This is the ultimate Antarctica voyage, not attempted in some years, and never before on a cruise ship of the speed, stability and quality of the Marco Polo. In the spirit of the great Antarctic explorers -- Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott -- we'll virtually circumnavigate the continent, sailing from the tip of South America through the Antarctic Peninsula, then along the great continental ice shelf to the Ross Sea and New Zealand. Unlike any other ship sailing to Antarctica, the Marco Polo has the capability to make this extraordinary journey in just 22 days. It may be the most exhilarating, adventurous and fascinating three weeks of your life.
Two islands of great historic interest -- Adelaide and Stonington -- lead the way to the Ross Sea, where we;ll sail along a 400-mile geological wonderland of massive ice cliffs. When we enter McMurdo Sound, our southernmost point and home of the U.S. McMurdo Station, we'll be only 736 miles from the South Pole.
The huts we'll find at Cape Evans, Cape Royds, Cape Adare, and Cape Hallet bear witness to the hardships faced by the early explorers. Fortunately, our voyage will be much more comfortable, but we'll be welcomed, nevertheless, with much fanfare on arrival to Christchurch. A special gala reception attended by members of the Antarctic Heritage Foundation, the New Zealand Antarctic Society, the National Science Foundation, and dignitaries from various Antarctic bases will celebrate our successful circumnavigation of the last continent on earth.
The itinerary is also available...