6 Top Packing Tips and More Stuff to Know Before Your Antarctica Cruise
I have taken three cruises to Antarctica. This magical destination requires some special preparation for a memorable voyage. (Photo by John Roberts)
It’s the Antarctica cruise season again, and you’re probably seeing your feeds filled with posts and photos from your friends enjoying their time on the spectacular White Continent.
You also might be getting ready for your highly anticipated upcoming expedition.
Or, you might be considering a trip of your own.
Whatever the case, I have some tips and tricks for you to consider for this special voyage.
A cruise to Antarctica is a life-changer. I know because I went for the first time in 2020 and loved it so much that I returned two more times and can’t wait to go again.
Our First Cruise to Antarctica. A Luxury Expedition with Abercrombie & Kent.
An Epic Cruise to Antarctica with My Brother on Atlas Ocean Voyages
My Antarctica Cruise with Albatros Expeditions
Antarctica cruises are more popular than ever, and I’ve tried itineraries with three different cruise lines. Each trip, I learn something new. With these experiences behind me, I’ve learned a few things that can help you.
Here are six very important things to know before you go on your Antarctica cruise.
1. What About the Weather?
It can be surprisingly warm and sunny in Antarctica. (Photo by John Roberts)
Cruises visit during austral summer in Antarctica.
That covers a period from November to March. This is when the fall and winter seasons occur in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, even though it’s summer, it’s still going to be cold most days in Antarctica.
The goods news? Days can reach 50 degrees or higher with sunshine that make conditions quite pleasant, and it’s during this time when the ice and snow has melted enough to allow expedition ships to safely navigate all the way to the Antarctic peninsula.
Then, cruisers can scratch a visit to the seventh continent off their bucket lists.
You might see nearly 24 hours of daylight during December in Antarctica, meaning you have opportunities to spot icy landscapes and animals at any time of the day.
2. The Notorious Drake Passage
If you’ve thought about an cruise to Antarctica, you’ve definitely heard about the notorious Drake Passage.
This is the stretch of often-turbulent water off the southern tip of South America that your cruise ship will sail across before reaching Antarctica.
Most cruises begin in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina, but some also start from Punta Arenas, Chile.
Your ship can spend up to two days making the crossing, and the waters probably will be at least a little bit choppy. What cruisers really worry about is how they will fare when the crossing is churning up huge waves that really rock the boat.
And sometimes, you might get really calm waters. You never really know. From my experiences, it’s a 50-50 chance to go either way: a rough crossing or a fairly calm so-called “Drake Lake.”
Cruisers might be a little scared about these voyages, especially if you suffer from seasickness. You can take seasickness treatments prior to the crossing if you think it will affect you. The cruise ships also offer some meds onboard to help your during the trip.
You’ll have to go through the passage twice — on the way down and back — and some cruisers really look forward to the experience because it’s all part of the adventure.
3. The Penguins are the Stars
You’ll love all the penguins that you get to visit with daily on your cruise to Antarctica. (Photo by John Roberts)
You’re going to see penguins. Lots and lots of penguins from a number of varieties.
We saw gentoos, Adelies, macaronis, rock hoppers and chinstraps during our voyages.
Antarctica is a wonderful place to see all kinds of animals who thrive in this most remote and harsh place, You can see whales, a variety of seals, sea lions and all kinds of marine birds, such as Albatros, terns and petrels.
But travelers love the incredibly cute penguins that you’re likely to see by the hundreds or thousands each day.
Late December through January is the best time to see penguins, as they stay around the nests that they are building in late November.
Late December is when the chicks begin hatching, so this is also a wonderful thing to experience as a visitor, as the little fluffy birds feed and begin to wander around.
4. Ice in Antarctica Is Like Artwork
When you visit Antarctica, you’ll find yourself immersed in a gallry of ice formations. (Photo by John Roberts)
I have spoken to the captains during my voyages to the polar regions — whether in the arctic on a cruise around Svalbard or to Iceland or in Antarctica — and the captains tell me that cruisers think they are coming to see the animals but then they also fall in love with the ice.
Antarctica is filled with beautiful snowy landscapes and wonderful ice in the form of massive floating icebergs, chunks of bergy bits and glaciers that sit nestled in the mountains. You will cruise past all of these marvels on your journey, seeing incredible new scenery daily.
Your daily activities include zodiac rides and photo safaris to get closer to the icebergs that are appear in all kinds of shapes and shades of blues. The icebergs are vital to the animals and birds who are regularly perched on them.
5. How Can I Get Great Photos?
Antarctica is obviously a brilliant destination for photographers, with all the stunning landscapes and animals to capture.
So, if you are serious about photography, you’ll bring along a good camera and a variety of lenses to best capture the albatrosses in flight or the whale tales in the distance or leopard seals hunting for food while swiftly moving through icy waters.
However, big cameras are not really needed to get plenty of amazing shots in Antarctica. This is because you will get pretty darn close to the penguins and seals once you go ashore for your landings. You have about two hours for each landing and will encounter plenty of penguins who wander right up to you, as well as colonies of seals relaxing in piles onshore or shuffling around.
You’ll also be plenty close enough to big icebergs for great shots, and don’t forget to snap a few images of your ship, too.
6. What to Pack for an Antarctica Cruise
I talked a bit about the weather earlier. It can be really cold and windy or snowy — or sunny and in the 50s. So, you need to pack for all kinds of conditions.
This means clothing that can provide warmth in layers that can be stripped off as needed.
Bring thermal base layers. Long underwear and shirts of lightweight or midweight synthetic material work well as the first thing you put on. Then, add (in this order) a wicking athletic shirt, a sweater or sweatshirt and a fleece before putting on your parka (parkas are typically provided by your cruise line)
Wool hats and socks, gloves, scarves and rain pants are a must. Most cruise lines also will provide boots that you can use during the expedition.
You’ll also need sunscreen and sunglasses. You can get a sunburn in any conditions down in Antarctica. Bring a backpack if your cruise line isn’t going to be giving you one of those (check ahead of time to see what’s offered), as well as a water bottle to stay hydrated while out on your excursions.
For on the ship, have comfortable clothes and shoes that are non-slip and water-resistant because you probably will be out on deck a lot looking for animals and enjoying the scenery.
You don’t have to dress fancy during Antarctica cruises, so bring clothes that are comfortable and stylish enough to wear to dinners or while you are enjoying your time in the bars or lounges.
You also might want a swim suit to wear in the spa, hot tubs or for the polar plunge.