24 April 2026 - 04 May 2026
11 Days/10 Nights
St. Helena - Praia
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 AECO regulations.
Our expedition starts in Jamestown, a uniquely situated city that offers much to see before we set sail. Enjoy the local British culture, tropical climate, and endemic birds of this remote volcanic island. You can visit Longwood House, where Napoleon died in 1821, and even walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder if you feel ambitious. If you have more time, you can also go on small hikes or snorkeling in the shallows, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.
Sailing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Today we aim to sail along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the sprawling submarine mountain range that runs about 16,000 km (10,000 miles) from the Arctic Ocean toward the southern tip of Africa. Join us for stargazing on the aft deck, where we will show you the many highlights of the equatorial sky. Weather permitting, these celestial wonders can be seen with binoculars or even with the naked eye.
Onward to Ascension Island
This dry volcanic island is a major home for sooty terns (also known as wideawakes), whose colony here sometimes grows to over a million breeding pairs. You may get the chance to hike up to the richly vegetated summit of the island, and we might also visit the beach to watch green turtles laying eggs.
Crossing the equator
Joining us across the equator are Arctic terns and long-tailed skuas flying their northbound spring migration. At this stage of the cruise, we will hope for good weather as we attempt more stargazing on deck, observing how the polar star becomes visible on the northern horizon.
The pleasures of Praia
We arrive in the town of Praia on Cape Verde’s Santiago Island, disembarking later that day at 18:00 hours. Though no lunch will be served, you are free to stay on board or store your luggage until disembarkation. If you have the time, we offer an additional tour in and around Praia. Here you can visit the historic Cidade Velha and its massive hillside fortress, built to defend against English raiders. Other sights include the oldest Christian church in the tropics as well as the slave whipping post in the main square. You can also simply explore the streets of Praia, enjoying the folk music spilling out of tavern windows.
- Flights to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point.
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Meals ashore.
- Personal health Insurance for Medical, Accident and Repatriation/Evacuating.
- All personal expenses, including but not limited to laundry services, bar beverages, and excess internet usage charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel
- 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 programme.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
- In Svalbard, a medevac is usually not more than a few hours away. In East Greenland, an evacuation via a remote airfield or to the hospital in Ittoqqortoormiit could take 1-3 days. All scenarios are highly weather dependent. It is therefore obligatory to acquire a travel insurance that also includes coverage for medical repatriation costs and evacuation by helicopter, plane, or ship. After the booking process, you will be asked to provide us with details of your acquired insurance policy. If you are in poor health or in doubt, please consult your physician for a check-up. All passengers need to be healthy enough to travel to remote places with limited or no medical facilities. On our motor vessels, we sail with a qualified physician at all times. The infirmary on board our motor vessels is only suited for first-aid care, however, and on our sailing vessel we have no doctor or medical facility.
- Yes, we have an onboard entertainment system that gives you access to movies and series as well as information about our menus, daily activities, and related trip information. Just connect to the vessel's Wi-Fi, click on the link or scan the QR code, and search for media at your leisure.
- The currency used on all vessels is the Euro, but you can also pay with USD.
- When you make a confirmed reservation, we require a 40% deposit. But if the reservation is made within two months prior to departure, the full price of the voyage is due at the time of booking.
- The climate in St. Helena is typically mild and sub-tropical, which makes it a nice choice for an expedition. Throughout most of the year, the north leeward shore ranges from 17 to 24 degrees Celsius (63 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), but this area warms up by about four degrees from January to April. The central section of St. Helena is usually cooler than the north leeward by approximately 5-6 degrees Celsius (9-10.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
- St. Helena has a population of more than 4,200. The capital city, Jamestown, is home to 714 of these residents. However, Half Tree Hallow is actually the largest settlement in St. Helena with a population of 901 people.
- There is place for 116 passengers aboard the Plancius. Furthermore there are 45 staff & crew on board : 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards/cabin cleaners), 7 or 8 expedition staff and 1 doctor on board.
- There are in total 50 cabins at the Plancius: 4 quadruple cabins with private toilet and shower 9 twin porthole cabins 25 twin cabins with window 2 twin deluxe cabins (ca 15 square meters) 10 superior cabins (ca 21 square meters)
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