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Hi All

 

I have been thinking of an Antarctica trip towards the end of next year. Just got an armload of brochures from my local TA. Also they are sending me a comparison checklist to help compare.

 

Doing a search shows that some here have been on such a trip, so looking at advice, insights, comments etc from those with experience.

 

One degree of uncertainty is my degree of upper body mobility in relation to some of the physical demands of different types of trips (cervical spine double discectomy and fusion in the next couple of months.

 

Comments, jealousy, etc welcome.

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Hi All

 

I have been thinking of an Antarctica trip towards the end of next year. Just got an armload of brochures from my local TA. Also they are sending me a comparison checklist to help compare.

 

Doing a search shows that some here have been on such a trip, so looking at advice, insights, comments etc from those with experience.

 

One degree of uncertainty is my degree of upper body mobility in relation to some of the physical demands of different types of trips (cervical spine double discectomy and fusion in the next couple of months.

 

Comments, jealousy, etc welcome.

 

Hi, there is an Antarctica forum under the ports of call area. I booked for Antarctica next year and got a heap of info from reading through that section of cruise critic. Lot of people in there with a great deal of information.

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Trip Advisor has an Antarctica Forum with a wealth of valuable information on cruising in Antarctica.

 

One of the reasons I chose Hurtigruten's Fram was its unique sturdy Polar tenders, which makes it easier to disembark.

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I have cruised to and around Antarctica on a cruise ship (Celebrity Infinity) and loved it. we saw all the scenery and wildlife without having to get off the ship there. My wife and I prefer the 5 star cruise at les than half the cost, but I know others prefer to get into the zodiacs and do the expedition type adventures where they get to land.

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I have cruised to and around Antarctica on a cruise ship (Celebrity Infinity) and loved it. we saw all the scenery and wildlife without having to get off the ship there. My wife and I prefer the 5 star cruise at les than half the cost, but I know others prefer to get into the zodiacs and do the expedition type adventures where they get to land.

 

You can cruise in luxury and still get off the ship in Antarctica - Seabourn and Ponant are two. Other luxury lines are about to join them, as adventure cruising seems to be a growth industry

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The cruise ships only go to the Antarctic Peninsula. To really get into the ice and the wildlife via landings by zodiac you need to do one of the Antarctic Expedition ships that go from Ushaia.

 

The real expedition ships, normally ex Russian/American Icebreakers or survey ships have strengthened hulls and carry 100 odd pax. Cost from around $7000 for 12 days. Yes, luxury vessels these days, Seabourn/Pontant, do the ice as well at big, big prices, but are still restricted from a lot of ice areas.

 

My son's company as well as being South America and Central America Destination Specialists, is in the Antarctic Expedition cruise industry, big time and my son has done Antarctica a dozen times.

 

I have been offered a 'deal' over the years, still considering it, but I like my comforts on the big ships. :halo: Maybe in the next couple of years if I am brave enough.:eek:

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The cruise ships only go to the Antarctic Peninsula. To really get into the ice and the wildlife via landings by zodiac you need to do one of the Antarctic Expedition ships that go from Ushaia.

 

The real expedition ships, normally ex Russian/American Icebreakers or survey ships have strengthened hulls and carry 100 odd pax. Cost from around $7000 for 12 days. Yes, luxury vessels these days, Seabourn/Pontant, do the ice as well at big, big prices, but are still restricted from a lot of ice areas.

 

My son's company as well as being South America and Central America Destination Specialists, is in the Antarctic Expedition cruise industry, big time and my son has done Antarctica a dozen times.

 

I have been offered a 'deal' over the years, still considering it, but I like my comforts on the big ships. :halo: Maybe in the next couple of years if I am brave enough.:eek:

 

You want to take that deal, whilst you are fit enough to enjoy it. Now if your son's company organises Antarctica cruises on ships with comforts you seek, you are set.

 

I am not brave which is why I sought safety in ice cruising conditions No.1 and comfort above basic suitable for a Senior (e.g. ease of getting on and off tenders) No.2.

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You can cruise in luxury and still get off the ship in Antarctica - Seabourn and Ponant are two. Other luxury lines are about to join them, as adventure cruising seems to be a growth industry

Yes, but not at less than half the cost.

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Yes, but not at less than half the cost.

 

I agree, however expedition cruising has become less expensive than it used to be. We paid much less for cruising on Hurtigruten's Fram than what was being charged on other well known expedition ships at the time.

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With the OPs back surgery pending, I think cruising would be better than an expedition.

 

Whilst Hurtigruten's Fram is a purpose built expedition ship, I didn't find cruising on it any different to cruising on any other ship, except that it has a wrap around observation lounge, at the front, where you can relax whilst you take in the view.

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I've done four lengthy month long expeditions there complete with being unfit and a dodgy spine with two bulging discs. Hasn't affected my ability to do landings multiple times per day.

Have seen fellow passengers manage with double hip replacements.

Also travelled with men in their mid 90s who put everyone else's fitness levels to shame. Awesome fellas.

 

Landings are done according to your own physical needs. So some folks may head off on a guided hike or walk over a glacier. Others may take a stroll with the ornithologist or geologist or historian depending on their specific interest at that specific landing zone.

 

Sometimes I just like to just wander and find a place on my own and sit on a rock and wait for the penguins to come and investigate me.

 

If you head over to the Trip Advisor Antarctica forum we have set up a detailed frequently asked questions section complete with loads of trip reports cross referenced by both the vessel name and the expedition company name.

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I suppose there are lots of choices that would suit most budgets, from slightly more costly than a two week cruise to very expensive. There are also lots of choice with comfort levels. One TA offers flights to Antarctica and then a 7 day cruise one there which takes the drake passage crossing out of the equation.

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Mic quite a few of the expedition companies offer the fly-cruise-fly options these days. Quark has quite a few on their itineraries for the wusses who cant cope with the Drake ;););p;p

 

***BUT*** People choosing those particular itineraries do need to have extra good cancellation and weather coverage in their insurance policies and need to be extremely flexible and ensure their main flights to and from Sth America are flexible not budget. This is because the weather is King - and it makes the decision as to whether the small jets can take off from Puntas Arenas and land on KGI and vice versa. So there is a very real possibility of trips being delayed or cancelled.

 

For the OP - in addition to the Argentinian departures - dont forget you also have departures from Aus (via Chimu) and NZ (Heritage) down to Commonwealth Bay and/or the Ross Sea. A lot more sea days and anyone who thinks the Drake is rough hasn't been in the Southern Ocean! Its pretty darn awesome in its power. But having done both sides I can safely say the scenery under AU/NZ is a 1000% more incredible than the peninsula on the Arg side.

 

But I will counteract that with - on the Arg side you have FI and SGI - and they are unmissable for geology, nature and creatures in their tens of thousands.

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FI and SGI are very nice and plenty of wildlife on offer.

 

Yes, there are numerous companies that do the fly cruise fly to Antarctica and it is becoming much more popular as it saves going to Ushuaia and crossing the drake passage.

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FI and SGI are very nice and plenty of wildlife on offer.

 

Yes, there are numerous companies that do the fly cruise fly to Antarctica and it is becoming much more popular as it saves going to Ushuaia and crossing the drake passage.

Drake passage rough? Only time I have ever heard an announcement from Captain on formal night - Ladies please do not wear your high heels tonight. I walked so many extra steps that night down the hallways from side to side, going straight wasn't an option. No booze necessary. Lol

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Drake passage rough? Only time I have ever heard an announcement from Captain on formal night - Ladies please do not wear your high heels tonight. I walked so many extra steps that night down the hallways from side to side, going straight wasn't an option. No booze necessary. Lol
I have heard the captain warning people about rough seas and high heels, be careful on the stairs etc, numerous times but it was at least 3 times during our Antarctic cruise.
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FI and SGI are very nice and plenty of wildlife on offer.

 

Yes, there are numerous companies that do the fly cruise fly to Antarctica and it is becoming much more popular as it saves going to Ushuaia and crossing the drake passage.

 

Not sure what the saving of not going to Ushuaia has to do with it. They still have to fly internally to Puntas Arenas which has less flights per week than USH and similar fare pricings.

The itineraries were initially developed for the US crowd who get less access to leave than other nationalities. So operators were seeking a way to minimise travel time and maximise peninsula time.

But it is still considered to be the riskiest option due to the number of delays and cancellations based on non co-operative weather.

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Not sure what the saving of not going to Ushuaia has to do with it. They still have to fly internally to Puntas Arenas which has less flights per week than USH and similar fare pricings.

The itineraries were initially developed for the US crowd who get less access to leave than other nationalities. So operators were seeking a way to minimise travel time and maximise peninsula time.

But it is still considered to be the riskiest option due to the number of delays and cancellations based on non co-operative weather.

I meant the saving of having to sail across the passage t get to Antarctica saving at least several days each way. If you are flying from Sydney to Santiago and then Punta Arenas to get the connection it is much simpler.

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