intrepid travel win a trip to antarctica

Intrepid Travel Is Giving Away A Free Trip For Two to Antarctica—Here’s How to Enter

Winners will get to ring in 2022 with penguins

It’s fair to say that 2020 didn’t turn out the way that any of us could have planned. We were locked down, masked up, and travel meant venturing outside from the kitchen to the backyard for many of us. While travel may have opened up, all in all, the first half of 2021 hasn’t really been the cathartic change we were hoping to see.

What if you could end this year with the ultimate adventure and ring in the new year in Antarctica?

In celebration of the inaugural season for their newest polar expedition ship, Ocean Endeavour , adventure and eco-friendly tour company, Intrepid Travel, is giving away a free trip for two to Antarctica. In case you didn’t know, that’s worth about $25,000 (the White Continent ain’t cheap!). Head’s up; you’ll have to pay taxes on this amount come filing season.

Guests aboard the Ocean Endeavour will be led by guides with experience in marine biology, glaciology, and Antarctic history. They can participate in Citizen Science programs and outdoor activities such as kayaking and snowshoeing. On the ship, they’ll find amenities like a gym, spa, pool, and jacuzzi.

One winner and their guest will join a select Best of Antarctica voyage during the 2021/2022 season for an 11-day trip designed for first-time and seasoned adventurers alike. Excursions will include super cool explorations of ice-filled bays and channels, wildlife expeditions, and plenty of time to snap the perfect shot of the unique and stunning polar landscape.

All you’ve got to do to enter is fill out a simple form , hit submit, and then check back in late August to see if you’ve won. The last day to enter is Aug. 23, 2021.

And real talk—several of the sweepstakes we’ve seen over the last year or more have been less about winning a prize and more about thinly-veiled attempts for brands to award winners with a temporary social media gig. With this sweeps, you aren’t required to do any posting, any photoshoots, any updates. You win, show up, go on the trip, enjoy yourself, and talk about that one time you went on the trip of a lifetime, and you only had to pay for your flights.

A word to the wise, if you win, you’ll need to book your travel by Sept. 30, 2021, and depart for your trip by Dec. 29, 2021.

To read the fine print and enter the sweepstakes, head on over to the official contest website .

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Intrepid Is Giving Away an 11-day Cruise to Antarctica for 2 — Here's How to Enter

The sweepstakes is open until 10 a.m. ET Aug. 23.

If you've been dreaming of far-flung adventure and exploration, it's time to cross your fingers. Intrepid Travel is giving away a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Antarctica to celebrate the debut of its new polar expedition ship.

The winner and their guest will join an Intrepid "Best of Antarctica" tour on an 11-day cruise aboard the Ocean Endeavour ship, that will travel to Antarctica from Ushuaia, Argentina. The journey will take them through ice-filled bays, through the Drake Passage, and to Antarctic wonders like Deception Island. Travelers can partake in activities like a photography masterclass, participating in Citizen Science programs, or snowshoeing their way across Antarctica.

And once it's time to head back to the ship, there's even more to enjoy. The Ocean Endeavour is Intrepid's newest polar expedition ship and includes features like a gym, spa, library, heated saltwater pool, and jacuzzi. There's even an opportunity to take an on-board yoga class or book a massage. Expert guides will also be on the tour, available to teach guests about marine biology, glaciology and Antarctic history.

If you're feeling lucky, clear out your autumn schedule. The winner must book their trip by Sept. 30 for travel departing by Dec. 29.

Sweepstakes participants me be 18 years old and legal residents of the U.S. or Canada (although there are restrictions for certain states, so check the rules before entry). Hopefuls are limited to one entry per person, per email account.

Visit the Intrepid Travel website to enter the contest. Participants can enter until 10 a.m. ET Aug. 23.

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram , or at caileyrizzo.com .

Matador Original Series

Win a $25,000 Trip to Antarctica for You and a Friend

I f you’ve been dreaming of traveling to Antarctica but the price tag of such a trip is way too high for your budget, now is your chance. The adventure travel company Intrepid Travel is celebrating the inaugural season of its new polar expedition vessel with a giveaway you can’t pass on: a free trip for two to Antarctica, valued at $25,000.

The 11-day trip will take place on the Ocean Endeavour , a cruise ship equipped with a gym, spa, library, heated saltwater pool, and jacuzzi. Besides those amazing amenities, Intrepid Travel wants you to have a more personal experience, so for every eight passengers, there is one crew member ready to make this experience as memorable as possible.

On board, several guides with expert knowledge in marine biology, glaciology, and Antarctic history will be able to answer your questions and make this trip to Antarctica as educational as possible. And guests will not just stay on the ship and admire the seventh continent from afar — they’ll be able to kayak, snowshoe, and take in all of Antarctica’s beauty up close.

While cruises are far from being environmentally friendly, the Ocean Endeavour’s trips to Antarctica, like all the cruises available through Intrepid Travel, 100 percent offset their carbon emissions. There are no single-use plastics onboard, and the company only uses biodegradable and phosphate-free cleaning products.

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Intrepid Travel Is Giving Away an 11-Day Cruise to Antarctica for Two

Are you up for the adventure?

The lucky winner and their guest will spend one night in Ushuaia, Argentina (airfare to and from Argentina is not included in the giveaway) before embarking through the icy waters of the infamous Drake Passage, which is known to be one of the world's choppiest passages. Despite the rough waters, if conditions are right, you might be able to spot dolphins, orcas, and albatross.

From there, the bulk of the journey will be spent in the Antarctic Peninsula, where you'll participate in an array of adventures. Explore the rawness of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife, go on Zodiac excursions and experience the calving of icebergs while in the midst of total silence. For additional fees, you can participate in a kayaking trip or take a photography master class (you can't come home without photos for the 'gram, after all!).

After a few days of once-in-a-lifetime adventures, you'll have even more to enjoy onboard the Ocean Endeavour before disembarking in Ushuaia . The ship itself boasts health and wellness facilities comparable to any hotel. Relax in one of the saunas, book a massage, dive into the saltwater pool, or take a yoga class on board.

If this sounds like your dream adventure, be sure to enter here between now and August 23rd. If you're lucky enough to win, you'll need to book your trip by September 30th for your expedition, which will leave on December 29th. Read the official contest rules here .

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A lot of us say we're open to new experiences  – t o putting the map aside, tasting the strange, diving into the deep end – but how open are we really?

A lot of us say we’re open to new experiences – to putting the map aside, tasting the strange, diving into the deep end. But how open are we really? 

If you’re the type of person who’s constantly chasing the thrill of the unknown, Intrepid's new one-off Uncharted Expedition might be just the adventure you’re looking for. Why? Because on this departure, you won’t know where you’re going. We’ll give you start and finish points, but everything in between will remain a mystery until you get there. 

One day you could be exploring a 3000-year-old volcanic village; the next, fossicking for post-Soviet memorabilia at an open-air flea market, then learning an ancient language that doesn’t involve speech. 

You’ll need to embrace your inner explorer, trust your own adventurous traits, and join us on a journey that is undefined, unmapped, and uncharted. You’ll need to be Intrepid. In fact, you’ll need to be the most Intrepid. 

Join us aboard the Ocean Endeavour for an extraordinary voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula in search of humpback and minke whales, seals and penguins. Meet WWF-Australia’s team of scientists and explorers and spend your days learning about their mission to protect Antarctica’s whale populations. Explore the ice-filled waters by Zodiac then set foot on the rock and ice that makes up this mysterious continent. With a scientific focus on preserving Antarctic wildlife, this is a journey you’ll carry with you for a lifetime.

Spots are limited.

A unique expedition in partnership with WWF-Australia

On the surface, Antarctica’s pristine landscapes may appear untouched but look beneath the waves and you’ll find this beautiful wilderness is under threat. As climate change and krill fishing increase in the Antarctic, local whale populations face growing challenges to their food chain and survival.

Most of the world’s large whale species are found in the Antarctic, among a diverse marine ecosystem of over 9,000 species, more than half of which are seen nowhere else in the world. Now, more than ever, learning more about Antarctica’s whale population is key to their survival. New technologies are helping scientists better understand and map the most important areas where whales feed, so we can protect them before it’s too late.

WWF-Australia, with the support of Intrepid Travel, is collaborating with a team of ecologists to carry out a non-invasive whale research project aboard the Ocean Endeavour designed to grow our understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Protecting the giants of Antarctica

DAYS 1-4 Cross the infamous Drake Passage

Named after the famous English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, this passage of water between Ushuaia and the Antarctic Peninsula is an adventure in its own right. Meet the team of scientists onboard and learn about their conservation mission with insightful seminars. They’ll be joined by our regular team of geologists, biologists and historians. If conditions are calm, enjoy time out on deck spotting dolphins, orcas and albatross.

DAYS 5-8 Explore the Antarctic Peninsula

Spend four incredible days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula with a team of experts. Accompanied by WWF-Australia's researchers, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about non-invasive whale tracking and get incredible insight into the mysteries of whale migrations, feedings and lives beneath the water’s surface. Explore landing sites, bays and channels on Zodiac excursions, keeping a keen eye out for penguin rookeries and whales who greet the surface. Make the most of optional activities, including kayaking and snowshoeing, or choose a slower pace and relax at the onboard spa.  

DAYS 9-11 Return to Ushuaia

Say goodbye to the Antarctic Peninsula as we set off for Ushuaia. Take the opportunity to share photographs with fellow travellers, scout for wildlife once again from on deck and enjoy final lectures from WWF-Australia's onboard team.

WWF-Australia's Giants of Antarctica Expedition was created to support scientific researchers, providing them with safe passage to Antarctica and a base from which to conduct their research on the Ocean Endeavour. The data obtained from these expeditions will directly contribute to our understanding of Antarctica’s whale populations and to developing a conservation strategy.

This is part of Intrepid Travel’s larger commitment to giving back to the planet. In addition to supporting WWF-Australia, we’ve carbon offset every passenger’s journey on the Ocean Endeavour in 2021 and 2022, and we’re investing in sustainable initiatives across the Antarctic region.

Travel with a purpose

With the support of The Intrepid Foundation

Intrepid Travel and WWF-Australia share a commitment to protecting the planet’s natural environments and the wildlife who live in them. That’s why we’ve joined forces to help facilitate whale research in Antarctica – with our not-for-profit  The Intrepid Foundation  supporting WWF-Australia’s  Protecting Antarctic Giants project  over the next two years with  AUD $150,000  in funding. The data collected during the project  will directly contribute to our understanding of Antarctica’s whale populations and to developing  a  conservation strategy.

The itinerary

Giants of Antarctica Expedition

Intrepid Travel and WWF-Australia present

Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest small group adventure tour company.  We believe in travelling in a responsible and sustainable way, while giving back to the destinations we visit by partnering with local communities, employers and staff. In 2018 we became the world’s first travel B Corp, reinforcing our commitment to using travel as a force for good.

In partnership with  WWF-Australia. With the support of The Intrepid Foundation.

Antarctica Expedition Cruise with Intrepid Travel: Everything You Want Know

During the lockdowns of the covid-19 pandemic, I sat in my childhood bedroom and stared at the map on my wall. I thought of how it had been so long since I had been able to travel and how many places I still had to go. As my eyes ran across the unpinned places I had yet to visit imagining what it would be like to go I got caught on the thin, white landmass at the very bottom: Antarctica. The vast, far, and very expensive continent that I had always dreamed of visiting but figured I wouldn’t get the chance until later in life. But with months of no travel I had saved quite a bit of money. So, at that moment, I decided that when this pandemic was over, I was going to Antarctica.

I planned my Antarctica adventure as one of my ESBT group trips . After sharing on Instagram stories that I was ready to go I had plenty of followers express their interest as well. So, I reached out to my friends at Intrepid Travel and we put together a group trip. An 11-day journey to the end of the world . I had 11 other adventurous sign up to go with me and on January 12 th , 21 months after I originally had the idea to visit, we boarded our ship, the Ocean Endeavour, and headed south to Antarctica.

My Antarctica voyage was, hands-down, the best travel experience of my life. While I’ve tried my best, my stories, photos, and videos just don’t do this place justice. It really is somewhere that you need to see and experience for yourself to understand why everyone who comes back claims that it is life-changing. But it’s also a huge trip to plan. So, if you are considering an Antarctica expedition cruise then this post is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Antarctica with Intrepid Travel.

The Best Time to Go to Antarctica

Antarctica is a seasonal destination. Antarctica cruises only run during the summer months, but keep in mind it’s in the southern hemisphere so summer in this case means November to March. Each month has its advantages.

November is the start of the season with the cleanest landing sites- not yet visited by other travellers and not yet navigated by pooping penguins. My cruise stuck to the Antarctica Peninsula but if you do an Antarctic expedition cruise that also goes to South Georgia November is a good time to see emperor penguins.

December is known for warmer weather, longer days, and active wildlife. Seal pups and migrating whales tend to be a highlight of travel during this month.

January is the peak of summer with plenty of sunlight. Whales, penguins (including chicks), seals, and birds are abundant. I went in January and we saw so much wildlife it was unreal.

February marks the start of peak season for whales. You will still see plenty of penguins and seals.

March is the end of the season, but there is still lots to see. It’s still peak whale season and there are plenty of seals. Penguins start moulting in March and might look grumpy but the chicks are bigger and more fun to watch. Prices also tend to be cheapest during this time as it is the end of the season.

An Antarctic Expedition Cruise: What Does That Mean?

The main way to travel to Antarctica is by cruise ship, but not all cruises are the same. Expedition cruises place an emphasis on adventure and shore exploration. The team is made up of scientists and experts in the field and education is part of the package. Expedition ships are also much smaller and built for the voyage. They able to navigate rougher seas and smaller bays, rather than typical cruise ships which place more of an emphasis on aesthetics and onboard entertainment. 

In Antarctica, only ships with a maximum of 200 passengers are able to disembark and make landings. Larger ships can only sail by so keep this in mind when shopping around for the best Antarctica cruises.

How Much Does a Trip to Antarctica Cost?

While many find Antarctica as a destination intriguing, most people are quickly turned away by the price. So, how much does a trip to Antarctica cost? Well, it depends on several factors. My 11-day Antarctica expedition cruise with Intrepid Travel started at about $10,000 CAD per person. This is for a single bed in a 3-berth interior cabin. Bigger and private cabins are available for an additional cost. The most expensive option is the category 10 ‘owners suite’ which is closer to $20,000. Believe it or not, these prices are on the low end when it comes to Antarctica expedition cruises.

What is Included in the Antarctica trip cost?  

Included in the cost is:

• 1 night at a hotel pre-departure
• Your cabin space on board the ship
• Some equipment and gear (more on this to come)
• Expeditions on land and via zodiac for up to 4 days of the trip
• All meals while on board
• Access to pool/hot tub/sauna/gym facilities
• Access to expert lectures

Antarctica Expedition Add-Ons

For an additional cost, you can choose to add some more activities to your Antarctica expedition cruise. If you are exploring Antarctica with Intrepid Travel these include the following:

Sea Kayaking Program: Instead of going out in the zodiacs, those who are part of the sea kayaking program will explore Antarctica by kayak. Opportunities are weather dependent but assuming it’s safe, you can kayak at every stop. Kayak experience is required. The cost of sea kayaking during my voyage was a little over $1099 USD. One member of my group joined the kayak program and loved it. However, she did choose to forgo kayaking a few times to get the zodiac/landing experience.

Polar Photography Workshop: This program is spread across the duration of our Antarctica cruise. Those in the group attended workshops with the group leaders who were renowned expert photographers. The photography group also had their own zodiacs during all outings and were the first to depart every time. The cost of the polar photography program during my voyage was $1099 USD. Four members of my group were part of the photography workshop and loved it. As an outsider looking in, I would say this program had the best value.

Camping on Antarctica: This was a 1-night opportunity and, of course, was weather dependent. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience but don’t expect a good sleep. You do not get a tent, but rather a thin matt, sleeping bag, and bivy bag to zip yourself up in. I did this and while I’m glad to be able to have done it I would never in a million years do it again. The cost of camping in Antarctica during my voyage was $399USD.

Keep in mind that the above three programs all have limited space and are booked on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have your heart set on something specific, book it right away.

Furthermore, you may also get the option to do a day paddle or snowshoe. This is weather dependent and will be decided during the cruise itself. Should the expedition team decide to run these activities, you can sign up and pay on board.

On top of the ship and any extras, you will want to factor in some extra money for drinks on board. There is also a small shop for souvenirs (including postcards if you want to send one from Antarctica).

Don’t forget you will also need to book your flights separately. If you are departing from Ushuaia like I did, you will likely fly into Buenos Aires and then take another flight to Ushuaia. While this is a domestic flight, it’s still pretty expensive. My roundtrip from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia cost $700CAD on top of my flights from Canada to Buenos Aires.

Also, travel insurance is mandatory. While this shouldn’t be too expensive it will add an extra cost to your budget. For those looking for travel insurance recommendations, I use and love SafetyWing .

All costs incurred onboard are in USD and can be paid via cash or major credit card.

Life on Board the Ocean Endeavour

The ship serves as your home for the duration of the cruise. You sleep, eat, and hang out here when not on land. Keep in mind it takes two days to sail through the Drake Passage and you have to pass through it going down and coming back.

Entertainment on Board

This Antarctica expedition cruise isn’t like a typical cruise line with comedy shows and musical performances. While we did have a couple of musicians on board who sang/played for us some evenings, the entertainment provided came in the form of lectures. The Intrepid staff on board were a mix of scientists and experts in various fields. We learned about the local wildlife: different species birds (including penguins of course!), whales, and seals. We also learned about the history of Antarctica from famous explorers like Shackleton to lesser known women who had voyaged to the continent. My favourite lecture was hearing stories from crew member Simon who had several years of experience aboard Sea Shepherd ships deterring Japanese whaling ships.

All lectures were optional to attend but provided great experiences to learn more about the wildlife, history, and land we were visiting.

There were also evening programs in place. Our cruise was a mix between Intrepid and Chimu and for this cruise, Chimu was in charge of entertainment. I’ll be honest, it sucked. Their audience was very different from the Intrepid one and the evening events were very boring. But we just did our own thing instead.

What are meals like onboard?

All meals are served in the dining room on the Ocean Endeavour. Meal times were pretty consistent every day. Breakfast and lunch were buffet styles. Breakfast was the same every day with a mix of fruits, cheeses and meats, eggs, potatoes, waffles, toast, breakfast pastries etc. There was also an omelette station available (assuming the sea wasn’t too rough). Lunch varied daily with several options and a salad buffet. Dinner was usually a la carte with a rotating menu every evening. That being said, there were always several options always available you didn’t want to choose something on the menu.

Food allergies and intolerances were taken very seriously. One woman on our trip had a severe nut allergy and as such there were no nuts included on the menu. Another individual had a citrus allergy. Orange juice was available at breakfast but no other citrus fruits were around. Guests were also told of these allergies in advance and asked to avoid any of these types of snacks they may have brought on board.

Vegetarian options were always available. A couple from my group were vegetarian and while there was always something to eat, sometimes they did wish there were more protein options available to them.

As for alcohol, it was available at an extra expense. There was a wine package advertised at the beginning of the journey. You could order drinks with lunch and dinner in the restaurant and there was also an onboard bar which had plenty of options including beers, wine, cocktails, juices, soda, and more. There were fountains to fill your water bottle around the ship. There was also a small coffee spot with basic coffee, tea, and hot cocoa powder. You could order a speciality coffee at an additional cost.  

What are the cabins like?  

As mentioned earlier, there are a wide variety of cabins available. If you are travelling on your own and do not pay for a single room then you will be partnered with someone of the same sex in a shared cabin. Some cabins are interior, meaning they have no windows. Some cabins will have a full window (or more) or just a porthole. Bathrooms are small but functional and include basic toiletries, towels, and hair dryers. Rooms also have storage space and televisions where you can watch a couple of rotating movies or tune into the lectures.

I had a category 8 room (pictured above) which had a double bed, desk, couch, armchairs, and a window. It was incredibly spacious which was really nice. I chose to spend most of my time in the common areas with my group than alone in my room so having a big room wasn’t a big priority. That being said, I was seasick the first day and having my own space was really nice for that.  

Extra facilities

On top of the daily scheduled lectures, there were also wellness programs run by one of the staff members. She did a rotation of yoga and sauna stretching. These were available to book down at the reception desk on a first come first serve basis and filled up very quickly. Of course, this was also dependent on the state of the weather and how much the ship was rocking.

There was a gym space with some basic equipment that was free for everyone to use as well as two saunas; one of which could be booked for private sessions. Once we got through the Drake passage there was also an outdoor heated pool and hot tub for anyone to use.

Crossing the Drake Passage

Unless you plan on flying to Antarctica (which you can do for a steep price), you will have to sail through the infamous Drake Passage. The Drake is known as the roughest sea crossing in the world and historically has downed hundreds of ships and taken the lives of even more sailors. Of course, with today’s technology, it’s much safer and ships will plan their route accordingly. That being said, it can still be very rough. If you are lucky, you’ll get the ‘Drake Lake’ which are calmer waters. The opposite, however, is the ‘Drake Shake’ which has huge swells.

Do people get seasick?

Yes. Definitely. The Drake isn’t like typical waters. I’ve spent a lot of time on boats between cottage life, sailing trips, a Panama Canal cruise, and of course dozens of dive trips out into the open water on small boats. I’ve never been seasick before and yet I got incredibly sick my first day and spend almost the full day in bed. It was awful.

I highly suggest getting proper medication beforehand and starting them your first night before you enter the Drake as a preventative. It’s much easier to prevent than ‘stop’. I asked my pharmacist for pills and didn’t realize the ones she gave me had no medicine and were just ginger. They did nothing. I called the ship’s doctor who gave me some more tablets but I was too sick and couldn’t keep them down. In the end, I was saved by a member of my group who had some extra Scopolamine patches which, thankfully, worked really well for me. Keep in mind that they do have some big side effects so discuss with your doctor. Also, they are not available in Canada. 

Was it scary?

Honestly, no. But I’m not afraid of boats. That being said, there were some Drake Shake injuries on board. We had to navigate a storm on the way back and experienced a full day of the Drake Shake. The waves were 10m high, which was more like 20m with the dips in the swells. We have hurricane-force 2 level winds and the boat tilted 21 degrees at one point- we were pretty close to being told to confine in our cabins. Thankfully it didn’t get to that stage, however, one woman did get stuck in an elevator and another lady did fall and break/crack a rib. She was seen by the doctor and given the OK but the only thing you can do for that type of injury is let it heal on its own.

Keep in mind that this type of ‘shake’ was only considered a level 5 on a scale of 1-10. If it is bad, ships will delay. We met some people in Buenos Aires who spent an extra day cruising to avoid a storm. This is an Antarctica expedition cruise- it is built for this. Plus, the captain and crew know what they are doing and will not go through if it’s too dangerous.

Excursions in Antarctica

On the 11-day Antarctica expedition cruise, the goal was 4 days ‘in’ Antarctica with two expeditions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Of course, everything is entirely weather dependent. Our voyage went much further south than normal as we were trying to avoid the storms and we got incredibly lucky by getting to do two experiences each of those four days. However, I’ve heard that the goal is to hit 50% of this since the weather and conditions can turn so quickly and be unpredictable. Despite our luck, we still experienced some of that and changed our plans last minute due to ice and wind.

For the excursions, they are typically divided into zodiac cruising and landings. For most stops we got to do some of each but some places were zodiac only. On the days where you did both, it was usually about 45 minutes or so on the zodiac, then an hour on land. On days when it was zodiac only it was about 1.5 hours. If something exciting was going on (ie: whales nearby) we stayed out a bit longer.

There was also always a ‘zodiac only’ option for individuals who didn’t want to go to shore. In which case they would get the longer cruise.

Zodiac Excursions in Antarctica  

Zodiacs are types of boats used. They are sturdy and made for adventure but inflatable. You sit on the sides so you have great views as you zip around the bays and icebergs. It can be chilly so dress warmly. You definitely want to make sure you have waterproof layers on (and a waterproof bag for your belongings) because there can be some spray. Lifejackets are provided and mandatory to wear at all times.

Some of our excursions involved a lot of driving around while others we turned off the motor and floated. This allowed the wildlife to get really close. We had a leopard seal underneath our first day, a humpback whale surface literally 5m beside us on our third day, and on our final day, a dozen or so Gentoo penguins swam around and under us. It was absolutely incredible being this close to the wildlife and for those wondering- yes, I always felt safe onboard. 

Shore Landings in Antarctica  

We would also use the zodiacs to transport us from the ship to the shore. This means that we often had wet landings (again, you get waterproof boots and need to have waterproof pants). Sometimes the landings could be a bit slippery and rocky but there were always expedition team members to help you get on or off. Some of the terrain for our landings was steep and the conditions could be icy, but walking poles were available to those who needed them.

Once on land, there were specific trails made for us to follow. Oftentimes these crossed over ‘penguin highways’ which are the routes penguins take. This means we had to occasionally wait for penguin traffic to pass which is just about the cutest thing ever.

Most of our landings took us close to penguin colonies. The winter had been really harsh and many eggs hadn’t hatched but we did see a couple of penguin chicks at two of our stops: fluffy little grey babies. The team was really good at spotting them and then helping you figure out where to look.

What can you see?

Every trip is different and there are no guarantees but we saw tons of wildlife during every expedition and even just from the ship.

Penguins: Gentoo, Adelie, and Chinstrap

Seals: Weddell, Crabeater, Leopard, and a baby Elephant Seal

Whales: Humpbacks, Orcas, and Minke

There were also a bunch of different types of birds. I was sick during the bird lecture and missed the names of most of them but I know we saw some terns and albatrosses.

Of course I can’t not mention the landscape. While icebergs and mountains may not seem super exciting compared to penguins and whales, the landscape in Antarctica is stunning to see. Even when not out in zodiacs its worth being out on the deck of the ship to watch.

The Antarctica Polar Plunge

One of the highlights for many Antarctica travellers is the polar plunge! It’s a tradition on Antarctica expedition cruises and assuming the weather and conditioners are ok, all guests will have the chance to participate. Your polar plunge might take place in a bay where you jump off the boat or it could be at a beach where you run in.

Our polar plunge took place in Hidden Bay and we jumped off the ship. As a safety precaution, you wear a harness around your waist and there is a doctor on standby. The water during my plunge was -0.5C and the air was around -1C. It was actually snowing.

Some people are concerned about the wildlife in the water for the polar plunge. Keep in mind that the captain and crew will only do it if they deem it to be safe. Orcas have never killed a human in the wild and leopard seal attacks are incredibly rare. There are no polar bears or sharks in Antarctica. As for sea monsters, well those can be anywhere!

There is no charge to do the polar plunge, anyone is invited to participate! We had warm towels ready for us when we got out and an optional shot of vodka. After you can go to the sauna, pool or hot tub, or to your room for a hot shower.

Packing List & Provided Gear

I have an entire post dedicated to what to wear in Antarctica so I suggest you give it a read for my best tips on advice on what to pack for everything from clothing to cameras.

As for the gear provided by the ship, our Antarctica expedition cruise provided us with insulated puffer jackets which we got to keep at the end of the trip. These were handy for layering for excursions and for wearing out on the deck. We then also got to borrow expedition parkas and muck boots for the duration of the trip.

When you fill out your final paperwork you will be asked for your shoe size as well as your clothing size for the jackets. The boots will all be regular size but they do have some wide-width options available on board if needed. Jackets go up to size men’s 3XL.

I found the size chart to be accurate but there were some mix-ups in my group and the wrong size puffer jackets were provided. Most were able to exchange, but the larger sizes run out much more quickly so if you are unsure or in-between sizes, go bigger. It’s easier to size down. If your measurements exceed what’s listed on the size chart you will need to bring your own gear.  

Is Travel to Antarctica Ethical?

This is a huge question. It comes up a lot in relation to Antarctica travel and was something we also discussed several times in lectures on board as well.

Antarctica is considered to be one of the last pristine places on the planet and many believe that tourism shouldn’t operate here, it should be left alone. Others, including IAATO ,  argue that tourism here can be done responsibly and can be incredibly educational and help better preserve this piece of the world.

I am no scientist or expert. But, as a traveller who is constantly learning and striving to be as responsible and ethical with her travel, here’s my take.

To start with, we like to say this part of the world is untouched. In some ways it is. There are no cities or towns. It’s wild nature. But humanity has, willingly or not, still touched it. Garbage can still make it this far and wash up on the shores. It’s also one of the places in the world where the ozone layer is the thinnest.

The Intrepid Travel Antarctica expedition cruise also places heavy emphasis on the importance of visiting this part of the world responsibly. A huge part of our cruise was education; not just in terms of the onboard lectures but when out on the zodiacs exploring. Our guides aren’t just your average adventure junkies. They are bird and whale experts. Scientists, activists, and environmentalists who advocate for eco-friendly travel. We also leaned about Citizen Science projects such as Happy Whale and were encouraged to partake in these programs during our time onboard and into the future.

There is also a huge process and a number of rules for all our land visits. Gear had to be approved and cleaned before leaving the boat. If it didn’t meet the requirements, you weren’t allowed to wear it to shore. We washed our boots and stepped in a special solution before and after every landing. We stuck to specific paths and guides covered up any holes made by our steps in the snow after every outing.

There were dozens of rules for keeping our distance from the wildlife and even in terms of interacting with the environment. There was no sitting or lying on the ground to get better photos. From what I saw, our group as a whole was very good at sticking to these rules. The couple of times people did fall out of line and go off the path etc. they were quickly seen and called back in place.

Personally, I think that seeing Antarctica and how special it is made me care even more about protecting it. To be able to get so close to wildlife and know that the seals, penguins, and whales could afford to be curious because we weren’t a threat to them was truly incredible ( Antarctica’s flora and fauna are protected ). It was a reminder of what the world should be. Maybe what it could be, and now that I’m back I find myself even more aware of things I can do to lessen my carbon footprint in my day-to-day and travel life.

At the end of the day, it’s a personal decision and something you can argue both ways. If you do decide to visit this part of the world then be sure to choose an Antarctica expedition cruise with a reputable company, like Intrepid Travel, that prioritizes ethical and responsible travel.  

Is an Antarctica Expedition Cruise Worth it?

Yes. Absolutely, 100% yes.

Without a doubt, my Antarctica expedition cruise with Intrepid Travel has been the highlight of my travel career. There is nowhere in the world like it and as much as I try my stories and photos do not do it justice.

I wrote a postcard to myself while I was there. I wrote, “if the world ever loses its magic, come back to Antarctica.” Because truly, ‘magic’ is the best way to describe this piece of the planet.

I hope that if you dream of going to Antarctica that you get the chance. It is a huge cost but for me, it was absolutely worth it and I will return one day.

Is the Intrepid Antarctica Expedition Cruise solo-traveller friendly?

Definitely! There were plenty of solo travellers on board! If you want to pay more for a private room you can. Otherwise, you will be paired with someone else of the same gender. Since it’s the same group on board for the full duration its also very easy to meet people. 

Do you see many other ships?

Typically, no. Only so many people are allowed to disembark in one place in Antarctica so it’s not like usual cruise ports where you will have multiple ships in place at once. Most Antarctica expedition cruises don’t see other ships at all for the duration of the journey, except for maybe some small sailboats (yes, people actually sail here). Again, we were avoiding a big storm system and ‘safe’ patches were minimal so we did actually see two other ships briefly in passing: A Quark ship and a National Geographic ship. But they had their own stops and we just crossed paths briefly on the first day. After that, it was just us, the ice, and the wildlife.

Do cabins go on sale?

Occasionally yes, they do. Which is fantastic for saving money however its normally closer to the departure date at which point extras like kayaking and photography programs are already booked up. If that doesn’t matter to you then you can wait and see. Keep in mind the longer you wait, the more expensive flights will be as well and as I said earlier they aren’t cheap to begin with. If you are already travelling, your best chance at getting a deal would be to hang out on the docks of Ushuaia and get a last minute spot. However, it’s not guaranteed and only worth it if you are already there.

Will you be running another ESBT group trip to Antarctica?

You bet! I have an epic 3-week itinerary trip on the go for 2025. Learn more here.

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance  here . If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend  SafetyWing . For Canadian readers, take a look at  SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend  booking.com  for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is  GetYourGuide . They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my  travel essentials  and  camera gear  if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!

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Win a Trip to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel!

Intrepid Travel has launched its Race to the Pole incentive, giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica

Intrepid Travel has launched its Race to the Pole incentive, giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica .

There are lots of ways to enter the prize draw, including sharing Intrepid offers, selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of our inspirational webinars. Agents who make an Antarctica booking with Intrepid will receive five entries to the competition.

The incentive runs from now until February 28 2021 and the prize includes flights, transfers, pre/post departure accommodation and a single berth in a twin window cabin on the Ocean Endeavour in the 2022/23 season.

Intrepid has also launched an Agent Polar Hub, where agents can read the latest news and offers, learn about Intrepid’s Polar trips and extras, or order a brochure. Agents can join a live webinar on November 25 at 10am to learn how to sell this ultimate bucket-list destination and have a sneak peak at Intrepid’s expedition ship, the Ocean Endeavour. Every agent that joins live will gain an entry in the draw to win this amazing prize.

Intrepid is chartering the Ocean Endeavor for the first time for the 2021/22 season, which carries 199 passengers and is one of the few polar expedition ships with a focus on health and wellbeing on board. The 2022/23 season has just gone on sale with an up to 25% off early bird offer.

Joanna Reeve, Intrepid’s head of business development, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to give one lucky agent the chance to visit Antarctica. After months of restrictions, travellers are thinking big for their next holiday and Antarctica really is the ultimate wilderness experience.  Polar holidays are a huge opportunity for travel agents and we’re giving them all the tools they need to sell this once in a lifetime destination.”

Sign up here and join the Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook group for more details and to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

29 March 2024

28 March 2024

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Win your way to Antarctica with Intrepid

Intrepid Travel’s new Antarctica Incentive will give two agents the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica by watching the Antarctica training webinar on Intrepid’s Agent Hub and emailing the Learn and Earn answers at the end of the video to [email protected] .

The grand prize for two winners is a space in a shared cabin on board the Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour) departing 2 November 2023, along with a $3,000 voucher to be put towards flights booked by Intrepid. The total prize pool is AUD $32,980.

In addition to the training, every passenger booked on an Intrepid Antarctica Expedition entitles the agent to one entry in the draw. For every 21-day itinerary, the agent will receive an extra entry per passenger. 

Yvette Thompson, General Manager of Sales and Partnerships ANZ, said, ‘We’re thrilled to be giving two lucky agents the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica! The training webinar on our Agent Hub prepares agents to become polar experts, but nothing compares to an Antarctica experience up close!”

The Intrepid Agent Hub was launched late last year as Intrepid saw an important opportunity to deliver a better agent experience that would also be better for the planet. The new platform is designed to engage and educate agents by providing a digital one-stop-shop of Intrepid brand and training tools, including the Antarctica training webinar.   

The Antarctica Incentive is open to all Australian and New Zealand agents and closes 31 March 2023. Prize winners will be contacted on 4 April 2023. 

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Kate Webster

Kate Webster is a travel journalist who is passionate about conservation, Africa and the ocean. Born out of a life-long love of travel and fascination with the world around her, is Kate’s inspiration behind her writing and photography. When she’s not bouncing around the world on ramshackle buses, overcrowded trains, or on the back of a rickshaw, you can find her based in the Gold Coast, Australia eagerly planning her next adventure. www.travellerkate.com

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Intrepid offers agents the chance to win Antarctica trip

Intrepid Travel has launched an incentive giving agents the chance to win a trip to Antarctica.

Agents can enter the Race to the Pole incentive by selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of the company’s webinars. Those who make an Antarctica booking will receive five entries into the competition.

The competition runs until February 28. 2021. The prize includes flights, transfers, pre/post departure accommodation and a single berth in a twin window cabin on the Ocean Endeavour in the 2022/23 season.

Joanna Reeve, Intrepid’s head of business development, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to give one lucky agent the chance to visit Antarctica. After months of restrictions, travellers are thinking big for their next holiday and Antarctica really is the ultimate wilderness experience.  Polar holidays are a huge opportunity for travel agents and we’re giving them all the tools they need to sell this once in a lifetime destination.”

Intrepid has also launched an Agent Polar Hub, where agents can read the latest news and offers, learn about Intrepid’s Polar trips and extras, or order a brochure.

Intrepid is chartering the Ocean Endeavor for the first time for the 2021/22 season, which carries 199 passengers and is one of the few polar expedition ships with a focus on health and wellbeing on board. The 2022/23 season has just gone on sale with an up to 25 per cent off early bird offer.

Sign up  here  and join the  Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook  group for more details and to be in with a chance of winning the prize.

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Our Partners

Advisors win an intrepid travel antarctica trip worth over $16k, interested in antarctica intrepid travel’s latest antarctica incentive is offering two agents the opportunity to hop aboard an 11-day antarctica expedition in november 2023 plus an aud$3,000 voucher for flights to get you there..

The Intrepid Antarctica Incentive prize will see two travel advisors win a shared cabin on board the Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness (Ocean Endeavour) expedition, departing on 2 November 2023.

Each agent will also receive a $3,000 voucher for flights booked by Intrepid with the total prize pool valued at AUD$32,980.

The Antarctica Incentive is open now until 31 March 2023 and is open to Australian and New Zealand travel advisors to enter.

Agents can enter the incentive by watching the Antarctica training webinar on Intrepid’s Agent Hub and emailing the Learn and Earn answers at the end of the video to [email protected]

Every passenger booked on an Intrepid Antarctica Expedition gives you one entry in the draw.

For every 21-day itinerary booked, advisors will receive an extra entry per passenger. The winning agents will be announced on 4 April 2023.

Intrepid’s General Manager of Sales and Partnerships ANZ Yvette Thompson said: “We’re thrilled to be giving two lucky agents a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica.”

“The training webinar on our Agent Hub prepares agents to become polar experts, but nothing compares to an Antarctica experience up close.”

Intrepid Travel launched its first Citizen Science program in Antarctica aboard its new expedition ship, Ocean Endeavour , late last year.

Register for the Intrepid Agent Hub here .

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Cruising Antarctica on Ocean Endeavour With Intrepid [In-depth Review]

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Why Book a Cruise?

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Exploring the seventh continent is on everyone’s bucket list, right? That’s what I told myself as I perused Antarctic cruises for the hundredth time in February 2022, anxiously refreshing to try and find an option that was reasonably priced. Fortunately for me — and now for all of you — I managed to snag a booking while it was on sale.

In December 2022 I boarded a 10-night cruise headed down to the frigid Antarctic peninsula. Let’s talk about how it went.

I’ve been on a handful of cruises in my life, but I knew from the outset that heading down to Antarctica was going to be unlike anything I’d ever experienced. And although I’m more than comfortable traveling on my own as I do a majority of the time, tackling an adventure as extreme as Antarctica wasn’t something I wanted to do solo.

I’d spent a few years eyeing various travel offerings from a group dedicated to solo female travelers, cunningly named The Solo Female Traveler Network (SoFe). The network promises to group like-minded women together on adventures. So when I saw that the program was offering 25% discounts on bookings to Antarctica , I jumped on it.

It turns out that wasn’t actually necessary. Although I originally booked with SoFe, they ended up booking our actual cruises with Intrepid Travel , a much larger tour company with offerings around the globe.

One of the best benefits of booking with SoFe (and also Intrepid) is that there is no single traveler supplement fee. Rather than having a room to yourself, you end up with a roommate who has also booked alone.

Since I was scoring that 25% discount and owed no single traveler supplement fee , I went big when it came to booking my room, opting for a deluxe oceanview twin room. With the discount, my total booking came out to $9,593 . Would this have been the same had I booked directly with Intrepid? I’m not sure, but it’s likely.

I know, that’s an exorbitant cost for someone to pay, especially when they’re used to traveling with points and miles. But short of booking a Lindblad Expedition , there was pretty much no other way for me to get down to the White Continent. So I sucked it up and paid using my Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , which earned me 3x Ultimate Rewards on the entire purchase.

We value Chase points at 2.0 cents each, which means that the 28,779 points I earned came out to a value of ~ $576 . Is that a huge discount versus what I paid? No, but it certainly helps take out the sting.

If I’d wanted to redeem points, I could have instead opted to pay with my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . This would have allowed me to redeem my Capital One miles at a rate of 1 cent per point against travel purchases from the previous 90 days — though this wouldn’t really be the best use of my miles.

Bottom Line: I earned nearly 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when booking my cruise, which helped me feel better about the $9,500 price tag. 

There are a few different ways to visit Antarctica. Your options are flying down and camping, flying down and cruising, or just cruising from start to finish.

Of these options, cruising the entire length of the journey is generally the cheapest . This is because you’ll spend 2 nights on either side of your trip transiting the Drake Passage. It’s not for the faint of heart due to its massive swells, but it can certainly save you some money on an already expensive trip.

That being said, once you’re actually down in Antarctica, nearly every option for exploring involves cruising. This is due to a variety of reasons, but mostly because responsible tour operators have committed to leaving no trace — and cruising is the easiest way to do so. It’s also much simpler to get around in Antarctica’s mercurial weather if you’ve got a big boat to do it with.

Hot Tip: Looking for ways to book your cruise? Check out our guide to the best websites for booking cheap cruises .

I wish I could say that heading from my home in California down to Ushuaia, Argentina was simple, but it wasn’t. Due to a series of mishaps, I missed my original flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Santiago (SCL) and onward to Ushuaia (USH).

Instead, I was forced to rebook a last-minute ticket on United from San Diego (SAN) to Houston (IAH) and down to Buenos Aires (EZE). I then spent a night at the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires before heading down to Ushuaia (USH).

It was certainly an adventure, and the only reason I didn’t miss my cruise down to Antarctica was that I’d planned to arrive several days early . I’d recommend the same, especially since flights down to southern South America from the U.S. are generally only once per day.

Note that in order to board my cruise to Antarctica, I had to provide proof of my COVID-19 vaccination status as well as complete an antigen test shortly before departure. Check out Intrepid’s Safe Travels page for current requirements.

Although the cruise was billed as an 11-day adventure, I spent just 9 nights aboard Ocean Endeavour . This is because my first night was spent in a hotel (thanks to all those pre-departure briefings) and on my last day I was off the boat by 9 in the morning.

Here’s how my itinerary shook out:

• Day 1 : Arrive in Ushuaia (spend the night in a hotel)
• Day 2 : Board the ship (at 3 p.m., port departure at 6 p.m.)
• Days 3 and 4 : Cross Drake Passage
• Days 5 through 8 : Explore Antarctica
• Days 9 and 10 : Cross Drake Passage
• Day 11 : Disembark (at 9 a.m.)

I booked with SoFe because I was looking for a group of women to travel with. While that didn’t really happen (since we ended up as a very small group traveling with Intrepid and there were no activities together), I still had a great time aboard the Ocean Endeavour.

Antarctica is a highly-protected continent, and Intrepid is one of the best when it comes to ecologically-responsible tours. As an Australian company, it goes way above and beyond to ensure that all of us tourists don’t leave a lasting impact on the land. Among its many commitments, it only carries up to 199 passengers per trip . This is thanks to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which limits the activity allowed in Antarctica. A limited number of passengers per day are allowed to visit a specific site. So while you’ll see big cruise ships heading down to Antarctica, most of them simply sail on by. That, or they’ll hold a lottery to see who’s allowed to depart.

By limiting its passenger count to 199, Intrepid ensured that everyone who paid to cruise down to Antarctica was able to actually set foot on Antarctica .

Although the Ocean Endeavour was originally built to hold upwards of 300 passengers, thanks to the Antarctic Treaty there were less than 200 of us on board (a total of 133 guests). This meant that a number of cabins sailed empty, though I did find myself with a roommate thanks to my booking with SoFe.

There are 9 decks aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Our cabin was on Deck 7 , which was extremely convenient as we were next to the dining room, spa, gym, and main lounge.

The cabin itself was more spacious than I’d hoped for , with 2 twin beds, a closet, several shelves, hooks to hang our gear, and a desk.

We also enjoyed a desk with a few drawers , though we didn’t realize at first that the drawers had latches to keep them shut. We spent a wide-eyed night hearing them slam to and fro with the waves.

I told myself the desk was necessary to sit down and work during my off-time, but we all know that never happened.

Note that while we did use the safe, at one point it errored out and a wallet was stuck inside. Housekeeping was able to unlock it.

All in all, I was pleased with the size of my room and the ability to store all my stuff . There were cheaper options available, including a triple room with 3 twin beds, but I would have felt claustrophobic without a window .

The bathroom was small but no smaller than I’d normally expect when sailing on a cruise ship. It included a sink, toilet, and shower, as well as a hair dryer.

Probably the worst part about this bathroom was attempting to stay upright while sailing the Drake Passage. There are grab bars for a reason — so plan to shower one-handed while rolling around in the waves.

Note that I brought my own toiletries, including shampoo and conditioner. I’m glad I did since the options provided by the cruise ship were absolutely awful. My roommate ended up with staticky hair after just a couple of nights.

Bottom Line: My room was more than big enough for the pair of us, with storage for all our belongings and a great view out of the window. 

Food and Beverage

I don’t consider myself a food snob, but even if I did, I think I still would have stuffed myself on this boat. There’s simply no other way to tell you that the food onboard was delicious .

Depending on the day, we generally had a breakfast buffet, plated lunch, and plated dinner. Everything but alcohol was included and the range of meals was generous.

Each day there was an omelet station , as well as a large selection of fresh bread and other dishes, including corned beef hash and eggs Benedict.

Among the buffet offerings were fresh fruit and vegetables, boiled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and French toast.

Breakfast hours varied slightly, but you could generally expect to be served from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Depending on the day, we either had a plated lunch or a buffet option. The menu changed daily and offered a variety of options.

Although I preferred it when we had plated meals (which was the majority of the time), the buffet during lunch or dinner was also tasty and fresh.

Lunch times also varied based on what we were doing, but generally spanned from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The dinner menu also changed on a daily basis. Because it was unlimited, I was able to order as much — or as little — as I wanted.

Among my many choices was a rotating selection of desserts and side dishes.

Dinner was served in a rotation based on groups (which were assigned after boarding). Each night, half the guests went for dinner first, followed 30 minutes later by the other half. Dinner hours were typically between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Although I partook just once, on sea days there was an afternoon tea offering between lunch and dinner. It had all the goodies you’d expect, including scones and finger sandwiches.

No cruise ship would be complete without the alcohol, right? The Ocean Endeavour had its own fair share of lounging spaces, but the most popular was the Nautilus Lounge , where the staffed bar served drinks. There was a nightly happy hour and drinks were reasonably priced — think $4.50 for a happy hour cocktail and $6.50 for full price .

You’d hope that a ship such as ours would contain a lot of amenities, especially since you spend so much time onboard. Happily, the answer is that: yes, there’s a ton to do. Although we had just over 100 passengers on the ship, there was a wide range of amenities from which to choose.

I enjoyed spending time at the spa, especially after hiking around in my heavy gear for many days. I found prices to be similar to what I’d pay in California , though San Diego certainly doesn’t include the rolling waves I experienced on the ship.

During the course of the cruise, I enjoyed 3 massages.

Did I optimistically bring workout gear? Yes. Did I ever actually work out? Obviously not.

However, for those who were extra enough to work out in addition to tramping around the White Continent, there was a decently-furnished gym with some resistance machines and aerobic equipment .

There was also a pool and hot tub on the ship, though neither was like any I had ever experienced. I brought a bathing suit but didn’t end up jumping into either. There was a multitude of reasons for this, but mainly because the pool and hot tub were only filled while we weren’t moving , and only then with seawater that had been warmed.

The ship also featured 2 saunas on the upper decks. While one of them could be reserved for personal use, the other was always open.

I never saw anyone actually using the sauna, but I did find plenty of wet hats, gloves, and scarves hung out to dry after expeditions.

There were lockers and showers available for the sauna as well.

I brought my e-reader with me on the ship, which was a good thing since there was so much downtime while traveling. For those who weren’t well-equipped, the ship also offered a small library at the Compass Club.

Although I packed my snow boots, I needn’t have bothered. Intrepid provided all travelers with a waterproof jacket, muck boots, and an inner liner . These were kept downstairs with the rest of your gear in the mud room.

Do you need Wi-Fi to survive? If so, don’t go to Antarctica. While the ship ostensibly had Wi-Fi, access was highly dependent on weather and disappeared entirely once we actually reached the continent.

Wi-Fi onboard was charged by the minute rather than the amount of data you consumed. I am a weak person and spent $200 for roughly 6 hours of connection , though much of that was spent cursing frantically as the log-out screen errored out while still charging me.

To make my point clear: it took me 2 hours to download a single white noise soundtrack I had forgotten to add to my phone before departure.

Long story short, the internet is expensive and costs a lot of money. Don’t buy it.

Apparently, our stateroom TVs showed Antarctic-themed shows and movies. I didn’t realize this until the last day, as our TV was broken. However, I’ve heard the selection was fairly limited.

Was this ship full of perky bingo games and karaoke parties? No, it wasn’t. But I was happier for it, and there were still a lot of different things to do. We spent 4 of our days at sea, which meant there were a lot of hours to fill. The crew did a great job with this.

One of the coolest things about a trip to Antarctica is that basically all the crew onboard are wildly fascinating. Want to hear a talk from someone who’s lived on the science station? Check. Interested in knowing the details of every fish below the Antarctic Circle? Check.

There was more to know than there was time to fill, and although I didn’t manage to make it to every lecture — there were a ton — I enjoyed the ones I attended.

I can’t say enough great things about the staff and crew aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Perhaps because there are so few passengers, it was a really personalized experience. We got to know plenty of folks by name and enjoyed spending time with all of them.

Since the ship was fairly small and there were so few passengers it really felt like a personalized experience. This was especially true for housekeeping, which visited our room twice per day. However, this wasn’t some “we come in the morning and hope you’re not there” deal — rather, they watched out to see when we left (for breakfast, workouts, or whatever) and took the opportunity to clean the room without interrupting our day. This was true whether I left the room at 7 or noon.

While gratuities weren’t mandatory, we did have the opportunity to add them to our onboard accounts. We were provided with a sheet recommending tip quantities for the staff. I opted to pay $10.50 per day plus an additional cash tip for housekeeping .

Exploring Antarctica

Is this the part you’ve all been waiting for? It’s the whole reason I booked, after all. Although it took us 2 and a half days to get down to Antarctica, the journey was worth it. Here’s a breakdown of all the locations we explored — and although the weather was cold (at around 25 degrees Fahrenheit), we were able to successfully make 100% of our landings.

Note that Z means we had a zodiac cruise and  L means we actually stepped foot on the ground.

Have you guys heard of the Drake Passage? Probably. Thanks to a relatively narrow distance between the Antarctic Peninsula and the outcropping of Argentina, the water through here is rapid and unpredictable. This meant that nearly all of our time at sea was spent staggering around , clinging to the walls, or not sleeping while the boat rocked relentlessly.

For what it’s worth, the crew assured us that we were experiencing extremely good weather, with waves at around 20 feet high. While I don’t get seasick , nearly everyone else on board did, and the ship doctor spent a great deal of time passing out anti-nausea medication . You’ve been warned.

Why waste all your time heading to Antarctica if you don’t actually go to Antarctica?

Perhaps the most exciting part of my journey was when I first set foot on land.

Was it as good as I’d hoped? No, it was better. I wish I had the words to describe to you the overwhelming awe that permeates these moments. You feel so large and so small and just so utterly, utterly grateful.

In order to make landings, we had to first disembark the Ocean Endeavour and climb onto a zodiac .

These zodiacs held 10 people and were able to land directly onshore, though it meant that every landing was a water landing . Fortunately, the company provided us with waterproof muck boots.

We made a total of 6 landings during the cruise, including Portal Point, Neko Harbour, Damoy Point, Joule Point, Port Lockroy, and Mikkelson Harbour.

While most of these included visits to local penguin rookeries , at some of them we also explored preserved ruins of past expeditions.

We also made a stop at Port Lockroy , which is maintained by the United Kingdom.

Along with a stop at the gift shop, we were able to mail out postcards from Port Lockroy. Apparently, it takes about 3 months to receive anything you send — I’m still waiting on the one I sent myself.

Hot Tip: Travelzoo  occasionally sells discounted cruises to Antarctica, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled. 

If you, like me, thought that Antarctica was relatively empty of wildlife, I’m here to tell you otherwise. Is it mostly birds? Yes. But it’s a lot of birds and they’re really cool.

There are also a ton of seals and more whales than you can shake a stick at.

No, seriously, we spotted thousands of animals during the journey.

I’m a writer, not a zoologist, so the best I can tell you is that we saw birds , whales , and seals .

However, along with our other departure information, Intrepid also sent along a record of all the wildlife we saw and when.

Although we did end up on land 6 different times, we also conducted a few different zodiac cruises .

There were multiple reasons for this: sometimes there was no good location to land, if we were last off the ship we might have needed to wait for others to leave, or the weather didn’t always allow for an immediate landing.

But cruising around was nearly as fun as walking around, and significantly easier since we didn’t have to tromp around in our gear. Plus the views were still pretty amazing .

Although all our landings and zodiac cruises were included with the price of the booking, there were optional add-ons.

Photography

Those who booked the photography course enjoyed dedicated zodiacs and time away from the other guests. You didn’t need to bring your own camera or have any experience; everything was taught on board . The total cost for the photography program was an additional $1,230 .

Sea Kayaking

If kayaking was more your thing, you could also sign up for the sea kayaking program. Again, this took place as an alternative to regularly scheduled activities, and kayakers were meant to go out a total of 6 times at a cost of $1,230 . However, windy weather meant they only made it out once — but prorated refunds were automatically given to guests.

Day Paddling

I’m not great at kayaking, but my roommate, Diana, convinced me to try out the day paddling. Day paddling differs from kayaking in that you’re on top of an inflatable kayak rather than inside a rigid-form one. It’s also only offered in the most serene of circumstances, which can mean that day paddling isn’t always available.

Diana and I joined up together in an inflatable kayak for an additional $150.  Although I was very nervous at first, I’m so glad that I did it.

Day paddling only took place once and lasted about an hour , though we spent the last twenty minutes or so hanging out with the whales nearby.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing was also an option for those who were interested. I didn’t partake since it involved an extra 5 miles of hiking in my already overwhelming gear, but it looked like fun. This was the least expensive add-on and charged just $100 .

Hey, we know you already paid for a bed and a toilet, but what if you decided to sleep on the ice in a bag instead? Just kidding — the sun doesn’t go down so there’s no sleeping involved!

Anyway, if you wanted to camp overnight you could pay an extra $449 and snag the opportunity to pee in a bucket in front of everyone.

Polar Plunge

One of the final activities available before returning to Argentina, the Polar Plunge was something about half of the guests participated in. I wasn’t one of them, but everyone who joined in looked like they had a fun (albeit cold) experience . The Polar Plunge was totally free, though it didn’t take place until our very last day in Antarctica.

Bottom Line: Although I only participated in 1 of the optional add-ons, I found it to be a worthwhile cost — especially since there were so many whales!

Before taking this trip I meandered the halls of the internet trying desperately to find accurate information as to what I should bring. While most of the products were winners, quite a few weren’t. So, here are some of the items I found most useful during my trip:

• Merino Wool Base Layer : There was laundry but it was very expensive. Merino wool stays good for a long time.
• Ski Goggles : Far superior to sunglasses and didn’t fog.
• Balaclava : My nose was the coldest part of my body, so I covered it up.
• 2 Pairs of Gloves : I only brought 1 and I desperately regretted it.
• Waterproof Pants : No, really, waterproof. Not just extra water resistant.
• Windproof Hat : For the same reason as the balaclava.
• Merino Wool Socks : These are thinner than regular wool socks and mean you can size down your enormous mud boots.
• Hand Warmers : These and toe warmers kept me toasty during those cold zodiac cruises.
• Swimsuit : In case you’re insane enough to do the polar plunge.
• Lounging Clothes : For non-expedition days.

Note that you may have a tough time redeeming points for your cruise, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn a little extra when doing your clothes shopping. Consider checking out the best credit cards for clothes shopping for ideas on maximizing your points.

Traveling down to Antarctica has long been on my bucket list. While it was a costly experience, especially for someone who is used to traveling with points and miles, I’m so glad I did. It’ll probably be a few years before I can afford to make it down to Antarctica again, but trust me — I’m already looking.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a cruise to the antarctic.

Although prices can vary, expect to pay somewhere between $7,500 and $13,000. However, be aware that booking last minute or waiting for a sale can get you a better deal than this.

Are Antarctica cruises rough?

Antarctic cruises can be rough, especially if you encounter the Drake Passage on a bad day. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider flying down and meeting your cruise ship in Antarctica rather than making the crossing.

What is the best month to go to Antarctica?

The summer season in Antarctica is relatively short. You’ll want to visit between November and February for the best opportunities to spot wildlife and have good weather.

Which cruises go to Antarctica?

There are many different cruise lines that make their way down to Antarctica. However, in order to have the best chance of stepping on land, you’ll want to aim for a ship carrying fewer than 200 passengers.

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About Carissa Rawson

Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.

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Win a trip to Antarctica with Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel has launched its Race to the Pole incentive, giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip to Antarctica.

There are lots of ways to enter the prize draw, including sharing Intrepid offers, selling an Intrepid trip or joining one of our inspirational webinars. Agents who make an Antarctica booking with Intrepid will receive five entries to the competition.

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