From the 1993/94 Orient Lines Marco Polo brochure...

Grand Antarctic Circumnavigation

The Marco Polo's Magnificent Voyage across the Bottom of the World

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.

All-Star Team of Expedition Leaders

To mark this historic voyage, we have invited many of the legendary names in Antarctic exploration. Joining Lars-Eric Lindblad will be Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Vivian Fuchs, the first men successfully to complete an overland crossing of Antarctica in 1958; British explorer Dr. Bernard Stonehouse of the Scott Polar Research Institute, who first visited Antarctica in 1947; and several relatives of the original Antarctic explorers, well-known environmentalists in their own right, including Lady Phillipa Scott, Falcon Scott, and Anna-Christine (Amundsen) Jacobsen. They, and other distinguished lecturers, will provide fascinating insights to help us understand and enjoy the experience to the utmost.

Across the Antarctic Circle and into the Ross Sea

Our voyage begins with the scenic beauty of Tierra del Fuego, the "land of fire," as we sail from Punta Arenas through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia. then, across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, where we'll make several landings. Once we cross the Antarctic Circle, there will be total daylight, for this is the realm of the austral midnight sun.

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...


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