Expeditions To Break The Antarctic Ice

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 10, 2006

JAMES SHRIMPTON reports

Cruising the seas of Antarctica may be frozen until winter's well and truly over but now's the time to book for next summer. Some of the cruises available include:

World Expeditions says you can save $1300pp on a 20-day voyage to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The research vessel Aleksey Maryshev departs from Ushuaia in Argentina on November 7.

Emphasis of this cruise is on the wildlife encounters. Twin cabins start at $11,525 . . . call 1300 720 000 or visit www.worldexpeditions.com.au.

Bentours of Sydney has streamlined itineraries for its Chile-Antarctic expeditions on the Norwegian ships Nordkapp and Nordnorge. Australian passengers will now fly from Sydney to Santiago for two nights, then fly south direct to Punta Arenas for the start of the 14-night cruise, skipping previous calls at ports down Chile's west coast but adding a visit to Torres del Paine National Park.

Prices, excluding trans-Pacific air fares, start at $6510. An early-bird discount of $600 applies if you book and pay by June 1. Phone 1800 221 712 or visit the website www.bentours.com.au.

Travelscene is offering a 15-night voyage aboard the expedition ship Orion, calling at Macquarie Island, Antarctica, and the Auckland Islands.

The trip departs on January 13 from Hobart and docks on January 28 at Bluff, New Zealand. It's limited to 50 couples. Phone 1800 679 066.

A "Medical Challenges" conference series aboard Peregrine's Antarctic expedition voyages will be offered for the fourth time in 2007.

The 10-night Antarctic Explorer cruise departs from Ushuaia on March 4 and explores the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. Cost of the conference is $1250 in addition to the regular voyage fare of $8790pp.

Visit www.peregrineadventures.com or call 1300 854 500.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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