Just Starting Research for Trip - Help! :)

[amland01]

I am just (today) starting to look into a cruise to Antarctica for 2010. Does anyone have any good resources on where to go to start narrowing down tours? I know we will want a smaller boat (probably under 100 people) but don't really know where to begin. Thanks so much!!!

[Piepkorn]

I am just (today) starting to look into a cruise to Antarctica for 2010. Does anyone have any good resources on where to go to start narrowing down tours? I know we will want a smaller boat (probably under 100 people) but don't really know where to begin. Thanks so much!!!

 

We started out by reading every post in this forum, also emailing people about their experiences with certain ships. We ordered brochures from every operator running trips. We also ordered catalogs from camping companies, and cold weather clothing companies...etc. Here is a list of things I came across: http://www.shiptoshoretraveler.com/za/STST?PAGE=PACKING_LIST&DEST=ANT&DESTNAME=ANTARCTICA

 

as well: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=531528

 

Those links will help get you started.

 

There are several threads about various ships, about what you will see during various periods of the season...etc. You will find some trips include just about everything, others are just 'basic'.

 

Even though our plans are completely in place for this trip, we planned it with a lot of 'slack' as the airlines that operate in South America are not excessively dependable.

 

My travel agent was a bit mistified about what we wanted to do, but we laid out our itinerary, but also checked out her planning to see if we could do it better.

 

We were limited to February due to work commitments, but my DW wants to see the fledgling penguins.

 

Dave

[dpro]

I am just (today) starting to look into a cruise to Antarctica for 2010. Does anyone have any good resources on where to go to start narrowing down tours? I know we will want a smaller boat (probably under 100 people) but don't really know where to begin. Thanks so much!!!

 

Good place to start

 

http://*****.com/6ajnoo

http://*****.com/6awgxa

http://*****.com/23prrw

 

Whatever you do stay away from Hurtigruten

 

Rc

[gaelsail]

Whatever you do stay away from Hurtigruten

 

Disagree, If I had a choice of Hurtigruten for any destination I would choose them.

[dpro]

Disagree, If I had a choice of Hurtigruten for any destination I would choose them.

 

I thought that too, until they canceled our Antarctica cruise and as yet have not offered us a reasonable replacement, or even our deposit back. They are in serious debt.

 

Rc

[2552phxcrzr]

Pretty much started out by reading every trip report I could get my hands on before doing anything else. That helped to determine that we wanted a small ship (under 100 pax); an itinerary that included Falklands, South Georgia, and Peninsula. We also determined that we wanted to go in January.

 

After that, I checked IAATO for operators - lots of resellers of Antarctic trips; fewer (by comparison) operators. Then I checked the websites of those operators to see if they offered what we wanted (our list was down to three operators, Quark, Lindblad, and Zegrahms). Knowing the itinerary, dates, and ships, I was able to compare pricing on reseller websites (Natural Habitat to name one).

 

In our case, our three requirements (as outlined in the first paragraph) narrowed things down for us pretty quickly and we ended up selecting Quark. If you want to read our trip report - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=531528.

 

Was it pricey? Yes. Was it worth it? An unqualified "Yes."

[gaelsail]

I thought that too, until they canceled our Antarctica cruise and as yet have not offered us a reasonable replacement, or even our deposit back. They are in serious debt.

 

Which cruise did they cancel?

[dpro]

Which cruise did they cancel?

 

Nordnorge 22 day AA, S. Georgia, Falklands, others as well. Basically all cruises in AA for Nordnorge. Still no offer or refund deposit.

 

Last count they had at least 4 ships up for sale.

 

Rc

[pacmom]

We are also looking at going in early 2010. We are leaning toward the new Silversea Prince Albert II. She sails from Ushauia and has 2 itineraries, one to the A peninsula and one that includes the Falklands. On the Silversea web site, they are doing daily blogs of her journeys. It is an expedition ship on its maiden voyage. Pat

[Louise22]

I know you are looking at 2010 but www.expeditontrips.com has a great deal on the Prince Albert - 50% off the end of this year. For other Antarctica cruises go to their website and select "Just Released Offers". You will have to give your e-mail address and pick a password to get the specials. I have done quite a few trips using the company and they are great.

[amland01]

This is all great information...thanks so much! The search continues :)

[hitchhiker_fp]

try also

 

the thorn tree in lonely planet.com

 

polar cruises

gap adventures

quark expeditions

 

keep in mind that a smaller vessel might move way more in the drake and might need more time us well, just in case

[hitchhiker_fp]

Good place to start

 

http://*****.com/6ajnoo

http://*****.com/6awgxa

http://*****.com/23prrw

 

Whatever you do stay away from Hurtigruten

 

Rc

 

i could recommend hurtigruten for a whole 100%

i can't think of a better vessel than the fram

the only down of the fram consider to other vessels on the same or similar route is the amount of passengers, about 250 more or less

[soraya]

Hi, I've been wanting to go to Ant for ever and have been researching for 10 years! At first sight there seemed to be hundreds of ships - I found that expedtiontrips and polarcruises.com had them sorted into something sensible and their prices were good. We had to move our round the horn cruise booked for end of this year and we're looking at the Prince Albert II as it has great introductory offers.

 

The things I looked for was a small ship 100ish passengers, comfort & safety.

 

Safety first: The ship had to have a 1A ice rating - that took out drive by cruises. It had to have closed liferafts - that took out most 1960/70 ships. Pessimistic I know!

 

Comfort - I accepted that many smaller ships were basic but decided I didn't want to climb into an upper bunk during Drakes Passage. Also if I was being unwell I wanted my own private facilities. Can you imagine sharing then!

 

Also discovered that ice breakers aren't good for open seas as their design means they bob about more, but decided that I would deal with extreme sea sickness if that was the ship that delivered overall.

 

Size - wanted to be able to do at least 2 landings a day weather permitting.

 

I found that my ideal ships were expedition ships ideally a luxury one such as Corinthian (114pax) if budget was no issue or a more basic cruise on the Orlova (110 pax) .

 

Worth bearing in mind that some of the more expensive cruises include flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (£300/$600pp) as well as a hotel in BA and all drinks and tips on the cruise. That easily accounts for a £500/$1000 difference.

 

BTW for 2010 I notice that Cleila II is new and they have some great offers.

 

Let us know how the research goes, Soraya

[amland01]

Thanks! The Clelia II is actually the one that I have been looking into and seems interesting. I will look into the Prince Albert II as well!

[Benita]

We went in 2005 with Lindblad - had a great trip with them to the Galapagos and figured they would do a great job in Antarctica and we were right.