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For example an 11-day itinerary often means just 4-5 days in Antarctica, and the rest of the time is spent before the trip in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and the two days each way on the Drake. The length of your voyage determines not only how much of Antarctica you get to explore but also how much time you spend on the open sea versus the continent itself. Essentially, you get what you pay for when it comes to the ship; the more you pay, the nicer the onboard experience.
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In-Depth Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Expedition
In inimitable French style, the vessels are simply gorgeous and sleek, conjuring up the ocean and its array of moods and colors. You might assume that the Drake Passage was first sailed by British explorer Sir Francis Drake, but the truth behind this waterway’s somewhat misleading name is just one of many interesting facts about the passage. On the southern-most tip of the planet rests one of the world's most massive and mysterious landmasses - the frozen realm of Antarctica.
Ocean Endeavour
In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here. Learning more about each subject is certain to enhance your expedition experience. Brown Bluff lies on the coast of the Antarctic Sound at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Go with the global leader in expeditions to Antarctica
They have some pretty unique offerings, including a submarine that you can book for seeing Antarctica beneath the surface, and really fun activities. Their itineraries are fantastic and the service for guests is excellent. After lots of research, personal testing, and fielding quite a few (better) offers from competitors, we decided that Quark Expeditions is the company we trust to operate our own group tours to Antarctica. All of their ships have under 200 passengers too, meeting IAATO regulations for number of people off the ship at any one time. They were the the first to organise trips to Snow Hill and revolutionised North Pole tours, so they’re always looking for what’s next in the world of polar voyages. Check out our guide on the best time to visit South Georgia based on our personal experience.
Want more of a taste of what an adventure to the Great White Continent would be like? Our free guidebook shows you what wildlife you might see, the places you might go, how to be a responsible traveler, gives you tips on what to pack and more. While the destination itself might conjure up images of nefarious voyages only the fittest can endure, you only need to be in good health and be able to move around freely to participate in and enjoy Antarctica's numerous activities and adventures. While you can't embark on an expedition to the world's seventh continent alone, you can travel solo on a group tour to Antarctica. Windproof and waterproof clothing, including a jacket and overpants, with plenty of warm layers are essential.
On the two-day crossing through the Drake Passage, the Expedition Team will equip you with all you need to make the most of your polar expedition cruise. Nowhere on Earth feels as remote as Antarctica, yet the wildlife here is abundant and spectacular. 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 Centre you'll learn more, and perhaps even help out with wildlife conservation through out Citizen Science projects. Each passenger aboard our Antarctic expeditions will receive an expedition jacket when they board the ship.
Abercrombie & Kent: Antarctica Charters that Feature All-Inclusive Luxury
As summer arrives the sun returns to Antarctica, and with it comes rafts of penguins, pods of whales and herds of seals. Sea ice drifts or melts away from the Antarctic Peninsula coastline, allowing expedition vessels access into many sheltered bays and harbours to marvel at the splendor of the frozen continent. Like Scenic Eclipse, Viking Octantis carries a submarine for underwater exploring, as well as kayaks. In a first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel. Public areas feature the same elegant Scandinavian design found on Viking's ocean ships and river ships, as well as such familiar Viking venues as Italian restaurant Manfredi's and a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers' Lounge.
Antarctica Cruise Ships: Which Expedition Vessel Is Best?
You’ll then have a massive three sea days to get to the Peninsula for your 4 days hanging around here. So really, in most situations you’re paying more money for a nicer ship and cabin. 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.
Can I do the polar plunge during my trip?
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). It is the snowy southern islands as well as the lush, bird-filled flora of the sub-Antarctic. And Antarctica is the snowy peaks, vast penguin colonies, and whale-abundant waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. But whatever else Antarctica is, it is without doubt an incomparable cruise adventure. Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to small Zodiac boats for landings while still in the protected interior of the ship.
Discover the nature of the Fuegian Andes; cruise the Beagle Channel in search of wildlife. Other unusual features include a full-blown science center with state-of-the-art gadgets and underwater drones for passenger use. I've sailed on nearly all of these new vessels, in many cases in polar regions, and have been consistently amazed by just how much of an upgrade they really are.
Don't miss cruising Antarctica and experiencing some of the most exhilarating destinations in the world. Lengthier cruises include visits to such destinations as the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. To bypass the notoriously rough waters of the Drake Passage, passengers can book an Antarctica Bridge sail. Passengers fly business class to and from King George Island in the South Shetland Islands and board Silver Endeavour from there.
Some of the fanciest of the newcomers also have such over-the-top amenities as helicopters for sightseeing from above and submarines for seeing what lurks just under the water. At the very high end, some ships feature all-suite accommodations with butler service. Antarctica is home to some unique sub-species that you will only find in this region of the world. Sail past glaciers where you can spot leopard seals that will greet you with indistinguishable grins.
Then you’ll have 4 days on the ship, before flying back for another night in Punta Arenas. 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.
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. Viking Expeditions has entered into the expedition genre with two custom-built vessels, Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis. These new vessels feature many of the amenities favored by Viking fans, such as a light airy Scandinavian design, Nordic spa and king bed staterooms and suites with spacious baths and heated floors.
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. Think casinos, specialty restaurants and flashy entertainment when you aren’t out nature-watching. They'll lead you on adventures off the ship, deliver fascinating lectures, unlock nature's wonders in the Science Center, and perhaps even entertain you along the way. Here it is ice and weather, not clocks and calendars, that dictate polar proceedings, and patience and flexibility are paramount. Everyone who comes to this isolated continent must ‘earn it’, none more so than those embarking on an expedition cruise from South America’s “Land of Fire”, Tierra del Fuego, bound for Antarctica’s antithetical “Land of Ice”.
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