Antarctica is one of
great unexplored areas of world. It wasn’t until last fifty years that there has been any appreciable exploration or study of vast frozen continent. Now tourist with sufficient money can actually view and set foot on this unique part of earth.The tourist season for Antarctica is restricted only to months of December through February when it is peak of summer in southernmost part of world. Only vessels equipped for icy waters cruise to one of coldest areas of earth. Three major cruise lines offer Antarctic cruises: Celebrity Cruises, Orient Lines, and Radisson Seven Seas. Smaller specialty expedition companies also offer other trips to this destination.
Celebrity Cruises travels to Antarctica with polar icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov, a refitted 1980’s Russian polar research vessel. This ship takes a fortunate 106 passengers to polar region with amenities expected from Celebrity Cruises such as pool, sauna, and gym. Accommodations are small by comparison to a cruise ship; staterooms can be as small as 135 square feet while a suite with private bath is only 285 square feet.
Currently Celebrity Cruises has one 11-day trip to Antarctica scheduled for departure February 6, 2006. The price is approximately $10,000 per person. The cruise originates and returns to Ushuaia Tierra Del Fuego, southernmost town in South America near Cape Horn. As with all cruises in frozen waters, destinations depend upon actual weather conditions during cruise.
Orient Lines provides several Antarctic cruises each year aboard its world traveler ship Marco Polo. This ship was originally built in Germany in 1965 and was rebuilt in early 1990’s. It has twelve decks and carries 826 passengers, a cruise ship not a research vessel like Kapitan Khlebnikov. Accommodations vary from deluxe and regular suites to a full complement of cabin categories to choose from. Orient Lines has a high reputation for quality and Marco Polo is a full service ship with many restaurants and amenities.
