My Antarctica Expedition

Antarctic explorer: Discovering the 7th continent

This is how the expedition is structured:

Image 1: Visiting a Penguin colony with 100,000 nesting pairs; Image 2: A typical day on the Antarctic peninsula with Penguins

Day 0: You land in Buenos Aires and are picked up from the airport and taken to your accommodation in Buenos Aires. You check in at Quark’s desk at the hotel, receive your luggage tags and get your questions answered by Quark staff.

Day 1: This morning, you take a private charter flight to Ushuaia. You get a few hours of free time in Ushuaia, and then get on the ship in the afternoon. Ushuaia is called the “End of the world”, as it is the southernmost town. It is a quaint little town with spectacular views of the snow-clad Andes mountains and the Beagle Channel. A great place for buying souvenirs, and grabbing a nice lunch.

Expeditioners cruising on a zodiac that is dwarfed by massive icebergs

Days 2 and 3: Make new friends, listen to expert lectures and explore your ship as you sail the Drake Passage. Don’t forget your seasickness medication if you are prone to getting sick. The Drake could get rough!

Days 4 to 8: Spend five whole days exploring the White continent. Your Expedition lead will make various stops around the Antarctic peninsula, so you will see different islands, and different sights. You get multiple opportunities to get off the ship. The activities are:

• The infamous Polar Plunge - BRRR!

• Zodiac cruising among icebergs - spot whales, penguins, seals and birds

• Landing on the continent and exploring a penguin colony

• Hiking on snowy mountains for spectacular views

• Take a 15-minute flight on the ship’s helicopter (Only available on the Quark Ultramarine)

• Sea Kayaking or paddling (as add-on paid activities)

Days 9 and 10: Sail back to Ushuaia

Day 11: Disembark

Pre & post-cruise stays:

My trip started in Buenos Aires. The package included my round-trip flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (port of departure). I stayed at the Emperador Hotel, Buenos Aires (which was also part of the package!).

Essentials to bring:

Baby, it’s cold out there — even though you visit Antarctica only during its summer months, the temperatures were in the lower 30s F / 0 C. Bring layers of clothing. Most cruise packages include a Parka to keep (in fun colors!) and boots to borrow, so leave those back at home. Definitely bring a good pair of waterproof pants, tech gloves, sunglasses. Contact me for detailed packing checklists!

Image 1: Mesmerizing views of glaciers from the helicopter; Image 2: Hiking at Portal Point, one of the last stops we made

The ship:

The Quark Ultramarine is a state-of-the-art polar expedition ship designed for adventure and luxury in extreme environments. It offers spacious accommodations, and a comfortable experience for travelers exploring the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship has two twin-engine helicopters, a fleet of zodiac boats and a robust hull for icy waters. Ultramarine ensures unparalleled experiences in remote destinations. The ship also features wellness spaces, gourmet dining and expert-led excursions, making it an exceptional choice for expedition cruising.

Entertainment and activities:

When you are not out there on a zodiac or kayaking amidst seals, the ship’s expedition crew will keep you entertained and educated with lectures and presentations on Antarctic history, wildlife and fun anecdotes from their past expeditions. The sauna and steam room are free to use. And while you’re there, why not utilize your Onboard credit from Fora’s Virtuoso partnership to get a massage?

Ship spa

Ports:

Though not traditional "ports", the Expedition ships make multiple stops around the Antarctic Peninsula and Antarctic Sound. Every journey is different, as the stops are determined by weather, the presence of wildlife, among other criteria that your Expedition leader will weigh and make a decision on the most ideal place to make a landing or take you on a zodiac cruise.

Additional costs:

Medical insurance to support medical emergencies when on the continent, and Evacuation and Rescue insurance are highly recommended. Some ships include the latter in the package cost! So check before you buy.

An expedition to Antarctica typically starts in South America:

• From Punta Arenas, Chile (if you choose to fly to Antarctica over the Drake Passage).

• From Buenos Aires or Ushuaia, Argentina (if you choose to sail the Drake Passage).

No matter what type of itinerary you pick, plan to arrive a couple of days prior to your expedition. Punta Arenas, Buenos Aires and Ushuaia all offer interesting activities and are all beautiful in their own right.

You can only go to Antarctica between the months of November and March, the Southern hemisphere's summer. If you love ice and icebergs, go earlier - November. If you want super-active wildlife, go late — in February or March. Want a balance? Then December, January are ideal.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruises page.