KimmyinLA Posted March 15, 2009 #1 Share Posted March 15, 2009 While research for our trip around South America... I have come across several blogs/TR/reviews about cruises around SoAM/Antarctica. Our ship does not go into A... closest we get is around cape horn. Just wondering, are there other major cruise lines that includes Antarctica?? Just curious... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertbelle Posted March 15, 2009 #2 Share Posted March 15, 2009 While research for our trip around South America... I have come across several blogs/TR/reviews about cruises around SoAM/Antarctica. Our ship does not go into A... closest we get is around cape horn. Just wondering, are there other major cruise lines that includes Antarctica?? Just curious... Not positive but I am pretty sure Celebrity Expeditions and Amazara cruises go to Antarctica.....or at lease very, very close. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpmesailaway Posted March 15, 2009 #3 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Princess includes Anarctica on some of the SA cruises. This year it is Star Princess. We enjoyed our Around the Horn cruise very much:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyinLA Posted March 15, 2009 Author #4 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Do the ships let you off or is it just a "look only" thing? I'm fascinated by this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 15, 2009 #5 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Kimmy - Next year's South America cruise on Regent Seven Seas Mariner will spend three days cruising in Antarctica. It is the Callao (Lima) to Rio de Janeiro cruise that departs Jan 24, 2010. There are no landings, as such are only done on cruises by expedition vessels. It should be a lovely "drive-by" though. If you want to learn more about trips on the various expedition vessels, there is a lot of good info on the Antarctica board on Cruise Critic Ports of Call. It was an invaluable source of info for us when we were preparing for our cruise in Antarctica two years ago on the Hanseatic. Cheers, Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peregrina651 Posted March 16, 2009 #6 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Kimmy, I found this article on cruises to Antartica. It includes a sidebar of ships making the trip to Antartica. Nice pictures, too. http://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magazine/2008/1027/085.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyinLA Posted March 16, 2009 Author #7 Share Posted March 16, 2009 If you want to learn more about trips on the various expedition vessels, there is a lot of good info on the Antarctica board on Cruise Critic Ports of Call. It was an invaluable source of info for us when we were preparing for our cruise in Antarctica two years ago on the Hanseatic. Funny how all these years, I never even *noticed* there was a board for Antarctica! Kimmy, I found this article on cruises to Antartica. It includes a sidebar of ships making the trip to Antartica. Nice pictures, too. Peregrina, thanks for that link... that article is awesome. My husband wanted to do a cruise that stops in A. and I thought I really didn't have an interest in it until recently. Now, I want to go! Btw, are you in news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Clay Clayton Posted March 16, 2009 #8 Share Posted March 16, 2009 NCL offers an excursion during Sun's cruise around Cape Horn. - you take 2.5 or 3 hour flight each way and have 5 hours on the ground as I recall. It is too expensive for me to consider unfortunately. Clay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonna and Papa Posted March 16, 2009 #9 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Peregrina, Enjoyed reading the article you posted. Thank you! Kimmy, While not an expedition ship, Celebrity Infinity also sails to Antarctica. We'll be on that cruise next February, and we're deep in research mode! Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricki Posted March 17, 2009 #10 Share Posted March 17, 2009 We just returned from a cruise from Los Angeles to Miami---around South America and to Antarctica--on Crystal Symphony. It was a spectacular cruise! Antarctica is just breath-taking! Crystal Symphony does a cruise by Antarctica. You do not leave the ship unless you take one of the shore excursions from Ushuaia. These were an all day flight to Antarctica with an opportunity to actually walk on the continent. There were two excursions offered, but neither one went because of the weather. Crystal Symphony spends 3 days cruising Antarctica. The first day goes to Palmer Station where a group of scientists come aboard the ship to explain what they doing in Antarctica. We missed that first day, and our slot at Palmer Station, because we hit hurricane winds in the Drakes Passage and lost the windows in 3 cabins on deck 5. We had to return to Ushuaia to have the windows repaired. The repairs were completed in one day and the Captain got us safely to Antarctica the following day. We spent New Year's Day 2009 cruising by the most spectacular scenery in the world. The second day went went past Deception Island and Elephant Island. It was a way to experience the beauty of the area without sacrificing luxury! Ricki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserus Posted March 18, 2009 #11 Share Posted March 18, 2009 We took Star Princess to Antarctica last January. It was fabulous! Although we didn't land there, the scenery was unbelievably beautiful. We saw lots of wildlife too, like penguins, elephant seals, whales, and a ton of different birds. We spent 5 days cruising along the coast of Antarctica, and it is something I will never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henna7999 Posted March 20, 2009 #12 Share Posted March 20, 2009 We just returned from a cruise from Los Angeles to Miami---around South America and to Antarctica--on Crystal Symphony. It was a spectacular cruise! Antarctica is just breath-taking! Crystal Symphony does a cruise by Antarctica. You do not leave the ship unless you take one of the shore excursions from Ushuaia. These were an all day flight to Antarctica with an opportunity to actually walk on the continent. There were two excursions offered, but neither one went because of the weather. Crystal Symphony spends 3 days cruising Antarctica. The first day goes to Palmer Station where a group of scientists come aboard the ship to explain what they doing in Antarctica. We missed that first day, and our slot at Palmer Station, because we hit hurricane winds in the Drakes Passage and lost the windows in 3 cabins on deck 5. We had to return to Ushuaia to have the windows repaired. The repairs were completed in one day and the Captain got us safely to Antarctica the following day. We spent New Year's Day 2009 cruising by the most spectacular scenery in the world. The second day went went past Deception Island and Elephant Island. It was a way to experience the beauty of the area without sacrificing luxury! Ricki We are doing this cruise December 2009. From Ushuaia, did you go due east to the Atlantic to Drake's passage, or did you actually cruise "around the Horn"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jade13 Posted March 21, 2009 #13 Share Posted March 21, 2009 While research for our trip around South America... I have come across several blogs/TR/reviews about cruises around SoAM/Antarctica. Our ship does not go into A... closest we get is around cape horn. Just wondering, are there other major cruise lines that includes Antarctica?? Just curious... You need to go on a smaller ship if you do not want to do a "drive by". I highly recommend this. There are many Sales on now for Minerva (A&K), Prince Albert II (SilverSeas) and Fram (Hurtigruten) to name a few. I can highly recommend the Minerva. Check out Abercrombie and Kents web site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnyd Posted March 25, 2009 #14 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Jade 13 it right on Alan Fox is travelling down there writing his experiences for Vacations to Go. Ive' read his last 3 .He says only small ships are allowed & also in small groups .No more than a hundred at a time. They also have to disinfect their boots every time they land . I guess big ships have too many passengers for them to handle the procedure involved. But most stop at the Falklands where there is about 5 species of Penguins. He also says you pay to get there & back by sailing the Drake Passage which has very rough weather. Roy.PS Look up Falklands On South America Forum Theres a lady who lives there who is Known by hundreds of Cruise Critic viewers for her Pics of her Island & way of life & ex advice. R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnyd Posted March 25, 2009 #15 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Re My above post .Her CC name is Gixer Her column is "Any Questions About the Falklands" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greatam Posted March 25, 2009 #16 Share Posted March 25, 2009 He says only small ships are allowed & also in small groups .No more than a hundred at a time. They also have to disinfect their boots every time they land . I guess big ships have too many passengers for them to handle the procedure involved. There is an international agreement between countries protecting Antarctica and agreeing that NO country actually owns Antarctica. There is also an agreement with IATTO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) that NO ship/conveyance will allow more than 100 people on land for OTHER than research in a specific area at the same time. By agreement, there can also NOT be two ships in the same location at the same time (more than 100 people) This is to protect the fragile ecosystem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted March 30, 2009 #17 Share Posted March 30, 2009 We sailed on HAL last year from Rio to Valparaiso via Antarctica. It was absolutely spectacular. One of the things that kept us with HAL, rather than Princess, was a comment on the CC from someone who had done this cruise on Princess - While in Antarctica, she could see the smaller HAL ship going places the larger Princess ship she was on, couldn't fit. No, we weren't able to go ashore in Antarctica, but that was perfectly fine for our needs. We had expected this to be a once-in-a-lifetime destination, but while there, we knew we had to return. We're looking at 2011 or 2012. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franu Posted April 1, 2009 #18 Share Posted April 1, 2009 There are three types of Antarctic cruises. The mass market ships do what we refer to as a "wave-by". They cruise in Antarctic waters and you can see it but do not have zodiac landings or zodiac cruising. They are large ships. The mid sized ships of which have ice-strengthened hulls and will allow only 100 persons to land at a time. There are usually three landings but in that region of the world weather is the greater factor. Although these ships have more cruise amenities the opportunities for landings are fewer. The smaller ships are more adventure cruising having a lot fewer passengers, have more and longer landings per person. Only you know what sort of experience you are looking for. It is up to you to decide. My experience was on a mid sized ship. It was right for me. Ask any questions that you have, I will try my best to answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2serendip Posted April 2, 2009 #19 Share Posted April 2, 2009 We are planning an Antarctica trip for 2011 or 2012. Could you tell me which mid-sized ships you were referring to? I like the idea of some comfort and some landings, too. We've had friends who had a wonderful experience on Regent (with Zodiak landings), and we've loved our Crystal cruises. But I'm not sure that either of those experiences would have been "midszed" -- Regent, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 3, 2009 #20 Share Posted April 3, 2009 There are three types of Antarctic cruises. The mass market ships do what we refer to as a "wave-by". They cruise in Antarctic waters and you can see it but do not have zodiac landings or zodiac cruising. They are large ships. The mid sized ships of which have ice-strengthened hulls and will allow only 100 persons to land at a time. There are usually three landings but in that region of the world weather is the greater factor. Although these ships have more cruise amenities the opportunities for landings are fewer. The smaller ships are more adventure cruising having a lot fewer passengers, have more and longer landings per person. Only you know what sort of experience you are looking for. It is up to you to decide. My experience was on a mid sized ship. It was right for me. Ask any questions that you have, I will try my best to answer. You are certainly well travelled. I'd like to know what ship you went on, length of cruise and what time of year? In addition, your most memorable personal highlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piepkorn Posted April 5, 2009 #21 Share Posted April 5, 2009 We are planning an Antarctica trip for 2011 or 2012. Could you tell me which mid-sized ships you were referring to? I like the idea of some comfort and some landings, too. We've had friends who had a wonderful experience on Regent (with Zodiak landings), and we've loved our Crystal cruises. But I'm not sure that either of those experiences would have been "midszed" -- Regent, maybe? A good example of a mid-sized ship is the MS Fram. About 300 passengers. Just short of 13000 tons. The Prince Albert II (Silversea) is about 1/2 that displacement - lists 132 passengers, and it looks real nice on their brochure. Doing the research for our trip, we looked at all the options, and elected to go for a really small ship, as a mid-size ship can limit your time on-shore as only 100 people are allowed at one time, but the time onshore is priceless. We elected to go on the Polar Pioneer - 53 passengers, where we had 2-3 landings per day. Not a fancy ship, but an affordable trip for us. With an expedition leader that really knew his stuff (Howard Whelan), and a staff that did as well. If you are looking for a 'cruiseship' experience, the small boats are not it. The mid-size ships (Fram) are stabilized, and it will be a bit more comfortable crossing the Drake. My DW and I do not get seasick so it didn't matter. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franu Posted April 5, 2009 #22 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Could you tell me which mid-sized ships you were referring to? I'd like to know what ship you went on, length of cruise and what time of year? In addition, your most memorable personal highlights. I went to Antarctica in 2005 on the M/V Marco Polo. It was part of a 30 day cruise which took us to two of the Falkland Islands, up the coast of South America and 1000 miles up the Amazon River to Manaus. We did three landings in total and I really loved it. I am a lover of ironic signs. During my first landing, There was a flat red hose marking a boundary with a sign. The sign was a picture of a penguin with a big red stripe. Of course it meant that we should not go and bother the penguins but the penguin couldn't read so he came over to see me. Unfortunately the ship that I went on was sold last year. It was sold to a company and leased to German company. At this point I know nothing about the ship. The only other ship of this type would be the Discovery. There are more ships stopping in Antarctica now than there were four years ago. Fran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 5, 2009 #23 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I went to Antarctica in 2005 on the M/V Marco Polo. It was part of a 30 day cruise which took us to two of the Falkland Islands, up the coast of South America and 1000 miles up the Amazon River to Manaus. We did three landings in total and I really loved it. I am a lover of ironic signs. During my first landing, There was a flat red hose marking a boundary with a sign. The sign was a picture of a penguin with a big red stripe. Of course it meant that we should not go and bother the penguins but the penguin couldn't read so he came over to see me. Unfortunately the ship that I went on was sold last year. It was sold to a company and leased to German company. At this point I know nothing about the ship. The only other ship of this type would be the Discovery. There are more ships stopping in Antarctica now than there were four years ago. Fran Thanks for your response. Sounds like a wonderful long cruise. Lucky the penquin couldn't read. I've heard of the Marco Polo, which had quite a loyal following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franu Posted April 5, 2009 #24 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I've heard of the Marco Polo, which had quite a loyal following. The Marco Polo was my favorite ship. The crew were fantastic. Having read some reviews on these boards of the new product, I was aghast. One reviewer said that they had difficulty keeping the ship upright while another said that they borrowed a captain from Louis Cruise Lines. Both are unacceptable to me. I would never recommend a product that I would not use myself. I am waiting to find out about the ship that Gerry Herrod is redoing. He did both the Marco Polo and the Discovery. Fran Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricki Posted April 5, 2009 #25 Share Posted April 5, 2009 We are doing this cruise December 2009. From Ushuaia, did you go due east to the Atlantic to Drake's passage, or did you actually cruise "around the Horn"? Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Yes, we did actually cruise around Cape Horn which was rough, but very tolerable. We were sailing from West to East. Ricki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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