Included
Arrival transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1 (for guests arriving on preferred flights, which includes any flight arriving on Day 1); one nightโs hotel accommodation in Dunedin on Day 1 (with breakfast on Day 2); luggage transfer from your hotel in Dunedin to ship on Day 2; transfer from pier to downtown Ushuaia or to airport on final day; onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service; all meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage; beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner; captainโs welcome and farewell reception including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages; all shore excursions and Zodiac cruises; educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team; complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult); a 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket; complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage; comprehensive pre-departure information; port surcharges, permits and landing fees; WiFi (where connection is possible); crew gratuities (suite guests only).
Exclusions
International or domestic flights to or within South America or New Zealand, unless specified; transfers not mentioned in the itinerary; airport arrival or departure taxes; passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination charges; travel insurance, emergency evacuation charges or personal insurance (required); hotels and meals not included in itinerary; optional excursions not included in the itinerary; optional activity surcharges; all items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges; automatic crew gratuities of $15 per person, per day (non-suite guests) which may be removed or amended at the end of the cruise.
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $2,500 is required per person at time of booking (additional nonrefundable $250 deposit is required for optional activities). The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
91 days or more โ 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days โ 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorationsย Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Epic Antarctica cruise begins in Dunedin, New Zealand (DUD), and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina (USH). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Plan flights to arrive to Dunedin at any time on Day 1. An arrival transfer from the Dunedin airport to the group hotel is included (for guests arriving on preferred flights, which includes any flight arriving on Day 1). Plan flights to depart Ushuaia no earlier than 12:00pm noon on disembarkation day. A direct transfer from the pier to downtown Ushuaia, or to the airport midday, is included following disembarkation. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flightsย resource page.
Activities
Various optional activities may be available on your Epic Antarctica cruise. Photography tips are included on every departure. Per-person prices for the 2025-26 season: kayaking $1,745. Please contact AdventureSmith for details on which activities are available and to reserve space with your booking.
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 50% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share may be matched with a person of the same gender, and if the other cabin berth goes unsold, will only pay the standard double-occupancy rate.
Families & Children
Kids 8 years and older are welcomed aboard all departure dates. Children between 8-17 years of age must pay the adult price of the expedition.
Travel Insurance
A medical form for all travelers, signed by their doctor, is required for every departure. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum required coverage of $250,000 USD per person, covering medical, accident and repatriation/emergency evacuation, as well as baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of holiday. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits.ย Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details.ย Learn more aboutย travelย insuranceโฏorโฏget a free quote.
Itinerary Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captainโs discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Antarctica expedition. Visits to research stations depend on final permission.