Antarctic Cruises - Essential information

• When and where do trips take place
• What do I need to take
• Different types of vessel
• Travellers' Information

When and Where Do Trips Take Place:

Antarctic visits are mainly concentrated at ice-free coastal zones over the Antarctic summer, the five-month period from November to March, in high summer there will be 20+ hours of daylight.

The formation and movement of sea-ice outside of these times means that from March to November, Antarctica is left to the over-wintering scientific bases and their crews. Apart from the odd ice-breaker trip that may leave in October, tourist ships just don't risk it outside of these months.

Winter pack ice extends over 620 miles around the continent, it is almost permanently dark and temperatures can drop to as low as -90°c (-130°f)

Temperature Range: December - February -6°c to +10°c (20°f to 50°f)

November & Early December (Late Spring / Early Summer)

• Winter pack ice is starting to melt and break up.
• The scenery is white, clean and pristine with pack ice and giant icebergs
• Courting season for penguins and seabirds - see spectacular courtship rituals
• Seals visible on fast ice
• Spring wildflowers in the Falklands and South Georgia
• Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding territories

Mid- December and January (Mid Summer)

• Normally Antarctica’s warmest months
• Longer days create great light conditions and fabulous photo opportunities at midnight
• Antarctic chicks hatch
• South Georgia and the Falklands - first penguin chicks emerge and fur seals are breeding
• Seal Pups visible on South Georgia and the Falklands
• Receding ice allows for more exploration

February and March (Late Summer)

• Whale sightings are at their best
• Penguin chicks start to fledge
• Receding pack ice allows ships to explore further south
• More fur seals in the Antarctic Peninsula

What Do I Need To Take?

"When your feet are cold, cover your head." - Inuit saying.

As your trip will be in the Antarctic summer, you won't need to take any real extreme cold weather gear for your polar expedition. Temperatures on many or most days will hover around freezing point, maybe dropping to an extreme of -10?C (20F). Obviously people adapt to the cold in different ways and I've seen some tourists watching Antarctic wildlife in lightweight clothing while others are wrapped up like the Michelin man in the same conditions. Layering is the key, and then you can be flexible according to conditions.

Camera. Be sure to take a good quality digital camera with you. An SLR with zoom lens is preferable, especially for wildlife shots; however all the principal manufacturers also offer super-zoom, automatic ‘bridge’ cameras and high-spec compacts for those who prefer an easier life! You will also find that fellow passengers are often willing to share their efforts. Spare batteries and chargers as well as memory cards are absolutely essential. If you do not take your own laptop or PDA, make sure you have a couple of high density memory sticks, so you can download and share images whilst on board.

Quality sunglasses.It gets really bright! Especially when the sun reflects off the sea and ice or snow.

High factor sun-cream. If you’ve never been burnt under your nose from reflections from snow and ice, then walking in Antarctica can be your first experience. The ozone hole is real, don’t let it prove it to you the hard way.

Lightweight waterproof rucksack to carry your stuff ashore while leaving arms free to clamber in and out of zodiacs.

Take a good pair of waterproof binoculars if yours is an Antarctic wildlife holiday. 8 x 42 specification ones are recommended for wildlife viewing and are ideal for use on moving ships.

Swiss army penknife. I wouldn’t leave home without one.

Different Types of Vessel

The following is brief overview of the different styles of vessels that offer the very best cruising experiences.

Expedition Ship

An expedition ship is designed to cruise remote waterways. Expedition ships focus on natural history and culture, and have on-board educational programs. The expedition ships offer comfortable accommodations and good quality onboard service and dining. Capacity is up to about 120 passengers and all landings are by zodiac inflatables.

Expedition ships have ice-strengthened hulls for sailing through floating sea ice, allowing access to remote areas.

There are also a small number of luxury expedition ships where the onboard service is 5*. These offer the full expedition experience but combine it with facilities normally only found on luxury yachts and cruise ships.

Sailing Ships

There are a small number of these ships sailing in polar waters offering a unique expedition experience with moderate comfort and limited facilities onboard. They are manned by experienced polar crew members and passengers are expected to assist with tasks on board, such as raising sails, etc. They have engines, but travel under sail whenever possible.

Luxury Ships

Large, spacious cruise vessels with often hundreds of passengers. On these, you see the Antarctic at a distance and with little chance of shore excursions. Offer a wide choice of accommodation and a large variety of on board facilities. For further details of facilities on board click on Life On Board.

Travellers' Information

The following links will take you directly through to external web-sites which contain essential and useful information for travellers. Each site is managed by a reputable organisation; however, Antarctica Bound cannot be responsible for the content of these sites or the information displayed.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office issues advice to travellers regarding safety, consular services, advisability of travel to certain parts of the world, etc.

BBC Weatherworld
Check the weather before you go

The Passport Agency
This link will give essential information regarding UK passports.

World Travel Guide
This useful link will provide details of worldwide passport and visa requirements and other general travel information.

For further details of facilities on board see our Life On Board section or check out the individual excursions below: