CRUISING
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Antarctica is waiting for you ARE YOU READY?
What’s all the fuss about? Regular expedition cruiser, Roderick Eime, helps you understand. RODERICK EIME
KING PENGUINS AT SOUTH GEORGIA. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS GATHER AT GOLD HARBOUR FOR AN UNFORGET TABLE SIGHT. M Y DI S COV E R I E S | w w w.myd i sc overi e s. c o m . au 3 5
PONANT'S L'AUSTRAL IN PARADISE BAY. THIS NEW WAVE OF MODERN LUXURY VESSELS ADDS A WHOLE OTHER DIMENSION TO YOUR ANTARCTIC EXPERIENCE.
Antarctica is the epitome of the adventure destination. Sailing off the map and to areas only discovered within the last hundred years makes Antarctica an essential itinerary for serious adventure travellers of all ages. Expeditions to the Great Southern Land take several forms. The simplest are short itineraries of perhaps a week to 10 days to the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia at the very bottom of South America. More ambitious journeys will be way below the Antarctic Circle to places like McMurdo Sound and Commonwealth Bay and may be up to a month. Such has been the popularity 3 6 M Y D I SCOV ER I ES | www. m ydis cover ies. co m . au
of voyages to Antarctica, that the travel industry has responded by launching new hi-tech ships with previously unheard of comforts and amenities. When Scott, Mawson and Shackleton were lucky to get a bath, today’s adventurers can indulge themselves with exotic spa treatments, saunas and haute cuisine aboard ships with the utmost in modern marine technology. And there’s no wondering where you are with satellite tracking and radar. In fact, enjoying and respecting these sensitive and vulnerable environments has never been easier or more satisfying.
Passenger numbers are limited to around 200 or so aboard ships travelling to Antarctica, so you’ll never be fighting the crowds. A far cry from the thousands now travelling on some of the largest cruise ships in the world. Expert expedition guides will ensure a safe and enriching experience when visiting these special locations. Whether you are walking (carefully) among tens of thousands of nesting penguins, tiptoeing past snoozing elephant seals or spying on majestic albatross courting and preening, you will always be under the careful watch of experienced leaders who will share their knowledge.
SILVERSEA GUESTS ENJOY AN ENRICHING HIKE ASHORE FROM SILVER EXPLORER. THE VIEWS ARE STAGGERING AT SO MANY POINTS ALONG THE PENINSULA.
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Reliving history is another prime motivator for those wishing to visit Antarctica. Most of us have heard the heroic tales of the likes of Scott, Mawson and Shackleton. Chances are you will also learn about many others you may not have heard of. Hands up if you can tell us about James Clark Ross, Sir Hubert Wilkins, Erich von Drygalski or Otto NordenskjĂśld. True, the
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history of Antarctic exploration is vast and colourful with many great, unsung characters who did amazing things - and you will travel in their footsteps.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
Recently there has been some passionate debate about tourism in fragile ecosystems and such scrutiny is important. While
travelling to destinations like Antarctica where there are no ports, towns or police force, it’s important that you travel with a cruise line who knows how to do it responsibly - and fortunately that is everyone. How do we know this? All operators in Antarctica are members of IAATO, the formal association of tour operators that
A SEAL BASKS IN THE ANTARCTIC SUN WHILE GUESTS TOUR ABOARD ZODIAC INFLATABLE TENDERS. THESE RUGGED LIT TLE BOATS ARE IDEAL FOR EXCURSIONS AMONG THE ICE FLOES.
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PONANT GUESTS ENJOY SOME CRISP AIR AND 'HEROIC' PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES ON A SHORE EXCURSION.
is the only governing body of things down there. IAATO ensures there are strict guidelines for everyone to follow. How close to get to wildlife, how many people ashore at any one time, what to take ashore and what not to. And you’ll find all the ships enforce these rules very carefully because they want to keep coming back to a place that remains beautiful and spell-binding for so many reasons.
ARE YOU READY FOR EXPEDITION CRUISING?
If you are asking questions like “when is the best time to visit a King Penguin colony?” or “what’s the difference between a seal and 4 0 M Y D I SCOV ERI ES | ww w. m ydis cover ies. co m . au
a sea lion”, then you are probably the right person for adventure. If you are more concerned about the brand of champagne, the type of spa treatments available or the thread count of your Egyptian cotton sheets, then perhaps you might be best suited to a more conventional luxury cruise. Yes, it’s true, Antarctica and expedition cruising is not for everyone - and just as well too. LOOKING FOR MORE CRUISE IDEAS AND GREAT DEALS? @mydiscoveries @mydiscoveries info@mydiscoveries.com.au www.mydiscoveries.com.au 1300 404 606
PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL REJOICE IN THE ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AMAZING POLAR LIGHT WHILE SAILING THROUGH SPECTACULAR SCENERY
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