HAL's Antarctic itinerary

[barante]

We are currently booked on the Norwegian Sun's 2016 Christmas/New Year cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio, which we have visited before. And this summer we will be doing our second Iceland/Greenland cruise. So now I am wondering whether I might cancel the Norwegian Sun and go for one of the itineraries around Cape Horn.

 

I hope there are some among us who can enlighten me about the difference between a run-of-the-mill around the Cape cruise and HAL Zaandam's 21-day itinerary that includes sailing through the Antarctic Sound.

 

Regardless of which itinerary we might take, we know that actuarily speaking we won't come back.

[RuthC]

I can't imagine flying all the way to South America, round the Horn, and not also include Antarctica. I have done it three times, and the time sailing to/from/in Antarctica was the very best part of the entire cruise. Each time.

Prepare to be amazed if you do include sailing the Antarctic peninsula.

[SilvertoGold]

HAL's regular around Cape Horn cruise is a great one. I particularly love the west coast.

 

However, the Antarctic is simply outstanding: the indescribable sights of Ice Berg Alley, Neumeyer and Lemaire Channels and Hope Bay, Drake Passage twice, penguins, seals, maybe a whale or two, spectacular scenery, huge icebergs, the list goes on and on. All are worthy of exclamation marks!

 

Really and truly, the best cruise we've been on, several times. We love the Christmas cruise here: snow and ice; cold outside, warm and cozy inside. Perfection!

 

For a once in a lifetime cruise, this is it.

Edited November 24, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[tjcox9]

I can't imagine flying all the way to South America, round the Horn, and not also include Antarctica. I have done it three times, and the time sailing to/from/in Antarctica was the very best part of the entire cruise. Each time.

Prepare to be amazed if you do include sailing the Antarctic peninsula.

 

Have done around the horn first, and then since have done three which include Antarctica (not all on HAL), two on Princess when they were still doing the itinerary.........and will be boarding the Zaandam on December 20 to do it the fourth time - and with any luck, hopefully not the last!! :D

 

[dfish]

Definitely include Antarctica. It is stunningly beautiful and an experience of a lifetime.

[TiogaCruiser]

Definitely Antarctica. I did it as a solo almost 3 years ago and not a day passed since then that I don't try to figure out how to return with DH in tow.

[SilvertoGold]

Have done around the horn first, and then since have done three which include Antarctica (not all on HAL), two on Princess when they were still doing the itinerary.........and will be boarding the Zaandam on December 20 to do it the fourth time - and with any luck, hopefully not the last!! :D

 

 

Have a SUPER Christmas cruise!!

[dakrewser]

As others have said, why go that far and NOT do Antarctica? We did that one on Princess, but it's still my 2nd favorite cruise all-time...

[barante]

People's right to know

[dakrewser]

People's right to know

 

16 night Baltic on the Prinsendam with double overnight in St. Petersburg..

[take us away]

Really recommend going into Antarctica, especially as you said "we won't come back". For me, it was unbelievably, amazingly astounding and definitely one of my most favorite adventures!

[barante]

I never thought I would make my decision this fast. Except that I saw that one of only two unique cabins was available. It was 7083 on the Navigation deck, an OV with a view of the wake plus a small deck just five steps away (someone counted) that will serve as our balcony.

 

This is exactly what we needed: a 197 sq ft cabin that has enough of a view to tell us what's going on so that we can then beeline to the deck.

 

I got all this for the price of an inside, a nice savings.

 

Thank you for all the recommendations. Next year in Antarctica!

[SilvertoGold]

I never thought I would make my decision this fast. Except that I saw that one of only two unique cabins was available. It was 7083 on the Navigation deck, an OV with a view of the wake plus a small deck just five steps away (someone counted) that will serve as our balcony.

 

This is exactly what we needed: a 197 sq ft cabin that has enough of a view to tell us what's going on so that we can then beeline to the deck.

 

I got all this for the price of an inside, a nice savings.

 

Thank you for all the recommendations. Next year in Antarctica!

 

Good for you!

 

I have stood out on that deck often and though that cabin and the one next door would be good ones!

Excellent choice for the Antarctic: you can slip out onto the deck and then back into your cabin to warm up so easily!!

 

One thing: watch for the pricing to go down. It will almost for sure. Our Antarctic cruises have every time.

 

Congratulations on a great cruise choice!

[barante]

If you look at last-minute cruises this Christmas-time, lots of deals to be had. If one can get cheaply and comfortably to Valparaiso or Buenos Aires, which may be pretty impossible this late.

 

It used to be that Christmas was a high demand time. No longer. Great deals in the Caribbean as well. Seniors want to spend time with family.

 

My decision to book now was prompted by the availability of the aft-view OV cabin. I think there are only two of those on the ship. Also I feel I got a decent "Web" deal, although no OBC was involved. In any case, the price beat my regular providers by $700 pp.

 

This Antarctic itinerary was not on my radar screen at all. But the more I think about it, the more excited I get. Six months after a planned Iceland/Greenland cruise, on HAL Rotterdam.

Edited November 25, 2015 by barante

[JanDom]

Have a SUPER Christmas cruise!!

 

Will also go on the Zaandam on the 20th of december.

We loved the glaciers at Alaska so we really wanted to do a cruise with antarctica.

We are a little excidet about the Drake Passage but hope we will do it without any storm :)

 

We never thought of doing a southamerica cruise without Antarctica :D

[JanDom]

My decision to book now was prompted by the availability of the aft-view OV cabin. I think there are only two of those on the ship. Also I feel I got a decent "Web" deal, although no OBC was involved. In any case, the price beat my regular providers by $700 pp.

 

This Antarctic itinerary was not on my radar screen at all. But the more I think about it, the more excited I get. Six months after a planned Iceland/Greenland cruise, on HAL Rotterdam.

 

We booked in december 2014 and got cabin 7083 - think this is the cabin you talk about. 7086 was already sold out - so if you want this cabin you can't book a last minute deal I think.

[TeDaKi]

We are really considering this cruise, but in January 2017. At the moment, the prices are more expensive than January 2016. Do you think we should wait for a while to book and see if the prices come down?

Another thing, I know nobody can predict what weather conditions will be like, but has there ever been times in the past when the ship can't make Antarctica?

[Groningen]

We are already booked for Jan. 31, 2017, because we wanted a full oceanview cabin that was the least expensive (F-category). It looks like the Jan. 10 departure is not offered in 2017, which lowers the capacity with 33%; only 2 Antarctica cruises that winter. The 2016 rates started out higher, although not as high as for 2017. We're also hoping that the fares will go down!

[SilvertoGold]

Will also go on the Zaandam on the 20th of december.

We loved the glaciers at Alaska so we really wanted to do a cruise with antarctica.

We are a little excidet about the Drake Passage but hope we will do it without any storm :)

 

We never thought of doing a southamerica cruise without Antarctica :D

 

Just wait till you see the glaciers in the Antarctic!!!! The comparison is amazing.

 

If you are lucky, the weather will allow for Lemaire Channel which is the top draw, along with Newmeyer.

 

Drake passage can be fine, or NOT! You don't need a storm to get bouncy there, but we have had at most 12 foot seas that provides a bit of movement - not a big deal!

 

You, too, have a SUPER Christmas cruise!!

Edited November 26, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[SilvertoGold]

We are really considering this cruise, but in January 2017. At the moment, the prices are more expensive than January 2016. Do you think we should wait for a while to book and see if the prices come down?

Another thing, I know nobody can predict what weather conditions will be like, but has there ever been times in the past when the ship can't make Antarctica?

 

The pricing always comes down in most categories. You have to be willing to wait, not be fussy about the cabin choice and be flexible with air booking.

 

If we booked all our Antarctic cruises early, we would not have done as many as we have and more to come.

 

The Prinsendam once had to turn back, recoup in Ushuaia and then make another run. Not sure if any cruise actually missed completely. The ice pilot on board is very experienced with not only the ice conditions, but also the weather and seas. They know what they are doing and can take the ship down safely.

Edited November 26, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[TiogaCruiser]

We are already booked for Jan. 31, 2017, because we wanted a full oceanview cabin that was the least expensive (F-category). It looks like the Jan. 10 departure is not offered in 2017, which lowers the capacity with 33%; only 2 Antarctica cruises that winter. The 2016 rates started out higher, although not as high as for 2017. We're also hoping that the fares will go down!

 

On the other hand, that cruise has also sold out early. We got locked out more than once, and the wait list was full.

 

What is the ship doing between the Antarctic trips if there are only 2?

Edited to say, here's the link for the missing January 2017 cruise:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=S6N21W&fromSearchVacation=true&destList=SS,SN&dateCode=&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=&voyageCode=X710

Edited November 26, 2015 by TiogaCruiser

[Groningen]

The pricing always comes down in most categories. You have to be willing to wait, not be fussy about the cabin choice and be flexible with air booking.

 

If we booked all our Antarctic cruises early, we would not have done as many as we have and more to come.

 

The Prinsendam once had to turn back, recoup in Ushuaia and then make another run. Not sure if any cruise actually missed completely. The ice pilot on board is very experienced with not only the ice conditions, but also the weather and seas. They know what they are doing and can take the ship down safely.

 

Glad to hear that prices usually come down! But why would I not book a specific cabin now, as long as I'm willing to change to another cabin/category and keep an eye on it every day? Am I missing something?

[AZNative2000]

Glad to hear that prices usually come down! But why would I not book a specific cabin now, as long as I'm willing to change to another cabin/category and keep an eye on it every day? Am I missing something?

 

Pretty sure SilvertoGold meant after you book you will need to wait for the prices to come down.

 

As you said, no reason to wait to book. If the prices change for the better prior to final payment date,

you can get them lowered or cancel and re-book.

 

Cheers!

[Groningen]

Pretty sure SilvertoGold meant after you book you will need to wait for the prices to come down.

 

As you said, no reason to wait to book. If the prices change for the better prior to final payment date,

you can get them lowered or cancel and re-book.

 

Cheers!

 

Thanks a lot!

[SilvertoGold]

Pretty sure SilvertoGold meant after you book you will need to wait for the prices to come down.

 

As you said, no reason to wait to book. If the prices change for the better prior to final payment date,

you can get them lowered or cancel and re-book.

 

Cheers!

 

Thanks for saying this much better than I did!

 

Many times the serious price drops come after final payment and this is why some wait to book then. However, these cruises are very popular and with only 3 per season, they do get well booked.