Discovering Antarctica with Atlas Ocean Voyages!
I have dreamed about traveling to Antarctica for many years - exploring the continent of extremes! The 7th continent always held an air of mystery to me - a vast, lightly-explored location with incredible wildlife and, literally, located at the end of the world. Even as someone who has been to many places, Antarctica was a bit intimidating to me as well - hearing stories of the Drake Passage and a land where less than 100,000 people go annually.
When I had the opportunity to sail with Atlas Ocean Voyages, I jumped on it and could not have asked for a better travel experience to the Land of Penguins. Not only was the experience onboard pure luxury (see below for more on that) but the sites wowed me in a way that I have not experienced anywhere else in the world. If Antarctica is on your bucket list, let's talk about how you can experience this amazing destination.
When you book any cruise to Antarctica, Information about what you do once you reach the destination is vague. It is heavily influenced by the weather and the safety of the passengers based on the captain’s discretion. Because of this, I did not really know what to expect each day. On our sailing, we visit Antarctica 8 times over 4 days in some manner. (Once in the morning and then once after lunch.) You were assigned to a group and the crew very efficiently got people into their cold-weather gear and onto zodiacs for that time’s excursions.
I don’t want to ruin too much for those reading who choose to go on their own Antarctica adventure so I won’t go into a ton of detail about each day’s excursions. Plus, the weather on your individual trip would dictate your experience - no two sailings are the same. Most of the time, we were taken on a quick zodiac trip to land and then explored through a hike or other activity for approximately an hour. All of these included a focus on seeing wildlife and learning more about the location. Some stops included buildings and information on the history of whaling and science in the area.
On a few of the days, we did zodiac tours of the area which was a nice option (less walking) and we got an up-close perspective of many areas. What made all of these experiences exceptional, and I really mean that word was the Expedition Team onboard. This group of 13 people went out with guests each day explaining the many sites and also their knowledge of the animals in the area. I was pleasantly surprised at how energetic and personable this team was - not just scientifically focused. What really struck me about this team was their obvious sense of enjoyment and continued awe about the sites they were helping others to see. While oftentimes you find guides in areas just going through the motions, this team obviously enjoyed the work they do and helping others experience this part of the world. It made all of the difference for this adventure - more on this team and the onboard Atlas Ocean Voyages experience below!
About Atlas Ocean Voyages
As someone who has been on a lot of cruise shapes of all sizes, I would say I am particular about all aspects of the experience. And, when I look through my travel advisor eyes, I am always analyzing my clients’ potential vacation onboard. While there are positive aspects to most cruise lines depending on what you are looking for, it is rare for one to “check all the boxes for me” so to speak. But, Atlas Ocean Voyages did just that. From the beautiful decor and carefully thought-out cabins to the service and onboard team, I was so impressed from the moment I stepped onto the vessel.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is yacht-style cruising with less than 200 people onboard. This is the perfect sized ship to visit Antarctica especially as there are many restrictions on the size of vessels going to the continent and ships with more than 500 can’t even go to land. The decor onboard was warm and inviting - with many comfortable lounge areas to enjoy time together or just take in the beauty of the surroundings. I thought the color scheme and finishes were beautiful - modern and comfortable.
Staterooms onboard the yacht were equally as well furnished and featured a lot of storage (which is great when you have a lot of cold weather gear!) I opted for a Horizon Stateroom which I loved because of the top-drop electric window and Juliette balcony. I slept with the window open most nights and the fresh Antarctica air was incredible. Included in your cruise fare is a complimentary mini-bar stocked with items of your choosing and you can enjoy a drink or coffee in the living area while you think about your explorations of the day. My favorite feature of the cabin, however, was the shower. With 3 types of jets as options, it rivaled many showers I have been in on land and was the perfect way to start the day.
Food is always a question I am asked a lot about when it comes to cruising which makes sense as it can vary a lot based on the cruise line. As a vegetarian, I focus more on the selection and variety which I found to be quite good onboard. Each night had a different theme (Italian, Asian, etc.) and lunch always included a salad bar and many fresh options. I had breakfast in the restaurant or by room service (which is also included). There is also a lovely quick-stop pantry onboard if you just want to grab a coffee and sandwich or croissant. On some of their other sailings, they have Epicurean expeditions which include culinary experiences ashore, such as local market visits, specialty tastings, and more.
While I don’t think most people are focused on onboard entertainment while sailing Antarctica, there were a variety of performances onboard which I thought offered just enough programming. The cruise director sang for two nights and there was a piano bar in the Dome Lounge each night where you could enjoy live music with a drink and chat with people about the day. They also had a crew talent show on one of the final nights of the sailing. This helps create a better experience for the crew onboard and provides gym equipment, crew parties, etc.
Overall, I can't say enough positive things about my experience - both onboard and in this unique and special part of the world. I would LOVE to talk to you about planning a vacation to Antarctica or on another sailing with Atlas Ocean Voyages. Both will take your breath away.
