Lindblad-National Geographic Celebrates Centennial of Shackleton’s Expedition with Special Events

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is bringing to life one of the most storied expeditions in modern history with special activities, amenities and events celebrating the Centennial of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition.

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is bringing to life one of the most storied expeditions in modern history with special activities, amenities and events celebrating the Centennial of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition.

Guests aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion on the 2014-2015 voyages to Antarctica will be led by a remarkable expedition team, who will shed new light on the storied exploits of Shackleton and his men on their ill-fated attempt to traverse the continent by foot, and the examples of leadership and survival that continue to be taught throughout the world today.  And, since expedition photography is an integral part of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic DNA, the season will be dedicated to Shackleton’s expedition photographer, Frank Hurley, whose remarkable images have helped everyone from amateurs to experts in the effort to piece together the ultimate expedition adventure.

One of the premier experts in this field is National Geographic photographer and writer Kim Heacox, the author of Shackleton: The Antarctic Challenge.  Lindblad Expeditions and Heacox have created an entertaining and inspirational multi-media presentation that uniquely captures the spirit of Shackleton and the crew that set sail with him on the Endurance in 1914, and that brings Hurley’s artistry into focus like never before.

With the inspiration still fresh in their minds and hearts, guests will have the chance to take to the ice themselves, led by a National Geographic photographer and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, influenced by some of Hurley’s most iconic images. Those looking to trace Shackleton’s and Hurley’s journey will have plenty of opportunities to do so, hiking in the spacious beauty of the Antarctic alongside naturalists and historians who will recount the stirring saga on the beautiful and challenging terrain.

Such excursions will be enjoyed in both style and comfort thanks to the commemorative Centennial edition parka. The custom-designed parka, combines vintage- style expedition wear with high-tech fabrication for maximum comfort, and comes with a Centennial badge designed just for the occasion that will commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Since special occasions deserve special treatment, Lindblad-National Geographic guests will have the chance to toast Shackleton, Hurley and their fellow explorers with the same whisky favored on the original voyage. In February, 2007, the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust made a stunning discovery, uncovering two crates of Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt, remnants of the 25 cases Ernest Shackleton ordered to provision his 1907 Nimrod expedition. Whyte and Mackay have issued a limited release of the whisky, and the ships have been provisioned with the legendary malt.  It will be  poured with complements on both the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion to toast the enduring spirit of the heroic age of exploration that first inspired Lars-Eric Lindblad to bring the first citizen explorers to experience the remarkable beauty of the region a half-century ago.

Travelers will start their own learning adventure long before boarding their voyage thanks to Alfred Lansing’s acclaimed book “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage,” which will be given to guests prior to departure.

Voyages throughout the season will also feature an array of Global Perspectives Guest Speakers who will add relevant insight and personal experience to the expedition community.  They include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Larson, whose latest book is “An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackelton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science;”  Jared Diamond, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, scientist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author; Kendrick Taylor, Chief Scientist for a project investigating climate change and the Antarctic ice sheet; Joe McConnell, environmental scientist; Fen Montaigne, journalist and author of “Fraser’s Penguins: A Journey to the Future in Antarctica,” and Peter Hillary, of mountaineering royalty, who has summitted the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and established a new overland route to the South Pole.

Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent:  14 days/11 nights aboard National Geographic Explorer. Rates begin at $12,350 per person in a category 1 cabin based on double occupancy. Departures are Nov. 28; Dec. 8, 18, 28, 2014; Jan. 7, 17, 27; Feb. 6, 2015.

Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falklands:  24 days/21 nights aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion. Rates begin at $21,360 per person in a category 1 cabin based on double occupancy. Departures on the National Geographic Explorer:  Nov. 8, 2014; Feb. 16, 2015; on the  National Geographic Orion Dec. 26, 2014; Jan. 25 & Feb. 14, 2014.

For more information or to book your Antarctica experience today, visit http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/antarctica/celebrating-the-centennial/, call 1-800-EXPEDITION or your travel agent.

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Quark Expeditions announces 2013-14 Antarctic Season; Book by Sept 30 for Discounts

Polar Pioneer Introduces the First-Ever Polar Floating Film Festival Voyage and a New Fly Cruise Itinerary

Quark Expeditions, a leader in polar adventure, has just announced its Antarctic 2013 -2014 season. Highlights include a voyage featuring the first-ever Floating Polar Film Festival in conjunction with Hot Docs, a fly-cruise itinerary that takes passengers across the Antarctic Circle, and a 23-day ‘do it all’ Antarctic adventure. The Epic Antarctica itinerary is the only voyage of its kind to take passengers to South Georgia, the Falkland Islands as well as the Antarctic Peninsula.

With 32 departures starting November 1, 2013, Quark offers more Antarctic voyages than any other Polar operator.

New Expeditions Added

Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica via Buenos Aires: Explorers and Kings
The inaugural voyage of the season aboard the Sea Spirit offers passengers an unprecedented experience. Departing from Buenos Aires, the 22-day voyage offers passengers the first-ever Floating Polar Film Festival. Curated by North America’s largest documentary festival, Hot Docs, this on-board festival will feature a diverse documentary film program set against the remote beauty of Antarctic waters. The journey starts on November 1, 2013 on the Sea Spirit.

Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle
Quark’s newest fly-cruise voyage offers passengers all the incredible experiences and bragging rights of crossing the Antarctic Circle, in less time than a typical voyage. This new 11-day expedition (instead of the usual 15) departs on December 22, 2013 and will have passengers celebrating New Year’s Eve aboard the Sea Adventurer.

Crossing the Circle via Falklands & South Georgia: Epic Antarctica
For those looking for the ultimate Antarctic experience, there is now a 23-day ‘do it all’ expedition on the Sea Adventurer which departs February 23, 2014. This extensive itinerary offers travelers a chance to see seven species of penguins, and more than 30 species of birds while visiting the “Galapagos of the Poles.” This is the only voyage available taking passengers to the Falklands and South Georgia as well as across the Antarctic Circle to the Peninsula.

Ships
The largest of Quark’s fleet, the ‘Super Yacht,’ Ocean Diamond, is back with Quark Expeditions for its second season of Carbon Neutral voyages. The ship features unparalleled comfort and stability.

Passengers will enjoy a massage and wellness program, the largest Polar library, in-room flat screen TV and DVD player and each cabin offers exterior views and en-suite bath. An all-inclusive beverage package is also available on this ship.

Sea Adventurer (formerly known as Clipper Adventurer) boasts outside cabins with en-suite facilities, a TV and DVD player in every cabin, a Polar Boutique, internet access, a fitness room and more. All-inclusive beverage packages are available on this ship.

Sea Spirit is Quark’s luxury adventure ‘all-suites’ ship and features all-inclusive beverages on every voyage, every suite has an exterior view and en-suite bath, in-room satellite phone and flat screen TV and DVD player. This ship also offers passengers a hot tub and workout room, polar library and many more amenities to suit every passenger’s needs.

How to Book
As an early booking incentive, travelers who reserve by September 30, 2012 will receive a 25% discount on suites* and 20% off on all other cabin categories.

Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition – 14 & 15 days from $6,995
Antarctic Express: Cruise South, Fly North – 10 days from $7,395
Antarctic Express: Fly South, Cruise North – 9 days from $6,995
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake – 8 days from $7,995
Antarctic Express: Crossing the Circle – 11 days from $10,995
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent – 10-12 days from $4,595
Antarctic Peninsula East and West: Explorers’ Route – 15 days from $12,995
South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin Safari – 17 days from $14,995
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings – 19 & 20 days from $9,495
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica via Buenos Aires: Explorers and Kings – 22 days from $13,995
Crossing the Circle via Falklands & South Georgia: Epic Antarctica – 23 days from $13,495

Prices listed above are in U.S. dollars and are per person based on triple occupancy. For more information contact a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 888-892-0171 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.

For over 20 years, Quark Expeditions has been the leading provider of polar adventure travel. With its diverse fleet of specially equipped vessels and seasoned expedition leaders, they offer travelers unparalleled access to the most remote regions on earth. In 2011, Quark was named a recipient of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for their “Three Arctic Islands” voyage.

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Flash Sale: Companion Can Cruise to Antarctica for $1 with Quark Expeditions this November

Quark Expeditions, a leader in polar adventure, will launch the company’s first-ever flash sale for a four day period featuring the classic Antarctic Explorer voyage. Passengers who purchase one of four available November 2011 departures at regular price will receive a companion rate of just $1. Additionally, single rates are available at 50 percent off.

“This is an incredible opportunity to experience the seventh continent and gain unparalleled access to the pristine beauty and fascinating wildlife of Antarctica,” said Hans Lajerweij, President of Quark Expeditions. “As a company founded on Polar firsts, our first flash sale offers unprecedented savings for one of the most world’s most unique travel experiences.”

The Antarctic Explorer voyage departs from Ushuaia, Argentina and crosses the Drake Passage, exploring the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands and encountering at least four different species of penguin, countless seals and the “big ice” in all its splendour. Additionally, passengers can choose from a variety of adventure activities, including snowshoeing, kayaking, camping, mountaineering and cross-country skiing, all providing a unique perspective of the Great White Continent.

Watch the video presentation at – http://youtu.be/raZvg2-d-Mc

Available Dates:
Nov. 13, 2011 – Antarctic Explorer on the Sea Spirit from $7,790
Nov. 13, 2011 – Antarctic Explorer on the Akademik Sergey Vavilov from $6,390
Nov. 19, 2011 – Antarctic Explorer on the Clipper Adventurer from $6,190
Nov. 29, 2011 – Antarctic Explorer on the Clipper Adventurer from $6,190

How to Book:
The sale will begins Monday, November 7 at 8:30 AM EST and ends on Thursday, November 10 at 8:00 PM EST. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability.

For more information contact a Quark Polar Travel Adviser at 888-892-0171 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com/flash-sale

About Quark Expeditions
Since 1991, Quark established a tradition of firsts in polar expedition travel. The company was first to transit the Northeast Passage with commercial passengers; the first to take travelers to the “far side” of Antarctica and the first to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent with guests. Quark is recognized for its diverse passenger fleet – including the only polar-class icebreaker operating as an expedition ship. In 2011, Quark was named a recipient of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for their “Three Arctic Islands” voyage.

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Once in a Lifetime Day Trip to Antarctica, Dec. 14, 2011

The luxury operator Mantis Collection, based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is offering  50 air tickets for a “Once in a Lifetime” Day Trip to Antarctica, on December 14, 2011.

The price is 6500 Euros (per person), for the flight, which departs Cape Town and arrives in Antarctica 5 1/2 hours later.

You have lunch in Antarctica, eight hours of activities, and then enjoy dinner on the return flight

For information, contact The Mantis Collection, 1 Watt Street, Deal Party, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 6001, Tel: +27 (0)41 4071010, www.mantiscollection.com, or email  jennifer.schoultz@mantiscollection.com.

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