Antarctic Experience

The Antarctic experience was all that on the Veendam...lazy days "wandering" around immense icebergs, or floating through a foggy morning seeing an expedition sailing vessel ghosting along with us...and yes, the smells when you neared a rookery. It's one cruise we will definitely take again.

Here's a link to my set of some photos. I think it's one of the finest cruises HAL does, although I rank the V of V as the best.

 

Beautiful photos. Thanks for posting. Can't wait to take my own in January!

The story is old (2007) but it was our Antarctic Experience and it was the trip of a lifetime for us. So much so that we are planning a second run at Antarctica in 2019.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=480550

The story is old (2007) but it was our Antarctic Experience and it was the trip of a lifetime for us. So much so that we are planning a second run at Antarctica in 2019.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=480550

My goodness, quite an adventure. I hope ours is a bit less stressful than yours. Being able to do Machu Pichu and Antarctica on the same cruise - Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

The story is old (2007) but it was our Antarctic Experience and it was the trip of a lifetime for us. So much so that we are planning a second run at Antarctica in 2019.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=480550

Wow. What an adventure! I hope the kind of storms you encountered was an exception this time of the year rather than the norm and our upcoming Zaandam cruise to SA/Antarctica will not be as exciting as yours :D

BTW, I laughed out loud a few times reading your posts, to my DH's amusement. Love your writing!

Antarctica is still on our bucket list. It's strange but our bucket list seems to be getting longer not shorter. Oh well some day.

Allan

I can sympathize with you. I've just purchased a bigger bucket!!

If you want to actually go ashore, you will have to go on one of the expedition ships...very $$$$$ or the Seabourn Quest which is also $$$$ but not as much as you think after looking at the expedition ship fares.

Only ships with fewer than 500 passengers can put people ashore, and then only 100 at a time.

If you want to actually go ashore, you will have to go on one of the expedition ships...very $$$$$ or the Seabourn Quest which is also $$$$ but not as much as you think after looking at the expedition ship fares.

 

Only ships with fewer than 500 passengers can put people ashore, and then only 100 at a time.

We read all the blogs and reviews of Antarctica before deciding what cruise to take; drive by or expedition. One review sealed it for us. It said to do the expedition while you are physically able. We decided that we might regret not doing an expedition cruise now. After much research we decided on what we hope is a great balance between expedition, cost, and comfort. We booked on Ponant. The French flair will be the second part of our adventure!

The story is old (2007) but it was our Antarctic Experience and it was the trip of a lifetime for us. So much so that we are planning a second run at Antarctica in 2019.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=480550

Despite being a ten year old review, we thank you SOOOO much for posting the link. We are going to be on the Zaandam January 2019 and read your review with MUCH interest and enjoyment. An incredible journey for you, and it gave us a lot of food for thought!

Best wishes and happy sailing!

Should I be concerned that I might miss something if I go to the lectures. Hopefully, they are done when we aren't close to anything important.

Dont worry. The lectures by Palmer Station personnel were given either A) By personnel on their WAY to the station (Hopping HAL as a sort of Taxi service from Chile) while at sea. B) by Palmer Station Personnel on their way OUT of a stay on the station, (Again while you are at sea also with nothing to see.)

Or, most fun:

C) The ship stops at Palmer Station (Actually a few mile off shore) and you are "invaded" by a dozen or so Palmer Station workers. (Who head STRAIGHT for the buffets and coffee bar) They then take turns giving lectures on their time at the Station... Some are scientists, some engineers, one was the small engine mechanic, and another the "wastewater" specialist. And nothing is to be missed outside, because for those 6 hours you are just "stationkeeping" in the same spot.

I think it's pure marketing. "Experience" seems to be the new buzz word. It's appearing in restaurant hype and theme park hype.

 

Having said that, the HAL Antarctica itinerary needs no hype. It is truly spectacular. We had a fabulous On Location Team and several hours of lectures a day on various Antarctica related topics. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

P.s. Here's one more: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSbPc/i-q9JhZ9z

Thanks for posting the nostalgic video clip of our Antarctica cruise experience on the MS Veendam.

Just spent 13 days sailing on the Veendam last month and She and crew still deliver a great cruising experience.

This is a great cruise and though Antarctica is a fabulous highlight there are many other beautiful memories and sightings from this cruise.

We are looking forward to March 2019 as we return to South America and cruise on the MS Zaandam.

Thanks for posting the nostalgic video clip of our Antarctica cruise experience on the MS Veendam.

 

Just spent 13 days sailing on the Veendam last month and She and crew still deliver a great cruising experience.

 

This is a great cruise and though Antarctica is a fabulous highlight there are many other beautiful memories and sightings from this cruise.

 

We are looking forward to March 2019 as we return to South America and cruise on the MS Zaandam.

I’m booked for a reprise in March of this year. As you know, we missed 3 ports, so it’s an attempt to complete “unfinished business”. (Last years plan got cancelled at the last minute). And maybe Antarctica again with DH once we both retire.

I know what a wonderful experience going to Antartica on a Cruise Ship is and realize it is the only way many can afford to visit Antarctica. HOWEVER, as others such as 81Zombie have mentioned in their own way - I recommend that you PICK A TRUE EXPEDITION SHIP BASED ON PAYING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IF POSSIBLE!!!! Seeing Antarctica from a Cruise Ship deck is an amazing experience and can truly be a once in a lifetime experience. However, if you really want to see and feel Antarctic -AND can afford it - go on one of the ice compliant ships carrying around 100 passengers! And go a when you are still physically "young" and can walk on the terrain, get on and off the ship into the zodiacs, etc.

Our ship held 100 passengers so we could ALL get off at each stop - meaning two times a day when land was accessible. One day we did three landings. (Besides walking among thousands of penguins and seals of various types, we actually went ashore at the Palmer Station and heard the scientists speak while standing in their laboratories, ate (if you wanted to) in their dinning room, etc. One of the most interesting talks was by the man in charge of collecting and containing all of the Station waste - most of which had to be containerized and shipped back to specified countries.

IF you can spent this type of money (they DO cost more per day), and can find a way - pick an expedition cruise that included South Georgia. WoW, in terms of scenery and wildlife in my visit to over 120 countries - never spent so much time in a state of total awe! as in South Georgia.

Anyhow, just buy two cents. If going with a regular cruise line is what fits your budget - GO FOR IT!! Scenery is spectacular.

I know what a wonderful experience going to Antartica on a Cruise Ship is and realize it is the only way many can afford to visit Antarctica. HOWEVER, as others such as 81Zombie have mentioned in their own way - I recommend that you PICK A TRUE EXPEDITION SHIP BASED ON PAYING AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IF POSSIBLE!!!! Seeing Antarctica from a Cruise Ship deck is an amazing experience and can truly be a once in a lifetime experience. However, if you really want to see and feel Antarctic -AND can afford it - go on one of the ice compliant ships carrying around 100 passengers! And go a when you are still physically "young" and can walk on the terrain, get on and off the ship into the zodiacs, etc.

 

Our ship held 100 passengers so we could ALL get off at each stop - meaning two times a day when land was accessible. One day we did three landings. (Besides walking among thousands of penguins and seals of various types, we actually went ashore at the Palmer Station and heard the scientists speak while standing in their laboratories, ate (if you wanted to) in their dinning room, etc. One of the most interesting talks was by the man in charge of collecting and containing all of the Station waste - most of which had to be containerized and shipped back to specified countries.

 

IF you can spent this type of money (they DO cost more per day), and can find a way - pick an expedition cruise that included South Georgia. WoW, in terms of scenery and wildlife in my visit to over 120 countries - never spent so much time in a state of total awe! as in South Georgia.

 

Anyhow, just buy two cents. If going with a regular cruise line is what fits your budget - GO FOR IT!! Scenery is spectacular.

If we were as physically fit as we were in our younger days, I would certainly like to do an expedition ship. But since we aren't getting younger, we are just thrilled to actually be able to see the incredible beauty of Antarctica while still can. If one can afford to do an expedition ship, are physically fit and have the time to be able to do it, it is certainly the way to go. It seems that however one experiences Antarctica, they all rave about the experience and many say it was their best cruise experience ever. I hope we feel the same way.