ANTARCTICA – Nothing captures your imagination quite like a trip to the 7th continent (you know… the one at the bottom). Many of you have asked what the health and fitness requirements are to visit Antarctica. Here’s the short answer:
- The overwhelming majority of clients we send there are 65 – 80 years old.
- You need to be able to walk up two flights of stairs (doesn’t have to be fast).
- You need to be able to get in and out of a bathtub unassisted (because this is like getting in and out of a zodiac).
- You need to have a sense of wonder about the natural world – because there really is nothing else to do down there other than marvel at the spectacular nature and wildlife.
I was in Antarctica 5-years ago, and when I got home, Bob insisted we sit down and record this video. Some of the information is getting a bit dated, but the overwhelming majority is still very valid, and the images are breathtaking: https://youtu.be/3c-2TBXw6ls
One thing that has changed since we recorded this video, is the number of different companies visiting Antarctica, so here’s a summary of the companies we most often deal with, how they differentiate, and one sample itinerary from each:
ATLAS – An expedition yacht product holding fewer than 200 guests:
- These guys are new, and seem to be buying market share, so they’re very competitively priced.
- Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 9-days with 6-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $9499 in March, November & December.
HX – formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions that have been going there for over 100 years
- A solid 4-star option, with ships that hold about 450.
- HX has two hybrid-electric ships in Antarctica. See our ship tour video: https://youtu.be/1L_ByDqhGR0
- Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 12-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $9496 with departures November through March
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (Lindblad) — with 4 ships carrying between 102 and 148 guests
- NatGeo stands out for its guest speakers, and celebrity cruise hosts, as well as having National Geographic photographers on board to help you with your photos.
- Round-trip from Ushuaia for 12-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $15,291 with departures November through March
QUARK EXPEDITIONS – with 3 ships carrying between 130 – 199 guests
- Quark operates exclusively in the polar regions, and they have 2 twin-engine helicopters on board for optional excursions.
- Round-trip from Ushuaia for 11-days with 4-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $8546 with departures November through March
SEABOURN – 2 purpose built polar ships holding 264 guests
- Seabourn is best known as the luxury small ship line, and that brand transfers over to their expedition ships. The entire ship is Veranda suites (also: check out the 2-level Wintergarden Suite!)
- There are 2 submarines on board for optional excursions
- Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 13-days with 7-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $18,364 with departures November through March.
SILVERSEA – 2 reconfigured ships for expedition (296 pax), and 1 purpose build expedition yacht (200 pax)
- Much like Seabourn, Silversea is best known as a luxury small ship cruise line, but they have an extensive expedition program as well, with very comfortable ships.
- Round-trip from Santiago for 10-days with 5-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $16,000 with departures November through March
Viking Expedition – 2 purpose built expedition ships carrying 378 guests:
- You know Viking as the river cruise people, and maybe you’ve been on their ocean product. Their expedition ships have incredibly bright and open public spaces.
- There are 2 yellow submarines on board each vessel (which are appropriately named John, Paul, George and Ringo) for optional excursions.
- Round-trip from Buenos Aires for 13-days with 7-days of scheduled landings.
- Fares from $12,995 with departures November through February
- See ship tour video: https://youtu.be/izwAZ6NdFOo
The Drake Passage
One of the concerns you most often bring up with Antarctica is potential motion sickness while crossing the Drake. Several companies offer the option to fly over the Drake, and board your ship IN Antarctica. This is available on Atlas, NatGeo, Quark, and Silversea.
Citizen Science and Research
HX and National Geographic stand out on this dimension, but all the cruise lines allow you to participate in research, as well as take in lectures from expedition experts.
South Georgia and Falkland Islands
The itinerary samples above focus on shorter itineraries going to Antarctica and back. All these cruise lines also offer longer itineraries that visit other places in the vicinity, and if you have time, you should definitely consider these longer options. When will you go back?
Drive-By’s
Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and Oceania all advertise cruises to Antarctica, and they do make it within sight of the continent, but they are not allowed to disembark guests. If you are happy to go and see Antarctica from the deck of a ship (but not get out), then it is worth investigating one of these options.
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Today’s Other Travel Opportunities
TAUCK RIVER CRUISES:
Tauck has the most inclusive product on European rivers with all gratuities (both on ship and shore), a choice of shore excursions in every port, a full beverage package, and transfers.
Danube CHRISTMAS MARKETS for 7-nights from Bavaria to Vienna
- Visit Nuremberg (overnight), Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Vienna (over night)
- Several Departures from November 30 through to December 14, 2025 from $4190
- BRIDGES TOUR: If you want to take children or teens with you to the Christmas Markets there are departures on December 21, 22, or 28, 2025 from $4590.
PROVENCE, FRANCE for families for 8-days
- Visit Paris (overnight and with Privileged Access to the Musee Marmottan Monet), Lyon, Tournon (for a chocolate tour, or vineyard hike), Arles (for French Cowboy Ranch and Roman Ruins), Avignon (for the Pope’s Palace), Viviers.
- Depart June 22, July 4, July 16, 2025 from $5590.
- 10-day version of this trip (without kids) departing April through October from $6790.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER LUXURY RAIL JOURNEYS
These train trips offer world-class scenery and wildlife, and are right here in North America.
Vancouver to Banff for 6-nights
- Vancouver (2), Kamloops, Banff (2), Calgary.
- Prices range between $2926 – $5127 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
Circle Journey: round-trip from Vancouver for 12-nights
- Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3), Lake Louise (2), Jasper (2), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
- Goldleaf service from $8672 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October.
Denver to Las Vegas for 6-nights
- Denver (2), Glenwood Springs, Moab (2), Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas
- $5209 to $6474 per person based on your departure date, and level of service. Departures available April through October
In Case You Missed It:
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER: These domestic (and Canada) train journeys are a great way to travel “slow”, so you enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/try-the-train/
TRAVEL MISCONCEPTIONS: Sometimes our assumptions about other places are based on our own biases, OR what we see on TV and in movies. None of which are very accurate.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/deprogramming-travel-misconceptions/
Latest YOUTUBE Post:
VISA FOR GREAT BRITAIN? What’s up with the UK’s new entry requirements? In this short video, Bob outlines the process, and what his experience was like applying for the new ETA: https://youtu.be/6NGfCqOsDKk
Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?
Earlier this year, Viking replaced its Book on Board program with the BON VOYAGE incentive. This allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:
- $100 per person on board credit
- 6-month final payment date
- $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.
We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:
https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
