No, but I'll give you some advice - if you have a fold up bunk bed in your room that's latched to the wall, don't unlatch it while the ship is rolling or it will crash down and chop your finger off.
The kayaking is around $150 and the overnight on the continent is around $450. It was just under $10k for the Hurtigruten portion. Flights depend on origin.
The kayaking is an out of this world experience. Paddling through brash ice; seeing the underwater parts of growlers / icebergs; penguins porpoising nearby... Damn I wanna go back!!
The cost was just south of $10k. I'm traveling solo and chose Hurtigruten because they waived the 'single supplement' for this sailing. I'm in a cabin with a window, no veranda. This ship has suites with jacuzzis -- I can't imagine how much those are.
We will do one 'cruising' and one 'landing' a day. There are 343 people on the boat and everyone gets a chance for each of those per day in Antarctica. Cruising is done in a small boat where we look for wildlife among the icebergs. The landing is stepping foot on the continent for around 90 minutes at a time. Additionally, I've signed up for the kayaking. On this boat it's determined by a lottery as only 16 can go at a time. I've also joined the lottery for overnight camping on Antarctica.
Thanks for sharing a detailed insight. Appreciate it and wishing you good luck on the lottery. I assume cruise is cheaper than flying ? I was looking at an expedition for Mt Vinson which is the tallest mountain on Antarctica at 4,800m+ , expedition cost is around $40k flights included.
Are there any additional fees that were a surprise?
Internet, drinks, snacks, kayaking, port fee, government tax, environmental fee, tips, boot rental, etc.
No, thankfully, unlike many other cruises I've sailed, most things are included here. Wine and soda is complimentary during meals. WiFi is included for the duration (which is huge, obviously). You get a free parka/windbreaker by when you board. Boots and dry-suits for kayaking are included. There are two excursions available, by lottery. Kayaking is around $150 and the overnight tent camping on the continent is around $450.
No agency. I went to company websites for information and then called directly. I arranged my own flights to Buenos Aires -- they did the rest. I'm most looking forward to the 'cruisings' and 'landings.' The cruisings are small boats cruising around the icebergs. The landings are zodiac trips to the continent itself to view wildlife like penguins and seals.
Right. The animals have right-of-way. We don't use their paths, we make our own. The Expedition Team places flags for where we are to walk. We are required to maintain 5m from penguins and other wildlife.
As for waiting time, I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean meals, there are virtually no lines. We must use the Hurtigruten App to book meal times. I haven't experienced any other lines so far.
No, I was just goofing about waiting for the Penguins to "walk" by. Just for fun, I waited for a full line of them to perform their circus parade to pass me. How a creature, that is breathtaking to see gliding in the Ocean, can spend so much time falling on its face while it walks is a puzzle.
So far, it's been tolerable for me. I haven't had any nausea, though I haven't struggled with that in the past. There a few people who are struggling. I just spoke with one after dinner and she was having a pretty bad time apparently. I recommend take the Dramamine (or equivalent) at least once a day. I am not using the patch, but am taking the pill.
Are you with Hurtigruten?
Yes, everyone was lovely. It's certainly a wealthy clientele, so perhaps that has a lot to do with it. But, I was talking to everyone and they were conversing with me. Many countries represented (lots of European), but most spoke decent enough English to have a chat. I loved it.
No, but I'll give you some advice - if you have a fold up bunk bed in your room that's latched to the wall, don't unlatch it while the ship is rolling or it will crash down and chop your finger off.
Are you speaking from experience here??
Yes, although my finger was not chopped off it was a narrow miss.
Good call. Thankfully, mine is down and unmovable. It's 15 foot seas now!
How much in advance you booked your Antarctic cruise. What company you were dealing with?
I booked this trip last June. I'm with Hurtigruten.
How much is realistic if you want to do some excursions? Not including the flight to Argentina
The kayaking is around $150 and the overnight on the continent is around $450. It was just under $10k for the Hurtigruten portion. Flights depend on origin.
What's the duration of the trip?
11 Days. 5 on the continent. It takes all of 2 days in the Drake Passage to get there, and 2 back.
Have the best time! I was there over Christmas and it was magical.
Thank you. Just got out of the kayaking briefing. Looks unbelievable.
The kayaking is an out of this world experience. Paddling through brash ice; seeing the underwater parts of growlers / icebergs; penguins porpoising nearby... Damn I wanna go back!!
You getting the Drake shake or the Drake lake?
I'd call it the Drake Lake -- only 15 foot seas. I hear it can be much, much worse.
If interested, you can track and view a recent panorama from this actual voyage at: [https://hrx.panomax.com/fn](https://hrx.panomax.com/fn)
How much does it cost ? What will you be doing at Antarctica ?
The cost was just south of $10k. I'm traveling solo and chose Hurtigruten because they waived the 'single supplement' for this sailing. I'm in a cabin with a window, no veranda. This ship has suites with jacuzzis -- I can't imagine how much those are. We will do one 'cruising' and one 'landing' a day. There are 343 people on the boat and everyone gets a chance for each of those per day in Antarctica. Cruising is done in a small boat where we look for wildlife among the icebergs. The landing is stepping foot on the continent for around 90 minutes at a time. Additionally, I've signed up for the kayaking. On this boat it's determined by a lottery as only 16 can go at a time. I've also joined the lottery for overnight camping on Antarctica.
Are there other boats or companies that don't do lotteries? Hate to go all that way and get unlucky
Thanks for sharing a detailed insight. Appreciate it and wishing you good luck on the lottery. I assume cruise is cheaper than flying ? I was looking at an expedition for Mt Vinson which is the tallest mountain on Antarctica at 4,800m+ , expedition cost is around $40k flights included.
Are there any additional fees that were a surprise? Internet, drinks, snacks, kayaking, port fee, government tax, environmental fee, tips, boot rental, etc.
No, thankfully, unlike many other cruises I've sailed, most things are included here. Wine and soda is complimentary during meals. WiFi is included for the duration (which is huge, obviously). You get a free parka/windbreaker by when you board. Boots and dry-suits for kayaking are included. There are two excursions available, by lottery. Kayaking is around $150 and the overnight tent camping on the continent is around $450.
Yeah curious about this
How did you plan this trip? i.e Agency or independent? What’s your itinerary? What are you most looking forward to? :)
No agency. I went to company websites for information and then called directly. I arranged my own flights to Buenos Aires -- they did the rest. I'm most looking forward to the 'cruisings' and 'landings.' The cruisings are small boats cruising around the icebergs. The landings are zodiac trips to the continent itself to view wildlife like penguins and seals.
Did they tell you that you can't cross a line of walking Penguins? Talk about a waiting time.
Right. The animals have right-of-way. We don't use their paths, we make our own. The Expedition Team places flags for where we are to walk. We are required to maintain 5m from penguins and other wildlife. As for waiting time, I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean meals, there are virtually no lines. We must use the Hurtigruten App to book meal times. I haven't experienced any other lines so far.
No, I was just goofing about waiting for the Penguins to "walk" by. Just for fun, I waited for a full line of them to perform their circus parade to pass me. How a creature, that is breathtaking to see gliding in the Ocean, can spend so much time falling on its face while it walks is a puzzle.
On the list.
Not only are you fucking up the environment there but you are helping others do the same! The world needs more people like you, Don Junior.
Have a truly wonderful trip
Thank you. It's a dream come true for sure -- thinking about this trip for decades. Been saving my pennies to go!
How rough is it? I am going in a few weeks.
So far, it's been tolerable for me. I haven't had any nausea, though I haven't struggled with that in the past. There a few people who are struggling. I just spoke with one after dinner and she was having a pretty bad time apparently. I recommend take the Dramamine (or equivalent) at least once a day. I am not using the patch, but am taking the pill. Are you with Hurtigruten?
No, Intrepid. Different ship. I have loads of pills and thinking of getting the scolpamine patch too, just in case. Thanks.
What are your ship dates? Wondering if we’re on the same one!
I’m on the WWF Whale departure.
I think I may be the same one as you!
Do you get seasick? And how much did you pay for thr trip? Excursions or just visiting?
How are the other people going on the cruise? Friendly?
Yes, everyone was lovely. It's certainly a wealthy clientele, so perhaps that has a lot to do with it. But, I was talking to everyone and they were conversing with me. Many countries represented (lots of European), but most spoke decent enough English to have a chat. I loved it.