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Lots of dining optionsand an outstanding spa will enhance your experience on board, andguest numbers are restricted to 200 in Antarctica to give the opportunity forfrequent landings. Scenic Eclipse, Scenic's 'Discovery Yacht', launched in summer2019, and offers high levels of luxury on board in Antarctica, withan exciting programme of adventures ashore. Extras include ahelicopter, a submarine (at an additional charge) and kayaks, andthe ship is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Almostidentical sister ship Scenic Eclipse II also recently launched, and both are some ofthe most luxurious vessels operating in Antarctica. French cruise line Ponant is another operator investing in newhardware, with an incredible six new expedition yachts arrivingover the last couple of years. Their Antarctica programme includesvoyages on sister yachts Le Boréal, Le Soléal, Le Lyrial and L'Austral and the high-techExplorer Class with ice-strengthened hulls.
Best Small Ship Cruise to Antarctica: Quark Expeditions
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. Cross the Drake Passage and explore expedition-style as we seek out remote landing sites for nature encounters. The Hurtigruten vessels are some of the largest inthe region, which limits landings, but they offer an excellent costeffective option. The first, Seabourn Venture, launched in 2022, with interiors by designerAdam D Tihany and high-tech toys including a pair of six-seatersubmarines whilst Seabourn Pursuit has recently launched. Antarctica is a keydestination for the new ships, building on the successful Antarcticprogramme developed on board Seabourn Quest. The Ventures bySeabourn programme allows you to dip into the more adventure-mindedactivities as and when you feel like it, while enjoying the highlevels of all-inclusive luxury and personalised service thatSeabourn is renowned for.
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Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Let our experts take you deep into the heart of this majestic environment so it can get into yours. 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. The Europa only sails to Antarctica once or twice during the summer season, so snagging a place on one of these voyages isn’t always easy. But if you do manage to secure a berth, you can expect a small group expedition with plenty of Zodiac cruises, landings, and opportunities for spotting wildlife.
Antarctica FAQ
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]
On our Antarctic Peninsula cruises, you’ll have the opportunity to visit well-known sites, including Deception Island and Port Lockroy, and maybe even discover some new favourites alongside your Expedition Team. Protect the unique wildlife, stunning environment and exploration history of one of the world’s most spectacular places by selecting a reputable company to travel with, like the ones we recommended in this article. When you book a sea kayaking package you are given a dry suit and instruction from your experienced guides, and the goal is to get out as much as possible during your itinerary. The frequent Zodiac landings, integral to most Antarctic cruises, transport passengers from the ship to the very heart of the continent. Zodiac cruises offer an intimate and immersive experience, allowing passengers to navigate through stunning icy waterways. But if the company you’re looking at doesn’t have any obvious benefits such as helicopters or more days at sea, most of the price increase is for better food and nicer rooms.
After departing from Ushuaia, Argentina aboard the Sea Spirit, you will cross the infamous Drake Passage. Your first glimpse of Antarctica will be the South Shetland Islands, where you will explore the local history and wildlife. We’ll continue along the Antarctic Peninsula before passing through the Gerlache Strait, surrounded by spectacular mountains, pristine glaciers and icebergs, before heading back to port. It’s not only the penguins and their chicks that will steal your heart in Antarctica. Fur, leopard and elephant seals, as well as an abundance of seabirds will cross paths with us.
How Hurtigruten does landings
Once we arrive, the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands are ours to explore, and we have a host of choices available to us. Because we are so far south, we will experience approximately hours of daylight and the days can be as busy as you wish. The ship’s design prioritizes comfort, ensuring that every guest has ample space and all the amenities they’ll need for a relaxing stay. From the gym and sauna to the computer room and gift shop, the MS Expedition offers an array of common areas and features to enhance your onboard experience.
Antarctica cruise - Antarctic Circle Expedition
By the end of this article you will have a great understanding of the differences between the best Antarctica cruises and which companies we recommend based on personal experience and intimate industry knowledge. I feel privileged to have been able to experience Antarctica alone, but in the company of such passionate, energetic, capable, and talented staff I am honored and feel immensely grateful. Snow Hill Island, off the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, is home to a colony of 4,000 pairs of breeding Emperor penguins.
Ponant takes guests to areas of Antarctica that other shipscan't reach, including the Charcot and Peter I islands, the WeddellSea and the ice-covered Amundsen Sea, a truly remote region thatremains mostly unexplored. Ponant's new ships are equipped with thelatest environmentally friendly tech, including dynamic positioningand advanced waste water treatment systems, and all of your meals,drinks and excursions are included. From October to December, the 7th Continent is ice-covered and penguins are busy laying their eggs. Mid-February to March is an ideal time to see whales as they return to the region to feed.
We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures. Finally, remember that it’s a privilege to visit Antarctica and you should always make sure you do so responsibly. Truth is it’s not comfortable at all, most people get anxious about it and there’s the fear of being too cold to sleep, but we’ll let you in on a little secret – Camping in Antarctica is nowhere near as bad as it sounds and is the ultimate experience. Gliding silently through the icy waters, kayakers get an intimate perspective of Antarctica’s coastlines.
Our expert will be available to help you make the most of this bounty in your viewfinder. Four of Hurtigruten's explorer ships take you as close as possible to Antarctic wildlife and untouched wilderness. Each of our vessels offer a fascinating and varied schedule of landings, all designed to create unforgettable memories. MS Fram will carry only 200 guests, while MS Roald Amundsen and MS Midnatsol (MS Fridtjof Nansen from 2019) will carry 500 each.
Remnants of those early days can still be seen littering the shoreline, but the big draw for visitors here is the large colony of Gentoo penguins, whose numbers are estimated to be around 4,000 breeding pairs. Once ashore, you will be greeted by the Expedition Leader or Assistant Expedition Leader at the landing site, offering you steps and helping hands to make the landing easier. Information about the landing site is provided, with tips on where to go and where to see animals. All guests are free to walk around the landing sites on their own, with the Expedition Team members nearby to answer questions or provide information. Special hikes and other excursions are always guided by experienced lecturers and team members. For the thirdstraight year, AtlasOcean Voyages will utilize all three of its ships on polar expeditions toAntarctica, starting in October of 2025 and continuing through March 2026.
Regular exercise is recommended, because the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the experience. Aurora Expeditions actively monitoring developments around Avian Influenza outbreaks closely and is in constant communication with key authorities such as IAATO. We have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures for arrival in Antarctica and reinforced our onboard protocols, and our expedition team will continue to closely assess each landing site to ensure to determine any risks. • Keep a close watch for the tail fluke of whales as they take a deep dive, see porpoising penguins ice seals such as Weddell and crabeater seals hauled out on ice floes. Absolve yourself of preconceived notions of particular landings, scheduled pursuits and wildlife sightings—every expedition is unique—and instead embrace the unknown and blissfully freeing lack of a plan.
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