See-Antarctica.com

The Antarctic cruising season begins this November 2011 and spans early 2012, but this year changes are imminent. Proposed laws that would not allow ships to burn so-called heavy fuels go into effect in August 2011 and could affect what types of cruise vessels could offer voyages to Antarctica. The danger with heavy fuels is not their consumption but the risks posed if an accident happened and fuel leaked into the delicate Antarctic ecosystem. Such an accident occurred in 2007.

Large cruise vessels typically use both heavy fuel oil (economical but more polluting) and less-polluting light fuel when they are near shore. Most ships carry both fuels and use the economical version when out to sea (and covering the vast distances such ships must cross) while switching to the lighter fuel in more environmentally sensitive areas near land. The Antarctic ban does not allow ships to even carry the heavy fuel, meaning that the vessel would have to burn the more expensive, lighter fuel all the way back to land (South America). This would presumably be cost prohibitive. It is anticipated that larger cruise vessels will not make as many Antarctic voyages. However, some cruise lines indicate they intend to meet the new law’s requirements and continue their voyages.

This ban on heavy fuel oil may be a boon to the smaller expedition-type vessels which carry fewer passengers and burn the cleaner fuels.

 

Gap Adventures, an Australian company that offers expedition-style cruises to Antarctica, announced today that it is offering up to 20% on selected packages for the 2011/2012 Antarctic daylight season. Some restrictions may apply.

Tours include:

• Antarctica Classic in Depth
• Antarctica Classic
• Quest for the Antarctic Circle
• Spirit of Shackleton

For more information, contact gapadventures.com

 

 

Antarctica does not have a capital city. In fact, although more than a thousand people are there at many times of year, it has no permanent residents. But it does have some key destinations, or at least named places.

• The South Pole is the literal "end point" of the earth.
• The Southern Pole of Inaccessibility. This is not the same as the South Pole. It is the furthest inland point on Antarctica, that is, the place furthest from the Southern Sea. It is thus considered to be the most inaccessible place on earth. There is an abandoned Soviet station there, so it isn’t completely impossible to access.
• Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island, is an active volcano.
• South Shetland Islands is a cruise ship port. You can visit Deception Island from here, hot springs, and observe penguins. The Arctowski Station (Poland) is here.
• McMurdo Sound is home to the McMurdo station (USA)
• Mawson’s Huts are historical sites of where the Sir Dough Mawson’s expedition camped out. Sir Douglas was the sole survivor of this adventure.
• Anver Island and Anvord Pay is the other main cruise ship port (Paradise Bay and Neko Harbor are the actual ports). You can find Palmer Station here (a U.S. base) and a museum at Port Lockroy.

Antaractica has no official currency or language.

Cruise ship is an increasingly popular way for travelers to visit Antarctia. Most cruise ships to Antarctica depart from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina or Chile.

Most ships that travel to and from Antarctica are “ice strengthened,” a type of ship construction that is not-quite-an-icebreaker. Ice-strengthened ships are designed for maximum stability in Antarctica’s rough seas (icebreakers have rounded hulls that can amplify the wave action) as well as cutting through the ice.

Large and small cruise ships travel to Antarctica and–just like other parts of the world–the smaller ships can travel to areas where the larger ships cannot navigate. On the other hand, larger ships tend to offer more amenities than small ships.

Most cruise ships to Antarctica offer not only travel but a variety of excursion options (including guided hikes, kayaking, and so on). Unlike other ports of call, there may be headcount limitations in Antarctica in terms of how many people may be on land at any given time. Most of the time, just 100 people will be on land at any given time. This means that with larger ships, carrying 200 or 300 passengers, passengers will only be allowed on-land for a limited period of time and not the whole day.

The Antarctic Ice Marathon is scheduled this year for December 30, 2011. The program offers full-marathon (26.2 miles) and half-marathon (13.1 miles) options. This is a tough run–winds can blow at a steady 10 to 25 knots, not to mention the weather and relatively desolate conditions. Don’t expect crowds of onlookers to cheer you on.

Other Antarctica athletic events include the Antarctic Mile (November 30, 2011), and a new (date unknown) the Antarctic Triatholon and Duatholon (December 1, 2011). The triathlon/duathlon is limited to 22 participants (invitation only). While the standard triathlon combines swimming, cycling and running, the Antarctic version involves cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and running.

For more information on these events, contact the organizers at IceMarathon.com. Travel packages are available from Punta Arenas, Chile.