Ice Ice Baby

A Guide to Reaching Earth's Coldest Continent

Especially after the pandemic robbed us of travel opportunities, people dream of the places they want to visit before they die. Aspirations such as visiting the Burj Khalifa, sailing around the Statue of Liberty, reaching Mount Everest base camp, cruising the Nile, and ascending the Eiffel Tower are at the top of many globetrotter’s bucket lists. Don’t get me wrong, these are all on my short list as well. But at the very top of mine is venturing to all seven continents. 

From my home city of Chicago, I can easily book a flight to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia. It is checking the last of the seven continents off my bucket list, Antarctica, that will present a bit of a challenge. There are no commercial flights that will take you to the bottom of the planet. How do I get there then? 

To simplify the answer, you must book a trip to Antarctica with a charter company. Such companies provide a few options: cruise ship, smaller boat, and air. This piece will provide an overview of each of these approaches and weigh their pros and cons so that you don’t have to!

*Disclaimer: I have NOT yet been to Antarctica.*

Go Big or Go Home

If you agree with the above statement, odds are you will opt to take a larger vessel to reach Antarctica. There are several cruise lines that offer a variety of voyages typically departing from Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. During these action-packed 2-4 weeks, you may be able to stop at Cape Horn or the Falkland Islands, traverse the rough waters of the Drake Passage, and listen to experts educate you on the many glaciers you’ll pass on the way to your final destination. 

Pros:

• Amenities: Cruising offers a higher level of luxury than other options, with amenities such as pools, lounges, entertainment, and room service. One expedition cruise ship, Viking’s Octantis, boasts “the Explorer’s Lounge, which serves top-shelf cocktails and the sounds of live piano every afternoon, and the chaise-filled Aquavit Terrace pool bar on the back of the ship” (Spurrell). Fancy, right?

• Cost: Going the big route will save you big money. Through Princess, a 16-day cruise starts at $3,000 per person, whereas a smaller ship would cost at least twice as much for a shorter duration. That means more bang for your buck! 

Cons:

• Less Antarctic sightseeing: When the tour companies advertise a “trip to see Antarctica,” sometimes they really only mean see Antarctica. The larger the ship and group size, the more cumbersome it is to dock and sightsee. Some excursions only involve sailing past the polar desert and observing it from your deck, while those that allow you to step foot on the land will limit the amount of time.

• Speed: As mentioned above, larger expeditions to the continent take more time. Maybe you’re someone who enjoys the journey just as much as the destination. But I’m sure you’re way too excited about seeing penguins to be able to wait days or weeks to get there!

Sometimes Less is More

If a big ship just isn’t your vibe, there are plenty of smaller expeditions to choose from. Charter companies offer sailings on more modest crafts that depart from southern cities such as Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina near Tierra del Fuego National Park. While the trek is a bit shorter– only 2-3 days at sea– the activities you can engage in on the boat are similar to those on the cruise ships. 

Pros:

• Better way to sightsee: Being smaller gives boats both the agility and legal permission needed to get up close and personal with glaciers and icebergs. You’ll have more chances to get on the ground. And no need to part ways with your peers– on trips with less than 100 passengers, everyone can disembark and begin their adventure together.

• More intimate: With a less daunting group size, it is more feasible to get to know your fellow voyagers. Though ships of all magnitudes will likely offer presentations from marine biologists, geologists, and professional photographers, the expert-to-tourist ratio may be more desirable if you go this route. 

Cons:

• The notorious Drake Passage: This treacherous stretch of ocean between South America and Antarctica is known for massive waves that force passengers to seek shelter in their staterooms, especially on smaller boats. You may be lucky to traverse the “Drake Lake” on a calm day, but if conditions are not in your favor, watch out for the “Drake Shake” and be sure to take some Dramamine. 

• Cost: Because the experience is highly personal, trips on less substantial vessels are more costly. For example, a 21-day voyage booked through Swoop Adventures starts at $16,145 per person. And if you want to add on excursions like kayaking? Time to cough up another few thousand dollars.

Taking the High Road 

Are you prone to seasickness and Dramamine just isn’t going to cut it? Though it’s a less common approach (only 10% of Antarctica’s visitors travel by plane), you can fly by the daunting waters and get straight to the southernmost land mass in just a matter of hours. Charter planes typically leave from Southern Chile and arrive on an airstrip on King George Islands, part of the South Shetland Islands. From there, you can reach the mainland via tender boat and begin exploring. 

Pros:

• More inland opportunity: If you’d prefer to spend the night on land instead of boat, look no further. Taking a flight to Antarctica means you’ll have to lodge at a camp. But being stationed ashore opens the doors to venturing either by motor vehicle or ski aircraft to more inland locations, including the South Pole. 

• Simple journey: Going the air route saves not only your time, but your stomach. For those of you that are risk-averse, the threat of the “Drake Shake” is not one you want to mess with. Flying ensures you do not have to go face-to-face with the Drake Passage and saves you from the days at sea.

Cons:

• Inclement weather: Antarctica’s weather can be harsh and unpredictable. Planes are more sensitive to its impacts than boats are, especially as flight schedules are not as flexible as sailing schedules. Any single delay or cancellation can create a domino effect, so be sure to factor in “cushion days” before or after your flights. 

• Forgone sightseeing: What you save in time, you lose in experience. Venturing by air means you will not see the diverse wildlife along the way, spend time mingling with other Antarctica enthusiasts, or learn from educational presentations. While of course you can enjoy these activities once you get there, the journey is just as special.

A Fork in the Road… Which way do we go?

We started with zero options for getting to Earth’s coldest and most remote continent. Look at us now… how will we ever decide on one? While I cannot pick for you, I can enlighten you on my personal verdict. For two reasons, I have chosen to opt for a cruise:

1. I currently have the equivalent of loose change to my name. As I said, the larger vessels provide great bang for your buck.

2. The journey is just as important as the destination.

Visiting Antarctica is not something many people are able to say they have done– all of these options are once in a lifetime experiences that I’m sure you will not regret. This being said, good luck making a decision, and don’t forget your coat… it is going to be cold!

Works Cited

Antarctica, Swoop. “Flights to Antarctica: Swoop Antarctica: Swoop Antarctica.” Flights To Antarctica | Swoop Antarctica, https://www.swoop-antarctica.com/cruises/flights. 

Caplan, Anna Lazarus. “Viral Tiktok Shows Waves Crashing against Ship Windows in 'Treacherous' Voyage to Antarctica.” Peoplemag, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2023, https://people.com/travel/world-travelers-viral-tiktok-through-drakes-passage-shows-how-rough-the-voyage-to-antarctica-can-be/.

“How to Choose a Cruise Ship for Antarctica.” Responsiblevacation.com, https://www.responsiblevacation.com/vacations/antarctica/travel-guide/how-to-choose-a-cruise-ship-for-antarctica.

Sachs, Andrea. “Antarctica Is Becoming Easier to Visit. Here's How to Get to the Bottom of the World.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 21 Feb. 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/antarctica-is-becoming-easier-to-visit-heres-how-to-get-to-the-bottom-of-the-world/2020/02/20/d7f454c0-4cfe-11ea-9b5c-eac5b16dafaa_story.html.

Spurrell, Megan. “What It's like to Sail to Antarctica on Viking's Luxe New Expedition Ship.” Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.cntraveler.com/story/what-its-like-to-sail-to-antarctica-on-vikings-luxe-new-expedition-ship.

Zemler, Emily. “What to Know When Planning a Cruise to Antarctica.” Observer, 3 Feb. 2023, https://observer.com/2023/02/antarctica-travel-cruise-planning-what-to-know/.