If visiting all continents is on your bucket list, sooner or later, you start to wonder – how does one get to Antarctica? A voyage to the southernmost realms of the planet no longer requires great feats of endurance as it did for the legendary explorers that came before us. But the landscapes and animals are as wild and majestic as ever. For today’s lucky few visitors, a trip to the polar regions is still a real adventure and an authentic travel experience, something which is even more important in our largely tamed world.
The Southern and South Atlantic Oceans hosts several other destinations worth visiting besides the ethereal continent itself. A leader in polar expedition cruising, Poseidon Expeditions offers a three-week-long Antarctic itinerary that includes South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Here are seven reasons why you should consider choosing a longer cruise:
Cruises to Antarctica usually start in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city of the world. Most people have to go through long overnights flights, car rides and ferries to get here. Furthermore, on a typical cruise, the vessel will have to cross the Drake Passage twice. The one-way crossing usually takes around two full days, depending on the weather. If you opt for a shorter cruise, the time spent on the road can almost be equal to the duration of the voyage. So if you have to travel so far anyway, you might as well see as much as you can. Antarctica is definitely worth it!
The Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom consisting of more than 700 sparsely populated islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. A day in the capital, Stanley, will certainly satisfy history buffs interested in the tragic conflict for this territory. For others, this is the perfect way to enjoy the local way of life. Attractions include a museum, the governor’s house, a cathedral with impressive whalebone arch outside, a war memorial, quality gift shops, pubs, and views of shipwrecks in the harbor.
The second-largest species of penguin in the world and arguably the most beautiful kind, the king penguins are truly the symbol of Antarctica. On South Georgia’s beaches, the “kings” are gathered in huge picture-perfect colonies that stretch from sandy shorelines to the foothills of glaciated mountains. Thousands upon thousands of birds – something you won’t experience anywhere else in the world. In fact, you will hardly see such vast colonies of any penguin species anywhere on the Peninsula.
Not only famous for king penguins, South Georgia also boasts a wide variety of birdlife in staggering abundance. The island is home to albatross, petrels, prions, skuas, shags, gulls, terns, and the carnivorous South Georgia pintail duck. This is a fantastic place to witness the breeding behavior of the world’s largest seabird, the wandering albatross. Marine mammals are also counted in the millions: the island’s beaches are packed with fur seals and elephant seals jostling for space.
From portraits of charismatic wildlife to wide-angle vistas of glaciated mountain ranges and glistening icebergs, the wildlife and landscapes of Antarctica are among the most photogenic in the world. During cruises with Poseidon Expeditions, a professional photographer will be available to help you make the most of this bounty in your viewfinder – both with camera equipment or a smartphone.
On a cruise that includes South Georgia, you can comfortably follow the historic route taken by a famous polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Learn more about the history of his endeavors first-hand and experience the vastness of the polar sea, both impressive and humbling. In Grytviken, South Georgia, you can visit the legendary explorer's grave.
If you are hesitant to invest the time and money in a longer cruise, you may choose to start with a classic Antarctic voyage, mainly focusing on the Peninsula. But falling in love with Antarctica is inevitable – and most travelers come back again to experience South Georgia and the Falklands, neither of which are included in the shorter itinerary. It’s wise to consider experiencing all of this region in one trip!
The extended itinerary allows you to explore all of the highlights of the Falklands, South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. To learn more, visit Poseidon Expeditions.
