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Recently voted the “#1 Small-Ship Cruise Line” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards poll, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has launched two Antarctica itineraries aboard the world’s top-rated expedition cruise ship, Minerva. The Minerva was formerly the Explorer II. Expedition cruising in heating up in demand for 2008-2009, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will remain in the forefront. These are not for your everyday laid back cruisers, and cruisers are taken up close and personal by way of zodiacs to experience first hand the excitement and wildlife that exists in the Antarctic regions.

Sailing the Falkland Islands, Drake Passage and Antarctic Peninsula, guests aboard Minerva will explore the White Continent in stylish comfort, accompanied by respected naturalists, geologists, zoologists, historians and ornithologists. The journey will be highlighted by complimentary Zodiac tours and enlightening shore excursions featuring abundant glacier and wildlife viewing opportunities. Explorer II will be re-named Minerva (after the fabled Roman goddess of poetry and wisdom, and inventor of music), following a summer 2008 dry-dock, during which the ship will receive new furnishings, carpeting and additional amenities.

“Unlike Antarctica cruises aboard today’s large cruise ships, Minerva’s smaller size and special Zodiac tours ensure our guests an abundance of unforgettable moments,” said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas. “Our guests will share enriching insight into the seldom-visited Antarctic frontier from our onboard naturalists, all under the knowledgeable guidance of our expert expedition team.”

Setting sail on January 14 to 25 and January 25 to February 8, 2009, both voyages begin with visits to the Falkland Islands’ wildlife-rich shores and the quaint village of Port Stanley. Minerva then cruises to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (with opportunities for disembarkation and exploration as weather permits), followed by a transit of the Drake Passage. Before returning to Ushuaia, Argentina, Minerva will sail along Cape Horn, at the confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 14-night cruise on January 25 adds a call at South Georgia Island, featuring large colonies of king penguins, fur and elephant seals.

Both itineraries include a one-night, pre-cruise stay in Santiago, Chile; roundtrip charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia; a city tour and Patagonian lunch on embarkation day in Ushuaia; and a complimentary backpack and parka. All Zodiac excursions are also included.

Minerva offers a degree of comfort unmatched in Antarctic cruising. Rated among the world’s top small cruise ships by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, Minerva looks and feels like a small country hotel. But a strong steel foundation, including an ice-strengthened hull, ensures a safe navigation through these waters. Inside, Minerva offers all oceanview suites and staterooms, two open-seating restaurants, a full-service health club and a salon. Designed to carry up to 394 guests in Antarctica, Regent limits the ship’s capacity to just 198 guests for maximum comfort. Fewer guests mean more excursions each day and a higher crew-to-guest ratio (1 to 1.5).

Per person prices for Regent’s Antarctica programs start from $10,495 for the 11-night voyage and $12,895 for the 14-night voyage, based on double occupancy. Fares include free Economy Class air from select U.S./Canadian gateways or $1,200 off the cruise fare.

As with all Regent Seven Seas cruises, fares include all shipboard gratuities and complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship. Additional information can be found at www.rssc.com

About Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Regent Seven Seas operates a fleet of medium-sized luxury cruise ships that visit over 300 ports on all seven continents, including Antarctica. RSSC is consistently rated among the world’s top three cruise lines by readers of luxury travel magazines. Travel professionals worldwide voted RSSC the “World’s Best Luxury Cruise Line” for the fourth consecutive year as part of the 2007 Travel Weekly Awards and readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted RSSC “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” in 2007.