Discover the Beauty ofthe White Continent withAntarctica Cruises Antarctica, also known as the white continent is becoming very popular with travelers. The entire place is a sprawling wilderness of ice that is home to sea lions, penguins, whales and exotic birds. What better way to explore the unknown than from the comfort of a luxury cruise liner.Antarctica Cruisesare conducted from December to February because at other times of the year, this place experiences extreme cold. Important cruise lines offering journeys to this vast continent are Oceania Cruises, Silversea, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Ponant Cruises.
What do you experience on an Antarctica luxury cruise? The cruises usually start from any of the ports in the Patagonian Peninsula. It takes you to the Falkland Islands and South Shetland Islands, which are breathtakingly beautiful. Falkland’s colonial villages give a very old-world feeling, while the enormous array of seals in South Shetland Islands is fascinating. The ship will stop at many places in the Antarctic continent so that you can experience its rugged wilderness at close quarters. Two unforgettable places here are the Half Moon Island and the Cuverville Island. The former is spell binding with its striking mountains and majestic whales while the later is home to an enormous penguin population. Other lovely places here are Lemaire Channel, Elephant Island and Hope Bay.
Important points to note before taking this journey The journey to this continent is unlike any other cruise experience. You have to first fly to the port of embarkation, which can be for more than 12 hours. The weather at sea can be harsh and the ports that you will be stopping over in Antarctica are unlike what you see in other parts of the world. There are no markets for shopping. You will experience daylight for 20 hours in a day, which gives a very different feeling. It is possible to bypass a scheduled stop because of the difficult weather. Clothing for the trip is mostly casual so bring lots of these types, so that you can layer one on top of the other. Other requirements for the weather in this region are water-proof rubber pants, boots and jacket, gloves, thermal underwear, bathing suit and sunglasses. In order to enjoy the region’s fascinating landscape and its wildlife you would need more than one pair of binoculars. Check with the cruise line you are booking, if they offer Tailor Made Cruisesto the Antarctica so that you can experience it in-depth like never before.
National Geographic Endeavour offers the best Antarctica luxury cruise Although there are many luxury cruise lines operating to the Antarctic, the best one is Lindblad’s National Geographic Endeavour. It has the capacity to accommodate 110 passengers and offers spacious cabins, excellent cuisine and a wonderful interior ambience. Guests are given detailed information on the wildlife and natural surroundings by onboard naturalists. Every ship has Nat Geo photographer on board, clicking away at the fabulous natural surroundings.