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The sea ice has dramatically receded which mean that ships can explore more than in early season months. This is also one of the best times to see fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia. Penguin chicks begin to molt, losing their fuzzy plumage and growing their adult feathers. As a side note, keep in mind that activities like kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing are not always included in the price of cruises and tend to be limited in number.
When is the best time to visit Antarctica?
The cabins are typically much larger and often times offer private balconies. Often times a selection of wine, beer and spirits will be included in the price of the trip. This means larger ships typically make fewer landings and passengers are allotted less time to explore. If you wish to spend more time on land, it’s in your best interest to choose a smaller ship, ideally one with 200 or fewer passengers.
Best Antarctica cruise ships: 11 stylish expedition vessels exploring the White Continent
Setting foot on the Antarctic mainland, or one of its many islands, is an indescribable moment. Zodiacs not only allow you to step food on land, but they also let you get up close to icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife. There are no ports in Antarctica that allows for a ship to dock, so the only way to get off the ship and explore land is on a small, inflatable boat called a Zodiac. The length of Antarctica cruises vary quite a bit, with options ranging from a week right up to an entire month. Of course you can sometimes find trips for as long as USD$5,000 per person if you book it super last minute on a special deal, and ones as expensive as USD$50,000 or more. Essentially, you get what you pay for when it comes to the ship; the more you pay, the nicer the onboard experience.
THE 5 BEST Cruises from Buenos Aires to Antarctica (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 5 BEST Cruises from Buenos Aires to Antarctica (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 02:59:46 GMT [source]
Magellan Explorer
Other nights when the sky was clear, the reflections from the sun would paint bright yellows and pinks across the sky. Zodiak rides were some of my favorite activities as they took passengers close to the continent’s massive icebergs. We’d cruise by colonies of birds and right along the water’s surface to see penguins swimming quickly through the crystal clear and icy waters. When heading to Antarctica there are alot of options for the size and style of the ship, ranging from intimate small ship cruises with less than 100 passengers to huge mega ships that won’t allow you to disembark on the continent itself.
Between the Poles - Our Epic Global Expedition Cruise
Then, they head out to sea to be in the path of totality, before circling around to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. On their newest vessel, the m/v Janssonius, launching October 2021, they’re offering a 20-day Grand Tour that checks off all the top spots on your Antarctic must-see list, like the Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falklands. The eclipse will be viewed near the South Orkney Islands close to the Weddell Sea pack-ice. Perfect for hardy adventurers, their hands-on itinerary includes snowshoeing and hiking, as well as wildlife observation to see King, Gentoo, and rockhopper penguins, seals, and more. Expedition cruises offer as much time as possible off the ship, exploring the waters by zodiac and the land by hiking.
The company only cruises in Antarctica and this singular focus results in a deep knowledge of the continent. They are founder-owned-and-operated and it may be the only Antarctica cruise line where you might find an owner driving you on a Zodiac excursion. Cut through the ice with experienced ocean-going expedition company Hurtigruten. Here’s a rundown of some of the top ship options, tour operators, and travel companies for traveling to Antarctica and what makes each stand out.
The Antarctic Peninsula
Like Lindblad's chartered navy ship, many of the early vessels used for tourism to the White Continent were tough-built government or scientific ships that were designed with navigating icy areas but not necessarily comfort in mind. The last few years have brought a stunning new crop of small "expedition" cruise vessels specifically designed for Antarctica sailings that are far more upscale and elegant than anything seen before. No, there are no hotels in the traditional sense, however, there are several camps for tourists which are the next best thing, some are very close to a hotel in terms of the level of luxury.
Weddell Sea Cruise
The most pristine white snow blankets untouched mountains in all directions. On calm days, some of the bays we parked in were so still, flat, and glass-like it felt like you could step right off the boat and skate across the water. With almost 24 hours of summer light, the evenings brought strange and otherworldly colors to the sky. Sometimes inverted clouds would meet the sea, cutting out the light and creating a grayish-blue twilight that hung over the water like a layer of cool whip on a blueberry pie.
Antarctica expedition cruises
These ice chunks, which get bluer with age, are known to float for years getting trapped in the currents that circumnavigate the continent. It’s a truly magical sight to see and Antarctica is one of the best places to witness it all, as the continent houses approximately 90% of the world’s glacier ice. Travel to Antarctica during nesting season and this could be your welcoming committee. On the southern-most tip of the planet rests one of the world's most massive and mysterious landmasses - the frozen realm of Antarctica. Support the scientific community in collecting valuable data on Antarctica that contributes to global research by participating in our Citizen Science Programme.
Let our experts take you deep into the heart of this majestic environment so it can get into yours. Lengthier cruises include visits to such destinations as the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. To bypass the notoriously rough waters of the Drake Passage, passengers can book an Antarctica Bridge sail.
If you want some creature comforts as well as an adventurous trip, look at going on an expedition cruise and opt for the upgraded room options. Antarctica can have wild weather and huge swings in temperature, which means the best way to prepare is similar to how you would to hike a snow covered mountain. Having a good range of layers within your wardrobe is best, and outerlayer that is wind and waterproof.
It’s also when you have the best chance to have a calm Drake Passage crossing. This is the peak season in Antarctica with the best chance for calmer water while crossing the Drake Passage. The sea ice has receded some which means that you will be able to travel farther south.
Contact us () if you’d like to learn more about this exclusive Quark Expeditions discount. 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. Our own group tour on the trio includes the most amount of days in each location available.
With interest in expedition cruising at an all-time peak, cruise lines race to unveil posh new ice-class ships that provide both jaw-dropping experiences and sumptuous cruise travel. Check out our alphabetically arranged insider's list on the best luxury Antarctica cruises. Then, you decide which cruise ship and expedition style capture your White Continent fancy. Summer is the only time ships are allowed to travel to Antarctica, because in winter the ocean around it freezes, making the land mass 100 times bigger. That packed ice can easily crush ships to pieces, making it a dangerous journey.
If you are thinking of cruising in Antarctica this coming season (or even the next), you’d be wise to book now for the best choice of cabins and itineraries. There is huge pent-up demand after the pandemic shut down sailings for much of 2020 and 2021. Start planning your journey to exploring this pristine world of ice, wildlife, and awe-inspiring beauty. Nowhere on Earth feels as remote as Antarctica, yet the wildlife here is abundant and spectacular.
A couple of companies now also offer skiing and snowboarding trips to Antarctica. You must be an experienced climber, and be able to prove it, before a company will accept your booking for these challenging adventures. Imagine sleeping under the Antarctic sky, surrounded by snow and ice, with the distant calls of penguins lulling you to sleep. 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. And if you like seals in their natural habitat, there’s southern elephant seals, weddell seals, ross seals, leopard seals, crabeater seals and Antarctic fur seals. For example an 11-day itinerary often means just 4-5 days in Antarctica, and the rest of the time is spent before the trip in Buenos Aires or Ushuaia and the two days each way on the Drake.
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