Our moderate trips require an average level of fitness. Itineraries may include walks or short hikes of up to two to three hours with little elevation gain, sustained walking at higher altitudes, and/or other similar level physical activities. Many activities are optional.
How We Rate Our Trips
Easy: Our easy tours generally require fairly little exertion. Each day will involve walking, sightseeing and general travel-related activities such as getting in/out of vans, planes, boats, and zodiacs.
Moderate: Our moderate trips require an average level of fitness. Itineraries may include walks or short hikes of up to two to three hours with little elevation gain, sustained walking at higher altitudes, and/or other similar level physical activities. Many activities are optional.
Difficult: Our difficult trips may involve hiking over uneven terrain, with some hikes including significant elevation gain or loss and at higher elevations (up to 12,000 ft). Itineraries may include three to six hour hikes and other activities such as horseback riding, mountain bicycling, rafting and kayaking, which require no previous experience. On many trips, passengers may elect to skip a day's activity, depending on logistics.
Most Difficult: Our most difficult expeditions are for the adventurer who is in good physical condition. Itineraries may involve multi-day hiking and trekking excursions over steep, rugged terrain and/or where altitude may exceed 14,000 feet. Many trips include camping in remote areas and/or high altitude sites in varying temperature and weather conditions. Trips may also involve many days of demanding Class IV-V rapids, longer sea kayaking trips, horseback riding, and/or mountain bicycling. Training for the physical demands of these tours is highly encouraged.
The 407Ft (124 meters) MV Ocean Diamond is a luxurious, modern & stable super-yacht expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. Carrying a maximum capacity of 189 passengers, the ship’s interiors have a contemporary aesthetic that provides a bright and spacious feel throughout. Registered in the Bahamas, the vessel is equipped with advanced navigation equipment, two stabilizers, an ice-strengthened hull and an Ice Class rating of 1D, and sails at a cruising speed of 14 knots... READ MORE >>
The 407Ft (124 meters) MV Ocean Diamond is a luxurious, modern & stable super-yacht expertly engineered to explore the Polar Regions. Carrying a maximum capacity of 189 passengers, the ship’s interiors have a contemporary aesthetic that provides a bright and spacious feel throughout. Registered in the Bahamas, the vessel is equipped with advanced navigation equipment, two stabilizers, an ice-strengthened hull and an Ice Class rating of 1D, and sails at a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Itinerary
Itinerary (Solar Eclipse, Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica)
DAY 1: Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Embark
DAY 3 - 4: Drake Passage
DAY 5 - 7: Antarctic Peninsula
DAY 8 - 9: At Sea
DAY 10: Solar Eclipse
DAY 11 - 14: South Georgia
DAY 15 - 16: At Sea
DAY 17 - 18: Falkland Islands
DAY 19: At Sea
DAY 20: Ushuaia - Disembark
Itinerary (South Georgia & Antarctica Peninsula: Penguin Safari )
DAY 1: Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Embark
DAY 3 - 6: At Sea
DAY 7 - 8: South Georgia
DAY 9 - 10: At Sea
DAY 11 - 13: Antarctic Peninsula
DAY 14 - 15: Drake Passage
DAY 16: Ushuaia - Disembark
Itinerary (Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Polar Circle via Falkland Islands & South Georgia)
DAY 1: Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Embark
DAY 3: At Sea
DAY 4 - 5: Falkland Islands
DAY 6 - 7: At Sea
DAY 8 - 11: South Georgia
DAY 12 - 13: At Sea
DAY 14 - 16: South Shetland Islands & Antarctica Peninsula
DAY 17 - 18: Polar Circle
DAY 19 - 20: Northbound Along the Peninsula
DAY 21 - 22: Drake Passage
DAY 23: Ushuaia - Disembark
Itinerary (Antarctica Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent)
DAY 1: Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Embark
DAY 3 - 4: Drake Passage
DAY 5 - 8: South Shetland Islands & Antarctica Peninsula
DAY 9 - 10: Drake Passage
DAY 11: Ushuaia - Disembark
Itinerary (Crossing the Polar Circle: Southern Expedition)
DAY 1: Arrive Ushuaia, Argentina
DAY 2: Ushuaia - Embark
DAY 3 - 4: Drake Passage
DAY 5 - 9: South Shetland Islands & Antarctica Peninsula & Polar Circle
-Please inquire for single supplement pricing. A solo traveler willing to share a cabin with another passenger (or passengers) of the same gender can avoid the single supplement. -Contact us for details on optional activities available on your particular departure.
-Please inquire for single supplement pricing. A solo traveler willing to share a cabin with another passenger (or passengers) of the same gender can avoid the single supplement. -Contact us for details on optional activities available on your particular departure.
-Please inquire for single supplement pricing. A solo traveler willing to share a cabin with another passenger (or passengers) of the same gender can avoid the single supplement. -Contact us for details on optional activities available on your particular departure.
-Please inquire for single supplement pricing. A solo traveler willing to share a cabin with another passenger (or passengers) of the same gender can avoid the single supplement. -Contact us for details on optional activities available on your particular departure.
-Please inquire for single supplement pricing. A solo traveler willing to share a cabin with another passenger (or passengers) of the same gender can avoid the single supplement. -Contact us for details on optional activities available on your particular departure.
There are seven spacious cabin categories amongst her 101 elegantly designed available cabins, ranging from dedicated singles and triples, standard porthole and window cabins and a variety of suites, all with exterior views and private facilities.
Triple Porthole: Approximately 200 sq. ft. (19 sq. m), two twin beds and an upper bed, two portholes, private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, TV, and DVD player. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. (Lower Deck)
Twin Obstructed View: Approximately 200 sq. ft. (19 sq. m), one double bed or two twin beds, picture window (the view is obstructed), private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, TV, and DVD player (Captain’s Deck)
Twin Window: Between 183 and 200 sq. ft. (17 and 19 sq. m), one double bed or two twin beds, picture window, private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, TV, and DVD player (Upper, Main and Captain’s Decks)
Premium Suite: Approximately 400 sq. ft. (37 sq. m), one double bed or two twin beds, and two picture windows, two private bathrooms, a separate sitting area with a sofa, chair, and small table, two refrigerators, TVs, and DVD players. (Main Deck)
Premium Balcony Suite: Approximately 325 sq. ft. (30 sq. m), one double bed or two twin beds, full-size window with a sliding glass door that leads to a private balcony with chairs, private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, TV, and DVD player (Observation Deck).
Single Porthole: Approximately 200 sq. ft. (19 sq.m), two porthole windows, double bed, refrigerator, TV/DVD player, private bathroom. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution. (Lower Deck)
Single Obstructed Window View: Approximately 200 sq. ft. (19 sq. m), one double bed, picture window (the view is obstructed by the lifeboats), private bathroom with shower, refrigerator, TV, and DVD player (Captain’s Deck)
The Ocean Diamond offers a superb guest experience with an expansive choice of common areas, such as a sun-lit, panoramic observation lounge on Deck 7, plus the main deck lounge and café club/bar, a well-stocked polar library, a lecture theater, an sun deck along with additional observation deck areas throughout the ship. The ship has a Medical Clinic and a Polar Boutique for gifts and any needed gear and an elevator and a gym. The Ocean Diamond’s has a large deck with barbeque facilities and a dining room on the lower deck that seats all passengers in one sitting. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino water, juice, soft drinks are offered around the clock, with beer and wine included during dinner.
The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation equipment and two stabilizers and 20 Zodiacs for concurrent shore and Zodiac exploration and remote landings.
Ship Services:
The Ocean Diamond is manned by an Expedition Staff and Crew of 144, including a doctor and photography guide and each expedition offers optional additional adventure activities beyond zodiac cruising and shore landings.
Deck Plan (click for enlargement)
Marisa, we've been back a week and I'm writing to say how wonderful our trip was. Thanks you for all your guidance and planning. Buenos Aires was so interesting. Our tour guide, Alejandro, was top notch-- and very funny. The hotel was in a good location and the all-day tour in Ushuaia was memorable. The ship was well-run and the food was both interesting and plentiful. The crew was professional. The expedition leaders were kind, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. I can't give you credit for the fantastic weather and incredible scenery but it was an amazing trip. Thank you. - Susan Ogden/Rose Marie Wilson (Akademik Ioffe)
The trip was fantastic of course! South Georgia is an amazing place! After docking at Ushuaia, the driver was waiting there on the pier and coordinated well with the ship and the port officials, provided me with useful materials and delivered me to the Alto Andino. I liked the Alto Andino. It was quiet, clean and has a nice secure luggage store, which I used when I arrived, as it was too early to check in. They did let me check in early, shortly after lunch, when a room became available. And, when I came back to the hotel after dinner with friends, there was a message from my driver about the pickup time for departing to the airport. The transfer at BA went without a hitch, nice driver and nice car, and being Saturday, light traffic as well! Anyway, thank you! Your planning and support is greatly appreciate and I will be sure to let my friends know about your great company! - Philip H. Walters (South Georgia In Depth onboard Akademik Sergey Vavilov)
Carrie and Jonathan, we arrived back from Antarctica over the weekend. I just wanted to thank both of you for arranging such an outstanding trip! The guides, hotels, and logistics were all excellent—and we thoroughly enjoyed it all. Fortunately, despite my foot injury, I was able to fully partake in all the sightseeing and activities and didn’t feel that I had to curtail anything I wanted to do. We’ll be sure to contact you for future trips in South America. - Nancy Voye (Antarctic Peninsula onboard NG Explorer)
Carrie and Justin, I just wanted to send the two of you a message to thank you for all your help putting together our trip to the Antarctic. The trip was absolutely fantastic – definitely the best trip we have ever taken! I would strongly recommend the Akademik Ioffe team to anyone that asks. The places we visited and the excursions we were able to participate in were definitely first-rate, and I would credit the staff for making this happen. They selected great places to visit, and really made each zodiac or on-shore excursion a special experience. The Antarctic is just mind-blowing. We did get south of the Circle – which sounds like it was a bit of an accomplishment – and had really great weather for the entire trip. So again, thanks for making a totally fabulous trip a reality for us. -Ron & Bonnie Milzer (Antarctic Circle Voyage onboard Akademik Ioffe)
“Southern Explorations turned a planned trip of a life time, into a Trip of a Life Time. Thanks for all the great guides and detailed planning. Everything, and I mean everything went off without a hitch.”
Julian Bannister & Karen Sander - BC, Canada
Galapagos, Ecuador & Machu Picchu, Peru
Southern Explorations Proudly Featured in the Press and Member of the Following Organizations:
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Marisa, we've been back a week and I'm writing to say how wonderful our trip was. Thanks you for all your guidance and planning. Buenos Aires was so interesting. Our tour guide, Alejandro, was top notch-- and very funny. The hotel was in a good location and the all-day tour in Ushuaia was memorable. The ship was well-run and the food was both interesting and plentiful. The crew was professional. The expedition leaders were kind, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. I can't give you credit for the fantastic weather and incredible scenery but it was an amazing trip. Thank you. - Susan Ogden/Rose Marie Wilson (Akademik Ioffe) 
