Antarctica, prior to 1820 was known as 'the Lost Continent', its existence being only speculation. It eluded even the greatest explorer/navigator of his or any other day- James Cook. In 1768, though not yet a captain, Cook was appointed leader by the Royal Navy of a scientific expedition to Tahiti to observe a solar eclipse by Venus. This was successfully achieved aboard the tiny 'Endeavor' but Cook had secret orders to seek a southern continent geographers had long believed kept the world in balance.

Those relative few with experience in these waters know very well how clouds & mists blend with glaciers & ice-bergs until solid land is virtually impossible to discern. Some of them believe that Cook may well have been the first to see the mainland - without knowing it. His accounts of rich sea-life brought whalers en masse & any one of these too could well have been the first to find the 'Lost Continent'.

It was 50 years before Russian explorer Thaddeus Von Bellingshausen was appointed by the Czar to sail further south than Cook & he was even more likely to have seen the continent without knowing it. However he later sailed into the giant breached volcanic crater of Deception Island & discovered -to his amazement & chagrin -dozens of American & British whalers comfortably at anchor. From a high & windy notch on the crater rim, the mainland was pointed out to him by Nathaniel Palmer - a young whaler from Connecticut. He was forced to concede to the youngster the questionable claim to a first sighting of Antarctica.

The British firmly believe it was their intrepid Captain Edward Bransfield who sighted the north-west Peninsula on Jan 30th 1820. The first sighting of the mainland for todays passengers going south may well be here, or at the popular first stop of Deception Island. Here you may see the Antarctic mainland from the same high windy notch where Palmer stood. On a possible second Deception Island landing, wear your swimsuit & you may well be treated to a surprise dip (yes in Antarctica!)in the volcanically heated sea-water of the lagoon.

Antarctica expedition has now become considerably easier to access. We invite you to come & enjoy Antarctic expedition cruises with our experienced crews & staff of lecturer/guide/specialists & thrill to the "once-in-a-lifetime" sights & sounds of the Last Continent.

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Antarctica Whale Watching Discovery & Learning

14 Days / 2 locations in Antarctica
From $7250 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

This Polar Circle and Antarctic Peninsula cruise will take you further south of Antarctica, crossing the Polar Circe. This expedition cruise passes through waters travelled by Humpback, Minke and Fin whales. Including photo workshops with Massimo Bassano and video workshops with Myriam Casper. Acoustic with Sara Tores Ortiz and Lee Miller. View Itinerary & Departures »

Antarctica Whale Watching Voyage

10 Days / 1 locations in Antarctica
From $9950 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Plancius

The 'Classic Antarctic' route. This cruise delivers you to wondrous landscapes found in one of the harshest environments on Earth. The great star-actors of Antarctica are the penguins and in total seven species could appear before your very own eyes. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland Islands, S. Georgia, Elephant Island

23 Days / 8 locations in Antarctica, Argentina, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney, and South Shetland
From $18400 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife. Including photo workshops with Massimo Bassano and video workshops with Myriam Casper. Acoustic with Sara Tores Ortiz and Lee Miller. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctic Peninsula

19 Days / 5 locations in Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Orkney
From $16200 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Ortelius

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falkland, S.georgia, Antarctica Aboard M/V Hondius

21 Days / 4 locations in Antarctica, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Orkney
From $15200 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Hondius

Embark from Puerto Madryn for the Falkland Islands. Keep your eyes peeled for whales as you sail toward the open ocean. View Itinerary & Departures »

Falklands, S. Georgia & Antarctica Aboard M/V Plancius

19 Days / 10 locations in Antarctica, Chile, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Orkney
From $17800 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Plancius

This Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctic Peninsula cruise is an animal-lover’s dream come true. The expedition explores one of the last untamed areas on Earth – a land of ruggedly beautiful landscapes and amazingly varied wildlife. View Itinerary & Departures »

Ross Sea Including Helicopters

33 Days / 3 locations in Antarctica
From $34900 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Ortelius

Sail to the southern parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, Peter I Island, the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas into the Ross Sea. Visiting the Ross Ice-shelf, Dry Valleys, Campbell Island, Enderby Island and the historic huts of Scott and Shackleton. View Itinerary & Departures »

St Helena to Cape Verde

11 Days / 2 locations in Ascension Island and Cape Verde
From $2200 Per Person Double Occupancy

M/V Plancius

During the days at sea the chances of meeting whales are high. Witness the northbound spring migration of northern birds like Arctic Terns and Long-tailed Skuas who join us in crossing the Equator (“the Line”). View Itinerary & Departures »

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