First, let’s talk about what South Pole travel is. Although there are many ways to travel to the South Pole, they can generally be divided into South Pole tours and cruises.
The South Pole tour is priced at 500,000 to 600,000 yuan, and is divided into two types: starting from Cape Town, South Africa and Punta Arenas, Chile. The itineraries are very similar. First, they fly to the Antarctic continent and then continue to the South Pole. Some companies also offer itineraries such as hiking, skiing to the last latitude, Antarctic marathon, etc. This type of itinerary is quite different from the intentions of most South Pole travelers, and it will not be discussed here.
Cruises are much more affordable, with prices ranging from 40,000 to 200,000 yuan. Depending on the starting point, there are two types: starting from Australia, New Zealand (or South Africa) and starting from South America.
The advantage of cruises starting from Australia, New Zealand (or South Africa) is that you can see giant icebergs and emperor penguins, but because of fewer voyages, longer travel time, and higher prices, they are more niche. The majority are cruises starting from South America (Argentina, Chile), which is also the focus of this strategy.
In this section, we will guide you through choosing the itinerary that suits you best, from route selection, cruise cabin, travel season, and more.
Pay Attention to the Effective Number of Days
The itineraries listed by cruise companies and agents are heavily watered down. For example, the embarkation day (boarding the ship at around 3 or 4 pm) and the disembarkation day (disembarking at around 8 or 9 am) are each counted as a day. What’s more, sometimes the day before boarding is also counted as a day. As shown in the figure below, a so-called 11-day itinerary actually has only 4 days of play time in the Antarctic.
How to Cross the Drake Passage
The first thing to choose is whether to fly or cruise across the Drake Passage?
Flying saves you from the bumpy journey by ship across the Drake Passage, saving you a day or more each way, but it will cost you $2,000 or more. Flying is also more susceptible to weather conditions, and bad weather can cause the plane to be delayed for days. Cruises, on the other hand, can sail normally, but you may encounter big waves like the one in the picture below. Of course, these big waves are only for the lucky ones to experience:
Some people say that an Antarctic trip isn’t complete without experiencing the 10-meter high waves of the Drake Passage. Others, however, prefer a comfortable journey and choose to fly there and back.
Currently, there are four combinations: ship-to-ship, ship-to-fly, fly-to-ship, and fly-to-fly, with ship-to-ship being the most common.
Antarctic Peninsula VS Three Antarctic Islands
The Antarctic Peninsula is a must-see for every cruise.
If you add the Falkland Islands, it will add 3 days, and if you add South Georgia, it will add another 4 days. With the extended itinerary, the ship ticket price will naturally increase.
For me, a penguin fanatic, I think the three-island itinerary is more cost-effective: for example, the 11-day Antarctic Peninsula itinerary has 4 days of effective play time, while the 19-day Three Antarctic Islands itinerary has 9 days of effective play time, the price is only half more, but the play time is more than doubled, making it more cost-effective. Moreover, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia each have their own unique attractions. For those who just want to visit all seven continents and aren’t so enthusiastic about penguins, the Antarctic Peninsula is sufficient.
Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas Islands. When it comes to the Falkland Islands, friends with a good knowledge of history may recall the Falkland Islands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982.
The Falkland Islands is a British overseas territory with stunning beaches, where you can see Magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins, macaroni penguins, and king penguins.
South Georgia
South Georgia, part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It can only be reached by cruise ship. The “Galapagos of the Antarctic”, where you can see millions of king penguins, seals everywhere, black-browed albatrosses, as well as gentoo penguins, macaroni penguins, and Magellanic penguins. There are also whaling stations, the history of Shackleton’s expedition, and Shackleton’s grave is also located on South Georgia.
Entering or Not Entering the Antarctic Circle
Entering the Antarctic Circle generally adds 2 days to the itinerary and increases the price by around $2,000.
My personal suggestion is to enter if you can, and don’t worry if you can’t. After all, entering the Antarctic Circle is more about the “ceremony” or more of a gimmick for cruise companies to charge more, while there is no significant difference in the scenery compared to itineraries that don’t enter the Antarctic Circle.
Niche Play: Weddell Sea
In order to attract tourists who have been to the Antarctic to go again, or to meet the needs of different tourists (for example, some tourists go to the Antarctic just to see penguins), cruise companies also develop some new routes.
The Weddell Sea, with its abundant ice floes, can only be entered by cruises in the Antarctic summer. The Weddell Sea area is the most likely area to see emperor penguins on the South American route, so cruise companies offer so-called Penguin Safari itineraries to track down emperor penguins, because the vast majority of cruises departing from South America cannot see emperor penguins.
Route Selection Summary
Based on the above selection questions, it is easy to choose the route you want the most, for example:
Fly-to-fly x Peninsula x Not entering the Antarctic Circle (no need to cross the Drake Passage by boat, avoiding the discomfort of seasickness, but the price is high)
Ship-to-ship x Three Islands x Entering the Antarctic Circle (the legendary super big loop! Requires a long vacation)
Ship-to-ship x Peninsula x Not entering the Antarctic Circle (the most classic Antarctic Peninsula line)
IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) classifies the cruise ships operating Antarctic tourism routes into four levels:
C1 – Traditional expedition ships with a passenger capacity of 13-200 (longest landing time)
C2 – Medium-sized ships with a passenger capacity of 201-500 (can land, very short landing time, check-in orientation)
CR – Large ships with a passenger capacity of over 500 (no landing rights)
YA – Sailboats with a passenger capacity of no more than 12
Among these four levels, CR level is strongly not recommended (the essence of South Pole travel lies in landing, CR level has no landing, too few attractions), YA level accounts for less than 1% of the total tourists, C1 and C2 levels are the mainstream choices for South Pole tourists.
For the vast majority of people, it is a choice from the above 31 cruise ships, how to choose? From the following aspects:
The reputation of the cruise company and the cruise ship. Check out what people who have been on it say about it.
New or old. The newer the ship, the better the design and facilities.
The more passengers the ship carries, the more stable it is in windy and wavy seas (such as the famous Drake Passage), the more complete its facilities, and the higher its comfort level.
The number of landings. As IAATO regulations require that no more than 100 people can land at the same time at each landing site in the Antarctic, so if it is a ship with more than 100 passengers, they will have to land in batches.
C2 class ships only have one landing opportunity per day; C1 class ships with a capacity of 100 or less can land twice per day; C1 class ships with a capacity of over 100 may land once or twice per day depending on the cruise company.
The itinerary description sometimes also states how many landings there are each day. Check out the travelogues of other travelers on the same cruise.
There are currently 31 cruise ships from 19 cruise companies operating the Antarctic route. Due to space constraints, we will only introduce a few cruise companies that are well-known among Chinese tourists. If you are interested in other cruise companies, feel free to discuss with me.
Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic
Lindbald has partnered with National Geographic magazine, taking the high-end route. Currently, it has two luxury cruise ships operating Antarctic routes.
It started its Antarctic cruise business in 1966, one of the first few companies to do so. It has rich experience, good service, and National Geographic photographers on board to guide photography.
Even though the price is twice that of other cruise companies for the same route, it still sells out quickly, often a year in advance.
Ponant
Ponant, a French company, also takes the high-end route with excellent service.
It has three luxury cruise ships (Le Boreal, Le Lyrial, and Le Soleal) operating Antarctic routes, of which Le Lyrial is the newest among all Antarctic cruise ships.
The rated passenger capacity of these three ships is all over 200 (around 250), but they are classified as C1 in the IAATO list, indicating that the company has limited the actual passenger capacity to within 200 to ensure the customer’s travel experience.
Quark Expeditions
Quark, an American company, has been operating Antarctic cruises since 1991. It has 5 ships operating Antarctic routes, the largest of all cruise companies. Its biggest feature is that it gives each tourist a yellow jacket that they can take home as a souvenir!
Quark gives each tourist a yellow jacket that they can take home after disembarking. Most tourists wear this jacket when they disembark to explore. It’s a great marketing ploy.
Quark is very well-known in China. Most Chinese people choose to take a Quark cruise to the Antarctic. In the 2016-17 tourist season, Quark had 4 trips that were chartered by Chinese people.
Polar Latitudes
PL’s founder, Mr. Ding, is the former boss of Quark. He sold Quark in 2007. After a few years, some of his former employees felt bored and founded PL in 2013, operating with luxury ships to target the high-end market. Previously, less than 10% of PL’s tourists were Chinese. Now they are also planning to develop the Chinese market vigorously.
Antarctic XXI
Speaking of PL’s founder, Mr. Ding, we have to mention the Antarctic XXI company. Their Ocean Nova was originally owned by Quark. In 2007, when Mr. Ding sold Quark, the buyer didn’t want the ship, so he founded another company to own the Ocean Nova. In other words, Mr. Ding is actually the owner of the Ocean Nova ship. The Antarctic travel circle is so small.
The Ocean Nova mainly operates fly-to-fly routes, suitable for those who are particularly seasick or have limited time.
Hurtigruten ASA
Hurtigruten, a Norwegian company, is currently the most well-promoted cruise company in the Chinese market. It has a Chinese website, Weibo, and an office in China, showing its emphasis on the Chinese market.
Its advantage actually lies in the Norwegian, Icelandic, Greenland, and Arctic routes. So, for Antarctic travel, I personally don’t recommend it too much, because its two ships operating Antarctic routes are both C2 types, with only one landing opportunity per day.
Also, in terms of the configuration of expedition crew members (who can be understood as guides), the MS Fram, which carries over 300 passengers, only has a dozen expedition crew members, while the Ocean Endeavour, which carries 199 passengers, has over 20 expedition crew members.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the “Fliggy South Pole Special Line” in the 2017-18 Antarctic season was chartered by Fliggy and is a C2 class ship carrying 500 passengers, the Midnatsol. Fliggy South Pole Special Line chartered four trips, with a passenger capacity of 400. The all-inclusive price for flights, hotels, and cruises is 49,999 yuan, truly making Antarctic travel more accessible to the public.
I personally don’t recommend the Midnatsol, but I have to admit that it has its advantages. Here is an analysis of its pros and cons:
Advantages:
1, The price is indeed cheap, lowering the public’s expectations for the price of Antarctic travel.
2, Chinese charter (with Chinese service, Chinese food, a high probability of visiting the Great Wall Station, as well as celebrity lectures and activities invited by Fliggy).
3, Large ship, more stable sailing across the Drake Passage.
4, Boarding and disembarking in Chile. You can enter visa-free with a US visa and a Canadian visa, no need to apply for the slightly more troublesome Argentine visa.
Disadvantages:
1, The Antarctic Treaty stipulates that only 100 people can land at each landing site at a time. Carrying 400 passengers means there will be four landing groups, which means only one landing opportunity per day at most, and the time spent on land at each landing will be relatively short, greatly reducing its value compared to other trips with two landings.
2, The Midnatsol’s rated passenger capacity is actually 970 people, but it has limited the actual passenger capacity to within 500 to meet the requirements for C2 ships, which is basically pushing the boundaries. The Midnatsol is much larger than other C1/C2 ships, and the places it can reach in the Antarctic will also be limited.
Whether it suits you depends on your needs for visiting the Antarctic. If you are very concerned about landing time, it is still recommended to choose a C1 type cruise ship with less than 200 passengers.
You get what you pay for. If you have a higher budget, take a luxury cruise; if you have a lower budget, take an expedition cruise.
I personally think the difference between the two is mainly in the room space and service, while the scenery is not much different. At the time, we were also hesitant about whether to upgrade to a suite for an additional $2,000 per person, although the price-performance ratio was indeed high (the original price difference was $6,000), but we ultimately did not upgrade. We felt that the room was just a place to rest and sleep, the highlight of Antarctic travel is outside the ship. To put it simply, we were not rich enough.
Luxury Cruise
Rooms are mostly double rooms, with a few single rooms and no multi-bed rooms. In terms of room types, they range from standard rooms to suites (some ships have all suites), with large room space, all with windows, and some rooms even have balconies.
Current luxury cruise ships include National Geographic’s National Geographic Orion and National Geographic Explorer, Ponant’s Le Boreal, Le Lyrial, and Le Soleal, Quark’s Island Sky, Polar Latitudes’ Hebridean Sky, Poseidon’s Sea Spirit, Silversea’s Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud, and so on.
Expedition Cruise
All cruise ships on the C1 and C2 class lists except for luxury cruise ships are expedition cruise ships. Don’t be intimidated by the word “expedition”. Antarctic cruise ships are suitable for all ages and a relaxing travel experience.
There are various room types to choose from, including four/three-bed rooms, inside double rooms, porthole double rooms, large window double rooms, superior double rooms, suites, and presidential suites.
You get what you pay for. From the cheapest $5,000 triple (quadruple) room to the $20,000+ presidential suite, the higher the floor, the larger the space, the naturally better the cabin, and the naturally higher the price.
Windows are an important selection factor. Porthole rooms are better than inside cabins without windows; large window rooms are better than porthole rooms.
The higher you go, the more it sways. When it’s bumpy, it’s more uncomfortable… There was a Chinese person on our ship who was staying in a single room on the seventh floor and couldn’t stand the seasickness, so they went to a room on the fourth floor to ask for refuge :)
On the same floor, the closer to the stern, the less sway. The room number is usually assigned by the cruise company when you receive your booking confirmation. You can check the deck plan to determine the location of the room. If you are not satisfied, you can contact the cruise company/agent in advance to adjust it.
Most cruise ships (especially those other than luxury cruise ships), most cabins have two single beds. Because of the bumpy journey, the beds are fixed to the floor, they can’t be combined into a double bed like on Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise ships. Couples/husbands and wives who book should pay attention, either add some money to book a double bed room, or put up with sleeping separately :)
Cabin Upgrade on Board
After boarding the ship, contact the staff immediately. If the higher cabins are not sold out, you can upgrade for a fee, the extra money you need to add will be much less than the price difference between the two cabins at the time of booking, making it more cost-effective.
The Antarctic tourist season is from mid-October to late March each year (so you can’t go to the Antarctic during summer vacation or the National Day holiday). Regarding the question of when is the best time to go to the Antarctic, I have a summary: no matter when you go to the Antarctic, no matter which ship you take to the Antarctic, no matter which route you take, Antarctic travel will be an unforgettable experience.
However, the Antarctic season can be divided into three periods, each with its own attractions. If you have money and time, you can go once in each period. If you can only go once for now, choose according to your own situation: for example, if you want to grab last-minute tickets, you need to go at the beginning or end of the Antarctic season; if you only have a vacation during the Spring Festival, you can only go during the peak season in January and February; if you want to see the little penguin chicks, you need to choose January.
Mid-October to early December
Spring in the Antarctic, the weather is relatively good, with fewer storms and less rainfall. The ice begins to melt, and you can see giant icebergs. It’s mating season for animals, and you can see many penguins nesting on shore, as well as many seals.
This season is the best time to observe the world of ice and snow. It is also the only season where you may be able to walk on an iceberg. Another advantage of this season is that the prices are relatively cheap. There are great chances to get last-minute discount tickets. Friends who are looking for value for money can pay special attention to the Three Antarctic Islands route in November.
Early December to mid-February
Summer in the Antarctic, the warmest time of the year. The little penguins have hatched. The ice melts, and there are more open landing spots (such as the possibility of entering the Antarctic Circle and the Weddell Sea area).
This season is the peak season for Antarctic travel, especially Christmas and the Spring Festival. The former is the peak of the high season for European and American Antarctic travel (peak of high season), while the latter is the peak of the high season for the Chinese market, with very high prices and few discount opportunities. If there are any, get on board right away!
Mid-February to late March
Late summer in the Antarctic, it’s harder to see icebergs. The little penguins are molting. It’s the active period for whales, and some cruise companies offer special whale-watching trips.
This season is also a good time to get last-minute tickets, especially in early March. There may be super discounts on the Three Islands route, as low as 30%-40% off. Interested friends can prepare their visas in advance. If there are special offers, you can pack up and go!
Celebrating the New Year in the Antarctic
The Spring Festival, which is a peak season for Chinese people, is generally more cost-effective to buy tickets from foreign agents or on the official websites of cruise companies, because for foreigners who make up more than 80% of the total tourists, the Spring Festival is not their peak season.
Keywords: Windproof, Waterproof, and Warm
What to bring in terms of clothing is a question that many first-time visitors to the Antarctic encounter. Although it is local summer, with average temperatures ranging from -5°C to 5°C, you haven’t actually experienced it yet. If it’s sunny, you will be sweating profusely while hiking.
Staying warm is self-explanatory, but there is nothing more pathetic and miserable than being wet and cold in the freezing cold.
The Golden Rule of Antarctic Clothing: Layered Up
Upper body: thermal underwear + sweater/thin down jacket + windproof waterproof fleece jacket. If you are afraid of cold to the level 10, you can wear a thin down jacket over your sweater and then a windproof jacket.
Lower body: thermal pants + fleece-lined base layer pants + waterproof bib pants/fleece-lined softshell pants.
1, Antarctic Clothing, Layering Principle
Looking at it from a technical perspective, according to the layering principle, the Antarctic clothing can be divided into three layers according to the function of the clothing: base layer, mid layer, and outer layer.
· The base layer is worn close to the skin and its main function is to keep warm, absorb sweat, and wick moisture, keeping the skin comfortable and dry. Synthetic quick-drying clothes are better than general thermal underwear. Therefore, it is not recommended to wear clothes that are too careful, and cotton items with poor breathability are not recommended.
· The mid layer is a warm insulating barrier, which needs to be both sweat-wicking and breathable. There are many choices for the middle layer. Fleece, lightweight and warm cashmere, down vests, and down jackets are all good choices.
· The outer layer’s function is windproof, waterproof, and breathable. In the Antarctic, the standard outer layer is a windproof and waterproof fleece jacket. P.S.: Different cruise companies have different policies. High-end or luxury cruise ships will provide professional jackets. Ordinary expedition ships may provide free jacket rentals on board, or paid rentals with an appointment (collected in Ushuaia), or it is entirely up to the guests themselves.
Recommended Clothing Brands
Photography Tips In a blue and white world, the brighter and more vibrant the colors are, such as red, bright yellow, and bright orange, the more eye-catching they are in photos. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a bright red, orange, or bright yellow jacket.
2, Antarctic Pants, Layering Principle
· Base layer pants: Pants with windproof and some waterproof properties are preferred. They can be worn as outer layers, and can be directly put into the outer softshell pants before landing, which is convenient!
· Outer layer pants: Waterproof and warm softshell pants. It is recommended to choose a size larger than usual, so you can easily stuff other pants inside. The outer softshell pants should not be too thick (to avoid being bulky and inconvenient to move) and should not be too tight. The landing boots need to be tucked inside the pant legs. When landing each time, wear a pair of thermal pants + a pair of thin fleece-lined waterproof pants.
3, Clothing in Different Scenarios
1) When landing in the Antarctic or taking a Zodiac cruise, the clothing depends on the weather: if it’s sunny and clear, one mid layer is enough. If it’s overcast, windy, or snowy, you should wear several mid layers.
If the weather is overcast or snowy, you should wear several mid layers. Wear a hat to protect yourself from the cold.
2) On board the ship, the indoor temperature is around 20°C, warm and pleasant, and comfortable to feel. Casual everyday clothes are enough. Keep your warm jacket handy, so you can respond to the latest announcements on the radio and rush to the deck to watch the polar animals.
3) Arriving at the gateway city in South America, it’s the middle of summer there. You can prepare 1-2 sets of summer clothes according to your travel itinerary.
4, Shoes and Socks
Since waterproof boots are provided by the ship, you don’t need to buy them separately. There are no slippers on the ship, so you need to bring your own flip-flops. On the road, casual shoes, sneakers, leather shoes, or ankle boots are fine for spring and summer, anything goes!
Bring several pairs of high-top wool socks, and you can bring more autumn socks. Non-exclusive little trick: felt insoles for warmth and insulation.
5, Accessories
1) Hat; In the extremely cold and windy Antarctic continent, a hat that covers your ears is important.
Cover your ears, windproof and warm, can be worn alone or tucked into the hood of your jacket. Fleece-lined hats are good, the outdoor brands recommended above all have them. Ordinary wool hats or baseball caps are not suitable.
2) Gloves; It is recommended to bring 2 pairs of gloves: one pair is waterproof and warm, preferably with a fleece lining, especially suitable for Zodiac cruises, windproof and warm; another pair is thin, touch-screen cotton gloves, or thin wool gloves, for easy phone operation and photography.
3) Scarf (neck warmer) & Magic Scarf; Cover your face to protect yourself from solar radiation or strong winds and snow, and protect your neck and face from cold wind. Choose warm, non-permeable materials, it is not recommended to bring silk or wool knit scarves.
4) Sunglasses / UV Ski Goggles
In the Antarctic, the sun’s reflection off the ice and water surfaces produces a lot of glare. Good quality sunglasses or ski goggles protect your eyes from the sun, water, and snow. Sunglasses or UV ski goggles can reduce eye damage, it is recommended to wear sunglasses, which are more convenient. A cautionary tale: Zhao Youting, while filming a movie in the Antarctic, didn’t wear sunglasses and ended up briefly suffering from snow blindness.
5) Swimsuit
If you are planning to go for a dip in Deception Island or try the Polar Plunge on the Antarctic ship, then you need to bring a swimsuit or swimming trunks. It is recommended that ladies who want to pose bring a brightly colored bikini.
6) Sunscreen
The Antarctic ozone hole causes the ultraviolet radiation to be particularly strong, making sun protection a must. Be sure to bring sunscreen with a high enough SPF. Even on cloudy days, don’t be lazy, you need to protect your lips and nose. Recommended products: Shiseido ANESSA 50+ sunscreen, Australian all-purpose papaya cream, South African aloe vera gel (soothes the skin, repairs after sun exposure).
6, Photography Equipment
Photography enthusiasts can bring their gear according to their own equipment and preferences: mobile phones, compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, and DSLRs can all create great pictures. GoPros are also worth recommending. It is worth mentioning that tourists are not allowed to use drones such as DJI for filming in the Antarctic.
In terms of lenses, taking professional DSLR photography as an example, a 24-70mm, 70-200mm is the standard configuration. Recording landscapes and portraits on the trip is no problem, but it will miss the scenes of polar animals. Therefore, it is recommended to bring a 400mm or longer focal length lens. A professional lens for “shooting” birds, penguins, and whales. Ultra-wide angle or fisheye lenses will add a lot of fun to your shooting with their strong stretch distortion.
Other equipment: tripod, OSMO stabilizer (for video shooting), octopus (can be fixed on the ship for time-lapse photography), neutral density polarizing filter and color card, waterproof camera bag, waterproof camera
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