Best of Antarctica's Whale Season (Ocean Nova)

Welcome to Ushuaia – the gateway to Antarctica! When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel set amid the Patagonian landscape. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting this evening to meet the other travellers joining you on the trip. If you arrive in Ushuaia with time to spare, maybe explore all that the southernmost city in the world has to offer. Downtown, you’ll find souvenir shops to browse and plenty of restaurants where you can get a taste of Argentinian cuisine.

Relax at the hotel this morning or maybe get out and about to see more of Ushuaia before you board your ship this afternoon. When you’ve boarded, settle into your cabin, meet the Expedition Team and have a safety and orientation briefing. Tonight, you’ll join the captain and your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and toast to the start of your Antarctic adventure!

Cross the famed Drake Passage during your first two days at sea. Take this time to learn about the ecology, history and geology of the fascinating landscapes you’re about to explore by engaging in educational talks where the Expedition Team will share their expertise. Take part in the Citizen Science program, helping to collect data to contribute to vital research into how polar ecosystems are being impacted by climate change. Gear up for some of your first wildlife sightings as well. Have your binoculars handy for plenty of birdwatching – albatross, petrels and prions are all likely sights as you traverse this passage. Feel the temperature drop as you cross the Antarctic Convergence, officially making your way into Antarctic waters. Keep an eye on the horizon for your first glimpse of an iceberg!

The South Shetland Islands form the northernmost tip of Antarctica, and over these two days you’ll explore all that this archipelago has to offer. You’ll see chinstrap and gentoo penguins, plus fur and elephant seals lying along the shoreline. You’ll be visiting during feeding time for humpback whales, so hopefully you’ll see these mighty creatures during your expeditions, too! The ice-capped peaks of the Livingstone, Greenwich and King George Islands, the black sands of Deception Island and the calmer waters of Yankee Harbour are all potential settings for your polar exploration.

Continue to the Antarctic Peninsula, where three days of huge glaciers, drifting icebergs and mountainous landscapes await you. This extended visit to the peninsula means more opportunities for whale sightings. Look out for humpback whales feeding on the abundance of krill that fills the waters at this time of year. You might also see orcas, minke whales, seals and penguins. Go on Zodiac excursions to visit historic landing sights and active scientific bases.

Sail back across the Drake Passage as you head towards Ushuaia. Reflect on memories that will last a lifetime as you join your fellow travellers for a slideshow of photos from the trip, a photography contest and one final celebratory meal. Raise a glass to an epic adventure across the 7th continent!

This morning, it’s time to disembark the ship as your unforgettable Antarctic expedition comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Ushuaia, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.