en-suite
- All meals while on the cruise. Continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, a three-course dinner and a late-evening snack are served daily.
- Captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner
- Open Bar – A wide choice of refreshments such as wine, beer, cocktails, fruit juices and aperitifs are served in each bar and with lunch and dinner. This does not include premium alcoholic drinks. List available upon request.
- Mini Bar – the mini bar in your cabin is restocked every day and in included in the fare.
- Complimentary Parka to keep.
- Waterproof rubber boots to loan for duration of cruise.
- Highly experienced bilingual (French-English) Expedition team
- Excursions with expedition guides – Zodiac, land and sea tours and shore-side activities
- Complimentary wifi on board – Please note the wifi may be slow due to a satellite connection and the remote areas you will be visiting.
- Evening entertainment and events
- Luggage transfer from pier to the ship and vice versa
- Room service 24h (special selection)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the local guide
- Personal expenses
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Other meals and services not mentioned in the programme
NOTES:
- This trip is also available on board the Le Lyrial and Le Boreal and L’Austral. Contact us for more details
- Voyages are subject to ice and weather conditions. The itineraries described for expedition voyages illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
- Water sports activities (except scuba diving) are included in the tour price, using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by shipmaster according to safety and sea conditions on-site
- Passenger numbers are limited to 200 for Antarctic voyages.
