Cruising To An Icy Adventure
An Antarctica cruise is not without its challenges. Even though shipboard conditions have improved greatly over the centuries and bear no resemblance to the early explorers' experience, the unpredictable weather and severe temperatures make a trip to the southernmost continent an adventure of a lifetime.
Despite the frigid temperatures tourists are attracted to excursions to this frozen continent because of the wildlife-rich coastlines and surrounding seas. The krill-filled waters attract whales to these southern parts. Passengers aboard vessels are treated to sightings of grey, minke and humpback whales in the calmer channels.
Famous explorers like Ernest Shackleton did not have high-tech waterproof coats, hats and gloves that are available today to tourists on the modern Antarctic expedition. The first sailors to explore the passage between South America and Antarctica routinely risked frostbite and hypothermia. Today travelers cruise these waters in relative luxury on vessels that cater to comfort, maximizing the views of towering glaciers and abundant animal life.
Because these frigid waters are home to krill, whales are prolific in Antarctic seas. Foul weather-facing travelers are treated to numerous sightings of minke, humpback and gray whales in their environment. Naturalists also share their knowledge with the passengers on Antarctica cruises, and offer insight to the amazing continent.
Even in the prime excursion months of November through January, vessels that take passengers to Antarctica are ice-strengthened and reinforced to prevent iceberg damage. With this territory so remote from any inhabited land, an accident that sinks the ship would be devastating. There would be no response team close enough to rescue the stranded passengers.
Expedition caliber tourists are rewarded for their stoutheartedness in facing extreme weather conditions. The 17 different species of penguins that reside in the Antarctica region are worth the frigid temperatures and dagger-like winds. These black and white creatures are entertaining to watch as they totter around their rookeries and daringly leap off ice cliffs into the water 50 feet below.
Naturalists and historians alike are attracted to Antarctica for its species diversity of sea mammals and stunning scenery. Dramatic does not quite describe the shipboard views of 3,500-foot cliffs of ice that rise directly up from the water. When cruising during the optimal months, passengers are treated to a photographer's dream with the natural grandeur and spectacular wildlife displays.
No Antarctica cruise is without frigid winds and icy seas; however, no voyage to this winter wonderland is without a feast of breathtaking scenery either. Tourists travel to this southernmost continent to see land that is teeming with rare, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife.
Despite the frigid temperatures tourists are attracted to excursions to this frozen continent because of the wildlife-rich coastlines and surrounding seas. The krill-filled waters attract whales to these southern parts. Passengers aboard vessels are treated to sightings of grey, minke and humpback whales in the calmer channels.
Famous explorers like Ernest Shackleton did not have high-tech waterproof coats, hats and gloves that are available today to tourists on the modern Antarctic expedition. The first sailors to explore the passage between South America and Antarctica routinely risked frostbite and hypothermia. Today travelers cruise these waters in relative luxury on vessels that cater to comfort, maximizing the views of towering glaciers and abundant animal life.
Because these frigid waters are home to krill, whales are prolific in Antarctic seas. Foul weather-facing travelers are treated to numerous sightings of minke, humpback and gray whales in their environment. Naturalists also share their knowledge with the passengers on Antarctica cruises, and offer insight to the amazing continent.
Even in the prime excursion months of November through January, vessels that take passengers to Antarctica are ice-strengthened and reinforced to prevent iceberg damage. With this territory so remote from any inhabited land, an accident that sinks the ship would be devastating. There would be no response team close enough to rescue the stranded passengers.
Expedition caliber tourists are rewarded for their stoutheartedness in facing extreme weather conditions. The 17 different species of penguins that reside in the Antarctica region are worth the frigid temperatures and dagger-like winds. These black and white creatures are entertaining to watch as they totter around their rookeries and daringly leap off ice cliffs into the water 50 feet below.
Naturalists and historians alike are attracted to Antarctica for its species diversity of sea mammals and stunning scenery. Dramatic does not quite describe the shipboard views of 3,500-foot cliffs of ice that rise directly up from the water. When cruising during the optimal months, passengers are treated to a photographer's dream with the natural grandeur and spectacular wildlife displays.
No Antarctica cruise is without frigid winds and icy seas; however, no voyage to this winter wonderland is without a feast of breathtaking scenery either. Tourists travel to this southernmost continent to see land that is teeming with rare, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife.
