Antarctica et al

[k_sheep]

Evening all. Hubby and I both turn (gasp!) 40 in 2021, coincidentally I will be eligible for long service leave so I think it's time for an epic trip - frosty forties! Looking at doing an Antarctica trip in Jan/Feb, then heading to the other side of the equator for Iceland, Greenland and whatever else we can fit in.

I've read all the TRs on here but it's hard to know where to start. FMs silversea one recently reviewed looks pretty epic, but with a price to match. The itinerary is the most important thing to us - we'd like to spend as much time on the ice as possible, seeing as much nature as possible. As long as there's a flat place to sleep and enough food not to starve, don't care much about the lodging. Sounds like we need an 'expedition' type boat. Mind you this isn't a trip to scrimp on to save pennies. Argh!

Any must dos? Obviously South Georgia is probably exactly our thing, might see if we can manage it too. I'd welcome any recommendations on ships, companies, forums, anything!

 

[Denali]

We were just in Iceland for 10 days and barely scratched the surface but we were there in April, not Jan/Feb.

Enjoy the planning!

 

[k_sheep]

To answer my own question somewhat, found this old thread Cruises to Antarctica .... full of excellent tidbits! But still interested in anything updated with new members or new experiences!

Denali wow I didn't realise they ran that late in the year!

 

[tgh]

The Lemaire peninsula is a bit of a highway these days although some of the sights remain spectacular.
South Georgia is quite wonderful and it's a pity there is no easy way to see more.
Some folks have walked the Shackleton walk on SthG. and this may one day be a bookable adventure.
Other than SouthG , one place I would like to spend more time is the Malvina's.

Of course there are now bookable trips to the Ross Sea from NZ. We have just received a very tempting SS brochure outlining all their polar adventures, try to grab one, even just to drool…
Sadly the SS per diem is usurious with a 14 day touch and go to the Ross starting at $17.3 pp and a 22 day immersion at $33.75k pp.

We are off to do a Svalbard circumnavigation in June and will be trying to post some pics

 

[Pushka]

What does turning 40 mean? I forget.
Look forward to the planning.

 

[JohnM]

I would recommend going on a vessel that takes up to 100 pax, as that is the maximum number that can land on Antarctica at any one time.

Check out One Ocean Expeditions. A Canadian company that was represented in Australia by Peregrine when I went. Patagonia and Antarctica TR link below.

 

[Pushka]

I think Viking will have an explorer ship for Antarctica by 2021 and their reputation is fabulous.

 

[k_sheep]

I would recommend going on a vessel that takes up to 100 pax, as that is the maximum number that can land on Antarctica at any one time.

Check out One Ocean Expeditions. A Canadian company that was represented in Australia by Peregrine when I went. Patagonia and Antarctica TR link below.

Good advice. And yes your report was one I tried to check, but link appears dead ... I managed to find it in the TRs though.