Blackwood Safaris invites you and your family/friends to join us on a Photography Workshop Expedition Cruise to Antarctica for 15 days. We’re crossing the Polar Circle in search of adventure and Southern Lights!
March 12–26, 2027
Join award-winning wildlife photographer Karen Blackwood on this comprehensive Photography Workshop expedition cruise to Antarctica. This expansive expedition takes you into the Antarctic Circle, combining the rich animal life of the Weddell Sea with the surreal shores and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. Such key landing sites as the legendary Elephant Island and Crystal Sound make this voyage truly exceptional. Our goal is to cross the Southern Polar Circle near Detaille Island and do a Polar Plunge so you can be one of the very few people in the world with that claim to fame!
PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per IAATO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with IAATO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. The average cruising speed for our vessel is 10.5 knots.
Blackwood Safaris Antarctica Photography Workshop
Join our Polar Circle Antarctic Expedition adventure with Karen Blackwood and Oceanwide Expeditions. Receive a 10% discount when you book through Blackwood Safaris!
This is a true on-site photography workshop, during which we will cover everything from correctly using all buttons and functions of your camera to taking good pictures, then editing your photos in Lightroom using Blackwood Safaris’ Wildlife Workflow process. Non-photographers are welcome! There’s so much to do that, no matter your interests, you’ll be busy.
This voyage encompasses some of the most spectacular, southerly, wildlife-rich channels with magnificent scenery, making it the ultimate photographic adventure. We could see up to 8 species of penguins with a good chance of Emperors the farther south we go, thousands of pelagic birds, and seals and sea lions. Whales will be concentrated in the Gerlache Strait and Lemaire Channel, feasting on krill in preparation for their migration back north, so whale-watching opportunities will be crazy good!
This voyage is deliberately timed late in the seaons to take advantage of soft light and animals preparing for winter. We’ll have greater chances of breath-taking sunrises and sunsets…maybe even some early Southern Lights!
We’ll be on land, exploring, as much as possible, giving photographers ample time to create their masterpieces while maximizing the best photographic light at either end of the day. Non-photographers will have so many fascinating things to see and watch. There’s truly something for everyone.
Our goal is to cross the Antarctic Circle and if you’re game, let’s do our Polar Plunge there! How many people do you know who can say they did that–even among those who have been to Antarctica?
During our days at sea, we’ll have time to really learn every button and function of your camera. We’ll spend lots of time reviewing images together. There’s plenty of time for Lightroom lessons and editing sessions, alongside the regular programs of wildlife, geographical, and historical lectures by the specialists on staff to ensure the most rounded insight into these incredible destinations.
This truly is an exploration-based expedition like no other, perfect for avid photographers, wildlife enthusiasts and adventure-minded nature lovers.
Antarctica – Elephant Island – Weddell Sea – Polar Circle
This adventurous polar expedition in the Antarctic Circle combines the exciting Weddell Sea with the amazing Antarctic Peninsula, including such iconic landing sites as Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Elephant Island and the many icy and wildlife-filled islands of Crystal Sound.
Day 1: End of the world, start of a journey
Your voyage begins where the world drops off. Ushuaia, Argentina, reputed to be the southernmost city on the planet, is located on the far southern tip of South America. Starting in the afternoon, you embark from this small resort town on Tierra del Fuego, nicknamed “The End of the World,” and sail the mountain-fringed Beagle Channel for the remainder of the evening.
We’ll begin getting acquainted with the buttons and functions of our cameras immediately because the photography and light are spectacular. We don’t want to miss a thing, do we?
Later, we’ll have dinner together and get to know each other as we start our adventure. Let’s discuss what we want to see and hope to photograph.
Days 2–3: Path of the polar explorers
Over the next two days on the Drake Passage, you enjoy some of the same experiences encountered by the great polar explorers who first charted these regions: cool salt breezes, rolling seas, maybe even a fin whale spouting up sea spray. After passing the Antarctic Convergence – Antarctica’s natural boundary, formed when north-flowing cold waters collide with warmer sub-Antarctic seas – you are in the circum-Antarctic upwelling zone.
Not only does the marine life change, the avian life changes too. Wandering albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, black-browed albatrosses, light-mantled sooty albatrosses, cape pigeons, southern fulmars, Wilson’s storm petrels, blue petrels, and Antarctic petrels are a few of the birds you might see. We’re going to use them for photography practice, and who knows? You might just capture the next Audubon winner like Karen did.
We’ll continue learning every function of our cameras. We’ll start practical photography immediately because this is a birder’s paradise. Why? Birds follow ships! We expect to see multiple species of albatross including Wandering, Royal, Black-browed, plus petrels, shearwaters, prions, and fulmars dancing with the waves. Wouldn’t you like to capture a fulmar dragging a wingtip through a swell, or an albatross emerging from the spray of a breaking wave? We’ll shoot for that! You’ll have to drag yourself away from the railing for meals, but the cuisine is worth it (bring pants a few sizes bigger–you’ll need those by the end of our trip).
Day 4: From Point Wild to the Weddell Sea
We will arrive early to the famous Point Wild, Elephant Island, where Shackleton’s crew made their first landing after the loss of their ship, Endurance. This inhospitable spit of land is a favorite among our guests, and if conditions permit, we will offer activities around the point before setting off for the Weddell Sea.
Our practical lessons will be put to good use today! Don’t worry if you don’t remember everything. Karen will be by your side to remind you until it becomes second nature. That’s the point of Photography Workshops–we’re here to learn a lot!
Day 5: Weddell Sea Devil Island
Today you enter the wondrous Weddell Sea, a relatively unvisited area in which we hope to carry out activities in Erebus and Terror Gulf. We may also visit such places such as Beak Island and Devil Island, which boast some stunning scenery as well as the pack ice for which the Weddell Sea is famous.
Day 6: Exploring the most remote regions
As we continue to explore the area of Erebus and Terror Gulf, we look for new opportunities for activities. You may also visit Vega Island, experiencing the wilderness of Antarctica in its most remote places.
It’s time to start learning how to use Lightroom! Karen will teach you to organize your photos, then begin teaching the basics of editing. It will seem overwhelming, but we promise you, you’ll feel like a pro when we finish the trip. We will review a lot, and Karen is always available for questions.
Day 7: Orléans Strait whale search
Now we sail down the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula, entering the Orleans Strait. Here we hope to see humpback and orca whales as we sail toward Mikklesen Harbor for our afternoon activities.
These are the days that you’ll notice that your photography skills are really showing improvement. Karen will be with you to recommend settings, point out wildlife behavior, suggest compositions, and maybe even teach you a few artistic tricks. We’ll continue editing classes and Lightroom review on-board as well.
Day 8: Port monuments and island wildlife
Passing the Lemaire Channel, you next arrive in the area of Port Charcot, where there is a cairn that was erected by the French Antarctic Expedition of 1903–05. In the afternoon, we head to Petermann Island to see a great variety of birdlife. You might also enjoy Zodiac cruises among icebergs that are highly popular with leopard seals and crabeater seals. Minke whales, humpbacks, and gentoo penguins can also be found here.
Karen is here to review Lightroom and camera settings as much as necessary to ensure that you’ve “got it.” We want your photos to be incredible, and we want you to be able to produce them, from vision to finished product, to hang on your wall.
Days 9–10: Detaille Island’s historic station
Today we reach Crystal Sound, viewing the area’s beautiful ice formations and wildlife before landing at Detaille Island. This remote island was once home to a British research station that is now a historic monument.
We’ll continue supporting you with recommendations and answers to questions. On-board classes will get deeper into editing, and we’ll ask you to challenge yourself when you are on land with your camera. You’ve got this!
Day 11: Amazing Argentine islands
Next you arrive at the Yalour Islands, a small archipelago composed mostly of isolated rocks and one principal island that offers us a rewarding landing. Home to Adélie penguins and some of the most southerly gentoos in the world, Yalour also has small patches of bearded and crustose lichen, including xanthoria, buellia, caloplaca, and usnea. Extensive moss beds and some Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) can be seen as well.
Karen will be nearby to offer all the photographic support you need, and we’ll work on editing in the evenings and downtime on the ship.
Day 12: Farewell to Antarctica
We have our farewell to Antarctica in the Melchior Islands for our final activities before heading towards the Drake Passage.
We’re all afraid to see how many photos we’ve taken at this point! Culling is part of good photography, and during our voyage, Karen will help you determine which to keep and what to delete. We’ll take more incredible landscape, seascape, and wildlife photos and work through those onboard the ship.
Days 13–14: Familiar seas, familiar friends
Your return voyage is far from lonely. While crossing the Drake, you’re again greeted by the vast array of seabirds remembered from the passage south. But they seem a little more familiar to you now, and you to them.
We’ll put the finishing touches on our favorite photos and prepare a slideshow of everyone’s best. It’s going to be fun to see your growth—you will be astounded at the difference, and confident that when you get home, you’ll be able to continue to grow as a photographer. We’ll review anything you want; it’s your journey and your Workshop.
Day 15: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end. It’s now time to disembark in Ushuaia, but with memories that will accompany you wherever your next journey leads.
Despite this end point, the wealth of memories and friends you’ve made on your Antarctic expedition will stay with you wherever your next adventure lies.
We are already sad to say goodbye, so we won’t. We’ll say “See you next time on another Blackwood Safaris adventure!”
Cost in USD (see Terms for details):
Double, Triple & Quadruple Occupancy cabins: Prices start at $10,485 per person for a shared berth (see choices below)
Payments:
- Deposit: 30% at booking
- 2nd Payment: 35% 180 days prior to departure – 13 Sep 2026
- 3rd Payment: 35% 90 days prior to departure – 12 Dec 2026
We can try to pair solo travelers if you’d like a roommate if another traveler of the same gender is also looking for a roommate. We can’t guarantee it, however. EVERYONE is welcome on this trip!
Cabins & Prices
Important:
You MUST check your cabin availability on Oceanwide Expedition’s website before booking or we cannot guarantee your cabin selection.
After checking your availability, return to this page on the Blackwood Safaris site to book your trip and receive your 10% off. (If you book through Oceanwide, you will NOT receive 10% off, nor will you be enrolled in the Photography Workshop.)
Quadruple Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m² (39.5 ft²)
- 1 porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
$11,650
10% off: $10,485*
$46,600
10% off: $41,940*
Triple Porthole
- 1 porthole
- 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
$14,300
10% off: $12,870*
$42,900
10% off: $38,610*
Twin Porthole
- Cabin size 12 m² (39.5 ft²)
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
$14,300
10% off: $12,870*
$24,310
10% off: $21,879*
$28,600
10% off: $25,740*
Twin Window
- Cabin size between 12.5 m² and 13.5 m² (41 ft² and 44.3 ft²)
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
$14,950
10% off: $13,455*
$25,415
10% off: $22,873.50*
$29,900
10% off: $26,910*
Twin Deluxe
- Cabin size 13.5 m² (44.3 ft²)
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- Safe deposit box
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
$16,450
10% off: $14,805*
$27,965
10% off: $25,168.50*
$32,900
10% off: $29,610*
Superior
- Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m² (69 ft² and 75.5 ft²)
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Safe deposit box
- Ample storage space
$29,410
10% off: $26,469*
$34,600
10% off: $31,140*
*not subject to other discounts
Ship Details
m/v Plancius
Our most longstanding vessel, Plancius is a classic choice for some of our most popular polar voyages.
The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the vessel considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10 – 12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.
M/v “Plancius” is manned by an international crew of 40 (20 nautical crew and 20 hotel crew), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 1 assistant expedition leader and 6 guides/lecturers), and 1 doctor.
Voyage Details
| Tripcode: | PTL31-27 |
| Duration: | 15 days / 14 nights |
| Ship: | m/v Plancius |
| Embarkation: | Ushuaia |
| Disembarkation: | Ushuaia |
| Language: | English-speaking voyage |
Additional Information
Birding Highlights
- Penguins – King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Macaroni, Magellanic, and Rockhopper, plus Emperor and Adélie (found only on the continent)
- Albatross – Wandering, Black-browed, Sooty, Light Mantled, Gray-headed, Royal
- Petrels – Southern Giant, Snow, Antarctic, Cape, Storm, Blue, White-chinned
- Terns – Antarctic, Arctic
- Prions – Antarctic, Fairy
- Shearwaters – Great, Sooty
- Skuas – Brown, South Polar
- Shags – Imperial, Antarctic
- Southern Fulmar
- Kelp Gull
- Snowy Sheathbill
Mammal Highlights
- Seals and Sea Lions – Weddell, Crabeater, Leopard, Elephant, Antarctic Fur Seals
- Whales – Humpback, Antarctic Minke, Blue, Fin, Long-finned Pilot, Sei, Right, Sperm – this is prime whale-watching season!
- Dolphins – Orca, Hourglass, Commerson’s, Dusky, Peale’s Southern Right Whale Dolphin
Habitats Covered
- Icebergs
- Glaciers
- Mountains
- Seascapes
- And more!
Special Moments
- Crossing the Southern Polar Circle
- Polar Plunge inside the Polar Circle
- Southern Lights (possible)
- Whale-watching as they feast prior to migration
- Elephant Island
- Brown’s Bluff
- Lemaire Channel & Gerlache Strait
Photographic Opportunities
You’ll be snapping from sun-up to sun-down. Everywhere you look, there’s something to photograph.
Maximum # of Participants
NO LIMIT for those joining only the cruise.
The Photography Workshop is limited to 20 guests so we can ensure one-on-one time with you. Bring your non-photographer spouse, friend, SO, cousin, and know that they will have an enjoyable time while you work on photography, and yes, you’ll still have lots of quality time with them too.
Insurance Requirements
A minimum of $500,000 Medical Evacuation insurance is required for participants in Antarctica or Arctic Trips, and Blackwood Safaris requires travel, international medical, and medical evacuation insurance for all trips. Blackwood Safaris has vetted several insurance companies from whom you can receive free quotes and comparisons via our Trip Planning tab. We receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through our links. While insurance is required, it is not required that you purchase through us.
Required Fitness Level
Average to fit: you must be able to manage stairs while a boat moves, get in and out of a zodiac (you will have help—it’s mandatory), and navigate uneven terrain on shore including snow and ice.
Some accommodations can be made for those with disabilities or who need extra help. Please ask us and we can see what we can do for you!
Safety Considerations
We take every precaution to keep you safe. All staff are certified in their jobs and trained to the highest level. The ship is new and built to the highest standards of safety. There is inherent risk in going on any cruise, however. Please be sure to assess your risk tolerance.
Required Photographic Skills Level
Beginner to pro, including phone cameras, DSLRs, and Mirrorless! We’ll have plenty of time to teach you to master every function of your camera.
About the Photography Instruction
We’ll teach you how to use your camera, from focusing to metering, from Manual Mode to Aperture Priority, and every function in between. We’ll teach you about exposure compensation, which you’ll need against the bright snow. We’ll practice on the many birds that will be following us, the ever-changing waves, and interesting things on the ship.
Once we are comfortable with our cameras and have a few decent photos, we will begin to teach our basic Wildlife Workflow and editing skills in Lightroom. You must bring a laptop loaded with Lightroom Classic for this workshop (Do NOT download Lightroom CC!) Please check the Adobe website for their monthly subscription package. The Lightroom course is limited by the length of the cruise.
In Lightroom we will look at the following, but not limited to:
- An introduction to Lightroom: how to improve your photo management and processing.
- Setting up Lightroom to keep things simple yet effective: files and folders.
- The basic concept of Lightroom. The catalog vs your photo files; important settings in Lightroom.
- Importing photos and backup strategies.
- Renaming multiple photos and creating standard templates for renaming photos.
- Finding and filtering: keywords, text, attributes, and metadata.
- The Library module overview
- Basic wildlife workflow editing in the Develop module
What Photography Gear Should I Bring?
Blackwood Safaris Photography Workshop — What Gear Do I Bring?
- Camera(s) with body caps. Update firmware before leaving home. Download manual before leaving home.
- Lenses with lens caps (front and back):
- Telephoto or zoom in the 300mm – 500mm range
- Wide Angle
- Macro
- Medium Length in the 24mm – 100mm range
- If you have to choose between two similar lenses, bring the faster lens (lower aperture, such as f2.8)
- Extra batteries and charger(s)
- Laptop — Preload Adobe Lightroom Classic (NOT CC!!!). Adobe has a subscription service and you may be able to take advantage of a free trial. Choose the service with Lightroom. You can cancel at any time.
- 2 External Hard Drives of at least 2TB each (one primary, one backup)—be sure cords will connect to your laptop!
- Memory cards for your camera, 64GB or larger. Plan main cards plus a set of extra cards and one or two spares. We will download to the hard drives every night and reuse memory cards.
- Card reader(s)
Additional Gear:
- Rain covers for cameras and lenses — Buy inexpensive clear covers. They are easier to use than big, pro, brand-name covers. TIP: shower caps make great body covers, and vegetable bags from grocery stores make great covers for long lenses in a pinch.
- Dry Sac (35L or larger, you’ll carry cameras and extra gear inside). One that doubles as a backpack works well, as does one with a sling attachment. You won't need a much larger Dry Sac unless you want to put a backpack inside.
- 2 Towels—quick wicking and drying to keep cameras and gear dry.
- Tripod or monopod with good quality ball head. Be sure you have ARCA plates for each big lens foot and for each camera body. Due to regulations, we can no longer put beanbags on the ground.
- Thin photography gloves under heavy gloves or mittens. Neoprene are great--your camera is going to get cold. You need fully waterproof rubber gloves (fishing gloves, heavy neoprene, etc) for all Zodiac operations.
- Power strip with USB ports to charge multiple items at once
- Double check that you have power cables for everything and that they fit. Don’t assume!
- Filters such as ND (5 or 6 step, and 10 step) and Polarizing
Don't forget to download our Travel Tips and Packing Checklist!
Included:
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee, and tea
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes
- Pre-scheduled group transfer from the vessel to the airport in Ushuaia (directly after disembarkation)
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- Comprehensive pre-departure material
- Photography instruction from Karen Blackwood
Excluded:
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post-land arrangements
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes
- Meals ashore
- Baggage, cancellation, and personal insurance (required)
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges, and telecommunication charges
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided)
- Anything not mentioned as “included”
What Photography Gear Should I Bring?
Blackwood Safaris Photography Workshop — What Gear Do I Bring?
- Camera(s) with body caps. Update firmware before leaving home. Download manual before leaving home.
- Lenses with lens caps (front and back):
- Telephoto or zoom in the 300mm – 500mm range
- Wide Angle
- Macro
- Medium Length in the 24mm – 100mm range
- If you have to choose between two similar lenses, bring the faster lens (lower aperture, such as f2.8)
- Extra batteries and charger(s)
- Laptop — Preload Adobe Lightroom Classic (NOT CC!!!). Adobe has a subscription service and you may be able to take advantage of a free trial. Choose the service with Lightroom. You can cancel at any time.
- 2 External Hard Drives of at least 2TB each (one primary, one backup)—be sure cords will connect to your laptop!
- Memory cards for your camera, 64GB or larger. Plan main cards plus a set of extra cards and one or two spares. We will download to the hard drives every night and reuse memory cards.
- Card reader(s)
Additional Gear:
- Rain covers for cameras and lenses — Buy inexpensive clear covers. They are easier to use than big, pro, brand-name covers. TIP: shower caps make great body covers, and vegetable bags from grocery stores make great covers for long lenses in a pinch.
- Dry Sac (35L or larger, you’ll carry cameras and extra gear inside). One that doubles as a backpack works well, as does one with a sling attachment. You won't need a much larger Dry Sac unless you want to put a backpack inside.
- 2 Towels—quick wicking and drying to keep cameras and gear dry.
- Tripod or monopod with good quality ball head. Be sure you have ARCA plates for each big lens foot and for each camera body. Due to regulations, we can no longer put beanbags on the ground.
- Thin photography gloves under heavy gloves or mittens. Neoprene are great--your camera is going to get cold. You need fully waterproof rubber gloves (fishing gloves, heavy neoprene, etc) for all Zodiac operations.
- Power strip with USB ports to charge multiple items at once
- Double check that you have power cables for everything and that they fit. Don’t assume!
- Filters such as ND (5 or 6 step, and 10 step) and Polarizing
Don't forget to download our Travel Tips and Packing Checklist!
Terms
General Travel Terms and Conditions Oceanwide Expeditions B.V.
Thank you for deciding to book a trip with Oceanwide Expeditions through Blackwood Safaris (hereinafter referred to as: “OE”). Before making a definite booking, we recommend you (hereinafter referred to as “contracting party”) to read carefully the following travel conditions. These general travel conditions and the term contracting party apply both to private persons (direct booking) and to (travel) organisations (see par. 1.2).
N.B.: when referring to OE, this automatically includes the affiliates, owners, officers, agents, employees, associate and/or sister companies of OE.
1. Reservation of trip / travel notification
1.1 The contract comes about by means of a written acceptance by the contracting party of the offer of OE, and/or payment of the required deposit or invoiced total amount, upon which a binding travel contract with OE is effected, to which all conditions set out in paragraph 1.3 up to and including paragraph 11.3 apply. If the contracting party in addition to him/herself also lists one or more other persons on one notification form, this contracting party is automatically personally responsible for all obligations ensuing from the travel contract (in line with the general travel conditions of OE) which concern himself and the other persons booked.
1.2 If the contract has come about by means of a written acceptance and/or payment as per par. 1.1 by a (travel) organisation (as in the case of but not limited to tour operators, agencies, travel agents, foundations, societies etc.), this (travel) organisation enters into a binding travel contract with OE. The (travel) organisation in question is then exclusively considered the contracting party to which all conditions set out from paragraph 1.3 up to and including paragraph 11.3 apply, irrespective of the possibility that the (travel) organisation in turn enters into a binding travel contract with clients it has recruited (such as but not limited to, private persons, members of the (travel) organisation, travel agents and third parties in general).
1.3 The contracting party shall – before the effecting of the travel contract and its implementation – provide OE with the necessary (personal) data concerning him/herself or third parties – in the case of a (travel) organisation: the client(s) of the (travel) organiser. Incorrect or incomplete provision of (personal) data can result in faulty vouchers, air tickets etc. OE shall not be held liable for such.
1.4 All trips booked through OE will be confirmed by OE by means of a confirmation (invoice) sent to the contracting party.
2. The travel offer / the travel elements
2.1 The scope of the travel offer (the travel elements) booked by the contracting party is contractually recorded in the travel confirmation (invoice), in combination with the description from the most up-to-date brochure / programme description, sailing schedules, day-by-day itineraries of OE and / or (other) relevant publications of OE.
2.2 OE bears no responsibility for photos, brochures and other information material, insofar as these have been published or distributed under the responsibility of third parties, nor for any undertakings, expectations or promises of third parties towards the contracting party.
3. Payment
3.1 On the effecting of the travel contract, the contracting party must pay an advance of 20 % of the total price to OE, unless otherwise stated in the travel confirmation. The remainder of the price must have been received 60 days before departure date by OE. If the travel contract has been agreed within 60 days of departure, the full price must be paid immediately. Other (deviating) payment policies may be applicable; these are valid only if confirmed by OE in writing (in e.g. the original offer made, travel confirmation, (block charter) agreements/contracts or in additional (separate) written confirmations) and these payment policies shall prevail over those of the here above mentioned standard payment policy.
3.2 After full payment has been received, the travel documents will be sent to the contracting party.
3.3 If the contracting party fails to fulfil the payment obligations, OE will send him/her a written reminder and he/she has the possibility to make immediate payment. If the payment is still not made, the contracting party is liable to pay interest on the sum due of 1% for each month or part of a month of default. Furthermore he/she is liable to pay compensation of extra-legal collection costs equal to 15% of the sum claimed, with a minimum of 50 EURO. If the contracting party fails to comply with his/her payment obligations, OE reserves the right to cancel the contract on the day of default, with no further obligations. OE is (however) entitled to charge the cancellation costs incurred (in line with paragraph 6 or as agreed otherwise in the travel confirmation).
3.4 If the payment is then made, but OE cannot send the travel documents on time (before the start of the journey) to the contracting party, any additional dispatch costs will be charged to the contracting party. OE may not be held responsible for any travel documents not arriving on time or any (further) events that may cause postponements / cancellations, resulting from late payments.
4. Changes in travel elements / price changes
4.1 Changes in the travel offer, agreed in the travel confirmation / invoice (which occur before the start of the journey) are permitted only if they do not substantially alter the nature of the trip. This includes, among other things, changes made by the airline, changes in flight departure times, changes referring to hotel overnight stays before or after the main journey, minor changes in the travel programme or excursion offer. Such changes may not be used by the contracting party as a reason for cancelling the travel contract or to put forward a claim of any kind to OE.
4.2 The agreed price is based on the prices, exchange rates, duties and taxes as known to OE at the time the publication went to press and at the time of the travel confirmation. OE reserves the right to raise the agreed price (on the grounds of, among other things, unforeseeable increases of e.g. exchange rates, sudden increased prices of accommodation providers, airlines, duties, taxes, harbour dues and fuel prices). In the case that a price alteration is considered necessary by OE, OE is obliged to inform the contracting party in writing of this at the very latest 60 days before the day of departure. Price increases made within 60 days of the start of the journey are not permitted. In the case of a price increase of more than 5 % of the total price of the trip, the contracting party is entitled to cancel the trip without incurring any costs.
5. Cancellation of the trip by OE
5.1 Not withstanding to what is mentioned elsewhere, OE reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to or during the trip for compelling reasons, in which case the payment in advance (indicated in the invoice / travel confirmation) will be paid back to the contracting party and OE does not accept any claims, that may be related to such a cancellation, such as but not limited to loss of joy (of holiday), consequential and/or indirect (commercial) damages, loss of earnings and or profit, loss of market, loss of business, loss of customers, loss of opportunities, commercial losses or damages, loss of or damage to commercial image and or reputation. OE is furthermore not liable for and does not accept any claims for any costs made by the contracting party, such as but not limited to other travel elements such as but not limited to flights, hotels, connecting programmes, (travel)insurance’s etc.
5.2 Not withstanding to what is mentioned elsewhere, OE has the right to cancel the scheduled trip up to 30 days before departure, if the minimum number of participants has not been achieved. Any payment already achieved from the contracting party will be paid back by OE if the contracting party is not in agreement with an alternative trip offered by OE.
5.3 Not withstanding to what is mentioned elsewhere, OE has the right in the case of force majeure (such as but not limited to war, uprising, natural disasters, abnormal / exceptional weather and ice conditions, legal stipulations of the local/regional authorities and other events and situations that are beyond the control of OE) to cancel the trip. OE may not be held liable for force majeure. If situations of force majeure occur before departure date and OE should cancel the trip, payments made in advance will be paid back to the contracting party. If situations of force majeure occur during the trip, OE will try to offer an alternative programme. If this is not possible, either OE or the contracting party is entitled to cancel the trip. In such a case, OE may not be held financially liable. OE is obliged to assist the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation: the client(s) of the (tour) organiser – in obtaining a return trip/flight. The contracting party him/herself is responsible for the costs of this.
6. Cancellation of the trip by the contracting party
6.1 The contracting party may cancel the travel contract (exclusively in writing) at any time before the beginning of the trip. In the case of cancellation by the contracting party, OE is entitled to charge the following cancellation fees to the contracting party:
– up to and including 90 days prior to departure: 20 % of the total price;
– from 89 days up to and including 60 days prior to departure: 50 % of the total price;
– from 59 days up to and including the day of departure: 100 % of the total price .
6.2 Other (deviating) cancellation policies / fees (for example in the case of group charters, block charters or whole boat charters) may be applicable; these are valid only if confirmed by OE in writing (in e.g. the original offer made, travel confirmation, (block) charter agreements or in communication sent later) and these cancellation policies shall prevail over those of the cancellation policy / fees as mentioned in paragraph 6.1.
6.3 In the case of flight and hotel reservations, a 100 % cancellation fee will apply for those involved costs unless this is a non-refundable ticket / hotel accommodation; in that case the terms and conditions of the related airline company / hotel will apply.
6.4 If the contracting party after booking wishes to introduce changes into the booked trip, this is considered a cancellation and the cancellation costs stated in par. 6.1 and 6.2 apply. In case of minor changes, OE is entitled to charge reservation costs of at least 50 EURO per alteration.
6.5 OE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the contracting party in the case of a (travel) organisation: the client(s) of the (travel) organiser to take out a cancellation insurance to cover the costs of any cancellation of the trip (see also par. 10.4).
7. Liability of OE
OE is responsible for the selection of accommodation, providers of ships, hotels etc., composition and the quality control of the travel elements and excursions, description of the travel elements in the OE brochures and other publications, the processing and control of the travel confirmation and the travel documents. OE is obliged to aim for a correct execution of the trip according to the travel contract and in line with the expectations the traveller may reasonably have on the grounds of the contract.
8. Exclusion and limitation of the liability of OE
8.1 OE acts as intermediary for the sale of travel elements between on the one hand providers of accommodation /services (such as but not limited to a stay in a hotel, a voyage with a ship, services of dive bases and providers of transport, including helicopters) and on the other hand the contracting party and therefore the liability of OE is excluded. In these cases the conditions of the relevant providers of accommodation/services and/or the stipulations of (inter)national law applies and OE can not be held liable for events such as but not limited to complaints, claims, loss and damage of possessions/baggage, personal injury, death etc.
8.2 All travel elements booked with OE, such as but not limited to a stay on board of a ship and/or excursions and/or programmes off ship (such as but not limited to walking, sightseeing, hiking, camping, mountaineering and/or excursions or programmes on or in the water, incl. kayaking, (scuba) diving, swimming, snorkelling, zodiac driving/cruising and flying activities including helicopter flights) are for 100 % own risk of the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation: the client(s) or the (travel) organiser. OE is therefore not liable for any damage, such as but not limited to (bodily) injury, illness, death etc. whatever the reason or cause may be, including consequential and/or indirect (commercial) damages as set forth in par. 5.1. For diving trips and or supplements and/or for programmes and/or trips for which this is explicitly indicated (such as but not limited to trips with helicopters), the contracting party must sign a Liability Release Form (Waiver), a health certificate signed by a doctor and – in the case of a dive trip – an internationally accepted diving certificate. If the contracting party does not have the required diving certificates and/or diving experience as required for participation, OE is entitled to decide to offer an alternative programme for the contracting party in question or to exclude this person from (certain parts of) the (diving) programme. These limitations apply also if the contracting party is not in possession of the correct (diving) gear, as stated in publications of OE. In the case of exclusion (or of a mandatory alternative programme) the contracting party is not entitled to make any claims (for restitution).
In the case of all (other) travel elements, the contracting party should enjoy generally sound health, according to the guidelines as mentioned in the publications of OE, including the Personal Information Form, that has to be filled out by the contracting party and should be returned to OE. In any case, If the contracting party – undertaking the trip of OE – does not enjoy generally sound health, OE has the right to offer the contracting party an alternative programme or to exclude him from (continuation of) the trip / travel elements. In the case of such an alternative programme or exclusion, OE will not accept any claims (for restitution).
8.3 If OE offers the contracting party an air travel component, including helicopter flights, all liability (such as but not limited to death, injury, delays, cancellations, refunds, loss and damage of baggage) of OE is excluded, even if such an event is at the cost of other travel elements of the trip booked or if such an event would change, postpone, cancel the (nature/scope) of the trip and /or other travel elements) and for this travel component the conditions of the relevant airline and/or helicopter operator and – if applicable – international conventions apply.
8.4 OE may not be held liable for loss, damage and robbery of travel documents, baggage or other possessions.
8.5 Not withstanding to what is mentioned elsewhere, OE shall accept no liability for damage for which there is a claim to compensation based on a travel and/or cancellations insurance (whether effected or not).
8.6 OE may not be held liable for damage as a consequence of the travel contract not being correctly implemented, if the deficiency in the execution of the contract is attributable to the contracting party.
8.7 The trips offered by OE are mainly conducted in “marginal zones” and require the qualification of expedition trips to places where infrastructure and (medical) facilities are often lacking. On booking the trip, the contracting party fully understands that those trips can not be comparable with any other trip. If for any reason such as but not limited to weather conditions, sea currents, nautical reasons, ice-conditions etc., the decision is taken by OE to change the programme and/or the programme cannot be carried out according to the travel description and (certain) places described in the travel programme cannot be visited and/or OE deviates from the programme, if OE has the opinion that such deviation will benefit the quality of the programme, or the trip has to be postponed or (partly) cancelled, OE is not liable for any claims, such as but not limited to refunds, damages, non-fulfilled expectations etc. of the contracting party.
8.8 Notwithstanding to what is mentioned in 8.7, OE has the right to delay or postpone the (remainder of the) trip with a maximum of 24 hours, for any reason in terms of a proper and / or safe execution of the trip, such as but not limited to ship operational matters including spare parts, documents, provisions, crew and staff related matters including flight arrivals. OE accepts no claims such as but not limited to refunds. In the case of longer delays (except for helicopter flights/operations), the contracting party has the right to cancel the trip and OE will refund the travel price booked by OE, or in the case this longer delay occurs during the trip, the travel price will be paid back on a pro rata basis. Other travel elements such as, but not limited to, flights and hotels will not be refunded.
If for any reason the helicopter flights/operations can not be offered, such as but not limited to weather, ice, nautical conditions, technical reasons and break-downs of the helicopters, no claims of any kind such as but not limited to refunds – will be accepted by OE, not even if this such an event would change, postpone, cancel the (nature/scope) of the trip and /or other travel elements of the trip.
8.9 The contracting party – having booked a ship’s voyage – is free to use the services of the doctor and medical facilities, however neither the doctor nor OE can be held liable for any claims arising out of such services and does not accept any claims.
8.10 Should OE decide to carry out a medical evacuation during the trip and this may result in alteration or cancelation of the scheduled trip, OE accepts no claims of any kind such as but not limited to refunds.
9. Obligations of the contracting party
In the case of a (travel) organisation: instead of “contracting party” (in paragraphs 9.1 up to and including 9.4) read also “the client(s) of the (travel) organiser”.
9.1 The contracting party is obliged to comply with all instructions given by OE and the travel leadership (such as but not limited to trip leaders, guides, diving instructor and diving assistants, captain and crew of the ships, helicopter personal/pilots, local agent and the personnel of accommodation providers such as hotels, resorts and diving locations) in order to benefit the sound execution of the trip. The contracting party is 100 % liable for damage caused by any improper behaviour, such as but not limited to damage to the environment, damage towards fellow travellers or material, damage to the hotels, ships or resorts, to be judged according to the standards of behaviour of the model traveller. The contracting party must not commit any breach of any enactment or Law in the country, including regulations and guidelines such as but not limited to the Antarctic Treaty, International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators (AECO) and any breach or violation is solely the responsibility of the travel participant.
9.2 Apart from possible punishment by Law, any contracting party who commits a breach of any enactment, Law or guideline and / or causes such disturbance or who threatens to cause such disturbance, that the proper execution of (part of) a trip is seriously hindered or could result in danger for the contracting party and/or the fellow travellers including OE and / or the environment, can by or on behalf of OE (trip leadership or the local representatives) be excluded from (continuation of) the trip (components). In the case of exclusion, the contracting party is not entitled to make any claim for restitution of (part of) the price.
9.3 If the disturbing behaviour and/or damage and/or breach/violation (as described in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2) should occur, all costs resulting from this shall be charged to the contracting party.
9.4 The contracting party is obliged to inform the tour leadership of OE of any negligence noted in the execution of the travel contract, which is noted by him at the location – in the case of a (travel) organisation: noted by the client(s) of the (travel) organisation. This should be done as quickly as possible, in writing, or other appropriate form of communication, to the relevant tour leader/expedition leader of OE or the captain of the vessel, who shall immediately do his utmost to find an appropriate solution.
9.5 If an immediate solution for the complaints cannot be found, the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation the client(s) of the (travel) organisation should present these complaints to the relevant (travel) organisation, where the trip was booked, upon which the (travel) organiser shall inform OE – shall be obliged to report the complaint to OE and request help. In the case of complaints about travel elements OE can decide to offer an alternative programme (e.g. hotel, cabin, excursion package) that is virtually identical to that in the originally booked trip (the originally booked travel component).
9.6 OE (incl. the representatives, trip leadership, local agent) is entitled to reject the complaint in the case that the complaint does not seriously influence the character of the trip and/or the complaint results only in hindrance of minor significance, if exaggerated demands are made, if it is impossible to provide help to the contracting party within the set time limit, if the deficiency in the implementation of the contract is attributable to the contracting party him/herself, if the deficiency in the execution of the contract could not have been foreseen or could not be neutralised, or if the deficiency in the execution of the contract is attributable to situations of force majeure (that is those abnormal and unforeseeable circumstances that are independent of the will of whosoever claims it and of which the consequences, despite every precaution having been taken, could not have been avoided, see also situations of force majeure as described in par. 5.2).
9.7 In the case that the complaint has not been satisfactorily dealt with during the trip, the contracting party – in the case of a (travel) organisation the client(s) of the (travel) organisation should present these complaints to the relevant (travel) organisation, where the trip was booked, upon which the (travel) organiser shall present the complaint to OE – shall present the complaint to OE at the very latest within one month of the termination of the trip (the last travel day). The complaint must be presented in writing.
9.8 In the case that the complaint has then not been satisfactorily settled by OE or if proper satisfaction has been not given in this matter, the contracting party is entitled to present the dispute to the District Court of Middelburg in the Netherlands (which court shall have exclusive jurisdiction).
9.9 The contracting party must ascertain the exact time of departure of the return journey at the very latest 72 hours before the stated departure time and reconfirm the air tickets.
10. Baggage / Travel documents and insurance
In the case of a (travel) organisation: for “contracting party” (in the paragraphs 10.1 up to and including 10.4) read also “the client(s) of the (travel) organiser”.
10.1 The contracting party must him/herself obtain the necessary information with regard to and must have in his possession on departure and during the trip the necessary travel documents, such as a valid passport and any required visa, diving certificates/documents, Personal Information Form (see par. 8.2), proof of inoculations and vaccinations. In the case that the participant is unable to make (part of) a trip due to lack of such a travel document, OE is not liable and may not be held (financially) responsible.
10.2 The contracting party must comply with the current import restrictions of the various destinations and the amount of baggage permitted (also as far as the stipulations of the different airlines are concerned). OE may not be held liable for e.g. damage and prison sentences which could be imposed in the case of a contravention.
10.3 The obligation of OE to provide assistance to a contracting party in need is greatly impeded if it is not possible to resort to the S.O.S. help service included in travel and baggage insurance.
10.4 IT IS MANDATORY that the contracting party effects the necessary travel insurance, including a medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance. OE furthermore STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the contracting party to effect cancellation insurance. In case of a medical problem arising during the voyage, either on board or on shore, which results in costs for medical treatment, evacuation, use of aircraft or repatriation etc. etc. the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely to the passenger. IT IS MANDATORY for the contracting party to ensure that such eventualities are covered by travel insurance (incl. medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance). In any case, If not covered by appropriate travel insurance the responsibility still remains with the passenger and OE specifically declines any responsibility whatsoever.
11. General
11.1 If the duration of the trip as stated in the publication is given in days, the day of departure and the day of arrival, irrespective of departure or arrival times, are counted as full days.
11.2 The laws of the Netherlands apply to the travel contract and all matters ensuing from this contract.
11.3 Responsible for this content is: Oceanwide Expeditions B.V. Visserijkade 5, 4382 ZA Vlissingen, The Netherlands listed at Chamber of Commerce of the Netherlands under no. 50590715 (revised version, date of issue: 06 December 2022).
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Disclaimer
Oceanwide Expeditions has composed this website with utmost care. In no event will Oceanwide Expeditions nor any of its members, directors, employees or advisors accept any responsibility or liability for any (consequences of) mistakes, inaccurateness or incompleteness of the (information on) this website. In particular, Oceanwide Expeditions will not be liable for any mistakes or incorrectness as to prices and conditions with respect to the information and offers on this website.
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