Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (2020)
Holiday Voyage: Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands (2020)
Join this panoramic Luxury Expedition Cruise and explore the colorful Falkland Islands, unspoiled South Georgia with its rookeries of king penguins, and epic Antarctica.
Join this panoramic adventure with passionate A&K experts aboard all-balcony ‘Le Lyrial,’ exploring the best of the Southern Ocean, including the colourful and cultural Falkland Islands, unspoiled South Georgia with its incredible rookeries of king penguins, and unequalled Antarctica.
- Cruise for 17 nights an extended holiday voyage aboard elegant ‘Le Lyrial,’ enjoying all-balcony accommodations and a guest capacity limited to just 199, only when exclusively chartered by A&K
- Begin your journey with two nights at the beautiful Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt on Alvear Avenue in Buenos Aires
- Sail with an exceptional team curated by A&K, featuring our award-winning Expedition Team, an experienced service staff and crew, and one of the best personnel-to-guest ratios at 1 to 1.3
- Enjoy all-inclusive cruising with included onboard meals and house drinks, Zodiac excursions, expedition gear, port charges, gratuities, Traveller’s Valet laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi
- Voyage to the Falkland Islands to explore this remote archipelago with its colourful history and abundant wildlife
- Explore historic, wildlife-rich South Georgia, where you visit with spectacular king penguin colonies and legendary sites that tell the story of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton
- Experience the best of Antarctica during excursions led by an Expedition Team deeply in tune with this environment
- Enjoy additional family programming featuring exciting youth-focused workshops, events and excursions led by dedicated Young Explorers Guides
Dec 17: Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arrive in Argentina’s capital city. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy time at leisure.
Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos AiresDec 18: Buenos Aires | Latin Style and European Grandeur
With its wide boulevards and classical buildings, romantic and exciting Buenos Aires boasts a contagious energy. Today, explore its treasures with expert A&K local guides, choosing from a selection of included excursions. Opt to see Buenos Aires on a guided tour complete with a tango demonstration or dive into a burgeoning scene on a guided tour focused on the city’s street art. Tonight, join your fellow travellers and A&K staff for a welcome cocktail reception and briefing.
Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Meals: BLDec 19: Ushuaia | At the Edge of the World
Fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Take a guided trek in the Cerro Alarken Nature Reserve before boarding your luxurious expedition cruiser for the next 17 nights. Watch with your family from the comfort of your own private balcony as ‘Le Lyrial’ heads out to sea.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 20: At Sea | Riches of the Southern Ocean
As you sail east toward the Falkland Islands, your Expedition Team begins an informal series of enlightening daily discussions on the flora and fauna, geology, and history of the region. These expert lectures span diverse topics, such as seabirds and penguins of the Southern Ocean, the formation of sea ice over thousands of years, and personal accounts of living and working in Antarctica. Photography enthusiasts especially enjoy time with A&K’s resident photo coach, who is on hand to share tips and answer questions. The cool waters in these parts are rich in krill, making them a favourite with local wildlife searching for food. Alongside your naturalist guides, spot various species of whales and seabirds from ‘Le Lyrial’s’ deck.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 21-22: Falkland Islands | Historic Outpost
Arrive in the remote Falkland Islands, which you explore for the next two days. Your expedition may take you to the western side of the archipelago to observe its flourishing wildlife. Conditions permitting, you also visit the tiny capital of Stanley, choosing from several excursions. Young Explorers Guides lead young guests on a visit to a sheep-shearing farm and the local museum, where they embark on a tour with a taxidermist.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 23-24: Cruising the South Atlantic | Abundant Wildlife
Time spent cruising is once again filled with fascinating lectures with your Expedition Team as well as exciting family-friendly programming led by Young Explorers Guides. The open ocean is a treasure chest bursting with life, and deck-side sightings of humpback whales and seabirds become more frequent.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 25-27: South Georgia | Wildlife Haven
Look forward to a most inspiring and unforgettable Christmas Day when you arrive at South Georgia, the Southern Ocean’s crown jewel for wildlife. A nearly submerged continuation of the Andes mountain range, the island offers glacier-covered coves and rugged shores, ideal for exploring with your naturalist guides on Zodiacs (inflatable boats). Weather and ice conditions permitting, excursions over the next three days include stops along the northeast coastline of the island, where we hope to visit vast colonies of king penguins and Southern elephant seals. You may also explore iconic historic sites with your A&K historian, who shares tales of the whaling era and heroic age of exploration. You also learn about the life and exploits of Antarctica’s greatest explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose final resting place is right here on South Georgia Island at Grytviken.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 28-29: The Scotia Sea | Life at Sea
Cruise the Scotia Sea while your expert lecturers recap your adventures in South Georgia and hint at what’s to come in Antarctica. Young Explorers Guides arrange for wild activities that include dissecting loligo squids, creating Japanese fish prints with an ink rubbing and a special visit to the ship’s high-tech bridge to see how ‘Le Lyrial’ is controlled.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDDec 30-Jan 2: Antarctica | Incredible White Continent
Your itinerary and a memorable New Year’s celebration call for landings on the Antarctic Peninsula and several South Shetland Islands. Weather and ice conditions permitting, your expedition team takes advantage of the best opportunities to set out on Zodiacs and explore the continent's iconic shores, which teem with gentoo, Adélie and chinstrap penguins. Meanwhile, a parent-free Zodiac ride beckons younger guests, who receive a lesson from their naturalist guide on how to drive the nimble boats, all while cruising past ice floes, whales and napping leopard seals. Antarctica’s stunning geography enhances the excitement of your experience here and competes for your attention with its dramatic snow-capped mountains, shimmering glaciers, and iceberg-strewn channels and bays.
‘Le Lyrial’ | Meals: BLDJan 3-4: The Drake Passage | Reflections at Sea
Bid farewell to Antarctica as 'Le Lyrial' points north to Ushuaia. Enjoy time with new friends you've made, observe more marine life from the decks or participate in family-friendly activities with your Younger Explorers Guides.
'Le Lyrial' | Meals: B L DJan 5: Depart Ushuaia
After breakfast, disembark 'Le Lyrial'. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Buenos Aires, where you board your flight home or join our new Ushuaia post-tour extension.
Meals: BJourney Details:
This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.
Minimum age is 7 years.
Categories 4-9 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
First group event: welcome reception on Day 2.
Last group event: disembarkation at 9:00 a.m. on Day 20.Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances including weather, wildlife, ice, medical emergencies and other conditions beyond A&K’s control at the sole discretion of the Captain.
Palacio Duhau is a superb city hotel and a member of the legendary Park Hyatt portfolio. The building itself is hugely impressive. The exterior retains the wonderful belle-époque architecture of the 1932 French Palace Duhau, whilst the interior is all sleek design and modern décor.
Its stylish, spacious rooms and exclusive suites have street or garden views and are immaculately presented, with modern décor offering a backdrop for the latest technology and luxurious furnishings. All have plush king sized beds, oversized work desks and majestic bathrooms with tub and rain shower. Luxurious touches include Celedonio Lohidoy-designed spa products, 30-inch flat-screen TVs and butler service.
Why we like it
- The rooms and suites are spacious and packed with luxurious touches
- Palacio Duhau is in an ideal central location on Avenida Alvear
- Dining options include the signature Duhau Restaurant and, for something special, the Vinoteca & Cheese Room, which offers fine Argentinian Malbecs and regional cheeses selected by the Maître Fromager
- The Ahin Spa can only be described as 'sumptuous'
- A beautiful, short-course indoor heated swimming pool is located in the spa
An A&K voyage to Antarctica offers the opportunity to experience the world's most pristine region at its very best on board the comfortable and sophisticated Le Lyrial. Enjoy its stunning blue palette inspired by the Vega star, all-balcony staterooms and suites, and the finest expedition staff cruising the southern ocean today.
On other cruises to different destinations, she carries more than 264 passengers: on voyages with A&K, we limit her capacity to just 199 clients. Fewer passengers in turn allows for more shore excursions each day and cabins with private balconies for every guest.
Relax in the on-board spa and hammam or take a dip in the outdoor heated saltwater pool with panoramic ocean views to the horizon.
The two on-board restaurants offer a selection of gourmet and international cuisine while the airy and elegant communal areas provide the perfect mix of quiet corners and sociable spaces. By day, enjoy a series of enriching lectures by leading experts about your natural surroundings. Then by night, the Club Lounge and the Theatre take care of your evening’s entertainment with a variety of live music shows and film screenings.
Why we like it
- Le Lyrial is sophisticated and stylish, complete with innovative marine technology
- A&K limited capacity of just 199 clients meaning more shore excursions and cabins with private balconies
- The most comfortable accommodation available on any polar expedition ship
- Cabin Categories 6-8 on Deck 6 receive the complimentary services of a private butler
- The ship is equipped with the most eco-friendly technology available
Amenities
- English language on board.
- Private balcony with every guest cabin, exclusively offered on A&K charters only.
- Complimentary butler service with every suite category, exclusively offered on A&K charters only.
- Sun Deck and multiple outer deck observation areas.
- Outside heated pool Library with selection of books.
- Two restaurants: Main and Grill.
- Open bar (excluding premium wines and spirits), an exclusive offering on A&K charters only.
- Two lounges with bars: Club with live music and Panoramic with Terrace.
- Complimentary 24-hour room service.
- Complimentary in-cabin breakfast (on request).
- Three passenger elevators.
- Fitness Center with Kinesis® wall.
- Full-service salon with spa and steam room.
- Theater for more than 200 guests.
- Boutique shop. 24-hour medical facilities with certified doctor.
- Laundry services.
- Electricity: 110/220 volts.
- Wireless Internet (due to remote destinations, access and speed varies)
Strength and Style
- Sophisticated design, innovative marine technology and a convenient layout aided by three passenger elevators are among ‘Le Lyrial’s’ many features.
- On A&K voyages, we limit her capacity to just 199 guests, allowing for more shore excursions each day and cabins with private balconies for every guest.
Safety
- Safety is first and foremost on board sturdy ‘Le Lyrial.’
- The ship features the latest communication, navigational and safety equipment.
- A&K’s English-speaking staff is readily available to assist and instruct on safety at all times during your cruise.
Environmentally Sound Operations
- In keeping with A&K’s longstanding commitment to environmental conservation, ‘Le Lyrial’ is equipped with the most eco-friendly technology available today.
- Our expeditions exceed all environmental protocols, including those set by the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and Antarctic Treaty Party nations.
Rest and Relaxation Redefined
- Among the most comfortable available on any polar expedition ship, all 108 cabins are fully equipped and feature bedding configurations that range from king-size beds to two single beds.
- Premium and Deluxe Two-Room Suites feature a pull out sofa that converts to a king-size bed, and the option to convert into a two-room cabin - perfect for families. 'Le Lyrial' also offers an additional Grand Deluxe Suite.
- 'Le Lyrial' is outfitted with a technologically advanced stabilizing system to minimize the effects of rough conditions and help keep passengers comfortable at all times.
Space to Meet and Mingle
- Spacious and elegant, ‘Le Lyrial’s common areas invite casual conversation with fellow guests as well as private reflection and views in quiet corners.
- The Panoramic Lounge and Terrace offer spacious areas ideal for social gatherings, afternoon tea or just relaxing with ocean views.
- The Club offers an elegant atmosphere in the evening, with live music and dancing, while the Theatre is the ideal venue for nightly entertainment, enrichment lectures and movies.
International Cuisine
- The Restaurant offers gourmet and international cuisine while The Compass Grill delivers casual indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and themed dinners.
- There is always a selection of light fare and vegetarian dishes, and most special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
- In-cabin room service is available 24/7.
Scheduled Bridge Visits
- A visit to the bridge can be arranged by the captain.
Personal Butler Service on Board
- Cabin Categories 6-8 on Deck 6 receive the complimentary services of a private butler.
- From ensuring your suite is up to your standards to organizing cocktails on your private balcony, your butler tends to your every need, with grace and efficiency.
Dates & Prices
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
Dec 17, 2020 - Jan 5, 2021