Antarctica is the driest, coldest, windiest continent on earth. It is also a fascinating world of living creatures and scientific discovery. Your destination on this cruise is the Australian station at Commonwealth Bay- the place Sir Douglas Mawson called “the home of the blizzard”. Your Antarctic experience will follow in the steps of this great explorer and his companions a century ago. You will gain an insight into the life of these explorers at the historic base camp hut. There is a great sense of awe in walking in the footsteps of these brave men, standing in their rough huts left exactly as they were when the explorers departed a century ago. This is a world only a privileged few will experience as visitor numbers are strictly limited to preserve the fragile environment. With literally millions of penguins and seals, schools of whales, and thousands of icebergs of all shapes and sizes, nothing can prepare you, for there is nothing that is comparable. Whether it’s cruising around a school of killer whales off the spectacular Mertz Glacier or landing the Zodiacs to observe penguin rookeries on one of the sub-Antarctic islands, it is impossible not to be moved by the spirit of this harsh and uncompromising continent, earth’s last frontier.

Although your itinerary to the extreme sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions is based on many years of collective experience, prevailing weather and ice conditions in this area of the world are unpredictable, mother nature dictates your course. These are not cruises they are true expeditions to what can be the most inhospitable region on earth. Bring with you a spirit of adventure and flexibility.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
December 20, 2012 (Bluff-Bluff ).
January 7, 2013 (Bluff-Hobart)

Meet your private vehicle and driver for a transfer between the airport and your Dunedin hotel.

With its exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present. Today, the Castle is the home of the Barker family, who have spent over forty years lovingly restoring the building and recreating the beauty of the 14 hectares of gardens and grounds.

Overnight at Larnach Castle .

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken on a day-long sightseeing journey through the Catlins, en route to Bluff. You'll depart Dunedin and take a scenic drive through Brighton Beach, Taieri Mouth, Balclutha and Owaka, to see Kaka Point, a small settlement at the northern edge of the Catlins. You'll venture on to see the Nugget Point lighthouse, as well as Purakanui Falls, and the Tautuka Boardwalk where you can possibly spot one of New Zealand's Fern birds. Your drive will continue to the beautiful Niagara Falls area, followed by a stop at the District Museum. Afterward you'll drive to Curio Bay, an impressive petrified forest which offers the possibility to see penguins or Hectors dolphins. Afterward you'll continue your Caitlins journey on to Cannibal Bay, a notable wildlife and beach area. One final stop is the Waipapa Point Lighthouse and sea lion breeding ground. Continue to your hotel in Bluff.

Overnight at Larnach Castle .

Travel the frontier waters of the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean aboard a luxury cruise vessel. Make stops at port establishments of past explorers, or enjoy outings on inflatable motor boats, allowing you to explore the less accessible areas of this remote part of the globe. Bring your sense of adventure, and let mother nature guide your daily excursions on your unforgettable voyage.

You'll be picked up at your hotel by your private driver for a sightseeing tour of Invercargill en route to your awaiting cruise ship later today. Your tour will take you to see the tuatara breeding enclosure to the Invercargill Museum and Queens Park & Art Gallery. You'll see the city's historic water tower, and drive through the city centre. You'll continue along the NZ State Highway 1 lands to see Bluff Hill, and finally conclude with a drop-off at the port.

Welcome aboard your cruise vessel!
After embarkation, meet some of your fellow cruise passengers and get settled in.

Technically and aesthetically, Orion is arguably the most sophisticated vessel in its class. The Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships guide describes her as "the latest in the quest to build the ideal expedition cruise ship". Constructed by the world-leading Cassens Shipyard in Emden, and launched in November 2003, she boasts a host of advanced design features including technology that sets new standards in sustainable marine environmental practices. Although custom-made for expedition cruising, Orion is the epitome of elegance. No expense has been spared when it comes to the quality of fittings and furnishings, and the range and calibre of onboard recreational facilities are nothing short of five-star. Orion's luxurious appointments means she is more mega-yacht than cruise ship and her guests are few; around just 50 couples, all cared for in 5-star comfort by a crew of 75. Chart your own path less travelled.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Two small rocky islands, North East and Broughton, comprise The Snares, the closest sub-Antarctic islands to New Zealand. The islands are covered with heavy tussock grass and wind-beaten forests of tree daisies. Weather permitting the team will launch the Zodiacs for an exploration of the sheltered eastern coastline as the island's wildlife protection program precludes landings. The Snares are home to huge numbers of breeding birds, 99 recorded species including albatross, Antarctic Terns and Snares Crested Penguins.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Sites in Port Ross may be visited including an abandoned Maori settlement, a German expedition observation point at Terror Cove and a WWII coast watching station at Ranui Cove. In Carnley Harbour castaway depots at Camp Cove, are marked by an A frame building built in 1887 by the crew of the Awarua, inscribed with the names of people from the French Bark Angou wrecked in 1905. You may cruise to Victoria Passage, a dramatic opening at the end of Carnley Harbour. The birdlife of Auckland Island is profuse.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Days at sea aboard Orion are less structured than a typical cruise ship. Rise at your leisure and select from a variety of breakfast options. Late morning consider joining a presentation in the Lecture Theatre by one of the Expedition Staff or a Guest Speaker. Luncheon is served both indoors and out and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea is observed at 4:00pm.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Today you continue to sail into the Antarctic circle.

Begin your evenings by joining your fellow travellers in the lounge for a pre-dinner drink and a briefing on your next destination and shoreside expedition options by the expedition team. Some are included in your fare, others (marked Optional, if available) offer a range of differing experiences to suit a variety of interests.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Enjoy your relaxation time on board as your vessel sails through the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean.

The Restaurant opens for dinner at 7:00pm, though there is no rush, allowing you to dine when and with whom you choose. After dinner you will find a duo in the Lounge playing a selection of music ideally suited to conversation over a cognac, or dancing, should the mood take you.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

This is your final day of sailing before you reach the Commonwealth Bay region of Antarctica. Settle in with a book, or enjoy a lecture by the expedition team. 

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

On 8 January 1912 Sir Douglas Mawson landed on the Antarctic continent after a journey from Hobart that took 36 days aboard the Aurora, a ship of just 612 tons. Over the next five days your cruise ship will be positioned in and around Commonwealth Bay on the Adelie coast of Antarctica. Your expedition team will lead a variety of opportunistic landings which may include sites at Cape Denison, Cape Jules, Mertz Glacier, Port Martin and Dumont d'Urville. In each instance landings ashore and Zodiac explorations are wholly subject to prevailing weather conditions, in an area Mawson described as "the home of the blizzard".

Enroute to Port Martin, Orion maneuvers through a large gallery of up to 100 grounded icebergs of various sizes, making it possible for close proximity views and photography. Port Martin is the former site of the French Antarctic base. Built in 1950 by the third French expedition to Terre Adelie, the region was so named by Dumont d'Urville for his wife. The area is in the small French Antarctic claim, sandwiched between the two Australian claims. The base was abandoned after it was partially destroyed by fire on the night of 24 January 1952. The site is scattered with artifacts and has an Adelie Penguin rookery, nesting McCormack Skuas, a spectacular backdrop of ice cliffs and a snow ramp to the Antarctic Plateau.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Your expedition leaders Don and Margie McIntyre have called Cape Denison home, having spent more time there than any other person alive today. It is the windiest place on the face of the earth and is surrounded by spectacular ice cliffs. The area is home to 60,000 Adelie Penguins, Snow Petrels, Giant Petrels, Wilsons Storm Petrels and Cape Pigeons. Weddell, Leopard and Elephant seals may be seen stretched out on the ice. Cape Denison is the site of Sir Douglas Mawson's hut from the historic 1911-13 expedition. This is one of the Antarctic's least visited sites and, as the first Australian scientific base on the Antarctic, is of great historical significance and the subject of an ongoing multi-million dollar preservation program. Apart from the main living hut and workshop, there is the absolute magnetic hut, the magnetograph house, the transit hut and the memorial cross erected in memory of Ninnis and Mertz who died tragically in 1913. The main hut is surrounded by historic debris and artifacts including clothing, shoes, food crates, sleds, ropes and kerosene tins.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

The French scientific base at Dumont d'Úrville is on Petrels Island, located at the south-eastern end of the Geologie Archipelago. The base is named for French explorer Jules- Sebastien-Cesar Dumont d'Urville and was built in 1956 to replace the base at Port Martin some 100km to the east. The spectacular area is an important centre for the study of the rich local wildlife, including seals, petrels and penguins - the Adelie Penguin being named after Dumont d'Urville's wife. Emperor Penguins may be observed on some ice-floes behind the controversial and now unused airstrip (the French destroyed some Adelie Penguin rookeries to build it). Adelie Penguins abound around the base - in fact right up to the front door of most buildings!

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Get up close to Mertz Glacier, first discovered by Sir Douglas Mawsom, who named it after Xavier Mertz, a crew member who lost his life during the 1911-1913 expedition. The glacier itself is approximately 72km long, turning into a glacial tongue as it extends into the Southern Ocean.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Enjoy some Zodiac cruising at Cape Jules, a rocky cape first discovered during an 1837-40 French expedition by Captain Jules Dumont d'Urville, later chartered by Mawson.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Rich with an impressive Antarctic frontier experience under your belt, your cruise ship now heads back north, into the sub-Antarctic Islands region. Relax and enjoy the jacuzzi on the sun deck as you navigate the open seas.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Enjoy the wonderful cuisine on board as you swiftly glide through the the northern limits of the Antarctic Circle. In two days you will have the rare and exclusive opportunity to visit Macquarie Island, often described as one of the "wonder spots" of the world.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Join a lecture from your expedition team, and learn about your next destination- Macquarie Island. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scenic beauty and biological diversity are virtually unparalleled, except for perhaps the Galapagos.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

The sub-Antarctic island of Macquarie has been said to rival South Georgia in its magnificence, scenic diversity and prolific wildlife. Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and a World Heritage Site in 1997, Macquarie now operates a full-time manned station where biological and meteorological research is conducted. The station, located on the isthmus at Buckles Bay, is from where you will collect the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife rangers who will be your guides for the day.

Sandy Bay, situated halfway down the island's eastern seaboard, is the planned landing site. The Zodiacs will traverse breakwaters of giant kelp before reaching rocky beaches where landing conditions can best be described as "wet and challenging". Once ashore you'll find the bay, with its rugged backdrop of mountains and tussockcovered headlands, is home to 20,000 breeding pair of royal penguins, king penguins, rock hopper penguins, gentoo penguins and elephant seals.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Today is a day at sea, cruising back north in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean. Review the wonderful photographs you were able to capture from Macquarie Island!

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Enjoy the facilities on board as you cruise back toward your final destination, Bluff, NZ. Appreciate the company of your fellow cruisemates for one final evening before disembarkation tomorrow.

Overnight at M/V Orion (18N) Mawson`s Commonwealth Bay.

Today you'll arrive at the port of Bluff, where you will disembark from your ship, and say farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Meet your private vehicle and driver for a transfer between the Bluff port and the Invercargill Airport.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .