You've won the lottery

[MicCanberra]

5 hours ago, Velvetwater said:

 

Antarctica.

 

Only way I can do that cruise is if I quit my job. A teacher cannot get time off in Feb.

 

I could quit my job with a million squid+ with retirement very far off for me....being early 30s.

There are some Antarctic trips that go in December and January but have a heavier reliance on the ice being broken down enough for access.

[Velvetwater]

1 minute ago, MicCanberra said:

There are some Antarctic trips that go in December and January but have a heavier reliance on the ice being broken down enough for access.

 

I think I did find one of those a few years back.No luck though as it went into the first week of January fully and UK schools usually go back the first Monday of the new year. We only get 2 weeks for Christmas time. 😞 

 

Oh well. It's the only continent I haven't been to which is annoying.

[MicCanberra]

1 hour ago, Velvetwater said:

 

I think I did find one of those a few years back.No luck though as it went into the first week of January fully and UK schools usually go back the first Monday of the new year. We only get 2 weeks for Christmas time. 😞 

 

Oh well. It's the only continent I haven't been to which is annoying.

Perhaps a fly and stay trip is worth considering if you cannot wait for retirement.

[clo]

35 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Perhaps a fly and stay trip is worth considering if you cannot wait for retirement.

To my knowledge you can't "stay" on/in Antarctica.  No hotels.

[MicCanberra]

8 minutes ago, clo said:

To my knowledge you can't "stay" on/in Antarctica.  No hotels.

by stay I meant on a cruise ship. Several companies do this. I suppose theoretically it is fly/cruise/fly.

Anyway at least one such company does it and google would find it easily. from their website -

 

There are Fly-Cruise trips to Antarctica whereby you can take a flight to Frei Station (Chilean) on King George Island (South Shetlands Group) in around two hours flying from Punta Arenas, Chile. The aircraft used are usually 70 passenger BAE 146-200.
You then embark on your ship where you follow the Antarctic part of the cruise for around 6 days along the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island and flying back to Punta Arenas again.

Advantages

Avoid crossing the Drakes Passage by ship - this can be a very rough crossing (it can also be very smooth) which for some people may prevent them going to Antarctica at all if they feel ill on ships.

Time saving - two sailings across the Drakes Passage saves about 4 days in all meaning that is possible to go to Antarctica without spending so much time getting there and back.
 

Disadvantages:

You don't get to cross the Drakes Passage by ship - there is something magical about arriving in Antarctica by ship where the weather and ice change slowly over a longer period, spotting albatrosses following the ship, the first ice-bergs, first penguins and seals etc.

Delays to your trip - While no Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has been cancelled due to weather conditions, some departures have experienced delays of up to three days. The current estimate is that the chances of delay are in the range of 5-10%. Ships can operate in conditions in Antarctica that leave planes grounded. In particular you will need to have some flexibility in your return journey timings.

[clo]

6 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

by stay I meant on a cruise ship. Several companies do this. I suppose theoretically it is fly/cruise/fly.

Anyway at least one such company does it and google would find it easily. from their website -

 

There are Fly-Cruise trips to Antarctica whereby you can take a flight to Frei Station (Chilean) on King George Island (South Shetlands Group) in around two hours flying from Punta Arenas, Chile. The aircraft used are usually 70 passenger BAE 146-200.
You then embark on your ship where you follow the Antarctic part of the cruise for around 6 days along the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island and flying back to Punta Arenas again.

Advantages

Avoid crossing the Drakes Passage by ship - this can be a very rough crossing (it can also be very smooth) which for some people may prevent them going to Antarctica at all if they feel ill on ships.

Time saving - two sailings across the Drakes Passage saves about 4 days in all meaning that is possible to go to Antarctica without spending so much time getting there and back.
 

Disadvantages:

You don't get to cross the Drakes Passage by ship - there is something magical about arriving in Antarctica by ship where the weather and ice change slowly over a longer period, spotting albatrosses following the ship, the first ice-bergs, first penguins and seals etc.

Delays to your trip - While no Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has been cancelled due to weather conditions, some departures have experienced delays of up to three days. The current estimate is that the chances of delay are in the range of 5-10%. Ships can operate in conditions in Antarctica that leave planes grounded. In particular you will need to have some flexibility in your return journey timings.

Ah, gotcha.   I saw that info also.  We waited for retirement (it's quite expensive) and combined it with an escorted tour of Patagonia and then the cruise which did the Chilean fjords and Falkland Islands.  Beginning in Buenos Aires and ending in Santiago.  Almost a month.  We adored it.

[MicCanberra]

There are some where some of you can stay for the day (possibly night as well) at one of the camps.

Overview

Fly to the Geographic South Pole, the holy grail of polar explorers, and spend the night at the World’s Southernmost Resort. Embrace this exclusive opportunity to camp overnight and wake up at 90° S. Below your feet, all 360 lines of longitude meet and in just a few steps you can walk around the world!

History and modern science converge as you tour Amundsen-Scott Station and take photographs at the Ceremonial Pole surrounded by the flags of the Antarctic Treaty signatory nations. Your overnight stay at our private camp allows you ample time to reflect on your surroundings and experience this special place on Earth.

 

There is also this place - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-17/white-desert-antarctica-s-jaw-dropping-luxury-hotel

[clo]

1 minute ago, MicCanberra said:

There are some where some of you can stay for the day (possibly night as well) at one of the camps.

Overview

Fly to the Geographic South Pole, the holy grail of polar explorers, and spend the night at the World’s Southernmost Resort. Embrace this exclusive opportunity to camp overnight and wake up at 90° S. Below your feet, all 360 lines of longitude meet and in just a few steps you can walk around the world!

History and modern science converge as you tour Amundsen-Scott Station and take photographs at the Ceremonial Pole surrounded by the flags of the Antarctic Treaty signatory nations. Your overnight stay at our private camp allows you ample time to reflect on your surroundings and experience this special place on Earth.

 

There is also this place - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-17/white-desert-antarctica-s-jaw-dropping-luxury-hotel

LOL!  Saw that also.  What was it something like $80k for less than a week.  'Course if you won the lotttery....

[MicCanberra]

19 minutes ago, clo said:

LOL!  Saw that also.  What was it something like $80k for less than a week.  'Course if you won the lotttery....

yep, although there are cheaper ways to get see the wonder of Antarctica.

[Velvetwater]

Not sure if I could get the husband on a 70 passenger plane!

 

Oh well, thanks for the heads up. Looks like we will have to wait 30 years or change jobs.

 

 

[clo]

6 minutes ago, Velvetwater said:

Not sure if I could get the husband on a 70 passenger plane!

 

I would think there are airlines in the US who fly fewer passengers than that.  

 

And, yeah, save those trips for later.  There's plenty of world to see.  Or win the lottery.