Antarctica

Classic Antarctica

10 Days aboard St. Helena. From AUD $12,484pp.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details

Overview

Set off on the ultimate 10-day adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula — the shortest possible trip to experience this awe-inspiring destination! This action-packed expedition takes you to the heart of Antarctica, where you’ll witness breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and thrilling opportunities for exploration.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Board your expedition ship in Ushuaia and sail through the Beagle Channel toward Antarctica.
  • Cross the Drake Passage with expert talks and wildlife sightings along the way.
  • Explore the Antarctic Peninsula with landings, zodiac cruises, and encounters with penguins, seals, and whales.

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina
  • Day 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage
  • Day 4 to 7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Day 8: Antarctic Sound and Farewell Landings
  • Day 9: Crossing the Drake Passage (Northbound)
  • Day 10: Return to Ushuaia

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.

Ship Information

For more information on the St. Helena please view the ship page.

View St. Helena

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Ushuaia, Argentina

Board the expedition vessel in the afternoon, where you'll meet your crew and fellow travellers. After settling into your cabin, the ship sets off along the picturesque Beagle Channel. Relish your first evening at sea as the southernmost tip of South America disappears from view.

Dinner included.

Day 2 and 3: Crossing the Drake Passage

Start your Antarctic adventure with a crossing of the Drake Passage, a vast stretch of open ocean that marks the Antarctic Convergence, where nutrient-rich waters sustain a vibrant ecosystem.

While at sea, attend expert-led talks on Antarctica’s history, wildlife, and geology. Head to the open decks or the bridge to spot albatrosses, petrels, and even whales. Adventure activities, including navigation workshops and safety briefings for kayaking and snowshoeing, will also be held.

By the end of Day 3, the first sighting of icebergs and snow-capped peaks will signal your arrival at the South Shetland Islands.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 4 to 7: Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula

The core of the journey unfolds as you explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, with each day offering a blend of landings, zodiac cruises, and optional adventure activities.

Highlights Include:

Kayaking Among Icebergs: Paddle through tranquil waters, drifting past seals resting on ice floes and penguins diving in for a swim. Snowshoeing Adventures: Strap on snowshoes to explore pristine trails and reach panoramic viewpoints, offering breathtaking vistas of glaciers and peaks. Penguin Colonies: Visit expansive rookeries of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adélie Penguins, watching their amusing behaviours as they care for their chicks or brave the frigid waters. Wildlife Encounters: Spot Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals lounging on ice or hunting in the water, with Minke and humpback whales often seen feeding nearby.

With over 500 diverse landing sites along the Antarctic Peninsula, no two voyages are ever the same. Our expert team crafts each expedition based on conditions, weather, and opportunities for the most remarkable encounters. As passenger vessel traffic has increased in recent years, competition for landing sites has intensified—but our deep knowledge of this pristine region ensures you’ll embark on true exploratory journeys, venturing beyond the crowds.

Guided by our experienced crew, you’ll navigate breathtaking ice-choked channels, witness towering glaciers, and encounter extraordinary wildlife in one of the most remote places on Earth. This is not just a cruise—it’s a genuine expedition where spontaneity and discovery define every day.

Join us for an adventure where the unknown awaits, and every landing is a moment of exploration.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 8: Antarctic Sound and Farewell Landings

As the expedition heads back north, there’s an opportunity for a final landing or zodiac cruise. Weather and ice conditions permitting, explore destinations like Brown Bluff, where towering cliffs and an Adélie penguin colony await, or Paulet Island, home to historic sites and abundant wildlife.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 9: Crossing the Drake Passage (Northbound)

Relive your adventures as you cross the Drake Passage, keeping an eye out for seabirds and whales along the way. Take part in final lectures or workshops, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow travellers as you reflect on the unforgettable journey.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 10: Return to Ushuaia

Arrive back in Ushuaia in the early morning. After breakfast, disembark with cherished memories of an epic Antarctic expedition and new stories to tell.

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 09 Dec 2026
DatesCabinFromAdditional
09 Dec 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 AUD$12484ppExpand to view prices
Discovery Quad CabinAUD$12484ppContact us
Discovery Triple CabinAUD$13734ppContact us
Odyssey Twin CabinAUD$14656ppContact us
Odyssey Single CabinAUD$14656ppContact us
Superior CabinAUD$15844ppContact us
Deluxe CabinAUD$17531ppContact us
Premium CabinAUD$18922ppContact us
Owner's SuiteAUD$22891ppContact us
28 Dec 2026 - 06 Jan 2027 AUD$13734ppExpand to view prices
16 Jan 2027 - 25 Jan 2027 AUD$14516ppExpand to view prices

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Discovery Quad Cabin

The Quad Cabins located on Deck “A” measure approximately 14 square metres (150 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, two bunk beds (pullman style) and en-suite bathroom.

Discovery Quad Cabin
Discovery Quad Cabin
Discovery Triple Cabin

The Triple Cabins located on Deck “A” measure approximately 14 square metres (150 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, a bunk (pullman style) and one single bed and en-suite bathroom.

Discovery Triple Cabin
Discovery Triple Cabin
Odyssey Twin Cabin

The Odyssey Twin Cabins located on Decks “A” and “B” measure approximately 10 square metres (107 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, one bunk bed (pullman style) and an en-suite bathroom.

Odyssey Twin Cabin
Odyssey Twin Cabin
Odyssey Single Cabin

The Odyssey Single Cabins located on the Boat Deck measure approximately 8 square metres (85 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, an en-suite bathroom and one single bed.

Odyssey Single Cabin
Odyssey Single Cabin
Superior Cabin

The Superior Cabins located on Decks “A” and “B” measure approximately 14 - 16 square metres (150 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, two single beds and an en-suite bathroom. Superior Cabins on deck B feature a slightly larger size and a sofa bed and porthole (instead of window).

Superior Cabin
Superior Cabin
Deluxe Cabin

The Deluxe Cabins located on the Promenade Deck measure approximately 15 square metres (162 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, an en-suite bathroom and one double (King-sized) or two single beds.

Bedding Configurations:

• P1 - Double/Two Single
• P2 - Double/Two Single
• P3 - Double/Two Single
• P5 - Two Single
• P6 - Two Single
• P8 - Double/Two Single
• P9 - Double/Two Single
• P10 - Double/Two Single

Deluxe Cabin
Deluxe Cabin
Premium Cabin

The Premium Cabins located on the Promenade Deck measure approximately 18 square metres (194 sqft)* and feature a desk, a window, an en-suite bathroom and one double (King-sized) or two single beds.

Bedding Configurations:

• P4 - Double
• P7 - Double
• P14 - Quad

Premium Cabin
Premium Cabin
Owner's Suite

The spacious Owner’s Suites located on the Boat Deck measure approximately 40 square metres (430 sqft)* and feature a seating area, a meeting area, en-suite bathroom, walk in closet and one double (King-sized) bed.

Owner's Suite
Owner's Suite

St. Helena Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Passenger capacity: 150 but capped at 98 guests
  • Length: 105 metres / 344 ft
  • Beam: 19.2 metres / 63 ft
  • Gross Tonnage: 6,767 gt
  • Speed (Cruising): 14 kn / 26 km/h / 16 mph
  • Crew & Staff: 81
  • Passenger Capacity: Although the ship is designed to accommodate up to 150 passengers, we deliberately limit our voyages to an average of just 98 guests for a more intimate, sustainable experience
  • Zodiacs & RIBs: 12
  • Electrical Outlet: 110 V, 60 Hz
  • Refurbished: 2022 – Comprehensive interior upgrade, engine rebuild and modern navigation systems
  • Year of Build: 1989 - United Kingdom
  • Classification:
    Comfort Class Expedition Vessel
    Ice Class 1C (Polar Code)
  • Flag: United Kingdom

What's included?

  • Accommodation: Fully serviced cabins.
  • Meals: Daily meals, snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during lunch and dinner.
  • Shore Excursions: Guided walks, daily shore excursions, and Zodiac cruises.
  • Adventure Activities: Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Camping, Yoga (Subject to weather and operational conditions)
  • Expedition Team: Led by experienced guides.
  • Lectures: Educational talks and expert guiding services.
  • Expedition Equipment: Loaned muck boots and access to the onboard doctor and medical clinic.
  • Pre-departure Info: Comprehensive materials and an Antarctic booklet.
  • Port Fees: Includes port surcharges, permits, and landing fees.
  • Wi-Fi: Basic Wi-Fi complimentary; upgrades available for a fee.
  • Crew Tips/ Gratuities

What's not?

  • Any items not mentioned as included.

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Antarctica

On any cruise to Antarctica you can expect to experience a wide variety of landscapes, unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities and a healthy mix of historic landing sites. Be astounded by the sensory overload of the huge amount of ice-bergs, glaciers, high mountains and the abundant and tame wildlife.

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Classic Antarctica

10 Days aboard St. Helena. From AUD $12,484pp.