Ultimate Antarctica
MV Ocean Nova
Our home for the duration of this trip will be the MV Ocean Nova. The MV Ocean Nova is a superb exploration vessel and is world famous for her modern design. She is a comfortable expedition vessel capable of carrying around 78 passengers, however for this departure we have chosen to limit the number of passengers to 69; this will make it less crowded on the landings and it will also allow us to bring more photo guides with us. Another advantage to limiting the numbers in this way is that we can offer more single cabins on the trips. The MV Ocean Nova is one of the very few genuinely smaller ships remaining in Antarctica and South Georgia - a huge advantage for photography groups..
Built in Denmark in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland, the Ocean Nova’s ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in Antarctica. All cabins feature an outside window and private ensuite facilities, again not something that every Antarctic vessel can claim. In addition to a glass-enclosed observation lounge and presentation room, there is a spacious dining room where you will be served delicious meals and a full medical suite so that you can have complete peace of mind.
The ship has 8 Zodiac boats, with almost flat access (a very unique feature) that are well suited for excursions and wildlife watching, which is very important for photography and efficient landings. The ship was fully refurbished in 2006 and since then has benefitted from annual upgrades and improvements.
Deck Plans
The deck plan for the ship is shown here so that you can get an idea of the interior layout and where your preferred cabin will be. Externally the ship has excellent outside spaces for photography, which will be useful for landscapes and the seabirds that will inevitably follow our wake.
The MV Ocean Nova offers three categories of accommodation: dedicated Single, Double and Twin Cabins. All cabins feature a picture window, a writing desk with a chair, a wardrobe, an individually controlled heating system, and an ensuite bathroom with a shower.
Within each category you will find a Standard, Deluxe and Superior cabin type. The difference is purely space, usually more room between the beds and perhaps more storage. We are sharing the cabin allocations with WildPhoto so everyone has a fair and equal choice. If you are not travelling with a friend or partner then don’t worry we will room you with someone we feel you will get on with! So take a look at the configuration and then at the cabin list below.
The Cabins
Shown below are all the cabins for the ship. The prices for the singles and the doubles are shown as a per cabin cost, whilst the twins are quoted as a price per berth. We keep it as up to date as we can, so we suggest you refresh the page to get the most up to date availability.
We have shown an image of each of the cabins below, as there are small differences in the layout, size and therefore, price. For your convenience the button below each cabin links directly to a booking email to Steve at Wildlife & Wilderness for that cabin, so we suggest that you read the Booking Information tab before you do this so you know everything there is to know!
Singles
302
Standard upper deck single cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
SOLD
304
Standard upper deck single cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
SOLD
316
Superior upper deck single cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
SOLD
Doubles
306
Superior upper deck double cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
SOLD
310
Standard upper deck double cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
SOLD
Twins
318
Superior upper deck twin cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table
Two berths available at $19995 each
312
Deluxe upper deck twin cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table
Two berths available at $18495 each
320
Superior upper deck twin cabin with en suite bathroom, window and table
SOLD
308
Standard upper deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table
SOLD
314
Standard upper deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table
SOLD
402
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table
Two berths available at $18495 each
404
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table
Two berths available at $18495 each
406
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table
One female share available at $18495
408
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
Two berths available at $18495 each
410
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
Two berths available at $18495 each
412
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
Two berths available at $18495 each
414
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
Two berths available at $18495 each
416
Deluxe bridge deck twin with en suite bathroom, window and table.
Two berths available at $18495 each
Frequently asked questions
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Physically this is a fairly easy trip, as there is nothing strenuous involved. However you will need to have a good level of mobility. The ship will be moving around during crossings and it is absolutely essential that you are able to hold on firmly to hand rails and bannisters, to prevent falls.
The access to the zodiacs is level and straightforward. When we do a zodiac based cruise with photography then you will need a good degree of mobility to change your position within the zodiac. On the shore there will be short walks, possibly over ice and undulating terrain and you will be need to be able to cope with this whilst carrying your own kit.
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This trip is deliberately timed to be early season, so the weather may be very variable, and it is very difficult to predict. However you should expect temperatures as low as -10C, however with wind chill this can feel a lot lower. Snow makes for great photography conditions so we will be out photographing during snowy conditions too. On the flip side it can be much warmer with sunny conditions and so a good sun block is essential too.
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Of course not - the choice to join each activity is entirely optional, so should you wish to take advantage of the ships library, or panoramic lounge then that is absolutely fine.
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Of course prior to departure you will be sent comprehensive information relating to all aspects of this trip. However in terms of photography you will need a decent zoom lens (100-400 mm or similar) as well as wide angle lenses; for this trip it is as much about capturing the beauty of the landscape as it is the seals and penguins.
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We appreciate that for a lot of you, you have your own frequent flyer memberships and preferences. So, as we do for all our trips, once you book we will tell you when and where you need to be and give you some flight recommendations.
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The tour is open to both photographers and non photographers. One of the benefits of travelling on this trip is the small group size; Ocean Nova is one of the smallest Antarctica ships so it is also the perfect trip for the wildlife lover who wants to experience a different itinerary and more intimate experience. Our itinerary is also designed to be the best locations for the best wildlife and scenery - there are no fillers days and wasted time on our trip!
Our tours are inclusive, anyone is welcome irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We just ask that you come with a smile and a love of wildlife.
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This trip will involve traversing the Drake Passage. This is a stretch of sea that is notorious for its swell. That being said, it can also be mill pond calm too. Rest assured that the Captain will time all movements of the ship to be as calm as possible whilst maintaining our desire to be in the right place at the right time. The ship also has a full medical clinic with a doctor on board so if you do become unwell it can easily be dealt with.
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The Photo Leaders are still being decided but from our side Andy and Suzie will be guides on board. WildPhoto will bring very experienced photo leaders and are also bringing photography experienced zodiac drivers too!
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All meals on board are prepared fresh by a team of chefs. As long as we know about special diets and allergies in advance they can be catered for. However if you believe that your diet is especially complex or restrictive then you should get in touch with us prior to booking so that we can check directly with the ship’s operators.
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To book this trip please have a look at the deck plans and cabins and decide which one you would like. Then click the link below the cabins that you would like to book for. This will take you to a contact form where you can send an email stating exactly what you require.
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This tour is operated by ATOL bonded (6330) tour operator Wildlife & Wilderness. This means you can be assured of completed financial protection at all stages of this expedition. We have worked with Steve for many years and he is well suited to dealing with all aspects of our trips.
