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From $21515pp 21 Days Antarctic Continent - Ross SeaEnquire NowCruise from Invercargill to Antarctica returnDuring the peak of the southern hemisphere summer, Orion offers travellers a unique opportunity to venture to the continent of Antarctica. Orion will cross the Antarctic Circle to places redolent with history and adventure. Along the way the wildlife we will encounter will astound you. The sub-Antarctic islands are home to penguin breeding colonies numbering in the millions, to elephant seals and Hooker sea lions, and the endangered Wandering Albatross. 
Tour Highlights & Inclusions
 Day 1. Bluff (Invercargill), New ZealandThe largest urban centre in New Zealand's Southland is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. The fishing port of Bluff is a half hour drive south from Invercargill and is home to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival. From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island - a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat. On days of embarkation or disembarkation transfers will operate between Bluff and Invercargill Airport. Day 2. Enderby Island, Auckland IslandsOrion's guests will cruise in Zodiacs in Sandy Bay on Enderby Island at the northern end of Auckland Island, to view a large Hooker Sea Lion colony with pups all jostling for position. If we are fortunate, we may see the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin as they move to and from their nests in the forests beyond the beach. Day 3. At SeaAt sea. Day 4. Macquarie IslandOften described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world, the sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1977, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where we will collect the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be our guides. Sandy Bay, situated halfway down the island's eastern seaboard, is our planned landing site. The Zodiacs will traverse breakwaters of giant kelp before reaching rocky beaches where landing conditions can best be described as "wet and challenging". Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussockcovered headlands, is home to 20,000 breeding pair of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals. This profusion of wildlife wasn't always so protected, the rusting remains of machinery used by whalers being stark reminders of the exploitation which took place on the island during its early history. Day 5-8. At SeaAt sea Day 9-14. Ross Sea RegionThis southernmost expanse of the Pacific Ocean was named after James Calrk Ross who first explored the area in 1841 with two ships, Erebus and Terror. As seas go, this one is quite shallow and is bounded in the east by the coastal mountains of Victoria Land and in the south by the Ross Ice Shelf. The shelf is a flat topped body of snow covered glacial ice about the size of France which largely floats except along the coastlines. The southern part of the Ross Sea is not navigable for some 9 months of the year and over the summer season between January and March very few ships venture here, and those that do principally supply the various scientific stations. The Ross Sea coast extends from the ice shelf northwards until it reaches the very tip of Victoria Land and Cape Adare. During our time in the Ross Sea Region we will attempt a variety of opportunistic landings, subject to weather conditions. These may include - Cape Hallett - Wet landing Following an intricate approach to Cape Hallett through thick pack ice, we land to inspect the site of an abandoned US/New Zealand base established during the International Geophysical Year in 1957-58. It is a magnificent area with giant glaciers and surrounding mountains of over 4,000 metres. Weddell Seals and Adelie Penguins abound. Cape Terra Nova Bay - Wet landing First discovered by Scott during his 1901-1904 expedition, the site is now occupied by an Italian base which operates a summer research station. If permission is granted, we hope to visit the base. It is then intended to cruise by the massive Drygalski ice tongue, which extends 70km out into the Ross Sea as part of the David Glacier. Inexpressible Island – Wet landing Home to a small Adelie Penguin rookery this low bleak Island is the site of an amazing story of survival where Scotts Northern party were forced to over-winter in a snow cave. Two plaques mark the site of the cave were the men suffered until their departure on the 30th September 1912 for Ross Island across the sea ice. This is a rarely visited site which is challenging to access but if a visit is successful it is not hard to imagine why the men called this place “Hell with a capital H.” Cape Evans - Wet landing Scott's 1911 Terra Nova Hut is the largest historic building in Antarctica. Used in the 1910 to 1913 British Antarctic Expedition, it served as the base for extensive scientific research and surveys as well as Scott's journey to the South Pole. Much of Scott's equipment is well preserved and it is hoped we can enter the hut with guides. Shredded seaweed sown into Jut quilting is used as an insulating layer between the inner and outer cladding of the wood hut. Ten men of Shackleton's ill-fated imperial trans-Antarctic expeditions were marooned here in 1915 after their ship Aurora was blown out to sea and unable to return. Two of Aurora's anchors remain to this day on the beach in front of the hut. Entering the hut provides a window into the historic age of Antarctic exploration and discovery. Cape Royds - Wet landing Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds was constructed during the British Antarctic Nimrod Expedition in 1907-1909. Unable to land at King Edward VII Island, he then entered McMurdo Sound. Ice conditions prevented him reaching Hut Point, the site of Scott's hut, so he selected Cape Royds for winter quarters. Adelie Penguins are slowly reclaiming the site which is the world's southernmost penguin rookery. The New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust conservation program has successfully conserved a substantial number of fascinating artifacts in this hut, in such a way that at first sight the hut appears to have only recently been abandoned. Possession Islands - Wet landing Subject to sea and ice conditions, we hope to make a landing at the rarely visited small and craggy Possession Islands. One of these, Foyn Island, is covered with Adelie Penguins. The islands were discovered by James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier in 1841 during their expedition to locate the south magnetic pole. Cape Adare - Wet landing Cape Adare was discovered by Captain James Ross in 1841. We plan to visit Borchgrevink's Hut from the British Southern Cross Expedition, the first to ever spend winter in the Antarctic, in 1899. Up to 1,000,000 Adelie Penguins have reclaimed the site, which is spectacular, surrounded by black volcanic hills. High above the huts is the lonely grave and cross of Borchgrevink's biologist. Snares Islands, New Zealand – Scenic Zodiac Cruising Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. Weather permitting we'll launch our Zodiacs for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the island's wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguins. Day 15-18. At SeaAt sea. Day 19. Campbell IslandCampbell Island was first discovered in January 1810 by Captain Frederick Hasselburg, master of the sealing brig, Perseverance. He named the island after his employers Robert Campbell and Co. of Sydney and sadly drowned later that year after a boat capsized in Perseverance Harbour. Campbell is a volcanic island with fascinating rock formations. 50 years ago, between 2 and 3 million Rock Hopper Penguins were nesting on the island but since then 90% have been decimated by bacterial infection. Erect Crested Penguins are found here in small numbers and less than 20 pairs of Wandering Albatross nest. Approximately 8,500 pairs of Royal Albatross and about 74,000 pairs of Black Browed Mollymawk also call the island home. Over 40 other breeds of birds including the Southern Royal Albatross have also been observed on Campbell Island. Day 20. At SeaAt sea. Day 21. Bluff (Invercargill), New ZealandEnd of tour. You will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
Although our itinerary to the extreme sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions is based on many years of collective experience, prevailing weather and ice conditions in this area of the world are unpredictable, mother nature dictates our course. These are not cruises they are true expeditions to what can be the most inhospitable region on earth. Bring with you a spirit of adventure and flexibility. Prices and Dates
Photo GalleryWildlife Watching, 'Orion' Antarctica King Emperor Penguin, Macquarie Island Prices and Dates
Terms and ConditionsUpon signing the Declaration in the Booking Form and paying the deposit applicable for all passengers named in the Booking Form (each a "Passenger"), each Passenger will enter into a contract on these Terms and Conditions (the “Passage Contract”) with Orion Expedition Cruises Pty Limited ACN 108 326 218 trading as Orion Expedition Cruises (the “Company”). The person signing the Declaration warrants that he or she has the authority to bind each Passenger to the Passage Contract and indemnifies the Company against any loss or damage arising from a breach of that warranty. The Passage Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all and any prior agreement, arrangement, representation or understanding in respect of the Transportation or any other matter. Art. 1 – INTRODUCTION. The Company agrees to provide the transportation specified overleaf (the “Transportation”) to the Passenger. The Passage Contract is personal to the Passenger, and neither the Passage Contract nor the Transportation may be assigned or transferred. No amendment of this Passage Contract shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by a duly authorised representative of the Company. The terms of this Passage Contract shall be separable and the invalidity of any provision shall not impair the validity of any other provision. Art. 2 – EXCEPTIONS AND FORCE MAJEURE. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Passage Contract, and in particular but without limitation Articles 5, 6 and 11, the Company shall not in any circumstances be liable for any death, personal injury, loss of or damage to property, delay or any direct, indirect, consequential or economic loss, injury or damage of any nature or any inability to perform the Transportation or any part of it arising or resulting from strikes, labour disputes or difficulties or shortages (whether or not the Company be a party thereto) explosion, fire, collision, stranding, grounding or foundering of the vessel, breakdown or failure of or damage to the vessel, her hull machinery or fittings, errors of navigation, civil or other war, commotion, riot, insurrection, restraint or intervention of princes, rulers, people or governments, requisitioning of the vessel, political disturbance, acts or threats of terrorism, inability to secure or failure of fuel or any other supplies, Acts of God, perils of the sea or other navigable waters, a force majeure event, or any other circumstance (whether or not of like nature to the foregoing matters) beyond the Company's control. Art. 3 – DOCUMENTS, HEALTH, CONDUCT AND SEARCH. (a) The Passenger shall comply with any Government travel requirements, shall possess and shall present exit, entry and other necessary documents, and shall arrive aboard the vessel by the time fixed by the Company or, if no time is fixed, early enough to complete departure procedures. (b) The Passenger represents and warrants that the Passenger is fit to travel and that the Passenger’s conduct will not impair the safety of the vessel or inconvenience the other Passengers or crew. The Company at its discretion and at any time may refuse to transport or may land the Passenger at any port or place, or transfer the Passenger to other means of transportation, because of conduct inconveniencing other Passengers or the crew. (c) At the time of booking the Passenger must inform the Company in writing of any physical or mental illness, disability or pregnancy which may affect the Passenger’s fitness for travel. To the extent permitted by law, the Company may refuse to embark the Passenger at any port or place if in the opinion of the Company, the Passenger is physically or mentally unfit to undertake or continue the cruise or if the Passenger will enter the end of the 24th week of pregnancy by the completion of the cruise. (d) Failure to report any such condition will release the Company and the ship’s doctor and other medical personnel from any liability related to such condition or its treatment. In addition to any other release contained in the Passage Contract, the Passenger hereby releases the Company from any and all liability for any injury or damage connected with the Transportation which is related to a pre-existing illness or disability. The Passenger acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall have no responsibility or obligation to provide any special services or medical equipment to Passengers. (d) The Passenger must indemnify the Company for all loss, damage or delay sustained by the Company because of any act or omission of the Passenger. (e) All minor Passengers (being any person under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult, and if that adult is not a parent or legal guardian, written permission from the parent or legal guardian is required prior to embarkation. (f) Every adult Passenger traveling with any minor Passenger, shall be responsible for the conduct and behaviour of the minor Passenger. The adult Passenger shall indemnify the Company for all loss, damage or delay sustained by the Company because of any act or omission of the Passenger or a minor Passenger traveling with that adult Passenger. (g) The Passenger agrees to abide by all the Company’s rules and regulations and all orders and directions of the vessel’s officers or medical staff, or any medical officer purporting to represent any government. (h) Doctors and/or nurses, whether agents or servants of the company or not, work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of the the Vessel, since the The Vessel is not a medical provider. The Company shall not be liable for the consequences of any examination, advice, diagnosis, medication, treatment, prognosis or other professional services which such doctors or nurses may furnish to the Passenger. The Passenger may be charged for such professional services. (i) The Passenger, in the interests of international security and safety at sea and in the interests of the convenience of other Passengers, agrees and hereby consents to a reasonable search being made of the Passenger’s person, baggage or other property, and to the removal and confiscation or destruction of any object which may, in the opinion of the Company, impair the safety of the vessel or inconvenience other passengers. (j) The Passenger must indemnify the Company in respect of any expenses of any kind, including fines or penalties or duties or other charges incurred by the Company and attributable to the Passenger’s failure to comply with regulations of the vessel or any governmental authority. (k) The Passenger shall have no right to any refund and the Company shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to the Passenger in respect of any action taken by the Company in good faith under this Article 3. (l) It is the Passenger's responsibility to bring on board sufficient supplies of any prescribed or other required medication for the duration of the cruise, and to ensure that possession of such medications will not infringe the laws of any country on the itinerary. (m) Any charges incurred by the Passenger for medical reasons, including, but not limited to, physicians, surgeons, hospitals, medications, diagnostic facilities, air ambulance evacuation or ground ambulance, shall be the sole responsibility of the Passenger. The Passenger must indemnify the Company for any funds advanced on account of any such charges. Art. 4 – PAYMENT AND CHANGES IN PASSAGE FARE. The passage fare must be paid in full prior not later than 90 days prior to embarkation. The Company may for any reason whatsoever change the passage fare and impose additional charges of any kind at any time not less than 30 days before the scheduled departure of the vessel. The Passenger then has the option of accepting the changed fare and any additional charges and paying any difference before embarkation or terminating this Passage Contract without the Passenger or the Company having any rights against the other, except the Company will refund to the Passenger the amount it has received for the Transportation. Port and handling charges as well as some other taxes are not always included in the passage fare and must be paid in full prior to embarkation. Art. 5 – DELAY, DEVIATION, OMISSION OR CHANGE OF PORTS OR VESSEL. Art. 6 – TERMINATION OF PASSAGE CONTRACT BEFORE SAILING. At any time before the vessel's departure the Company may cancel the Transportation or terminate the Passage Contract whenever it reasonably considers this is justified on operational, commercial or other grounds, in which case, the Company’s only liability will be to refund to the Passenger the passage fare net of any unrecoverable payments or commissions already made by the Company to third parties in respect of the Passage Contract or the Transportation. Art. 7 – NON-USE OR PART USE OF PASSAGE CONTRACT. If for any reason, the Passage Contract is not used by the Passenger for the Transportation, or the Passage Contract is used for only part of the Transportation , there shall be no right to any refund and the Company shall have no obligation to the Passenger or liability for such non-use. Art. 8 – TRAVEL AGENTS. Where the Passenger books the Transportation through a travel agent, tour operator or other intermediary (the “Agent”) the Agent shall be deemed the agent of the Passenger notwithstanding that the Company may pay the Agent a commission. The Passenger authorises the Company to pay any refund under this Passage Contract to the Agent. At no time shall the Agent act as or be deemed to be the Company’s agent and the Company shall have no liability for the Agent’s acts or omissions. Art. 9 – PERSONAL SERVICES, INDEPENDENT-CONTRACTORS, OCCURENCES NOT ONBOARD THE VESSEL, TOURS, ETC. The Passenger shall pay the charges for all onboard services and shore excursions at the rates prevailing on board at the time of sailing. The Passenger must make payment on demand and prior to disembarkation. The Passenger shall have no right to any refund and the Company shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to the Passenger for acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of personal services supplied by onboard service personnel or arrangements with independent contractors who may or may not be agents or employees of the Company. Service personnel and independent contractors work directly for the Passenger and shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of the Vessel, The Passenger agrees that the Company shall have no liability of any nature for physical injury or emotional distress or injury, death or damage to person or property as a result of any act, omission or negligence of any of these contractors or any other person providing to the Passenger any of the personal service onboard or the off-ship services and the Passenger hereby releases and discharges the Company from any liability for any such physical injury or emotional distress or injury, death or damage to property. Arrangements with onboard service personnel or independent contractors include but are not limited to the following: (a) services or products available for the Passenger’s convenience on board the vessel and furnished by any doctor, dentist, nurse, barber, hairdresser, manicurist, masseur, photographer, entertainer, instructor, shopkeeper, and others; (b) services, products, or transportation elsewhere than aboard a vessel owned, chartered or operated by the Company which are furnished by others in connection with excursions, shore trips, hotels, tender service, transhipments, transportation by others whether by vessel or by air, rail, land or by other means, or connections between its vessels and other carriers; (c) other services, products or transportation provided elsewhere than aboard a Company vessel in connection with tours whether arranged or organized by tour operators, travel agents or the Company. Tours including hotels and transportation by vessels not owned, chartered or operated by the Company or by air, rail or land are not under the operation and control of the Company, and the Company makes no representations of any kind as to them. Art. 10 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. (a) Liability, if any, for loss or damage to baggage occurring elsewhere than on board the vessel in conjunction with air, car, motor coach, ground transfers, porters, stevedores and/or hotels shall rest solely with the person or entity providing such services and the Passenger agrees that the Company does not guarantee the performance of such services and shall not be liable in any respect or capacity for any such loss or damage. (b) The Passenger must not carry as baggage, or bring onboard, weapons, explosives or inflammables or other dangerous or harmful articles of any kind. (c) Animals of any kind cannot be brought onboard. (d) No Passenger may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard the vessel unless the servants or agents of the Company have served or provided that beverage to the Passenger. Any intoxicating liquids or beverages brought aboard the vessel by the Passenger shall be placed in bond and will be returned to the Passenger upon arrival at the port of disembarkation. (e) All baggage must be securely packed and distinctly labeled with the Passengers’ full name, vessel, date of sailing and the destination, and if the Passenger fails to do so, the Company shall not be liable for loss, damage or delay in delivery of the baggage. The Company shall not be liable for baggage not claimed upon arrival of the vessel. Art. 11 – LIABILITY (a) Subject to clause (b) in this Article and to Articles 5 and 6 above, the Company will in no circumstances be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Passenger including but not limited to death, personal injury, loss of or damage to baggage or other property and any consequential or economic loss, whether or not arising from the negligence of the Company, its servants or agents. (b) Nothing in this Article shall be taken as an exclusion or modification of any term forming part of the Passage Contract by the operation of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth). In case of breach by the Company of such a term, the liability of the Company shall be limited to the amount of money representing the cost of providing the services to the Passenger under this Passage Contract again. (c) If for any reason the exclusion of liability in clause (a) is declared invalid or unenforceable then the liability of the Company shall in that case be limited in accordance with the applicable limits contained in the International Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their baggage by sea adopted at Athens on the 13th day of December 1974, and all protocols to that Convention in force as at the date of this Passage Contract. Art. 12 – NOTICE OF CLAIM. The provisions of this Article are subject to Article 11 . (a) The Company is not liable for any claim for loss of life or bodily injury (including emotional distress or injury) unless written notice is given to the Company within 6 months from the day when the loss of life or bodily injury (including emotional distress or injury) occurs. (b) The Company is not liable for any claim for loss of or damage to baggage, valuables or personal belongings unless the Passenger reports in writing the apparent loss or damage and provides the particulars of all insurance cover to the vessel’s Hotel Manager or to the Company’s Representative or agent at the port of disembarkation. If the loss or damage is not apparent, the Company will be relieved of all liability unless the Passenger makes the report within 15 days after disembarkation. In any event the Company shall not be liable for loss of or damage to baggage, valuables or personal belongings unless at the time the Passenger reports it, the Company is allowed to ascertain the extent of the loss or damage. (c) The Company is not liable for any other claim not included in this Article 12, including claims for breach of contract or negligence, unless written notice is given to it within 40 days after the Passenger’s arrival at destination, or in the case of non-arrival, from the day on which the Passenger and/or the baggage should have arrived. Art 13 - TIME LIMIT ON SUITS. The provisions of this Article are subject to Article 11. (a) The Company shall be discharged from all liability for death or personal injury unless suit is brought within one year from the date on which the death or personal injury occurs. (b) The Company shall be discharged from all liability for loss of or damage to baggage or other property unless suit is brought within 6 months from the Passenger’s arrival at destination or, in the case of non-arrival, from the day on which the Passenger and/or the baggage should have arrived. Art 14 PROPER LAW AND VENUE (a) This Passage Contract applies to claims, suits and litigation of any kind whether against the Company “in personam” or the vessel “in rem” or otherwise. (b) This Passage Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Australian law. (c) Any and all disputes and matters whatsoever arising under, in connection with, or incident to this Passage Contract or the Transportation shall be litigated, if at all, before a court of proper jurisdiction located in New South Wales, Australia. Art 15 - EMPLOYEES/ INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS The Passenger agrees that all rights, exemptions from liability, defenses and immunities of whatever kind referred to in this Passage Contract which may be invoked by the Company shall automatically inure for the benefit of the Company’s servants and agents, the vessel and the owner of the vessel and its servants and agents. The Passenger undertakes not to sue or bring or permit to be brought proceedings against such third parties including the vessel, and will indemnify the Company in respect of all loss and damage arising from any such action being taken by any person in connection with the Transportation. For the purposes only of the undertaking given by the Passenger in this Article the Company contracts as the agent and trustee of those parties intended to benefit from the undertaking. Art. 16 - TERMINATION Failure to pay the passage fare in full within the time required under Article 4 will constitute a repudiation of the Passage Contract by the Passenger, entitling the Company to treat the Passage Contract as being at an end, in which case the Passenger’s reservation will be cancelled, the Passage Contract will terminate and the deposit will be forfeited as the parties’ reasonable pre-estimate of the loss suffered by the Company by reason of the Passenger’s breach. Art. 17 CANCELLATION FEES. If the Company receives written cancellation notice from the Passenger, then based upon the number of days between the date such notice is received and the sailing date, the following cancellation charges apply: Art. 18 TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE. It is highly recommended that passengers arrange adequate insurance to cover cancellation, medical and emergency, personal accident, baggage loss and delay, money (including travelers cheques and credit cards), travel delays, legal expenses and personal liability. It is particularly important that such insurance shall adequately cover all a passenger’s potential emergency costs and expenses, including repatriation to the place of residence. Please note that the Australian Medicare system does not apply onboard Orion. For Antarctic cruises an Orion medical form signed by a Doctor and proof of insurance will need to Art. 19 OFF - SHIP, SPORTS & RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EQUIPMENT. |
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Tour Operator: Orion Expedition Cruises 21 Days Antarctic Continent - Ross SeaTour Code: Orion-Ross Tour Categories: Ocean Cruising |  Send to friend |
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