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It’s truly an adventure, so approach it that way and you’ll enjoy the trip no matter where your ship ends up. The best Antarctica cruise line will depend entirely on your budget and your goals. 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?
Extra Activities
Antarctica Cruise Atlas Insider Expeditions - Not Quite Nigella
Antarctica Cruise Atlas Insider Expeditions.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This not only saves fuel but also allows for noiseless operation in sensitive polar areas where silence can make all the difference (near a penguin rookery, for instance, or a calving glacier). 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. Think casually elegant style -- this time, more reminiscent of a posh ski resort in warmth and coziness -- perfect for a vessel with polar pursuits. Passengers are pampered by an attentive crew and all-inclusive amenities such as free-flowing alcohol and caviar, all-suite digs and a photo studio.
Which year to travel?
An HX trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Centre, meals, gratuities, drinks and more. During an Antarctica cruise, you’ll have the chance to look out for some of the world’s most incredible marine mammals. 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. Despite the allure of the adventures that await you off-ship, it’s worth remembering that a significant portion of your cruise will be spent on board your chosen expedition vessel.
Cross The Drake Passage
These strict staffing stipulations are particularly pertinent up on the bridge. Here at Antarctica Cruises we only work with vessels that are Polar Ship Certified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and whose operators are members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). The closest contemporary comparison to this are the vast, wrap-around observation decks found on nearly all present-day polar ships, allowing passengers unrestricted views of the stunning ice-laden land- and sea-scapes and their fascinating faunal entourage. Even when below deck, either inside panoramic lounges with floor-to-ceiling windows, or even from the comforts of your cabin or balcony, many vessels these days afford privileged viewing opportunities from every conceivable vantage point. Some of the latest vessels even have hydraulic viewing platforms that extend out and over the sea and ice during navigation, and better yet, some have helicopters for astonishing bird’s-eye views. A favourite within our fleet, MS Fram is a purpose-built expedition ship named in honour of the Original FRAM - the world's greatest exploration ship between 1893 to 1912 and has been captained by both Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen during her years at sea.
Antarctica Cruise Themes
How to Cruise Antarctica Without Sailing the Drake Passage - TravelAge West
How to Cruise Antarctica Without Sailing the Drake Passage.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
So which ships are the most steadfast, resolute and unwavering in the face of the unfathomable waves and implacable winds of the Southern Ocean? Whilst smaller ships may be more agile, generally speaking it’s the larger Antarctica cruise ships that will provide greater stability. However, it is also worth noting that many smaller expedition vessels may be equally equable if equipped with stabilizers. 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.
Discover your adventure
Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Finally, remember that it’s a privilege to visit Antarctica and you should always make sure you do so responsibly. There’s also only a couple of companies that are equipped for this and it’s quite expensive. With the guidance of expert mountaineers, you can ascend icy peaks or navigate glacial routes for an epic bucket list adventure. Imagine sleeping under the Antarctic sky, surrounded by snow and ice, with the distant calls of penguins lulling you to sleep. Gliding silently through the icy waters, kayakers get an intimate perspective of Antarctica’s coastlines.
Ocean Albatros
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.
The beat of Buenos Aires
The Zodiac drivers were very professional and ensured that we got a good position to see them without disturbing them. Going with a polar specialist is certainly the best way to travel and the smaller size of the boat we knew would provide greater flexibility for seeing nature and taking advantages of opportunities that came along. SH Vega offers laidback Scandi elegance with a contemporary boutique feel, for those wanting style and comfort without ostentation.
Embark on one of the longest Antarctica-only cruises, this 13-day Antarctica Explorer voyage, and discover in depth the breathtaking scenery, glacier-clad peaks, and extraordinary wildlife of the Great White Continent. Experience a genuine exploratory expedition with no predetermined schedule, allowing you to discover Antarctica as it was meant to be. With the extra time to explore and a vessel with a PC6/1A ice rating, gain access to areas off-limits to most ships, offering a more immersive experience of Earth’s last frontier. A number of ships in this category are former working ships or ex-research vessels, purposefully designed for, and well-versed in, polar navigation, steeped in maritime heritage and expeditionary heart, and providing a safe and functional foundation for exploration.
Built to ply the ice-choked waters of WesternGreenland, the very popular Ocean Nova is a capable and comfortable ship carrying just 67 passengers. Offering a luxury expedition cruising experience, Seabourn Venture allows you to explore without compromising on comfort. The first thing to think about is what's important to you - adventure, wildlife, comfort, the ship's stability, food or activities? Once established, we can then help guide you to the most well matched ships for you.
Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed. Rowboats have been replaced by rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), glowing candles by glittering chandeliers, ice anchors by GPS-driven dynamic positional systems. Crews have also evolved, from seamen and scientists, to seamen and scientists turning their hand to hospitality, and now professionals with responsibilities solely aligned to their specialisms, including dedicated customer service staff. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
A great first step is asking yourself what your key decision-making criteria are. A sybarite seeking extravagance, or sociable sort in search of a convivial atmosphere? Perhaps you’re prone to seasickness and need something more stable, or partial to some privacy and simply must have your own balcony? What if you’re traveling with family or friends and want a larger suite or interconnected cabins? Answering these kinds of questions will help you whittle down your ship shortlist in no time. Behind the scenes, even before you embark your cruise, their polar prowess is crucial in carefully coordinating and skillfully crafting your itinerary in advance.
Refurbished for 128 guests in 2017 and with a stunning history of polar exploration, this is one of the Grand Dames of Antarctica. We know how important finding the right ship is, but with so much choice it can also be bewildering. Our first hand knowledge of the ships is unparalleled and we can help you find exactly the right one. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. The huge ice shelves of the Antarctic continent give birth to mile-long tabular icebergs. The strong currents of the Weddell Sea conspire to bring these massive flat-topped bergs north into the Antarctic Sound at the north-eastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Journey to one of the most fascinating travel destinations on earth on cruises to Antarctica with Celebrity. Antarctica is a land of extremes, home to towering mountains, vast glaciers, and an abundance of wildlife. Gaze at Antarctica’s dramatic landscapes in the company of expert naturalists as you glide slowly through iceberg-strewn waters in search of penguins, seals, and 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. If you’re in search of more active exploration, camping out on the ice and kayaking are offered on most vessels as optional extras but much sought after and availability can be limited. Should you want to try something even more adventurous like diving, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering or more, your ship selection soon narrows as seldom few offer these. On the other hand, luxury cruises offer plush accommodations, gourmet dining, spa services, and even onboard entertainment. Their trips attract a younger demographic and a lower price point, but they’ve worked hard to secure some of the best expedition team members in the industry.
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