Antarctic Peninsula
Lunging out past the Antarctic Circle is the Antarctic Peninsula - the most densely populated location on the continent housing an array of wildlife that includes seabirds, penguins, seals and whales.
Antarctic Sound
Antarctic Sound is often referred to as "iceberg alley" because of the huge icebergs that drift north from the Antarctic continent. Weather permitting, we will attempt to visit different Islands along our path.
Cape Lookout (Elephant Island)
When the Endurance was crushed by the ice of the Weddell Sea, it is on Elephant Island in the South Shetlands that Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew sought refuge, floating on three small boats through mammoth icebergs and landing between steep cliffs. For 105 days, 22 members of the crew endured hardship as Shackleton pressed forth on a harrowing search for help. Here, expedition photographer, Frank Hurley, took his striking photo of the crew waving at Shackleton as he set off.
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Cuverville Island
Large colonies of orange-billed gentoo penguins can be found on this island, while humpbacks swim amid the icebergs offshore. The timid gentoo penguin values a high stone nest to protect its chicks, often stealing stones from neighboring nests. This is done with an innocent air and the finesse of a Cary Grant, the pebble presented to its mate with a courtly bow that is pure penguin.
Deception Island
Deception Island is an extinct volcano-an almost complete circle with a keyhole harbor. The harbor is formed by a crater that dips below sea level and is flooded with salt water, providing a placid haven in the otheriwse tempestuous Southern Ocean. Relics remain on the island from a British survey station and a Norwegian whaling base.
Drake Passage
Linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, this strait, which lies between South America and Antarctica, is famed for its accessibility. You will travel this passage twice throughout your adventure.
Elephant Island
Elephant Island is the setting for one of the most heroic stories of nautical survival ever told. Your guide will recount the epic voyage of 1915 where Shackleton and his brave men persisted after their ship the Endurance tragically sank in the frozen waters.
Elsehul (South Georgia)
South Georgia is a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia – which measures approximately 100 miles (160 km) by 18 miles (29 km) and is by far the largest island in the territory – and a group of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands.
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Gold Harbor (South Georgia)
Gold Harbor is the southernmost point of South Georgia. Here, along a coastline of high cliffs and deep fjords is the empire of the King penguin. Adelie, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Magellanic, Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins also reside on the island, as well as giant petrels, elegant snow petrels and an abundance of South Georgia pipits. Our visit coincides with the peak season for wildlife, and it is astonishing to see the penguins feed their hungry young and see the throngs of brightly marked King penguins, many of them large youngsters clad in chocolate-brown fluff and looking larger than their parents.
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Grytviken
Snow covered mountains provide a dramatic background for the remains of the oldest shore-based whaling station in Antarctica, abandoned in 1965. This former Norwegian enclave was the largest of the five South Georgia whaling operations and the vast complex can still be visited. But nature is reclaiming its former territory and Sooty Albatrosses glide along the cliffs, elephant seals bask lazily on the beaches and reindeer, introduced by the Norwegians as a food source, have thrived and grown on the lush grazing. Here in Grytviken Cemetery, Sir Ernest Shackleton lies, buried at his widow's request, in this final resting place, amid the whalers.
Half Moon Island
One of the most pleasant landings in Antarctica, Half Moon Island has a sizable rookery of chinstrap penguins as well as nesting Antarctic terns and kelp gulls. Whales are quite often seen patrolling the shores, and this small island offers stunning views of surrounding mountains.
Lemaire Channel and Hovgaard Island
The narrow, glacier-lined Lemaire Channel is considered one of Antarctica's most beautiful passages. Often, humpback or killer whales follow in the wake of the ship, allowing for close-up photography. In the southern end of Lemaire, we find ourselves in an archipelago of icy islands, each more breathtaking than the last. Penguin rookeries about and the elephant seals are often seen basking on the rocky beaches. We hope to visit Hovgaard Island.
Neumayer Channel and Port Lockroy
Passing between the soaring cliffs of the breathtaking Neumayer Channel, we arrive at one of Antarctica's most exciting anchorages: Port Lockroy. During World War II, the British set up base here, to protect interests in the Southern Ocean and though abandoned, the base has recently been restored. Nearby we'll visit a large gentoo rookery and we'll also see blue-eyed shags (cormorants), and witness sad reminders of past whaling activities.
Palmer Station (Anvers Island)
Palmer Station, located on Anvers Island, is the northernmost Antarctic station belonging to the U.S, and is the only station north of the Antarctic Circle. The marine influence brings warmer temperatures and a great deal of rain to Anvers Island, unlike the icy desert conditions of the Antarctic Continent. Please note: that the exact itinerary in Antarctica will depend on ice and weather conditions. There will be no landings in Antarctica. Visits by cruise ships to the Antarctic require government approval. Holland America Line has obtained government approval for these cruises. There remains a possibility, however, that this approval could be withdrawn if a change is made in applicable government requirements.
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Paradise Bay (Cruise)
At the edge of the world, this protected harbor truly lives up to its name. Backed by an ethereal landscape of hanging ice cliffs, the waters of Paradise Bay glisten with an endless palette of colors.
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Shingle Cove
Part of the South Orkney Islands, this spot on the south coast of remote Coronation Island is a favored nesting ground for several species of Antarctic seabirds and site of a large a large rookery of Adelie penguins, named after the wife of the great French explorer, Dumont d'Urville. We'll call at Shingle Cove with its brilliant orange lichens, moss and grass. Here nesting Snow Petrels and Pintados can be found.
South Georgia
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia – which measures approximately 100 miles (160 km) by 18 miles (29 km) and is by far the largest island in the territory – and a group of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands.
There is no native population on any of the islands, and the only present inhabitants are the British Government Officer, scientists, and support staff from the British Antarctic Survey who maintain scientific bases at Bird Island and at the capital, King Edward Point, as well as museum staff at nearby Grytviken.
South Shetland Islands
Running parallel to the northwest coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, this string of islands are almost completely covered with ice. Each island is different in character and host a variety of wildlife including Chinstrap and Gentoo Penguins, Blue-eyed Shags, Southern Elephant and Southern Fur Seals.
Weddell Sea
Forming an indentation in Antarctica between the Antarctic Peninsula and Coats Land, lies the Weddell Sea. It was discovered in 1823, has a width of 1,250 miles and is permanently covered with ice shelves.
