Celebrity Cruises first voyages to Antarctica

Celebrity Cruises is fast approaching their 10^th consecutive season in South America and to celebrate they will be offering their first ever Antarctica cruise. Celebrity Infinity, a 2,050 guest superliner, will sail eight South America itineraries in late 2009 and early 2010, calling in at 26 ports in 13 countries.

Whilst cruising in Antarctica guests onboard Celebrity Infinity will be able to see the breathtaking glaciers, rare wildlife and other wonders of nature during 3 days of serenely cruising past Elephant Island, Paradise Bay and Gerlache Strait. The itineraries will also include voyages through Cape Horn and feature calls at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.

In addition to this Celebrity Cruises have four 14-night sailings between Valparaiso and Buenos Aires throughout December and February 2010. Each of these sailings will include an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.

There will be fabulous 15 night voyages on Celebrity Infinity to the Panama Canal and a South America cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Valparaiso on 5 December 2009 and a 14 night return trip from Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale on 14 March 2010. Included will be stops at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Lima, Peru; Arica, Chile and other fascinating cities.

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.