The Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions about booking a cruise to Antarctica. An Independent Guide. If you have been thinking about joining a cruise to Antarctica then you will love this guide and here s why: There are so many cruise companies offering sailings to Antarctica; over twenty different ships at last count! They all offer their own individual style of cruising so it can be hard to know which one is the best for you. Before you book your cruise there are a few things you need to know so you can be confident you are getting the best product to suit your needs, budget and time scale.
Why I m the expert. My name is Simon Flower and I ve been to Antarctica and South America, worked with the cruise lines and booked many people of their trip of a lifetime and I love it! I run an agency that specialises in expedition cruising as well as flights and other arrangements in South America. We are a fully accredited Australian travel agency (accreditation number A10423) based in Melbourne with a small team of very experienced and well-travelled consultants. FAQS So here we have put together the answers to the twelve questions that we are most frequently asked about travel to Antarctica. I hope that the information in this guide will get you on your way to planning your trip to the seventh continent. 1. How do we get to Antarctica? Directly from Australia/New Zealand One way to set foot on the Antarctic continent is to sail due south from Tasmania or (more often) South Island New Zealand. After all its only 2200km of open ocean! The departures from NZ have a few obvious advantages: Obviously flying to NZ is cheaper than flying to Antarctica plus there are a few of you out there who really don t like flying so this perhaps has some appeal for you. There aren t many options offered for this sailing anymore so you need to book WELL in advance. Departures from NZ go to a part of the continent not visited by the majority of the ships that go from South America and can have more of an Australian theme e.g. Commonwealth Bay Usually these departures offer a rare opportunity to visit the Australian governed Macquarie Island, remote in the Southern ocean. The one obvious disadvantage is that it takes a lot longer to get to the Antarctica and this is reflected in the length of cruises and of course the cost. From 2014 the only the New Zealand based Spirit of Enderby regularly operates these itineraries across the Southern Ocean to the Ross Sea side of the continent and the Scott and Shackleton huts. Having said all that, in our opinion, this option is only for the hardy. The ship is a converted research vessel with just 50 passengers and its itineraries are 30 days or longer. Seas can be rough! For the even more adventurous there are occasional expeditions with Oceanwide Expeditions operating Ushuaia to New Zealand itineraries via the Peninsula and Ross Sea. Firstly might we offer our congratulations to your company (and staff) on the professional manner with which it handled our vacation to South America. Should at any time you would like to cite us as satisfied and fulfilled clients we would be most happy to provide any testimonial evidence you might like to call on. Bill and Margaret Parkes, New Lambton, NSW South America, August 2011
Ushuaia the most southerly city in the world. From South America The vast majority of ships operate from South America, usually from the Argentinean port of Ushuaia (see picture) which is located in Terra Del Fuego (land of fire). This is the most popular route because the distance to Antarctica is much less and the cruises can therefore be shorter and cheaper. We had a fabulous time The cruise was wonderful and all your arrangements worked as well as always. Ian and Mel Hamilton, Research, Victoria South America and Antarctica 2012/23
This map shows why almost all cruises to Antarctica depart from South America.
2. How do I get to South America? Choices are a bit limited for Australians and New Zealanders flying to South America and from April 2014 this choice has been reduced significantly with the ending of the direct Sydney Buenos Aires service operated by Aerolineas Argentinas. This airline could never be described as a byword for service and reliability but it offered a reasonably price alternative to the fares offered by Qantas and LAN Chile. Now the only direct services between Australia and South America are provided by Qantas (direct non-stop Sydney Santiago) and LAN Chile (Sydney to Santiago via Auckland). These two airlines work together which is great for onward connections from Santiago to other South American cities as it means you can check your luggage all the way through to your final destination. But working together also means that the two don t compete on price so you are looking realistically at prices of around $3000 return inclusive of tax during the high season, (dropping to around $2000 - $2200 in low and shoulder season). The high price of airfares is a good argument for adding other must see South America destinations to your itinerary whilst you are there for your cruise. Of course you don t have to go direct. Travelers can choose to fly to South America via the US via hubs such as LA, Atlanta, Miami etc. This is a much longer route so only makes sense if you are actually intending to stop over in the US as well. Or South America fits quite well in a round the world option especially a One World fare (Qantas, LAN, American Airlines et al). In fact you can get a round the world ticket incorporating South America for not much more than a high season return to Santiago or Buenos Aires. So if combining your trip with a visit to Europe for example is quite realistic, in terms of flight prices.
A great option only available since late 2015 has been the three times a week Air New Zealand service from Auckland to Buenos Aires with good connections available from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. This has brought some much needed competition onto the scene and their launch fares offered some real bargains. This option is great for people wanting to avoid transiting in Santiago en route to Argentina. And indeed it is great for those non Sydney residents who might well prefer to transit in Auckland rather than Sydney. Finally Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways also offer services to Argentina and Brazil via their hubs in Dubai or Doha. The fares aren t always cheap though and it really is a long way round to get there by this route. Of course you end destination is Ushuaia so we will help you organise your flights to get there as quickly and as painlessly as possible, usually through Buenos Aires. Tip - Buenos Aires has two airports. Even though one is mainly a domestic airport it does service some international flights. The international airport is much less convenient. Staying in Buenos Aires is no hardship as it s a great city for a few days (see our stopover offer for Buenos Aires).
Compare apples with apples. The domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia is not particularly cheap. It s a 3 ½ hour flight and usually comes in and about $700 trip and even more in December and January. It is important to take this into consideration when comparing cruise prices as some operators (for example Silverseas) include flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia in their cruise tariff. And these flights are usually charter services with transfers included which is an added bonus. For those passengers flying to Ushuaia with Aerolineas: they are notorious for schedule changes. The Magic of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires stopover package valid in conjunction with any Antarctic Cruise booking. 3 night s accommodation in a centrally located 3* hotel Daily breakfast Return private airport transfers Buddy guide for your first morning. They will meet you at your hotel and show you the ropes including how to get around the subway system see below. $99 per person* $129 per person (4 star hotel upgrade)* About our Buenos Aires buddy guides. We find that many of our clients tend to be experienced travellers who often want to discover cities on their own. Buenos Aires is certainly a great city to explore but it can be a little daunting to start with. That is why we offer an exclusive 2 ½ hour private tour with a local English speaking guide to show you the ropes. This is not a normal city bus tour for tourists. With this guide you will see the city centre, learn about its past including juicy historical gossip, the secrets behind the city s most beautiful architecture, the whys of urban development and what the heck is going on now politically! If you want, ask the guide to teach you how to navigate the eccentric public bus system, take the subway or simply get help mapping out your preferred shopping locations and nightlife hot spots. After your city tour, you ll be ready to explore the city independently armed with the tools to get to the best stuff faster. Bring some extra cash for taxis, buses or the subway. This service is free to all our clients booking an Antarctic Cruise.
3. Will I get seasick? This is one of the most frequently asked questions about cruising to Antarctica. And the simple answer is: you very well might. The Drake Passage (at less than 1000km the shortest crossing between South America and Antarctica) can be rough if the weather is bad; hence the description of a rough crossing The Drake Shake. However do not assume that your crossing will be bad. Expedition crew members usually say that for half the time the passage is relatively benign; the Drake Lake! Once you have crossed the Drake you ll find the seas are usually calm when you are close to the peninsula/south Shetlands. I know a lot of people worry about sickness but nowadays there are plenty of good seasickness precautions available from pharmacies and GPs. The absolutely crucial point is that you should take your precautions before you hit rough weather prevention is the key to seasickness. By the way you, it s a good idea to take seasickness into account when choosing your cabin type. Saving money by taking a cabin without en suite facilities may not be fun during a bad crossing and neither is paying extra for a higher deck. Middle deck middle cabin is a safe choice. Not always Drake Lake!
Fly cruise options If you are really fearful of sea sickness (or just short on time perhaps) there are now air cruise trips to Antarctica that fly you to King George Island (South Shetland Islands) in around two hours flying from Punta Arenas in Patagonian Chile. You then join your ship and follow the Antarctic part of the cruise for around 6 days along the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island and flying back to Punta Arenas. As well as avoiding the Drake Passage this option is also a useful time saver as it eliminates 4 days of sailing (2 out and 2 back). The main issue with fly/cruise to Antarctica - Delays to your trip - While it is rare that an Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has been cancelled due to weather conditions, some departures in the past have experienced delays of up to three days. You need a flexible itinerary. Keenly waiting for the first iceberg of the trip (smoother seas this time) (On a personal note I believe that crossing the Drake Passage is a special travel experience worth doing. The on board excitement grows as the weather gets colder and the anticipation develops with each iceberg and albatross sighting. Sometimes there are options where you can fly to or from Antarctica only in one direction and sail the other way and arguably this is the best of both worlds. Ask us for details if you are interested.)
4. Will I be cold? Even in the Antarctic summer the temperatures are likely to be at or below freezing most of the time. And then there is the wind chill factor to take it down further. However basic preparation will ensure that you feel nice and warm even on long excursions on land or via zodiac (you ll be fine on board the ship itself). The best start is to dress as for skiing; some thermal layers (especially underwear), fleece, waterproof/insulated trousers (essential), thick insulated socks. Ski gloves, hat etc. Many of the ships provide an insulated parka to go over the top (which you usually get to keep). The parka keeps you warm and its bright colours help the expedition team keep an eye on you for excursions. Similarly most cruise companies supply excellent boots on loan. These are insulated with a good grip. Don t panic if you arrive in Ushuaia and decide you don t have enough warm gear. The main street of Ushuaia has numerous adventure shops and many of them will give you a good deal if you can pay in cash with US dollars. SPECIAL OFFER - Free $100 Gift Voucher per person with any Antarctic Cruise To help you get fully equipped for this trip we offer all our clients booking any Antarctic cruise a $100 gift voucher with either Kathmandu or Snowgum; Australia s leading outdoor and adventure clothing retailers. (No small print on this offer by the way it is valid for all bookings, all clients and fully combinable with other special offers.)
5. Is it safe to travel to Antarctica? The answer is YES. The much-publicised ice stranding of the research ship, Akademik Shokalskiy late in 2013 certainly focused attention on the safety aspects of travel to Antarctica although 90% of departures are hundreds of nautical miles from where those events unfolded. The cruises we recommend are run by reputable companies with years of experience in expedition cruising. Reputable cruise companies are part of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and thus adhere to a range of safety measures. Compulsory lifeboat drills are taken seriously as are compulsory zodiac briefings. Ships are ice strengthened, crewed by experienced polar mariners and have Antarctic appropriate lifeboats and personal safety gear such as immersion suits. 6. When should I go? The Antarctic expedition season is relatively short. Basically you visit during our summer; November early March. Cruise prices are cheaper at the beginning and end of the season, but the risk is that there can be less to see in the way of wildlife. In November penguins start to come ashore for courtship rituals and nest building, but the days are shorter and the ice can be thicker, restricting access to some areas. From mid to late December penguin chicks start to hatch on the Antarctic Peninsula, and in January you can watch the feeding frenzy. By February, penguin colonies are busy, noisy and smelly as the young penguins begin their moult; February to early March is the best time to see whales, and a good number of fur seals. By mid-march most penguin colonies are emptying as the birds return to the sea. Having said that, there is no wrong time to go. We find that constraints on time can push people towards one particular trip or another and much more crucial is the question; where should I go or how long a cruise should I take? 7. What length cruise should I take? Many Antarctic itineraries include the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. If you are very keen on bird and animal life, it s worth taking one of the longer cruises to all three destinations; these tend to take between 18 and 22 days. The classic 10 or 12-day cruises to the Peninsula gives a really good feel for the special nature of the place: the icebergs, penguins, whales, seals, expedition history and incredible isolation. It s important to note - you won t see King Penguins at the Peninsula they are on South Georgia only. Devotees of Ernest Shackleton will usually also want to see South Georgia, since this is where he made his famous journey to save the crew of the icebound Endeavour and it s also the site of his grave.
8. How often we will land? The 100 passengers rule. This is a crucial rule established by IAATO adhered by all the reputable cruise companies. There is a limit of 100 people (plus expedition leaders) that can land at any one time at any of the main excursion sites. Obviously ships with 100 or less can land all their passengers at the same time. The larger vessels stagger the landings to ensure everybody gets a chance (depending on ship). It should be noted that there can be no guarantees as to the exact itinerary of any expedition ship especially one operating in Antarctica. Land excursions are via zodiac landings and thus dependant on appropriate weather to ensure safety. Wind levels are particularly important. Expedition teams will always have back up plans if their preferred stop is not possible. Getting into the zodiacs is straight-forward with plenty of assistance. Once you have crossed the Drake Passage and arrived at the South Shetland Islands/Antarctic peninsula then you are likely to have two zodiac-based excursions a day (at least on the ships we recommend). Usually this involves a landing but occasionally a zodiac cruise amongst the ice. If you are on a ship with significantly larger passenger numbers (more than 100) then your excursion will be staggered. Half the ship will disembark for a landing while the other half will stay on board (or zodiac cruise) and the two groups will swop halfway.
9. What will we see? A picture is worth a thousand words! Penguins (mainly Gentoo and Chinstrap, occasionally Adélie and, on South Georgia, King penguins) Seals (fur seals, leopard seals and occasionally elephant seals)
Whales (And long ago abandoned whaling stations) Sensational Scenery
But no polar bears of course not in Antarctica (they re in the Arctic) A great time. A fantastic time. 10 day cruise and I only took 3700 photos or so. Ian McInerney, Melbourne South America and Antarctica 2013 10. How fit do I need to be? Our focus is on those ships that actually enable you to land on the Antarctic continent several times. These are expedition vessels and whilst some can be very comfortable, even luxurious, they are all operating expeditions not cruises. Shore excursions will be in small boat zodiacs, semi-inflatable boats that take a dozen passengers at a time and involve a bit of work to get in and out. And of course there are no walkways on land you are in a wilderness and the terrain can be rough and is always uneven. A reasonable level of fitness is required and all the operators usually insist on their guests completing a medical form and having adequate insurance.
However you don t have to be super fit. These cruises are very popular with an older demographic so there is always a fair share of dodgy hips and knees on most cruises. Ship s crew will assist all passengers getting in and out of the zodiacs. For landings there are often a couple of options available so that those passengers with slightly restricted mobility can choose a less strenuous experience. The key requirement is an ability to lift and swing your legs over the side of a zodiac. We would say that someone of reasonable fitness a regular walker for example will be fine. The Polar Plunge are you game? Most Antarctic cruises offer the opportunity for passengers to enjoy a refreshing dip in Antarctic waters literally ice water. It is surprisingly popular but don t worry it is not compulsory! 11. When should I book? If you are serious about an Antarctic cruise then the earlier you book the better. I know that this sounds like a travel agents standard response but in this instance it is 100% true: 1. There is a finite number of cruises available. Although it may appear that there are many options to choose from most ships only take 100 200 passengers each and operate a few departures during the restricted sailing season. The most popular departures are pre- booked over a year out. 2. Many operators offer attractive early booking and early payment discounts for advance bookings. These can be found on our site at www.cruiseantarctica.com.au 3. Although occasional last minute specials do come through the nature of this destination makes it very difficult to utilise such deals. In particular booking an airfare to South America close to departure will never be good value especially between late November and early February. Any savings you make on the cruise will be eaten up by airfares. Booking in advance is the way to go.
Well the Antarctica and South America odyssey is now over and it was all great!! The trip to Antarctica was awesome and was an excellent choice. The ship size was just right and the crew was fantastic. They kept us very busy and at one point (in a briefing for a very busy day to follow) the expedition leader observed that this is not a holiday!!! The Spirit of Shackleton itinerary was perfect and the expedition crew provided lots of historical context during the voyage. We would have no hesitation in recommending this cruise. The time in South America was also fantastic. The itinerary worked well and all of the guides were excellent. Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu were particular highlights. The hotels selected by you were all terrific and good matches to our stated preferences. Thank you for your contributions to a great holiday you have now been part of both of our bucket list trips (Antarctica and the Trans-Siberian Railway)!! We now have more than 5000 photos and 16GB of video to sort out!!! Bill & Jill Moss, Mount Keira, NSW
12. Which ship? A key question as one size rarely fits all! When you check out the individual cruise ships websites and you ll be bombarded with reasons why their respective trips are the best. Here s a quick simplified guide: Basic These basic ships - more authentic expedition vessels in the opinion of some - tend to offer the cheapest berths although, be careful, that is not always the case. Significant savings can be made especially with berths that do not have private en suite facilities. (see seasickness warning) Comfortable Sea Spirit (Quark) A 3 to 4 star cruising experience, with comfortable accommodation, good food and service levels. Luxurious National Geographic Orion, Silverseas, Ponant these ships tend to be 4-5 star and offer more luxurious accommodation options, with exceptional service levels, higher staff to client ratios and usually more specialised expedition leaders on board. ie naturalists, photographers. ** Please note that this is a simplified guide to the ship differences ** Cruise Summary Vessel Sea Spirit Ocean Diamond Sea Adventurer MS Expedition Polar Pioneer Max Passenger Numbers Staff & Crew total 114 189 117 134 54 80 106 83 89 77 Vessel Size 105m 71.6m Year Built 1991 1986 1975 1972 1982 Itineraries Individual Characteristics All suites and beverages included carbon neutral voyages 360 degrees Observation Deck Rugged and authentic experience.
Vessel Sea Explorer Ortelius NG Orion NG Explorer Silver Explorer Max Passenger Numbers Staff & Crew total 111 106 102 148 132 85 14 Vessel Size 91.25m 103m 112m 108m Year Built 1991 1989 2003 1989 Itineraries Former Russian research vessel Individual Characteristics Renowned service levels The most luxurious expedition ship Vessel Planicus Fram Spirit of Enderby Ocean Nova Sea Explorer Passenger Numbers 114 318 50 53 114 Crew total 20 49.6m 70 Vessel Size 84.73m 114m 1992 90.36m Year Built 1976 1984 1991 Itineraries Sub Antarctic Islands and Ross Sea Fly Cruise to the Peninsula Individual Characteristics Ushauia to Bluff unique experience Ex NZ ship that visits the Scott & Shackleton huts. No Drake passage!
For price guides and detailed itineraries for each ship please see www.cruiseantarctica.com.au Impartial advice and the best offers Thanks for taking the time to download and read this guide. Chances are that you are interested in a cruise to Antarctica and I and my team would love to help you arrange it. I hope that this guide has shown you that I can provide expert and impartial advice on all the major cruise companies operating cruises to the 7th continent. My agency is called Flower Travel and we... Are a fully accredited travel agency and member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) & the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) Always have access to the latest specials offered by all the main cruise operators Are able to offer expert advice in accommodation and touring options for before and after your cruise Please feel free to continue your research by browsing my website www.cruiseantarctica.com.au or call my office on free phone number 1300 654 861 and speak to me or one of my friendly colleagues and we will help you in any way we can. As I have said I love this destination and am committed to getting everyone else to feel the same way! Thanks again Simon Flower P.S. I forgot to mention our exclusive specials; valid with specific cruise bookings from our Antarctic range for any bookings for either 2016/17 or 2017/18 seasons made prior to 31 May 2016 $100 gift voucher (per person) with either Kathmandu or Snowgum with every Antarctic cruise booking.* Exclusive Buenos Aires stopover package (see page 7) in conjunction with selected Antarctic cruises. * $200 air credit per person with all bookings combining international air travel from Australia to South America and an Antarctic cruise.* * conditions apply to all special offers, please ask our office for details. Rates for Buenos Aires stopover are based on twin share with two people travelling together. Surcharge will apply for single travelers.
Copyright June 2013 -January 2016 Simon Flower, ALL RIGHTS RESVERVED. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act of 1968, no part of this guide may, in any form (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or be broadcast or transmitted with prior permission, in writing, by the author, Simon Flower. This means you may not pass this guide, in full or in part, by any means to other people. Disclaimer The information herein is designed to be used as a guide only. Whilst I have made every effort to ensure this information is correct I expressly disclaim any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this guide or for any loss, injury or inconvenience experienced by any person using this guide.