Antarctic Cruise Activities

CAMPING

Quite a few Antarctic cruise ships offer camping as an optional activity. It is usually limited to about 20-50 guests and incurs an additional cost. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience – imagine lying back in your self-made depression in the snow, cuddled into your bivy sack, staring up at the sky and listening to the sounds of Antarctica. There are only a few sites where it’s safe, appropriate and practical to ‘camp’ overnight, and the weather conditions also need to be good.

To find out which Antarctic cruise ships offer camping and to learn all the details, click the Read More button below.

SHIP CRUISING

Ship cruising is offered on all ships and is (obviously) open to everyone. You can enjoy from numerous vantage points throughout the ship, including your cabin (or your balcony if you have one). Some places, like the Lemaire Channel, are best enjoyed on-board the ship. Occasionally, weather or sea conditions mean that a planned zodiac cruise or shore excursion cannot be taken so viewing from the ship is the only option.

ZODIAC CRUISING

Zodiac cruising is open to everyone and included as part of your expedition. Some sites are best discovered by zodiac either due to the nature of the site (like icebergs or glacial walls) or IAATO regulations.  Zodiacs are large (very strong and safe) rubber inflatable boats. 10-12 guests sit on the pontoons (sides) of the zodiac and set off from the ship to explore.

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Going ashore is a highlight of any Antarctic Cruise. Most of the time, rubber inflatable zodiacs will take you from the ship to shore. More often than not, you’ll disembark into shallow water (occasionally there will be jetties in places such as in the Sub-Antarctic Islands), and there will be many guides there to assist you getting safely ashore.

Once ashore, it will depend on the site you’re visiting as to what activities you can enjoy. The options may be limited to a relatively small area, depending on the site, snow and breeding wildlife, but there also may be many options available and even some extended hikes.

WALKING AND HIKING

As part of any shore excursion, there will be some walking involved, but some sites and destinations allow for extended walks or hikes. These can vary from short but steep hikes to a vantage point to multi hour walks, particularly on places like South Georgia, The Falkland Island and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic Islands. Most walks are part of the expedition and no additional fee is required.

A couple of ships offer the Shackleton Crossing: a very challenging, albeit incredible, trek. Specialist training is required and an additional fee charged.

POLAR PLUNGE

The Polar Plunge is included in your expedition – it has no additional cost! All you need (to put it simply) is to be happy to jump off the ship into very cold water. You might be surprised just how many people do it – age is no barrier.

Ships will find a sheltered place and invite anyone who would like to do the Plunge. Wearing your bathers, you’ll jump (tied onto a rope) from a platform and climb out very quickly.  There are numerous expedition staff nearby on the platform and in zodiacs and the ship’s doctor will also be on-hand.  You quickly get wrapped in warm towels and head off to the sauna or your cabin for a hot shower – with quite an incredible tale to tell. You’ll likely get a certificate to say you’re officially mad – no, to say you’ve completed the Polar Plunge.

And do we have experience? Yes (in Antarctica and the Arctic).

SEA KAYAKING

Some ships offer a full programme of sea kayaking (this is what we’re talking about here – the Kayaking/Paddling option below is more of an introduction and limited to one or two excursions) where up to 20 participants will kayak when it is possible and safe. The number of kayaking trips will vary according to itinerary and conditions and each kayaking trip can last for 2-3 hours. As a result, you’ll often not have time to join the zodiac cruise or shore excursion. That said, the choice is always yours to make.

Previous kayaking experience is required. To find out more, click the Read More button below.

KAYAKING / PADDLING

Some ships offer guests the chance to have a short kayak experience – and it is an incredible thing to do. No noise, at water level. You can look (don’t lean too far) and see the thousands of invertebrates that birds, fish, penguins, seals, and whales all feed upon.  It’s a great introduction and a wonderful experience if you don’t want to kayak on multiple occasions (if you do, sea kayaking is for you – read above). Less or limited experience is required.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING

A couple of ships now offer Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUPing) – though participants, if they prefer, can kneel, sit or even lie down and stare up at the Antarctic sky. Because of their wide base and tail fins, SUP boards are quite stable, enabling participants – after a bit of practice – to stop staring at their feet and admire the surrounding scenery.

HELI-LANDING AND HELI-FLIGHT-SEEING

The Ultramarine, Ortelius, Scenic I and Scenic II each carry two helicopters.

The Ortelius uses its helicopters to access the Snow Hill Emperor penguin colony.

The Ultramarine uses her helicopters to visit the Emperors as well as offering Flight-seeing and Heli-Landing on specific Antarctic voyages.

Scenic I and Scenic II also use their helicopters to visit the Emperor colony at Snow Hill, as well as offering Heli-excursions and landings which can only be booked on-board the ship.

MINI SUBMERSIBLES

Scenic I and Scenic II carry mini submersibles, called the Scenic Neptune I and the Scenic Neptune II.

Capacity on both the Scenic Neptune I and II is 7, including 1 pilot at a time.

Scenic Neptune I and II will dive up to 100 metres for the guests’ overall viewing experience, but both are capable of higher maximum depths.

Submersible Pricing (per person, USD$ – subject to change):

• 30 minutes – $595
• 40 minutes – $795
• 60 minutes – $1,150

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

Ski/snowboard touring is offered by a limited number of ships. It is available for experienced skiers and snowboarders with a reasonable level of fitness. You are given the opportunity to enjoy day-trips alongside experienced and qualified mountain guides to climb, ski and snowboard some of Antarctica’s finest slopes.

The snow conditions will be varied and the terrain can be challenging at times. While you don’t need to be a backcountry athlete to participate, and there are opportunities to develop your skills during the expedition, please note the minimum ability requirements:

• Advanced level of skiing/snowboarding ability (ability to ski blue or black resort runs is required)
• Off-piste experience in a variety of snow conditions
• Previous ski/snowboard touring experience is an advantage, but not essential (depending on your off-piste experience and overall ability)

SNORKELLING AND SCUBA DIVING

Snorkelling and scuba diving are only offered by a small number of ships. Appropriately qualified experts accompany both snorkelling and Scuba diving activities.

While it is an advantage to have previous snorkelling experience, complete beginners are welcome to participate. Expert guides will provide all the necessary equipment, guidance and instructions needed to enjoy this activity. However, you must be a competent swimmer and have a good level of fitness to be able to climb out of the water onto the zodiac (via a ladder).

Polar diving, however, is not for beginners. You must be experienced, qualified and competent for the conditions the divers will face. Minimum entry requirements are as follows:

• PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent from another recognised agency)
• Dry-suit qualified with a minimum of 30 dry-suit dives
• In the previous 12 months before departure you must have completed at least 10 dry-suit dives
• You must have recent experience of cold water (below 10 °C/50 °F)
• Divers must be able to kit and de -kit themselves with minimal assistance.

TREKKING AND CLIMBING

Hiking and mountaineering is only offered by a couple of ships. An alpine trekking program is suitable for a wide range of experience levels. Most of the alpine peaks climbed are non-technical and can usually be attempted by people with limited experience. However, it is not an instructional class for beginners and is therefore unsuitable for complete novices. Ideally, participants should have some the following experience as a minimum:

• Walking or trekking on snow including the use of ice axe and crampons (required)
• Some trekking or hiking experience
• Rock climbing or abseiling experience is an advantage as ropes are used

Shackleton’s Crossing is offered on-board the Greg Mortimer – this is a serious trek and experience in alpine trekking is required:

• Competent in the use of an ice axe and crampons including; cramponing on moderately steep hard snow and ice, self arrest with an ice axe
• Experience with travelling in crevassed terrain using a rope for personal safety
• Snow camping experience in tents or snow shelters
• Ability to carry a 15 to 20 kg pack for up to 3 days, for up to 10 hours a day.
• Significant outdoor experience in extreme weather conditions such as high alpine, Himalayan or general mountain terrain