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On the southern-most tip of the planet rests one of the world's most massive and mysterious landmasses - the frozen realm of Antarctica. Named after the legendary Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen - the first man to traverse the Northwest Passage in 1903, and reach the Geographical South Pole in 1911. MS Roald Amundsen is as pioneering as the man it is named after, the state-of-the-art ship features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that reduces fuel consumption and shows the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible. Science is at the core of our voyage into the heart of the natural world in Antarctica.
How do we meet our responsible travel targets 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? Glide through the waters and take in the royal grace of the icebergs, see the varied birds and seals, and maybe even the whales in their natural habitat under the supervision of experienced kayak guides, who will ensure your safety during each outing. Explore this vibrant Patagonian city, or stretch your legs in the surrounding forests.
Timely South Pole Cruise Info
Atlas Ocean Voyages Announces Its 2025-2026 Antarctica Season - Cruiseline.com
Atlas Ocean Voyages Announces Its 2025-2026 Antarctica Season.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:30:49 GMT [source]
The Antarctic refers to the region made up of south polar zones that include the seas and some outlying islands. 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. From your ship, you’ll see some of Antarctica’s most dramatic mountain peaks, including Rojas Peak and Bryde Peak, cloaked in snow and ice. An Antarctica cruise will also take you in view of the mighty, blue-white Petzval Glacier. Get a sense of the sheer raw magnitude of these mighty natural wonders as your ship navigates through the Antarctic Sound surrounded by nature at its most extreme.
Silversea: Expeditions Offer Door-to-Door Luxury on Antarctica Cruises
Just unveiled in August 2021, World Navigator is the first vessel for Atlas Ocean Voyages, an all-new cruise operator that's focused on "luxe adventure" trips -- and it's already high on my list of favorite ships for polar exploring. These Lindblad Expeditions ships may be my favorite all-around picks for an Antarctica cruise. 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. 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.
Seabourn’s Latest Expedition Ship Brings a Safari Sensibility to Antarctica. We Hopped on Board. - Robb Report
Seabourn’s Latest Expedition Ship Brings a Safari Sensibility to Antarctica. We Hopped on Board..
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:00:00 GMT [source]
Learn about geology, climatology and ornitholgy, and collect samples and take part in experiments with our onboard scientific experts. Indulge in them all with the most popular Antarctica cruises available below. You have to be prepared and thorough when packing for Antarctica due to its remote location.
The Ocean Endeavour: inside our expedition ship
Antarctica’s shores echo with the travails of the great polar explorers from Shackleton and Mawson, to Amundsen and Scott. Follow in their frosted footsteps, feel their pioneering spirit of adventure on the sea air, and imagine their plight forging their way through pack ice on a creaking wooden boat or hauling sledges lionheartedly across the Polar Plateau. For centuries this glistening, glacial-encrusted continent has been a siren for sealers, scientists, and adventure seekers alike, a brilliant white beacon for brave explorers and pinnacle of polar odysseys exalting from pack ice.
Make sure you bring lots of layers, gloves, sunscreen, and moisturizer among other items. Antarctica isn't part of one single country, rather it is a continent governed under a series of recognized guidelines and agreements called the Antarctic Treaty System. Antarctica refers to the seventh continent of the world and is largely situated in the Antarctic Circle - a line of latitude sitting at around 66.5° south of the equator - at the base of the globe. There may not be any stores on the Antarctic Peninsula, but that doesn't mean you can't do any shopping. The Ocean Endeavour has its very own polar boutique equipped with every little knickknack and thingamabob you might need to help commemorate your journey to the seventh continent (think all the essentials, clothing and souvenirs). Get closer to the action with, not one, but two daily excursions on land and, via Zodiacs, at sea.
Think casinos, specialty restaurants and flashy entertainment when you aren’t out nature-watching. Hear the beautiful 'symphony of the ice' as you glide silently past nature's frozen works of art in a sea kayak. Designed for close-up polar exploration, there's no better way to encounter the wildlife of Antarica and to enjoy its soul-stirring scenery. There is no set itinerary on this trip, which allows our staff onboard to maximize the experience for all onboard. Whilst our suggestions above are just possible routes and landings, we can be sure that this will be the ultimate Antarctic experience. Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details.
Arrival Ushuaia, Embarkation
Photography enthusiasts, who want to learn from and shoot pics with a National Geographic photography expert are next in line, as are active explorers, who care more about adventure than fancy cruising. Before leaving for your voyage, please make sure anything you bring that may come into contact with the environment (clothes, equipment, etc.) is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. No, the remote location, frozen landscape, and unpredictable weather can make tourism operations in Antarctica tricky, but Oceanwide Expeditions has the right experience, knowledge, and expertise to stay safe in the Antarctic.
Cruisers wanting bragging rights for crossing the Antarctic Circle -- many expeditions don't venture that far south -- or to see the rare king, or even rarer, Emperor penguins. 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. Expect lectures, not just by scientists, but by historians and Polar Medal winners too. Families seeking a family-friendly cruise during school holidays, with youth-focused activities.
100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip. Travelers seeking more adventure can book a range of activities including sea kayaking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, scuba diving or trekking. Speak to a Polar Travel Advisor who can explain where your voyage will embark and the nearest airport. Crossing south across the Antarctic Circle, at 66°33' S, is a milestone experienced by only a few polar travelers.
Each of the ships has a polar class rating of PC 5 Category A (a notch above many Antarctica vessels), allowing them to travel through icy areas with ease. They're also loaded with observation areas for viewing the passing scenery. They carry kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis for polar exploring in addition to Zodiac boats for landings, and they have remotely operated vehicles -- just in case you want to see what's going on down below. My first voyage to Antarctica, back in 2004, for instance, was on Akademik Ioffe -- a hardy, ice-class Russian oceanographic research vessel that was often chartered by adventure tour companies in those days for polar trips.
The Antarctic Peninsula, for instance, is abundant with minke, humpback, right, blue, sperm and killer whales. Snow Hill Island, in the ice-choked Weddell Sea, is the site of one of the world’s largest colonies of Emperor penguins. The sub-Antarctic destinations of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia are equally rich with wildlife. 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.
For that reason we don’t recommend booking a trip on a vessel that carries any more than 200 people total, and ideally less than 100 people if you can find one. So as you can see if you are booking a trip to Antarctica on a large ship, you run the risk of not even getting off the ship. You might be tempted to book a tour onboard a larger cruise ship for a number of reasons. If price is a major factor for you they are a good option and they do have a great product, but the size of their ships is something to consider. After lots of research, personal testing, and fielding quite a few (better) offers from competitors, we decided that Quark Expeditions is the company we trust to operate our own group tours to Antarctica. “AE Expeditions has pioneered expedition travel to the world’s most remote places for more than three decades, and we know that exploration is not just about what you see, but how you see it.
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. With more than 100 operators running trips to Antarctica it’s very easy to be overwhelmed with who to go with. This remote, icy frontier promises unparalleled adventures and sights, but the vast array of cruise options available can be overwhelming. Choosing the right Antarctic cruise is essential for crafting an unforgettable polar experience.
