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If that wasn’t enough to delight passengers, passengers can peruse a pillow menu, too. Brave the infamous Drake Passage and marvel at the abundance of seabirds, albatrosses, and whales as you sail through its nutrient-rich waters. Explore the South Shetland Islands, home to ice-covered islands, dormant volcanoes, and diverse wildlife. Journey to the awe-inspiring Antarctic Peninsula, where your itinerary adapts to wildlife sightings and weather conditions.
Silver Cloud
There is no set itinerary on this trip, which allows our staff onboard to maximize the experience for all onboard. Whilst our suggestions above are just possible routes and landings, we can be sure that this will be the ultimate Antarctic experience. Once there, find yourself surrounded by gargantuan icebergs, towering mountains that thrust out of the ocean, glaciers that curl over the tops of seaside cliffs, geothermal beaches and beautiful nights under the Midnight Sun.
Comfort
Viking Returns to Antarctic Peninsula With Two Ships - Cruise Hive
Viking Returns to Antarctic Peninsula With Two Ships.
Posted: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
All passengers receive complimentary parkas and a water bottle, and polar boots to borrow. Flights between Buenos Aires or Montevideo and Ushuaia, and airport transfers are included. Cruises range from 12 to 22 days, with the longest cruises adding destinations like the Chilean fjords, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands to the itinerary.
Oceanview Suites
Our smallest ships are designed for those who delight in the thrill of discovery while indulging mind and body in the most lavish surroundings imaginable. All accommodations are spacious, ocean-view suites that include butler service, and most include private verandas. Admired for its expertise and experience, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is a longtime player in polar fields. The company charters Ponant's Le Lyrial, a stunningly sleek ice-class yacht with a chic interior design, and amenities including private balconies for all accommodations, suite butler service, two restaurants and an open-air bar. Although Ponant is a French bilingual line, on A&K charters, only English is spoken. Plus, A&K brings its own expedition lecturers and experts onboard (and an accredited physician) ensuring that they meet their company's highest standards.
Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands: Holiday Voyage Trip Log: December 19, 2022–January 5, 2023
This being the tail end of austral summer, temperatures hovered just above freezing. Scenic provides a waterproof, fleece-lined, hooded jacket for every guest. But once we were zipping in the Zodiacs across choppy waters to Horseshoe Island for our first landfall, the biting wind sent the thermometer plunging.
About the The Antarctica Explorer
From mighty tabular icebergs in the Weddell Sea to far-flung shores south of the Antarctic Circle, every day brings jaw-dropping scenery, unforgettable landscapes, and incredible wildlife encounters. Get up close to whales, sea lions, elephant seals, and vibrant colonies of seabirds and penguins on numerous Zodiac excursions and landings, visit research stations, and immerse yourself in a true Antarctic adventure. On all our luxury Antarctic ships you can expect two off-ship excursions per day in line with traditional expedition cruise operations, whether that's zodiac cruising or landing at a penguin rookery or historic site. These are richly immersive experiences, travelling in the company of an expedition team who are all polar experts, well versed in bringing Antarctica to life with their erudition and storytelling skills.
Thirty years later, we filmed this feature video in Antarctica to show you our award-winning Expedition Team in action and to offer a glimpse of the adventures of an A&K Luxury Expedition Cruise. The expedition staff were all super professional and top in their field. It was nice to have the option to snowshoe on one day and go out on the science boat on another. However you travel, it's important to remember that Mother Nature calls the shots in Antarctica. Since planes are more susceptible to bad weather than ships, if you fly you’ll need to accept a flexible schedule and the possibility of weather impacting flight timetables. The calibre of the expedition staff on your ship and very best staff to guest ratio are crucial to getting the most out of a trip to Antarctica.
Step Aboard Luxury 'Le Lyrial'
Despite the abundance of onboard amenities, passengers are keen to explore with expedition team members who not only possess advanced degrees but also extensive polar experience. Seabourn Venture offers several journeys to explore the White Continent. Several are 13-day, with five full days of Antarctica highlights via Zodiacs, double kayaks and treks. Seabourn Venture replaces Seabourn Quest in most polar pursuits, although the latter ship offers a few lengthy voyages embracing surrounding regions along with Antarctica, like a whopping 33-day voyage from Lima to Buenos Aires. Seabourn introduces its second expedition vessel, Seabourn Pursuit (a Seabourn Venture twin) in Fall 2023.
The recent arrival of a fleet of well-appointed ships offering creature comforts from Nespresso machines to balcony suites, and even 24/7 butler service, has significantly raised the bar at the end of the Earth. Our luxury ships have the highest staff to guest ratios in the industry, ensuring you of a more personalised service, and that someone is always on hand to answer a question or help identify wildlife. You can expect one on one conversations with some of the most experienced guides on the ice, from former research scientists ready to share their knowledge to leading photographers to help you capture your experiences on camera.
Check out our alphabetically arranged insider's list on the best luxury Antarctica cruises. Then, you decide which cruise ship and expedition style capture your White Continent fancy. Embark on one of the longest Antarctica-only cruises, this 13-day Antarctica Explorer voyage, and discover in depth the breathtaking scenery, glacier-clad peaks, and extraordinary wildlife of the Great White Continent. Experience a genuine exploratory expedition with no predetermined schedule, allowing you to discover Antarctica as it was meant to be. With the extra time to explore and a vessel with a PC6/1A ice rating, gain access to areas off-limits to most ships, offering a more immersive experience of Earth’s last frontier. Modern Antarctic luxury cruise ships are extremely well catered for, with facilities in line with a boutique hotel experience on dry land.
After two hours, with numb fingers and the light fading, we headed back to the luxurious comforts of the Scenic Eclipse. As we arrived, we encountered one last humpback whale circling the vessel as the clouds broke, bathing the scene in evanescent early evening sunlight. I clicked the shutter one last time as the whale exhaled, then submerged and disappeared, leaving me with an indelible memory of Antarctica's unimaginably impactful enchantment. "We're different because we've learned how to marry extra luxury with expedition," operations manager Jason Flesher told Travel + Leisure. "For example, we're the first ship to offer commercial submarine dives south of the Antarctic Circle."
For those who enjoy their wines, every ship has an extensive cellar of wines to choose from including premium wines all priced individually. During the next two days, we disinfected our boots and scrubbed our outer leggings before wet landings ashore to visit gentoo penguin rookeries at Neko Harbor, Cuverville Island, and Orne Harbor. The adorable birds seemed oblivious to our presence (we were briefed not to approach the wildlife, but this wasn't explained to the penguins) as they waddled along well-worn lanes in the snow, fed their young chicks, and tended to their pebble nests.
During your last evening onboard, join the Captain and Officers for the Farewell Cocktail Party, followed by a presentation of photos and video by our onboard photographer – the ideal opportunity to re-live your Antarctic adventure. From awarded-winning scientists and habitat conservationists to photographers, historians and cultural experts, A&K’s polar Expedition Team boasts a wealth of unmatched experience and naturalist guides representing the best in their fields. We’re proud to announce that our newest addition has joined the fleet. Silver Endeavour revolutionises our expedition voyages, and allows us to travel deeper to some of the planet’s farthest flung coasts.
An epic Antarctica Exploration Cruise aboard the Atlas Voyages World Traveler with Brando Quinn - The Gila Herald
An epic Antarctica Exploration Cruise aboard the Atlas Voyages World Traveler with Brando Quinn.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
One of the most enthralling aspects of Antarctica is the fact that it’s virtually untouched by humans. The bays you’ll visit during your Antarctica cruise are a startling shade of blue and remarkably clear, making for some of the most beautiful unspoiled views you’ll get anywhere on the planet. Admire towering icebergs as your ship navigates slowly through the icy waters. You’ll see icebergs in mesmerizing shapes and sizes, and colors from brilliant white to sapphire blue. During an Antarctica cruise, you’ll have the chance to look out for some of the world’s most incredible marine mammals.
With just 199 passengers onboard, all cruisers can easily participate in every shore excursion. Silversea suites offer one of the highest space-per-guest ratios of any luxury cruise accommodations. All of our suites feature ocean views, and most with a private teak veranda.
Enjoy a luxurious suite and an exclusive lounge and restaurant when you stay at The Retreat. Head to Sky Lounge to listen to soothing live music as you enjoy a glass of wine with the perfect ocean view. Take in the views from the alfresco Rooftop Terrace, or enjoy a peaceful moment at the pool in the adults-only Solarium. Few places thrill like Antarctica – this frozen continent at the bottom of the earth tops our wanderlust wishlists time after time. Antarctica is the ultimate travel destination of elemental beauty, towering glaciers, endemic wildlife and soaring mountains.
