An Antarctic cruise is for the more adventurous traveler. An Antarctica trip means you head to our southern-most continent, not because you want to "play tourist" or hit another cruise line port town that is almost the same as any other.
You go because you're looking for something unique and clean —a trip you can take pride in. However, what makes an Antarctic expedition so special is also what makes it a little more work than other cruises. Antarctica does not offer tourist amenities, so it is essential to ensure you are prepared for what lies ahead.
Let's take a look at 10 quick tips that will enable you to enjoy your Antarctic cruise.
Table of Contents
- Antarctic Travel Tips
- 1. There are no stores.
- 2. It's environmentally protected.
- 3. You may run into rough waters.
- 4. The cruise itself is just the beginning of the costs.
- 5. There are no medical facilities.
- 6. It might be warmer than you think.
- 7. You might need visas.
- 8. Look for smaller ships.
- 9. Some cruise ships offer helicopter rides.
- 10. Look for "base camp" cruises.
Antarctic Travel Tips
1. There are no stores.
There are no tourist amenities in Antarctica; you're limited to what you bring with you and what's available for sale on your particular ship.
Before you set out, double-check your gear against the information provided by your cruise line about what you should or should not bring on your trip.
2. It's environmentally protected.
Antarctica is primarily regarded as one great big national reserve park. This is partly to protect the remarkably rich ecosystem and partly to maintain its cleanliness for the various scientific studies being conducted in the region.
Multiple countries use Antarctica as a base to study the effects of global warming and the spread of pollution; therefore, outside interference (e.g., seeds from foreign weeds, insect larvae) mustn't be introduced ashore.
This means that in some cases before you set foot on Antarctica or some of the remote islands you might visit along the way (e.g. The Falklands, South Georgia, etc.) you may have to go through some decontamination steps before you head to shore.
3. You may run into rough waters.
If you're in a ship that's crossing the infamous Drake Passage to get to Antarctica, then there's a decent chance that for about two days, you're going to have to endure some rough waters.
If you have even the slightest inclination towards seasickness, you should visit your doctor and get your hands on some Dramamine or another anti-seasickness drug.
Do this for at least a week before you set sail; Dramamine is a preventative medication and has to be taken before you set sail.
4. The cruise itself is just the beginning of the costs.
You should consider cruise costs alone to run you at the very least around $5,500; you can sometimes find discounts for last-minute berths. This will cover a room that you will likely share with other people.
Cruise costs will fluctuate depending on the level of luxury your ship offers, the size of your room, the destination, and the duration of your trip with the cruise line.
There are additional costs that you will need to consider.
- These include:
- Travel permits
- Flight costs
- Stay in port towns
- Purchases on board the ship
- Activities (kayaking, photography courses, ski-mountaineering, etc.)
- Clothing and boots
5. There are no medical facilities.
Bigger cruise ships will have a doctor and limited medical supplies, but aside from that, you might be out of luck if you have a medical problem or if you've forgotten your medicine.
So if you're not sure if you're in good enough shape for a trip, schedule a checkup for yourself, and make sure you stock up on your prescription drugs.
6. It might be warmer than you think.
Temperatures for Antarctic summers (around the coastlines, at least) hover around 32 F (0 C). For many people, Antarctica may end up being warmer than home, as you'll be leaving the northern hemisphere's winter behind as you venture south.
Additionally, you're likely to generate some heat as you participate in various hikes and other activities. And on top of that, you may get wet as you journey on a Zodiac from ship to shore (they tend to splash a little).
Layers are your friend. Layers let you regulate your temperature much more easily than bulk clothing items, and they're more easily swapped out if something does get wet. Your cruise line will typically provide a guide outlining the types of clothing you should pack in your bag.
7. You might need visas.
Antarctica itself does not require permits or visas; however, you will likely need to fly from your home country to a port city in a foreign country, which may require some official documentation.
Check with your local tourism bureau to make sure you have everything in order well in advance of your departure date.
8. Look for smaller ships.
Antarctica has a law prohibiting more than 100 passengers from landing at any one spot at any one time. To maximize the time you get to spend ashore, look for cruise ships that have fewer than 200 passengers. The lower the number of passengers, the more time you get to spend ashore.
9. Some cruise ships offer helicopter rides.
Some of the most interesting wildlife spots (especially for particular species of penguins) are too far inland to be reached on foot.
One or two cruise lines now offer you the chance to take a helicopter ride inland to meet some of the more remote of these dapper fellows. (Don't worry, they land far enough away not to disturb the birds' environment.) Plus, a helicopter ride.
10. Look for "base camp" cruises.
If this is your first Antarctic cruise, consider finding a cruise line that offers a "base camp" experience. These cruises offer a variety of activities, all included under one price.
The activities can include:
- Hikes with various levels of difficulty
- Snowshoeing
- Diving (usually only for the experienced)
- Photography courses
- History and wildlife lectures
- Shoreline cruises in Zodiacs (rubber boats with outboard engines)
- Ski-mountaineering
- Ski-treks
- Kayaking
And so on. If you're not sure yet how you'll most likely experience the Antarctic, a basecamp cruise lets you try a little bit of everything until you figure out what suits you best.
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This story was brought to you in partnership with Oceanwide Expeditions.
Nitin Khanna says
It's amazing! Antartica is really interesting place to spend your vacation. Great tips shared by you. I will take care of all these points When I will plan for Antartica. Beautiful Pictures.
Cvetan says
I don't think that I will ever go to Antarctica, I got some other places in mind first. But this post was very informative
Thank you
Scott Adlhoch says
Really amazing images of Antarctica and great information provided by you. This will really help a lot to make a trip of Antarctica...
Jennifer Cooper @ Travelbllgr says
Never bee to Antarctica but I'd love to visit - it seems more operators are offering trips there now, perhaps this will make trips cheaper in future!
Dave says
Me too. The backpackers and budget travelers I know who've gone typically did so by taking advantage of last minute price discounts. That requires flexibility, but it can save thousands of dollars.
Dave says
Great tips. I'm hoping to make it to Antartica next year, but it's all a bit crazy, lol. My dream is to go kayaking down there though, it looks amazing.
Mark Gull says
What an insightful blog! Before reading your piece, I had never considered heading to Antarctica. As you've pointed out, there are some important challenges to consider; but, I think I might have to explore the idea a little further! Beautiful photos - excited to read more of your work!
rocketbobo says
I guess antartica is one of the most beautiful places where you can see the beauty of raw nature.
Imagine the different types of blue of the icebergs, it is just incredible.
Thanks for your tip with the last minute booking, i'll check that.
Amarante says
Hi Dave, very useful info and tips. We are searching information about a future trip to Antarctica. It seems to be very similar than in Galapagos or Eastern Island, the cruise is the best compromise but quite very expensive. I guess it only access a very small part of the Antarctica Shores. Thanks.
Sapna Parmar says
Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t think that I will ever go to Antarctica but this has definitely convinced me & all pictures are looking awesome.
Nicholas Juan says
Amazing place for touring. Your listed places entice me to go these places. thanks for sharing