What Antarctic Cruises Have to Offer
Antarctic cruises have a lot to offer and has quickly become one of the best ways to explore Antarctica. Starting from the southernmost tip of South America you would take an Antarctic cruise through the Drake Passage, visiting islands such as the South Shetland Islands, King George Island, Halfmoon Island and more on your way. Eventually you would cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula towards the main land. You will be stunned by the beauty of Antarctica and will have the chance to get right up close to nature and the various species Antarctica has to offer.
Throughout your travels you will discover, five variations of seal species, huge penguin rookeries of gentoo, Adelies and chinstraps and a massive amount of seabirds from albatross to skuas. You can observe the wedell, elephant and crabeater seals, seabirds and the Adelie penguin in large colonies on Petermann Island.
When arriving to Antarctica by ship there are two harbours you can dock at, the Paradise Harbour and the Neko Harbour. When you step on shore, you will be dazzled by the scenery of the continent and by the oddly shaped icebergs which look like sculptures. As the night falls, you will have a once in a lifetime experience witnessing twilight from the very bottom of the planet.
No matter how you like to travel there is something for everyone to have a truly unique Antarctic Travel experience. Cruises offer a variety of excursions including, hiking, snowshoeing, sea kayaking and cross country skiing. Some offer mountaineering/ski touring, but this excursions is dependent on the weather and avalanche safety. Many travellers enjoy sea kayaking from your Antarctic cruise ship to the main land where they set up a tent and camp for a night. Travellers can hike to the summit where they will see some extraordinary views of the Antarctic Ocean and the dozens of icebergs in every direction.
When preparing for your Antarctic adventure you should make sure to pack warm clothing, as it is very cold in Antarctica. On excursions you may take a small boat to an island and there is lots of splash so make sure to bring waterproof clothing as well. Sea conditions are unpredictable, much like the weather, so if you experience motion sickness be sure to visit your doctor anti-nausea medication.
There are many different Antarctic cruises that will allow you to explore the Antarctic in different ways. Research the different itineraries to find out which is best suited for you.