Ponant Antarctica Beyond the Polar Circle

[MR61]

Good evening Australian Frequent Flyer Team,

I have spent several hours over several days doing a deep dive - so to speak - into expedition cruises to Antartica. My partner and I have looked at smaller, older, refurbished ice breaker vessels with 20 day itineraries offered through Chimu Adventures, and the newer, finer ships with extra creature comforts offered by Ponant. We are considering a 16 night trip on Ponant L'Austral in February 2020, Beyond the Polar Circle, which covers Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula up to the Antarctic Polar Circle. Have any of you travelled this route, and if so, can you offer any advice and/or insights for newbies to Antarctica and Ponant ? Thank you in advance.

 

[Pushka]

I haven’t done this but Ponant have a great reputation. Sounds a lifetime experience.

 

[love_the_life]

I haven’t done this but Ponant have a great reputation. Sounds a lifetime experience.

Agreed. We have been on Silversea in the Arctic but reports seem to be that although still very good they are slipping a bit (from the latest TRs from ddron.) We know of people who have been on the Nat Geo ships and they have loved them. We have seriously looked at Antarctica a few times (but something always comes up) and Ponant have always been in the mix for us. Do let us know what you decide as we are still looking.

 

[drron]

We went to Antarctica from NZ.Hard to do these days.
However we have sailed on Silversea from Ushuaia to Capetown and that went via the Falklands and south Georgia.If you can south Georgia is a must.however the weather can wreak havoc with you plans.
The cruise part of our journey starts here in the TR.
From Cape to cape. Expeditions by land and sea.

Interesting that one of the senior Expedition staff when we went to Antarctica and an expedition leader on one of our Silversea cruises is now with Ponant-Mick Fogg.Though I dont think he does any of the Antarctic cruises.
Expedition Leaders and Naturalist Guides - PONANT - PONANT

 

[tgh]

IMHO, the sweet spot is a ship that doesn't have to land folks in shifts.
The big ships soften the blow a bit by doing zodiac tours etc , but Antarctic ports are sometimes quite marginal and you risk missing out.
I would try to use the Silver Explorer if I revisited, it's a very gracious old ship that is loved by many.
Silversea has likely been very strapped for cash and has been cutting corners , but the new owners will probably try to shore up the lines goodwill , and to that end the line should lift it's game soon.

 

[love_the_life]

IMHO, the sweet spot is a ship that doesn't have to land folks in shifts.
The big ships soften the blow a bit by doing zodiac tours etc , but Antarctic ports are sometimes quite marginal and you risk missing out.
I would try to use the Silver Explorer if I revisited, it's a very gracious old ship that is loved by many.
Silversea has likely been very strapped for cash and has been cutting corners , but the new owners will probably try to shore up the lines goodwill , and to that end the line should lift it's game soon.

Even with Silversea in the Arctic we were rostered so that at times some groups were getting back as others were leaving (and we only had 100+ on board). More that the numbers of zodiacs only allowed a certain number at a time. The really big ships (like Celebrity and Princess) don't land anyone on the continent and all Antarctic experience is 'cruising'.

 

[zig]

I visited Antarctica with Silversea on Silver Explorer and would certainly recommend it. As others have mentioned the smaller the numbers onboard means more time off the ship for you. The longer voyages which take in South Georgia are recommended if your budget allows it.
I think from memory Ponant is around 200? I saw the L Austral in port in Ushuaia and it was a nice looking ship, we also passed it at some point in the Antarctica.

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

The new Greg Mortimer (being built for Aurora Expeditions) is proving quite a popular choice for our clients, and they're doing some voyages from Ushuaia / Punta Arenas beyond the Antarctic Circle (but not including South Georgia). She will be capped at 120 passengers on her Antarctic season, meaning there wont be any waiting around for shore excursions.

There's also the new Hondius (also currently on final fitout), billed as the world's first Polar Class 6 expedition ship doing some nice Falklands / South Georgia / Antarctic Circle programmes. She also comes online at the end of 2019 with some of the better trips in the first part of 2020 well worth a look.

 

[drron]

I hope they only have 100 on their Antarctic cruises as only 100 allowed onshore at any time.
Besides South Georgia is really the gem.

 

[ExpeditionCruiser]

For those folks considering an Antarctic cruise in the next few years, we've started receiving advance notice of some expeditions to witness the total solar eclipse taking place down there on 04 December 2021. The first cab off the rank to announce schedules for this cruise are the Oceanwide Expeditions ships, the new Hondius, the Ortelius and Plancius (the latter two being older-style hardy expedition ships). All three will be offering Ushuaia to Ushuaia voyages taking in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falklands.

No doubt other operators will start releasing their Solar Eclipse programmes in coming months. If keen, I would recommend getting in early on these expeditions as they will no doubt be extremely popular.

 

[emem]

Good evening Australian Frequent Flyer Team,

I have spent several hours over several days doing a deep dive - so to speak - into expedition cruises to Antartica. My partner and I have looked at smaller, older, refurbished ice breaker vessels with 20 day itineraries offered through Chimu Adventures, and the newer, finer ships with extra creature comforts offered by Ponant. We are considering a 16 night trip on Ponant L'Austral in February 2020, Beyond the Polar Circle, which covers Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctica Peninsula up to the Antarctic Polar Circle. Have any of you travelled this route, and if so, can you offer any advice and/or insights for newbies to Antarctica and Ponant ? Thank you in advance.

I have been to Antarctica twice, once with Ice Axe Expeditions and once with Chimu. I was extremely satisfied with both. I have travelled multtiple times with both Chimu and Ponant. Chimu more than met my "expeditionary" expectations whilst Ponant, depite having good itineraries tended to concentrate too much on the Paris night club style on board entertainement with a couple of average destination lectures rather that good in-depth informative lectures and traditoinal local entertainemnt. Both companies offer good programmes with comfortable cabins and good food but if you are more interested in your destination rather than up market on board luxury I strongly recommend Chimu.

 

[Gogo65]

I’m not sure I agree with emem, we’ve done Ponant to Antarctica and were very happy with everything.
There was no Paris style evening entertainment, rather a singer/band in the bar area. The daily lectures were led by excellent expedition experts and were informative.
We had 199 on board so there was a rotation system in place for zodiacs, however we never felt we didn’t get enough time on land, we spent 2-3 hours each day off the ship.
We booked onto one of the new Ponant ships to do an Arctic cruise from Iceland to Canada in 2020.

 

[bodri]

Three years ago, we took an 18 day cruise with APT from Ushuaia to Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica Peninsula and back to Ushuaia. Our vessel had 96 passengers which is what I would say is about the ideal number. (I believe now, APT run 200 passenger ships) The vessel we had was not too small and the off-loading of passengers into the zodiacs was quick and efficient. Even with our 96 passengers, we were still split into 2 groups, with one group on shore for (1-2 hours) while the other was in zodiacs "scenic cruising" the coast, then we would swap. Each day in Antarctica we would have 2 landings and 2 scenic cruisings.

As has been mentioned previously, there are limits on the numbers that can be on shore at one time and obviously a smaller cruise ship will give you more time ashore which is what you want. Also, smaller ships can go in closer to shore than larger ones giving more options for places to visits.

It is truly a trip of a life time and well worth spending the extra to go in a smaller ship because I believe you do get a better experience.

 

[Nukie]

Bodri, we must've been on the same trip as you!
It was truely the trip of a lifetime. I also think going late December/early January is an ideal time because there are lots of chicks. South Georgia definitely the highlight, amazing wildlife. A small expedition ship is the best way to do the trip if you want the best experience. It really is such a fantastic place.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Very informative thread - bit late for us as we are already booked with Silverseas for January. . We are on a 200 pax ship, as the timing worked out best for our daughter. Not doing South Georgia unfortunately, just South Shetland. Once again timings meant we had to do the shorter trip. In some ways I am happy about that as all of us are not good on boats.....

EDIT - after reading all the raves about South Georgia, if Mr FM and I survive our first ever cruise, we might need to do another one that goes there

 

[Bells]

I've travelled to both the Antarctic Peninsula and the Falkland Islands & South Georgia on 2 separate trips with Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic) and on 2 different ships, NG Explorer (departing Buenos Aires) and NG Orion (departing Santiago). I agree with an earlier response that the wildlife in South Georgia is the 'gem', but the magnitude of the ice of the Peninsula is awesome. You get what you pay for - and more! Their naturalists and guest speakers are first class, access to a NG photographer as well as superb photographic equipment, food and comfort on the ships, charter flights to/from Ushuaia, etc....... Safety and respect for the areas are the priorities. If doing it all at once, expect a number of sea days. Never once did I experience any difficulty with people getting ashore due to an excess of numbers. When necessary, this is managed by offering a number of activities simultaneously so that guests can rotate through all offerings. Be aware that crossing the Antarctic Circle is rarely guaranteed by operators as it will always depend on ice conditions and the time of travel. Fortunately, our trip managed to get there in early/mid January. I cannot recommend more highly the positive experiences of small ship expeditions and in such remote locations. You will have a marvellous time, I'm sure.

 

[PeeBee]

I have worked on a number of cruises from Ushuaia to the Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. My preferred providers are QUARK and Polar Latitudes. The service is excellent.
As a professional casual crew member I was impressed at how the passengers are cared for to the smallest detail. Numbers are limited and we spent many hours "on the ice" every day. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly South Georgia - in my opinion the "Serengeti of Antarctica." The professional historians, photographers, pinniped, cetacean and bird experts provided a whole new dimension to the expedition, stimulating an intense interest in the history, geography and even economics of the whole continent. We were truly guided; not shepherded.

 

[williamsf1]

I have done the Silversea 10 night cruise and could recommend.... the ship is smaller (and older) than the Ponant ship and can get into more places. I departed on 10 Dec and we were the first ship into some of the places for the season. The first night was very rough ( i was tossed out of my bed 2 times) and the captain said it was the worse crossing he had done in years.. but after that it was like being on a lake. If i was to do it again, i would go in late January as all the penguins would have hatched.
Silversea looked after you from arrival in BUE ( if you book the hotel package) transfers to/from airport and flights to USH along with a city tour before boarding the ship. You can even pre purchase all your thermal equipment and they provide warm jackets and boots (highly recommended as less baggage to take) . The staff they have on the ship are all experts in Antarctic expeditions with most of them spent a year or 2 on a research base.

 

[carambola]

My husband and I sailed from Ushuaia on Quark's Ocean Diamond (189 passenger cap) a few years back. Their logistics arrangements were top notch: we generally had 2x 2h excursions daily, and during each one, the passengers would rotate through 1h on-shore and 1h of zodiac cruising to keep within Antarctica's onshore cap of 100 people.

I personally loved being out on the zodiacs. There's something about being at sea level that puts the icebergs and glaciers in perspective, and the penguin-and-seal-spotting kept me entertained for hours. It never felt like we missed out on shore time. (If you do end up on a ship that does the rotation, my tip is to do the zodiac cruising first, followed by activities onshore. The cruising can leave you a bit chilly so it's nice to be able to warm up afterwards by walking up a hill to a lookout spot; whereas in reverse, you might be a bit sweaty from your time onshore, which means you might also get chilly more quickly.)

 

[Flying mermaid]

Silversea looked after you from arrival in BUE ( if you book the hotel package) transfers to/from airport and flights to USH along with a city tour before boarding the ship. You can even pre purchase all your thermal equipment and they provide warm jackets and boots (highly recommended as less baggage to take) .

Our trip with Silversea suggests you fly into SCL. They provide the 1 night accommodation in Santiago as part of the cruise package and the charter flight to and from USH. Parka and back pack provided but they now suggest you hire your boots. They have an arrangement with shiptoshore where you hire and the boots are delivered to your ship in Ushuaia and you leave them there.