Planning an Antarctic expedition type cruise

[smckay]

Having done Ponant to Antarctica, my advice is to go low and centre for your cabin. If you hit Big Sea's across the Drake the ends of the ship will be moving.
We had 8 metre seas and they were hammering our balcony in 322
The frequent cruisers saying is the more you pay, the more you sway so up high and at the front might be all well and good in the Med, but on the open sea it's no fun.

Be aware that Antarctica has a 100 person limit on all landings. Meaning, your 400 pax liner will have 300 pax floating around in Zodiacs or watching from the decks whilst the few walk the grounds. Ponant with under 200 did it well, half did the landing, half zodiac'ed and no one missed out and it was very well managed. One bay was the iceberg cemetery and it was actually better to be in a Zodiac than on land.

The smell? You'll get used to it. You are going to be too busy watching amazing wildlife to care.

If you are not doing South Georgia, you are missing out. When you see hundred's of thousands of emperor penguins all hanging around you don't forget it. Throw in some seals of various sizes, a bit of scenery and you will love it.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. Have gone as low and central as the cabin class allowed.

The cruise schedule first takes us north-east to the Falklands and then east across to Sth Georgia , so I'm hoping that it won't be as potentially bad as crossing the Drake first up, and by the time we do, I'd have acquired some sea-legs!



I didn't know about the 100 person limit for landings. Presumably they can do it in shifts (even in 2 x 100 but still not everybody)- this is what happened on the Galapagos.

 

[smckay]

That is an excellent itinerary. You will not regret it.
Now, you need to buy an *excellent* camera with high resolution, 4 x 128Mb FAST memory cards and 3 spare batteries. A long zoom is not really needed, but if you could get ~400mm focal length (not digital zoom) you'll appreciate it. I took Canon DSLR and 600mm zoom which was over the top but got some nice snaps. If you are into birds then long is better. If just animals, they will be right next you you -literally, no kidding - so a quality point and shoot will do it.
If your financial statement can take it, buy 2 cameras. My wife's died 3 days in so luckily I had 2 x DSLR bodies to share the love.
That is, if you are into pickcha's of where you have been. I took 6,000....
Get some warm waterproof pants. They will get wet on the zodiacs. If you have to buy boots, buy muck boots. They are a brand but that search term will give you want you need. Don't take gumboots, ya toes will freeze.

 

[RooFlyer]

Now, you need to buy an *excellent* camera with high resolution, 4 x 128Mb FAST memory cards and 3 spare batteries.

Funny you should say that. I have bought a new camera, to replace my old pocket Sony. May not be up to your full recommendations, but hopefully It'll do me . CanonSX70HS with 65X optical, then 240x digital zoom, 4K video, fast cards, one spare battery. 21-1365mm

I'm not into birds, as you might see from comment here. So yes to closer-up mammals. I may well be into the '000s of pics, but I cull ruthlessly as soon as I get the chance.

As for clothes, I have an Antarctic-experienced personal clothing consultant and supplier here on AFF . But happy to add to the advisory panel

 

[VPS]

Also be aware that we were supposed to go to South Georgia but weather said no

 

[smckay]

That's an OK camera for memories. They won't blow up real flash due to sensor size but you only have to please yourself with the pictures I reckon.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

This is a trip that I want to do in a few years time so if you can do a trip report, it will be much appreciated.

 

[ausfox]

I think smckay meant Gb not Mb cards.

 

[k_sheep]

Having done Ponant to Antarctica, my advice is to go low and centre for your cabin. If you hit Big Sea's across the Drake the ends of the ship will be moving.
We had 8 metre seas and they were hammering our balcony in 322
The frequent cruisers saying is the more you pay, the more you sway so up high and at the front might be all well and good in the Med, but on the open sea it's no fun.

Hmm we're in 305, the cheapest possible - looks low but a fair bit forward. Oh well .... that's what seasickness tabs are for! Hmm that reminds me ... gotta decide whether to go hyoscine (kwells) or pick up some meclazine in transit in the USA ...

 

[RooFlyer]

This is a trip that I want to do in a few years time so if you can do a trip report, it will be much appreciated.

I think you can be sure of it . See my sig panel.

I think smckay meant Gb not Mb cards.

Sorry, don't follow. I bought two 64GB cards with abt 250mbps read/write, although I'll rarely be doing bursts and not much video.

Hmm we're in 305, the cheapest possible - looks low but a fair bit forward. Oh well .... that's what seasickness tabs are for! Hmm that reminds me ... gotta decide whether to go hyoscine (kwells) or pick up some meclazine in transit in the USA ...

I've been meaning to ask about sea sickness pills - I'll put it in the medical issues thread - here.

 

[ausfox]

I think smckay meant Gb not Mb cards.

I thought he/she was referring to storage rather than speed. My bad.

 

[Port Power]

Hmm we're in 305, the cheapest possible - looks low but a fair bit forward. Oh well .... that's what seasickness tabs are for! Hmm that reminds me ... gotta decide whether to go hyoscine (kwells) or pick up some meclazine in transit in the USA ...

I’m on deck 4 on this cruise on Silver Whisper. I thought that was the lowest passenger deck? Or have you joined the crew?

 

[Pushka]

I’m on deck 4 on this cruise on Silver Whisper. I thought that was the lowest passenger deck? Or have you joined the crew?

Deck 3 on Viking ships is where they put covid positive passengers.

 

[smckay]

I did mean GB for storage, but also speed to write is important. My 7D shoots 10 fps and on long bursts the card struggles to catch up. But, the fastest card is $300 so I learn to live with it.

 

[Port Power]

Hmm we're in 305, the cheapest possible - looks low but a fair bit forward. Oh well .... that's what seasickness tabs are for! Hmm that reminds me ... gotta decide whether to go hyoscine (kwells) or pick up some meclazine in transit in the USA ...

Oh, I think you mean you are on a Ponant ship. This thread has wandered somewhat off course.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's an OK camera for memories. They won't blow up real flash due to sensor size but you only have to please yourself with the pictures I reckon.

Its also surprisingly bad in low light for the same reason (sensor - I knew this when I bought). The sales guy said when discussing this "just use your phone in low light".

With a monopod I can enlarge daylight pics to A3 no problem and A4 hand-held so that is quite Ok for me.

 

[k_sheep]

I’m on deck 4 on this cruise on Silver Whisper. I thought that was the lowest passenger deck? Or have you joined the crew?

I _thought_ the trip was a bit cheap

Ya Ponant, apologies for confusion!