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Equipped with ice breaking capabilities, it's able to sail to polar areas that most other polar cruise vessels can't reach. Note that, currently, its Antarctica sailings are being mostly marketed by Ponant itself, which means they may draw mostly French-speaking travelers. Scenic Eclipse also was the first Antarctica-bound cruise vessel to boast helicopters to take passengers on epic (and pricey) Antarctica excursions -- and it has a submarine for underwater exploring, too. Having experienced a helicopter excursion from the vessel, I can say that it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For that reason, I am partial to the older but more intimate Hurtigruten polar vessel Fram, which carries just 200 passengers when operating in Antarctica.
Why Cruise with Poseidon Expeditions
Most operators cruise a similar route – cross the Drake Passage, cruise several days (4-5) along the western shore of the Antarctic Peninsula, then return back through the Drake Passage. We visited Brown Station, an Argentinian research station which is located in Paradise Bay. This bay is one of the most beautiful inlets I have ever seen, full of sparkling icebergs, and penguins swimming in the icy waters. On Cuverville island, which lies just off the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the largest Gentoo penguin colonies on the planet covers the snow. Here, you can see them as they travel back and forth along their “penguin highways,” trails that zig-zag through the snow down to the water’s edge. We had sailed into an icy strait heading to make landfall on the continent itself.
With huge pent-up demand after the pandemic, you’d be wise to book sooner than later.
6 Best Antarctica Expedition Cruises To Add To Your Bucket List - TravelAwaits
6 Best Antarctica Expedition Cruises To Add To Your Bucket List.
Posted: Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A standout offering is their “Quest For the Antarctic Circle” trip, a journey designed for those who wish to push the boundaries and explore further south than typical Antarctica cruises. G Adventures ensures that the price you pay varies by room choice and season, with no single supplement, making it accessible for solo travelers. A parka (windproof jacket) and boots for excursions are provided to keep you warm against the Antarctic chill. Quark Expeditions is a recognized leader in polar cruising and offers the widest array of Antarctic expeditions on the planet. The company boasts a number of firsts including the first non-scientific visits to emperor penguin rookeries, first circumnavigation of Antarctica for commercial passengers, and the discovery of the emperor penguin rookery at Snow Hill Island.
South Georgia
On Viking’s Antarctica cruises, guests can enjoy landings and scenic sailings around the Antarctic Peninsula while discovering the world’s most remote wild frontier. Silversea offers 10- to 18-day luxury cruise itineraries; longer sails include visits to the Falkland and South Shetland Islands. Passengers fly business class directly to and from King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. From there, the ship awaits and it’s about 75 miles to the Antarctic Peninsula. Viking Cruises offers a captivating journey to the Antarctic, with prices starting at $11,995 and spanning days.
Best Antarctica Expedition Cruises To Add To Your Bucket List
Late in the evening of our first day on the ship, we started our voyage through the Drake Passage. The Drake Passage is one of the roughest ocean channels in the world, where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans collide. This meeting point creates an upwelling of currents and can be prone to strong winds and unpredictable weather. The good news is the captain of our ship was excellent and made sure to time our crossing and our speed to have the least amount of rocking. Most expedition ships are also built with stabilizers so the ship stays upright even in rough conditions. This was the toughest part of the trip for most, and many people stayed in their cabins riding out the rocking sea from bed, watching a movie, or listening to one of the many presentations that took place throughout the journey south.
Best Antarctica Cruises & Cruise Lines
Rather, all of the organization’s month-long voyages sail from New Zealand and stop over at the Subantarctic Islands and the historic Ross Sea region. The New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions is one of the few companies that specializes in voyages to the Ross Sea and the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Heritage was founded in 1985 by a family of biologists and the company is still family-run out of its offices in Christchurch. What makes Hurtigruten stand out from other cruise operators is their commitment to sustainable travel.
Night Rio De Janeiro To UshuaiaDetails
My first voyage to Antarctica, back in 2004, for instance, was on Akademik Ioffe -- a hardy, ice-class Russian oceanographic research vessel that was often chartered by adventure tour companies in those days for polar trips. I slept in a no-frills cabin originally designed for Russian oceanography researchers and ate with my fellow tourgoers in a cafeteria-like dining space. If you have a bit more time and want to explore more of the polar region, look at itineraries that go to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. The main reason people choose this option is that there is a chance of seeing King penguins.
There’s also only a couple of companies that are equipped for this and it’s quite expensive. If you’re ready to step up the adventure, here’s a guide on what’s on offer and how to ensure you don’t miss out. Some of the animals you could see are many penguin species such as gentoos, adélie penguins, Magellanic penguins, rockhoppers, chinstraps, king penguins, emperors (if you’re super lucky) and macaronis. Of course Antarctic wildlife watching is always free and included in your trip.
Lindblad Expeditions’ partnership with National Geographic adds even more enriching benefits for its guests. The White Continent is a magical destination filled with snow-covered mountains, brilliant electric-blue icebergs, amazing wildlife, and otherworldly landscapes. In addition to the extraordinary wildlife encounters and immersive experiences, Antarctica’s untamed majesty and indescribable stillness are what I remember most. Handpicked experts from a range of backgrounds, you'll soon discover their passion and energy for Antarctica is infectious.
But if the company you’re looking at doesn’t have any obvious benefits such as helicopters or more days at sea, most of the price increase is for better food and nicer rooms. On the other hand, luxury cruises offer plush accommodations, gourmet dining, spa services, and even onboard entertainment. These ships focus on the adventure and Antarctica expedition with an authentic flare, where you feel encouraged to be out on deck or in the lounge areas when you’re onboard rather than sprawled out in your cabin. With such a wide variety of cruise options, ranging from small, older vessels to high-end luxury ships, it can be hard to determine what is worth spending your money on. This might not be something you think about, but when you book a smaller ship you have a greater sense of intimacy with your fellow guests and expedition team.
Holland America offers a wide range of stateroom choices, from lower-cost interior cabins (which have advantages in Antarctic-length days) to large suites, and all come with fare options to make them more all-inclusive. Whether you want a full-on expedition cruise with hiking, kayaking and polar plunges, or are looking for a slightly less intense Antarctica cruise, there’s a cruise line that suits your needs. Cruise Critic went in search of the best of both versions to help you decide.
Then it’s two more days at sea to get to South Georgia, with 3 to 4 days spent visiting the most spectacular place on earth. Starting in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, you then have one sea day to make it to Falkland Islands, then usually have two days exploring around the British archipelago. Adventure activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and camping, usually have an additional cost no matter which company you’re with too.
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