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Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour)

11 Days | Don’t just dream of a white Christmas – experience it in Antarctica

4.9 out of 5 based on 18 reviews submitted.
Polar
Wildlife
From
USD $13,800
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Christmas getaways simply don’t get better than this. Journey to Antarctica on an 11-day expedition and experience the magic of the festive season among ice-capped mountain ranges, iconic wildlife and immense icebergs and glaciers. Set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, spot seals resting on ice floes and witness seabirds nesting in landscapes that must be seen to be believed. Visit penguin rookeries, spot minke and humpback whales while enjoying regular Zodiac excursions for up-close wildlife encounters. Your expert team will ensure that the spirit on board the Ocean Endeavour is festive and fun, delivering an unforgettable experience and making this a Christmas adventure to remember.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour) including Antarctica and Argentina
Start
Ushuaia, Argentina
Finish
Ushuaia, Argentina
Theme
Polar, Wildlife
Destinations
Antarctica, Argentina
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1 - Max 200
Trip code
GQMAC
This trip generates 451.58 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Experience a guaranteed white Christmas as you explore the icy wilderness of the White Continent.
  • The festive season is a wonderful time for wildlife lovers to visit Antarctica, as penguin chicks are hatching and abundant on the peninsula and South Shetland Islands.
  • With over 22 hours of sunlight each day, you’ll have more time for exploration.
  • Enjoy daily Zodiac excursions, on-shore landings and take advantage of optional activities during the voyage such as sea kayaking, ice camping and snowshoeing.
  • Benefit from a variety of on-board activities including educational lectures on history, geology and ecology by the expedition team.
  • When you’re not exploring off the ship, explore the amenities onboard including the expedition lounge, restaurant, bar, pool, jacuzzi, library, gym, sun deck, spa facilities and sauna.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The Ocean Endeavour is an ice-strengthened ship – large, sturdy and suited to the unpredictable Antarctic waters. Some people may experience seasickness in occasional rough seas however, we do have a doctor on board should you need assistance. Over-the-counter seasickness medication is usually an easy fix.  
  • Temperatures in the Antarctic can get very cold, but it also can get surprisingly warm when the sun comes out. We recommend dressing in layers when you journey outside. We’ll provide you with waterproof boots on loan that are sturdy and warm, as well as an inner jacket that is yours to keep. Please see the Essential Trip Information for notes on what to pack. 
  • Depending on the weather, you’ll be travelling around in a Zodiac boat quite regularly to explore the area and search for wildlife. It can get cold and wet on the Zodiac, so make sure you dress appropriately and keep your camera safe and dry. A fair level of mobility is needed for wet and dry landings from the boat, as well as on steep terrain, snow and other uneven surfaces. The Ocean Endeavour has a lift, but you’ll need to take the stairs to get to the gangway and some other parts of the ship that the lift does not provide access to. 
  • The weather plays a pivotal part in this adventure and, although there’s an itinerary in place, there are no guarantees that you’ll be able to do everything that is planned. A level of flexibility and openness to embracing the unexpected are important in expedition travel, especially in such a remote area like the Antarctic. There are nearly 200 recognised sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned in the itinerary may need to be changed to other locations – which are just as interesting and beautiful! We may also be confined to the ship during rough weather, but there are plenty on onboard resources and activities. The ship’s library and educational lectures are ideal ways to stay entertained, while the wellness spa, saunas, gym and yoga classes will keep you fresh for when the weather clears. 

Boats

Ocean Endeavour
Ocean Endeavour
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 200
The Ocean Endeavour is a comfortable and spacious ship with a gym, library and wide range of cabin types.
Explore features

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour) including Antarctica and Argentina

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Expedition cruise ship, zodiac

Accommodation

1 night comfortable hotel, 9 nights expedition cruise ship

Activities
  • Welcome Briefing
  • Citizen Science Program
  • Daily Briefings and Recap
  • Onboard Lecture Program
  • Zodiac Excursion/Cruising
Add on activities
  • Yoga and Meditation Classes - Free
  • Onboard Spa treatments (various prices apply) starting from - USD95
  • Photography Program - USD1099
  • Onboard Gym and Sauna - Free
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding - USD299
  • Kayaking Program - USD1099
  • Polar Plunge - Free
  • Day Paddle - USD299
  • Camping - USD399
  • Snowshoeing - USD150

Dates and availability

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Important notes

SPECIAL BOOKING CONDITIONS
You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of AUD1500, USD1000, EUR900, NZD1600, GBP800, CAD1300, CHF900 or ZAR17,000 per person per trip for your booking to be confirmed. Full payment is required 95 days prior to departure.
Please refer to our “Booking and Conditions” section on our website including the special conditions that apply to Antarctica Voyages (Ocean Endeavour)

COVID 19 VACCINATION
COVID-19 vaccination is a pre-embarkation requirement for all guests, staff, and crew on all Ocean Endeavour voyages. We will request a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination status on Day 1

ADVENTURE OPTIONS
Approaching a looming glacier in a sea kayak, strapping on snowshoes to reach the best icy viewpoints, capturing the perfect photo of a seal hunting its prey or camping under an Antarctic perpetual twilight – these are just some of the ways you can enrich your exploration of the great White Continent with our additional activities. A range of Paid Adventure Options is available on the Ocean Endeavour, on selected voyages, subject to availability. Your booking agent can assist with availability and pricing.
• Kayaking or Photography Program - Voyage-duration program available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
• Day Paddle or Stand Up Paddleboarding- One-off excursion available on all voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent. Additional spaces may be available to book on board via the Expedition Team
• Camping - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Pre-book via your booking agent.
• Snowshoeing - One-off excursion available on selected voyages. Book on board via the Expedition Team.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 18 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Miranda · Traveled December 2023
Trip of a lifetime the best way to experience the 7th continent and all the dramatic landscapes and wildlife. Thank you intrepid and Ocean endeavor staff for such a memorable and enjoyable experience. The expedition crew were excellent Pepper was fun to learn from and speak to and very social over dinner, Carlos and Brent were excellent zodiac drivers and good people to have a conversation with and learn from. Bentley was very knowledge and friendly as was Sydney. Ida, Ryan and Rusty's ran an excellent expedition managing a variety of tricky situations with weather and changing in activities due to landings not be able to be made. they set a great tone and mood for the trip helping to manage everyone's expectations and delivering the most unforgettable trip. Rex ran an excellent camping excursions and Andrew was fantastic as a zodiac driver and photographer capturing all of our great moments. Chris and Marissa run and lead some great day passes and stand up paddle excursions. They had great energy and were a lot of fun. I enjoyed the presentations from Simone and Sydney. Brett the Sony photographer was very friendly and happy to help with any photography questions. David the server in the restaurant was amazing and very friendly and attentive. Very professional, knowledgeable expedition guides who were also very fun, friendly and positive. They couldn't do more to ensure you had an excellent experience. The crew worked very hard to ensure smooth sailing and operations of logistics on the back end. The excursions and activities were amazing, with incredible encounters with wildlife, icebergs, glaciers as well as activities day paddles and stand up paddle boarding, camping and the polar plunge. The trip exceeded all expectations which was elevated by the people onboard helping us to have the most memorable unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Intrepid delivered on a number of levels. Thanks for everything.
Review submitted 27 Dec 2023

Chujing · Traveled December 2023
It is a great trip that we were able to do 3 landings in total and about 5 zodiac cruises. The citizen scientist programs made the trip more meaningful. Strongly recommend it if seasick is not a issue because there were 4 sea days that I was not able to do much.
Review submitted 27 Dec 2023

Patricia · Traveled December 2023
As a citizen of planet Earth, you need to experience Antarctica AND Intrepid is the best way to make that real: great ship-Ocean Endeavor, incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and considerate expedition staff. Extraordinary food and ship crew + environment protection first.
Review submitted 26 Dec 2023

Natalie · Traveled December 2023
If you want to experience Antarctic nature really intimately and actively, do some citizen science, learn a lot, and meet interesting and adventurous people, in a homey and eco-friendly ship full of caring folks who are passionate about Antarctica, then Intrepid is the only way to go.
Review submitted 25 Dec 2023

Lisa · Traveled December 2023
A combination of expedition and comfort holiday, combining to create a magical, and breathtaking experience of the seventh continent. The professional, experienced, highly qualified guide team enhanced the experience at every opportunity, and were all so generous with their knowledge. The itinerary was flexible with the conditions and opportunities, but the twice daily landings and zodiac cruises packed in as much as we could and respected all IAATO protocols. Intrepid are always a trusted company for me - and this trip reinforced they're the company of choice for this type of adventure. Helpful tip: Make the most of it by reading all the material in plenty of time to prep your gear, and booking additional activities that might sell out ahead of time - especially the ice camping!
Review submitted 28 Dec 2023
Best of Antarctica: A White Christmas (Ocean Endeavour)
From
USD $13,800