Penguins in Antarctica.
Photo courtesy Hurtigruten
One of the most remote, unique cruise destinations on the planet is without a doubt Antarctica. And after 2011, it will be one of the most difficult destinations to cruise to.
Antarctica has no permanent population. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent - in fact, it's so dry that it is actually considered a desert. Like its northern counterpart, it has been the subject of numerous expeditions - from Captain James Cook's arrival in 1773 to James Clark Ross in 1841 - with the Ross expedition commanding HMS Erebus and Terror, which five years later would be beset by ice in the Arctic under command of the ill-fated Sir John Franklin.
Norwegian Roald Amundsen was the first to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911, managing to beat the ill-fated expedition led by Robert Scott by a mere month.
Ernest Shackleton led three expeditions in 1901, 1907, and 1914 - the latter having claimed their ship, Endurance and resulted in the party barely escaping with their lives. Indeed, Shackleton is perhaps better known today as a result of this harrowing journey to Elephant Island.
The seductive pull of Antarctica has not subsided for many modern-day travelers. Many cruise lines sail a handful of voyages between January and March, and expedition vessels dedicate even more time to visiting this snowy continent. So what do you choose - Expedition ship or cruise ship? Depending on your preference, you might pick one over the other.
Here's our guide:
Mega-Ships: Celebrity, Holland America,and Princess all have ships sailing to Antarctica in the winter of 2010 and 2011. While you'll travel in supreme comfort, these ships carry too many passengers to make shore landings - you will visit Antarctica, but it will be scenic cruising only.
After 2011, mega-ship cruising to Antarctica is up in the air. Strict environmental restrictions may result in cruise lines having to pull out of the region permanently. If you want to take a megaship to this amazing place, GO NOW.
Mid-size ships: Hurtigruten offers voyages to Antarctica aboard its purpose-built MV Fram. Built in 2007, the Fram carries less than a full passenger compliment, allowing for shore landings.
Also in this category, but traveling in supreme luxury, is Silversea's small expedition vessel Prince Albert II. Carrying only 132 passengers, Prince Albert II is able to ferry passengers ashore in zodiacs when weather permits.
Expedition ships: There are many lines that offer expedition voyages to Antarctica, but perhaps the most extensive and well known are the ships of Quark Expeditions. Founded in 1991, Quark offers the widest variety of polar itineraries of any adventure company, and the largest number of departures to Antarctica. Shore landings are possible when weather permits, and their Icebreaker-class ships even boast onboard helicopters. Their flagship icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory, is even nuclear-powered.
For more information on each lines Antarctic offerings, visit their websites:
Quark Expeditions
Silversea
Hurtigruten
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Celebrity Cruises
Antarctica has no permanent population. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent - in fact, it's so dry that it is actually considered a desert. Like its northern counterpart, it has been the subject of numerous expeditions - from Captain James Cook's arrival in 1773 to James Clark Ross in 1841 - with the Ross expedition commanding HMS Erebus and Terror, which five years later would be beset by ice in the Arctic under command of the ill-fated Sir John Franklin.
Norwegian Roald Amundsen was the first to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911, managing to beat the ill-fated expedition led by Robert Scott by a mere month.
Ernest Shackleton led three expeditions in 1901, 1907, and 1914 - the latter having claimed their ship, Endurance and resulted in the party barely escaping with their lives. Indeed, Shackleton is perhaps better known today as a result of this harrowing journey to Elephant Island.
The seductive pull of Antarctica has not subsided for many modern-day travelers. Many cruise lines sail a handful of voyages between January and March, and expedition vessels dedicate even more time to visiting this snowy continent. So what do you choose - Expedition ship or cruise ship? Depending on your preference, you might pick one over the other.
Here's our guide:
Mega-Ships: Celebrity, Holland America,and Princess all have ships sailing to Antarctica in the winter of 2010 and 2011. While you'll travel in supreme comfort, these ships carry too many passengers to make shore landings - you will visit Antarctica, but it will be scenic cruising only.
After 2011, mega-ship cruising to Antarctica is up in the air. Strict environmental restrictions may result in cruise lines having to pull out of the region permanently. If you want to take a megaship to this amazing place, GO NOW.
Mid-size ships: Hurtigruten offers voyages to Antarctica aboard its purpose-built MV Fram. Built in 2007, the Fram carries less than a full passenger compliment, allowing for shore landings.
Also in this category, but traveling in supreme luxury, is Silversea's small expedition vessel Prince Albert II. Carrying only 132 passengers, Prince Albert II is able to ferry passengers ashore in zodiacs when weather permits.
Expedition ships: There are many lines that offer expedition voyages to Antarctica, but perhaps the most extensive and well known are the ships of Quark Expeditions. Founded in 1991, Quark offers the widest variety of polar itineraries of any adventure company, and the largest number of departures to Antarctica. Shore landings are possible when weather permits, and their Icebreaker-class ships even boast onboard helicopters. Their flagship icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory, is even nuclear-powered.
For more information on each lines Antarctic offerings, visit their websites:
Quark Expeditions
Silversea
Hurtigruten
Princess Cruises
Holland America Line
Celebrity Cruises
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