ANTARCTICA & THE ROSS SEA EXPEDITION

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23 DAYS

ITINERARY SUMMARY
DayPlaceHighlights
Day 1Christchurch, New ZealandEmbark on the Crystal Endeavor
Days 2 - 5At SeaCruising the Southern Ocean
Day 6Crossing the Antarctic Circle Keep an eye out for wildlife as you cross this historic stretch of your Antarctic experience
Day 7Cape Adare, AntarcticaHome to the oldest buildings in Antarctica
Day 8Cape Hallet & Roget, AntarcticaVisit the Cape known for its large Adelie penguin colony and Roget home to an emperor penguin rookery
Day 9Terra Nova Bay, AntarcticaThe bay hosts scientific stations
Days 10 - 12Ross Island, AntarcticaHome to Antarctica’s biggest scientific station, McMurdo station
Day 13Marble Point/Dry Valleys RegionIf conditions permit and you have booked, fly to the Dry Valleys, resembling Mars
Day 14Cruising the Ross Ice ShelfBe in awe of the world’s largest ice shelf, which stabilizes the Antarctic Ice Sheet
Day 15Coulman Island, AntarcticaA treasure trove of geological history
Day 16Possession Islands, AntarcticaVisit this small collection of islands and islets
Day 17Cruising the Southern OceanRelax at sea onboard the Crystal Endeavor
Day 18Balleny Islands, AntarcticaVisit these uninhabited islands, part of the world’s largest marine protected area
Days 19-22Cruising the Southern OceanEnjoy your final few days onboard the Crystal Endeavor
Day 23Hobart, AustraliaFarewell your fellow travellors as you disembark the Crystal Endeavor
Antarctica - The Ross Sea - Christchurch to Hobart

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR
crystal-endeavor-resized

Crystal Endeavor is bringing a new meaning to luxury in the Antarctic. Featuring 100 suites to accompany up to 200 guests, the sleek design fits all the specifications of Polar Class 6 enabling the Crystal Endeavor to reach the farthest corners of the Earth. On board there is a two story glass-enclosed solarium for you to relax in as you watch the beautiful scenery pass you by or get a treatment at the full-service spa. Choose to dine from one of the six Michelin-level restaurants on board or spend sea days in one of the many other on board lavish public places. The ship is set to have a whole fleet of expedition toys including a fleet of 18 zodiacs, a submersible and two helicopters ready to take you on an adventure.

Day 1 Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand

Lyttelton, Christchurch

The historic port of Lyttelton, where you will embark on the Crystal Endeavor serves as the gateway to Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. Traditionally considered the most English of New Zealand’s cities, there is much to explore in vibrant Christchurch, from its neo-Gothic stone buildings and beautiful botanical gardens, to its picturesque Avon River lined by graceful willows. Further afar, the Canterbury Plains, snow-capped Southern Alps and numerous rivers beckon with their enchanting beauty and wildlife.

Days 2-5 At Sea

wandering-albatross-at-sea-alex-burridge

Days at sea are an indulgent invitation to take full advantage of Crystal Endeavor’s luxurious amenities and services, from pampering interludes at the Crystal Life Spa & Salon or invigorating work-outs in the state-of-the-art fitness center to wine tastings, culinary presentations, lectures on art and history, or even a date with Lady Luck at the Resorts World at Sea Casino. Of course, the real thrill remains the opportunity for wildlife sightings with our Expedition Team keeping an eye out for nature’s wonders in addition to leading enriching presentations and conversational lectures unique to each destination.

Day 6 Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Cross the Antarctic Circle aboard the world’s largest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, you’ll find an array of unmatched experiences to immerse in during your days at sea. Indulge your senses at the serene Crystal Life Spa & Salon, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center, and learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging enrichment programs. Or simply lounge poolside in solarium bliss while the attentive crew caters to your every whim. As evening arrives, indulge in the renowned culinary creations of Nobu Matsuhisa, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lounge in luxurious spaces, or try your luck at the action-packed Resorts World At Sea Casino.

Day 7 Cape Adare, Antarctica

Cape Adare

History buffs are in for a treat at Cape Adare where the remains of the oldest buildings in Antarctica are located. The two prefabricated huts were built on Ridley Beach during the 1899 expedition of Norwegian explorer Carsten Borchgrevink and were later used by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s team in 1911. The historic huts are surrounded by the world’s largest Adélie penguin colony.

Day 8 Cape Hallett & Roget, Antarctica

Emperor-penguins-Snow-Hill-Island-Weddell-Sea

The majestic peaks of the Admiralty Mountains welcome you to Cape Hallett. Framed by the Ross Sea, the Southern Ocean and several glaciers, the ranges are situated in Antarctica’s northeastern Victoria Land. Discovered by British explorer James Clark Ross in 1841, the cape is known for its large Adélie penguin colony. Just to the north of Cape Hallett lies Cape Roget, marking the north entrance to Moubray Bay. Cape Roget is home to an emperor penguin rookery.

Day 9 Tera Nova Bay, Antarctica

Adelie-penguins

The iceberg-dotted Terra Nova Bay beckons with the possibility of stepping foot on the continent of Antarctica. Nestled along the coast of Victoria Land between Cape Washington and the Drygalski Ice Tongue, a massive glacier that flows out into the ocean, the bay area hosts a few scientific stations, including Italy’s Zucchelli Station, known for its research on marine biology, oceanography, seismology and more. Adélie and emperor penguins as well as Weddell seals may be spotted in the bay.

Day 10-12 Ross Island, Antarctica

Mt Erebus

Discovered by Captain James Ross in 1840, this island is home to Antarctica’s biggest scientific station, McMurdo Station, and Scott’s Discovery Hut. At 2460 square kilometres, it is often considered part of the Antarctic mainland due the continuous presence of the ice sheet. Formed by four volcanoes – including the world’s southernmost active volcano, Erebus, and the dormant Terror, both named for Ross’ expedition ships – it is the highest island in Antarctica and the sixth highest in the world.

Day 13 Marble Point / Dry Valleys Region, Antarctica

dry valley 645498820

In this remote expanse of Antarctica that resembles Mars more than it does earth, the McMurdo Dry Valleys represent a region of earth where life approaches its environment limits – remarkable ice-free dry deserts boasting a geological playground of fossils and salt accumulations. Be among the few to tread in this place that is unlike any other in the world, reaching the scientific stations and historic huts by helicopter.

Day 14 Cruising the Ross Ice Shelf

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Scientific phenomena and other curiosities abound on and around the world’s largest ice shelf, responsible for stabilising the Antarctic Ice Sheet; where certain fish species swim upside down and icebergs are formed in tubes. The Ross Ice Shelf has captivated explorers and researchers for centuries, from Amundsen and Scott to today’s multidisciplinary scientists who tirelessly study its stability. Survey this massive wonder during helicopter expeditions and see what few other travelers ever have.

Day 15 Coulman Island, Antarctica

Emperor Penguins

A treasure trove of geologic history, scenic Coulman Island is located in the Ross Sea off the coast of northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Its picturesque landscape of mountains and cliffs dappled with snow is actually a complex of shield volcanoes, massive dome-shaped formations built of lava flows. Its most notable feature is the 4.8 kilometre-wide, 700-metre-deep caldera on the southern end of the island. An Emperor penguin colony resides here.

Day 16 Possession Islands, Antarctica

Adelie Penguin tabogganing

Discovered in 1841 by British explorer James Clark Ross, the Possession Islands are a collection of small islands and islets situated off the northeastern coast of Victoria Land, Antarctica. They were named by Ross to memorialise his taking possession of the islands on behalf of Britain. Vast numbers of Adélie penguins make their home on the islands. Foyn Island, one of the largest islands in the group, is almost completely blanketed by a penguin colony.

Day 17 Cruising the Southern Ocean

Zodiac and iceberg Antarctic Peninsula

Aboard the world’s largest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, you’ll find an array of unmatched experiences to immerse in during your days at sea.

Day 18 Balleny Islands, Antarctic

Antarctica

The isolated and pristine Balleny Islands, discovered by English sealer John Balleny in 1839, are an archipelago straddling the Antarctic Circle in the Ross Sea. The uninhabited islands and their nutrient-rich waters are part of the world’s largest marine protected area, established in 2016. This surreal, snow-covered wonderland of glaciated, volcanic islands and ice floes is home to possible sightingts of humpback whales, which feed on the region’s abundant krill and plankton.

Day 19-22 Cruising the Southern Ocean

birds-at-sea

Aboard the world’s largest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, you’ll find an array of unmatched experiences to immerse in during your days at sea. Indulge your senses at the serene Crystal Life Spa & Salon, work-out at the state-of-the-art fitness center, and learn about art, history and worldly destinations with the engaging enrichment programs. Or simply lounge poolside in solarium bliss while the attentive crew caters to your every whim. As evening arrives, indulge in the renowned culinary creations of Nobu Matsuhisa, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lounge in luxurious spaces, or try your luck at the action-packed Resorts World At Sea Casino.

Day 23 Hobart, Australia

Hobart from Mt Wellington

Your journey onboard the Crystal Endeavor will come to an end today in Hobart. Situated between Mount Wellington – Kunanyi to local Aboriginal people – and the Derwent River, Hobart is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful harbor cities – as well as an Antarctic gateway. History adds picturesque charm to this Tasmanian capital, for there are no less than 90 buildings with National Trust classification.

To book this voyage call 1300 784 794 or email contact@antarcticatravelcentre.com.au

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.