CLASSIC (SILVER CLOUD)

Traversing Drake’s eponymous passage is a must for any explorer. With diverse seabirds attracted to the area, have your binoculars and cameras ready and as you sail closer to the , look for seals basking on ice floes, Macaroni penguin, and the prodigious Orca whale. Begin and end your expedition at the “world’s end”, Ushuaia.

INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE FARE: one night pre cruise hotel, transfers (between airport/hotel and ship), charter flight to/ from Ushuaia.

ITINERARY

Day 1 — Ushuaia, Argentina Departing from Buenos Aires, fly to Ushuaia and transfer to the port. Embark Silver Cloud, settle in and attend a mandatory safety drill before leaving port. During the afternoon you will be introduced to some of the important crew members and your Expedition Team. At sail-away bid farewell to Tierra del Fuego, the ‘Land at the End of the World’.

Days 2–3 — Drake Passage The Drake Passage has a notorious reputation for its turbulent seas due to the westerly winds and the funnelling effect of the passage’s seafloor. While crossing the Drake Passage we will encounter the Antarctic Convergence, a natural boundary

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com between cold polar water flowing northward and warmer water will determine our best course depending on weather, ice moving southward. The Antarctic Convergence is not a fixed line conditions and wildlife we may encounter. Here are some of the but moving, depending on the season. Where these two places we may visit: Named after currents meet, nutrients are pushed to the surface, often Nordenskjöld’s ship, this 30 miles long stretch of water at the attracting a multitude of seabirds and whales. Spend some time north end of the Antarctic Peninsula offers some of the best on deck watching the Black-browed Albatross, Sooty tabular iceberg observations. , Tabarin Peninsula (a Shearwaters and White-chinned Petrels gliding in the air 2,200-foot bluff on mainland Antarctica) Brown Bluff is an currents of Silver Cloud’s wake. As we set sail on our initial ice-capped, 745-metre-high, flat-topped mountain with a transit, familiarise yourself with the elegant Silver Cloud and the prominent cliff of reddish-brown volcanic rock. Adelie and Expedition Team members.Attend wildlife, geography and Gentoo Penguins, Kelp Gulls, and Cape Petrels use this as a history discussions hosted by our expert naturalists and guest breeding area. Birds such as the all-white Snow Petrel and lecturers that will prepare you for the exciting adventures that lie skuas may be seen from a distance. As you explore the area, a ahead. Weddell seal may be seen basking in the sunlight. Wait long enough and you will see the Adelie Penguins standing along the Days 4–8 — Antarctic Peninsula shore finally making their way into the surf. Cuverville Island, While sailing to Antarctica in early December the winter pack ice Errera Channel The island was discovered by Gerlache’s Belgian is breaking up and melting. Every turn can reveal a new and Antarctic expedition of 1897–99, and was named for a vice breath-taking adventure. As the pack ice becomes thicker, it admiral in the French navy. Large bare rock areas provide becomes apparent to everyone that we are moving closer into nesting sites for Gentoo Penguins. Snow Petrels and Cape Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. Remote and otherworldly, Petrels also may be seen whilst Wilson’s Storm Petrels nest in Antarctica is irresistible for its spectacular iceberg sculptures, the higher scree of the island. If conditions permit, a hike calving glaciers, and for the possibility of close encounters with towards the top of the island will permit stunning views of the marine mammals. Watch for seals sunbathing on slow-moving surrounding mountains and channels. During Zodiac tours ice floes and for humpback, Minke, and orca whales to surface around the many icebergs, hauled-out Weddell seals may be from below the frigid waters. Each day we will attempt Zodiac seen. Paradise Bay (Antarctic Peninsula) The bay is well named departures, and, if conditions permit, we will cruise amidst for its spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and icebergs. colourful icebergs or step ashore to visit a variety of penguin From the ship, observe Argentina’s “Base Almirante Brown”, and rookeries and perhaps scientific research stations on the Chilean station “Gonzalez Videla”, two of many Antarctic complimentary excursions led by our team of natural history research stations that are manned periodically. Here, you can experts. A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of actually set foot on mainland Antarctica. View the wildlife from favourable sea and weather conditions. In the true spirit of sea level while cruising in your Zodiac with one of our expedition cruising, each day the Expedition Leader and Captain experienced Expedition Team members. Neko Harbor (Antarctic

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Peninsula) The site is named after a whale factory ship, which Day 11 — Ushuaia, Argentina often used this bay –and Neko Harbor still today offers good After breakfast, disembark Silver Cloud and transfer to Ushuaia chances to see whales. A landing will provide an opportunity to International Airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires. see rookeries and quite possibly Weddell seals and crabeater seals hauled out on the cobble beach. A hike to Please Note: Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible a lookout point will be a good exercise and will be rewarded experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition with panoramic views of the glacier, Andvord Bay and the Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities Gerlache Strait. Port Foster, Whalers Bay (Deception Island) for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into Deception Island is home to a collapsed volcano and an account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice excellent example of a caldera where it is believed that the conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage volcano’s summit collapsed with one section sinking far enough are subject to change or cancellation. to allow the sea to flood the interior. We plan to sail inside this breached wall through a narrow entrance called Neptune’s Bellows. Our resident geologist will take the opportunity to explain the unique volcanic features of the area while our naturalists might introduce you to the whaling history of Deception Island. Still visible on the island are the boilers used to make whale oil in the early 1900s. Port Lockroy, Goudier Island The British built a listening station here during WWII, which was then used as a research station in the 1950s and since 1996 as a museum and gift shop. Snowy Sheathbills and Gentoo Penguins roam outside the museum. Have a look to see how science was done in Antarctica more than 50 years ago. A post-office and mailbox are located inside the former station.

Days 9–10 — Drake Passage Return Navigating our return through the Drake Passage, we will watch for seabirds and wildlife we may have missed on the first leg. Take this opportunity to attend additional presentations offered by the Expedition Team lecturers and to edit photos. The Captain will invite you and your new friends to the Farewell Cocktail, as we travel towards Ushuaia.

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YOUR SHIP: Silver Cloud explorations.

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With 18-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica and a pole to pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud really does break the ice between expedition and luxury. Spacious yet intimate, designed to cross oceans and yet able to slip up rivers and into hidden harbours with ease, the yacht-like Silver Cloud carries just 296 guests in incomparable comfort and style. Combining spacious ocean-view suites and private verandas with stunning dining and entertainment options, Silver Cloud provides world-class cruise accommodations, service and amenities. After extensive refurbishment, Silver Cloud is the most spacious and comfortable ice class vessel in expedition cruising. Her large suites, her destination itineraries and her unparalleled service make her truly special. Her four dining options will tantalise your taste buds and as 80% of her suites include a veranda, watching a breaching whale or a few cavorting penguins has never been so personal. She carries a limited number of guests in polar waters, meaning that Silver Cloud has the highest space to guest and crew to guest ratios in expedition cruising. With her 18 zodiacs, 10 kayaks, possibilities are almost limitless with ship-wide simultaneous

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