Join us for ANTARCTICA 08-09:
29 Dec 08 - 31 Jan 09 --
Sail with us to Antarctica this year. We have berths available for our December-January trip, 34 days/33 nights aboard SEAL -- experience this stunning world of ice, mountains, penguins, and whales for yourself.
This is skipper Hamish Laird's 17th voyage to the Peninsula, and the third season aboard SEAL, our purpose-built sailboat. We'll leave from Ushuaia, Argentina on 29 December, and head into Chile. New Year's Eve will most likely be spent at anchor in the Cape Horn Archipelago, although the weather is always the deciding factor down here, so there's a chance we'll be at sea. The crossing to Antarctica usually takes just over three days, and we will spend the next three weeks thoroughly exploring the Peninsula.
At this time of year, there are nearly 24 hours of daylight, and SEAL's raised saloon doubles the time you spend looking at wildlife. With 10 big windows in the saloon, you'll be looking out at the anchorage when the sunset is brilliant behind the mountains and when the penguins are coming home from fishing and the leopard seals are predating on the edge of the colony. After a day out on the water or observing penguins and seals on the beach, we spend our evenings with a view of the world, rather than down below in the dark as on most yachts. SEAL has a lifting keel and rudder for shallow and uncharted waters, and a tough, fast rig for offshore sailing. SEAL is alone in combining one of the newest boats chartering in Antarctica with one of the most experienced skippers.
This year's itinerary is particularly suited for photographers, sailors, and wildlife enthusiasts. You don't need any sailing experience to join the trip - we've taken all levels of sailors from absolute beginners to round the world race skippers.
We realize that five weeks is a big time commitment, but we strongly believe that it is worth it -- you will spend twice as many days in Antarctica as you would on a three week trip.
Costs are $15,000 USD per person. This includes all food, table wine, port fees, and other boat costs. We provide safety equipment, towels, sheets and pillows, and we have several sets of loaner foul weather gear if you don't already own a set. Costs do not include airfare, shore-side accommodation before and after the trip, or insurance (evacuation insurance required).
The raised saloon gives you a view on the world, with plenty of room for the entire party to enjoy the sights, or you can retire to your cabin, with its comfortable bunk and and computer desk when you need a bit of privacy. SEAL is crammed with books - Antarctic wildlife, exploration, tales of adventure and a wide variety of fiction. All of SEAL's voyages are "expedition style" which means we expect you to help with standing watch, sail handling and boat keeping to the extent of your abilities (no experience necessary), as well as assist with food preparation and clean up and look after your own cabins and equipment. There is no smoking aboard SEAL.
Want to bring your children? Unlike many of the cruise ships, we are willing to take under 18s with us, but we suggest a private charter. Our two daughters (who have sailed to Greenland, Antarctica, and South Georgia) will be staying ashore for this voyage.
CONTACT US if you have questions or would like to reserve your place.
Best wishes,
Kate and Hamish Laird
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- These prices are per person (you may have to share a cabin) for 34 nights aboard;
- Food (including table wine) and lodging, aboard Seal from the 11 am on on the scheduled start day until 4 pm on the scheduled end day of the charter;
- Port fees;
- Use of safety equipment, including harnesses;
- Sheets, towel, pillows.
Price does not include:
- Transportation to and from the boat;
- Shoreside accommodation;
- Hard alcohol;
- You must have a valid passport, visas if required, and a flexible air or sea ticket from the destination country to your home country;
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance;
- Personal clothing, including foul weather gear, seaboots, sleeping bags;
- Permits for any projects ashore (climbing, research, etc.).
Also see tour packages in:
Antarctica
Antarctica
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Wildlife Viewing
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