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Day by Day Summary and Map
Land Segment of Itinerary
Friday - Jan 16, 2026
Day 1
Dunedin, New Zealand
Arrive in Dunedin, where you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred with your fellow expeditioners to your assigned pre-voyage hotel. If you are already in Dunedin, please make your way to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk in the lobby to collect your luggage tags. Please clearly label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. The expedition team will confirm details regarding your embarkation day, answer any questions, and provide you with information on where to dine or purchase last-minute items. That evening, enjoy light refreshments as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, enjoy your evening in New Zealand's southernmost city. You may like to indulge in a meal at one of Dunedin's fine restaurants, or perhaps enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Otago Harbour. Assigned accommodation: To be advised ... Read More
Land Segment of Itinerary
Saturday - Jan 17, 2026
Day 2
Dunedin, New Zealand
Cruise Segment of Itinerary
Day 2 - Saturday - Jan 17, 2026
Day 2
Cruise Begins
Port Chalmers, New Zealand
This morning, enjoy breakfast and check-out. Please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labeled with your name and cabin number. By 11 am, take your cabin luggage to hotel reception, prior to, or at check-out. Your luggage will be stored and transferred directly to the port for clearance, to be placed in your cabin ahead of your arrival onboard. Please keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day. Your morning is at leisure to explore Dunedin. Settle into your cabin, where each detail was designed with your comfort in mind. This luxurious vessel is yours to explore! As we throw the lines and set sail, join your expedition team on deck before tucking into a delicious dinner, and toast to the voyage ahead. ... Read More
Sunday - Jan 18, 2026
Day 3
At Sea
On an expedition such as this, the journey is as significant as the destination. Sea days are a wonderful opportunity to relax, meet your fellow travelers, and learn about the history, environment, and local wildlife in this fascinating corner of the globe. As you acclimatize to life onboard, your expedition team is available to answer any questions you may have and offer pro-tips on photography and birdwatching. With decades of collective experience in the region, they love to share their expertise and enthusiasm with fellow travelers. Join them in the lecture room for entertaining talks and presentations to enrich your understanding of the wildlife, landscapes, and historic sites we hope to encounter. You may like to pamper yourself with a sauna, a visit to the Wellness Centre, or work out at the onboard gym. While away the hours spotting seabirds on deck, curl up with a book in the well-equipped polar library, or chat with your fellow expeditioners at the bar. ... Read More
Monday - Jan 19, 2026
Day 4
New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, New Zealand
First visited by Maori navigators centuries ago, these islands are of great significance to Ngai Tahu, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand's South Island. Their natural beauty and astonishing biodiversity have now been recognized globally, but few have had the privilege to visit these far-flung shores, which are now yours to explore. ... Read More
Tuesday - Jan 20, 2026
Day 5
New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, New Zealand
Wednesday - Jan 21, 2026
Day 6
New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, New Zealand
Thursday - Jan 22, 2026
Day 7
At Sea
As Campbell Island slips over the horizon, keep watch for Campbell, Salvin's, and white-capped albatross, which may follow the ship to bid us farewell as we continue south. Close observers may notice a subtle change in the character of the sea as we cross the Antarctic Convergence. Beyond this belt where the waters of the north and south mix, the sea surface temperature drops by about 4C (39F), signaling our entry into the Antarctic. This transition zone is known for its nutrient-rich waters, so keep watch for porpoising penguins, flocks of fluttering Antarctic petrels, or perhaps the more solitary snow petrel. You're not far from the Antarctic Circle, so your first iceberg can't be far away! Sea days are a great opportunity for some R & R as you digest your subantarctic experiences and prepare for the next phase of your voyage. Relax and unwind your way, perhaps meeting newfound friends at the bar, treating yourself to a sauna, or editing some images in the comfort of your cabin. And join your expedition team in the lecture room for presentations on the charismatic wildlife and extraordinary adventures that took place along the epic Antarctic coastline you are about to experience. ... Read More
Friday - Jan 23, 2026
Day 8
At Sea
Saturday - Jan 24, 2026
Day 9
At Sea
Sunday - Jan 25, 2026
Day 10
At Sea
Monday - Jan 26, 2026
Day 11
Victoria Land
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica
It's almost impossible to describe the feeling of arriving in this storied, ice-bound sector of Antarctica. Stepping outside and taking a deep breath of some of the most fresh, crisp air on earth is an experience to cherish forever. The Ross Sea region is a globally significant wildlife sanctuary. Its nutrient-rich waters support an astonishing array of uniquely adapted Antarctic species, including Ross Sea orcas, Antarctic petrels, and South Pacific Weddell seals. It is also home to Antarctica's largest Adelie penguin colony, and many of the largest emperor penguin colonies. The unique biodiversity of the Ross Sea has been protected within the world's largest marine protected area since 2016. The human heritage of the Ross Sea coast is equally impressive. Since James Clark Ross discovered the region in 1841, countless expeditions have built base camps on scattered ice-free slivers of land, using them as staging posts for bold forays across the polar plateau. Many of them departed in a hurry, leaving artefacts, scientific equipment, and sometimes entire huts behind. Today these sites are preserved as open-air museums and protected under the Antarctic Treaty System. Embrace the spirit of exploration as your expedition team designs your voyage from day to day, bringing decades of experience to selecting the ideal sites based on the prevailing weather, ice conditions, and wildlife opportunities. ... Read More
Tuesday - Jan 27, 2026
Day 12
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Wednesday - Jan 28, 2026
Day 13
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Thursday - Jan 29, 2026
Day 14
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Friday - Jan 30, 2026
Day 15
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Saturday - Jan 31, 2026
Day 16
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Sunday - Feb 1, 2026
Day 17
Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Antarctica
Monday - Feb 2, 2026
Day 18
At Sea
We leave the grandeur of the ice to the seals and penguins and head northwards, but our voyage is far from over. In the days ahead there is plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Southern Ocean and the life that calls it home. You won't want to miss presentations from your onboard specialists about the wonderful wildlife and rich human history of Macquarie Island. These days at sea also offer time and space to reflect on the emotions and special moments you've lived over the past few weeks. You may like to take a moment of quiet contemplation or reminisce with your fellow travelers over a cuppa (or other beverage of choice). As you approach Macquarie Island keep watch for graceful grey-headed, black-browed, and light-mantled albatross, which may venture from their nests to welcome their human visitors. ... Read More
Tuesday - Feb 3, 2026
Day 19
At Sea
Wednesday - Feb 4, 2026
Day 20
At Sea
Thursday - Feb 5, 2026
Day 21
Macquarie Island, Australia
"Penguins were in thousands on the uprising cliffs, and from rookeries near and far came an incessant din ... seabirds of many varieties gave warning of our near approach to their nests" Douglas Mawson, 1911. As they sailed towards Antarctica, Mawson and his men encountered 'an exquisite scene'. Macquarie Island (known affectionately as Macca) rises steeply from the Southern Ocean in a series of emerald summits: a beautifully fierce, elemental landscape teeming with life. Keep your binoculars handy because this subantarctic refuge is home to 3.5 million breeding seabirds, including no less than four species of penguin! Alongside boisterous colonies of tuxedoed kings, charming gentoos, robust rockhoppers, and endemic royal penguins, you'll find three types of fur seals and a large proportion of the world's elephant seals. Layer up and head out on deck to experience the sound and sight (and smell!) as you approach one of the largest concentrations of life in the Southern Ocean. Remember to keep an eye out for Macca's kelp forests-these remarkable underwater ecosystems are quite mesmerizing as their fronds sway back and forth on the water's surface. In addition to being a globally recognized and protected wildlife refuge, Macquarie Island played an important role in Antarctic history. It was here, in 1911, that five men disembarked Mawson's Aurora and established a radio relay station which would transmit the first communication from Antarctica to the outside world. ... Read More
Friday - Feb 6, 2026
Day 22
Macquarie Island, Australia
Saturday - Feb 7, 2026
Day 23
At Sea
As your journey draws to a close, take some time to reflect on the experiences of the past few weeks. Perhaps take some time to organize your photos, jot some more notes in your journal, or simply relax and soak up the ambiance onboard as you farewell your travel mates ... until next time! Become ambassadors for the great Southern Ocean, advocating for its conservation and preservation, and share your experiences with your loved ones, so they might visit and become ambassadors themselves. ... Read More
Sunday - Feb 8, 2026
Day 24
At Sea
Monday - Feb 9, 2026
Day 25
Port Chalmers, New Zealand
After breakfast, farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, hopefully with a newfound sense of the immense power of nature. Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, booking flights departing prior to 12 pm on the day of disembarkation is not recommended in case there are delays. ... Read More
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Pricing Terms and Conditions
Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruise-only without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in U.S. dollars. Ponant Cruises rates are based on foreign currencies that are converted to USD based on today's exchange rates. Rates are subject to availability, can vary by ship and sailing date, and for new bookings only. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change without notice. Port charges are included. Prices do not include additional service charges; Travel Insurance; and applicable government taxes & fees unless otherwise specified in the offer. Surcharges and fees implemented by a travel supplier, even after the reservation is made, will be the sole responsibility of each traveler and is due and payable in full prior to departure. Certain promotions which may include amenities like shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities, drink packages or other packages may be available by category, room type or fare code and may not be combinable with other promotions. For any questions, please consult one of our cruise specialists for applicability and verification. All prices, inclusions & promotions listed on the web-site are current at the time they we published and are subject to change without advance notice. Arrivia, Inc., its subsidiaries, and partners are not responsible for last minute changes to price or itinerary by cruise lines, or for any errors or omissions in the content of this website.
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