One Ocean Expeditions Hosts Inaugural Polar Conference on Antarctic Cruise
Passengers on One Ocean Expeditions’ 10-night Antarctic Peninsula Adventure, departing 28 February, will have unprecedented access to international representatives who manage Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty.
The key figures and diplomats from around the globe, on board Akademik Ioffe for the first-ever floating Polar Conference, will discuss steps to conserve the great Seventh Continent for future generations.
One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) is collaborating on The Future of Antarctica Conference – in conjunction with Oceanites* and ASOC** – for the benefit of Antarctica.
What’s more, the expedition cruise specialist is offering travellers an air credit of US $3,000, enabling them to fly free from anywhere in the world to Ushuaia in Argentina, where the voyage begins.
Andrew Prossin, MD of OOE, comments: “Not only will our guests be among the first to learn about the principles agreed by government officials and Antarctic specialists at the seminar, they will also be able to attend a number of public sessions and talk directly to chief decision makers and polar experts. These are people with huge political influence and the ability to shape environmental policies, so it will be a unique and fascinating experience for everyone on board.”
In addition, passengers will have the opportunity to visit Antarctic Stations and key science locations, such as Petermann Island and Cuverville Island. Researchers responsible for crucial work including coastal ecology, glaciology and marine biology projects, and monitoring long-term temperature trends and volcanic activity, will be on hand to describe how they operate and what has been achieved.
Among the experts on board, Kim Crosbie of IAATO***, The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, has recently been awarded the Queen’s Polar Medal for her outstanding contributions to the knowledge of polar visitor management.
Departing Ushuaia in the southern tip of Argentina, the Akademik Ioffe will chart a course across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the South Shetland Islands on route. Highlights of the voyage will include encountering colossal icebergs and vast ice landscapes stretching far in to the distance.
Plus, there’s an astounding abundance of wildlife to enjoy, from five different species of seal and massive penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelie and chinstrap, to a profusion of seabirds and maybe even a humpback, orca or minke whale.
On board experts will lead a number of excursions and optional activities during the voyage, exploring by Zodiac, sea kayaking, camping overnight on the ice and photographic workshops.
Prices start from $8495 per person based on triple share and $10,795pp in a twin cabin. As an alternative to the $3,000 air credit OOE will guarantee a cabin upgrade, a pre-or post-voyage hotel in Ushuaia, a $100 shipboard bar credit and a $750 booking credit. This offer is also valued at up to $3,000.
Oceanites* is a US-based, non-profit, environmental science, policy, and educational organization founded in 1987. Its mission is to assess and report on the state of penguins and human activities in Antarctica, on species adapting to future environmental change, and on all of us making wise decisions to conserve our fragile, watery planet. Since 1994, Oceanites’ Antarctic Site Inventory has been monitoring and analysing penguin population changes across the vastly warming Antarctic Peninsula, and results are reported annually to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings. Notably, the comprehensive Antarctic Site Inventory database is the principal reference relied upon by Antarctic Treaty nations in adopting site management guidelines for all Antarctic visitors. Oceanites serves as an independent, non-governmental observer at the meetings of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and its Scientific Committee, which oversees and regulates fishing activities in Antarctica. (www.oceanites.org)
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC)** seeks to guarantee the highest possible level of environmental protection for the Antarctic region, whether for tiny but important krill or for entire ecosystems like the Ross Sea. As the environmental observer within the Antarctic Treaty System, ASOC plays a special role as the representative of the global conservation community on Antarctic issues. ASOC presents papers at the meetings of Antarctic governance organisations and provides information on how to protect the Antarctic environment to Antarctic Treaty parties. (www.asoc.org)
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)*** advocates and promotes the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. (iaato.org)
