Antarctica Travel Forum

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

This is a great forum---my wife and I are headed to Antarctica in Feb. 27 in 09 on the Prof. Molchanov. Is it possible to rent boots, clothes, etc. in Ushuaiai? We are also thinking about staying at the Lennox Hotel for one night. Is anyone familiar with it? This is an 11-day trip that does the peninsula. I guess its late in the season but does anyone know weather conditions (temps, etc.), and abundance of wildlife, penguins, etc.? We're booking through Expedition Trips and have heard good things about them. (Does trip insurance make sense--I've always thought it a ripoff since our med ins. covers intl. trips but this one is pricey and we're committing so far in advance). Thanks for the information and suggestions.

Hi, Myself and my boyfriend are planning a trip to antartica this december/ january. We are on a trip around south america and are on a budget so wish to do a last minute trip from Ushaia. Can anyone advise on this? Ive heard its been done before but im wondering is there a particular time thats cheaper or easier to get on a boat last minute. Were quite flexible with our time so we can wait for later in the season if possible. Also can anyone recommend a company that do last minute deals?
Any information would be helpful.
Thanks.
R

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7108835.stm
http://www.bt.no/webtv/?id=7736

The ship is listing badly, and all passengers and crew have abandoned ship. All have been taken on board a Norwegian ship - anyone know if this is the Fram or Nordnorge?

This is also the second accident in two years (Nordnorge ran aground last yeasr at Deception Island). Do you think this might have any repercussions for tourism in the area - if the Explorer sinks, what impact will it have on the local environment?

Shim

Has anyone travelled on this ship (the Ushuaia)? How would you rate it? Was their boot supply adequate? What else can you tell us? Our trip starts on the 8th Dec. 07.

Hi, has anyone rented clothing for Antarctica in Ushuaia? What recommondations do you have? Can we buy fleece hats and gloves and scarves there? Our ship, the Ushuaia, leaves 8 Dec. 07 from Ushuaia. Any problems with rental gear?

Is it possible to buy what we need if we can't find rental?

Would we be smarter finding stuff in Buenos Aires - or is that possible at this late date? Any help appreciated. Marilyn

I like to have a look at the webcams on the Hurtigruten ships when they are in the Antarctic (brings back memories...). I see they have the Fram down there for the first time this year, but I can't find any links to webcams on the ship - the Hurtigruten website webcam links don't seem to work for me, and Fram is not listed on the bt.no website

Does anybody know if the Fram has any webcams?

If you're due to travel on Nordnorge this year, you can get a sneak preview at http://www.bt.no/kamera/article208141.ece?articleID=208141&lang=en

Shim

My friend and I are in the early stages of planning a trip to Antartica. Can anyone help us out with companies that provid services. We are from Los Angeles. We want a quick trip (2 weeks or less). What are the major countries that these ships tend to leave from? And of course, the cost...on average. Thank you, any information would be very helpful.

-Dar

I will be leaving on Nov. 23 on the Fram for the 13 day trip to Antarctia. Anyone on the same trip? Has anyone been on this trip with this company?

Hi everyone:
Anyone has the experience of this cruise? Seastate, wind, wildlife and so on.
thanks for help.
HRod

Hi - Have booked the Antarctic Dream through Adventure Life. Does anyone have any experiences with this ship or company? Thanks.

Hi VTers,

on behalf of a user in "my other forum", I am asking this.

Does anybody know if there are any "last minute" bookings possible for ship trips from Ushuaia into Antarctica ?
This, for low seasons, of course.
It would make sense, as the companies might like to get their boats full.

I'd appreciate your help - just post here, I'll give him the link to this forum.

thanks in advance
Ingrid

I am thinking of booking on the Nordnorge Antarctic trip leaving on Nov 29, 2007, from Argentina. Does anyone know anything about this boat? Comfort level? Stability? Quality of lecturers? I'm a single woman----any other singles aboard? Margaret, Connecticut USA

I have two questions....

1. Does anyone have any comments about the ExplorerII. I am about to book a trip on the 20 days trip for Dec 07. I am not used to being on a ship with 200 people..Is it better to go on a smaller ship?

2. Is it worth the extra time and money to visit the Georgia and Falklands compared to just doing the classic short trips to Antarctica?

All comments will be appreciated...Laurie

Hello!

My name is James. I am an America living in Uruguay. I have found an amazing deal to go to Antartica on a 10 day cruise in December. It is all inclusive with meals, zodiak tours, live shows, clothing, round trip flights from Buenos Aires, etc. The only catch is that I need to find one or two other people to go as well. The dates are December 14-24th. I have been told by many people who work with trips to Antartica that this is the best deal they have ever seen. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested please contact me ASAP. I need to have everyone confirmed by August 10th. If you would like to talk by phone, please send me your phone number and I will give you a call right away. My e-mail is jigutierrez@hotmail.com . I look forward to hearing from someone soon!!

James
jigutierrez@hotmail.com

Just booked a spot on the Ocean Nova (formerly Sarpik Ittuk) for next February. Anyone else in this forum on that trip?
Also, I'd love to hear tips, reviews, comments from anyone who has traveled on this ship.

Hi there,
I was checking the web for informations how to book a trip to the Antarctica. Lots of results about different boats, schedules, prices and so one. Finding a tour operator in Ushuaia seams to best choice for booking a trip. The other way would be to contact a travel agent and let them find the best option for me. I took the time to search aroud and found some companies located in Argentina. Best price I found was a promotion from ArgentinaGo.com which costs USD 2315,- for a 10 day trip.
Anyone found other operators or prices???

Hi,

We've just booked our Antarctica trip for December with Quark Expeditions on the Orlova. Has anyone here done this trip before or any other trips with Quark? I've looked round on VT and Google but haven't found too many blogs or reviews. Also, is anyone here planning the same trip? (Dec 10th Classic Antarctica tour)

Barry

I am very interested in seeing the Antarctic and was wondering:

1) What would temperatures be like in August (centigrade?)

2) How would I go about reaching it from the UK? I am not easily able to get to New Zealand unless this is the only way. I have also heard permission is required if you are not travelling as part of a tour, is this true?

3) What are the best parts to see all of the best birdlife?
Thanks.

Does anyone know if it would be cheaper to book a cruise going to Antarctica online or booking it in Ushuaia?

I am booked on the 12/8/07 Vavilov sailing from Ushuaia and am writing to see if there are others that have booked on the same trip. I would like to converse with others as to what they may be doing in preparation for the trip. Am anxious to hear of tips (to do's and not to do's) for the trip.

Hi, VT-members. Did anybody of you even have been on these Islands of Kerguelen?

Hi
My wife and I are booked on the Orian out of Hobart for the 18 Day Antartic trip in departing Decamber 2007.,
Is there anyone else booked on the same trip or has been on this trip, I would be interested an swapping notes.
We are from Perth in Western Australia
Ric

I lived in Antarctica Halley Bay for 2 years and wondered if there are any other people who have lived there? I was part of the British Antarctic Survey. Interested?

We would like to take our children to Antartica in January 2008. They are ages 8,10 & 12 and very interested in animal science. Has anybody taken children before or is this just a really bad idea?

Hi there!

Finally I have the confirmation that I am on the Shokalskiy leaving 20st of December. Anybody on this forum that will be on the same cruise?

Cheers
Marieke

Can you or anyone tell me how I can purchase a letter opener that is from Antartica? I live near Chicago, Illinois, USA

Thank you!

Stacey

Two of us will be traveling to Antarctica on the Orlova in mid-December 2007. Our origination city is in the eastern U.S. Our tour company recommends an overnight in Buenos Aires, but a quick check on airline travel web sites revealed that we can get to Ushuaia without the overnight in BA. Even if doing so means an overnight in Ushuaia on top of the one already planned (probably much needed for rest), it seems as if we could save nearly $1,000 in airfare and hotel by NOT staying in BA. Our goal for this trip is Antarctica, not playing tourist in South America. Any comments from travelers who have done it either way -- with and without an overnight in BA?