Stepping Foot on Land Without Breaking the Bank

[sjmbruce]

Are there any affordable cruise lines that have excursions that allow passengers to step foot on Antartica?

So far I see larger cruise companies that are affordable but only have scenic cruising, or small lines that have excursions but are expensive. 

I'm mentioning my own version of affordable: $5000 for two people,  not including flights. Anything over that starts to hit the wallet a little too hard. 

[saffy12]

I may be mistaken, but my understanding is that there are limits to the size of boats that can allow passengers off.  I think a boat with more than 500 passengers is not allowed to have people step on land, which is why the large ships are drive by only.

 

Its not a firect correlation, but in order for the cruise line to make money, if they are having people step on land, they need to have less people, and therefore it is more expensive per person to get that experience. 

 

There's more to it, bit the short version is that the trips that let you step off the boat are going to be $$$.

[sjmbruce]

8 minutes ago, saffy12 said:

I may be mistaken, but my understanding is that there are limits to the size of boats that can allow passengers off.  I think a boat with more than 500 passengers is not allowed to have people step on land, which is why the large ships are drive by only.

 

Its not a firect correlation, but in order for the cruise line to make money, if they are having people step on land, they need to have less people, and therefore it is more expensive per person to get that experience. 

 

There's more to it, bit the short version is that the trips that let you step off the boat are going to be $$$.

That makes sense. I guess I'm going to have to decide if I'm okay with a scenic cruising day or if I'm going to need to do some serious saving. Thank you for the information.  

 

[kaisatsu]

saffy12 is correct. The IAATO regulations restrict landings to ships with <500 passengers, and no more than 100 can be ashore at once (even fewer at certain landing zones).

 

There are more and more new builds in the 400-500 passenger range, and given the reduced number of landings possible, these trips are less popular than the smaller expedition ships. If you are extremely flexible, I have seen a few people score some amazing deals. I think one even managed under $3K per person. In general, $5K per person would be considered a really "good" deal.

 

It's still a relatively small market, but even with increased traffic, the limited number of landing sites and the difficult logistics and operational requirements mean prices continue to go up.

[donaldsc]

There are companies that do Antarctica cruises that are less expensive.  We are not allowed to discuss specific TAs but there are TAs that specialize in Antarctic cruises.  Go onto the WEB and find them and maybe they will be able to help you.  I did a Falklands and South Georgia cruise at a reasonable price that I found with the aid of one of these specialist TAs.

 

DON

Edited December 28, 2023 by donaldsc

[ilovhywd]

We are debating the same issue.

 

I use the following logic to justify a drive-by cruise instead of an expedition cruise:

if I'm not setting foot on the continent, there is no chance I'm going to slip on the ice and break a hip!  LOL!

 

Additionally, there are good opportunities to mingle with the penguins in the Falklands.

[saffy12]

6 hours ago, ilovhywd said:

We are debating the same issue.

 

I use the following logic to justify a drive-by cruise instead of an expedition cruise:

if I'm not setting foot on the continent, there is no chance I'm going to slip on the ice and break a hip!  LOL!

 

Additionally, there are good opportunities to mingle with the penguins in the Falklands.

My friend and I literally said the same thing when we were making the decision of which cruise to take!

[Ziggy99]

There are early bird deals and last minute deals.  You might score 30% off.   I've paid 21 months in advance to get the most discount on the cheapest cabin class of which there were only 2 and I got the 2nd!

I've heard of people hanging around Ushaia to take advantage of last-minute openings.  Not for Type A personalities.

[donaldsc]

15 hours ago, Ziggy99 said:

There are early bird deals and last minute deals.  You might score 30% off.   I've paid 21 months in advance to get the most discount on the cheapest cabin class of which there were only 2 and I got the 2nd!

I've heard of people hanging around Ushaia to take advantage of last-minute openings.  Not for Type A personalities.

 

I was one of the people who made that suggestion.  As a follow up perhaps you could find the WEB sites business in Ushuaia and call them and ask them.  Don't e-mail them but actually call them.  Phone calls are cheap.

 

DON

[PhillyTravelBug]

I have started the research too and have been watching several YouTube journey's.  Both are a life changing vacation for me. The excursions from the videos I've seen on the National Geographic sailing definitely looks to be the preferred experience.  To go kayaking and hiking in Antarctica is definitely a bucket list item.  Time and the wallet definitely my two biggest concerns.  From the video I've seen of scenic cruising looks to be aww inspiring and provides a once in a lifetime experience as well.  The lectures and narrations on both types are something I would look forward to.  Lots to decide.  I also have the Galapagos on my list too... another big ticket item.