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Antarctica Cruises
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Published: March 22, 2007
For those travelers tired of embarking on the standard, prepackaged tours thrust at them at local travel agencies, Antarctica cruises may be the perfect getaway. But don't get too excited, there's no easy (or cheap) way to Antarctica. Adventurous travelers who want a first-hand experience with the glaciers will still have to purchase a place on packaged tour.
It's the price that will be the deciding factor for most people, but it's well worth it to see the extravagant and breath-taking scenery Antarctica cruises have to offer.
The most common and cost effective way of reaching Antarctica is to book a spot on one of the tour companies' Antarctica cruises. Antarctica cruises generally cost at least $5,000 U.S. dollars, but prices can be as high as $25,000 depending on the length, the amenities, and the added stops. Most Antarctica cruises will leave from the Argentine port of Ushuaia between the summer months of November and March. Remember, that the cost of Antarctica cruises typically does not include the cost of airfare, and airlines raise the cost of tickets to South America during the hot summer months.
Currently there are 20 Antarctica cruise ships, each holding anywhere from 45 to 280 passengers. These vessels offer a wide range of service quality, with some Antarctica cruise ships operating at luxury status while others offer basic accommodation. Luxury Antarctica cruises will offer all the amenities of traditional cruise lines such as pools, fine dining, and entertainment. Basic Antarctica cruises offer basic accommodations without all the added frills. Travelers should pick whichever vessels suits their needs, depending on whether they are looking for a luxurious cruise, or something a bit more adventurous.
One particular risk involved in Antarctica cruises is the weather. Mainly, if it's not behaving itself, the trip can be delayed or worse, cancelled. Travelers need to be aware that tour operators of Antarctica cruises will not put their clients at risk, no matter how much money they stand to lose (it will be significantly less than the lawsuits if anything were to happen).
Also, only 100 passengers can land at any one place and time in Antarctica. Travelers hoping to spend as much time as possible on the actual continent, and not on the deck of a cruise ship, should book a tour on a smaller vessel. Additionally, most Antarctica cruises will offer information briefings throughout the voyage. So, if potential travelers are looking for hot tubs, discos and all-you-can-eat buffets, maybe they should consider a cruise to more practical destinations like Alaska or the Caribbean.
A few common places of interest for Antarctica cruises are Paradise Harbor and Deception Island. A trip to Paradise Harbor consists of boarding a tiny, inflatable boat and coasting along as gigantic icebergs calve off into the brisk water—the reflection of the glaciers in the water is a common highlight. Deception Island is burrowed amongst the Shetland Islands and has a distinguishable horseshoe shape. The harbor is considered to be one of the calmest in the world, even with the ongoing volcanic action still taking place. The island is still a disputed territory between the British and Argentineans, but they seem to have relaxed for the time being.
Antarctica cruises will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone willing to take on the cost and travel arrangements. Antarctica cruises are something that very few people will ever experience and would surely make for some interesting small talk. If the natural beauty of Antarctic Cruises doesn't astound travelers, the immense distance conquered and the time it took surely will.
Sources:
Antarctica Cruise and Travel Guide – The Basics. Cool Antarctica. 5 Feb. 2007. Paul Ward. 13 Mar. 2007. http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_tr avel_home.htm
Polarcruises. 1996-2007. Expedition, Inc. 13 Mar. 2007. http://www.polarcruises.com/.
"Antarctica." Wikipedia. 13 Mar. 2007. 13 Mar. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctica
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The most common and cost effective way of reaching Antarctica is to book a spot on one of the tour companies' Antarctica cruises. Antarctica cruises generally cost at least $5,000 U.S. dollars, but prices can be as high as $25,000 depending on the length, the amenities, and the added stops. Most Antarctica cruises will leave from the Argentine port of Ushuaia between the summer months of November and March. Remember, that the cost of Antarctica cruises typically does not include the cost of airfare, and airlines raise the cost of tickets to South America during the hot summer months.
Currently there are 20 Antarctica cruise ships, each holding anywhere from 45 to 280 passengers. These vessels offer a wide range of service quality, with some Antarctica cruise ships operating at luxury status while others offer basic accommodation. Luxury Antarctica cruises will offer all the amenities of traditional cruise lines such as pools, fine dining, and entertainment. Basic Antarctica cruises offer basic accommodations without all the added frills. Travelers should pick whichever vessels suits their needs, depending on whether they are looking for a luxurious cruise, or something a bit more adventurous.
One particular risk involved in Antarctica cruises is the weather. Mainly, if it's not behaving itself, the trip can be delayed or worse, cancelled. Travelers need to be aware that tour operators of Antarctica cruises will not put their clients at risk, no matter how much money they stand to lose (it will be significantly less than the lawsuits if anything were to happen).
Also, only 100 passengers can land at any one place and time in Antarctica. Travelers hoping to spend as much time as possible on the actual continent, and not on the deck of a cruise ship, should book a tour on a smaller vessel. Additionally, most Antarctica cruises will offer information briefings throughout the voyage. So, if potential travelers are looking for hot tubs, discos and all-you-can-eat buffets, maybe they should consider a cruise to more practical destinations like Alaska or the Caribbean.
A few common places of interest for Antarctica cruises are Paradise Harbor and Deception Island. A trip to Paradise Harbor consists of boarding a tiny, inflatable boat and coasting along as gigantic icebergs calve off into the brisk water—the reflection of the glaciers in the water is a common highlight. Deception Island is burrowed amongst the Shetland Islands and has a distinguishable horseshoe shape. The harbor is considered to be one of the calmest in the world, even with the ongoing volcanic action still taking place. The island is still a disputed territory between the British and Argentineans, but they seem to have relaxed for the time being.
Antarctica cruises will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone willing to take on the cost and travel arrangements. Antarctica cruises are something that very few people will ever experience and would surely make for some interesting small talk. If the natural beauty of Antarctic Cruises doesn't astound travelers, the immense distance conquered and the time it took surely will.
Sources:
Antarctica Cruise and Travel Guide – The Basics. Cool Antarctica. 5 Feb. 2007. Paul Ward. 13 Mar. 2007. http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_tr avel_home.htm
Polarcruises. 1996-2007. Expedition, Inc. 13 Mar. 2007. http://www.polarcruises.com/.
"Antarctica." Wikipedia. 13 Mar. 2007. 13 Mar. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctica
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