Antarctica Cruise Watch-Outs. 8 Things Brochures Don't Warn You About
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Discover 8 important watch-outs and things you need to know about doing a cruise to Antarctica. It is on many traveller’s bucket lists, and it is a magnificent experience. However, there are at least 8 things that the brochures and websites encouraging and advertising Antartica cruises do not always talk about or make clear to potential cruisers. I share the 8 things that I think you really need to know about Antarctica cruising. It is a very costly travel experience and before you spend at least $10,000 per traveller to go you need to know these
Note: I travelled as a regular are-paying traveller whilst making this video
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I'm GOING to Antarctica!! I don't care what it costs! I rather $$$$$ pay a price and be ACCOMPLISHED than sit in a rocking chair in my 90's thinking with regret, "I wish I would have..."
I am with you, it is super expensive, but I am stepping up on faith, I have to go, I just have to...
Package price ?
What’s the point of saving all your money and not spending it and not having fun in your life, quality is greater than quantity applies here
Yup! Me too!
You won't be sitting in a rocking chair in your 90s but on the streets if money is your biggest obstacle of whether you should be going.
Off in 4 weeks, been round the world but never got to Antarctica, last two years have been awful, lost my wife, had to retire, major health problems and Covid so decided to go and getting very real now.
So sorry for your losses. Enjoy your trip.
I am so sorry for your loss. Enjoy your trip. I'm saving but don't know if I can save enough before my knees give out. 🤩
How was your trip dude??
I’m 72 so I took an easy leisure Celebrity cruise to Antarctica in February of 2024. I bought all of the things that Gary recommended as they were recommended on different cruise sites. Since we did not have any land excursions, I didn’t use any of the special cold weather clothing. A beanie, a merino wool turtleneck, and a bulky sweater were all that I needed while on deck. I came home with hundreds of dollars of unused items that could not be returned as the 30 day return window had closed. The Falkland Islands were very windy so I appreciated my heavy duty hoodie. Binoculars are a must. If I had not recently had two hip replacements, I probably would have opted for the cruise sailings that provided land excursions.
I went on an Antarctic cruise early in the season - late October to middle of November. It was a great time to be there. The temperatures weren't all that bad. And the ground where we went ashore had not yet been chewed up by people tromping around. I was on the Ortelius, which is one of the smallest ships, originally a research vessel. There weren't very many amenities, but the food was very good. Our planned itinerary included the Falklands, South Georgia Island, Sandwich Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Because there were only 100 passengers we were able to sometimes make two landings in a day. We experienced very rough seas due to storms that lengthened our time at sea, but the Drake Passage was a "lake." Because I'm a winter hiker and ice climber I had all the requisite gear, although I did buy a jacket and waterproof pants. The ship supplied muck boots, which are mandatory because every landing is a water landing. The cost of the trip, including travel insurance (also mandatory) was around $18,000.
No kids you say?
Saving those pennies starting NOW!
😂😂😂😂😂
If you are a photo nut like me there are a couple of extra things you need. Most importantly 5 zip lock bags. Each big enough to fit your entire camera body and lens into. Cut the bottom two corners out, take your camera strap off your camera and threat them, from the outside into the bag and reattach to your camera. You can now hang your camera around your neck and pull the bag down over the entire camera or rip open the zip, slide it up the straps and use it normally. It gets wet on the zodiacs and we watched so many amazing cameras completely die. Take about three lens cleaning cloths, punch a hole in them, attach 1m of string and then you can tie it into your pocket. You will be able to clean ocean spray and whale snot (i kid you not) off your lens on a moving zodiac in the wind. I took a 18-400 lens. Don't ever count on being able to change lens in the zodiacs. Buy a lanyard with a pulley and take a small waterproof point and shoot as well. You can keep in your top jacket pocket. There are times where it is so wet you cannot open your zip lock. The best shot of the whole trip came from my point and shoot as a whale fully breached metres from our zodiac. All the expensive DSLRs missed the shot. And keep this one with you at all times while moving around the ship. They say the best camera to take is the one you are holding in your hand right now.
Good point about cameras except that you are too conservative. You need 2 of everything just in case one camera - mine did. It isn't necessary to buy the 2nd camera as you can either rent one or borrow one from a friend but do bring 2 of them.
This is a very informative video. I have booked one of the National Geographic expeditions for January 2024 and after seeing this I think I made good decisions thus far. This is a very balanced presentation and should be seen before you book a cruise to this place.
We're thinking about doing the Feb. 2024 with Nat Geo to Antarctica!
well have you gone yet?? haha we need an update!! 😅
For those travelers dreading Drake's passage, an alternative is to fly to King George Island and start your expedition there. Avoid 2 days in Drakes's passage and gain those extra days on the ship. We just finished a 5 day on Ocean Nova over New Years and it was wonderful. Sunny and calm. Everyone was stripping off their gear as soon as we landed ashore. They put out a big tarp for our gear. Many of the guests were only in one thin layer. We were delayed flying off King George island for one day due to weather so we got an extra day on board.
Very cool. I’m bringing a group to Antarctica on the Ocean Nova starting this February 1st. We can’t wait! Hope we get the same weather as you.
For those who live in colder climates, just take clothing that you normally wear in winter. It can be colder in Chicago in January than in Antarctica.
I’ve lived through -50C (-58F) … I really want to experience Antarctica
Layers is the key, add or subtract to your comfort!
We, in our early 80's got a very good bargain. We went from Ft Lauderdale and back on HAL through the Panama, down the west coast of South America. To the peninsula for several incredible days. Then the Falklands, up the East Coast, the Amazon to Manaus. Then home to FTL on March 20, 2020 just before Covid shut down the airlines so we could fly home. The fare (not the total cost) was $20K total for my wife and I for a 77 day cruise. I know I'll never find another bargain like that. Full disclosure, we were in an inside cabin.
I was able to go in Feb. 2015 for about half the normal price by being in a group that contacted a travel company 18 months in advance. They were going to charter a small ship with a 120 passenger capacity, and by paying a $1K per person non-refundable deposit we locked in 6 3-berth cabins for 18 people at 2800 each. We were provided parkas to keep, and loaned boots. I found that wearing waterproof rubber gloves over knot inner gloves worked well. For other layers I had thermal underwear under a ski bib along with sweaters. We had Drake Lake on the way over. On the return the weather forecast was bad so we left a day early and went at the ship's maximum speed across. Still quite rough but only a single day to cross in bad weather. Since the docking space is reserved, we spent the last day slowly cruising the channel.
Which boat was this?
Visited Antarctic Peninsula in January 2005 on M/V Polar Star, a Finnish built icebreaker of around 5,000 tons and catering for around 90 passengers. 18 days, including return flights from LHR and about 8 days on the peninsula itself for about £4,200 all in. Of course, it's gone up a bit since then! Drake Passage running at 8 - 10 metres but great fun! Usually 2 or 3 peninsula landings by Zodiac boat each day, very friendly and helpful crew and an adventure in every sense of the word. Many years ago I had a vivid dream where I was walking on Antarctica - on waking up I was determined to make it happen and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Can't fault your advice - it's spot on!
No kids?
Expensive and limited number of ships every year plus restrictive regulations on large ships on disembarkation on the peninsula?
This is bloody perfect.
Years ago there was a cruise that left from Tasmania and came back to New Zealand that went right into the Ross Ice Shelf and visited McMurdo Base
I just came back from the classic Antarctica cruise with Quark EXpedition on their Ultramarine ship. What Gary said was right on, to the point. We had incredible weather the whole time we were there , and the Drake passage crossing to and from were pretty calm. Dress in layer is a must, and water proof pants is essential . Quark Expedition loaned us the boots and gave us a parka, I wore 2 pairs of short cashmere socks with the boots in outings, and it was warm enough. I had been to most parts of the world, but this trip was an eye opening for me: the world is supposed to be like that!
Very interesting video. I’m going on the silver cloud in February, doing 10 days in Antarctica then 21 days from Ushuaia to Cape Town. Can’t wait. It’s the trip of a lifetime.
Were you able to make it before Covid hit?
@@maizy1203 yes got home to Sydney 2 days before our borders closed. It was an incredible trip. The wildlife absolutely spectacular❤️
Did take a plane from cape town to ushuaia ? Or u have to go by europe? Sorry for the dumb question but its a trip i reall want to do.
@@itstherealguy9762 it was a 21 day cruise. Ushuaia to Cape Town
We are about 99% ready to call our travel agent for a January 2023 13 day trip on Viking. You are right about the cost; $16,400 USD PP!!!! Its a once in a life time trip.
looking at that too!
Haha, I was like whoa, the bedroom looks very recognizable. I just went on Silver Cloud and it has the new paint job of white and silver. On top of that, it also embarks at Puerto Williams in Chile now.
I miss Antarctica. Spent about 2 years there.
Wow! Amazing. It is an incredible place
@@tipsfortravellers It was great, even spent a winter at the South Pole. And worked a high altitude field camp in the middle of nowhere. Now need to save up some money to take my daughter on a cruise when she older so she can see it. PS - love the videos
This was cheaper than I thought, I already have all that gear living in Indianapolis (it's gotten down to -56°F with windchill), a lot of this stuff I already know from growing up camping and traveling with family and the Scouts. This just makes me want to go a bazillion times more.
Worked at McMurdo back in 2008. Was amazing.
All good points. I would suggest one avoid jeans as they tend to be heavy and absorb moisture (your sweat).
As always brilliant advice
Great informative video Gary, thank you
great video,thank you
Thank you for the very informative video!
Really nice video, precise and to the point 👍🏿
Thanks for the video! Very informative!
Thanks for a great video
Good tips! This was super useful. Thank you!
Gr8 tips..thnx
Informative and well done video.
Thank you; another exceptionally informative video!
This is very helpful and thank you!
Stunning photography and great recommendations !
Thank you! Very helpful and lots I didn’t know before!
great info. really want to go
Very informative and good production values. Thanks.
Excellent tips for Antarctica. Like you we were incredibly lucky with Drake Lake but the Scotia sea was extremely rough. I'm glad you emphasised ships carrying over 200 can't land, I'm not sure everyone is aware of that rule. We had 190 guests on Le Lyrial, which was perfect. We went for our 60th BD treat and hoping to go again before we reach 70🤞
Did you like Le Lyrial? I was supposed to be going to Antarctica again in November 2020 and it’s been moved to November 2021
@@tipsfortravellers We loved Le Lyrial, it was chartered by Abercrombie and Kent and the expedition team were amazing. All the cabins have balconies and as it's a French ship with French crew the food is amazing. We were thoroughly spoilt. We loved the ship so much we went on Le Boreal, the sister ship, on our Arctic cruise and it was faultless.
How wonderful to have Antarctica to look forward to in November.
Excellent, practical advice.
Excellent video Gary. Thank-you.🙂
Great video and loved your honesty. This is exactly what I would prefer to hear prior to major trips. Thank you
Great video's, very concise no-nonsense and to the point.
Thank you for the information to get ready for a trip.
Excellent and important information, as always. I agree and I hope others listen to you. Thanks, Gary!
So on my bucket list. Hope I make it some day
We are going on the Quark Ultramarine in Feb 2022- nervous about the Drake - but excited for this trip. Thank you for your tips and words of wisdom!!!
It’s now February 2022 … I hope you have the best trip !! Save travels !!
Thank you for your suggestions and tips. They are very much appreciated. 👍 📸 😜
Very helpful Gary!!! Looking carefully for 2024.
Great information Gary. Looks expensive bit worth it.
What a great video. Convinced me I won't be able to make this trip, but fun to watch anyway. Thanks.
Another great video. I would love to visit the Antarctica. The information you gave is both interesting and informative.
Some good travel tips! I will be cruising to Antarctica March 2023. Thank you for posting.
Hello Trips for Travellers,
Excellent tips in your "8 important watch-outs'" video.
I have booked to go in December 2022 and I am *so* excited.
Malcolm.
Did it this on Seabourn Quest, 450 passenger ship, and landings happen. I understand no landing for ships with more than 500 passengers. Quest was the perfect Expedition Ship. Highly recommended
Thank you for your tips Gary!!! Very helpful. Appreciate you doing these videos.
Glad you like them!
this has been my dream trip since i was a little kid. one day i’ll make it happen. i can’t wait 🌊
Thank you.
I get seasick just thinking about cruises- but I love these videos- great information and really interesting!
Rx scopolamine patches are great! Tiny, clear and stick behind your ear.
Great feedback!
I can't wait hoping to do this in 2 years
Thank you, Mr. Bembridge. My husband and I are booked on the Viking Octanis to Antarctica leaving in just 4 weeks, and your insights, particularly about the Drake Passage, are helpful.
i love your videos!
Fab to hear! Thanks :-)
Hi Gary....thanks for the advice.....cheers!
I’m going in two weeks! Ty for this ! Celebrating my 30th bday 🎉
Have fun!
You are good 😃. Just went Dec. 1 - 19 and we flew to Buenos Aires and then the next day We got on a chartered flight down to Ushuaia. When we got to our cabins we had an inner puffy coat with an outer coat for wind and water which was blue instead of red and a waterproof bag thing with a steel water bottle, oh they provide muck boots that go up to your knees . This was our seventh continent and evidently it was for many other people on our ship the Vega company Swan Hellenic.
We are off to Antarctica with Sliver Seas in November can’t wait. We went to Svalbard with them a few weeks ago as practice. That was amazing hopefully Antarctica is just as exciting. Drakes Passage looks a challenge…
How was it????
@@jacksont9455 Do you mean the Artic or Antartica? If Antartica then it was just as good. Not so much wildlife but the views were fantastic. We saw humpbacked whales, several types of penguins in huge colonies, Leopard Seals and other seals. Many bird types like Albatrosses and Pectorals. The Drakes Passage was easy for me, but many were sea sick. That stopped us going to Cape Horn which was disappointing. I have to point out it a long trip there and back.
Thank you for these information, the most important things you mention that there is no landing on land in big ships 👍🏻 .. i'm collecting info to make my trip to Antartica.
The ship with no more than 500 passengers, used Zodiacs for a once a day landing, but you can still land.
Very interesting video and you also seem to be a very nice person. I'll call you "Dad" as from now on.
Expedition ships usually provide boots.
I would love to go to Antarctica. I just wish they would run more cruises out of Hobart or Melbourne Australia. At least they would be classified as domestic cruises so no international flights required. Having a go to south America to visit Antarctica is such a pain when its only 5000 km straight south from me.
I've got a cabin on hold and will be putting down my deposit in the next week. Going March 2022. I decided to search for videos to learn more and so excited to find several from you. Thanks for the great info!
Your turn will be here soon fellow voyager hope you have an amazing adventure
Did you go, Gordon? How was it?
@@everwake2689 sadly, no. Because of the omicron surge, the cruise company cancelled all of the remaining cruises for the season. I rebooked for March 2023. I'm not a patient person, so to add an extra year on top of the 1.5 years I already waited is torture, but it'll be worth it!
@@gordongraham7 how far out can you book? I was thinking 2023 2024
@@andrewespinoza7108 I booked a year and a half out. I'm not sure how far they have the schedule. I would check with a travel agent or go to the cruise company's site (if you've picked one).
Thanks for the informative video. One thing you didn’t address is whether it is suitable for people with some mobility issues and what are the physical fitness requirements for this trip. Do you need to have zero physical issues? Can you manage if you have knee or hip problems for example? That sort of thing is very interesting to me.
Very comical to watch the gear section of this video as a Canadian; this is normal winter wear for us 😅
Also not for those with limited mobility.
Thank you for sharing. For those of us who are more “experienced “ (a/k/a older) than you, the lack of landing an on the continent, is not an issue. Arthritic knees are an issue if you’re considering hiking on uneven terrain.
What ship/cruise company did you use where you had landings? Thank you.
Will you recommend Trip through Punta Arenas , in order to avoid Drake Passage ?
Hi. I can't decide which company to book with on an Antartica cruise for next year. Is it best in January , February or March? Gapadventures is almost 1/2 the cost of Silversea and National Geographic. Is it worth to pay more for Silversea and National Geographic? I will be going solo. Which would be best for a solo traveler? I like to see as much as I can . Thanks
May you please provide a short note about the temperatures during your stay at Antarctica?
Update: We're currently (February 8-18th, 2020) there, and up to now, the temperature never was lower than minus 5 degrees Celsius.
which cruise would you recommend for antartica?
This is my goal before I am 45. Im set on wanting to go on a research ship so badly! Could you cover the different companies and their differences, please?
You ain't getting on board a research ship unless you're a scientist.. You'll have to cruise there as a tourist..Get ready to shit some Dollar bills..Like roughly 12,000 of them
No thanks
hey there i just wanna say that I'm a bit worried about the exam about P&IDs
Gary, I love your videos. They are so informative and helpful. Would you recommend Antartica first, or the north polar region?
tricky! But think it would be Antarctica as so dramatic and special
I've been to Antarctica and will go to Iceland and up to the Svalbard, (ending in Tromso) this summer. That said, I really enjoyed going to the Galapagos. The major difference is the ability to spend more time on land and also IN the water. You can do a zodiac tour, then a landing where you will hike for an hour, and then snorkel off the beach, all before lunch. Then the boat will reposition while you're back eating lunch, and afterwards, you can go kayaking. The weather is perfect much of the year. The wildlife is plentiful and varied. In Antarctica, we spent a lot of time getting our gear on and off - and it's hard to move with all those clothes on! Different experiences. Looking forward to seeing how the Arctic compares.
As much as you spoke about many great and helpful facts.
I do feel you dismissed the reality for many people..... if people could pay £££££ then they would. However if your only able to spend £££, even if its for a cruise sailing visit, then I'm sure more people would visit.
Being able to sail- by for a few days on a big ship.... is still better than not seeing it at all in my opinion.
Great point !
I've booked for a cruise by in January 2024, not too concerned I won't land, visited Greenland for 3 months and Svalbard for 18 days. I agree with your comments.
Fair comment, I would rather see it the flesh than not see it at all.
Have friends who twice had too close encounters in zodiacs with Leopard Seal...Beyond scary
What is your thoughts about 14 Night Antarctica & South America, Aboard: Norwegian Star
I've booked for this January😅.
The brochures don’t do a good job explaining Ushuaia. It’s such a pretty town at the end of the world and there is a lot of stuff to see and do there. It’s worth a couple of days. The brochures also don’t do a good job in sending people to Iguazu. That’s such an amazing place and everyone should see it
I agree. I was really amazed by Ushuaia and had not expected that at all...
We flew back to Buenos Aires from Ushuaia and then directly to Iguazu just in time for New Year's. The hardest part was packing...Iguazu was balmy compared with Antarctica...needed summer clothes to get to the falls. Still, it was well worth the extra side trip.
You sound very South African? Is it possible? My family and I are getting ready to venture to Antarctica late in 2022. We are taking our own small ship, a 43mt sea rescue vessel. Your information would be so very helpful for our planning. Brian
How was it?
What causes the violent seas?
How would a civilian get to board a research ship?
Leaving in 2 weeks!!!!!
Exciting!!! Have a great time!!!
Your tips for Antarctica started about the same time I booked on the Silverseas’ Cloud. Is there anything you wish you brought with you on the cruise ship? I know our time will be limited on Antarctica itself, is there any excursions you would recommend?
Punts arenas other departure point
We are leaving for Antarctica on the 25th of January…if we can find our passports….
Booked for Feb 2026
I didn't dress that warm working outdoors in -40 weather.
Another reason for the cruise line to charge extra ?
Sorry. Wrong on two accounts. First, our Celebrity Cruise we just booked for January costs $2,000 per person with window berth plus airfare, so about $3,500 each total from Seattle to Buenos Aires. Second, Norwegian Cruises has the same sized ship as Celebrity and do allow you to land on Antarctic ports. But they charge about double for the privilege. So size in this case doesn’t matter to hike on the Antarctic Continent. We opted for the cheaper cruise to fit our budget.
You need to double check as ships with over 500 guests are only allowed to sail around Antarctica and no landings are permitted. I think it is unlikely / impossible either Celebrity or Norwegian will be landing guests. Neither carry the RIB boats either to land guests. www.antarctica21.com/journal/are-small-ships-better-in-antarctica/
Same for me, just happy to go somewhere different 😊.
We are senior citizens. We are planning to visit. We are afraid of drake sheck. Please guide us what to do should we plan or cancel.
Thanks.
We will appriciate to know name of Cruise ship and its operator you traveled.
Best Regards
It is hit and miss, so it can be calm. I have been twice now and it has been that mix. But in my view, and even people who were prone to seasickness and found it a bit challenging, agreed too was worth it all once there. My advice is to book a cabin if you can midship and low and take with you medication or talk to your doctor about being prescribed the behind ear patches so you have something available if you do feel seasick, but be ready for the magnificence once there. I have been on Silversea and Ponant. I am going back later this year, agin on Silversea.
What company did you take?
I was on Silversea