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Home to an active volcano and eight nesting seabirds, Deception Island is a wildlife lover’s paradise. The largest group of penguins in Antarctica, and possibly the world, is located here. This is your chance to witness tens of thousands of chinstrap penguins waddling about and slipping in and out of the frigid waters. When you cruise to Antarctica, you get to take in breathtaking views and infinite beauty from the comfort of your balcony or the top-deck. Set your eyes on whale-abundant waters and catch a glimpse of penguin colonies as you sail past and feel free to experience all the wonder that surrounds you. In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here.
South Georgia Cruises
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. Zodiacs not only allow you to step food on land, but they also let you get up close to icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife. If you have a month up your sleeve you can either take the historic Ross Sea trips from New Zealand or Tasmania, or be a real adventurer and jump on tall ship to sail down to Antarctica.
In-depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition Southbound
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]
However, all of Silversea’s ships provide an industry-leading cruising experience with exceptional cuisine and comfortable suites. With a maximum group size of 18 people, an Antarctic cruise with the highly-rated Quark team promises an intimate and unforgettable experience. In fact, their 11-day Antarctica Explorer trip is the highest-rated out of all the tours to Antarctica on leading booking site Tour Radar. The ideal time to embark on an Antarctica cruise is during the austral summer, between early October and late March. The Antarctic winter is cold and dark, and the continent is surrounded by an enormous fringe of sea ice, which almost doubles its size. Many animals migrate north, and the Antarctic Peninsula is inaccessible.
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All guests are free to walk around the landing sites on their own, with the Expedition Team members nearby to answer questions or provide information. Special hikes and other excursions are always guided by experienced lecturers and team members. Your expedition cruise ends in Ushuaia, the main city in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost province. From here, you’ll take a flight back to Buenos Aires, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your adventure. While Antarctica may not be hospitable to human life, there are plenty of animal species that call the seventh continent their home. Our team has visited Antarctica over 150 times and has 100 collective years of polar experience, so from which trip is right for you to what shoes to bring - there’s no question we can’t answer.
This is a land of contrasts from secluded beaches to dynamic metropolises, lush mangrove forests to rocky canyons. Spot scarlet macaws, howler monkeys and pink dolphins as you cruise Brazil. Refurbished as part of the Norwegian Edge program in 2018, Norwegian Star shines with upgrades. The extensive enhancements include upgrades to staterooms, public spaces, restaurants, bars and lounges.
Once you’ve used a zodiac to get to shore you have a few other included activities – landings and hiking. Zodiac cruises offer an intimate and immersive experience, allowing passengers to navigate through stunning icy waterways. Some are included in the price for everybody, and others have limited availability for an additional cost. Then it’s two more days at sea to get to South Georgia, with 3 to 4 days spent visiting the most spectacular place on earth. You’ll usually have one full day in Punta Arenas, Chile, then schedule to fly to King George Island the next day. Then you’ll have 4 days on the ship, before flying back for another night in Punta Arenas.
Wildlife in Antarctica
While plenty of animals live in Antarctica (such as various species of whale, penguin, seal and bird), there are very few humans that call Antarctica home, instead using the region as a base for research. There are no cities in Antarctica but there are several research stations positioned on the continent belonging to various countries like Russia, the United States and Australia. There may not be any stores on the Antarctic Peninsula, but that doesn't mean you can't do any shopping. We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you. We leave nothing to chance in delivering your perfect trip and have over 6500 happy travellers to show for it.
Antarctic Cruise Itineraries
While you can't embark on an expedition to the world's seventh continent alone, you can travel solo on a group tour to Antarctica. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. The penguins....I mean where to begin and finish....I am simply speechless. The company operates two ships in the Antarctic—the Heritage Adventurer and the Spirit of Enderby—both of which accommodate no more than 50 guests.
Glad we were on a smaller ship with only around 120 guests so we never felt overcrowded on any of the shore landings. November is a month of awakening in Antarctica, it's the arrival of summer after the long and dark winter. Penguin rookeries are a hive of activity and elephant seals are busy battling on South Georgia Island. March offers spectacular skies for photographers, with soft golden light and pink hues staining the ice. Fledgling chicks are hugely inquisitive as they begin their independent lives, and whale encounters abound. The best time to visit Antarctica is between January and February if you want a mix of good weather and wildlife-spotting opportunities.
On your all-inclusive trip to Antarctica you'll get closer to the Seventh Continent than you ever dreamed. Experience the magic as you step off your expedition boat and feel the crunch of snow beneath your boots. For a lucky few, camping in tents overnight is the ultimate Antarctic experience. Get ready to set sail aboard Norwegian Star and discover the southernmost edge of the South Pole, Antarctica. Embark on an expedition cruise and witness breathtaking icebergs and penguins by the beach from the top deck, all as you take in once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Antarctica refers to the seventh continent of the world and is largely situated in the Antarctic Circle - a line of latitude sitting at around 66.5° south of the equator - at the base of the globe. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions.
Many people are worried about the Drake Passage, which is understandable – it has the reputation for being the roughest sea in the world. The Peninsula might look it’s ‘dirtiest’ though, with much of the ground snow melted. Explore the wonders of Antarctica and the captivating regions of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, on an unforgettable Scenic Eclipse Expedition Voyage in true all-inclusive ultra-luxury. Overnight stays near Lima give extra time to see the country’s many treasures. Take a culinary adventure to sample ceviche and other popular dishes.
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. However, their ships are very large, with between 250 and 500 passengers on each trip, meaning your actual time spent off the ship is limited. Their trips however are on the pricier side, which is something to consider. In our opinion though the quality product that you receive with Aurora is worth the price, and they are known in the industry for being one of the top operators.
Innovative world-class ship design and low guest numbers allow multiple landings led by an expert Discovery Team of up to 20 specialists. Named after the legendary Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen - the first man to traverse the Northwest Passage in 1903, and reach the Geographical South Pole in 1911. Experience the tranquillity of vast panoramas and sail among the sublime frozen icescapes of Antarctica, as we pass between icebergs, close to calving glaciers, and past huge ice floes in the Southern Ocean. The mountains and high glaciers around Wilhelmina Bay ensure plenty of dramatic scenery and sculpted ice from tiny floating pieces to large bergs. The bay is a choice feeding ground for whales and seals and therefore was a rich hunting ground for the whalers of the past.
This remote, icy frontier promises unparalleled adventures and sights, but the vast array of cruise options available can be overwhelming. It’s known as one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences, and has the price to match. One thing to note is that there isn’t really anything ‘different’ once you cross the circle – the landscapes and wildlife are more or less same.
Spot elephant seals lounging on pristine rocks, and watch waddling penguins as they go about their day, tending their young, and diving off the ice into the water to feed. Eating and drinking in Antarctica is done aboard your expedition ship, with all meals provided for the duration of your journey. Tea and coffee, as well as soft drinks and juices, are ready to greet you when you come back from a shore landing and at meal times, while alcoholic beverages are also available, but for an additional price. 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. While almost all Antarctic cruises offer shore landings and Zodiac cruises as standard, there’s a whole bunch of optional activities for those eager to try something different down in the continent.
