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Despite its seemingly unforgiving, yet hauntingly beautiful landscape, legions of tuxedoed-looking penguins waddle across the rocky terrain while giant elephant seals lounge on its shores. With 119 cabins, she is one of the smallest ships in the fleet and spends her time between the Arctic in the summer (May-August), before heading south to Antarctica for the winter (November-March). Her small size, allows her to bring you closer to nature - and with key expedition features such as smaller expedition boats and Science Center, she is perfect for creating an unforgettable expedition experience. On your all-inclusive trip to Antarctica you'll get closer to the Seventh Continent than you ever dreamed.
Antarctic Explorer
Most Antarctic cruises begin and end in South American ports like Ushuaia or Buenos Aires. It’s truly an adventure, so approach it that way and you’ll enjoy the trip no matter where your ship ends up. 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.
Finding the Best Antarctic Cruise Line for You: Things to Keep in Mind
These countries included Argentina, Australia, France, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Exploration didn't stop there though with a total of 17 major expeditions launched in the following years from 10 different countries, the last one being Ernest Shackleton's last ill-fated voyage in 1917. Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.
Antarctica at a glance
Spent $19,000 to travel to Antarctica via the Drake Passage, worth it - Business Insider
Spent $19,000 to travel to Antarctica via the Drake Passage, worth it.
Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise Critic went in search of the best of both versions to help you decide. Internet access is available on most Antarctic ships, at a cost. Alternatively, there may be a ship-based email system where you will have an email account to stay in touch with family and friends. Because of the remoteness of Antarctica, connections can be slow, so all ships charge for data used rather than time spent online. Please refer to your detailed pre-departure information for more information on Internet facilities on your ship.
This question is something we thought long and hard about before deciding to run our own ship in Antarctica. We’re deeply committed to being a responsible business and understanding the impact we have on the places we visit. All Intrepid trips are 100% carbon neutral, but we are driven to do more, from committing to science-based decarbonisation targets to and recently updating our Seven-point Climate Action Plan. If you have an average fitness level (and above) you are compatible with Antarctica travel, so you don't need to spend hours in the gym before considering booking a trip. Antarctica isn't owned by one single country, instead governed internationally through the Antarctic Treaty system signed in 1959 by 12 countries who had sent scientists to Antarctica during and around that time.
Antarctica Cruises & Expeditions
Whatever your preference, discover the draws of this pristine, primordial polar paradise your way. An HX trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Centre, meals, gratuities, drinks and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime. Silversea manages to combine an ultra-luxury cruise ship experience with an adrenaline-charged expedition. The line will literally have a car pick you up at home, fly you to your cruise and do the reverse at the end of your Antarctic adventure. 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. Some begin in Buenos Aires; others start in Santiago and include more of South America, such as Patagonia and the Chilean fjords. Good opportunities to explore the Falklands and South Georgia, too. The line also offers coveted sailings that include time inside the Antarctic Circle, not just out on the Peninsula. Roald Amundsen (2019) and Fridtjof Nansen (2020) are the world's first cruise ships to run on hybrid battery technology, making them both more environmentally sensitive as they're designed to cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. They even move quietly, allowing passengers to revel in nature with reduced ship noise.
Wildlife on ice
Let our experts take you deep into the heart of this majestic environment so it can get into yours. And as far as good old-fashioned adventures go, this is the big one. You’ll cross the infamous Drake Passage and set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula. Marvel at waddling gentoo penguins and spot migrating blue whales. By traveling with us, you'll experience this incredible part of the world in a way that builds human connection and gets closer to nature while respecting the environment.
Spot elephant seals lounging on pristine rocks, and watch waddling penguins as they go about their day, tending their young, and diving off the ice into the water to feed. Known for its posh eponymous river cruise line since 2008, Scenic next conquered the ocean by debuting Scenic Eclipse in 2019, with near-twin Scenic Eclipse II making its splash in 2023. Billed as "six-star discovery yachts," the glam ships feature 114 all-veranda suites (200 passengers in polar waters), 10 dining experiences, nine lounges and bars, gym and even a yoga and Pilates studio.
The best Antarctica cruise line will depend entirely on your budget and your goals. Want to spend the most time possible with boots on the ground in Antarctica? Would you be happiest doing an Alaska-style cruise with plenty of time spent in Antarctic waters while you relax comfortably on the ship soaking up the surroundings? 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.
It would be the obvious first choice of devotees of Viking’s ocean liners and river cruises. Cruisers who appreciate the inclusive nature of Viking journeys will find high value in the line’s fares to Antarctica. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to partake in citizen science experiments and spend time with research scientists. Quark's 172-passenger World Explorer’s amenities include all-suite accommodations, polar library, gym, pool, sauna and spa, plus activities such as kayaking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding. Quark also offers options for those fearful of the roundtrip two-day Drake Passage crossing, which may involve turbulent seas with a “fly the Drake” cruise. 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.
Most routes run 13 to 19 days from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina. The cruise includes time to explore Buenos Aires, a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park and up to nine full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. 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.
Antarctica is best visited in the summer months from November to March when the weather is warmer and the sea ice has melted enough to get closer to the island shore. 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. Our experienced expedition team are at the top of their fields.
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. We always recommend booking Antarctic cruises sooner rather than later. Book Celebrity with the right timing and you might find getting to Antarctica is more affordable than you thought. Celebrity typically doesn’t devote a ship to an extended season in Antarctica, which may narrow your opportunity to only one month. But the good news is that the reservation window is typically roughly two years in advance. Want more of a taste of what an adventure to the Great White Continent would be like?
Home to an active volcano and eight nesting seabirds, Deception Island is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The largest group of penguins in Antarctica, and possibly the world, is located here. This is your chance to witness tens of thousands of chinstrap penguins waddling about and slipping in and out of the frigid waters. Start planning your journey to exploring this pristine world of ice, wildlife, and awe-inspiring beauty.
And for kayaking couples, Viking makes it easy to snap wildlife photos while in hands-free two-seater kayaks powered by pedaling. Families are welcome, too, with many activities designed for multigenerational cruisers to enjoy together throughout the Antarctic cruise season, not just during the December holidays. 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.
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