How to get to Antarctica: The pros and cons of flying vs cruising
Table Of Content
Our cruises provide three-course meals (whaaaat?) and 24-hour tea and coffee - perfect for when the notorious waters of the Drake Passage keep you up. Nothing will prepare you for Antarctica (not even the many books you’ve poured over to ready yourself for the expedition). Every departure has a range of specialists onboard, from historians to marine biologists and hiking guides, so there’s always an expert (or two) on hand to answer all of your burning – or should we say freezing?
Total Antarctica Travel Cost
You wake up in Ushuaia and the trip either ends there for you, or you jump on a charter flight back to Buenos Aires. 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. And if you have some flexibility in your travel plans, there’s a big potential to lock in some remarkable last-minute deals.
Antarctic Cruise Itineraries
With ship capacities of fewer than 200 guests, this makes the crew to passenger ratios—and the split of their wages—much higher than on traditional cruises. What is indisputable is that Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and the key is choosing exactly the right trip for you. Photographers, for example, really like November for the soft light, heavy ice conditions and spectacular skies, while February and March are traditionally best for whale sightings.
Antarctica Cruise Cost
Please note that all the estimated costs mentioned below are in USD. Finally, remember that it’s a privilege to visit Antarctica and you should always make sure you do so responsibly. There’s also only a couple of companies that are equipped for this and it’s quite expensive. As above, you need to prove you have backcountry skiing/snowboarding experience, all the right gear and avalanche rescue training before you can sign up. Given the stringent environmental regulations and the limited gear available, only a few spots are open per cruise.
If your expedition line isn't hosting a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, say, in Buenos Aires, you can find many hotel rooms at about $200 per night, plus taxes and meals per night. You’ll be given life vests, waterproof jackets and waterproof boots for the duration of the activities, so you’ll not only be traveling in style, you’ll also be appropriately dressed for Antarctic weather. While 11 days may be the shortest, some cruises can go up to 21 or even 23 days, so figuring out if you can handle being on the water for that long is a must before you pick an Antarctic cruise and start the booking process. While December and January are the most popular months to visit the White Continent, they are often the busiest and most expensive. If you want to avoid breaking the bank (as much as possible on a trip to Antarctica), opt for a cruise that departs earlier or later in the season. A trip to Antarctica is undoubtedly a significant financial investment, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can be well worth the expense.
Do Antarctic boat operators offer discounts?
Emma put a notice in the daily journal for people who were interested in celebrating Chanukah to let her know. She somehow found a battery-operated menorah and the pastry chef made us donuts (a traditional fried food for the holiday) each night. I can't recommend this destination, itinerary, company (yours and G Adventures), the ship, the crew highly enough!!! I booked all of my flights, but when Antarctica XXI kicked in, the transfers were smooth. AdventureSmith (Andrew Browning) also viewed my flights and confirmed that they were on the right days/times. As you get higher on the ship the staterooms often get nicer and feature more space, large view windows and sometimes balconies.
THE 25 BEST 10 Day Cruises to Antarctica (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST 10 Day Cruises to Antarctica (Prices & Itineraries) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:31:24 GMT [source]
When you sail with Swan Hellenic, as well as visiting remote, unusual destinations, you’ll be traveling with friendly onboard experts. The vision many have of Antarctica is a little like North Dakota with penguins. But the mountains along the peninsula and the islands that surround it are breathtaking white peaks, like someone dropped the Andes in the middle of the ocean. The scenery is like nothing else, and even simply taking a Zodiac ride around the water is one of the most magical experiences in the world.
So, How Much Does It Cost to Go to Antarctica?
Several of the staff, including my original cabin steward, had trouble understanding either English or French. In addition, several of the staff, including my original cabin steward, wore their Covid masks under, not covering, their noses. When I requested in both languages that the cabin steward cover his nose with the mask before entering the room, he did not understand me and just continued pushing into my room to show me things. Uncomfortable, I asked to have my cabin steward changed and was accommodated. The ship isn't super fancy, but it was much nicer than I expected!
Antarctica Cruise Costs by Season
You can wander around a predetermined path, set out by the expedition guides, to visit research stations and viewpoints, or get closer to penguin colonies. You’ll then have a massive three sea days to get to the Peninsula for your 4 days hanging around here. The length of Antarctica cruises vary quite a bit, with options ranging from a week right up to an entire month. Besides that, there’s other considerations when it comes to ship size and choosing the best Antarctica expedition.
It can be thrilling to experience the power of the ocean in all its force. For someone who is prone to seasickness even in relatively calm seas, a transit through the Drake Passage can be a downright miserable experience. In addition, the two days of crossing the Drake Passage at the start of an all-cruise Antarctica trip gives the guides on such trips a chance to prepare you for what you're about to see. Typically on such trips, specialists in such topics as Antarctica wildlife, geology and history will hold introductory lectures during the crossing that will help you put things in context upon arrival. It’s a place where you wake up to perfect sunshine, and 20 minutes later you’re in the middle of a blizzard.
One unique tour that’s popped up recently, and has been pioneered by Quark Expeditions and now also offered by Ponant, is a trip to the emperor penguins of Snow Hill. So if you’re unlucky and just so happen to get two days of bad weather in either Punta Arenas or Antarctica during your scheduled days of departure, your entire trip can be cancelled. But one thing to keep in mind is that you’re not sailing to Antarctica in a little boat. You’re on a large expedition ship which is designed to handle much worse conditions than the Drake.
So while getting to Antarctica isn’t the months-long journey only feasible for large governments that it was not long ago, it’s still a major investment of money and time. The average cruise costs in the neighborhood of $1,000 a day and runs anywhere from 11 to 18 days. Whilst price is always an important consideration for travelers, it’s just one of many variables involved in any desired Antarctic experience, and cost alone can’t be considered an accurate barometer for your enjoyment of an Antarctic trip.
Specialty Antarctica air cruises that fly passengers over the Drake Passage include this charter flight in the trip cost; learn more about these cruises with flights to Antarctica. Onboard complimentary amenities include wine and spirits, gratuities and sometimes unlimited Wi-Fi, though it will be spotty on a polar cruise. You might even score complimentary caviar service whenever you want on lines like Silversea and Seabourn. A trip to Antarctica offers a wide range of activities, including wildlife watching, hiking, kayaking, and even camping. It’s essential to consider which activities you’re most interested in and to choose a cruise that offers compatible excursions.
We offer no-nonsense advice on 1500 voyages across 30 ships to find you the right trip, cabin, price - and we don’t charge a fee. The vessel you pick will have a bearing on the cost of your Antarctic cruise. A luxury Antarctic ship will provide a first-class experience of the White Continent, but will also come with an increased price tag.
While our ship is so good that you might not want to leave, all of our Antarctica trips include frequent excursions so you can get up close to the wildlife that calls this magnificent region home. To fully experience what it’s like onshore, each shore day includes two excursions with our expert leaders so you can explore the sea ice and any fuzzy or feathery animal that might be waiting. December is also an excellent time to visit because it’s the peak of the breeding season for penguins, and there’s plenty of activity on the beaches. December is also the busiest time for cruise travel, so if you want to visit at this time, be sure to book well in advance. The cost of a cruise to Antarctica can also vary depending on the time of year you choose to travel. The peak season, December to February, is often the most expensive time to travel, while the shoulder seasons, October to November and March, may offer more affordable options.
The most common itinerary to Antarctica is a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, most often departing from the port of Ushuaia in Argentina, at the very southern tip of South America. There are a variety of different itineraries that are available to book for cruises to Antarctica. While the scenery is mesmerising throughout, the choice of month can tailor very different wildlife encounters and unique experiences. December and January are the peak months of the Antarctic summer, with the warmest temperatures (sometimes never dropping below freezing except at night), very long daylight hours, and the heartwarming sight of penguins nurturing their freshly hatched chicks. By the end of this article you will have a great understanding of the differences between the best Antarctica cruises and which companies we recommend based on personal experience and intimate industry knowledge.
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