Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent Aboard the M/V Ocean Endeavour
Danco Island, Neumayer Channel & Damoy Point
“Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” -Sir Ernest Shackleton’s alleged advertisement for crew of the Endurance Expedition
06:30 Early morning coffee, tea and pastries are available in the Compass Club
07:30 – 09:00 Breakfast is served in the Polaris Restaurant
09:30 We plan to land & zodiac cruise at Danco Island Danco Island lies in the southern end of the Errera Channel. It is relatively small, 1.6 km (1 mi) long, and 180 m (590 ft) high. The view from the top of Danco Island is spectacular due to the heavily crevassed glaciers in the surrounding mountains. Beautiful rolled icebergs also tend to collect in this area of the channel. Danco Island is home to approximately 1,600 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins, which breed on the steep slopes. Disembarkation Sequence: 1) Penguin 2) Albatross 3) Whale 4) Seal
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch is served in the Polaris Restaurant
14:00 We plan to ship cruise the Neumayer Channel This 26km (16 mi) long and 2.4km (1.5mile) wide channel separates Anvers Island from Wiencke & Doumer Islands. It was first seen by the German Antarctic Expedition (1873-74) but was first transited by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition under de Gerlache on the Belgica (1897-99). They named it for Georg von Neuymayer a German geophysicist and advocate of Antarctic exploration. Join us out on deck for this picturesque channel and take in the views as we scout for wildlife amongst the ice and glaciers here in this stunning passage! 15:30 We plan to land at Damoy Point and zodiac cruise at Dorian Bay Damoy Point lies at the northern entrance to Port Lockroy, on the west side of Wiencke Island in the Palmer Archipelago. Dorian Bay is a cove on the northwestern side of Wiencke Island, located 0.5 mi (0.8 km) east-northeast of Damoy Point. From inner Dorian Bay, the slope rises gently from the bare, rocky landing where two huts are located – one, a well-maintained and stocked British refuge hut, the second, a small Argentine hut. A gentoo penguin colony of approximately 1600 breeding pairs can also be found here. Disembarkation Sequence: 1) Whale 2) Seal 3) Penguin 4) Albatross 19:00 Join the Expedition Team for a Recap & Briefing in the Nautilus Lounge
19:30 – 21:00 Dinner is served in the Polaris Restaurant
21:15 Bar Talk: Join your guide, Nigel, for a casual evening talk entitled, ‘Tales of a Serial Birder’, in the Nautilus Lounge.
GIFT SHOP HOURS: 15:00-17:00, 18:00-19:00 Sauna Hours: 06:00-09:00, 11:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00 (mixed)
Reception (Deck 5): Phone 5000 Emergency: Phone 1000 Doctor: contact Reception or Quark Staff