With all due respect to Captain James T. Kirk, Antarctica is the final frontier (at least on this planet).
I’ve been to all the other continents, and I need to find a way to get to this one!
So now that this occupies a permanent space on my bucket list, I decided it was time to do a bit of research on Antarctica, and some of my options for getting there.
The first thing I learned was how big it is. If Antarctica were a country, it would displace Canada as the world’s second largest nation (with Russia still holding the top spot).
Many cruise lines offer something to the bottom of the world, but they vary radically in the experience.
An interesting point of note is that any ship with over 500 passengers is not permitted to take people ashore. So if you go on one of the big ships which circumnavigates South America and has Antarctica on the itinerary, you should invest in a good pair of binoculars – because that is as close as you will get.
The smaller ships anchor off the coast of Antarctica, and will tender passengers ashore on zodiacs to take a walk around for a few hours, and visit with the penguins.
Even though these options are more expensive than the sail-bys, I have to think it is worth the money. To get all the way to the bottom of the world, but not disembark is only a little bit better than watching it on the Discovery Channel.
Some cruise lines offer its passengers the option of camping overnight on the last continent. Even with all the survival gear, I’m not sure how much sleep I would get lying in a tent at the base of glacier. The upside would be the unrivalled bragging rights.
Most Antarctic landings are in December and January at the height of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, but there are trips from November right through until March.
If you’re happy doing an Antarctic drive-by, the following lines make the trip: Azamara, Celebrity, or Holland America.
If you want to make landfall in Antarctica, you will need to travel on one of these lines: G-Adventures, Hurtigruten, Lindblad, Ponant, Seabourn or SilverSea.
Planning a Cruise? I’d love to help! Click here to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
