Suggestions for Antarctica Cruise Dec 2020

[Basaka]

I've seen a few threads on Antarctica Cruises but not much recent activity on them so thought I'd ask again here. Planning to do a cruise about mid-Dec 2020, departing Ushuaia. Looking for something that would match the following requirements:

- Single traveller friendly (unless I can rope a friend into doing it with me!)
- Landings on ice (optional: kayak/camping?)
- Don't have to have fancy food/drinks etc, thinking more of an adventure rather than luxury
- Ideally not overly expensive (Looking at 10-12k maximum? Not a hard and fast rule)

Also if I can get advice on what extra clothes I will need to bring that would be great too. Any suggestions/experiences appreciated!

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We have been to the Arctic and Antarctica- we cruise Silverseas for the last 10 years - but the only thing I can help you with is clothing.

The cruises we went on supplied you with a big thermal waterproof jacket with a hood, we had our own knee high rubber boots. ( boots you need a size larger to allow for two pairs of socks - one cotton inner sock and thermal outer thicker socks)
You will need thermal socks, thermal T shirt ( short and long sleeve), waterproof outer pants and a thermal leggins to go under waterproof pants. Thermal gloves that you can flip the fingers on ( for taking photos ) an warm beanie big enough to cover your forehead, and a scarf or neck gaiter ( pref a neck gaiter as it can come up over your mouth if needs be - WIND CHILL - you have never felt anything like it ! ) If you are definitely going start looking for some of these in the sales of outdoor specialty shops now.

Freehands. Keep In Touch.

www.freehands.com

 

[Spongbob]

Good luck on finding something for about $12K, particularly given the single traveller arrangement.

 

[Basaka]

I did see some prices that were $12k but looks like they're in USD...

If I have to pay more I pay more.

 

[tgh]

- Landings on ice (optional: kayak/camping?)

kayak or camping are unlikely, the area is highly regulated.

Most ships to the Lemaire peninsula run full , so single supps will be high.
Seabourn take a big ship and may be a better deal . BUT.. the opportunities to go ashore will be minimised.
There may be last minute deals but it would be a long shot.

With some solid searching , you may find some roughies ; very small ships, tight accomodation foreign languages etc… caveat emptor

 

[Basaka]

- Landings on ice (optional: kayak/camping?)

kayak or camping are unlikely, the area is highly regulated.

Most ships to the Lemaire peninsula run full , so single supps will be high.
Seabourn take a big ship and may be a better deal . BUT.. the opportunities to go ashore will be minimised.
There may be last minute deals but it would be a long shot.

With some solid searching , you may find some roughies ; very small ships, tight accomodation foreign languages etc… caveat emptor

I do see a few cruises that offer camping/kayaking as optional activities, and a couple that goes camping directly on ice. Most of the ones I'm looking at carries ~120 passengers. I would rather go on small ships for the better landing experience

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I do see a few cruises that offer camping/kayaking as optional activities, and a couple that goes camping directly on ice. Most of the ones I'm looking at carries ~120 passengers. I would rather go on small ships for the better landing experience.

Agree - small is very good in this situation. We did the Arctic on the Silver Explorer (120 passenger Max ) and Antarctica on the Orion ( 110 pass)
You are out in the zodiacs at every opportunity on a ship this size. This is what hooked us on expedition cruising.
The Orion was an australian ship but they went broke is now sails under National Geographic.

 

[VPS]

If you don't want to land on the ice then Holland America have some 22 day cruises for under $10k including the single supplement but the boats a much bigger

Search the Best Cruises for 2023 and 2024 | Holland America

Search for cruises and start planning your next cruise vacation with Holland America Cruise Line. Choose from a variety of itineraries, destinations, and packages.

www.hollandamerica.com

 

[bsb]

We did G-Adventures a few years ago, that was amazing and i can’t recommend more highly. There are others who do it cheaper but i can’t remember the names sorry. The clothing is pretty much already answered. You can camp on the ice, kayak and swim on the last day. We went mid-December, 2nd tranche to leave and landing on the ice took a few days longer as that early in the season its touch and go. I believe you will find pricing options at your budget, possibly cheaper if you’re willing to share and many do. The ship carries 100 pax. Go, enjoy - its a once in a lifetime experience.

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

Hi Basaka,

Are you happy to share with another person of your same gender? Often the expedition lines will match you up (find a friend kind of thing). if so there's some options for about USD 8,250 per person for a 10 day trip in a twin porthole cabin aboard the new Hondius for example... If you're willing to share that might work well in your budget. More on that itinerary here: Antarctica Discovery & Learning | Expedition Cruise Specialists Only limited rooms remain available for 2020 though.

As a point of interest Oceanwide Expeditions - the operator of the Hondius - were recently awarded best polar operator for 2019 at the World Tourism Awards.

Other cruise lines offer similar match up services if you're keen as well.

 

[Basaka]

Hi Basaka,

Are you happy to share with another person of your same gender? Often the expedition lines will match you up (find a friend kind of thing). if so there's some options for about USD 8,250 per person for a 10 day trip in a twin porthole cabin aboard the new Hondius for example... If you're willing to share that might work well in your budget. More on that itinerary here: Antarctica Discovery & Learning | Expedition Cruise Specialists Only limited rooms remain available for 2020 though.

As a point of interest Oceanwide Expeditions - the operator of the Hondius - were recently awarded best polar operator for 2019 at the World Tourism Awards.

Other cruise lines offer similar match up services if you're keen as well.

Thanks for that - I've actually been browsing your offerings and trying to make a shortlist... I may end up giving you guys a call sometime!

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

Thanks for that - I've actually been browsing your offerings and trying to make a shortlist... I may end up giving you guys a call sometime!

Thanks, feel free to give us a call, we're happy to work through the options with you - and don't forget there's a further 2.50% off regular fares for AFF members and you can pay by MC / VI / AMEX with no surcharge for a nice points haul!

 

[Spongbob]

Any update on your travel plans?

 

[k_sheep]

Thanks, feel free to give us a call, we're happy to work through the options with you - and don't forget there's a further 2.50% off regular fares for AFF members and you can pay by MC / VI / AMEX with no surcharge for a nice points haul!

Darn, wish I knew that before I booked my Jan 2021 cruise!

Shall give you a buzz for arctic cruises later in 2021

 

[Basaka]

Any update on your travel plans?

Ended up unable to actually book all the flights I wanted in business (since my bonus points didn't come in and a lot of J seats are now gone) coupled with first class on JAL coming back to Sydney I pivoted and booked a Japan trip instead.

Still planning on going in 2021 where someone else has also expressed interest but not this year so it may work out better.

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

Darn, wish I knew that before I booked my Jan 2021 cruise!

Shall give you a buzz for arctic cruises later in 2021

Please do.. actually, now's the time to start looking at Arctic for 2021 as there's some good early bird deals at the moment for parts of the Arctic. If Franz Josef Land (Russian High Arctic, north of Svalbard) is one of the areas you're looking at, already that area is selling very quickly for 2021 (probably the hottest new destination with just a few departures scheduled) with savings of up to 20% on offer at the moment - plus our extra 2.5% of course!