Antarctica first became a destination of consumer interest in January 1966, when Lars-Eric Lindblad helmed a group of 57 “citizen-explorers” as they landed on the ice of the frozen continent. At the time, it was an almost-unheard of concept – only a handful of vacationers had ever considered visiting Antarctica, which contains the geographic South Pole. Today, roughly 40,000 visitors visit each summer (which in Antarctica lasts from November to February) and the largest majority is American. Most landings occur on the continent’s “Banana Belt,” the Antarctic Peninsula,where the climate is mild in comparison with the rest of the continent.
In addition to its unique geographical nature, Antarctica presents the opportunity for eco-travelers to carefully explore a carefully guarded ecosystem not found anywhere else in the world. In order to preserve its integrity, the world has come together to create the terms of the Antarctic Treaty. According to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO, http://iaato.org/), “Antarctica represents a more profound manifestation of international peace than any other place in the world, managed during the past half-century through the Antarctic Treaty's unprecedented global cooperation of nearly 50 countries, and formally designated a ‘natural reserve dedicated to peace and science.’”
Antarctica is served by a number of cruise lines, including Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises. Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Scenic, Silversea Cruises, and World Quest Cruises, among others. The continent can be visited as part of a World Cruise, or as a destination in and of itself.
Here are some examples of itineraries: click here for more Antarctica voyages.
Crystal Cruises, Crystal Serenity
26-Night All Inclusive Antarctic Adventure w/obc $11060
26 Nights - 7304 - Antarctic Adventure - 26 Days - Starting in Valparaiso with stops in Cruising the Coast of Chile, Puerto Montt, Castro (Chiloe Island), Cruising the Chilean Fjords, Puerto Chacabuco, Cruising the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Cruising Cape Horn, Cruising the Drake Passage, Cruising the Antarctic Peninsula, Cruising Elephant Island, Port Stanley, Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean, Puerto Madryn, Cruising the Coast of Argentina, Montevideo, Buenos Aires
2017 Sails: Feb 8
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Holland America Line, Prinsendam
67-Night Partial World Cruise - Includes World Cruise Amenities $15494
67-Night Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage
Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Isla de Providencia, Puerto Limon, Enter Panama Canal Cristobal, Cruising Panama Canal, Exit Panama Canal Balboa, Manta, Callao, Arica, Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Isla Robinson Crusoe, Castro, Darwin Channel Chilean Fjords, Scenic cruising Amalia or Brujo Glacier, Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas, Scenic Cruising Cape Horn, Ushuaia, The Palmer Archipelago, The Danco Coast, The Antarctic Sound, Stanley/Falkland Is/Islas Malvinas, Puerto Madryn, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Punta del Este, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador da Bahia, Recife, Fortaleza, Icoaraci, Cruising the Amazon River, Crossing the Equator, Santarem, Boca da Valeria, Manaus, Parintins, Devils Island, Bridgetown, Point-a-Pitre, Philipsburg
2017 Sails: Jan 3
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Want to learn more about Antarctica as a travel destination? CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning your next vacation, please visit us at http://www.cruisecompete.
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