Cruising Antarctica

[dakrewser]

Personally I feel that a "drive by" Antarctica cruise is silly since it is the equivalent of visiting London by going up and down the Thames without stopping to let the passengers off. There is a big difference between seeing the penguins and having them walk right up to you because they do not know that they are supposed to have a 10 foot distance between them and you. I even have several pictures of 2 penguins "doing it".

DON

 

Nonsense. There's nothing you can see on the ground that you can't see from the ship, and see more of since you're higher. We also got to see lots and lots of penguins (four different kinds) "up close and personal" in both Tierra del Fuego and the Falklands.

 

The antarctic itself is a bit of a disappointment if you've cruised the glaciers in Alaska or the fjords in Norway, Chile or New Zealand but it's still worth the trip if only for the crossing of the Drake passage.

[dakrewser]

If only you make it in to port there. Two out of three times we haven't been able to tender in to the Falklands. Maybe the next time???

 

Sorry to hear that, Ruth. The one time we were there it was a gorgeous day with a gentle breeze and no waves to speak of. The worst part was the riding in the Landrover across the "countryside" :eek:

[donaldsc]

Nonsense. There's nothing you can see on the ground that you can't see from the ship, and see more of since you're higher. We also got to see lots and lots of penguins (four different kinds) "up close and personal" in both Tierra del Fuego and the Falklands.

 

The antarctic itself is a bit of a disappointment if you've cruised the glaciers in Alaska or the fjords in Norway, Chile or New Zealand but it's still worth the trip if only for the crossing of the Drake passage.

 

As I said on my post - different strokes for different folks. However, as you have never done landings in Antarctica, you have zero knowledge of what I consider the advantages of a landing versus a drive by.

 

DON

[SilvertoGold]

We enjoyed the penguin viewing at Puenta Arenas, but definitely Volunteer Point is outstanding!

 

As to Antarctic drive-bys, I am the type who does not want to rough it and that, by my definition, is what an expedition cruise would be like for me.

 

The price that is charged for expedition cruises makes HAL look very reasonable, which is saying a lot!

[Mary Ellen]

You are sort of right. Ships are allowed to have only 100 passengers on land at a time. Can you imagine landing 3000 passengers in groups of 100.

 

No. I am right, not 'sort of right'. There is indeed a 'magic number' as I stated earlier. That number is 500. Even if HAL wanted to sell a limited number of shore excursion slots, with no more than 100 ashore at a time, it could not do so.

 

From: http://iaato.org/frequently-asked-questions#are-large-cruise-ships-allowed-antarctica

 

An additional regulation placed on the large cruise ships by IAATO and more recently the Antarctic Treaty Parties is that if the vessel is carrying more than 500 passengers on board, it is not allowed to land any passengers while in Antarctic waters. This means these operators are then cruise-only.

 

Personally I feel that a "drive by" Antarctica cruise is silly since it is the equivalent of visiting London by going up and down the Thames without stopping to let the passengers off.

 

WOW! I really hope you didn't intend to come off as judgemental and rude to not only me, but 1000's of other people. If someone wanted to see London by cruising the Thames, that is their business. Not mine. Not yours. I would have the courtesy to respect that they understand their own needs. I could say that I'm SO relieved that you've condescendingly given your approval of our vacation with "However, as I have said many times on CC - different strokes for different folks. What is important is that you enjoyed your trip and we enjoyed ours.", but I'm not a liar.

 

Thank you for reminding me why I rarely use the CC anymore.

[aliaschief]

Eighteen dam cruises and our Veendam cruise from Valpairaiso to Buenes Aires and Antarctica is still the best cruise of them all. We missed the Falklands and a couple of other ports of call.

 

Plus we got to meet RuthC.:)

[dakrewser]

As I said on my post - different strokes for different folks. However, as you have never done landings in Antarctica, you have zero knowledge of what I consider the advantages of a landing versus a drive by.

 

DON

 

Enlighten me (and all the others, of course).

[world~citizen]

Nonsense. There's nothing you can see on the ground that you can't see from the ship, and see more of since you're higher. We also got to see lots and lots of penguins (four different kinds) "up close and personal" in both Tierra del Fuego and the Falklands.

 

The antarctic itself is a bit of a disappointment if you've cruised the glaciers in Alaska or the fjords in Norway, Chile or New Zealand but it's still worth the trip if only for the crossing of the Drake passage.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. This is one cruise that we would never do again because we worry it could never match the awe and wonder of the first. I fully understand those who book it multiple times though.

 

As I look to my right, there is a parrot glaring at me, reminding me that he has us grounded. He is on medication now so we can't book a cruise. But when I think of those days when we could, the antarctic cruise stands out.

[StartrainDD]

Our cruise over last year's holidays was our best cruise out of 24 cruises. And not only the wildlife, scenery, and wonder of what was outdoors! The service on board was superb. Our cabin happened to be right next door to one of the expedition team members.

 

For those cruising next winter, take a look for a preview: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2302990

 

If we had to do it again we would take a different excursion in Puerto Chacabuco and do the penguin island excursion from Punta Arenas. What we did was not bad (at all), but in retrospect there were better options.

 

Would I go back? Maybe. It would be so hard to top, but it was also so magical. Would love to do the Prinsendam down there...

 

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica!

 

Arie

[cruisin'teach]

On our Ant. cruises, we were fortunate to visit Falkland Islands each time. Volunteer Point is an amazing excursion! There are borders of white rocks that guests are told to not walk past. However, no one told the King penguins! Several came over and walked with my husband - took some wonderful pictures! Hope you are able to go there!

[Harry1954]

My best penguin viewing was Volenteer Point on the Falkland Islands. We have also seen penguins up close in Puenta Arenas, Puerto Madryn Argentina and South Africa. Volenteer Pount had huge colony of King Penguins who are actually more colorful than their big brothers, the Emperor Penguin. There were also a colony of Magellenic and Gentoo penguins. The Gentoo in particular come extremely close.

 

So I also don't feel deprived in doing just a drive-by in Antarctica. The scenery is so soectular. Plus, we saw not only penguins. We saw seals and whales.

 

that was DW's and my experience on our last HAL cruise to that neck of the world. At the Falklands, we could literally walk up to the penguins when taking pictures.

 

harry

Edited June 14, 2016 by Harry1954

[Groningen]

Our cruise over last year's holidays was our best cruise out of 24 cruises. And not only the wildlife, scenery, and wonder of what was outdoors! The service on board was superb. Our cabin happened to be right next door to one of the expedition team members.

 

For those cruising next winter, take a look for a preview: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2302990

 

If we had to do it again we would take a different excursion in Puerto Chacabuco and do the penguin island excursion from Punta Arenas. What we did was not bad (at all), but in retrospect there were better options.

 

Would I go back? Maybe. It would be so hard to top, but it was also so magical. Would love to do the Prinsendam down there...

 

Enjoy the trip of a lifetime to Antarctica!

 

Arie

 

Arie, which excursion would you recommend doing (and NOT doing) in Puerto Chacabuco? Any other excursions in other places you would recommend?

Thanks a lot!

[Storylady]

that was DW's and my experience on our last HAL cruise to that neck of the world. At the Falklands, we could literally walk up to the penguins when taking pictures.

 

harry

I had a 300 MM telephoto lens which really wasn't needed as the Penguins would walk up to you. They were so close that all I could get a photo of was their heads. Falklands is the best for Penguin viewing, even the cruises that use zodiacs go to the Falklands as you can see Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo and King Penguins. All the other locations outside of Antarctica and the Falklands, the Penguins are Magellanic or a relative of the Magellanic.

[gui218]

Further to storylady entry. I agree the Falklands are best for Penguins.

Bluff Cove was via 20 minute bus and about 20 minute land rover drive to the Cove. Windy, but this is the Falklands, lots of Gentoo and about a dozen King penguins. With a Pentax point and shoot, rested on a bench I shot a bunch with no view finder results as bright sky. Great results, I have 4 photo enlargements in the home of the King and Gentoo penguins.

Go on the HAL Antarctica cruise, and you will enjoy!

[Kirrus]

Speaking of Falklands, we were very lucky to be there during our last cruise on ms Zaandam (without Antarctica). Please take a look at my photos taken there: . Hope you'll enjoy them.

[jakkojakko]

I have done both the drive by cruise and an expedition cruise with multiple landings. The expedition had only 100 passengers, so all could go ashore at the same time.

For me the expedition one was way way more interesting than just driving by.

 

Somebody mentioned roughing it. The only roughing is getting in and out of the zodiac.

A lot of expedition ships are very luxureous, so no roughing on the ship.

[StartrainDD]

Arie, which excursion would you recommend doing (and NOT doing) in Puerto Chacabuco? Any other excursions in other places you would recommend?

Thanks a lot!

 

Take a look at the roll call for the Dec 20, 2015 cruise and search for "Chacabuco." We did a small group tour with a very nice German tour guide (lots of Germans and other Europeans down in that part of Chile!). There was nothing "Wrong" with the tour but it was a great deal of time in a van and it became somewhat 'boring' after a while; it was also quite costly.

 

Friends booked small group tours with another provider (there are not many there! - I think it was called 'en Patagonia tours' or something like that) where they saw a lot but also visited a local farm where they were served a nice local lunch and enjoyed a very entertaining performance of local dance and traditions. They raved about it.

 

It we were to go again I would do that tour.

 

Other ports? We loved all the tours and/or DIY's that we did - full details in the referenced thread. We did not go to the penguin island from Punta Arenas as we thought we would be 'sick of penguins' by the time we reached the Falklands if we did. Every penguin colony is different and while the tour we had in Punta Arenas was interesting we should have gone to the penguin island as those who did 'Raved about it.'

 

Arie

Edited June 15, 2016 by StartrainDD

[dakrewser]

For me the expedition one was way way more interesting than just driving by.

 

 

Could you share your reasons why?

[Groningen]

Take a look at the roll call for the Dec 20, 2015 cruise and search for "Chacabuco." We did a small group tour with a very nice German tour guide (lots of Germans and other Europeans down in that part of Chile!). There was nothing "Wrong" with the tour but it was a great deal of time in a van and it became somewhat 'boring' after a while; it was also quite costly.

 

Friends booked small group tours with another provider (there are not many there! - I think it was called 'en Patagonia tours' or something like that) where they saw a lot but also visited a local farm where they were served a nice local lunch and enjoyed a very entertaining performance of local dance and traditions. They raved about it.

 

It we were to go again I would do that tour.

 

Other ports? We loved all the tours and/or DIY's that we did - full details in the referenced thread. We did not go to the penguin island from Punta Arenas as we thought we would be 'sick of penguins' by the time we reached the Falklands if we did. Every penguin colony is different and while the tour we had in Punta Arenas was interesting we should have gone to the penguin island as those who did 'Raved about it.'

 

Arie

 

Thanks a lot, Arie! This will help us choosing a tour.

[WisRiver]

We have cruised Alaska and the Chilean fjords on a Buenos Aires/Santiago cruise with HAL and the Norwegian fjords with Hurtigruten. Earlier this year we did an Antarctic expedition on Hurtigruten's Fram. We have never done a driveby on Antarctic. Having said that, the expedition cruise was the most incredible cruise I have ever done.

 

We were able to get off the ship in Antarctica and the Falklands (we were able to dock in Stanley). We made five landings in Antarctica and three in the Falklands plus walking off the ship in Stanley. However, almost as incredible as Antarctica was our stops in the South Georgia Islands.

 

South Georgia has the mountains, glaciers and fjords on a par with our Northern Hemisphere stops, plus the seals, whales, sea birds, land birds and penguins. The South Georgia Islands do not have the 100 person per landing limit, but you have the chance to some hiking. Many of the passengers did a three hour hike on a portion of the Shackleton Trail.

 

Our cruise had lots of sea days, since we went from the Falklands to Buenos Aires. Since we were on smaller ships, there is no multiple dining options, casino, piano bar, or entertainment other than crew shows. Antarctica is pricey. We paid more for the Antarctic cruise than we did for an 18 day Black Sea cruise in a Signature Suite, the previous record holder for price for us.

[SilvertoGold]

I have done both the drive by cruise and an expedition cruise with multiple landings. The expedition had only 100 passengers, so all could go ashore at the same time.

For me the expedition one was way way more interesting than just driving by.

 

Somebody mentioned roughing it. The only roughing is getting in and out of the zodiac.

A lot of expedition ships are very luxureous, so no roughing on the ship.

 

I mentioned "roughing it".

 

By this I mean cabins, food, menus, restaurants (plural), entertainment, spaciousness, quality overall, size of ship, spa, gym, lounges (plural).

 

Not everyone's style.