Pole position: tourists flocking to Antarctic cruises
Climate change and breathtaking sights spur interest in destination
As the number of travellers cruising Antarctica swells, polar expedition companies are launching sustainable vessels designed for these bucket-list trips.
According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, approximately 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2018-19 season, a 53 per cent increase from the 2014-15 season.
“Climate change is a chief reason for the increased interest in visiting Antarctica,” said Mary Curry, a small-ship cruise specialist and travel planner at Adventure Life.
“Antarctica itineraries often sell out one or two years in advance, so travellers should be prepared to book early,” she advised.
Interested in seeing the southernmost continent? Here’s a roundup of some of the tour operators planning itineraries for this year and next.
Antarctica21
In November, Antarctica21 debuted the world’s first vessel purpose-built for Antarctic tourism: the 73-passenger Magellan Explorer, equipped with ice-detecting radar technology, a heat recycling system and a fleet of 10 Zodiac boats. A forward-facing observation deck and glass-enclosed lounge offer prime wildlife viewing.
Most itineraries, including the eight-day Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise, bypass the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage by flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island. From there, travellers cruise the South Shetland Islands and west coast of Antarctica to spot penguins, whales and other wildlife. Rates begin at $18,200 per person and include Antarctic flights and activities.
Hurtigruten In March, cruise operator Hurtigruten will unveil the 530passenger MS Fridtjof Nansen, the sister ship to the justlaunched MS Roald Amundsen. Both vessels feature science centres and citizen science projects, and both are hybrid electric-powered with low-emission engines.
The MS Fridtjof Nansen’s Highlights of the Frozen Continent, a 12-day journey, explores some 20 sites across the Antarctic Peninsula, where guests can take a polar plunge and enter a lottery to camp overnight on the ice. Prices start at $10,240 per person with eight sailings from November 2020 to January 2021.
Lindblad Expeditions In April, Lindblad Expeditions’ new National Geographic Endurance vessel will hit the seas featuring 69 cabins and a science command centre. The new 35-day Epic Antarctica voyage traverses the Antarctic Peninsula, the 200-foot Ross Ice Shelf and UNESCO sites on Australia and New Zealand’s sub-Antarctic islands. Guests travel with a crew of veteran naturalists, a certified photo instructor and an undersea specialist equipped with a hydrophone and underwater video camera.
Rates start from $63,460, with departures on Dec. 27, 2021 and Jan. 26, 2022.
Adventure Life Astronomy buffs should keep their eyes on the 93-cabin Ocean Victory, launching this December. Adventure Life is taking guests to witness next year’s total solar eclipse on Dec. 4 just east of South Orkney Island. (The rare celestial show will not happen again in this part of the world until 2061.) Other highlights include viewing breeding penguins on South Georgia Island, Weddell seals on Cuverville Island and Lemaire Channel’s orca whales.
“There will always be a team of experts on board from historians to biologists to glaciologists to help educate guests on their surroundings,” said Curry, Adventure Life’s travel planner. The 15-day voyage starts at $16,905 per person.
Quark Expeditions Next year, Quark Expeditions will christen the 102-suite Ultramarine, and its two twin-engine helicopters and 20 easyaccess Zodiac boats. Guests will be able to test their mettle on a variety of heli-adventures from hiking to flightseeing, all of which explore areas only accessible by air.
Outdoor enthusiasts can also cross-country ski, paddle polar waters with standup boards and camp out in the icy wilderness. Tour operator Scott Dunn will be offering 11- to 23-night trips to Antarctica on Ultramarine in 2021, starting at approximately $19,500 per person.
Ponant Expedition cruise company Ponant plans to bring together travellers and scientists on a new electric hybrid vessel, the 135-stateroom Le Commandant Charcot, launching in May 2021. Fitted with modern oceanographic equipment and a research lab, guests will be able to assist scientists in research activities.
“A team of scientists can do a survey on the sea ice in an hour, but 200 passengers can do it 10 times more quickly,” said Nicolas Dubreuil, director of expeditions and sustainability.
Prices for the 15-day Expedition to Charcot & Peter I Islands start at $21,430 per person for trips departing next fall and winter.