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Aurora Expeditions hosts a variety of new itineraries
Photo courtesy of Michael Baynes Photography
Antarctica is the destination on everyone’s bucket list right now, and luckily the best time to visit is quickly approaching. From November to March, Antarctica’s summer season, the days in Antarctica are at their longest and wildlife is most active. This year, adventure fanatics should choose to travel to the great white continent with Aurora Expeditions, where they’ll be fully immersed in this new world with innovative itinerary combinations and activities, such as polar scuba diving, not offered by others.
During this season, the temperature in Antarctica is regularly above zero, so wildlife enthusiasts will have a chance to spot an abundance of animals, such as polar bears, penguins and more. The sun is also in a perfect position for photographers to capture incredible sunrises and sunsets, and the long daylight hours make the weather much more favorable for land excursions. The beauty doesn’t end at night, because of zero light pollution coming through, travelers will be surrounded by millions of glistening stars at night and even catch a glimpse of the beautiful northern lights, as well as the milky way!
Aurora Expeditions hosts a variety of new itineraries that will appeal to anyone interested in visiting. Please see below for details.
Falklands~Malvinas and Antarctic Peninsula:
Perfect for wildlife lovers and birdwatchers, this is an in-depth, five-day exploration of the Falklands~Malvinas and Antarctic Peninsula in mid-spring when it is at its most pristine and ideal for landscape photography. Expect to find no less than six species of breeding penguins, seals, and 23 annual migrants of birds.
South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey featuring South Sandwich Islands
Wildlife lovers will also enjoy this epic voyage discovering the Falklands~Malvinas, encountering the animal haven in South Georgia, and sailing to the South Sandwich Islands, along with an adventure seeking voyage to a chain of seldom-visited volcanic islands located 460 miles south-east of South Georgia. The South Sandwich Islands is in a corner of the world that very few people reach, making this is unique opportunity to become one of those few.
This is the ultimate expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula that includes visits to well-known locations and opportunities for surprise discoveries, with nine full days to discover the wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula in the peak of summer. Those who love an adrenaline rush should opt for this voyage as it also sails through the Drake Passage.
This expedition is the younger sibling to the fully-grown Antarctic Explorer voyage, featuring a condensed version of the longer itinerary for travelers who might be short on time. Take a break from taking the Drake Passage on the way back and use your time to explore Antarctica with Zodiac cruises, polar plunges and more.
Deep Weddell Following Nordensköld
History enthusiasts will be astounded by the Weddell Sea region, which is renowned for vast amounts of ice – sea ice, pack ice and gigantic icebergs. For adventurous expeditioners, a visit to the area can be rewarding, most notably for its historical associations surrounding the abandonment of Ernest Shackleton’s ship, The Endurance, after it was trapped in ice. The area is also well known to be rich in geology and paleontology. Travelers can scour for ancient fossils of gastropods, large clams and spiral-shaped ammonites.
Antarctic adventurers can aim to tick two boxes off their bucket list on this voyage. Here, travelers have the opportunity to visit regions in Antarctica that most people who have visited the region have never experienced – below the Antarctic Circle and attempting to forge a path through the ice in the Weddell Sea.
Our review of Silversea Silver Moon
OCEANIA CRUISES UNVEILS 2022-2023 TROPICS AND EXOTICS ITINERARIES
Antarctica, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific Headline 127 Voyages from 7 to 77 Days
Antarctica, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific Headline 127 Voyages from 7 to 77 Days
Miami, FL, February 24, 2021 – Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, announced that its 2022-2023 Tropics and Exotics Collection of voyages is available for travelers and travel advisors to preview online at OceaniaCruises.com. Fresh on the heels of the line’s record-setting single-day sellout of its 2023 Around the World in 180 Days voyage, Oceania Cruises is opening these 127 new late-2022 and early-2023 voyages for sale on March 3, 2021.
“Both loyal past guests and first-time guests alike have shown an almost unquenchable thirst for worldwide travel with our 2022 itineraries and our recently launched 2023 world cruise and we are certain they will be delighted with this latest collection of memorable, exotic experiences,” stated Bob Binder, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises.
More Diverse Itineraries, More Overnights, and More Itinerary Lengths Ranging from 7 to 77 Days
From week-long winter getaways to languid, months-long sojourns, the 2022-2023 Tropics and Exotics Collection of itineraries are breathtaking in their scope, range, and diversity. Travelers can indulge in a quick escape to the Caribbean from Miami, Aruba, Barbados, or even glittering Panama City. Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia beckon with their sultry allure while the wilds of Africa, the myriad cultures of Asia, and the experiential kaleidoscope that is Australia and New Zealand offer innumerable epic adventures. South America takes center stage this season with the juxtaposition of pulsating metropolitan cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires against the majesty of pristine Chilean fjords and the fabled Amazon River basin. New for this season, four South America voyages offer the breathtaking grandeur and unforgettable experience of three days in Antarctica. These voyages are made all the richer with overnight and multi-day stays on many itineraries.
2022-2023 Tropics & Exotics Collection Highlights
127 itineraries to choose from ranging from 7 to 77 days
272 ports of call and 284 overnight or multi-day stays
Total of 62 extended explorations of 15 to 77 days that are perfect for long-cruise connoisseurs
Antarctica – four voyages aboard Marina that include scenic cruising in Antarctica
Caribbean – a diverse calendar of offerings with a great array of voyage lengths (from 7 to 77 days), a wide array of longer voyages with 12 cruises that are 15 days or more in length, and new embarkation ports beyond Miami in Bridgetown, Barbados; Panama City, Panama; and Oranjestad, Aruba
22 voyages aboard Regatta and Nautica spanning the entirety of Asia and Africa ranging from 10 to 40 days
Three trans-Tasman Australia/New Zealand voyages aboard Regatta + six voyages that explore the South Pacific, Polynesia, and Hawaii
Marina offers three forays into the mighty Amazon
Nautica reprises her perennially popular voyages to Africa, India, and the Arabian Peninsula
35-day Christmas and New Year’s circumnavigation of Australia
Three springtime immersions into Japan, sailing roundtrip from Tokyo
· The diversity of enriching destination experiences with our Go Local Tours, exclusive culinary-focused excursions, and overland-tours that offer access to some of the world’s most fabled historical, cultural, and archaeological sites
For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.
About Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s six small, luxurious ships carry only 684 or 1,250 guests featuring the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has two 1,200-guest Allura class ships on order.
Silversea Showcases the Best of Antarctica, Photographed by Steve Mccurry for the Very First Time
The iconic photographer travelled deep into the White Continent aboard Silversea’s Silver Cloud
The iconic photographer travelled deep into the White Continent aboard Silversea’s Silver Cloud
(Monaco – February 26, 2020) Legendary photographer Steve McCurry has photographed Antarctica for the first time in his career, travelling to the White Continent on a 10-day sailing from December 10, 2019, aboard Silversea’s Silver Cloud.
McCurry crossed the Drake Passage to capture inspiring images of the Antarctic Sound, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands. His spectacular images reflect Antarctica’s unique natural beauty, the captivating wildlife that inhabits the region, the unforgettable experiences on offer here, and the unique talents of one of the world’s foremost visual storytellers.
“Antarctica is unlike any other destination in the world. It felt like I was on another planet,” says McCurry. “I left Ushuaia excited to see huge icebergs and alien landscapes, but Antarctica’s diverse ecosystem greeted me with so much more—whales, seabirds, penguins, and seals, plus vast glaciers and relics of history, frozen in time. Being able to experience the continent so authentically, while accompanied by experts in their field, was an experience that will live with me forever.”
Among the highlights of his expedition, McCurry quotes up-close encounters with whales and elephant seals as his most memorable—the animals willingly approached the photographer, yet McCurry maintained a safe and respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.
"We had some incredible encounters with elephant seals, which were fascinating,” continues McCurry. “They are such enormous creatures with big beautiful eyes and wonderful expressions—so full of emotion."
Another of McCurry’s highlights was the opportunity to travel with Silversea’s Expedition Experts, who enriched his experience with their extensive and broad-ranging knowledge. The photographer attended topical lectures in Silver Cloud’s Explorer Lounge, delivered by Silversea’s Expedition Team, before journeying ashore on one of the ship’s 18 Zodiacs to discover the natural beauty of Antarctica first-hand.
“Being accompanied by experts in their field taught me a lot about what I was experiencing, which enriched the experience,” says McCurry. “I always looked forward to all the lectures and learning about this unique part of the world. I spent many enjoyable meals talking to these experts and scientists, learning about the region."
"The abandoned whaling station we visited on the South Shetland Islands was very interesting. The region has numerous whaling stations, scientific bases, and way stations that have been abandoned. They are now covered in snow and ice, but still serve as remarkable time capsules. I saw an airplane hangar, dormitory, cemetery and huge oil storage tanks."
“A master of his art, Steve McCurry is the perfect storyteller to capture the authentic beauty of Antarctica for our guests,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Antarctica is a unique destination, but Steve was certainly up to the challenge. His curiosity reflects that of our guests, as does his yearning to travel deeper to discover rare and authentic moments. Aboard Silver Cloud, Steve did exactly this and his inspiring images perfectly capture the range of unique experiences that our industry-leading Expedition Team unlocks for guests.”
SILVER CLOUD: IMMERSIVE EXPEDITION TRAVEL IN SUPERLATIVE COMFORT
Steve McCurry travelled to Antarctica aboard Silver Cloud in superlative comfort, enjoying a spacious, ocean-view suite and all-inclusive amenities, including sumptuous cuisine in four fine restaurants; an in-suite 24-hour dining service; the personalized service of a butler; complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite bar, stocked with guests' preferred beverages; and complimentary Wi-Fi. As well as a fleet of 18 Zodiacs, Silver Cloud carries 10 kayaks to enable travelers to explore a destination from the water at their own pace.
ANTARCTICA BRIDGE: THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE TO THE LAST CONTINENT
Silversea recently brought innovation to Polar travel by launching Antarctica Bridge, the world’s first ultra-luxury fly-cruise to the White Continent. Enjoying direct flights from Chile’s Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica from December 2021, travelers will fly 670 nm (1,240 km) over the Drake Passage on a private plane – reserved exclusively for Silversea’s guests – that has been specially adapted to land on King George Island. Hosted by Silversea representatives and offering travelers the comfort of a business-class configuration, the flight will take just two hours each way, meaning guests will avoid approximately four days at sea on the return journey. A bespoke in-flight entertainment program, which will include Zodiac and IAATO briefings, will be tailored entirely for Antarctic expeditions to prepare guests for the unique adventure ahead. Travelers will then spend five full days—the same amount of time as on Silversea’s traditional Antarctica voyages—travelling deep into the destination, accompanied by Silversea’s team of Expedition Experts.
In the next Antarctica season, three Silversea ships will unlock immersive experiences in Antarctica for guests from October 28, 2020, including the then newly converted ice-classed Silver Wind; Silver Explorer, which will journey to the Ross Sea on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage; and Silver Cloud.
View Silversea’s voyages to Antarctica and for more information on Antarctica Bridge:
https://www.silversea.com/destinations/antarctica-cruise.html
Watch a video of Steve McCurry’s trip to Antarctica with Silversea:
https://youtu.be/0-HYlX7AcNQ
Read an exclusive interview with Steve McCurry on his trip to Antarctica:
https://discover.silversea.com/steve-mccurry/steve-mccurry-interview-first-trip-to-antarctica/?utm_campaign=McCurryAntarctica&utm_medium=press_release&utm_source=silversea