Regent Seven Seas 2009 Antartica Cruises

Regent Seven Seas will be offering two Antartica cruises onboard their top rated expedition cruise ship Minerva in 2009.

Minerva, formerly Explorer II, will be sailing the Falkland Islands, Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula. Guests will be accompanied by respected naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists. The journey will be highlighted by complimentary Zodiac tours and enlightening shore excursions featuring abundant glacier and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Specifically designed for cruising through icy waters, Minerva is an exploration ship that can accommodate up to 300 guests. But in Antarctica she has been limited to a maximum of only 198 guests. Fewer guests mean more excursions each day and a higher crew-to-guest ratio (1 to 1.5). The ship is stylish, yet unpretentious. With her gleaming brass, polished wood and works of original art, she's often likened to a country house hotel, and she brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to Antarctica travel.

Explorer II will be re-named Minerva (after the fabled Roman goddess of poetry and wisdom, and inventor of music), following a summer 2008 dry-dock, during which the ship will receive new furnishings, carpeting and additional amenities. Minerva offers a degree of comfort unmatched in Antarctic cruising. A strong steel foundation, including an ice-strengthened hull, ensures safe navigation through these waters. Inside, Minerva offers all oceanview suites and staterooms, two open-seating restaurants, a full-service health club and a salon.

The two voyages will be setting sail on January 14 to 25 and January 25 to February 8, 2009, both voyages begin with visits to the Falkland Islands’ wildlife-rich shores and the quaint village of Port Stanley. Minerva then cruises to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (with opportunities for disembarkation and exploration as weather permits), followed by a transit of the Drake Passage. Before returning to Ushuaia, Argentina, Minerva will sail along Cape Horn, at the confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 14-night cruise on January 25 adds a call at South Georgia Island, featuring large colonies of king penguins, fur and elephant seals.

Both itineraries include a one-night, pre-cruise stay in Santiago, Chile; roundtrip charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia; a city tour and Patagonian lunch on embarkation day in Ushuaia; and a complimentary backpack and parka. All Zodiac excursions are also included.