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Premiere suites offer options like a wraparound terrace, private Jacuzzi, butler service and even dual floors. Travel on this new polar expedition ship knowing her electric-hybrid engine, powered by liquefied natural gas, is the first of its kind for eco-friendly polar travel. Superior to authentic expedition ships with their upgraded facilities and suite-style cabins, these mid-range vessels are more floating four-star hotels than cruise ships.
Meet the Team
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. Consult this month-by-month list covering everything from penguins to pack ice to help guide your travel timing. Nick helped us for more than a year to secure the trip, work on pre-tours and help with all preparations and questions - which were many. He was also professional and responsive and educational in preparing us for the trip. Expert advice from people who have been there and can match your wishes and travel style to the right fit for you.
It's not for everyone: 3 things to know about Antarctica expedition cruises - USA TODAY
It's not for everyone: 3 things to know about Antarctica expedition cruises.
Posted: Sun, 14 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
South Georgia, Antarctica and Falklands Explorer
Comfortable, state-of-the-art rooms with balconies; stylish restaurants and lounges with upscale, Scandinavian-inspired decor; a spa; and a yoga studio with wall-to-wall windows round out the onboard experience. 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. Tourists have been visiting Antarctica in small numbers since 1966, when adventure tour pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad led a small group of "citizen scientists" to the Antarctic Peninsula on a chartered Argentine navy ship.
What is it like travelling solo on a cruise to Antarctica?
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers claim Antarctica voyage was rerouted mid-trip - ABC News
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers claim Antarctica voyage was rerouted mid-trip.
Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
High-tech touches include a GPS that lets it hover in sensitive areas without dropping anchor. Lindblad was the original pioneer of tourist trips to Antarctica, and it has years of experience in the region that has helped shape the way it designed these nearly identical vessels, both specifically built for polar travel. The staff for the pre-cruise tours as well as on the ship were simply fantastic.
Rather, all of the organization’s month-long voyages sail from New Zealand and stop over at the Subantarctic Islands and the historic Ross Sea region. 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. Early sealers in the area used Yankee Harbour on Greenwich Island as a frequent base of operations, its remarkable setting providing a natural safe haven for the sailors. 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.
The variety of cabins and onboard comforts found on expedition Antarctica cruise ships, from basic to extravagant, will satisfy most travelers. Amenities such as comfortable lounges, libraries, lecture rooms and on board gyms create an atmosphere familiar to experienced small ship cruisers. Meals are delicious and off vessel activities are extensive with a variety of options. Aboard an Antarctica expedition cruise ship you will not have to sacrifice comfort for price. Combining French-inspired luxury with unique activity options and a hybrid-electric lng engine, Le Commandant Charcot (capped at 200 guests while cruising Antarctica) offers an Antarctic voyage like no other. On board, expect five-star service, gastronomic delights and a daily menu of social gatherings.
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The only challenge was a very late night flight out of Santiago to Dallas. The downtime on that final day proved to longer than I would have liked. I would recommend to future travelers that they spend the night in Santiago, taking a morning flight out the following day in order to ensure a less exhaustive end to the trip. Santiago city center is worth seeing but not particularly engaging - at least at the moment. The protests have very much disrupted the flow for tourists and the effects on the city with graffiti and boarded up sites around the city are painful to see. Getting off the boat in Antarctica is an important part of the expedition cruise experience.
What's included
Some are included in the price for everybody, and others have limited availability for an additional cost. While these amenities come at a premium, it ensures an unparalleled level of comfort amidst a wild Antarctic backdrop. There is often just the one dining room and one, maybe two, lounges to relax in. That means everybody congregates in the same areas and it doesn’t take long to start getting to know everybody.
Observation Decks and Facilities
Explorethe latest travel news, advice, updates, upcoming exclusive deals and more. Bookings are nowavailable if you want a new adventure in a rarely visited destination. Finally, remember that it’s a privilege to visit Antarctica and you should always make sure you do so responsibly. There are some exceptions, Intrepid being a notable one who Jarryd worked with as a photography guide this year, where you join a small group of people to get daily workshops on photography techniques, camera settings, composition, creativity, editing and more. Imagine sleeping under the Antarctic sky, surrounded by snow and ice, with the distant calls of penguins lulling you to sleep.
We’ve written another full guide on the best time to visit Antarctica, but personally we prefer to travel early season (November) for landscapes and penguins, and late season (February and March) for whales. Antarctica is at its most beautiful, but it also brings challenges for expedition teams due to weather, sea ice and snow density, meaning some landings might not be possible. Join a mixed clientele of mainly UK, North American, and Australian travelers on a voyage of discovery aboard the MS Expedition. With its unparalleled combination of comfort, expertise, and adventure, the Expedition promises an unforgettable cruise experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
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. “We pride ourselves on innovation and pushing the boundaries of discovery to provide unique, immersive experiences for our expeditioners while maintaining a light footprint. EXCLUSIVE – We have partnered with the world’s top polar tour operator, Quark Expeditions, to offer readers of NOMADasaurus a very special deal on any trip to Antarctica or the Arctic! Contact us () if you’d like to learn more about this exclusive Quark Expeditions discount.
Smaller ships have much better manoeuvrability, which allows them to navigate through narrow channels and into tight bays to allow you to access Antarctica close up. Many of our expedition guide friends are now working at Scenic as well, and we can vouch for just how good they all are. Their focus leans towards a genuine and immersive experience rather than mere sightseeing, with activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding available to purchase.
A few companies offer Antarctica tours that aim to cross the Circle (we say aim because nothing is guaranteed down here), and these itineraries are usually around 14 days (with 7-10 days on the Peninsula). These trips usually take around days, with 5-7 days spent on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula (the rest of the days are travelling over the Drake Passage), and no two trips are the same. Unfortunately tourists cannot visit Antarctica in winter due to the extremely cold weather and huge congestion in sea ice limiting access. One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that no two Antarctic expeditions are the same – both in experience, and in service. Explore the wonders of the Arctic and Antarctica with a variety of shore excursions aboard sturdy Zodiacs led by the knowledgeable guides, enhanced by a wealth of on board lectures from scientific experts about the regions’ geology, flora, fauna and more.
Join our guided coach tour and discover the highlights of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital. This 11 kilometre long and 1.6 kilometre wide channel is one of the most beautiful passages in Antarctica. It bestows upon the traveller a glimpse into what fascinates us most about this incredibly contrasting environment; it is sublime yet imposing, delicate yet daunting, alluring yet inhospitable.
It lay empty until 1996 when it was refurbished as a museum by the Antarctic Heritage Trust. It has since become one of the most popular sites in Antarctica and offers a unique peek into life in an Antarctic base in the 1950's. An endless white wilderness, Antarctica is nature at its most sublime and haunting.
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