Ross Sea & Antarctic Circle voyage
Price
£22740excluding flights
Duration
4 Weeks
Reviews
More info
Includes Landing Fees, pre/post cruise transfers, one night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (inc breakfast and dinner), onboard ship accommodation with meals, house beer, wine & soft drinks, shore excursions and landings, lecture programme.
Description of Ross Sea & Antarctic Circle voyage
Map
Price information
£22740excluding flights
Includes Landing Fees, pre/post cruise transfers, one night hotel accommodation in a twin share room (inc breakfast and dinner), onboard ship accommodation with meals, house beer, wine & soft drinks, shore excursions and landings, lecture programme.
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
The frozen continent – nearly twice the size of Australia and with most of its land over 2km high – is a polar desert. Plunged into darkness for six m...
Reviews
1 Reviews of Ross Sea & Antarctic Circle voyage
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 18 Mar 2023 by Pamela Harris
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
HIGHLIGHTS: Travelling to latitude 77.51, as far south as you can travel by boat. Reaching 4 Explorer's Huts including those of Shackleton & Scott. Visiting Macquarie Island and in fact all the sub-Antarctic Islands we visited - way more interesting than expected. The number of different penguin species we saw.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Definitely need a good camera with a telephoto lens. Don't expect a lot of exercise on shore, ie not many long walks and no snow shoe treks or kayaking.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
They were very strict with the bio-security when landing on the sub-Antarctic Islands and when visiting the huts - a good thing.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent holiday, but the new boat was too big for my liking. 140 passengers is triple the 53 that I originally signed up for. This meant we had less time on land or even on zodiacs. The relay system, where some people have to stay on the boat and wait for others to come back is not good and not what I wanted from this holiday. Some other cruises I'm told at least take people out on the zodiacs while they are waiting their turn to step on shore. This and the lack of on-shore walks or hikes did reduce the overall pleasure of the trip. The boat was comfortable and the crews (Expedition, hospitality & Ship) were all excellent. And Antarctica always provides an amazing holiday (this was my 2nd visit), regardless of my other comments.
Read the operator's response here:
Dear Pam
Many thanks for your 4 star review.
We knew this was a trip of a lifetime for you: our 3 years ensuring it came to fruition; through covid disruptions and the invasion of Ukraine. Sadly the war meant that your original Russian 54 passenger ship was no longer a viable option and will remain so. Despite this you agreed to go ahead with the replacement ship with same itinerary, particularly given the wildlife focus of this unique month-long Ross Sea Expedition.
We were delighted that the wildlife and history the trip proved excellent. To our knowledge there are no smaller cruises or specialists who offer such a month long pioneering voyage. The expedition leader mentioned that the only time the rotation system had to be used was at landing sites which are designated historical sites such as Scott & Shackleton's Huts - and that the limits on visitors inside these areas are such that even the original ship would be subject to such restrictions. At several other landing sites within the Ross Sea when the weather permitted, a zodiac cruise was offered to those guests who weren't ashore - so that all guests were off the ship at the same time. The ice conditions in January in the Ross Sea were challenging, with much heavier ice than in any recent years so at times options for usual longer hikes were not possible due to safety concerns around the ice returning and blocking landing sites, but the heavier ice also meant that we offered a good hike to Cape Royds which is not normally an option.
Many thanks again for your feedback. It was a pleasure planning and arranging this very unique Antarctic expedition together.
Best Wishes
Charlotte
Polar Guide/Marine Scientist
Many thanks for your 4 star review.
We knew this was a trip of a lifetime for you: our 3 years ensuring it came to fruition; through covid disruptions and the invasion of Ukraine. Sadly the war meant that your original Russian 54 passenger ship was no longer a viable option and will remain so. Despite this you agreed to go ahead with the replacement ship with same itinerary, particularly given the wildlife focus of this unique month-long Ross Sea Expedition.
We were delighted that the wildlife and history the trip proved excellent. To our knowledge there are no smaller cruises or specialists who offer such a month long pioneering voyage. The expedition leader mentioned that the only time the rotation system had to be used was at landing sites which are designated historical sites such as Scott & Shackleton's Huts - and that the limits on visitors inside these areas are such that even the original ship would be subject to such restrictions. At several other landing sites within the Ross Sea when the weather permitted, a zodiac cruise was offered to those guests who weren't ashore - so that all guests were off the ship at the same time. The ice conditions in January in the Ross Sea were challenging, with much heavier ice than in any recent years so at times options for usual longer hikes were not possible due to safety concerns around the ice returning and blocking landing sites, but the heavier ice also meant that we offered a good hike to Cape Royds which is not normally an option.
Many thanks again for your feedback. It was a pleasure planning and arranging this very unique Antarctic expedition together.
Best Wishes
Charlotte
Polar Guide/Marine Scientist
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
Our Antarctic expedition ships are smaller, less imposing on the polar landscape than the bigger cruise ships. Group landings by zodiac are more easily managed and a low ratio of leaders to passengers provides a personalised, added value experience. Your onboard natural history experts, through guided walks and evening talks, reveal the wonders of Antarctic scenery and wildlife. In this way you will be introduced to some of the local and global conservation issues which this fragile habitat faces.Our Antarctic expedition trips are made under full membership of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and as such abide by their strict codes of conduct. Encounters with all wildlife are controlled by strict responsible codes of conduct.
On our Antarctic Peninsula expeditions we are committed to the conservation of the places we visit.
People
The areas we visit throughout Antarctica and the subAntarctic region have no permanent population other than the researchers who reside seasonally or overwinter at bases in the Peninsula and the Antarctic Islands.There is a good rapport between such station staff and our small expedition ships, we bring passengers to appreciate their work, offer company and discussion and also bring their otherwise underused cash to uniquely spend on what service or souvenir they offer.
In Ecuador with Rainforest Concern, we paid for the purchase and protection of Choco-Andean cloud forest which extends the habitat of a newly discovered mammal: the Olinguito.
Our overall commitment to the environment is also reflected within our office environment. We source office supplies from local retailers, use recycled stationary where possible and recycle office waste.
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