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Expedition to Antartica

Gentoo Penguins in Antarctica

Explore Icebergs, Glaciers & Wildlife Amid Brilliant Antarctic Waters with Expert Insights

January 6 - 17, 2027

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With Distinguished Guest Lecturer Dr. Raymond Ashley aboard the New Elegant Small Cruise Ship DIANA

DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURER

Dr. Ray Ashley retired as President/CEO of the San Diego Maritime Museum in January 2025 after thirty years in that role. He holds a BA in Anthropology from UCSD, an MA in Maritime History and Museum Studies from East Carolina University, and a PhD in History from Duke University.

Dr. Ashley has been sailing for most of his life since spending his senior year in high school on the schooner Westward and is a licensed captain, the Star of India’s navigator, and frequently has the chance to sail other vessels of the Museum’s active fleet including the State tallship Californian, steam yacht Medea, Swift Boat PCF 816, Pilot, and most recently, the galleon San Salvador, which he has sailed more than 7000 miles on Museum expeditions.

Dr. Ashley is a contributor to several professional and historical publications including Mains’l Haul, where he has been author of the publication’s introductory column since it became a peer review journal, American Neptune, and Sea History. He has been curator of several of the Museum’s major exhibitions including Ironclads, Charting the Sea, the award winning Cook, Melville, and Gauguin: Three Voyages to Paradise, and The Art of Navigation, currently presented at the Maritime Museum. Dr. Ashley has led Museum sponsored member expeditions to a variety of locations, including Northern Europe, Isle of Man, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, Baja California, all eight California Channel Islands, and several Pacific Heritage Tours in the galleon San Salvador. Dr. Ashley has taught “Public History and Museum Studies” as well as “Maritime Archeology” for USD, co-taught “Age of Sail” for UCSD, and has taught the Museum course “The History and Practice of Navigation.”

In 2014 Dr. Ashley was recognized with lifetime achievement awards by both the Maritime Alliance/Blue Tech in San Diego, and the International Maritime Heritage Alliance, for the construction of the Galleon San Salvador.

In recognition for his efforts in building the San Salvador, in 2016 Dr. Ashley was knighted with the rank of Knight Commander, Order of Isabella la Catholica by direction of his majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain.

He lives in Chula Vista with his wife Carlynn (with whom he once sailed a 25’ boat through the South Pacific), and is currently writing a book about the Circumnavigation of Lord Anson in the ship-of-the-line Centurion 1740–1744.

ITINERARY

Wednesday, January 6, 2027
DEPART USA
Depart home for Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Thursday, January 7
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina
Arrive in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Transfer to the Sofitel Recoleta Hotel (or similar). In the evening, meet fellow travelers and your trip director for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Friday, January 8
BUENOS AIRES | USHUAIA | SHIP EMBARKATION
Transfer to the airport for the group flight to Ushuaia, claimed to be the world’s southernmost city, located in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, between the famed Beagle Channel and the mountains. On arrival, transfer to the pier to embark on the Diana, which will begin cruising early this evening. As the ship cruises the Beagle Channel, enjoy a spectacular vista of glaciers and misted mountains. (B, D)

Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10
AT SEA
Attend lectures and enjoy the ship’s facilities as the Diana cruises through the Drake Passage to Antarctica. Look for Albatross, Cape Petrels, and whales that may accompany the ship on its passage. (B, L, D)

Monday, January 11 to Thursday. January 14
EXPLORING ANTARCTICA
During these days, we will explore the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula and its surrounding islands. The Peninsula is a narrow finger of land that separates the Bellingshausen and Weddell Seas. As Diana cruises through scenic waterways, witness breathtaking panoramas of blue glaciers and jagged, snow-capped mountains. Aboard the ship’s Zodiacs, we cruise among ice floes and explore penguin rookeries. The exact nature of our daily activities will depend on ice and wind conditions, but we expect to make landings at such places as Paradise Harbor, where humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore; Port Lockroy, to visit the historic “Base A” established by the British Antarctic Survey in 1944 and now maintained as a living museum; and Deception Island, known for its volcanically-heated hot springs and for the remains of abandoned whaling huts and extraordinary wildlife, including the largest colony of Chinstrap penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula. Navigating through the magnificent Lemaire, Neumayer, and other protected channels is also planned. Also attend briefings with the ship’s expedition staff. (B, L, D)

Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15
AT SEA
Watch for whales and seabirds – and enjoy onboard lectures and the ship’s amenities – as Diana cruises back to Ushuaia. (B, L, D)

Sunday, January 16
USHUAIA, Argentina | SHIP DISEMBARKATION | BUENOS AIRES | HOME
Disembark in Ushuaia. Transfer to the airport for the group flight to Buenos Aires to connect with flights homeward. (B)

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Antarctic landscape

Albatrosses

Crabeater seals, Antarctic Peninsula

Humpback whale

The NEW 192-Guest Expedition
Cruise Ship DIANA

All accommodations aboard Diana are spacious staterooms and balcony suites that include:

●Elegantly decorated
●Outside-facing with sea views
●Queen-size bed (can be arranged as two twin beds)
●Spacious bathroom
●Mini-refrigerator
●Safe
●Ample closet space
●Climate control
●Telephone
●TV
●Wi-Fi and USB connections
●Additional amenities

The NEW 192-Guest Expedition Cruise Ship DIANA

Oceanview Stateroom

Balcony Suite

All prices are per person, double occupancy

Category E – Oceanview Stateroom with two large oval windows | 206 sq. ft. | $12,890
Category D – Oceanview Stateroom with two large oval windows | 206 sq. ft. | $13,490
Category C – Suite with Balcony & Living Room Area | 300 sq. ft. | $14,990
Category B – Suite with Balcony & Living Room Area | 300 sq. ft. | $15,690
Category A – Suite with Balcony & Living Room Area | 300 sq. ft. | $16,490
Category AA – Suite with Large Balcony, Separate Bedroom & Living Room | 474 sq. ft. | $20,790

FOR SOLO TRAVELERS | A limited number of cabins are available for single occupants in Category D at 120% of the per-person, double occupancy rate, and in Categories C, B, and A at 150% of the per-person, double occupancy rate.

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS

The rates are all-inclusive. There are no hidden costs and no additional charges such as shore excursions and embarkation and port charges. Other than the international airfare and expenses of a personal nature, all else is included. Specifically, the rates include the following:

● One night at the Sofitel Recoleta Hotel (or similar) in Buenos Aires.
● Welcome dinner at the hotel.
● Round trip group flight between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia.
● Cruise aboard the Diana, as described in the itinerary.
● Lectures and discussions with Dr. Raymond Ashley.
● Airport/hotel/pier transfers and handling of luggage on arrival and departure dates.
● Complete program of shore landings and activities organized by the expedition leaders and naturalists.
● All meals aboard the ship, with a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
● Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard the ship hosted by the captain.
● Open bar with select alcoholic beverages.
● Coffee, including espresso and cappuccino, tea and soft drinks throughout the day and night.
● 24-hour room service.
● Gratuities to the ship’s crew, porters and drivers.
● Basic Wi-Fi aboard the ship.
● The services of an experienced Thalassa Journeys Trip Director.
● All local taxes and service charges, including port and embarkation taxes.
● Use of rubber boots for shore landings.
● Complementary expedition parka for you to use and keep.
● Complete pre-departure material

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare; travel insurance; expenses of a personal nature; any items not mentioned in the itinerary or the above inclusions.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

This program includes expedition excursions such as Zodiac cruises and shore landings that may involve walking and standing for 1–3 hours at your own pace on uneven, icy, or rocky terrain. Guests should be comfortable navigating inclines, slippery surfaces, and climbing in and out of Zodiacs for shore excursions. Conditions can be cold and windy, so sure footing and good balance are important. Layered clothing and a spirit of adventure will help you get the most from this unforgettable experience.

   Get close to the scenery and wildlife with the ship’s fleet of Zodiacs

For reservations and information

Please call Thalassa Journeys at +1 866–633–3611
or email reservations@thalassajourneys.com