Antarctica Holiday

An Antarctica Holiday will be the trip of a lifetime for most people, so it is important to plan thoroughly, well in advance and to use the services of an expert company such as Antarctica Bound. The following are two of the most important considerations when planning a holiday to the Antarctic.

Timing

Your Antarctic holiday will always be during the Southern Summer when there is maximum daylight. Winter trips are only for scientists and other personnel and tourists, even if they wanted to travel then, are actively discouraged. It is never going to be hot in Antarctica but outside temperatures will be at their highest at the peak of the summer in December and January. This is not really a problem, though since all ships provide adequate protective clothing and cold weather gear.

Travel at the start and end of the season may involve some restrictions on landings due to ice and how close ships can reach. However, this is sometimes the most spectacular time and one advantage of the shorter days is the chance that you might see the spectacular display of the Aurora Australis, an experience which would be a true Antarctic holiday highlight.

Bird watching and other wildlife viewing are also different at various times of the season. Penguins and seabirds mate and nest at certain time and the experience of a hatchery is not to be missed.

Choice of ship

Your choice of ship determines the type of Antarctic holiday you will experience. The choice ranges from specially constructed expedition vessels with ice-strengthened hulls to luxury cruise liners with fine dining and nightly entertainment.

The expedition vessels carry only a few passengers and accommodation is often in shared cabins without private facilities. Food is simple and wholesome and entertainment, such as it is homespun. On these ships, you really get to know your fellow travellers and most form long-lasting friendships.

This is the ultimate Antarctica holiday experience with maximum access to the ice, close contact with wildlife, sleepovers on the ice and trekking into the wilderness. Diving and kayaking are also possible.

At the other end of the scale for Antarctic holidays are cruise liners carrying 1000 passengers or more which sail around the Antarctic peninsular affording superb scenery and some whale watching an other wildlife viewing, but no landings.

For a combination of comfort and landings and other activities, choose a substantial vessel such as Minerva or even the luxurious Prince Albert, which is the latest five star addition to Silversea’s fleet, carrying no more than 158 passengers.