January 25th – February 8th, 2024
Description
2McKay Photography Academy Presents: Antarctica the 7th Continent -Penguins, Whales and more!
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION – We are down to the last few spots remaining!
The Adventure:
This remarkable expedition departs from the far southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, Argentina. After a two day journey across the Drake Passage, we will come to the continent of Antarctica. For many, the last continent on their list to step foot on! YES, we DO make landfall and even have some very special items in store for you! THIS ADVENTURE IS TRULY INCREDIBLE!
This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. Our route and exploration opportunities in Antarctica are heavily dependent on weather and ice conditions. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. We take advantage of long daylight hours to exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, amazing scenery, and excursions via Zodiac.
The Antarctic Peninsula region contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and some of Antarctica’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Protected bays and narrow channels are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in permanent snow and immense glaciers. Icebergs of every size and description complete an image of incomparable beauty. Waters rich with krill are home to a variety of whale and seal species. The whole area is alive with penguins foraging at sea and forming large nesting colonies at special places on land. The area is also home to Antarctic research stations of various nationalities. Some stations have a gift shop and post office.
Details
- Dates: Rescheduled to January 25th – February 8th, 202
- Price: $16,500
- Superior & Class Suites for MPA! ($18,195 Direct Ship and Tour company price), Prices are $1695.00 LESS then if you bought directly from the ship itself and INCLUDE photography instruction and priorities for our group!
- $2500 deposit and a payment plan on balance offered interest-free.
Included During Tour Dates:
- Personalized Instruction with MPA team**
- McKay Team Image Reviews with Editing Instruction
- Photographic Workshop Presentations. David, Ally and the MPA team are official presenters on board!
- Luxury Expedition Ship Sea Spirit (max 114 passengers)
- Larger Comfortable Suites
- Arrival Night Hotel – Pre-Embarkation
- All Transfers In-Country Included
- Rubber Boots for Shore Landings – to borrow!
- Zodiac Excursions and Shore Landings (weather permitting)
- An Exclusive Expedition Parka is Yours to Keep!
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner while on Board- Prepared by a chef and his team.
**Note – Instructors are scheduled but may change without notice. You will always have a top MPA instruction team!
NOT Included:
- Transportation to and from Ushuaia, Argentina
- Commercial flight accessible!
- Trip Insurance (Required)
- Personal Expenses such as soft drinks, alcohol, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
- Staff Gratuities
Instructors
- David McKay
- Ally McKay
- Toby Gelston
*Note – Instructors are scheduled but may change without notice. You will always have a top MPA instruction team!
FAQ
Q. When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
A. Generally between November and the end of February for many reasons. Typically, these are the times to be able to make landfall AND be up close to Penguins and their chicks. This is a remarkable life time experience! This is also the optimal time of year for shore landings, wildlife, smoother seas, AND warmer climate.
Q. How cold is it?
A. Surprisingly, it is not that cold during this time of year which is summer in Antarctica. Typical temperatures average around 20-35 degrees Fahrenheit With simple base layers and the parka that is yours to keep, you will find that you will be much warmer than you may have thought!
Q. Will we see and photograph wildlife?
A. YES! You will be amazed at the amount of wildlife. You will get opportunities to get up close (VERY CLOSE) to penguins, and see whales, leopard seals, varieties of birds, and varieties of other marine wildlife. This truly an experience that cannot just be “explained” but has to be lived!
Q. How physically in shape do you need to be?
A. As there is very little hiking, and even that you can choose as an option, you do not have to be in great physical shape. HOWEVER, you should be in realistically good heath and understand that although there are doctors as well as a medical clinic on board, we will be far from a hospital. If you are in good health, and can walk a mile, you are just fine.
Q. How rough are the seas?
A. The Drake Passage can be very rough. On our past journey we had relatively smooth seas to and from Antarctica with very little seasickness by anyone. Preparation is really the key. Prior to leaving port, the doctors on board give a seminar and help individuals prepare for sea sickness with patches and medications. Most people do fine, however if you are easily sick from motion sickness, you should be aware that we are on a vessel in the Drake Passage.
Once you are out of the Drake, the seas are typically smooth and the inlets can be complete mirrors as you can see in the video above.
Q. Are the Zodiacs rough?
A. No! Actually quite smooth and fun and there is an easy boarding and de -boarding process.
Q. Is it safe?
A. Our ship, the Sea Spirit, will have some of the best and experienced crew available in the region. You can feel assured that you are in great hands while on board!
Q. How are the accommodation?
A. WONDERFUL! Please see below for descriptions of the ship and rooms!
About Our Vessel
Carrying a maximum of 114 passengers, the M/V Sea Spirit is an outstanding polar-approved vessel and the perfect home away from home. With luxurious amenities paralleling that of a fine hotel, this all-suite vessel is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow bays and channels of polar waters.
UN-BIASED SEA SPIRIT REVIEW
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Sea Spirit review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our polar experts have been aboard nearly every first-class vessel in the Arctic and Antarctica. Please read our Sea Spirit review below.
Sea Spirit was built at the Nuovi Cantieri Apunia shipyard in Carrara, Italy, in 1991 as the Renaissance V, and subsequently sailed as the Spirit of Oceanus for Cruise West before being modified in 2010 to make her more suitable for polar cruising. The vessel has been operating on expedition voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica since late 2010.
The Sea Spirit is a luxury vessel and certainly one of the most accommodating ships to cruise polar waters. Stabilizers provide the smoothest sailing possible throughout the journey. Her open bridge policy allows guests to interact with the captain and officers while navigating landscapes from a special view angle.
Common Areas Aboard Sea Spirit
Spacious common areas aboard the Sea Spirit include a library offering a large collection of polar books and DVDs on the Club Deck, a presentation lounge with state-of-the-art equipment for briefings, lectures and recaps on the Ocean Deck, numerous outdoor deck areas to enjoy passing scenery and outdoor barbecues, a gym including aerobic and weight-lifting equipment on the Sports Deck, an infirmary with a licensed medical doctor and a polar boutique.
There is elevator access to all passenger decks, and a zodiac landing platform allows for rapid deployment of passenger landing craft on the aft of the Main Deck.
Meals Aboard Sea Spirit
The Sea Spirit has a full-service bar, so expect spirits and wine to flow freely during the voyage. Plus, coffee, tea, cocoa, and bottled water are available around the clock. Nightly four-course meals are prepared by top chefs and an expert kitchen staff. Special diets are easily accommodated with advance notice. Meals are served in a single, leisurely seating on the Main Deck.
Activities Aboard Sea Spirit
Optional excursions including hiking, kayaking, birding and snorkeling are available during your stay on the Sea Spirit. Daily briefings by staff naturalists prep you for any activity you may desire, as well as wildlife viewing. An onboard gym on the Sports Deck provides a great place to unwind. The gym is open daily and offers stationary bikes, several treadmills and some multi-functional training machines.
CABINS & DECK PLAN ABOARD SEA SPIRIT
All cabins on the Sea Spirit feature an exterior view and spaciousness not commonly found on other expedition ships of this size. All cabins have a flat-screen TV, DVD player, in-room safe, refrigerator, individual temperature control and hair dryers en suite. Satellite phone and internet access is available in every cabin. Private facilities in each cabin include a sink, toilet and shower. Nearly all suites offer either two twin beds or a king size bed, with the exception of the Owner’s Suite, which has a fixed king bed.
Triple Classic
Located on Oceanus Deck, averaging 226 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired, comfortable sofa bed, picture window and two wardrobes.
Main Deck Suite
Located on Main Deck, averaging 248 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired and a minimum of two portholes for exterior views.
Classic Suite
Located on Oceanus Deck, averaging 226 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired, picture window and two wardrobes.
Superior Suite
Located on Club Deck, averaging 215 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired and picture window overlooking outside walkway.
Deluxe Suite
Located on Sports Deck, averaging 258 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired, sliding glass door to private balcony and walk-in closet or wardrobe.
Premium Suite
Located on Sun Deck, averaging 323 square feet, with two twin beds that convert into a king bed if desired, en suite lounge area and sliding glass door to private balcony.
Video Highlights
Gallery
Tour Pack
Please download the Tour Packet from the link below. Much of the information contained in this packet is also available under the Tour Prep page here on the web site. However, this packet will also include some gear specifics for this tour. Please note that specific flight information, arrival and departure times, accommodations, and other logistical information may not be in this packet. Those items will be emailed to you at various times in the planning process of each tour.
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