Why Cruise With Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblads reputation for being at the top of the expedition market is well deserved. A cruise aboard any one of Linblads small ships is marked by a top-notch expedition team with some of the best service in the industry. Despite Lindblads luxury price tag, the onboard atmosphere is casual and practical in an expedition style. The true value is in the naturalists, historians, undersea specialists, guest lecturers, highly trained guides and partnership with National Geographic. Choose Lindblad Expeditions if you are seeking the highest quality onboard educational programs and intellectual stimulation.
You Can Travel To Antarcticaand Heres How
Antarctica. The 7th Continent. The land mass at the bottom of the globe, completely encased in ice. Its remote wilderness featured on nature documentaries and in our science and history books. And for those reasons, it might seem somewhat abstract and hard to reach. Perhaps even impossible. But its not.
When I tell people what I do for a livingworking on an expedition ship that takes passengers from all over the world to AntarcticaI often hear a similar response, I had no idea people can actually go to Antarctica! And I always reply with: Yes, people go. And so can you!
Passengers on a hike, during a landing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: David Merron
Despite its seemingly impossible remoteness, Antarctica has never been so accessible to adventurous travelers. In fact, more than 45,000 people traveled to Antarctica in the 2016-2017 season from all over the world, including the United States, China, Australia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, India, and many, many more.
As the timeless idiom indicates: knowing is half the battle. Throughout this piece, I hope to convey the knowledge that not only can you visit Antarctica from almost anywhere in the world, but just as importantly, how you can do it.
Akademik Shokalskiy& Spirit Of Enderby
These three ships were built at the same time in Russia, although they have been modified to a certain degree, their characteristics and rustic expedition-style remains. If youre looking for an intimate, small-group experience, these ships are a great option. They take only 48-50 passengers, which facilitates a community ambience, something previous guests have praised highly.
For many, small-sized vessels are the best Antarctica cruise ships. Expedition experiences abroad these stealth and intimate vessels can be immensely rewarding, thanks to the feeling of camaraderie that usually develops among guests. There are, however, some drawbacks to consider. Firstly, the ships have less of a degree of stability at sea. There is also the factor of operation costs. Cruises aboard smaller ships are also usually more expensive as the cost of operation is spread among fewer passengers.
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Fridtjof Nansen Roald Amundsen
These sister ships feature a wide variety of custom-built expedition equipment, including blu-eye underwater drones. With an onboard science centre and stunning lecture rooms, there is so much to get up to onboard. With so many amenities, you will certainly be comfortable. Although again, with comfort, comes less manoeuvrability, more people and less onshore action.
How Is An Expedition To Antarctica Different From A Cruise
The best way to immerse yourself in the Antarctic experience is aboard an authentic expedition ship. Different from traditional cruise ships, expedition vessels are much smaller and allow travelers to not just get closer to the continent, but to actually travel into and set foot on the glacial landscapes that make it so famous.
Larger ships that do quick cruise-bys, providing only glimpses of Antarctica, often carry upward of 500 2,000 passengers. Alternatively, expedition ships typically carry between just 70 and 200 passengers, but never more than 200. Smaller group sizes comply with tourism regulations on the 7th Continent, and allow for a substantially wider array of activities, including daily landings on islands and the physical continent itself, and intimate, Zodiac cruises amongst icebergs and wildlife. This type of exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula is not possible on larger cruise ships.
The Ocean Endeavour, in the Lemaire Channel. Photo: David Merron
When planning your visit, there is a wide range of expedition vessels from which to choose, depending on size, accommodations, and adventure options that suit your travel style. A bit of research or a phone call with a Polar Travel Adviser can help you choose what ship best fits your preferences.
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Crystal Expedition Cruises: Expedition Antarctica
You’ll find amenities typical to luxury ocean liners, like all-suite accommodations with verandas, butler service, diversified dining, and entertainment, on Crystal Endeavor. Making its inaugural polar splash this November, the eagerly awaited 200-guest expedition ship sports a casino. In Umi Uma & Sushi Bar restaurant, you can feast on chef Nobu Matsuhisas miso black cod as penguins dive off ice floes. Expedition tools, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, submersible, and helicopters abound, with experts in fields like biology and ornithology leading small groups on the 12-day journeys. Depart November 18, 29, December 10, 2021 and January 5 and February 4, 2022 prices begin at $14,049 per person.
Why An Antarctica Cruise Should Be On Your Bucket List
The highlights of Antarctica are all about the scenery and wildlife. Its what makes this remote continent so enchanting and unlike anything else youve ever seen.
Massive Mountains
From your cruise ship youll see some of Antarcticas stunning mountain peaks, including Rojas Peak and Bryde Peak. An Antarctica cruise will also take you in view of Petzvol Glacier and its snow crusted sides.
Whales and Wildlife
During an Antarctica cruise youll have the chance to see some of the worlds most incredible sea mammals up close and personal. Marvel at Humpback and Minke whales gliding gracefully through the water spot elephant seals lounging on pristine rocks, and laugh at waddling penguins.
Icebergs and Bays
One of the most enthralling parts of Antarctica is how untouched it is by humans. The bays youll visit during your Antarctica cruise are a startling shade of blue and remarkably clear. Within the water youll see a scattering of icebergs in mesmerizing shapes and sizes.
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Why You Should See The Total Solar Eclipse In Antarctica
On 4 December 2021, a low-hanging total solar eclipse will be passing over the Southern Ocean, just eight degrees from the southeast horizon.
The path of totality, the narrow track where the moon completely covers the sun, falls just north of the South Orkney Islands, along the Weddell Sea and close to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Its also a little more unusual because it will be moving from east to west rather than following the west to east path non-polar eclipses tend to take.
This means the best place to witness this rare celestial event in all its glory isnt on land but in the icy waters surrounding Antarctica.
Observers will be able to view the eclipse against a formidable frozen backdrop of icebergs and frosty sea ice. It couldnt get more otherworldly than that.
So, how can you see it with your own eyes?
On the deck of a ship is your best bet.
One eco-friendly expedition cruise, Hurtigruten is here to make sure you get the most out of this once in a lifetime phenomenon. They have also introduced a Book With Confidence, meaning you can rescedule your cruise or get a refund if you have to move it.
See the solar eclipse against a formidable backdrop of snowy peaks and icebergs
Best Antarctica Ushuaia Cruise
The Classic Antarctica Cruise
Antarctica is among the most beautiful, pristine and least explored places on the planet. Truly exhilarating, mysterious and alluring! Book a cabin aboard the Best Antarctica Ushuaia cruise and have the adventure of a lifetime!For over two centuries, the White Desert has attracted scientists and adventurers, drawn by its unmatched natural beauty. Nowadays, this largely untouched wilderness is more accessible to a new generation of intrepid explorers. You can now visit the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands in the comfort of the P/V Ushuaia. From the southern spring onwards, large birds and sea mammals gather at breeding colonies and the ceaseless daylight of the southern summer makes exploration in this incomparable landscape a unique experience.Please note: The itinerary is a guide only. Our exact route and program will vary to take best advantage of local weather and ice conditions and opportunities to view wildlife. Changes will be made by the Captain and/or Expedition Leader to facilitate the best results from the prevailing conditions. A daily program sheet will be issued on board. Flexibility is the key to success.
FROM6140 Per Person
- 10 to 12 days accommodations
- All meals including snacks, coffee and tea
- All tours, transfers, excursions, taxes and activities
- English-speaking guides
- Voyage aboard the polar vessel Ushuaia
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
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Laustralle Borealle Soleal& Le Lyrial
At the beginning of this post, we mentioned that you should leave all luxury cruising ideals behind when selecting your ideal Antarctica cruise ship, yet this argument completely fails when talking about these vessels. These 4 expedition sisterships hold 260-270 passengers each and are at the top end of the market. The vessels offer a plethora of luxuries and comforts. A cruise aboard these floating hotels is as much about the cruising experience as it is about the actual destination. With private butlers in some cabin categories, fine dining and silver service, these are certainly not backpacker cruise ships! Pricing, naturally, is reflective of these luxuries but you can be sure to be extremely comfortable in one of the most inhospitable places on earth.
At Chimu Adventures, we simply love sharing our Antarctica travel experiences with you. We believe that there is the right cruise, at the right place and the right time for everyoneits just a matter of putting it together. If all the information above is still a little too overwhelming, why dont you reach out to our Antarctica experts? Wed be happy to find the best Antarctica cruise ship option for you and to help you plan your own once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica adventure.
For further inspiration check out Chimus dedicated Antarctica Cruise page below.
Accommodations Aboard The Le Boreal
11/10 if I could give it such a rating! Each cabin comes with:
- A full balcony
- King/queen bed
- Luxurious interior designs
- Everything expected from a high end hotel room
We stayed in two adjacent cabins, and a sliding partition between ensured optional privacy. The designs are sleek, minimalist, with taupe/cream/white color schemes and white leather, satin, silk, and marble textures. Everything felt like a chic boutique hotel.
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Antarctica Cruise: Packing List And Gear
An Antarctic cruise can be one of the most amazing adventures youll ever experience. Just imagine this scenario for a moment: the sun reflecting brightly off the ice glaciers and snow-covered surfaces, creating a plethora of colors and lights that creates an image thatll last forever. There are also a seemingly endless number of islands you can explore across the Southern Ocean where youll be able to truly immerse yourself in the wonders of Antarctica.
Hiking snow-and-ice-covered terrain, joining wildlife walks, or participating in an off-ship adventure option such as kayaking require different kinds of clothes. Guests are wise to plan ahead and pack accordingly. Photo: Nicky Souness
However, as you can imagine, you need to prepare for the elements of such a trip. Antarctica is one of the coldest places on the planet. The sheer force of the wind gusts that roll in off the ocean means youll want the proper gear and equipment to keep you warm and safe.
So what are some of the items you should pack? Whats the proper Antarctica cruise packing list and gear youll need for your journey through this remote, pristine part of the planet? This guide will help you prepare for an incredible adventure in Antarctica.
Solo Travel In Antarctica
Solo or single travelers have lots of options in Antarctica. Many ships have double, triple or even quad cabins that are available on a share basis.
Sign up to share with same-sex roommates, and you can save a bundle. In most cases travelers are guaranteed the share rate, even if a roommate is not found. This helps solo travelers keep costs down.
If you prefer to have your own cabin, there are ships that offer single accommodations. For those ships that do not have single or solo cabins, you can book a double cabin as a single but expect to pay a single supplement. Antarctica single supplements are usually 1.5-2 times the standard double rate for one person.
Solo travel is more common in Antarctica than other destinations, so finding a roommate share is usually not a problem and ships are accustomed to catering to single travelers.
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New Luxury Cruises Are Scheduled To Sail To Antarctica This Year
While large cruise ships have mostly stopped sailing due to the pandemic, smaller ships are planning to sail to Antarctica this winter.
The No Sail Order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is currently in effect until Sept. 30, applies to cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Most ships that visit Antarctica carry fewer than 200 passengers and do not enter U.S. waters.
Still, whether cruise ships will be able to sail later this year is anyone’s guess.
“Companies are game. The issue is more airlift and border restrictions than anything else,” said Ben Lyons, CEO of Eyos Expeditions, which operates superyacht expeditions to Antarctica. “They will be looking at a variety of means in order to make the season happen like chartering aircraft but lots will also depend simply on government restrictions.”
Here are several new vessels with plans to sail this season or next, all of which sport polar class, ice-rated hulls to go deeper into ice fields and access the most remote parts of Antarctica.
Other Antarctica Cruise Lines
In addition to the two major Antarctica cruise lines, there are a handful other, smaller companies that offer cruises to the Antarctic Circle. These expedition cruise lines are all about adventurous sailings, usually on smaller vessels and with biologists, naturalists and professional photographers on board.
Theyre often multi-purpose cruises, providing a cruise experience you wont find anywhere else. Recommended Antarctica expedition cruise lines are the following.
- Abercrombie & Kent
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Quark Expeditions: Celebrating Shackleton: Journey From Antarctica To South Georgia
Quark launches the new 199-guest Ultramarine for this one-off, 20-day voyage celebrating Antarctic hero Sir Ernest Shackleton. The ship has a 35-person expedition team that includes glaciologists and historians. Its two twin-engine, nine-passenger helicopters can travel over open water for longer than most, so cruisers see more of the peninsula. Among journey highlights, thousands of king penguins , and Elephant Island, looking as it did when Shackleton and his men arrived more than 100 years ago. With four embarkation points and 20 Zodiacs in a water-level marina hanger, fast launches for sightings are a snap. Request a wake-up call for when an orca pod or other wow-worthy wildlife is spotted in the wee hours. Departs December 22, 2021 prices begin at $26,995 per person.
Lower Budget Antarctica Cruises
The first thing to take into account when planning and budgeting for a cruise to Antarctica, is that everything is relative even a lower budget cruise to Antarctica is expensive, with prices starting at about $5000 USD per person, possibly with a shared cabin, for 5 to 7 days with not many landings and activities.
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Wellness Centres Spas And Gyms
The Ocean Endeavour has a huge following among the yoga-loving crowd yet fact is all ships that offer wellness programs and gym equipment are immensely popular. And why not? Whilst its true that Antarctica expeditions are, by their very essence, active enough, its also true that stretching, working out and relaxing with a glorious massage are all wonderful ways to debrief after an exciting day on the ice.
Launching In : National Geographic Endurance
Completed in March 2020, the 126-passenger polar class expedition cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions was built to cruise the polar regions with a PC5 category A grade hull, which is the highest ice rating for a passenger ship.
“We have been at this for decades and the ship is built to fulfill a mission to explore deep into polar regions where her ice class allows maximum penetration,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions.
The ship’s unusual slanted X-bow design creates a smoother ride when cutting through rough seas, resulting in greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Named in honor of the great explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship, The Endurance, the cruise ship is equipped with the latest gear, including hydrophones to hear underwater and a remotely operated vehicle or ROV that can explore and capture footage hundreds of feet below sea level.
Intentionally, there are no helicopters or submersibles.
“Helicopters would be really cool occasionally, but also very disruptive and loud to a wilderness experience as you would have to have nonstop coming and going when deployed in order to satisfy enough guests,” said Lindblad. “We engineered for them and then decided against .”
The interior of the ship is as impressive as the exterior, with 12 balcony cabins for solo cruisers and 13 large suites named after famous polar explorers. All guests are invited to a special dinner hosted by the ship’s chef.
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How To Choose Your Luxury Antarctica Cruise
So how do you best select among all these luxury Antarctica cruise itineraries? We suggest starting with our Antarctica Travel Guide How to Choose Your Antarctica Cruise to understand the regions you may want to consider. For example, if you are seeking a Falkland Islands and South Georgia cruise or a Polar Circle expedition, that may be a great start to narrowing down your options.
If you are seeking a certain activity like skiing, or to forgo the Drake Passage crossing to instead fly to Antarctica, these factors may also narrow down your options. But if you are flexible and looking for a standard Antarctic Peninsula cruise experience, your best bet to find your perfect luxury Antarctica cruise is to first find the ship that suits your tastes and travel preferences. Learn how much does it cost to go to Antarctica.