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But one thing to keep in mind is that you’re not sailing to Antarctica in a little boat. You’re on a large expedition ship which is designed to handle much worse conditions than the Drake. This time of year, expect to see penguins carefully tending their fluffy chicks, while their partners frantically hunt for food at sea. Antarctic fur seals start to arrive in their summer feeding grounds, and humpback whale numbers increase as more of these gentle giants arrive at the end of their long migration. Perhaps the ice will retreat far enough to allow us access to the unknown islands south of the Antarctic circle – where the midnight sun never sets. Apart from the cozier aspects of the ship, including fur-backed lounge chairs near a bar where glacier ice is chipped for Old Fashioneds, these safari guides at sea shine like an iceberg on a sunny day.
Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Adventure
Passengers seeking a gentler-on-the-wallet experience, preferring some cruise ship comforts, but care little about private verandas or butlers. Quark’s passengers tend to be uber-active cruisers eager to camp overnight, snowshoe, go mountaineering and cross-country skiing while still traveling upscale. Those who cruise with Holland America often typically enjoy the line’s point-to-point itineraries (as opposed to round-trip cruises). In Antarctica, the line sails 22-night cruises between San Antonio, Chile and Buenos Aires, with four full days in Antarctic waters.
Antarctica Cruises
What people don't tell you before booking an Antarctic cruise - The Telegraph
What people don't tell you before booking an Antarctic cruise.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:00:00 GMT [source]
Incredibly, wildlife watching was even an important consideration in early expedition vessel design. This closeness to nature (and your few fellow explorers) makes for a much more intimate and rewarding expedition experience, affording prolific and personal wildlife encounters, and enhancing the sense of wilderness and solitude in the vast polar landscape. The Spirit of Enderby carries 50 passengers and is well designed for adventure cruising to remote regions. With an ice-strengthened hull, the vessel is both cozy and comfortable and offers excellent catering. The NG Endurance boasts many advanced features including two glamping pods, state of the art lecture theatre, and hammocks for the balcony cabins. Unlike many other expedition ships, the Endurance provides a videographer onboard, plus the chance to see images and videos from underneath the water.
Celebrity Cruises: May Be Your Least Expensive Antarctic Cruise Line Option if You Book Early
I would highly recommend the Hondius to anyone going to the Antarctic. The trip across the Drake Passage is a little long and can be very rough, but it is unavoidable. We wanted an exploration class cruise to have a more direct experience in Antarctica. Each Antarctica cruise ship in our list features a detailed description, deck plan, cabin configurations and a firsthand review. Contact our Antarctica expedition cruise ship experts for a free consultation to find the best ship and trip for your interests, ability and budget.
The icy shores are a haven for millions of penguins, as well as seals and seabirds, while the deep blue waters support a huge population of whales. 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 Center you'll learn more, and perhaps even help out with wildlife conservation through out Citizen Science projects. The best time to visit Antarctica is between January and February if you want a mix of good weather and wildlife-spotting opportunities. But visiting in November and December lets you experience the snow-covered White Continent in its full glory while a March trip is excellent for whale watching. Unlike most other Antarctic expedition companies, Heritage doesn’t regularly offer voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering The 7th Continent
Each has a plethora of cabins, from simple and affordable to mid-range and upscale suites. Select from the finest selection of polar class Antarctica cruise ships available below, operated by only the most trusted of partners, preeminent pioneers in polar exploration who offer exceptional itineraries, unrivaled knowledge, and utmost levels of service. Brave the infamous Drake Passage and marvel at the abundance of seabirds, albatrosses, and whales as you sail through its nutrient-rich waters.
I took a cruise on a ship with 107 versus 7000 passengers: here's how they compared - Cruise Blog
I took a cruise on a ship with 107 versus 7000 passengers: here's how they compared.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A 66ft swift sailboat with plenty of live aboard space and storage for expedition equipment. An outstanding expedition ship with a hard-won reputation for navigating some of the Polar region's most challenging waters, carrying just 108 guests. I would recommend this trip to any one wanting to see the 7th continent. A former Dutch Navy research ship, the Plancius is a practical and highly capable expedition ship with a recent full re-fit to take 108 guests. Windproof and waterproof clothing, including a jacket and overpants, with plenty of warm layers are essential. Long underwear, socks, gloves and waterproof boots are highly recommended.
Viking River Cruises
The mountains and high glaciers around Wilhelmina Bay ensure plenty of dramatic scenery and sculpted ice from tiny floating pieces to large bergs. The bay is a choice feeding ground for whales and seals and therefore was a rich hunting ground for the whalers of the past. The British base of Port Lockroy on Goudier Island was built in 1941 and abandoned in 1962.
Adventure activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and camping, usually have an additional cost no matter which company you’re with too. At the budget-friendly end, less extravagant ships may lack the luxurious amenities, but they often deliver an authentic, intimate connection with the Antarctic wilderness. A smaller ship often means a shallower draft too, so they can get into some areas that may not be deep enough for larger vessels. Besides that, there’s other considerations when it comes to ship size and choosing the best Antarctica expedition. So as you can see if you are booking a trip to Antarctica on a large ship, you run the risk of not even getting off the ship. The average age onboard an Intrepid trip is around 45, so it’s an entirely different atmosphere compared to something like Ponant or Lindblad that has an older average age.
When you’re heading down to the Antarctic region on an expedition cruise ship there’s quite a few activities that you can do. A typical 10-day ‘Best of Antarctica’ itinerary, which actually only includes 4.5 days in Antarctica, has the same number of days and excursions on the continent, often doing the same thing (zodiac cruises, landings, ship exploring, etc). On the other hand, luxury cruises offer plush accommodations, gourmet dining, spa services, and even onboard entertainment. 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. The ship’s design prioritizes comfort, ensuring that every guest has ample space and all the amenities they’ll need for a relaxing stay.
When you’re back onboard, there’s still plenty of opportunity for animal sightings. Weddell seals, humpback whales, Adélie penguins, and storm petrels are known to make an appearance whether you’re soaking in the ship’s hot tub or sipping TWG Earl Grey during afternoon tea in the Constellation Lounge. And while there’s a variety of incredible species to observe above the icy waters, 95 percent of Antarctica’s wildlife is found below the surface. That’s why aboard both Venture and Pursuit, Seabourn has two custom-made submersibles. Six guests at a time can go up to 980 feet below the surface, a place less than 10,000 people have explored in the history of the world. Encompassed by the Antarctic convergence (an uneven line of latitude where the cold waters of the Antarctic merge with the warmer waters of the world's oceans), Antarctica is both cold and remote, located in the Southern Hemisphere.
Typically used on specialty itineraries, such as those which visit emperor penguin colonies on Snow Hill Island, helicopters may offer heli-hiking, flightseeing and exploration of air-only accessible destinations. With a specifically designed bow and hull structure, she adds a unique element to her profile while providing efficiency, safety and stability when cruising in these challenging destinations. Offering cabin options for single travelers, this ship addresses a main concern of past ships (lack of dedicated single space). The National Geographic Endurance is equipped with state-of-the-art exploration tools including hydrophones, underwater video cameras, microscopes and a helicopter landing pad, all for in-depth learning about the iconic destinations she explores.
The environmentally conscious ships feature GPS dynamic positioning and customized zero-speed stabilizers up to 50 percent larger than other ships. Exploration amenities include custom-made Zodiacs, paddleboards, kayaks, two seven-passenger helicopters and one seven-passenger submarine. 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. 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.
Also count foodies, who, with eight dining experiences to choose from, will never grow tired of the cuisine. And the list must include travelers who dreamed of exploring Antarctica while residing in a two-story suite. Long-known for its luxury ocean liners, Seabourn introduced its devotees to Seabourn Venture, its first expedition vessel in 2022 and its second, Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. These 264-passenger sister ships feature many of the amenities of Seabourn’s more traditional ships. On the twin ships, passengers can stay overnight in a geodesic glass igloo perched atop the observation deck.
December and January are the peak months of the Antarctic summer, with the warmest temperatures (sometimes never dropping below freezing except at night), very long daylight hours, and the heartwarming sight of penguins nurturing their freshly hatched chicks. A quick Google will show that there are over 100 operators registered to IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, to run trips down here, and then there are a handful of private enterprises and sailers that visit each year as well. The large aft-located sun deck also on deck 5 features BBQ facilities for alfresco dining, and is served with drinks by the neighboring Polar Bear bar, an ideal spot for unwinding with a cocktail accompanied by some live entertainment after a day of exploration.
Decked out with nice pieces of modern art, the Midnatsol has a bight and colorful feel to it. The focus is always on full immersion in the destination on a highly comfortable ship featuring excellent food. Its cruise fares fall squarely between mainstream and full-on luxury.
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