All activities on this adventure are dependent upon weather and local conditions, and will be coordinated by your expedition team leaders. These will entail exploration in Buenos Aires as well as in remote Antarctic locales, on foot and using Zodiac expedition. After an active day, your deluxe ship and hotels all offer plenty of soothing amenities such as pools, spa facilities and more to help you feel refreshed. Here are some activities you may participate in:

• Travel to remote rookeries, iceberg-laden channels and pristine beaches aboard motorized Zodiac landing craft
• Get a good workout at your ship’s gym and the fitness centers of your hotels
• Hike at various landing spots in Antarctica

This trip exposes you to the art and culture of Argentina.

• The tango is more than a dance, it is an expression of passion and joy that crosses boundaries of class, race, ethnicity, and age. For that reason, UNESCO has declared it part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World, and during your Welcome dinner in Buenos Aires you’ll enjoy a private tango performance.
• Admire the lavish neo-baroque, neo-classical, and Art Nouveau architecture of Buenos Aires.

Through your excursions and onboard lectures you’ll learn about the history of Argentina and Antarctic exploration.

• UNESCO has declared the tango part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the World, and during your Welcome dinner in Buenos Aires you’ll enjoy a private tango performance.
• Visit the historic highlights of Buenos Aires, and learn about the reign of Juan and Eva Peron when you see the presidential Casa Rosada.
• Learn the history of Antarctic exploration as your expedition team presents informative lectures about heroes like Ernest Shackleton, Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, Admiral Byrd, and others.

Channel the spirit of explorers past, and chase adventure in some of the world’s most remote and unspoiled Antarctic locations:

• Feel the rush of adrenaline as you step ashore Antarctica for the first time—unbelievable!
• Venture ashore on naturalist-led expeditions by versatile Zodiac landing crafts.
• Cruise the Drake Passage.
• Spend 7 days ashore in Antarctica, making landfall at various landing sites in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
• Attend lectures on marine biology, wildlife, oceanography, and climate change.

Come to the bottom of the world to behold wondrous seascapes, landscapes, and wildlife that most people only ever see on nature shows.

• Discover the shifting shapes and hues of gigantic icebergs.
• View as many as seven varieties of penguins, such as Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, King, Rockhopper, Macaroni, and Magellanic.
• Spot dolphins, whales, seals, and a variety of other wildlife while cruising the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean.

Birders will find their life lists growing as they scan for avian species onboard ship as well as during shore excursions. Here’s a glimpse of what to look out for:

• Be on the lookout for back-browed and wandering albatrosses—the bird with the longest wingspan at 11 feet.
• Scan the horizon for dozens of pelagic birds such as the southern giant petrel, Falklands skua, blue-eyed shag (king cormorant), black crowned night heron, pied oystercatcher, snowy sheathbill, kelp gull, fulmars and more.
• View as many as seven varieties of penguins, such as Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, King, Rockhopper, Macaroni, and Magellanic.

Grab your GoPro and have your favorite camera ready to capture the southern hemisphere’s stupendous polar scenery and rich marine and bird life. Antarctica is a unique destination to shoot, and your expedition team features an expert photographer who will share top tips in onboard workshops and during your excursions. Here are a few:

• Antarctica is a harsh environment that can kill a camera quickly. A protective cover is highly recommended to stave off rain, snow, and salt water.
• Invest in a waterproof camera if you can, or at least a waterproof bag. Note: Plastic protective bags are not allowed in Antarctica as there is a risk they might blow away.
• Use a bean bag, tripod, or other stabilizing device to capture moving targets like birds and other wildlife.
• Bring extra batteries—the cold temperatures take their toll on batteries. Bring your charger in your hand luggage, in case your checked bags get lost.
• A zoom lens up to 200mm is suggested
• A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing landscapes
• A protective filter for lens will keep water and dust away. Polarized filters darken the blue sky and cut reflections from the water.
• Bring extra memory cards — just in case!

• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Do you have a special birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table
• Special excursions. Would you like a limo to take you for a special night in Buenos Aires? Perhaps you’d like to look up long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has on board

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log into My Portfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.

On this expedition, independent travelers will enjoy solo-friendly features, such as:

• Onboard Concierge services to personalize your expedition
• Water-sport and biking opportunities, depending on the location
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations
• Health and wellness options, including onboard spa, swimming pool, and gym