Antarctic Cruise Booking Guide

 Antarctica Travel Centre

When selecting your Antarctic cruise we always recommend writing down a list of the most important elements for YOU – and then sharing this with us as then we know what would make the perfect trip for you and we can set about finding the right itinerary, on the right ship in the cabin class that fits your budget.   We will always search out any Booking Offers for you.

When should you book.  Generally the earlier the better – why?
1.  You’ll get access to the best Early Booking Offers
2.  If you want to go Kayaking you need to book early as places are limited (10-20 guests) and regularly sell out.
3.  If you’re travelling between mid December and mid February this is not only peak season in Antarctica it is also peak season in Patagonia and if you are adding to your cruise the best lodges book out early.
4.  You also get to secure the ship, cruise and cabin type you want.

# 1. Antarctic Cruise  Itinerary

In selecting the best Antarctic cruise it’s good to start with:
Where do you want to go, and what do you want to see and experience?  Is it ‘just’ the Antarctic Peninsula, or do you want to include South Georgia or visit the Ross Sea?
Are there any species of wildlife that your are more interested in seeing, e.g. whales, king or Emperor penguins etc.

If you’re not sure that’s the time to call us (1300 784 794) as with first-hand experience we can quickly help you understand the options/choices.

King penguins and elephant seal – South Georgia

Emperor Penguins – Weddell Sea / Snow Hill

Zodiac Cruise – Whale watching

# 2.  Duration of Antarctic Cruise

Obviously the duration of the cruise pre-determines what you can fit in/where you can go; here’s simple summary of days.  If all you’re thinking of doing is an Antarctic cruise you’d need to add a minimum of 3, or 4, days to get to the ship’s departure point and back – and we can help with flights, transfers and any additional accommodation.

How long a voyage:
9-12 Days       Antarctic Peninsula  including Fly cruise options)
11-15 Days       Antarctic Circle Voyages
16-24 Days     Antarctic Peninsula, Falklands and South Georgia (including crossing Antarctic Circle)

The first three options are offered by many ships.
The last four options are offered by a limited number of ships.

20- 24 Days    Ross Sea
11-15 Days      Emperor Penguins & Weddell Sea
11-15 Days      NZ and Australian Sub-Antarctic Islands
28 Days           Antarctic Continent Semi Circumnavigation

Wilhelmina Bay – Antarctic Peninsula

Gentoo penguin

Bull elephant seal – Gold Harbour South Georgia

Cape Adare – Ross Sea

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands

#3.  Time Out exploring in zodiacs or ashore

The maximum number of guests on a ship will always effect how much time you can spend out exploring or ashore.  In Antarctica and South Georgia most sites have a limit of 100 guests ashore at one time.

As a result if you want to maximise the time ashore or exploring by zodiac this is something you want you should consider a ship with as close to 100 guests as possible.
All of the ships we work with in Antarctica have a maximum capacity of 200 when operating in Antarctica.  If you do choose a slightly larger ship with closer to 200 guests you will almost undoubtedly still have an amazing time, and for some a little less time ashore, or perhaps just one excursion a day, as opposed to two, is more than enough.

Ships with close to 100 guests include:

Expedition Style: Ortelius and Plancius (108 Guests)
Expedition / Luxury Style:  Sea Spirit (114), Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson (130 maximum with up to 20 kayakers).
Ocean Explorer (135)
Fly-Cruise:  Magellan Discoverer and Magellan Explorer (both 76 guests)

Greg Mortimer sister ship to Sylvia Earle and Douglas Mawson – all 130 Guests maximum

Sea Spirit (114 Guests)

Ocean Explorer (135 Guests)

#4.  Price: Ship, Cabin and ship amenities

In very simple terms:

Older ships cost a little less.

Newer, purpose built ships, with larger cabins (some with balconies) cost more.

Luxury ships with fine dining, larger cabins and a higher degree of emphasis on-board cost more again.

Ships with helicopters and sub-marines will cost more again (and some of those activities are additional costs).

AND

A ship with closer to 100 guests can cost as much or even more than a more comfortable ship with 200 guests: as the 200 guest ship can spread fixed costs (like fuel) across more guests.  Put another way it doesn’t simply cost double to operate a 200 guest ship than a 100 guest ship.

It’s not simple and that’s where we can help understand what you want and get the most value from your cruise (in the Arctic or Antarctica) including any specials or Booking Offers in the market at that time.

Many newer, purpose built Polar expedition ships, have balconies

Luxury / Expedition ships offer excellent cuisine

National Geographic Lindblad have an onboard Igloo experience

#5.  Activities

Finally, if there are specific activities, in particular Kayaking and camping you need to book early – as there are limited participants for both activities.  Kayaking is limited to between 10 and 20 guests dependent upon the ship.

For more information about the possible activities CLICK HERE

As a specialist in Polar Cruising (and South America) we enjoy the opportunity to help our clients book their cruise of a lifetime.

We enjoy even more receiving feedback and images from you after your trip.

In short we’d love to help – please call  1300 784 794 to start planning your Antarctic Cruise.

Each polar cruise has its own highlights and as the weather varies the schedule may change. Call 1300 784 794 or email contact@antarcticatravelcentre.com.au to talk to one of our Antarctic Experts to find the cruise that is right for you.