Travel Articles: Antarctica Luxury Cruises

The pictures tell the story of my amazing adventure in Antarctica. We visited the far flung islands of the South Sandwich, communed with hundreds of thousands of penguins on South Georgia Island, learned history of recent conflict on the Falkland Islands while meeting some colorful characters, and of course, witnessed the majesty of the Antarctic …

A quick exploration of the southernmost parts of Argentina followed by an epic 14-day cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula, including a crossing of the Antarctic Polar Circle.

My first adventure south of the equator! (Way south...)

Few people can say they have stepped foot on Antarctica. Even fewer can say that they have camped on the White Continent!

Many ships will offer adventure activities for travelers looking to enhance their Antarctic experience and take it one step further. Among these activities are kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, and camping. Most of these …

For the discerning, environmentally aware traveler, a trip to Antarctica or the Arctic can seem like a catch-22. Where better to see the immediate effects of climate change and reignite a sense of responsibility to our planet? The educational opportunities abound, with lectures given by glaciologists who can provide hard evidence of polar ice melt …

There are a few lines on the globe that are noteworthy in the maritime world for those who cross them. The Equator is perhaps the most well-known. These important "line crossings" come with notorious traditions, especially in the navy, said to have been created to boost morale or as a test for newer sailors to ensure that they were …

The season in Antarctica generally runs from November to March, during the austral summer when the temperatures rise and the sea ice breaks up enough for ships to access the Antarctic Peninsula, the part of the continent that stretches closest to the tip of South America. In my opinion, there is no "bad" time to visit Antarctica during …

A swimsuit is not something you would expect to find on a packing list for Antarctica. And yet, if you don't bring one, you may find yourself disappointed and left out of a crazy but fun activity.

I have done the "polar bear plunge" at home on New Year's Day, running into the Atlantic Ocean as fast as I could to ring in the new …

Antarctica is notoriously one of the most remote, harsh, and unpredictable places on the planet. I knew this, and yet I was still amazed at how truly dynamic it is. Every day spent there was a humbling experience and a reminder that mother nature is a force to be reckoned with. We are not in control.

When you board an Antarctic expedition cruise, …

If you are considering a trip to Antarctica or are even remotely interested in the 7th continent, there are some excellent books and documentaries that will immerse you into the history of the region, focusing on some of the admirable expeditions that took place in the 19th and 20th centuries. Names like Shackleton, Ross, and Amundsen are …

Once you board your expedition cruise ship, your trip starts to feel an awful lot like summer camp for adults. You have a daily schedule that starts to feel routine after a few days: breakfast, followed by an excursion, followed by lunch, followed by another excursion, followed by a recap/briefing, then dinner, and if you've still got any …

Do a little research or sign up for a cruise, and you'll easily stumble upon countless packing lists for an expedition cruise to Antarctica. Most of them are generally the same with a few basic, non-negotiable items:

Layers: multiple layers starting with a thermal base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer



*I …

Life is pretty good on the RCGS Resolute. It makes you want to quit your day job and come work on board. The number of experts and naturalists astounded me - there was always someone around to answer your questions or tell you a fascinating story of some adventure. The wait staff was fantastic, and most of them knew me by name by the second …

You learn quickly in Antarctica that there’s always a plan B, not to mention plan C, plan D, plan E… You get my point. Prior to departing, I was craving some more specifics from our itinerary. I wanted to know where we would actually be stopping and on which days. However, I now understand why that is not feasible. The captain and the …

I recently listened to a podcast about the moments of “total, world-shaking bliss” in our lives. While they are usually quite fleeting, we endlessly strive to grasp those ephemeral moments of pure happiness. When I saw that someone had captured this image of me just feet away from a leopard seal in the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula, …

Our second excursion took us to Paradise Bay, a stunning harbor surrounded by mountains and glaciers. If you're quiet and embrace the peacefulness, you can hear the rumbles of icebergs calving all around the bay. It's spooky and surreal all at the same time.

While we didn't see a ton of wildlife in the water, we saw plenty of penguins …

Day 5 brought a pleasant surprise: We would be going ashore to Vernadsky Research Base, a Ukrainian station on the peninsula, where we could send postcards from Antarctica! Not only that, but we would also get our passports stamped. I hadn’t realized either of these things would be possible, as they are never guaranteed as part of the …

I will always remember Portal Point as the place I first stepped foot on the continent of Antarctica. For many on the ship, it was their seventh continent, but I still have a few remaining. We’d suited up that morning in anticipation of our first kayaking excursion, but the water was rough and visibility declining, so the guides deemed it …

Whenever anyone asked me what I was most excited to see in Antarctica, I always responded that I wanted to see orcas. Growing up in Montana, I’d traveled to both U.S. coasts, but I’d never done much whale watching. I was super anxious to see “the wolves of the ocean.” I’d been told that it’s common but never …

I always stress out about packing, no matter where I go. I insist on being well-prepared and overthinking the contents of my suitcase for days before I travel, but it’s usually worth it. Living in Montana, I already had most of the essentials for an adventure in Antarctica, but I was still anxious about being cold, so I purchased a couple …