What are your recommendations for cruises in Antarctica?

Super important tips for Antarctic expeditions: The Association of Antarctic Tourism Organizations (IAATO) divides Antarctic cruises into four classes, among which the YA class is a small sailing ship that can only be experienced by avid sailing enthusiasts. The CR class is a large cruise ship carrying more than 500 passengers. It can only cruise in the sea and cannot land, and the waters of many islands are not even accessible. This is very heartbreaking (if someone recommends Antarctic products to you, but does not tell you This is the most critical difference (you really have to be wary of this). It is recommended that everyone choose cruise ships, mainly C1 (carrying number between 13-200) and C2 (carrying number between 201-500) class cruise ships.

A more important number: The limit on the number of people landing at the same place in Antarctica at any time is 100. In other words: If it is a ship with 200 people, it needs to be landed in 2 batches. Under the same conditions, the time it takes to land in Antarctica is twice as long for a ship with 100 people as it is for a ship with 200 people.

So the top ten Antarctic cruise ships recommended by Little Earth this time focus on C1 and C2 levels. While the security level is high, you can log in twice a day, weather permitting!

1/Silversea Expeditions

The C1-class cruise ship operated by Silversea in Antarctica is called Silver Explorer. The newly renovated C2-class cruise ship Silver Cloud recently joined the expedition team. This improves comfort on board. More importantly, starting in the winter of 2020, the ice-strengthened Silver Cloud will begin cruising in Antarctica.

Silversea’s all-inclusive package allows you to avoid the (admittedly high) upfront costs. Most Antarctic cruises depart from Ushuaia, while Silversea offers charters from Buenos Aires or Santiago. Silver Explorer is also making a rare voyage to the Ross Sea in 2021 from Dunedin, New Zealand.

Silvesea’s lectures are of a very high standard, and the ratio of science teachers to travelers is about 1:12, ensuring that every traveler has a good experience as much as possible. Two landings are expected each day, weather permitting.

2/Lindblad Expeditions

Founder Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered the Antarctic expedition in 1966. Invented the concept of expedition travel. Experience is important, especially when you travel off the beaten path. Lindblad stands out among the many cruise ships in terms of ensuring safety. Their ships in Antarctica are three expedition ships designed for the most challenging regions on earth.

Lindblad's ship carries a variety of "exploration tools": kayaks; remote-controlled cameras that broadcast live on screens in each cabin; a video microscope to see microscopic Antarctica and hydrophones to listen to the sounds of whales.

Their expedition leaders have extensive experience and have an expert dive on each voyage, equipped to explore depths of 1,000 feet. More importantly, there will be a National Geographic photographer on every departure, making it the perfect choice for photography fans.

National Geographic Explorer, C1 level, carrying 150 passengers

National Geographic Orion, C1 level, carrying 106 passengers

3 / Quark Expedition

Quark's are polar experts - they only specialize in Arctic and Antarctic voyages. With a variety of boats and a variety of lines, you can choose different routes to suit your needs.

The opportunity to experience sailing, camping, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on your Antarctic itinerary sets some of Quark's ships apart. Those who wish to avoid the bumpy journey across the Drake Passage can fly to the Drake from Punta Arenas and join their ship at King George Island. This is a tricky option, but may come with adverse weather conditions.

4 / Hurtigruten

A company with over 100 years of operating experience, transporting equipment and personnel every year from Bergen along the Norwegian coast. Working on the famous Norwegian Coastal Navigation, Hurtigruten has extensive experience navigating rough waters.

Recently, their specially-built expedition ships Fram (C1 class, carrying 318 passengers) and Midnatsol (C2 class, carrying 500 passengers) have embarked on an adventure to another hemisphere to explore the southern ocean. Note that Midnatsol's itinerary includes exploration of the Chilean fjords and a few days in the Falkland Islands, as well as time in the Antarctic Peninsula.

5/Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

For many years, Hapag has been the only luxury operator in the Antarctic region with an outstanding Berlitz five-star rating .

Two new ships - Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration - began operations in 2019, promising a new level of luxury.

In order to give you an extraordinary Antarctic journey, guides with high-level professional knowledge, safe and efficient landing ships...an excellent team of naturalists, expedition leaders and guides will ensure that you A unique Antarctica experience.

6 / Aurora Expeditions

Aurora Expeditions has been operating in Antarctica since 1991, focusing on immersive experiences rather than onboard luxuries. They offer a range of innovative activities in Antarctica, including hiking, camping, scuba diving, sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and climbing.

We are particularly excited about the new vessel named after company founder Greg Mortimer (C1 class, 160 passenger capacity). This will be the first expedition ship in Antarctica to use the X-BOW design, which will provide a smoother sailing experience, low noise and vibration, and will reduce emissions.

7/Ponant

French cruise line Ponant is another operator investing in new hardware, with six incredible new expedition yachts set to begin over the years operations. Currently, their Antarctica program is limited to their existing four ships - Le Boréal, Le Soléal, Le Lyrial and L'Austral - but the high-tech new Explorer-class ships will be equipped with enhanced hulls for polar exploration.

Perhaps even more exciting is the recent announcement of another new ship, Le Commandant Charcot, which will be the world’s first electric hybrid polar icebreaker and will carry 270 guests to Antarctica and some other Parts inaccessible by ships include the Charlotte and Peter I Islands, the Weddell Sea and the ice-covered Amundsen Sea, a truly remote area that remains largely unexplored.

8/Seabourn

Over the past few years, the luxury line Seabourn has gradually moved into the adventure realm, launching their "Seabourn Adventure" excursion program in selected destinations, Includes kayaking trip. So it was no surprise when they announced plans to build two dedicated expedition ships. The first cruiser, Seabourn Venture, is scheduled to operate in 2021, with an interior by designer Adam D Tihany and high technology.

Antarctica will be the main destination for the new ships, but if you can't wait until 2021 then we recommend checking out the current Antarctic plans on Seabourn Quest. With Seabourn's Ventures program, you can engage in more adventurous activities anytime, anywhere while enjoying the high level of all-inclusive luxury and personalized service Seabourn is known for. This is a great option for those who aren't yet sure if adventure cruising is right for them.

9/Scenic

Scenic Eclipse is Scenic’s new ‘Discovery Yacht’, launched in summer 2019, offering luxury equipment and exciting adventures on board . Other facilities include helicopters, submarines (for an additional fee) and kayaks.

Scenic Eclipse is designed to be one of the most luxurious ships in Antarctica, offering all-inclusive rates and 6-star service, including a butler in every suite, and all suites with private balconies. Many dining options and a state-of-the-art spa will enhance your boating experience.

Scenic Eclipse’s first Antarctica season will begin in November 2019, and visitor numbers in Antarctica will be limited to 200 people to allow for the opportunity for frequent landings.

10/Crystal Expedition Cruises

Multiple "World's Best" award-winning cruise line Crystal enters 2020 expeditions with the first of three state-of-the-art expedition yachts market. Crystal Endeavor combines stunning onboard design with a host of high-end equipment, including two helicopters and a submersible. Crystal regulars will be pleased to see familiar dining options on board.

At the high end of the ocean cruise market, Crystal is worth a look, promising a level of luxury heretofore unseen in remote corners of our planet.