Hurtigruten's Weddell Sea Savings

Hurtigruten is offering savings of more than £1,400 per person for a very special departure to Antarctica this January, following in the footsteps of polar explorer James Weddell, the first man to reach 74 degrees south, on the aptly named 'Weddell Sea Expedition.'

This amazing 13-day voyage around the spectacular Antarctic Peninsular departs on January 20 with prices leading in at just £4,285pp, based on two sharing an unspecified inside cabin allocated on arrival, and full board on the ship.

Captain James Weddell discovered the Weddell Sea in 1823 and it was also here that Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, became icebound and was crushed in 1915. Guests will sail in comfort on board MS Fram, Hurtigruten’s newest ship built specifically to sail through polar waters. The voyage promises unforgettable viewings of tabular icebergs through the Antarctic Sound, and guests can get closer to the fascinating penguin colonies and ice formations on shore in a series of landings by Polarcirkel boats.

Prices include full board on the ship, flights between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, transfers in Ushuaia, an excursion to Ushuaia National Park, landings in Polarcirkel boats and lectures by the expedition team. International flights are extra and can be added from £1,392pp.

For bookings, follow this link to the The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure cruise specialists.

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Quark's New Ship For Antarctica

Quark Expeditions, one of the leaders in polar adventures, has announced the newest member of its fleet, the Ocean Diamond, which will be the first ship to deliver CarbonNeutral® voyages to Antarctica.

The inaugural trip is to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica on their 19-night 'Explorers and Kings' itinerary on November 2 (and repeated on December 26).

Prices start from from £6,060 for triple occupancy (£6,090 with 25% discount for twin occupancy) and includes 19 nights on the ship, one night in Ushuaia on B&B basis, three meals a day, shore landings, on-board lectures, as well as free one-year enrolment in the Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI).

Optional add-ons are available, including polar kayaking, taking in a cruise to the affectionately known Penguin Island (Gable Island) where Magellanic Penguins raise their young, or a 3-hour hike through a protected wilderness, followed by a paddle to the sea in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Flights are available with most major carriers, including BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air Canada and Continental to Buenos Aires and then flying to Ushuaia via LAN or Aerolineas Argentinas.

Other cruises on the new vessel include 'Introduction to Antarctica: The White Continent,' from November 21-30 and 'Antarctic Explorer: The Classic Adventure,' from November 29 to December 9. 

For more adventure-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading cruise agent specialists.

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MS Expedition In Antarctica

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The MS Expedition (above) travels a yearly cycle from Antarctica to the Arctic, also stopping at the islands of the North Atlantic as well as parts of Central/South America. G Adventures have a focus on top of the line safety, comfort and the unique demands of polar travel, the MS Expedition is one of the world's leading polar expedition cruise ships. The expedition team is made up of naturalist, biologist, anthropologists and historians, who give detailed lectured and briefings on all the elements of the trip. Every evening the Expedition Leader will give a briefing on the plan for the next day. All travellers will also be prepared for what they are about to see and experience before any landing or excursion.

Antarctica Classic Duration: 11 days Departures: available throughout 2010 and 2011

Highlights: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, amazing wildlife, and immense icebergs. A true adventure to the world's most remote wilderness. This 11-day Antarctica Classic expedition focuses on the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula, home to some of the planet's most impressive wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Throughout the voyage, the team of lecturers and guides will share their knowledge of the region's remarkable natural history.

Enjoy an 11-day trip from £3,249. Price includes accommodation onboard the MS Expedition, meals, ten expedition staff and naturalists, Zodiac excursions, scheduled visits to the modern scientific research stations and one night accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia.

For full details please visit: www.gadventures.co.uk

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