"I drive one of U2's trucks: there are 70,000 people just sitting outside the stadiums waiting for the doors to open. I'll go and talk to a few. When asking the fans if they were interested in Antarctica, and even winning a free trip, these are the responses I got:"
Actually you have quite a bit of ime on Antarctic terra.... we made at least 2 landings everyday once we made it through the Drake passage, which was about 8 days of the 12 day voyage. Which certainly doesn't compare to living there for a summer or two, but not many can do that. In fact most time was spent on land once we were near it. Other time was spent in the zodiacs cruising around the icebergs and spotting the more than occasional whale. Again, it was was only U$2000, not sure how much prices have gon up since 2005, but I can't imagine it's that much. I am not a fan of the environmental impact either and was under the impression, in 2005, that voyages like it would not be happening for much longer. I had hoped this was true.
Reply to this Kari I just quickly checked on cruises from Aus - departure points either hobart in Tasmania Aus or NZ - there appears to be 11 cruises to the area on small ships. 2 zodiac landings (one at mawsons hut, the other at Ross/ shakeltons hut) are inclusive of the 14k - 21k price tag per person with one cruise line doing heritage/scientific/historical cruises. Others from 6K to 23K (EEEEEEK!!!) per person, all stating on their websites they comply with antarctic environmental legislation and all appear to be small ships with around 100 passengers maximum. Going to have to do some more research on this 😉 sadly appears to be cheaper to fly to South America and do it that way.
Reply to this Cindy- I don't think you are going to get the deal I did by booking in advance. The deal I got was specifically a 'last minute" deal and I had to travel to Ushuia first to get it. My ship most certainly adheard to the environmental laws, including outfiting us with their gear and havubf a washer for our boots before and after we departed the ship to keep from contaminating the area.
Those prices are crazy to me and I wonder if they are more a 'luxury cruise' ship. Mine had about 65 passengers on it which made for a fun trip as well. Perhaps you could search on Aregentine sites to get better deals??
Reply to this Hey Kari - Antarctica is four years away - I actually would prefer to go from Hobart and NZ than fly to Ushuia and do it that way - something "Aussie" in me wants to do it the way Mawson did it - but in a much nicer boat lol - yes those prices are for "expedition" 20 - 30 day cruises but that would be the type of Antarctic experience Id want - and not on big luxury Queen Mary 2 type liners - from what I can see there are none of the bigger 'mass tourism' type ships with shops and casinos and cinemas doing the Aus - Antarctica circuit. I would be interested in doing a scientific/heritage tour...its 2000km from the bottom of Aus to Cape Dennison where Mawson set up his camp so a different "side" of Antarctica. Even looking at US sites to see what is referred to on the other side of the world as East Antarctica..the ross island ice shelf and mawson and shakelton huts comes in between 14K USD and 19K USD on research ships.
Ships under 60 people - research vessels - kind of the antarctic experience I personally want to have so if I cant get a research job down there, when im old enough to go on cruises, id be ok with shelling out that sort of money..partner would have to stay at home tho 😉
Flights from West Aus where I am to South America come in at around 6k return although if i was to look at that option it would be cheaper for me to buy a RTW ticket.
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Antarctica is the coldest, driest, windiest place on earth. Almost entirely covered in ice, the continent reflects most of the sun’s light and heat rather than absorbing it. Is's far away and travel cost a lot - why so few people are interested in a trip. Always, however, you can travel online😊 I recommend an interesting site on the Antarctic - www.krillfacts.org😊
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