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Because our fleet of intimate expedition ships takes you so far off the beaten track, there is no track. Because we have made all-inclusive luxury cruising to Antarctica into an art form. In all cases, these are ships specifically built for "expedition cruising" -- a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft. All of them sail with a large number of rigid inflatable Zodiac boats for landings and have strengthened hulls and other design features that let them operate in icy areas. 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.
Cross The Drake Passage
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”. Handpicked experts from a range of backgrounds, you'll soon discover their passion and energy for Antarctica is infectious. 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. On your cruise to Antarctica, the Expedition Team will be your companions in adventure. We’re proud to announce that our newest addition has joined the fleet.
Do passengers actually step foot on the continent?
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. You’ll usually have one full day in Punta Arenas, Chile, then schedule to fly to King George Island the next day. 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.
Exploring Antarctica
Antarctica is an unforgettable destination, but time on the continent is precious and expensive. Only every book a trip with a company that is registered of IAATO, which is an official organisation that designates Antarctica purely for the purpose of science and research. As icebergs loom majestically overhead and seals laze on floating ice, you can navigate through a surreal world rarely experienced by others.
Construction Starts on Chile's First Hybrid-Electric Antarctic Cruise Ship - The Maritime Executive
Construction Starts on Chile's First Hybrid-Electric Antarctic Cruise Ship.
Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that no two Antarctic expeditions are the same – both in experience, and in service. A sister vessel to Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022 and also will sail to polar regions. Other unusual features include a full-blown science center with state-of-the-art gadgets and underwater drones for passenger use.
Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise
Imagine sleeping under the Antarctic sky, surrounded by snow and ice, with the distant calls of penguins lulling you to sleep. You can see lots of whales too such as humpback whales, minke whales and orca (killer whales), and occasionally blue or southern right whales in the Southern Ocean. Of course Antarctic wildlife watching is always free and included in your trip. If you want the ultimate bragging rights after your trip to Antarctica make sure you don’t miss the polar plunge. Any decent company, like the ones we recommend above, will also have daily onboard seminars from guides, scientists, biologists and historians to share information about the continent.
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At HX, we've been exploring Antarctica for over 20 years, and we do so in a sustainable style, with a world-leading science programme that actively helps the fragile ecosystems we explore. Amid the haunting laments of calving icebergs and raucous calls of resident penguins, seals and seabirds, arresting, awakening and visceral experiences abound here, ones that you’ll eternally evoke as the trip of your lifetime. As a leader in luxury cruises, including these incredible journeys to Antarctica, Celebrity offers a cruising experience like no other.
How Long Should You Book to Visit Antarctica?
Experience the Antarctica of old at historic huts such as Damoy Point, lovingly restored and open to all. Feel the spray of water from the blow of a humpback whale on a Zodiac safari in Wilhelmina Bay. Wonder at awe-inspiring scenery on a ship cruise through the Lemaire Channel. Watch city-sized tabular icebergs drift silently past the ship in the Antarctic Sound. Wherever we go on the Antarctic Peninsula, endemic wildlife, tantalising history and breathtaking natural beauty abound. Explore this vibrant Patagonian city, or stretch your legs in the surrounding forests.
Night Antarctica CruiseDetails
You wander down the gangway, strap a harness and rope to you, and literally jump off a perfectly good (and warm) ship into the icy water. Some are included in the price for everybody, and others have limited availability for an additional cost. The length of Antarctica cruises vary quite a bit, with options ranging from a week right up to an entire month. And if you have some flexibility in your travel plans, there’s a big potential to lock in some remarkable last-minute deals.
The casually elegant 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer, and more luxurious, newer vessels 126-passenger National Geographic Endurance and twin National Geographic Resolution sail Antarctica. Among the amenities are fine dining, hot tubs, yoga classes, spa services and fitness center. Cruisers who want an active, adventuresome polar exploration, but on a relatively large ship, or those seeking a smaller environmental footprint will appreciate the line’s two newest ships. We feel like almost anyone who would enjoy a Princess cruise in any scenic part of the globe would enjoy a Princess Antarctic cruise. Princess has scenic cruising down to a science and is capable of both entertaining and educating its guests along the way. 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.
With such a significant investment of time, money, and anticipation, it’s crucial to make informed decisions. There’s a lot of fascinating history in the Weddell Sea, especially around Sir Ernest Shackleton and his legendary tale of survival from the Endurance with his crew, so if this is of interest it’s worth looking for an itinerary that follows this path. But you get more time in Antarctica, and get to venture to one of the most remote places on the planet. Plus if you do cross the Drake by sea you get that added sense of achievement. If your flight to Antarctica is cancelled on one day, the company usually only has one more attempt to get their guests down there before they have to forfeit their spot for the next company’s charter. Visibility needs to be very clear down there and the right direction of wind for the pilots to land safely.
Antarctica is at its most beautiful, but it also brings challenges for expedition teams due to weather, sea ice and snow density, meaning some landings might not be possible. Viking Octantis is designed to carry 378 passengers, which is on the high side for Antarctica cruise ships. Like Hurtigruten's Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, it isn't able to land all or even most of its passengers at once in Antarctica. In September 2021, Ponant unveiled an even tougher polar vessel, the 270-passenger Le Commandant Charcot. Equipped with ice breaking capabilities, it's able to sail to polar areas that most other polar cruise vessels can't reach.
Whether you’re ready to book, doing more research or simply interested in the idea of visiting Antarctica, there’s some very important things you need to know before dropping your hard-earned money on an expedition to the 7th continent. Launched between 2010 and 2015, these four sister ships are regular visitors to Antarctica -- both under the banner of Ponant, a French brand, and as vessels chartered to high-end, U.S.-based tour companies Tauck and Abercrombie & Kent. Each vessel has two glass-walled "igloos" on its top deck where passengers can spend the night under the stars. Comfortable, state-of-the-art rooms with balconies; stylish restaurants and lounges with upscale, Scandinavian-inspired decor; a spa; and a yoga studio with wall-to-wall windows round out the onboard experience. 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.
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. Let our experts take you deep into the heart of this majestic environment so it can get into yours. For many, exploring this vast, frozen continent is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. To cross the Drake Passage and reach the last great frontier - a place where sun glints off pristine ice and wildlife reigns supreme - is truly life-changing. At HX, we've been exploring Antarctica for over 20 years, and we do so in sustainable style, with a world-leading science program that actively helps the fragile ecosystems we explore.
Passengers fly business class to and from King George Island in the South Shetland Islands and board Silver Endeavour from there. 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.
Which you experience depends on the weather, especially the wind, which can be highly unpredictable at these lower latitudes. Here’s a guide to cruising to Antarctica that explores what’s currently offered. 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. In inimitable French style, the vessels are simply gorgeous and sleek, conjuring up the ocean and its array of moods and colors. 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.
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