Table Of Content
As you can see, there are so many reasons to embark on this unique adventure to a continent that's like no other. Even if Antarctica remains very enigmatic today, think about what it must have been like more than a century ago. From Captain Charcot to Sir Ernest Shackleton, or Roald Amundsen, who was the first to reach the South Pole, or, more recently, Paul-Émile Victor, these men have tried to unravel the mysteries of the ice floe. A legendary land with a history of attracting the great explorers, the White Continent continues to exert a strong fascination today. We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures. Diving in Antarctica is a very unique experience where you can see marine mammals, krill and ice, but it does require advanced PADI certification, ice-diving certs and at least 20 logged ice dives.
Antarctica & South Georgia Island
While the scenery is mesmerising throughout, the choice of month can tailor very different wildlife encounters and unique experiences. One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that no two Antarctic expeditions are the same – both in experience, and in service. Think casually elegant style -- this time, more reminiscent of a posh ski resort in warmth and coziness -- perfect for a vessel with polar pursuits. Passengers are pampered by an attentive crew and all-inclusive amenities such as free-flowing alcohol and caviar, all-suite digs and a photo studio. These cruises are popular with anyone looking for a slightly more affordable Antarctic option, who enjoys the activity level and amenities of large mainstream cruise lines.
Wildlife in Antarctica
While plenty of animals live in Antarctica (such as various species of whale, penguin, seal and bird), there are very few humans that call Antarctica home, instead using the region as a base for research. There are no cities in Antarctica but there are several research stations positioned on the continent belonging to various countries like Russia, the United States and Australia. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. During your last evening onboard, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party, followed by a presentation of photos and video by our onboard photographer – the ideal opportunity to re-live your Antarctic adventure. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Expedition Travel Guide to Antarctica
Please refer to your detailed pre-departure information for more information on Internet facilities on your ship. While Antarctica may not be hospitable to human life, there are plenty of animal species that call the seventh continent their home. Eating and drinking in Antarctica is done aboard your expedition ship, with all meals provided for the duration of your journey. Tea and coffee, as well as soft drinks and juices, are ready to greet you when you come back from a shore landing and at meal times, while alcoholic beverages are also available, but for an additional price.
Norwegian Cruise Line reroutes Antarctica cruise, angering passengers - The Washington Post
Norwegian Cruise Line reroutes Antarctica cruise, angering passengers.
Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Time spent cruising the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula totals three and a half days. Holland America Line has a great deal of expertise cruising to Alaska. The line attracts a slightly older mainstream passenger than Celebrity, and the extended cruise length rules out almost all families. Expect seasoned travelers onboard, particularly those who’ve sailed Holland America before.
About Antarctica Cruises
Antarctica has two large indentations which are the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The total surface of Antarctica is 14.2 Million square kilometres (about 5.5 million square miles) in summer. Viking Octantis also has what may be the most stunning lecture hall ever at sea. Located at the back of the vessel, the high-tech room has sliding walls behind the spot where lecturers will stand that can open to reveal the surrounding scenery through floor-to-ceiling glass.
What is the time zone in Antarctica?
Your Expedition Team will help you spot and photograph iconic animals, and there will be lectures on ornithology and natural history from our wildlife experts. In the Science Centre you'll learn more, and perhaps even help out with wildlife conservation through out Citizen Science projects. While almost all Antarctic cruises offer shore landings and Zodiac cruises as standard, there’s a whole bunch of optional activities for those eager to try something different down in the continent. Scenic is an old hand in the luxury river cruise industry, they have since branched out into polar tours and are doing an amazing job at it with their beautiful ships and brilliant expedition team. Antarctica, at times an unforgiving continent marked by harsh temperatures and rugged terrain, is home to a rich diversity of wildlife that inhabits the glaciers, mountains, bays, fjords, inlets, pebble beaches and rugged coastlines. The Antarctic Peninsula, for instance, is abundant with minke, humpback, right, blue, sperm and killer whales.
Seabourn’s Latest Expedition Ship Brings a Safari Sensibility to Antarctica. We Hopped on Board. - Robb Report
Seabourn’s Latest Expedition Ship Brings a Safari Sensibility to Antarctica. We Hopped on Board..
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:00:00 GMT [source]
A&K Antarctic cruises appeal to luxury cruisers and A&K devotees who prefer all-inclusive sailings, staterooms with balconies and included pre-cruise hotel stays with sightseeing. Expect lectures, not just by scientists, but by historians and Polar Medal winners too. Families seeking a family-friendly cruise during school holidays, with youth-focused activities. Just unveiled in early 2022, Viking Octantis is fast-growing Viking's first-ever expedition cruise ship, and it boasts some unusual features that make it one of the best cruise ships for exploring Antarctica.
Abercrombie & Kent: Antarctica Charters that Feature All-Inclusive Luxury
For those that are on a super tight schedule or really, really don’t want to cross the Drake, you can fly down to join your cruise to Antarctica. One thing to keep in mind though is that the length of time the companies advertise is not how much time you get to spend in Antarctica. The length of Antarctica cruises vary quite a bit, with options ranging from a week right up to an entire month. Or get in touch with us for the best price possible with our current favourite operator, Quark Expeditions, even better than what they advertise to the public. And if you have some flexibility in your travel plans, there’s a big potential to lock in some remarkable last-minute deals.
Absolve yourself of preconceived notions of particular landings, scheduled pursuits and wildlife sightings—every expedition is unique—and instead embrace the unknown and blissfully freeing lack of a plan. Bow to the will of providence, surrender any semblance of control, and enjoy the spoils. For centuries this glistening, glacial-encrusted continent has been a siren for sealers, scientists, and adventure seekers alike, a brilliant white beacon for brave explorers and pinnacle of polar odysseys exalting from pack ice. To help you filter the Antarctic forays above, we’ve curated a series of Antarctica cruise themes, subdividing the expedition cruise sector into styles of exploration to suit your preferred type of experience. Expedition cruise vessels are a world apart from your average ocean cruise liner; small, agile and exclusively designed for intrepid exploration, built to withstand the most extreme environs and climatic conditions around the Southern Ocean. While most ships have an expedition photographer onboard whose job it is to document the entire trip, providing the images and videos to the guests at the end, most companies don’t have dedicated photography workshops.
These Lindblad Expeditions ships may be my favorite all-around picks for an Antarctica cruise. As purveyors of pioneering, small-ship expeditions that optimize a passenger’s polar experience, we promise to minimize your time on ship and maximize your time on shore for a more immersive and authentic Antarctic adventure. Choose to fly straight into the heart of Antarctica in just 2 hours with Antarctica Bridge or sail the iconic Drake Passage for an unforgettable experience.
Glide through the waters and take in the royal grace of the icebergs, see the varied birds and seals, and maybe even the whales in their natural habitat under the supervision of experienced kayak guides, who will ensure your safety during each outing. Like Lindblad's chartered navy ship, many of the early vessels used for tourism to the White Continent were tough-built government or scientific ships that were designed with navigating icy areas but not necessarily comfort in mind. Tourists have been visiting Antarctica in small numbers since 1966, when adventure tour pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad led a small group of "citizen scientists" to the Antarctic Peninsula on a chartered Argentine navy ship. But for many of the 56 years since then, a trip to Antarctica has meant a sailing on a relatively spartan vessel. The last few years have brought a stunning new crop of small "expedition" cruise vessels specifically designed for Antarctica sailings that are far more upscale and elegant than anything seen before. Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.
National Geographic devotees are at the top of the list -- from magazine admirers to those who've already toured or cruised with National Geographic -- who like the scientific bent. Combine Lindblad Expeditions' 50-plus years of experience with National Geographic's iconic photographers, experts and, often, researchers and scientists, and we're talking a match made in an educational adventure heaven. Among the big-ship cruise lines sailing to Antarctica, Princess Cruises sits right about in the middle of the pack with pricing that is highly flexible, allowing you to add all-in style fare options that make your cruise almost all inclusive. Book early enough with a sale in place and you might find the deal of the century.
