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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. The expedition team went out of their way to make it the best experience possible for us.
How Hurtigruten does landings
One of the smallest Antarctica ships in the region, the Polar Pioneer research vessel can hold up to 56 passengers. This doesn’t stop the small ship from packing quite a punch though and on board facilities include a bar, library, sauna, lounge, dining room and lecture room. The ship exhibits a new patented X-Bow® that cuts through waves and provides one of the smoothest sailings available. This modern ship offers plenty of activities and facilities and is a must for anyone who suffers from extreme seasickness. Facilities include a spacious library, fitness center, full-service spa, boutique shopping, beauty salon, Internet Cafe, sauna and two top-deck Jacuzzi’s!
Scenic: Redefining Small Ship Luxury in Antarctica
Our Attempts are voyages where we challenge the elements in true expedition style. As we explore these remote and captivating areas in a safe way, our adventure will ultimately be guided by nature. If weather, sea or ice conditions do not allow our planned navigation, our experienced crew will deliver an adapted itinerary. Flexibility and our deep knowledge of the area combine to give you an amazing exploration experience.
Seven Incredible Drake Passage Facts
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. Essentially the same structure as above, but you’ll have an extra couple of days to travel the distance required to hopefully cross the Antarctic Circle, or sail around to the east side of the Peninsula to get into the Weddell Sea and maybe see the emperor penguins. IAATO, the body that regulates tourism in Antarctica, has strict rules around the number of passengers from any one ship that can leave the vessel at any one time. However, their ships are very large, with between 250 and 500 passengers on each trip, meaning your actual time spent off the ship is limited. Their itineraries are fantastic and the service for guests is excellent.
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]
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Antarctica? [+ How to Visit For Free]
One of the more modern Antarctica ships in the region, the Ocean Diamond is a classy vessel that offers space for 189 passengers. One of newest expedition ships available, the Magellan Explorer has been purpose built for expedition cruising and carries just 73 passengers. One of the most comfortable ships operating in the polar regions, the SH Vega is an ice-strengthened vessel that boasts extra large stabilisers for the smoothest sailing experience possible. Carrying 240 passengers, the Silver Cloud is one of the the smallest luxury ships in Antarctica. 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.
But the good news is that the reservation window is typically roughly two years in advance. 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. 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.
Surrounded by looming glaciers, and icebergs the size of floating cathedrals, Antarctica will fill you with wonder. There's plenty of time to relax, so unwind in the spa and wellness area, enjoy some delicious cuisine and meet fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. The safety of our guests, our employees, and the communities we visit is our top priority. This is why we have partnered with leading experts in health and safety to design and implement protocols/procedures across our expedition fleet. We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.
Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia Cruise
The cost of an Antarctica cruise largely depends on the departure date, how long the cruise goes for, and the type of cabin you book on the ship but most cruises start from USD$4,500. There were many attempts to set foot at the South Pole in the early 20th century, so much so that it was dubbed the 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration', with many trying and failing until a Norwegian explorer by the name of Roald Amundsen reached in 1911. 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. Antarctica was formed around 35 million years ago and remained undiscovered until around 1820 when Russian explorers spotted the mainland. However, this may have only been the first documented discovery of Antarctica, as it's believed that Pacific Islanders may have reached the white continent in 650 AD.
Become A Travel Expert
“Our pioneering spirit leads us to explore rarely visited locations and introduce unique itinerariesfor every season,” Hayley Peacock-Gower tells us, who is the Chief Marketing Officer of Aurora Expeditions. 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. As you dream of gliding past enormous tabular icebergs and observing wildlife in its purest habitat, here are our best tips to ensure you select the right Antarctic cruise and best Antarctica tour company that aligns perfectly with your expectations and desires. This trip is only offered once every couple of years in the early season (October) and requires either an icebreaker ship or a Class 1A ice-strengthened ship with helicopters, which allows guests to get close to the emperor penguin colony.
Why not consider arriving a few days early to see all this vibrant city has to offer, or explore the region with our optional Pre-Programme. Details are often available in cruise itineraries, and early registration ensures you’re part of these enriching experiences. For those who wish to contribute to our understanding of this remote region, some companies collaborate with research institutions to allow passengers to participate in data collection and other scientific activities. You must be an experienced climber, and be able to prove it, before a company will accept your booking for these challenging adventures. If you’re ready to step up the adventure, here’s a guide on what’s on offer and how to ensure you don’t miss out.
In fact, their 11-day Antarctica Explorer trip is the highest-rated out of all the tours to Antarctica on leading booking site Tour Radar. Most expeditions sail roundtrip from Ushuaia, Argentina,while others offer the option of 7-night expeditions departing from PuntaArenas, Chile. Every voyage includes a pre-cruisehotel night stay in Buenos Aires or Punta Arenas andprivate roundtrip charter air flights.
Lecture rooms are like modern theaters bringing presentations to life. For more information to help you choose between ships, and to better understand the differences between vessel categories and their polar classifications, see our Antarctica cruise ship guide. Named after the first man to cross Antarctica and to reach the South Pole, MS Roald Amundsen leads the way towards an even more sustainable way of travelling. It serves as a comfortable base camp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way. On your all-inclusive cruise to Antarctica you'll get closer to the Seventh Continent than you ever dreamed. Experience the magic as you step off your expedition boat and feel the crunch of snow beneath your boots.
Therefore, getting the right experience that suits you is hugely important. All but Le Commandant Charcot showcase underwater multisensory lounges, located eight feet below the water line. Called Blue Eye, each lounge features two glass portholes shaped like a whale's eye looking out to the marine world. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
After a multi-million dollar refit in 2017 this luxury vessel has become the last word in luxury for adventurers, with fine dining and butler service to boot. Spacious cabins, panoramic public areas, high ice-rating and outstanding expedition staff make this 140 guest ship a fabulous base for exploration. A class act from the pioneers of polar travel, the Explorer carries 148 guests in great comfort.
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