Re: What are conditions in October?
Hi VJ - October will be a great month to see Antarctica from an icebreaker, it will be about mid-spring. Temperatures will be colder than later on of course, but not greatly so. You will probably experience say minus 10C, maybe colder, but it's unlikely to be like that for long. October is the month when the temperatures are changing most rapidly (with February) so there could be quite a range of temperature highs and lows.
Take clothing that you can layer, as it's also likely that many days, the temperature will be up to and above freezing point, so versatility is the key word.
There'll be plenty of daylight, you should be getting about 14-15 hours by then, maybe more and with all the snow and ice around it stays brighter longer with the reflections. Overcast weather is as likely as almost any time of year. You don't need brilliant sunshine all the time to get great pictures in Antarctica.
Storms? no more risk then usual.
As for your itinerary, yes the sea-ice could well alter where you can go, but icebreakers have experienced captains and ice-pilots, so the overall trip itself start and end dates are as unlikely to change as any other cruise. Icebreakers can go far more places at far more times than ordinary ships, so expect the spectacular. It's not early season ice that may cause problems as late season ice. By October the winter sea ice is starting to break up and move around.
If you can't get one place though, you'll be able to get somewhere else. Antarctic cruise companies know that for most people on board, this is a once in a life-time spectacular, and they will go out of their way to make sure that's what you set.
I hope you have a great time.
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