
How to Choose your Antarctic Ship
The first question many of our guests ask when deciding their polar adventure is: “which is the right ship for me?”.
When traveling to Antarctica, there are several ship options to consider.
Learn more about how to choose your Antarctic ship here.
The Antarctic Treaty regulates all human activities in Antarctica, and among many essential rules, two apply directly to ship size:
Below you can get an idea of what this can mean for you on each ship by size.
Small-ship cruises (less than 100 passengers)
Small Antarctic ships are where Antarctica21 comes in with our unique air-cruises. We are a boutique operator of small vessels. Our fleet includes Ocean Nova, Hebridean Sky, and our new ship Magellan Explorer. Our air-cruises fly our guests to Antarctica, board one of our ships, and cruise around the Antarctic Peninsula. We carry no more than 75 guests per trip, allowing you to have an intimate experience where you can remember everyone’s name at the end of your voyage.
Small Ship Benefits:
Imagine a pod of whales swimming nearby, and you would want time to experience this sight without being rushed. Our groups are small, and because we have enough zodiacs to carry everyone once, all guests can enjoy the whale encounter up close and personal, without waiting in a line by which time the whales may have moved on.
Medium-sized ships (between 101-500 passengers)
These ships can take their guests ashore to visit penguin rookeries and explore the landscape but have fewer opportunities for landings. However, with more than 100 passengers aboard, not everyone can go on shore at once. Travelers must be organized in groups, and these groups must take turns, which takes time and coordination. The larger the group, the more time is spent waiting and less spent exploring.
Large cruise ships (500+ passengers)
Large cruise ships offer a variety of facilities, entertainment, and dining options. However, they can carry thousands of travelers, which means that guests do not have the opportunity to go ashore. Travelers on these ships will see Antarctica from the vessel. Keep in mind that cruising is limited to deeper waters with the large ships, often at a considerable distance from the shore.
What to Expect with Flights to Antarctica
Commercial flights to Antarctica have a limited capacity in short-haul aircrafts. It’s also important to note that tour operators offering a fly-cruise option for over 100 passengers with medium ships need to use more than one flight to carry travelers to Antarctica, resulting in a higher chance of experiencing flight delays and disruptions due to unpredictable weather. In comparison, Antarctica21 needs only one flight to carry all our passengers, ensuring that guests can all go at once when the weather is ideal for flights.
Weighing the options
When choosing an Antarctic expedition, consider carefully how the size of the ship will determine your experience. If you want entertainment shows and a midnight buffet and are happy to see Antarctica from a distance, then a large cruise ship may be the right choice for you. Alternatively, if you want a more personal, active trip focused on your onshore experience, you should consider a small vessel.
If you are considering an Antarctic fly and cruise expedition, we believe Antarctica21 offers you the best option of all. Book a call for more information about dates and pricing.
Antarctica is like no other place on Earth and we invite you to explore it with us. Complete this short form to receive a customized quote from our team and start planning your Antarctic air-cruise today!