Antarctica: The New Frontier

When people think of Bucket List destinations to far and exotic lands that has snow and wilderness, Alaska naturally comes to mind and consistently performs well. But, what if you’ve already been to Alaska and are looking for some place more untouched and remote than Alaska? Naturally, you head to the other end of the earth and go to ANTARCTICA.  

For many, the cost of a trip to Antarctica is out of reach. Cruises there begin at $5,000 and go upwards of $15,000 depending on the cruise line, itinerary and level of luxury experience. Budget-friendly cruises will offer a less in-depth expedition of Antarctica and likely won’t be as immersive as the ones that spend 14-days vs. 8 days but will still offer a wonderful foray into visiting a mystic land of unpredictable temperatures and magical wildlife.  

Considering how far you must travel and what you must be prepared for, it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not everyone has the chance to do. But, as travelers become more savvy, and are looking for the next IT destination, Antarctica is as IT as it gets. Las Vegas based Cruise Planners advisor Jay Paul recently got a chance to visit Antarctica, and shared his photos. They were so spectacular, we wanted to learn more.   

CP: What ship were you traveling on and how long was it for? 

JP: I was on the Silversea Silver Explorer and it was a 10-day roundtrip cruise to Puerto Williams in Chile. We flew to Santiago, then took a private charter to Puerto Williams, and boarded the ship. We had to delay 24 hours on the ship in Puerto Williams, due to rough seas in the Drake Passage. 

CP: Where did you stop at on the journey? 

JP: Damoy Point, Lemaire Channel, Paradise Bay, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbor, Orne Harbor, Half Moon Island, Whalers Bay, South Shetland Islands, The Drake Passage  

CP: What it was like the moment you first saw the glaciers? 

JP: The Antarctic Glaciers are huge compared to the Glaciers in Alaska.   I thought Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska was big...There is no comparison!  

CP: How would you describe the wonder?  

JP: Every direction I looked, there was another wonder. The deep blue colors of the icebergs, the penguins, the seals, the many different birds and of course the huge whales, just took your breath away. The old, abandoned whaling station gave me a great perspective of how they had to improvise to survive.... 

CP: Any tips for anyone thinking about going? 

JP: Don't wait to go...The ice is breaking off at an alarming rate. If you do go, be sure to have everything on the packing list. The weather changes very quickly, and there is no place to replenish your supplies. 

CP: Any favorite moments that you’ll remember forever? 

JP:  So many. Here are the top 5: 

1. When I walked into the dining room after I just boarded the ship, and I saw the chairs were chained to the floor (For reference, The Drake Passage is known to have rough seas, and can be unpredictable. It’s named after explorer Sir Francis Drake and some travelers have dubbed the area when weather gets rough the “Drake Shake” or when it’s calm, “Drake Lake”.) 
2. Watching the Gentoo Penguins on Cuverville Island climb up a large hill, turn around and fall down face first, slide all the way down the hill, and then do it again....  
3. The two wild trips across the Drake Passage (30 foot swells, 50 mph winds on the way home) ...  
4. I also witnessed 2 huge avalanches from across the bay....  
5. Watching a humpback whale breaching while I was sitting in the hot tub. 

CP: Where is your franchise based and how many countries have you been to and where does this rank?  

JP: We are Las Vegas based... 39 countries.... This had to be in my top 5. 

CP: What else would you like for people to know about visiting Antarctica? 

JP: The penguins, whales and birds were as curious about us, as we were about them. The seals didn't even glance over at us! The amount of snow on the ground was over 5 feet deep; we sunk down to our chest many times. The snowflakes were huge, and it snowed a little every day!  It is very important to be prepared, have many layers of clothes, and waterproof outer garments.... It was sunny and calm one minute, and a huge wind gust kicked up, and blew a kayak over. The weather changed from a calm morning with no wind, to a snow blizzard so fast it was unbelievable. Waterproof pants work much better than ski pants... boots and poles are a must! 

If you’re thinking about a cruise to Antarctica, consider the time of year you plan to travel. Peak season is from mid-December through the end of February. The cost is lowest in November and March where in general travelers can save about 20%. Also consider pre-cruise flights and hotels when budgeting. To find an agent near you that can help you navigate your once-in-a-lifetime-trip to Antarctica, go to www.cruiseplanners.com.