A visit to Antarctica is on many a traveler’s “bucket list”. You simply can’t claim to have visited all continents without crossing the notorious Drake Passage and setting foot on the Frozen Continent.
Yes, you can do a ‘drive by’ on a larger cruise ship, but if it carries more than 500 people, it cannot land ashore. You can also fly down there and join a ship, but that is sort of cheating!
So- the best choice is to board a smaller expedition ship with an ice-hardened hull in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, equipped with zodiacs or other landing craft, and simply sail there and back.
A good place to start gathering information is to go to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website:
There you will find some good information and tips. As well, pick up a book on Antarctica- the Lonely Planet Guide and Cool Antarctica are good:
The tourist season is from November to March. Almost all the trips are to the Antarctic Peninsula, which has absolutely spectacular scenery and wildlife, but there icebreakers that head further south into the Ross and Weddell Seas. As well,one can combine a visit to Antarcitca with the subpolar regions- South Georgia in particular, to see nesting Albatrosses, King Penguins, and many seal species.
You can expect temperatures slightly above freezing, huge icebergs and glaciers, majestic mountains, more penguins than you thought possible, whales, research stations, both current and abandoned, plus the southernmost post office/museum in the world!
Ships vary from converted old research boats and icebreakers to purpose built luxury expedition vessels. Generally, they will carry a maximum of 200 passengers, as only 100 are allowed to land at any one time. Typically, a voyage lasts 11 to 19 days, allowing up to two days each way to cross the Drake, and about 6 days with at least one landing daily.
Whether you take the Hurtigruten Fram, or Le Ponant’s Austral, Silversea’s Silver Explorer, the Clipper Adventurer, Ocean Nova, Sergei Vavilov, Polar Star or some other exotic sounding ship, you are bound to have the experience of a lifetime.
Early in the season you will see penguin nesting, including Chinstraps, Gentoos, Rockhoppers, Adelies but not Emperors, along with pristine snow and ice. Come later and there will be chicks hatched out, more whales, and slightly warmer weather- which means a hefty penguin guano aroma and more mud. Seals, flying birds such as Skuas and Petrels, Albatross and Tern are there all summer long.
CruisePlus works with the best operators in the area. We’ve been there, know the options, get really good price breaks, whether you are going deluxe or steerage. We’ll suggest pre/post cruise land extensions that will enhance your overall trip.
Please feel free to ask questions about this remarkable destination, or add your own comments.
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