How to Antarctica Cruise or Expedition?
In February 2022, after watching the Netflix docuseries on Antarctica, I applied to work in support roles at the United States Arctic Program (USAP) and for the National Science Foundation (NSF). It’s highly competitive and I didn’t get an interview.
With Antarctica on my mind, I still wanted to go. During the Antarctic Summer - December ’23- March ’24, I found myself back in the snow, ice and cold – oddly similar to any winter day in Chicago.
This required a change or addition to my travel wardrobe. I had donated all my serious winter gear in 2021. I was determined not to spend money on clothing I would rarely wear again and probably donate. Between thrift shops, sales, and TJ Maxx I found the gear I needed and rented required equipment.
On December 1 I started a 55-day cruise that offered four days of “scenic cruising” in Antarctica. Once each way south and north. Crossing the Drake Passage four times.
Photographs and videos in Antarctica is a function of right place right time. Fortunately, we are generous travelers and share our photos and videos. Many thanks to my fellow passengers.
In March an Antarctica expedition would allow me to walk on Antarctica, see animals up close and use Zodiacs to cruise into bays full of building sized icebergs.
In both cases I sailed through the Drake Passage to the Antarctic peninsula and islands. I was skeptical of how “close” we would get to anything – living or frozen. And disclaimers for both warned of changes to itineraries and plans depending on weather.
More on the how to’s and my visits to Antarctica can be viewed on my YouTube channel.
For more information on my group tours to Antarctica in 2025
on a cruise or expedition. please email me here.
The Cruise
The 55 days on board started in Los Angeles to Buenos Aries and went back to Santiago. This is called a back-to-back cruise. In December, on the way to Buenos Aries we had to skip Ushuaia and Cape Horn because of bad weather and high winds (typical of the area). Instead, the ship chased the largest iceberg to date, A23a. It was a site to behold and we were the first and only cruise ship to see it at that time. See photos.
We sailed on to Elephant and Shetland Islands as well as many bays throughout the Antarctic peninsula. We came close to the Antarctic Circle but did not reach or cross it. The icebergs were large, blue, white, cracking and some included penguins having fun sliding into the water. The scenic cruising included seeing Penguin colonies, birdlife and Antarctic research stations. The landscape was striking with volcanic hills, mountains topped with snow and ice. The Antarctica Sea had large and small ice, icebergs, brash ice, ice fields the cruise ship could not enter. We had an ice pilot on board to help this navigation. He used to Captain the US Coast Guard Icebreaker Polar Star ship. That ship breaks the ice for supply ships to McMurdo Station on the Peninsula as well as assists with scientific research.
While on board there were lectures about Antarctica from naturalists and scientists, entertainment, food, fun, relaxation, and lots of other travelers interested in South America and Antarctica in particular. Some of the 2,000+ passengers made this voyage annually for many years. Others had amazing camera equipment, binoculars or were avid birders.
On January 20, I disembarked in San Antonio for more travel throughout South America until my Antarctica expedition in March. You can read about those posts here.
The Expedition
The Antarctica expedition is a completely different experience than the cruise ship. I went from a large ship to a small, retrofitted icebreaker with a capacity of 134 passengers plus 71 crew. This ship is made for the Antarctic from its’ ability to go through ice as well as handle the waves and ice.
Twice a day, we deployed Zodiacs for wet or dry landings in Antarctica or cruising between icebergs, seeing penguins, seals and whales up close in the water. The expedition provided boots to use and a warm, waterproof parka to keep. You had to have waterproof pants to be in a Zodiac (mandatory equipment you can buy or rent). Briefings and recaps were held daily so we knew what was coming up and how we did on the day. See photos for the up close and personal experiences on the ice with seals, penguins, whales, icebergs and cold water.
IAATO controls how both these Antarctica experiences operate in this pristine space. Save research personnel, they try to keep damage, human interference, trash and more from harming Antarctica flora, fauna, surface and animals.
These are two different Antarctica experiences. Neither is right or wrong. Going to Antarctica is a big undertaking. Long flights to locations to start the trip. Weather that can beat you and any ship you choose. Is it worth it? Absolutely. 100,000 people visit Antarctica annually. Some say that’s too many. I think it is an important place to see and learn about. Depending on your budget and time – anyone can decide to make this bucket list location possible. Join a group I will be leading to Antarctica in 2025. Your choice cruise or expedition.
Check out my YouTube channel videos on Antarctica. An add your name to the Antarctica email list here.
