Cruises Introduction

Expedition Cruises

Argentinian Explorer offers expedition cruises around South America. The top four expedition destinations are: Antarctica, at the "end of the Earth" and Patagonia at the southern continental. These are expedition trips including talks by specialists in the matter, such as biologist, scientists and naturalists. These voyages are not similar to the luxury cruises offered by most tourist operators. On the contrary, these ships take no more than 200 passengers. Also, their main objective is to get to know the natural areas on each destination. Ports of arrival on these programs are places where environmental preservation is essential. In general, ports of arrival are ecological reserves or national parks, such as the Antarctic areas.

Expedition Cruises to Antarctica

Cruises around Antarctica have a number of different versions, from the classic 10/12- day tour, arriving in the Atlantic Peninsula, to extended cruises such as the 31-day cruises semi circumnavigating Antarctica and arriving in New Zealand. You can also choose a short 6-day trip such as the express air cruise of M/V Ocean Nova. The advantage of air cruises is that you avoid crossing the Drake Passage, which means 2 days less to reach the Antarctic Peninsula. The disadvantage is the price as these are the most expensive programs to the white continent. In this program you will fly from Punta Arenas to King George Island in the South Shetland archipelago, and then take a ship to the Peninsula. You will enjoy an aerial view of Cape Horns and the Sea of Drake.

There are also different, more complete itineraries on the classic routes to the Atlantic Peninsula carried out by MV USHUAIA, M/V Polar Pioneer or M/V Plancius. Those trips reach the Falkland Islands, South Shetland Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands and Orcadas Islands. One of the traditional tours by M/V Plancius offers an adventure trip to Antarctica which includes camping, kayaking, hiking, scuba diving (for an extra fee), mountain climbing and snow racketing. This is the most popular classic program. Other cruises to Antarctica offer expedition trips to the South Georgia Islands exclusively, in order to emulate Ernest Schacketon skiing on perpetual snow. Other programs go further into the Weddell Sea or sail as far as the Antarctic Circle.

You can also choose a VIP itinerary, such as the Atlantic-Antarctic Odyssey, sailing to Antarctica and then northbound on the Southern Atlantic Ocean as far as Ascension Island, with the option of continuing your trip to Cape Verde. This cruise is a great value. As you can see, there are different options for expedition cruises to Antarctica depending on your budget and your number of available days for this great adventure.