We were excited to hear that Peter Hillary, son of the late explorer Sir Edmund Hillary, and David Hahn, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, will lead an expedition voyage to South Georgia Island and Antarctica for Travel Dynamics International in November 2009.

The 19-night cruise, aboard the 100-guest expedition cruise ship Clelia II, will also include optional five-day trek across South Georgia following in the historic footsteps of Ernest Shackleton. The overland crossing is organized by Geographic Expeditions. Clients who are not joining the optional trek will cruise around South Georgia aboard the Clelia II, making daily landings with Zodiac boats. Note: The yacht-style Clelia II recently underwent an extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other enhancements.

Beyond the five days in South Georgia, this voyage also includes Antarctica, where during a six-day stay Clelia II will explore the Antarctic Peninsula’s top landmark sites.

The expedition departs on November 21, 2009 with a flight to Buenos Aires. After one night in Argentina’s capital, travelers will fly to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, to embark Clelia II. The return to the United States is on December 13, 2009.

A world-renowned explorer, author and speaker with 30 alpine expeditions to his credit, Peter Hillary reports that he has reached the summit of Mount Everest (twice), traversed Antarctica to the South Pole and scaled K2. He has led expeditions to Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest mountain, and to the Ellsworth Mountains, in addition to flying to the North Pole. David Hahn has been a professional climbing guide specializing in high, cold, remote environments for 22 years. He has summited Mount Everest nine times and Mount McKinley 17 times, in addition to other ascents around the globe.

Rates start from $15,995 per person and include the expedition voyage, deluxe hotel accommodations in Buenos Aires, round-trip flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and all transfers. The cost of the optional trek across South Georgia is an additional $6,800 per person.

For bookings or further information, contact Amalia Ciprijan at 866-352-8601.

Silversea Cruises‘ expedition ship, Prince Albert II, will call French Polynesia home from mid-March to late October 2009. The ship’s deployment to Papeete, French Polynesia’s capital, will correspond with a collection of new itineraries that feature the “less-traveled regions” of Polynesia, stretching from the southernmost Austral Islands to the northernmost Marquesas Islands. The 132-passenger ship’s deployment to the region comes on the heels of successful meetings between Silversea and the government of French Polynesia.

The ship’s tentative schedule promises to be one of flexibility, allowing expeditions to be less dictated by time constraints. For example, the ship will stay longer in areas of particular interest and veer course when curiosity dictates so.

Highlights of the 2009 French Polynesia program include: the Austral Island Adventures (Prince Albert’s eight Zodiac boats will get passengers up close and personal with the unique culture, flora and fauna of Rapa, Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu and Rimatara on five 11-day, roundtrip journeys from Papeete); Journeys to the Marquesas (an expedition team will lead explorations of Fatu Hiva, Pua Mau, Hiva Oa, Atuona, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva and Tahuata, as well as Manihi and Fakarava Island in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Society Islands of Bora Bora and Tahaa); Tuamotu Expeditions (departing from Papeete on five 10-day expeditions, the ship will explore the Tuamotu islands of Tikihau, Rangiroa, Apataki, Arutua and Fakarava, as well as Raiatea, Maupihaa and Huahine in the Society Islands).