Christmas Season in Antarctica (Ocean Victory)

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel for the night. This evening, you’ll have a welcome meeting to meet the other travellers who will be joining you on your adventure. If you arrive in Ushuaia with some time to spare, why not explore the city’s main street, where you can browse souvenir shops for keepsakes or find a spot to sample some of the local cuisine.

Spend this morning either relaxing at the hotel or exploring more of Ushuaia. You might like to visit the Maritime Museum or browse the artisanal markets. This afternoon, it’s time to board your ship – the Ocean Victory. When you’ve boarded, you’ll meet the Expedition Team who will be joining you for your trip. Settle into your cabin, then have a safety and orientation meeting before joining your group and the captain for a welcome dinner on board. Raise a glass as you set off for a Christmas adventure that’ll be one for the books!

Over these two days at sea, you’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage – the body of water separating the southernmost point of South America from the Antarctic Peninsula. Kick off your program of onboard activities with educational talks about the region’s history, geology and ecology, led by the Expedition Team. You can also take part in the Citizen Science program, where you can contribute to the recording and understanding of polar ecosystems and how they’re being impacted by climate change. Keep your eyes on the horizon for your first iceberg sighting and have your binoculars at the ready for plenty of seabird-watching – albatross, petrels and prions are all common sights as you cross this passage.

Gear up for three days of exploration in the unspoiled wilderness of Antarctica. Visit active scientific bases and historic landing sites on Zodiac cruises. See chinstrap, gentoo and Adelie penguins, fur, leopard and Weddell seals, humpback whales and seabirds. Create holiday memories to be cherished as you spend Christmas Day venturing through mountainous landscapes filled with towering glaciers and icebergs.

Today, witness the diversity of wildlife in the South Shetland Islands. This archipelago forms the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and each island has something different to offer. Whether you’re walking along the black sands of Deception Island (formed by the caldera of an active volcano!), or the calmer waters of Yankee Harbour (with the huge colony of 4000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins), today will be filled with adventure. Hop back into the Zodiacs and maybe even do some optional exploring by kayak! Watch seals lying on the shoreline and have your camera at the ready for whale sightings, immersing yourself in the vast wilderness of Antarctica.

Begin your journey back to Ushuaia as you cross the Drake Passage once again. Reflect on a trip well-travelled as you join your fellow travellers for a slideshow of memories from the trip and a photography contest. Share a final celebratory meal together and toast to the memories you’ve made.

Your adventure comes to an end this morning as you disembark your ship in Ushuaia. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.