Antarctica Travel Forum

HI, I am on a Quark Classic cruise on 20 November. Can anyone advise me as to a good brand of thermal. I have looked at 'subzero' and 'winter silks'.
Also, as I will inevitably be ill on the Drake crossing, can anyone suggest a effective sea sickness tablet? Thanks

I am planning to go to Antarctica in December 09. After reading a lot of blogs, I have decided to go on the MV Ushuaia, (Mainly due to the cheaper fares) I know they had some problems in the past, but the more recent reports all seem to say they are over those problems. I realize that some ships can just have a bad cruise, when I took a dive trip in the Galapagos Islands we had to rescue some passengers on another boat, so I dont want to make my decision based on one bad trip (when they were new). But I would love to hear from anyone who has been on that ship recently, that would be very helpful.

Any other tips would be welcomed as well.
Thanks
Tess

Hi:

Wife and I are sailing on the ms Fram to the Antarctic on December 13, 2009 from Ushuaia. We are on a Vantage Tour and will be in Buenos Aires(Dec 10 to 12) prior to the sailing on the 13th from Ushuaia.

Interested in chatting with other folks who are going on the same trip. Also others who did the same trip last year to get their comments of the ship and landings.

Looking for others who will be on that voyage to discuss preparations.
Thanks

Hello -

My husband and I are about to book a trip to Antarctica on the Akademik Ioffe. I have two questions. (1) Has anyone been on this boat? If so, what are your thoughts? (2) We're considering the optional excursions (camping, mountaineering, kayaking and skiing). Has anyone done these excursions? What did you think? Was it worth the extra expense?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I am sure this posting seems rather novice, but I am a single traveler who has just decided to do Antarctica in December 09. I am looking for advice to find the right ship for me. I am interested in more than a general experience and would like to choose one that goes far and has good landing options to see the environment and wildlife. Any suggestions and or questions back for me would be very appreciated!
Thanks! Jack

So, my friend tells me he met a girl who based herself in Ushuaia waiting for a ship that had an empty cabin, going to Antarctica. Apparently she ended up finding a Cruise ship with empty cabin, so they let her pay $500 to fill it.

Has anyone done this before?
Is it reliable?

Has anyone ever taken a cargo ship to Antarctica? I've heard that it is much cheaper, and they rent out small basic cabins in the bottom of the ship. Sometimes lending a hand on the ship is required. Anyone have any info about this?

I'm a solo traveler, planning a trip to Argentina in Nov/Dec 2009. I'd love to hear from other backpackers who have scored last minute "deals" on cruises to Antarctica from Ushuaia. Suggestions?

THANKS!

I have just booked a 20 day trip to the Antarctic Peninsula via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia on the Clipper Adventurer (leaving 1st December 2009).
Just wondering if anyone has been on this boat, done a similar trip or is booked on this trip also. How did you find it and is there anything you think I should know?

Hi,

I am traveling to oz in 2 week and was wondering if anyone knows if it it possible to do an antartica trip from Oz?

Thanks

Someone mentioned that Gortex was useless, what is the alternative?

The cruise company (Quark) will be giving us an expedition jacket which we get to keep. I assume that is waterproof as I have seen passengers wearing them on the zodiacx. I planned to use some Mountain Hardware rain pants with several layers of thermals underneath.


What are the temps that we can expect for a February crossing?

Thank you for your time.

Hi, a repeat of earlier question - MS Fram - I am going on the Antarctica cruise in Feb 09
Is anyone booked on the cruise departing on Feb 16th, returning on the 24th? We are then going on to Iguazu Falls, and it would be good to know of anyone else joining this trip.

hi there - just staying overnight in Buenos Aires and wondering if anyone could suggest a hotel/area and activities for a day. Also interested in recommendations regarding Antarctica. Will be in Ushuaia 2 nights. I am booked on the Falklands/South Georgia/Penninsula trip. Thanks!

Hi...I'm heading to the Antarctica in January and wanted to find out if anyone had any advice on how much spending money to bring for on the boat? Are things, such as drinks, internet, laundry, souvenirs, etc. expensive on the boat? Are there other activities on the cruise that you need money for? We're travelling with Quark on the Orlova. Thanks in advance for any advice you have!!

Greetings,

I am looking to book an Antarctic trip in late 2009/2010. Because of work and money, I am not able to travel January or February so am wondering which would be better: mid-December sailing or mid-March? I am pretty excited to see whatever I can be it scenery, penguins, whales etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Hi -
I am a single traveler and wanted to know if anyone out there was going to be on the "Orlova" cruise through Quark Expeditions from February 10 - 21, 2009?

Is anyone booked on the cruise departing on Feb 16th, returning on the 24th? We are then going on to Iguazu Falls, and it would be good to know of anyone else joining this trip.

Hi...I'm going on an Antarctica expedition with Quark and just received the pre-departure material. It states that rubber books are provided for the zodiac trips, but I wanted to find out if it is necessary to also bring waterproof hiking boots? I assume that when on shore excursions, you simply walk around in the rubber boots and there is no need for another pairs of shoes? Is this correct? Is there a need for waterproof shoes on top of the rubber boots provided? Thanks in advance for any clarification anyone can provide!!!

Dear friends, We as a family of three are booked on this vessel from the Hurtigruten fleet in December 2009. Is anyone else booked on it? We are traveling form Jakarta, Indonesia and planning to reach Buenos Aires a few days early (17th Dec)and explore the historic city. The cruise starts on 20th Dec.

It might be good to meet up with fellow travelers. Any advice/tips are welcome.

I'm planning to travel to Antarctica Jan 2010. I'll be traveling alone, and I'm choosing between the Minerva, National Geographic Explorer, Prince Albert II, Clelia II, and Corinthian II. Any recommendations?

The "Bark Europa" is a traditional 3-mast windjammer cruising Antarctica with 46 passengers and 13 crew-members onboard.
Did anybody on VT do such a cruise already ?

I am keen to travel to the Antarctic and coming from Australia the holiday/adventure will be very pricy. I have sourced that the 12 day trip, twin cabin shared facilities with the Akademik Shokalsky is probably the most economical. It is small and offers a number of activities of shore. Are there any travellers who have been on this vessel?
Cosmo

I am keen to explore the Antarctic and coming from Australia the holiday/adventure will be very pricy. I have sourced that the 12 day trip, twin cabin shared facilities with the Akademik Shokalsky is probably the most economical. Are there any travellers who have been on this vessel? Can you tell me whether it is value for money or perhaps you can tell me thet I will get what I pay for and in that case I'll go back to the drawing board.

Cosmo

I am looking for an expedition cruise that has climbing, kayaking, and scuba diving. Can anyone recommend one? So far, it is either scuba and kayak OR climbing and kayak. I can't seem to locate one where it has all three. thanks

Friends and I are booked on this vessel from the Hurtigruten fleet in Feb 2009. Is anyone else booked on it? Does anyone have experience of travelling with this line?
We are travelling form Manchester, so it might be good to meet up with fellow travellers.

what climate will it be if you go there for a trip?
what are the travel and accommodation details?
what can you see and do at Antactica?
what equipment will you need?
what rules are there when you go to Antarctia?

My friend told me he just returned from a controversial research trip from Antarctica. He told me it was secretly organized by the alliance of National Geographic, Greenpeace, Gaia Mater and Global Witness and it's main interest was global warming effects over Antarctica. According to him, the expedition took place between March 8th - April 8th 2008. He told me he volunteered and did some work for them and that they paid for his transportation, shelter and gave him appropriate clothing. And that they may organize the same thing next year. Lately, I didn't manage to get a hold of him because I would like to go to such an expedition too. But, somehow, it sounds too good to be true. i was just wondering, anybody knows anything about such thing?
Or I should just start saving if I am ever planning on seeing Antarctica?

Greetings fellow adventurers!

I am planning a trip to Antarctica during the 2008-2009 season, and I know that the tourist vessels only go there from November through March. I am wondering though, if there is any such thing as a calmer month to cross the Drake Passage. I will be on one of the smaller ice breakers traveling from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula. I realize that it will be a rocking trip on this type of vessel, and I must admit to some anxiety in anticipation of the rough crossing. I'm wondering if it's random in terms of when the seas and winds are the worst, or is there some seasonality to the conditions?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Dyan

WE ARE PLANNING OUR TRIP FOR FEB/09. HAS ANYONE BEEN ON THE CORINTHIAN II? GOOD, BAD, OR IS SOMETHING ELSE BETTER? THANKS, AUDREY