GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT
There are more ways than ever to travel to Antarctica — including some luxury options
A few weeks ago, I was standing in the immigration line at the Buenos Aires airport, inching closer to Antarctica, when I learned about a drive-by cruise to the White Continent.
“We don’t get off the ship,” the American traveller said, “but I am still going to count it as my seventh continent.”
I don’t know if Ernest Shackleton would approve, but the polar explorer would be amazed at how Antarctic travel has evolved. The isolated destination with the unforgiving environment no longer feels so far away, or so gruelling. A sea crossing from the tip of Argentina takes about two days, shorter than a transatlantic cruise. By plane, the flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, lasts all of two hours. Once there, you can ski or standup paddle; sip champagne in an inflatable tender boat surrounded by seals; or ask your private butler to press your favourite humpback whale pyjamas. You can even see penguins from the comfort of your stateroom balcony — without sullying your boots with guano.
“Antarctica is becoming more accessible,” said Colleen Mcdaniel, editor in chief of Cruise Critic, who recently travelled to the southernmost continent with Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury tour operator. “There are a lot more options than there used to be.”
Over the past 10 years, cruises to Antarctica have grown exponentially, in number and style.
Previously, mainly research ships ventured to the bottom of the world. Then came expedition vessels, a category of smaller ships that emphasizes the natural world over on-board indulgences.
Now, cruise lines commonplace in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, such as Holland America and Silversea, are appearing alongside such swashbuckling stalwarts as Aurora Expeditions, Quark Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions, a partner with National Geographic.
Alex Burridge, managing director of Antarctica Travel Centre in Melbourne, Australia, said more than 20 operators lead trips to Antarctica, a mix of polar specialists and behemoth cruise lines that have added the destination to their global lineup.
“We have as many luxury polar operators as we do more traditional expedition cruise operators.”
And a slew of new ships, with even greater ambitions, are on the way. Call it the next wave of Antarctic cruising.
“A lot of the ships are pushing the limit of what an expedition cruise can do,” said Todd Smith, founder and president of Adventuresmith Explorations, which specializes in small-ship adventure cruises. “They are faster, smoother and more environmentally friendly, and they have a lot more amenities.”
Of course, the ship should enhance your Antarctic experience and not subsume it. The perks are nice, but the natural attractions are even better.