Sunday, March 31, 2024

7 Best Antarctica Cruise Expeditions in 2024 For Every Budget

best antarctica cruise

With a cutting-edge X-Bow design and state-of-the-art engines, the ships also reduce key emissions by more than 70 percent. The scene might have been Hawai‘i were it not for a greeting party of Adélie and gentoo penguins set against a backdrop of glaciers and icebergs. 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. 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.

9-Month Cruise Passenger Is 'Praying for the Best' as Ship Approaches Treacherous Drake Passage (Exclusive) - PEOPLE

9-Month Cruise Passenger Is 'Praying for the Best' as Ship Approaches Treacherous Drake Passage (Exclusive).

Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

of the best expedition cruises to Antarctica to book now

Go for the penguins, stay for the gorgeous landscapes and first-person education on climate change. We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience. Prepare yourself properly for the voyage of a lifetime with our comprehensive Antarctica cruise guide.

best antarctica cruise

Classic Antarctica

Viking has partnered with leading academic institutions to create an exceptional scientific enrichment environment on their expedition ships. You can join visiting researchers and Viking’s Expedition Team in hands-on scientific work and participate in shore excursions and world-class lectures. Other activities include guided kayaking experiences, scenic Zodiac or Special Operations Boat cruises, snowshoeing under certain conditions, and landings to observe seals, penguins, and other wildlife. On Abercrombie & Kent’s Antarctica expeditions accommodating just 199 guests, travelers enjoy the luxury of an all-inclusive, small-group experience.

Seabourn Venture

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ vessels carry less than 200 guests and feature numerous dining options, 98 elegant suites, solo suites without any single supplements, and comfortable staterooms. Viking offers enrichment-oriented Antarctica expedition voyages on its two purpose-built polar-class expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Both ships accommodate 378 guests and feature extensive expedition equipment, including two submarines for underwater exploration, Zodiacs, and an industry-first hangar for easy Special Operations Boat embarkation and debarkation inside the ship.

Best Antarctica cruise ships: 11 stylish expedition vessels exploring the White Continent

Scenic Eclipse ups the expedition ante by offering two seven-seat helicopters and a seven-seat submarine for eye-popping exploration; note that these extreme outings come with an extra fee. A pioneer in polar travel, Ponant has a long tradition of operating voyages to Antarctica, and this series of ship was specially designed for such trips. They all are hardy (with 1C ice class ratings from Lloyd's Register) but also stylish, with contemporary interiors and comfortable rooms. Silversea offers a plethora of voyage options to Antarctica on the Silver Cloud, Silver Explorer, and Silver Wind. Some of Silversea’s ships are a bit bigger than what you’d find elsewhere as they can accommodate between 144 and 274 guests.

Exploring Antarctica

This island is entirely unique in that it is the volcanic caldera of a still active volcano. Shaped in a horseshoe, ships have one way they can enter and exit into the cone itself. A popular kayaking and walking destination, this island is also home to an old whaling station that was in operation in the early 1900s. Many remnants of old whaling buildings, vats, and ovens still remain on the land as well as a small cemetery. Because of the volcanic nature of this island, the water and the grounds here are much warmer than anywhere else in the South Shetlands.

best antarctica cruise

Best Time To Visit Antarctica: Wildlife & Weather By Month

Most sail 13-to-19 days from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina; these cruises allow time to experience the colorful South American city. Passengers visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, sail the Drake Passage and then spend six days fully exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Admired for its expertise and experience, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is a longtime player in polar fields. The company charters Ponant's Le Lyrial, a stunningly sleek ice-class yacht with a chic interior design, and amenities including private balconies for all accommodations, suite butler service, two restaurants and an open-air bar.

What is the best time to cruise to Antarctica?

Choose this Antarctica cruise line to combine the spirit of adventure with a generous measure of onboard comfort and well-being. Choose to cruise with Aurora Expeditions for more extensive adventure such as camping, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, ski and snowboard touring, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, ice climbing and stand-up paddleboarding. Based in Ushuaia, Argentina, and operating only one ship of the same name, Antarpply Expeditions offers some of the most intimate and affordable Antarctic cruises available. Originally built for the United States agency NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration), the 90-guest Ushuaia is one of the smallest ships operating in Antarctica.

Cruising with Susan Calman: Antarctica is the series' unmissable adventure - Good Housekeeping uk

Cruising with Susan Calman: Antarctica is the series' unmissable adventure.

Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Expedition cruises have skyrocketed in popularity and interest in Antarctica sailings has never been higher. This must-visit destination attracts numerous world travelers seeking epic lifetime experiences, avid photographers and adventure-seekers, and those on a mission to check off their seventh continent. Our state-of-the-art expedition vessels feature hybrid propulsion technology, ice-class hulls and advanced onboard waste-reduction systems. Large enough to offer excellent stability and a spacious onboard experience, yet small enough to get off the beaten track, you'll discover that HX ships are the perfect balance for the ultimate Antarctic adventure.

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. Also kitted out forpolarexploration is the luxurious Le Commandant Charcot, the world's first electric hybrid polaricebreaker and revolutionary in the industry. Passengers receive complimentary keepsake Viking Expedition jackets, all Viking excursion gear needed for relevant excursions and return flights to Buenos Aires with airport transfers. Staterooms feature king-size beds, spacious bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers and heated floors, 24-hour room service and a floor-to-ceiling drying closet that circulates warm air to dry and store clothing and expedition gear. Suite-booking passengers receive even more amenities depending upon the accommodation level, such as personal coffee machines (also available in Deluxe Nordic Balcony and Nordic Penthouse categories), complimentary laundry and dry cleaning.

Aurora has a small fleet of luxury ships and a fantastic team of seasoned expedition guides, so travellers are in good hands. This trip is only offered once every couple of years in the early season (October) and requires either an icebreaker ship or a Class 1A ice-strengthened ship with helicopters, which allows guests to get close to the emperor penguin colony. French cruise line Ponant is another operator investing in newhardware, with an incredible six new expedition yachts arrivingover the last couple of years.

Like Scenic Eclipse, Viking Octantis carries a submarine for underwater exploring, as well as kayaks. In a first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel. Public areas feature the same elegant Scandinavian design found on Viking's ocean ships and river ships, as well as such familiar Viking venues as Italian restaurant Manfredi's and a top-of-the-ship, glass-walled Explorers' Lounge. I traveled to Antarctica with Viva Expeditions who are experts in polar travel. They work with a variety of ships in Antarctica and can get you booked on the best ship for you.

Their mid-sized ships, the Octantis and Polaris host up to 378 passengers and promise an all-inclusive experience. From kayaking to submarine voyages, the activities onboard cater to the adventurous spirit. Prices can go up depending on room class, the exact time of booking, and any additional offerings you add on. In 2023, plans are in the works for an expedition even farther south, crossing the Antarctic Circle and venturing where few expedition cruise ships go. This luxury tour operator's pre- and post-cruise packages are worth perusing; A&K seamlessly moves cruisers between land and sea exploration. Consider the four-day Iguazu Falls journey (visiting both Argentinean and Brazilian sides), which includes luxury hotel accommodations and engrossing tours, as a notable pre-cruise adventure.

You’ll then have a massive three sea days to get to the Peninsula for your 4 days hanging around here. For those that are on a super tight schedule or really, really don’t want to cross the Drake, you can fly down to join your cruise to Antarctica. One thing to keep in mind though is that the length of time the companies advertise is not how much time you get to spend in Antarctica. Or get in touch with us for the best price possible with our current favourite operator, Quark Expeditions, even better than what they advertise to the public.

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