Classic Antarctica cruise
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Rather than having a negative impact on the environment, we believe that when operated responsibly, tourism to the Polar Regions can help to raise awareness of the issues facing our planet. Visitors to these regions come away with an enhanced sense of the value of the natural world and become more aware in everyday life of ways to help preserve this legacy.
We are committed to working with leading travel partners in the conservation of the delicate Polar Regions – therefore we only work with IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) or AECO (Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) accredited voyage operators. IAATO operators follow guidelines set out by the Antarctic Treaty to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. This includes following fuel, waste management and visitor number restrictions.
Whilst on board the vessel the expedition team will provide informative lectures on a variety of topics including the wildlife, history, geology and geography of Antarctica, ensuring clients are fully-educated about all aspects of the environment around them. The expedition team are a mix of nationalities, as are the onboard hospitality team and crew, although our Chilean-owned ship has a predominantly Chilean crew only.
A full briefing is provided before each shore landing, detailing any ‘no-go’ areas, likely wildlife to be seen, and safety procedures relevant to the landing site. Visitors are required to keep a minimum 5 metre distance from wildlife, and to keep away from vulnerable animals eg nesting penguins. Boots are thoroughly washed and disinfected before and after each shore landing to prevent contamination of the region’s fragile ecosystems
We focus on small ship voyages with a maximum of 122 passengers on our Antarctic vessels. Our individual voyage operators each have their own approach to responsible tourism; for example our key partner Quark operates a Polar Ambassadors programme which encourages passengers to share their experiences to educate others and to support Polar Advoctaes – organisations such as the UKAHT that work to protect the wildlife and heritage of the polar regions
Over our 25 plus years of operation, we have raised a significant sum of money for a number of extremely worthwhile organisations and causes. These include the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) helping to fund aspects of the Institute’s Eurasian Arctic: Melting Ice project. This was set up to study glaciers and icecaps with regard to their sensitivity to climate change. We are proud to support the Friends of SPRI.
Most of our Classic Antarctica voyages call in at the historic base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island on the Antarctic Peninsula. Port Lockroy is maintained by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust as a living museum and is helped by the proceeds of a gift shop and post office. The UKAHT also work in conjunction with the NZAHT to conserve the history of exploration and scientific research in Antarctica. This includes preservation of Scott and Shackleton’s huts in the Ross Sea region.
Community
In addition to the Classic Antarctica voyage we can arrange pre- and post-voyage extensions throughout Argentina. We use an Argentine-owned ground handler, and local guides and drivers for transfers and day tours wherever possible. Most of the hotels we feature are Argentine owned, rather than international chains, and we also offer accommodation on estancias to enable clients to experience an authentic Argentine way of life.
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