14 NIGHTS ANTARCTICA

[Tiggipaws]

Good morning

 

I am new to Celebrity and have a couple of questions regarding this cruise

 

1. Do they normally have dates for this cruise in February or March?

2. There are quite a few cabins unavailable are they sold or being withheld?

 

Thank you

[adolfo2]

Pretty sure that the max # of passengers on-board any Antarctic sailings is LIMITED by law.

[Boatharbour]

1 hour ago, Tiggipaws said:

Good morning

 

I am new to Celebrity and have a couple of questions regarding this cruise

 

1. Do they normally have dates for this cruise in February or March?

2. There are quite a few cabins unavailable are they sold or being withheld?

 

Thank you

I’m not sure if you have already booked,  but you may want to look at other cruise lines for this itinerary. Celebrity only spends 2 days cruising in Antarctica. Holland America and Princess are there for 4 days. Departures are December to February.
As weather conditions can impact where you can go and what you can see, it’s better to have more time in the area to maximise viewing opportunities.
We were originally booked with Celebrity for January 2025,  but the cruise was cancelled. Turned out to be for the best for us. 

[cruisestitch]

3 hours ago, Tiggipaws said:

Good morning

 

I am new to Celebrity and have a couple of questions regarding this cruise

 

1. Do they normally have dates for this cruise in February or March?

2. There are quite a few cabins unavailable are they sold or being withheld?

 

Thank you

I have seen this offered in January and February, but never in March

 

It’s very popular, so I imagine that most cabins sell out quickly. They have no reason to withhold any.

[foodsvcmgr]

We were on this cruise January 20th aboard C. Eclipse and it was full.

These itineraries are very popular due to the very short season which is dictated by weather in the Antarctic region as well as penguins in Falklands and Argentina returning to sea by March.

Highly recommend this itinerary if you get a chance to go.

 

 

[81Zoomie]

If you are going all the way to Antarctica, consider a smaller cruise line that offers expedition style excursions.  Setting foot on the continent is an amazing experience!  

[Ken the cruiser]

We originally had two of these Celebrity 14-day cruises booked B2B this past January, so we could have 4 days in total visiting the Antarctica Peninsula. Then we found a Princess cruise during the same time that spent 4 continuous days cruising around the Peninsula as well as visiting the Iceberg A23a, the largest iceberg in the world. Needless to say we switched to that cruise. We actually wound up booking a 30-day B2B, which turned out to be an awesome cruise! For more information as well as to see a bunch of photos, check out my Live From thread in my below signature area. The cruise actually starts around page 5.

[Tiggipaws]

Thank you for all your replies

[the penguins]

On 4/10/2024 at 10:33 AM, Tiggipaws said:

Good morning

 

I am new to Celebrity and have a couple of questions regarding this cruise

 

1. Do they normally have dates for this cruise in February or March?

2. There are quite a few cabins unavailable are they sold or being withheld?

 

Thank you

There are no passenger number limits on the type of cruise offered by Celebrity as it doesn't land anywhere covered by the Antarctic Convention.

The most important decision you need to make is what sort of experience do you want?

1) that offered by Celebrity, Princess, HAL or any of the other traditional cruise lines which is basically a few days of "scenic Cruising" among ice bergs. The pictures of penguins they include is, I consider misleading as most are either taken in South America or in the Falklands (less than 50% of ships get in to Stanley due to the weather and the long tender ride.

2) A cruise with a specialist company which includes numerous landings enabling you to really experience this unique environment.

We have done it both ways once on Celebrity Infinity and once on Hurtigruten's Fram and the Fram wins by a mile.

For ship's like the Fram passenger numbers are restricted to around 200 (Fram takes 208 but outside Antarctica it carries over 500). Landings are restricted to 100 at a time with no one person being allowed on shore for more than 1 hour at a time - groups are rotated to to meet these requirements.

Prices vary widely - the best usually available as soon as each seasons itineraries are announced and on ship you choose.

A few pics to whet your appetite:

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

If you have the $$ for an expedition cruise that us the way to go.  Just remember as was said the Falklands are a 50/50 coin flip.depending on weather and while cruising past Antarctica is wonderful; remember weather can be anything from incredible sunshine to 40' waves.

The Antarctic cruises are very popular and many "unavailable " cabins will be in TA Group blocks.

The month doesn't matter.  Only if the weather gods are working for you.

[the penguins]

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

If you have the $$ for an expedition cruise that us the way to go.  Just remember as was said the Falklands are a 50/50 coin flip.depending on weather and while cruising past Antarctica is wonderful; remember weather can be anything from incredible sunshine to 40' waves.

The Antarctic cruises are very popular and many "unavailable " cabins will be in TA Group blocks.

The month doesn't matter.  Only if the weather gods are working for you.

The months matters on an expedition cruise . Basically you have 2 choices:

Early - from the start of the season until mid November: early in the breeding season so best chance to see baby penguins/seals etc. More snow which can make landings more difficult. Best time for whales.

Late: End Jan - March: penguins/seals etc all now juveniles (any babies will have been born too late and will be "Skewer Meat". i.e. won't survive). Less snow landing mainly on rocks. Less chance to see whales. 

Note: King Penguins breed all year so any time you can see everything from eggs to fully grown adults.

If price is not an issue the Christmas/New Year cruise with Hurtigruten with a special Christmas Day service in the church on South Georgia followed by a walk to Shackleton's Grave would be our number one choice (we actually went end Feb/early March

[the penguins]

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

If you have the $$ for an expedition cruise that us the way to go.  Just remember as was said the Falklands are a 50/50 coin flip.depending on weather and while cruising past Antarctica is wonderful; remember weather can be anything from incredible sunshine to 40' waves.

The Antarctic cruises are very popular and many "unavailable " cabins will be in TA Group blocks.

The month doesn't matter.  Only if the weather gods are working for you.

Expedition prices: some very expensive 5 and 6 star lines now offer this type of cruise with all the facilities you would expect on a traditional cruise. Others, for example Hurtigruten, provide a more basic and to us more authentic type of experience but still with a highly professional Expedition team. As you will spend most of you time on deck, attending briefings, talks, enjoying the observation lounges and of course the landings you will spend so little time in your cabin an inside cabin is really all you need.

[Tiggipaws]

Thank you for all your replies. Lots to consider

[Boatharbour]

One other perspective to think about. 

Does Antarctica benefit in any way from tourists landing on its pristine environment? We’ve chosen the cruise by option. As my mother used to say “Look, but don’t touch”.

[the penguins]

1 hour ago, Boatharbour said:

One other perspective to think about. 

Does Antarctica benefit in any way from tourists landing on its pristine environment? We’ve chosen the cruise by option. As my mother used to say “Look, but don’t touch”.

from our experience the lengths the expedition cruise ships go to to protect the environment is extraordinary:

1) during the voyage down all outer clothing that will be worn ashore has to be vacuumed to remove all possible contamination.

2) boots provided to use during the landings are disinfected as you return to the ship and are then dried before the next.

3) All outer clothes are checked before you can reboard and are hosed down as needed.

4) Once on land you are forbidden to put anything on the ground, to pick up or move anything, or to use anything like tissues.

5) you can't approach any animal or interfere/cross any penguin pathway. If animals approach you must stand still and wait for them to pass.

6) Any breaking of the rules will result in an immediate warning and a subsequent breach will result followed in you being banned from future landings.

We agree with your mum and always try to " leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories.

Landings give you the unique opportunity to see animals and birds living in an environment where they have no fear of man and indeed where animals give us the briefest of looks before returning to their normal way of life.

The ships contribute to the Antarctic Organisation that works to preserve the area.

The "Cruise by" option basically gives you the opportunity to see ice bergs but nothing of the wild life that makes the area unique. 

We have done it both ways and provided that the ships continue to operate within the rules laid down by the Antarctic Convention I see no issues with them offering this type of cruise.

Indeed you could argue that the traditional cruise ships that are not ice strengthend and carry over 2000 passengers are potentially a bigger threat than ships that are designed to operate in these waters and are limited to around 200 passengers.

It's a choice we all must make individually.

 

 

 

[Boatharbour]

9 minutes ago, the penguins said:

from our experience the lengths the expedition cruise ships go to to protect the environment is extraordinary:

1) during the voyage down all outer clothing that will be worn ashore has to be vacuumed to remove all possible contamination.

2) boots provided to use during the landings are disinfected as you return to the ship and are then dried before the next.

3) All outer clothes are checked before you can reboard and are hosed down as needed.

4) Once on land you are forbidden to put anything on the ground, to pick up or move anything, or to use anything like tissues.

5) you can't approach any animal or interfere/cross any penguin pathway. If animals approach you must stand still and wait for them to pass.

6) Any breaking of the rules will result in an immediate warning and a subsequent breach will result followed in you being banned from future landings.

We agree with your mum and always try to " leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories.

Landings give you the unique opportunity to see animals and birds living in an environment where they have no fear of man and indeed where animals give us the briefest of looks before returning to their normal way of life.

The ships contribute to the Antarctic Organisation that works to preserve the area.

The "Cruise by" option basically gives you the opportunity to see ice bergs but nothing of the wild life that makes the area unique. 

We have done it both ways and provided that the ships continue to operate within the rules laid down by the Antarctic Convention I see no issues with them offering this type of cruise.

Indeed you could argue that the traditional cruise ships that are not ice strengthend and carry over 2000 passengers are potentially a bigger threat than ships that are designed to operate in these waters and are limited to around 200 passengers.

It's a choice we all must make individually.

 

 

 

I still ask though - in what ways do these landings benefit the Antarctic environment? There will always be an impact no matter the steps you take to minimise.

I’d rather leave the landings to scientists and minimise the exposure the wildlife has to humans. Do you really, really need to view this unique wildlife in its natural environment?

You and I are always going to disagree on this topic but I think it’s important that another perspective is provided. 

[tscoffey]

On 4/11/2024 at 6:22 PM, the penguins said:

Hurtigruten, provide a more basic and to us more authentic type of experience

Curious as to what constitutes “authentic experience” when visiting a remote continent where no human civilization has ever existed.

[the penguins]

7 hours ago, Boatharbour said:

I still ask though - in what ways do these landings benefit the Antarctic environment? There will always be an impact no matter the steps you take to minimise.

I’d rather leave the landings to scientists and minimise the exposure the wildlife has to humans. Do you really, really need to view this unique wildlife in its natural environment?

You and I are always going to disagree on this topic but I think it’s important that another perspective is provided. 

 

4 hours ago, tscoffey said:

Curious as to what constitutes “authentic experience” when visiting a remote continent where no human civilization has ever existed.

Authentic in as much as, at least for a brief moment, you get to experience what life is like without the assumed benefits of any human "civilization" and where the animals/birds have no fear of man. We know from experience that it  leaves a deep and lasting impression that affects our actions when we travel to other areas that do not have this protection.

[the penguins]

14 hours ago, Boatharbour said:

I still ask though - in what ways do these landings benefit the Antarctic environment? There will always be an impact no matter the steps you take to minimise.

I’d rather leave the landings to scientists and minimise the exposure the wildlife has to humans. Do you really, really need to view this unique wildlife in its natural environment?

You and I are always going to disagree on this topic but I think it’s important that another perspective is provided. 

 

14 hours ago, Boatharbour said:

I still ask though - in what ways do these landings benefit the Antarctic environment? There will always be an impact no matter the steps you take to minimise.

I’d rather leave the landings to scientists and minimise the exposure the wildlife has to humans. Do you really, really need to view this unique wildlife in its natural environment?

You and I are always going to disagree on this topic but I think it’s important that another perspective is provided. 

 

14 hours ago, Boatharbour said:

I still ask though - in what ways do these landings benefit the Antarctic environment? There will always be an impact no matter the steps you take to minimise.

I’d rather leave the landings to scientists and minimise the exposure the wildlife has to humans. Do you really, really need to view this unique wildlife in its natural environment?

You and I are always going to disagree on this topic but I think it’s important that another perspective is provided. 

I totally agree that it's important to have different view points.

However your solution would wipe out a lot of the world's tourism industry including for example snorkling/diving on the Great Barrier, and all safari's.

Antarctica is unique in that it is protected by an International Treaty/Convention (not one or a group of countries) which tightly controls all aspects of how the area can be accessed/exploited. Almost no tourism visits are permitted on the main land and all commercial exploitation of the mineral/oil/gas reserves are banned. The fees paid by the Cruise Lines helps fund the Convention.

 

 

[tscoffey]

8 hours ago, the penguins said:

 

Authentic in as much as, at least for a brief moment, you get to experience what life is like without the assumed benefits of any human "civilization" and where the animals/birds have no fear of man. We know from experience that it  leaves a deep and lasting impression that affects our actions when we travel to other areas that do not have this protection.

A better word for that is “pristine”, I think.

[the penguins]

36 minutes ago, tscoffey said:

A better word for that is “pristine”, I think.

I’m happy with that - which ever it’s unique and never forgotten.

[Boatharbour]

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

 

 

I totally agree that it's important to have different view points.

However your solution would wipe out a lot of the world's tourism industry including for example snorkling/diving on the Great Barrier, and all safari's.

Antarctica is unique in that it is protected by an International Treaty/Convention (not one or a group of countries) which tightly controls all aspects of how the area can be accessed/exploited. Almost no tourism visits are permitted on the main land and all commercial exploitation of the mineral/oil/gas reserves are banned. The fees paid by the Cruise Lines helps fund the Convention.

 

 

I am talking specifically about Antartica which is perhaps the last frontier that hasn’t yet been spoilt by the impact of tourism. All of your responses are about how it makes you feel and what it does for you. The last time I’ll say it - but in what way does it benefit Antartica for you to step onshore to take your trophy photos and say you’ve visited the continent? 
Can’t we leave at least one place on the planet free from tourism ?? The end. 

[the penguins]

42 minutes ago, Boatharbour said:

I am talking specifically about Antartica which is perhaps the last frontier that hasn’t yet been spoilt by the impact of tourism. All of your responses are about how it makes you feel and what it does for you. The last time I’ll say it - but in what way does it benefit Antartica for you to step onshore to take your trophy photos and say you’ve visited the continent? 
Can’t we leave at least one place on the planet free from tourism ?? The end. 

we could but you have already said you are going to take the cruise -  which to me is a sort of double standard.

Everyone is free to make up their own choice.

 

[Boatharbour]

35 minutes ago, the penguins said:

we could but you have already said you are going to take the cruise -  which to me is a sort of double standard.

Everyone is free to make up their own choice.

 

I have opted for a “cruise by” and not a landing. I won’t be leaving any footprints unlike you. No double standards at all. End of story. 

[critic2023]

I did this itinerary in January of this year. I only saw it offered in January and February with possible spillover a few days into March. Typically, I'd say Celebrity only offers 3-4 of these per year due to weather limits on when it is safe to travel in the region. My cruise was completely sold out and it seems to me that the rest were also sold out or close to it.

 

I have mixed feelings on my experience. I don't regret going, of course - it was the trip of a lifetime and also my first foray into South America. But having seen how it goes on a sail-by cruise, I think I would do an expedition cruise in the future. In fact, I now absolutely plan to do an expedition cruise to Antarctica someday - this trip didn't quite scratch the itch for me, and I feel like there is much more to be seen.

 

My main complaints are not anything I blame the cruise line for, because they are things I knew about well in advance and chose to move forward with anyway. There are a lot of sea days (I like more port intensive cruises, so I knew this would bother me) and we spent a very small amount of time in Antarctica - I think about 1.5 days in total out of a 14 day cruise? Again, I don't blame Celebrity for this. They didn't advertise anything different. But having done it, I now know it's not the way I want to experience the continent. Someday in a few years, I will be splurging on an expedition cruise to do it what I now consider "the right way."