What is a cruise to Antarctica really like?

I nearly said no to Antarctica…

All of which doesn’t sound good for someone who just won a trip to Antarctica! There was a moment, after asking if we were going to fly the Drake Passage and discovering that we weren’t, when I actually considered saying no.

But Antarctica is on so many of my clients’ ultimate bucket lists, with more and more of my Africa-loving clients saying the Great White Continent is next. As a travel advisor, I know how important seeing a destination or a product is to the quality of the advice you give your clients.

For someone whose personal holiday passion is to be far from people and among wildlife, I would have to take this one for the team.

Kerry Cleasby – TravelManagers Camp Hill in Antarctica.

Crossing the Drake Passage: was it as bad as I feared?

Leaving the coast of South America behind

Looking back now, I can say — somewhat amazingly — that the Drake Passage was a really enjoyable part of the trip.

It certainly helped that we had relatively smooth crossings in both directions. The medication worked, and I felt completely fine.

Leaving Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel behind and heading out into one of the world’s most remote oceans was exhilarating.

And those two days at sea weren’t simply about getting from South America to Antarctica.

There was a lot happening onboard as we prepared for the days ahead.

Biosecurity is a very big deal in such a pristine environment. Preventing seeds, soil, diseases and other contaminants from being introduced to Antarctica requires preparation, rules and vigilance.

We also needed to learn how to get 100 people correctly dressed and safely into Zodiacs — quickly enough to allow for two or three off-ship excursions a day.

And then there were the onboard lectures, where the expedition team taught us about the wildlife, landscapes and environment we were about to experience.

Those two days crossing the Drake Passage became part of the adventure rather than simply something I had to endure to reach Antarctica.

Arriving in Antarctica

The first iceberg comes into view.

But then, with the waters smooth, you see your first iceberg floating by.

Your first penguin sitting on a floating iceberg.

The vast, snow-covered mountains of the South Shetland Islands come into view, and suddenly the anticipation is through the roof.

Despite our two days of preparation on the Drake Passage, nothing could really prepare me for the reality of Antarctica.

The sheer size and scale of it. The mountains, glaciers, birdlife and marine life.

On some days, you could turn 360 degrees and see half a dozen whales. The beauty takes your breath away.

We explored just one small area of the Antarctic Peninsula, but you realise that these incredible scenes are repeated over and over across this enormous wilderness.

For someone who loves being far from crowds and surrounded by wildlife, this was my kind of place.

What is a typical day on an Antarctica expedition cruise like?

Cameras ready. The photography course was an optional extra that I am glad I took.

Each day on an expedition ship in Antarctica is packed with experiences.

By the end of our first day:

We had completed two Zodiac expeditions and learnt how to get on and off without getting wet.
Numerous humpback whales had presented us with perfect fluke-tail photo opportunities.
We’d glided past icebergs in more shades of blue and white than I knew existed.
We’d laughed at the wobbling walk of penguins carrying stones back to their nests — and taken a few hundred photos of them.
We’d listened to glaciers cracking, groaning and exploding.
We’d watched a huge iceberg roll over and then experienced the resulting waves from our Zodiac.

And that was all on day one.

Then, on day two, the sun came out!

How many photos of penguins walking can I take?

What I now tell my clients about travelling to Antarctica

Experiencing Antarctica for myself completely changed the way I can advise clients considering a trip there.

It’s a destination where the choices you make before you go really matter.

Which expedition ship should you choose? How many passengers will be onboard? What itinerary is right for you? When should you travel? What should you pack? Which additional activities are worth doing? And, of course, should you sail across the Drake Passage or fly?

Two Antarctica cruises can look quite similar when you’re comparing them on paper, but the experience can be very different.

I can now talk my clients through those decisions having actually stood on the deck watching Antarctica appear on the horizon, climbed in and out of the Zodiacs, experienced the landings, watched whales and penguins at incredibly close range — and crossed the Drake Passage in both directions.

Kayaking surrounded by whales at 10 pm in Antarctica – best experience ever.

Is crossing the Drake Passage worth it?

This is probably the question I am most qualified to answer, given how worried I was about it before I went.

Would I cross the Drake Passage again?

Yes.

If sailing the Drake allowed me even one more day to be in Antarctica, I would happily do it again — with my seasickness medication.

But I might fly back.

Kerry travelled to Antarctica with Intrepid and Chimu.

Thinking about an Antarctica cruise?

Antarctica isn’t a destination where I would simply choose the prettiest ship or the best advertised special.

The right expedition depends on how you like to travel, what you most want to experience and how adventurous you want to be.

Having now experienced an Antarctic expedition myself, I can help you compare different ships, itineraries, and ways of getting there, and find the expedition that’s right for you.

If Antarctica is somewhere you’ve been dreaming about, get in touch. I’d love to help you make it happen.

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