Antarctica Trips
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Cruises in Antarctica, Polar Adventures With Cool Antarctica and Antarctica Travels

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Regions: Antarctic Peninsula | South Georgia | South Shetland Islands | Falkland Islands | Arctic

  • What is the age range on Antarctic Trips?

    The age range of passengers on Antarctic trips tends towards 40+, there are often 30 something's in lesser numbers and maybe some younger passengers, most will probably be in the 45-65 age range.

    There is no "shoestring" way of getting there so you don't get many young independent travellers. Passengers on Antarctic trips are frequently very well travelled and tend to be interesting people, the sort who are prepared to spend money on an "experience" as opposed to going on an eating and entertainment type cruise. Antarctic trips are reasonably active so passengers need to be able to get around readily.

  • What sort of entertainment is provided?

    Antarctic small ship cruises are not what people usually imagine a cruise to be, for the majority of passengers, this is a positive thing!

    While you have guides and experts on board, their expertise does not necessarily lie in performing a medley from a musical complete with fish-nets and high heels after dinner (you could always ask). There are usually no professional entertainers on these ships, there will be talks and maybe videos shown but they will be very much to do with Antarctica and the specialisms of the guides.

    Relaxing, reading, watching the world go by, getting to know your fellow passengers over coffee or a drink at the bar are what will pass the time when on board and sailing. Antarctic cruises differ from the wider cruising experience quite significantly in this regard.

  • How fit do I need to be to take part in the activities?

    Most cruises will have a variety of activity levels for the passengers. You need to be in generally good health, while there will probably be a doctor on board the ship, you will be a long way from any other medical assistance.

    You should be sufficiently able-bodied to get in and out of zodiacs from the ship and ashore and negotiate uneven possibly slippery ground. Once ashore there are usually two or three different walks. Typically one will be easy at low level over a short distance with frequent stops, one will involve gaining more altitude and cover much more ground with infrequent stops. Another will often be for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, which may be quite energetic or might involve spending a lot of time in one area as dictated by circumstances.

    Some trips will offer one or more activities of sea kayaking, cross country skiing, camping, snowshoeing, mountaineering or diving as options where obviously a higher level of fitness is required and possibly some prior experience.

  • What medical facilities are there?

    Antarctic cruises do not call at towns and cities along the way with all of the medical facilities that you would expect. Ships will carry a medic, but facilities will vary according to the size of the ship.

    In an emergency, pretty much all the ship could do would be to head back to the nearest port which may well be a day or two's days sailing away. It may be possible to visit a national base if there are facilities and medical personnel available.

    Anyone with any kind of significant disability or medical need should contact a tour company and explain the situation in as much detail as possible so that the Antarctic trip can be tailored to the individual need. There is no reason that a disability that does not prevent someone living a fairly normal reasonably active life at home should prevent a trip to Antarctica, obviously it is very much down to individual details.

  • What is the food like?

    Food will be plentiful, tasty and nutritious, of course the more luxurious your ship the greater the variety and quality. Fresh fruit and veg may run low on longer (20 days +) trips, but overall you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference from a good hotel restaurant.  Most dietary requirements can be met. I have never heard anyone comment negatively about the food on an Antarctic trip but have heard lots along the lines of "Hadn't really counted on that aspect, definitely a bonus!".

  • Will there be a variety of nationalities on the ship?

    Antarctic cruise ships tend to be very cosmopolitan environments. The language on board is most commonly English and lectures, guided walks etc. will be conducted in English. There are also particular cruises where French, German, Chinese etc. language and culture predominate. While there may be a majority group of some nationality on a trip, there will nearly always be half a dozen and probably many more different nationalities represented by the passengers.

  • Are these cruises suitable for older passengers

    Antarctica is a fairly active place to visit, though you can have quite a sedate time on a trip there if you choose. To make the most of it, you should get ashore as often as possible. To do this, you should be able to walk down somewhat wobbly possibly steep steps to get into the zodiac which will be rising and falling with the waves, up to a foot is typical, usually less. At the other end, you will need to be able to get out of the boat over the side and probably into ankle deep water or onto wet rocks. There will be many strong hands to help you do this, but it does require a certain level of sprightliness. Once ashore you may need to negotiate uneven rocky ground and/or ice and snow that may be slippery. While there are many active people in their 80's and even older who visit Antarctica and take part in the whole programme, it is not for the infirm or unsteady of any age.

  • Are there any guides on trips to point things out and explain what I see?

    Biologists, ornithologists, geologists, historians etc. will be your guides to where you are and what you will see in Antarctica. Don't be afraid to ask questions, if you're asking there will be others who would like to know the answer too and the guides will be glad you're interested.

  • What is "Open Bridge"

    A policy on the bridge (where the crew go to drive and operate the ship) of most cruise ships to Antarctica. You the passenger can wander on and have a bit of a nose around as long as you don't press things.

    The first time I went on the bridge of a ship in Antarctica, there was quite a swell running, as I was walking off, the ship lurched and I fell against a big bank of switches and buttons setting off the abandon ship signal - try not to do this!

  • Will there be an opportunity to discuss photography?

    Many ships have a resident photographer as a part of the programme at no additional cost. There will also be many keen photographers on your trip happy to offer help and advice. Even if you are a novice it's worth getting a decent camera for your trip and practice using it before you go.

  • What is the likelihood I will encounter rough weather at sea?

    You should expect rough conditions at some point, this may be when crossing the Drake passage or elsewhere on your cruise, though you may encounter calm seas all the way. If you suffer at all from sea-sickness, take some medication, patches are popular and quite effective. Take care during rough seas as you can be dumped into your chair or onto your bed more enthusiastically that you expected or find that getting up happens a bit more quickly!. Slippery silk pajamas are not recommended as every time the ship lurches, you'll shoot off in that direction. Walk around with your legs bent a little at the knee to absorb unexpected lurches. It can also be great fun!

    The first time I encountered rough seas I stayed in my bunk for about 48 hours feeling awful, this is the worst thing you can do. Make the effort to find your sea-legs, some food in your stomach is better than none. Go up on deck or look out of a window, the sickness comes largely from the discrepancy between what your eyes tell you and what your inner ear tells you. If you are just looking at the ship as it moves with you, the balance organs in your inner ears are saying the world is moving around, while your eyes are saying it isn't. If you look at a the horizon while the ship is moving, both are saying the world is moving, it all makes more sense and you feel better. After my inauspicious start (over 35 years ago) I've never suffered from sea-sickness since.

  • Will there be opportunities to buy souvenirs?

    It is possible to buy souvenirs on the Antarctic Peninsula from the gift shop and Post Office at Port Lockroy (most Peninsula trips call here), and also from the gift shop at the American Palmer base, though far fewer trips call there. In the Ross Sea region, New Zealand Scott base and American McMurdo base also have gift shops. Otherwise shops are non-existent, ships usually have a small one with scenic postcards and branded caps, t-shirts etc. and maybe some other items of clothing.
  • What is meant by "Unlocked door policy"

    This operates as standard on ships in Antarctica. There will be a ships safe if you wish to leave large amounts of cash. Like a utopian global village, there is no crime aboard a cruise ship in Antarctica. Most ships are cashless, bills and tips being paid by card on the last day or morning of departure.

  • What can I expect from the weather?

    The unexpected! There's a lot of weather in Antarctica and it's in evidence most days. It can and does change in a moment so make sure you take your outer layers, gloves and hat ashore with you even though the sun is shining and it's warm when you set off.

  • Are cruises suitable for children?

    Some ships have rules where they won't take passengers who are under 6 or under 12. While children are not discouraged from an Antarctic trip, they are not generally catered for either. The chances are you won't meet any other children on the cruise and there may be long periods of entertaining yourself (sea passages) which for the adults is all part of the attraction of being able to switch off and absorb where you are, read, chat etc. For children this may be a more challenging time and also for parents hearing "I'm bored" (and other passengers too). Antarctica is only really a family destination for older children.
South Georgia with the Falkland Islands and / or the Antarctic Peninsula

South Georgia with the Falkland Islands and / or Antarctic Peninsula
Sample Cruises - 2024 / 2025

Trip Highlights Prices USD*
South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula and Falkland Islands

17 - 23 days

Sub-Antarctic South Georgia has some of the most unique and abundant wildlife on earth including the world's biggest King Penguin colony, one of the world's largest concentration of Southern Elephant Seals, and many other  penguins, whales, seabirds and seals all with a background of the Alps dropped in mid-ocean.

Falklands Islands - a British colony in the South Atlantic with wild places and diverse abundant wildlife.

The Antarctic Peninsula is Antarctica proper with icebergs, glaciers and wildlife.
$11,556 - $48,191
South Georgia and Falkland Islands

17 or 21 days

$9,995 - $25,990
South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula

15 or 20 days
$13,200 - $37,116

Antarctic Peninsula - Sample Cruises - 2024 - 2025

Trip Highlights Prices USD*
Classic Antarctic Peninsula Expedition

10 - 12 days
South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, Penguin Rookeries, Lemaire Channel. $4,860 -
$32,695

typically
$10K-12K
Antarctica Peninsula Basecamp

13 days
Antarctic Peninsula trip with inclusive activities on offer such as hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, and camping out under the South Polar skies. $9,100 -
$11,750
Crossing the Circle

11 - 23 days
typically 12 - 14

Sail down the Antarctic Peninsula and cross the Antarctic Circle, South Shetland Islands, Wildlife, Scenery. $7,700 - $66,367
Fly-Cruise to Antarctica

Air-Cruise, Fly the Drake - Sample Cruises - 2024 / 2025

Trip Highlights Prices USD*
Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands. Fly across the Drake Passage

6 - 14 days
typically 8
Fly across the Drake Passage in 2 hours to join your ship, cruise the South Shetland Islands and western Antarctic Peninsula. Spectacular scenery, glaciers, icebergs, penguins, seals and whale sightings. Limited number of sail one way, fly the other trips. $4,995 - $36,495

typically
$12K-14K
Notes

* Prices are per person. the lowest price is usually for triple occupancy in a basic cabin, the highest for double occupancy in the best available suite.

Options such as kayaking may be at additional cost, may have limited availability and are usually booked when the cruise is booked - it may be too late once the cruise has started.

Contact me about my trip to Antarctica!

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Departures from late October to late March

Our partner company, Antarctica Travels, passionately help people to reach their ultimate destination.

All enquiries will be answered from our office in Patagonia, Argentina.

Dozens of trips - unique combinations of ship + itinerary

Choice of ships - 67 to 199 passenger capacity

Prices from $5,500 per person
10-12 day Peninsula cruise typically $10-12K
8 day Peninsula Fly-Cruise typically $12-14K

6 to 28 days

Please note - we cannot help directly to find employment in Antarctica, please do not use this form to request any other information than for Antarctic tourist trips

ice berg, antarctica
gentoo penguins