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If you’re looking for the best Antarctica expedition cruise, the MS Fridtjof Nansen ship with Hurtrigruten is a great place to start. The best time to visit Antarctica is between January and February if you want a mix of good weather and wildlife-spotting opportunities. But visiting in November and December lets you experience the snow-covered White Continent in its full glory while a March trip is excellent for whale watching.
Riding around Antarctica in the Zodiacs made every disappointment worth it
Cruising Antarctica on Ocean Endeavour With Intrepid [Review] - Upgraded Points
Cruising Antarctica on Ocean Endeavour With Intrepid [Review].
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Viking Expeditions has entered into the expedition genre with two custom-built vessels, Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis. These new vessels feature many of the amenities favored by Viking fans, such as a light airy Scandinavian design, Nordic spa and king bed staterooms and suites with spacious baths and heated floors. French-speaking passengers or Francophile cruisers who love Gallic flair and cuisine will find their bliss with Ponant. Passengers who want to see and hear Antarctica's underwater life over cocktails or enjoy major pampering after their day of exploration will adore cruising with Ponant.
Our Small Ship Cruise Reviews & Articles
No ship that carries more than 500 passengers can land passengers in Antarctica, while smaller ships can land no more than 100 passengers at a time. Whether you want a full-on expedition cruise with hiking, kayaking and polar plunges, or are looking for a slightly less intense Antarctica cruise, there’s a cruise line that suits your needs. Cruise Critic went in search of the best of both versions to help you decide. If you’re a hardcore mountaineer or experienced rock climber there are a number of small expedition companies that offer these activities on certain itineraries.
The ‘Trio’ – Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands
On the twin ships, passengers can stay overnight in a geodesic glass igloo perched atop the observation deck. These ships are also equipped with X-Bows, offering smoother sails in rougher seas. The casually elegant 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer, and more luxurious, newer vessels 126-passenger National Geographic Endurance and twin National Geographic Resolution sail Antarctica. Among the amenities are fine dining, hot tubs, yoga classes, spa services and fitness center. Some begin in Buenos Aires; others start in Santiago and include more of South America, such as Patagonia and the Chilean fjords.
The godmother was Felicity Aston, the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica. I’m not great at kayaking, but my roommate, Diana, convinced me to try out the day paddling. Day paddling differs from kayaking in that you’re on top of an inflatable kayak rather than inside a rigid-form one. It’s also only offered in the most serene of circumstances, which can mean that day paddling isn’t always available.
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With the sea conditions and wind changing quickly, the call came in from the bridge to cancel the exploration just as our vessel was about to shove off. As luck would have it, our initial two sea days were among the roughest possible with meter swells. While it was difficult to walk a straight line and the outdoor decks were closed, we thankfully did not experience any seasickness. Though, a good majority of guests, and crew, were down for the count. That is why is it always good to come prepared with seasickness aids just in case. Additional upcharge activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, and camping.
Good opportunities to explore the Falklands and South Georgia, too. The line also offers coveted sailings that include time inside the Antarctic Circle, not just out on the Peninsula. Holland America offers a wide range of stateroom choices, from lower-cost interior cabins (which have advantages in Antarctic-length days) to large suites, and all come with fare options to make them more all-inclusive. While most ships have an expedition photographer onboard whose job it is to document the entire trip, providing the images and videos to the guests at the end, most companies don’t have dedicated photography workshops.
Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Atlas Ocean Voyages World ... - CruiseCritic.co.uk
Atlas Ocean Voyages World Traveller Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Atlas Ocean Voyages World ....
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Located at the back of the vessel, the high-tech room has sliding walls behind the spot where lecturers will stand that can open to reveal the surrounding scenery through floor-to-ceiling glass. There's never been a better time to travel to Antarctica -- at least when it comes to getting there in comfort and style. Still have questions about Antarctica expeditions with Hurtigruten or the MS Fridtjof Nansen? What’s great about G Expeditions’ Antarctica packages is that you can add kayaking and camping to your experience – ideal for those seeking some extra adventure.
Contact us () if you’d like to learn more about this exclusive Quark Expeditions discount. Quark has an impeccable safety record and has a fleet of ice-class vessels, including the new, luxurious MV Ultramarine, which allows them to execute really unique itineraries. Heritage Expeditions is one such operator that runs two trips a year to the Ross Sea, via the Subantarctic Islands. Our own group tour on the trio includes the most amount of days in each location available. Considered to be the pinnacle of best Antarctic tours is a trip that includes the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, often referred to as the ‘trio’.
There was a nightly happy hour and drinks were reasonably priced — think $4.50 for a happy hour cocktail and $6.50 for full price. Note that I brought my own toiletries, including shampoo and conditioner. I’m glad I did since the options provided by the cruise ship were absolutely awful.
The ships specialize in Polar and Epicurean expeditions, as well as the new Cultural expedition offering. And while every expedition ship in Antarctica sets sail with an expedition team, only Viking employs a full-time crew of scientists who record actual data on board and send it off to the line's research partners to analyze. If you're willing to pay several hundred dollars, you can also book an adventure in one of the ship's two six-seater submersibles. Always up for an adventure, I fought my fear of being completely surrounded by water as the driver took us 425 feet below the water's surface to gaze upon exotic starfish and coral. It all starts with The Hangar, which is part water-level boat storage, part comfortable passenger loading zone. Antarctica, once off limits to all but research-station scientists, is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination.
Its interior spaces are well designed, friendly and inviting, while its rugged exterior and ice-strengthened hull enable it to cruise the icy seas at the ends of the earth. Heidi & Ted and their team of curious travel writers explore the far corners of the world to share their experiences & insights about small-ship cruising. Alaska Cruise Packing Tips By Heidi Sarna I’ve been to Alaska many times over the years, having done nearly a dozen cruises there, on big and small ships, but mostly on the small ones, my favorites.
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