An adventure cruise to Antarctica
100 years after Shackleton set off on his ill-fated mission to cross Antarctica, we follow in his footsteps – through iceberg-littered seas and over treacherous landscapes…
Wilder west
Endurance isle
The great white
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Make it happen
The author travelled with Quark Expeditions aboard the Sea Adventurer on its 23-day Crossing the Circle via the Falklands and South Georgia trip. A 14-day Crossing the Circle cruise (not including Falklands and South Georgia) on the Ocean Diamond, departing 15 Jan 2016 includes all meals on board, one night’s accommodation in Ushuaia, all Zodiac trips, lectures and hiking/snowshoeing excursions. Optional extras include camping and sea-kayaking. Minimum age for passengers is eight. Those aged between 8-16 must meet minimum height/weight requirements; restrictions apply to under 18s.
Choosing the right expedition vessel for you is vital. No more than 100 people are allowed on shore at one time so smaller ships mean everyone goes ashore at once. Larger ships tend to be cheaper and more stable in rough seas but operate a shift system for landings.
See what optional excursions the ship offers – ie: hiking, camping, kayaking, snowshoeing and helicopter rides.
Accommodation
On most Antarctic cruises you pay for the bed rather than the room. You can save money if you are prepared to share a triple cabin and pay a lot more if you want a private room.
How to get there
Cruises to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula usually depart from Ushuaia, southern Argentina. There are no direct flights from the UK to Ushuaia. TAM flies from Heathrow to Buenos Aires via São Paulo; LAN flies from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
What to pack
A warm jacket is usually provided by your expedition cruise company, as is the use of Muck boots. You will need to take good waterproof trousers. Packing layers is best – go for merino wool tops and long johns (naturally anti-smell) to sit next to your skin, a fleece and insulated jacket for extra cold days. Don’t forget to take several pairs of warm socks, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, suncream, binoculars, a camera, memory cards and – for the Polar Plunge – a swimming costume.
Main image: Cruise ship in Antarctic waters (Shutterstock)
