Luxury Holidays To Antarctica

Charismatic penguins are the stars of the show – seven species reside in the area, including Adélie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, Rockhopper and Macaroni, as well as the orange-striped King and majestic Emperor – and hours can be spent observing these endearing and frequently comical flightless birds. Seals are also in abundance – six different species live in Antarctic waters: Ross, Weddell, Crabeater, Leopard, Fur and Elephant Seals, with their harems and pups. You’re likely to see Fin, Humpback, Minke, Orca and Blue Whales too, which feed on the swarms of Southern Ocean krill, as well as many species of birds including Albatrosses, Prions and Petrels, who nest amongst the craggy crevasses.

One animal that you won’t see here is the Polar Bear. It may seem obvious, but the Arctic in the northern hemisphere where Polar Bears live, and Antarctica in the southern hemisphere often get confused. Yes, they’re both cold, icy and surround a pole, but the word ‘Arctic’ comes from the Greek word for ‘bear’, and ‘Antarctic’ comes from the Greek, meaning ‘opposite of the Arctic’ or ‘opposite of the bear’.

In addition to sightseeing from the deck of your expeditionary ship, there are many additional ways to explore the Last Continent, accompanied by the best guides, naturalists and expedition crew members. Zodiac rides (motor-powered dinghies), and shore landings are usually included in the cruise price; however, you may wish to participate in more intimate Antarctic encounters away from the motors of the ship by signing up for kayaking, snowshoeing, scuba-diving and skiing, to discover uninterrupted silence and impossible beauty.

Camping on the ice is another popular activity, offering a taste of Antarctica as it was experienced by the early explorers. Help to set up camp, and then enjoy the sounds of the waves, the creaking of the glaciers, perhaps even the blow of a passing whale as you stay warm in your sleeping bag. The more daring can also participate in the Polar Plunge, a long-standing tradition and something of a rite of passage for visitors, where you literally leap into the below-freezing Antarctic waters in just your swimsuit.

Our featured ship, Scenic Eclipse, offers a fantastic range of all-inclusive activities that go above and beyond – they have an on-board fleet of two helicopters and offer submarine tours, allowing you to get closer to nature than ever before.

The great white continent and one of the last true wilderness areas on Earth is largely unchanged since the early explorers. The Antarctic Peninsula – the main peninsula closest to South America – has a human history of almost 200 years, with explorers, sealers, whalers and scientists who have come to work. Often included in cruise itineraries are stops at an active scientific base such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy to discuss life in these harsh conditions with the staff, as well as the historic base of Port Lockroy Museum, a former British Base and now a full-time post office where you can send a postcard home.

Wordie House, named after James Wordie (the chief scientist and geologist on Shackleton's Endurance expedition of 1914-17), is another highlight, with 500 original artefacts on site. In South Georgia, you can visit the historic Grytviken whaling station, home of the whaling museum, Norwegian seaman's church, the active British Antarctic Survey station, plus the tiny graveyard where the great Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is buried.