Journey to Antarctica
Embark on an unparalleled polar expedition aboard a vessel with the highest ice-class rating available (1A Super), ensuring safe navigation through the challenging polar waters. With an impressive average cruising speed of 13.5 knots, this ship allows for less time at sea and more time devoted to exploration. Despite being originally designed for 180 guests, the ship now accommodates a maximum of 138, providing ample space and the luxury of always finding a quiet spot. The dining room features large picture windows, allowing guests to savor breathtaking Antarctic views while enjoying complimentary wines and beers. Various deck spaces offer opportunities to absorb the magnificent landscape from every angle, perfect for capturing uninterrupted photos. Equipped with a state-of-the-art stabilizing system, the vessel ensures comfort even in open waters. For those with a passion for scientific inquiry, a dedicated laboratory for Citizen Science awaits, inviting guests to delve deeper into the wonders of the polar environment.
February 19th - 21st
- Ushuaia, Argentina | Arakur Resort & Spa
February 21st - 23rd
- Drake Passage
February 24th - 29th
- Antarctica
March 1st
- Drake Passage
March 2nd
- Ushuaia, Argentina | Departure Day
If you need any urgent assistance while you are traveling, or if you would like to make any changes, reservations or cancellations during your time in Ushuaia and Antarctica you can contact the following who will be your local contacts during your trip:
Buenos Aires
- Contact name for Buenos Aires: will be provided
- Emergency number for Buenos Aires: will be provided
Ushuaia
- Contact in Ushuaia: will be provided
- WhatsApp: will be provided
- Number: will be provided
Antarctica
- Emergency number for Antarctica: will be provided
Your Curator:
- Number: will be provided or via Scenset app chat
- Scenset Emergency Line: will be provided
You can also reach out to us on the Scenset app and we will be happy to help.
Important: If something needs immediate assistance, your local contact is the best person to call first as they are in the same time zone.
February, with ice at its minimal extent, is the ideal time for crossing the Antarctic Circle at 66 degrees south, offering an unparalleled adventure and significant bragging rights.
During this month, Antarctic weather is warm and relatively stable, with an average temperature of 34°F (1°C), revealing more of the rocky landscape. Wildlife thrives in these milder conditions, with penguin chicks practicing swimming, whales actively feeding, and seals hunting along the ice fringes.
While warm clothing is essential, expect sunny days and clear skies, providing an undistracted and immersive adventure experience.
U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Argentina. U.S. citizens with expired or damaged passports may not be allowed to enter and could be sent back to the United States at their own expense.
Complete information is available here.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
During the austral summer the average temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula area is about 0°C (32°F), although sometimes it may feel lower because of the wind chill factor. For this reason, it is best to wear several layers of light, warm clothing. The suggested clothing for Antarctica is very similar to that recommended for skiing: thermal underwear, a couple of warm and wicking mid-layers, a windproof and waterproof jacket, plus pants as the outer layer. You will also need a hat, a scarf, waterproof and insulated gloves, waterproof boots, and sunglasses with high UV protection. The pre-departure material provides further details. We also suggest packing comfortable clothes to wear on board, as well as rubber-soled shoes for walking around on the outside decks.
Face Protection
Good quality UV filtering sunglasses are essential. Glacier glasses have leather flaps at the sides to stop the light from passing through. Due to the high reflectance of UV radiation, you will also need good sunblock lotion for your face (protection factor 30 and above) and lip balm.
Photography
To see the wildlife, you should have a good pair of lightweight binoculars (the suggested magnification is 7× or 8×). If you are passionate about photography, do not forget a good zoom lens to shoot wildlife while avoiding close approaches. Also, pack a good supply of memory cards and spare batteries since cold temperatures can reduce their life span. The recreational use of drones is not allowed in Antarctica.
Dietary Information
Requests regarding diets must be made on the passenger form you receive after your booking confirmation. This information will be passed along to our staff so they can accommodate your needs while on your voyage. Note: Due to the nature of our expeditions and the kitchens onboard the ships, Kosher and vegan meals cannot be accommodated.
We have put together some curated Spotify playlists for you to listen to before, during and after your trip; full of local talent to discover and setting the mood for your adventure!
- Argentina is a playlist full of local talent and feel-good melodies, straight off the streets of Buenos Aires!
- The Open Road is perfect for traveling to a soundtrack.
- Winter Escape is a collection of wintery indie tunes to get cosy to while you travel...think snow falls, guitars and fairy lights!
- Passengers: 164*
- Crew: 90 (includes Staff)
- Built by: Mitsubishi Shipyard, Kobe (Japan)
- Built in: 1990
- Reimagined: 2019
- Refurbished: Spring 2021
- Manager: will be provided, Cyprus
- Registered in: Limassol, Cyprus
- Length: 111,5 m
- Width: 17,0 m
- Tonnage: 6 752 GRT
- Class: DNV-GL Ice Class E4 (highest available)
- Stabilization: Retractable-type Fin Stabilizers (11 m2 ea)
*To enhance the guest experience, the Seaventure carries a maximum of 139 passengers. In an effort to accommodate rebooking preferences, some voyages may carry up to 149.
Seaventure
Window Stateroom
- Cabin with sitting area
Inclusions:
- Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- Certified Emergency MD and Clinic
- World Class Cuisine and Live Entertainment
- Complimentary Coffee/Tea station
- Voyage Photographer
- Dedicated Passenger Service Manager
- Complimentary Expedition Jacket
Booked by a passenger.
You can find your final documents for reference here.
These include instructions for arriving at the hotel before departure and what to expect onboard.
- Ship name: Seaventure
- Cabin number: 423
- Cabin type: King Window Suite
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires (EZE), you will be met as soon as you leave the aircraft on the boarding bridge by airport staff, holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be escorted to the VIP lounge where you may relax and enjoy a drink. Once the luggage porters have your luggage, you will be escorted through an express immigration and customs line and then accompanied to meet your driver.
- Contact details: will be provided
Booked by Scenset.
You receive a private transfer from EZE Airport to Aeroparque Internacional Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) in a luxury vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
This is a drive of approximately 45 minutes, traffic permitting.
- Contact details: will be provided
Booked by Scenset.
If you have not taken cash out before your trip, we suggest you exchange money at the airport in Buenos Aires during your stopover, since not all taxi drivers will accept currencies other than Argentine pesos, and many will not take credit cards.
Recommendation only.
Upon arrival into Ushuaia Airport (USH), you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The Arakur Resort & Spa is about a 20-minute drive away.
- Please look for a “Polar Latitudes” sign in the arrivals area for your transfer.
Booked by Scenset
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax.
- Check-in time: Afternoon onwards.
Check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore.
This day is designed to ensure that any flight delays or missed connections won't affect your plans, and that you can begin your trip fully rested. Explore the trails, visit the spa, head into town, or simply relax in the surroundings.
You can enlarge the image below which has details on what to do, what to see and where to eat/drink:
Please let Scenset know if you would like any assistance arranging dining reservations or excursions around Ushuaia.
Arakur Resort & Spa is a luxurious hotel perched on a hilltop in Ushuaia, Argentina, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and the Beagle Channel. The architecture seamlessly blends with the natural beauty, featuring contemporary design that complements the stunning landscapes. Elegantly appointed rooms and suites provide guests with comfort, while the resort's world-class spa offers rejuvenating treatments. Multiple dining options showcase local and international cuisine in a refined setting. Adventure enthusiasts can explore Tierra del Fuego National Park for hiking and wildlife watching. With both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, Arakur Resort & Spa ensures a well-rounded experience, promising a memorable stay in one of the southernmost corners of the world where natural beauty meets luxurious hospitality.
Arakur Resort & Spa
Superior Room
- Inclusions: Daily breakfast
- Booked under: will be provided
Address: Cerro Alarken N° 1(Acceso por Av, Heroes de Malvinas 2617, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Phone: +54 2901 44-2900
Booked by scenset
You have the day free to explore Ushuaia today.
The Welcome Desk is open this morning if you have any questions or wish to sign up for the optional National Park tour.
- Head into town to explore the Antarctic wing of the quirky Maritime Museum in the old prison and look out for shore birds along the edges of the docks.
- We can arrange day trip tours in advance so you can head out into the spectacular wilderness surrounding the city, such as Tierra del Fuego National Park.
- Alternatively, continue relaxing at the hotel and enjoy the glorious sunset from the pool.
These are recommendations only - no bookings have been made.
There will be a briefing this evening, which is a great opportunity to ask questions and to meet some of your fellow travelers.
In the evening of Day 2, meet your Polar Latitudes representative and fellow explorers for a pre-embarkation briefing.
The time and location will be confirmed at the hotel.
Please mark your cabin number on the labels and attach them to your checked luggage.
- Ship name: Seaventure
- Cabin number: 423
- Cabin type: King Window Suite
Arakur Resort & Spa
Superior Room
Inclusions: Daily breakfast
Booked by a person
Breakfast at the hotel will be served in the morning.
Please have the cabin labels attached and bring your luggage downstairs before late morning.
The welcome letter you receive at the hotel will confirm the location to which you will bring your luggage – either the foyer of the Magellanes Ballroom or the front desk area.
Make sure you have all prescription medications in your carry-on.
Optional park tour departs the Arakur in the morning.
- If you are going on the park tour, please be sure to bring your luggage down and check out before you leave for the tour.
You will return to your hotel around midday. Timing to be confirmed on arrival.
The cost for this excursion will be provided, which can be paid at the Welcome Desk with cash or credit card.
Optional experience - paid locally.
Please note, check out time is in the morning.
Make sure to have lunch before you go - not included, paid locally.
After a relaxed final morning, you will be transferred to the ship in the afternoon.
You are asked to promptly meet at the bus outside the hotel.
Important: If you are enjoying the downtown area, please meet at the “Ushuaia: Fin del Mundo” sign, located next to the parking lot near the port, two blocks from the main shopping street. Please do not enter the port alone; the ship's buses will stop here to pick up passengers so you can enter the port as a group.
Included.
You will embark the ship in the afternoon.
- Ship name: Seaventure
- Cabin number: 423
- Cabin type: King Window Suite
- Wellington boots will be loaned for the duration of the voyage and a Parka Jacket will be provided. Both will be arranged once onboard.
- Tipping: A suggested collective Hotel Crew tip is discretionary. You may also reward the Expedition Staff at your discretion. Payment can be made by cash or charged to your shipboard account and settled by credit card.
- Payments on board: Any extras accrued onboard will need to be paid for before docking. Payment can be made by cash or card (Visa and Mastercard accepted). Pricing onboard is in US dollars.
- Wifi: Free public internet and 500Mb of Wi-Fi are included. Extra data is payable onboard. The internet is much slower and intermittent than you may be used to at home. We strongly suggest limiting Internet use to basic functions and avoiding browsing heavy pages or applications.
- Electrical Sockets: 220 V European 2-pin plugs. Each cabin also has a power strip with 6 Euro sockets and 3 USB ports.
Once on board, meet your Expedition Team and the ship's officers. A safety and orientation briefing will be followed by a welcome dinner.
As the ship sails down the Beagle Channel this evening, head out on deck with your binoculars and camera. Look out for Magellanic penguins and sea lions in the water. If you're lucky you might even spot a whale or dolphins! This is also one of the best places to spot black-browed albatross, which can often be found floating on the water in large groups.
You will be crossing the infamous Drake Passage, which is a right of passage for Antarctic explorers.
Among the wildlife spotting opportunities as you sail south are the albatrosses, prions, and petrels that frequently follow the ship. The Expedition Team will be out on deck with you helping you to identify the different species. This time will also be used by the naturalists on board to provide a range of educational lectures on the wildlife, history, and geology of Antarctica, as well as mandatory briefings on environmental regulations and expedition safety.
Those interested in participating in Citizen Science opportunities may be able to take part in seabird counting surveys along with mapping cloud patterns for NASA. As you cross the Antarctic Convergence and approach your destination, keep an eye out for your first iceberg sighting.
For your adventure in Antarctica, the expert Expedition Leader and Captain will create a flexible itinerary based on the ever-changing weather and ice conditions along with wildlife opportunities.
You will explore spectacular bays, often filled with sculptural icebergs with myriad hues of blue and white.
On shore you will always be on the lookout for Antarctica's most famous residents - the penguins! The most commonly seen are the distinctive gentoo penguins, but you may also spot Adelies and chinstraps. Out on the water, you will zodiac cruise on the hunt for seals snoozing on the ice and whales feeding on krill. Sometimes the ship's deck will be the best platform for exploring as you sail through jaw-dropping channels, where glaciers pour down from the mountain tops and spill into the sea.
Each day is different to the last and your expedition team are focussed on maximising your time exploring this utterly unique landscape.
During your time cruising around the glaciers and coast of Antarctica, join the expedition team on exhilarating kayaking excursions to get up-close and personal with the 7th continent!
Booked by a travel agent.
As you bid farewell to Antarctica, the education lectures and wildlife spotting will continue as you sail back to Ushuaia. There is time to reflect on your adventures and perhaps begin sorting through many photos.
Morning: Disembark in Ushuaia after breakfast.
A group transfer to the airport, or to a local hotel will leave from the vessel.
If you fly in the afternoon, there are storage facilities downtown - ask onboard for more details.
Please note that the storage facility is open Monday to Friday until 5.00 pm. Saturday and Sunday until 3.00 pm.
- Disembarkation details will be advised the day before your embarkation on board.
- The onboard team will explain the disembarkation procedures a day or two before arriving back to Ushuaia and will ask you to confirm your transfer choice.
A morning disembarkation in Ushuaia allows you to catch an afternoon flight to Buenos Aires or to stay in Ushuaia for further adventures.
Upon arrival in Ushuaia Port, you will be transferred to Ushuaia Airport for your departure flight home.
Booked by a travel agent