When you travel to Antarctica aboard 'Explorer II', you will experience the world's finest crew of expedition leader and cruise director, naturalists, dining and cabin staff, and an experienced Captain and officers who know these waters as well as they know their own back yard.

'Explorer II' brings a rare touch of comfortable, informal refinement to Antarctic travel.

Launched in 1996, she has been likened to a country-house hotel, a comparison confirmed by her fresh flowers, gleaming brass, polished wood and works of original art.

But there's strong steel beneath the graceful exterior. 'Explorer II' is well equipped to handle the open-water cruising and icy channels of Antarctic seas. Her speed, ice-strengthened hull, stabilizers and bow thrusters give her the power, stability and agility necessary to ensure a safe, smooth Antarctic passage for all on board.

Designed for Your Comfort

'Explorer II' is a ship in a class of its own: elegant, yet unpretentious; stylish, yet stalwart. The delightful Lounge is a passenger favorite, a place to compare notes before the day's Zodiac excursion, listen to a lively talk by an on-board naturalist, or join friends for after-dinner coffee. Two open-bars - the Shackleton and the South Cape - provide additional corners in which to relax.

An exceptional Library offers a wide range of titles, fact or fiction, as well as newspapers, games and puzzles.

Spacious Accommodations

'Explorer II' boasts uncommonly elegant guest quarters that are among the most spacious and comfortable in Antarctica. After days of invigorating exploration on the White Continent, your warm, welcoming cabin - many offer private balconies - will offer ample room to stretch out and relax, reflecting on the day's adventures.

On each departure, passengers travel with respected naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists: experts whose education, field research and personal accomplishments make them ideal companions for an Antarctic adventure as on-board lecturers and on-shore guides.

Just the Right Size

Carrying a maximum of 198 passengers, 'Explorer' strikes just the right balance. Larger, less maneuverable ships are restricted in their choice of routes and destinations, and great crowds of passengers not only dilute the Antarctic experience, but also reduce the number of Zodiac and shore excursions possible.

International Cuisine

Dining on board is a sophisticated pleasure. 'Explorer II' offers two dining rooms, both with simultaneous open seatings. In the main Dining Room or the casual Bridge Café, you'll be seated where and with whom you please, ready to enjoy a leisurely meal selected from imaginative, international menus with a gourmet touch. There is always a selection of light fare and vegetarian dishes, and special diets can be accommodated with sufficient advance notice.

Cheers! All bar drinks and house wines on board are included in your fare cost.

Attire. While you will want to change out of your day clothes for dinner, you won't need a wardrobe any dressier than 'smart casual' wear.

Amenities. A day at sea can be as busy, or as relaxing as you wish. Enjoy a guide's presentation in the lounge or auditorium.

View the awe-inspiring scenery from the ship's Promenade deck, where you can circumnavigate the ship on an easy walk or jog. Undertake an invigorating workout in the gymnasium.

Unwind in the sauna. Enjoy a massage in the ship's full-service beauty salon. Or browse the onboard shops and take in a movie in the cinema. With so many options, you can set your own pace aboard 'Explorer II'.

Zodiac Exploration. Zodiacs are the workhorses of any well-planned Antarctica adventure, and 'Explorer II' carries a large fleet of these fast, safe, stable rubber rafts.

Easy to launch and to land, Zodiacs make it possible for passengers to explore remote Antarctic shores where there are no piers or other formal docking arrangements.

They also function as exploratory vessels, specializing in 'up front and personal' encounters. You'll never forget your first Zodiac circumnavigation of a 100-foot-high, aquamarine-tinted iceberg, followed by the placid gazes of the dozen sleek seals camped out on its slopes.

Tour price includes: while on the 'Explorer II': meals: all bar drinks and house wines: excursions: a backpack and parka: onboard gratuities: and much more.

For an even greater value, 'Explorer II' often offers Early Booking Savings (ask The Travel Goddess for details). The tour price does not include airfare or port charges.

Don't forget The Travel Goddess offers savings of up to 5% on all Abercrombie & Kent bookings!

Contact The Travel Goddess for 'Antarctica aboard the Explorer II' brochures, itineraries, destination insights, fares and any other queries you may have about these wonderful Antarctica voyages aboard the 'Explorer II'.

T. G. says - whoa! Does this sound like fun or what!