Antarctica 2023

zaxanon6

9 Jan, 2023

Antarctica 2023

Why Antarctica

This trip was actually inspired by a visit to the opposite end of the world. While standing on a plateau in Alaska’s Denali National Park, looking at an incredible landscape and listening to the sound of literally nothing but the wind, I was struck with a desire to see the beautiful places of this world that people had nothing to do with. There are MANY of those, but getting to Antarctica while my parents were still well enough for the journey became a priority. I also have a desire to see places that aren’t so common for others to travel to. Although Antarctic tourism is growing, it’s still a very unique adventure to experience.

Why Hurtigruten

There are many different options for sailing to Antarctica, from drive-bys with traditional cruise lines (until they’re banned) to rugged expedition ships to ultra-luxury vessels. We initially considered a drive-by because it also allowed time to visit other interesting locations in South America. But after a lot of research and talking to other friends who have experienced this adventure, it seemed like a long way to go and a lot of money to spend (including airfare) to not actually set foot on the 7th Continent.

So then it was a matter of finding the best bang for the buck. Small (less than 200 passenger) expedition ships could allow for more landings per day and a more in-depth experience, but with a much greater cost and a bit less stability in rough waters. Hurtigruten’s hybrid ships, the MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, each carry 500 or less passengers, which means fewer locations/landings per day but a lower, doable cost (half or less than the smaller ships). Their accommodations are perfectly comfortable – not too Spartan, not super luxurious – and the ships have a relaxed atmosphere (no dressing up for dinner). So that was our sweet spot. Plus, I was intrigued by the onboard science center and its programs.

Contents